Akron Football starts a new era with Joe Moorhead

How will Akron football fare in 2021?

While hiring Joe Moorhead to take over the program has been seen as a step in the right direction, it will take him some time to turn the trajectory of the program. Cannot expect miracles to happen overnight.

So how will Akron football fare in the 2022 season?

• Game 1: St. Francis (Pa.) (W) – First meeting between the schools and St. Francis has only played one other FBS foe previously, last year losing to Eastern Michigan.
• Game 2: at Michigan State (L) – Zips are 2-31 all-time versus Big Ten teams. Do not expect them to pick up their third win against Sparty.
• Game 3: at Tennessee (L) – Zips are even worse against the SEC all-time, 0-8. This contest against the Vols will not be pretty.
• Game 4: at Liberty (L) – Akron last faced off against Liberty in 2002 when the Flames were in the FCS. It was a victory for the Zips then but they will find it more difficult this season.
• Game 5: Bowling Green (W) – The Zips have won two straight against the Falcons but have never won three in a row in the series. That will change this year.
• Game 6: at Ohio (L) – Akron has lost four straight in the series and has not won in Athens since 2004.
• Game 7: Central Michigan (L) – Chippewas have dominated the Zips in the series this century.
• Game 8: at Kent State (L) – Akron and Kent State are 10 miles apart and this is the biggest rivalry for both schools. The winner takes home the Wagon Wheel trophy. It will stay with the Golden Flashes in 2022.
• Game 9: Miami (Ohio) (L) – Redhawks should be one of the better teams in the MAC. Pulling an upset will be a tough task.
• Game 10: Eastern Michigan (W) – Zips have not beat the Eagles since 2015 however the home team is 11-3 since 1996. Look for the Zips to pick up their third win of the season.
• Game 11: at Buffalo (W) – Akron has not won in Buffalo since the 2005 season, but the Zips find a way to get it done on the road this time.
• Game 12: at Northern Illinois (L) – Huskies are a favorite to win the MAC. Zips conclude their season with a loss.

Prediction: 4-8, 3-5 MAC

The cupboard is not completely bare and Moorhead is not starting from scratch. The Zips have experience in multiple areas and they brought in 22 transfers to fill in areas of need.

In Moorhead’s first season, the Zips should be much more competitive than they were over the last three seasons. The Zips double their win total from a year ago and have something to build on for the 2023 season.