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2009 Akron Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

Akron 61509 It appears head coach J.D. Brookhart and the Akron Zips are finally ready to make some noise following three straight losing seasons. This would be an especially good year to take the perennially wide open MAC East as the Zips step into a new stadium in 2009. Brookhart has brought in former Miami Ohio head man Shane Montgomery to run the offense and former Pitt head man Walt Harris to coach the quarterbacks. But can this elite coaching staff gel in year one to take the Zips to the top? I’ll take a closer look in this 2009 college football betting preview. Our readers qualify for a special $500 match bonus at BetUS.

Offense – The Zips return nine starters on the offense. This unit averaged 30.0 points per game in 2008 (36th in the nation) and exploded for 40 or more points in five contests. This unit has the potential to emerge as the most explosive in the MAC East and head coach J.D. Brookhart is hoping his hires of two former head coaches can help take them to that point. Brookhart is especially hopeful that Harris can hone the skills of senior QB Chris Jacquemain. Jacquemain passed for over 2,700 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. The Zips definitely won’t be hurting for talent around him. All-MAC wide receivers Andre Jones and Deryn Bowser return after combining for 111 grabs and 11 scores last fall. The Zips also bring back No. 3 receiver Jeremy Bruce and will get downs out of senior Dashan Miller as well. The icing on the cake is an offensive line which returns four starters. This should ensure that Jacquemain has time to throw.

The Zips lost All-MAC running back Dennis Kennedy to graduation, but there is still plenty of excitement surrounding this position with Louisville transfer Dale Martin and former Ohio State commit DeVoe Torrence all set to team with senior Alex Allen in the backfield. Allen is the teams top returning ball carrier, gaining 152 yards on 32 carries and adding three touchdowns.

Defense – While the Zips boast a formidable offensive attack that averaged 30.0 points per game last season, they lack a stellar defensive unit which allowed 31.3 points per game in 2008. I’m no mathematician, but it occurs to me that it is going to be very difficult to put together a winning campaign if the defense continues to allow more points that the offense is able to score. The Zips will once again go to battle with their 3-3-5 scheme hoping they can do a much better job against the run and can also put some heat on opposing quarterbacks. Akron was one of the worst teams in the league in terms of rushing defense and sacks a season ago. The Zips allowed 187.2 rushing yards per game (100th in the nation) and their top returning sack man totaled just 2.5 sacks. There is hope for this unit however, and it all starts up front. The Zips are still young on the defensive line, but the team returns All-MAC end Almondo Sewell and should finally get Iowa transfer Ryan Bain on the gridiron. Bain is expected to make a huge difference against the run from the nosetackle spot.

Junior All-MAC candidate Mike Thomas leads the linebacker unit and three starters return in the secondary, most notably Miguel Graham, who led the team in interceptions.

Prediction: 3rd MAC East – The Zips finished 5-7 in 2008, with four of those losses coming by a combined 16 points. I wouldn’t be all that surprised if Akron went bowling in 2009, but I’m going to have to see this defensive unit put the clamps on some of its opponents before I start believing. Bet the MAC at Bookmaker this season and get a 20% cash sign up bonus!

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