2018 MAC Football Preview: Morgan State @ Akron Zips

The Akron Zips were supposed to open their season in Lincoln against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. That was going to be a tall task. Mother nature intervened, and the Zips will now open their season against the Morgan State Bears. The Bears are currently on probation for failing to meet NCAA academic standards and have an interim head coach. While not a huge deal, it does limit their practices a bit, and that is a factor in a program trying to rebuild.

The Bears lost their opener to Towson. The new coach is trying to implement a rushing attack, and they managed 66 yards on 37 attempts. The passing game wasn’t nearly as bad, completing 14 of 24 passes, for 104 yards.

Their defense gave up over 400 yards, including 245 through the air.

There are no gimmes in the modern era of college football, and certainly not for a team like Akron that even though they won their division wasn’t exactly a top echelon team in the FBS. However, this particular game looks like the perfect opportunity for an Akron team that might be rebuilding a bit this season themselves. A big key to their season might be the arm of Kato Nelson. This looks to be a good game for the young, but talented, QB to gain some positive momentum. The Akron defense could use a little positive momentum, too, and against this might be the perfect opponent.

The Zips should run away with this game and I expect a score somewhere in the 30s-40s for Akron. I’ll be shocked Morgan State is in the 20s. It’s supposed to be 72 and rainy, so baring a monsoon, or freak turnovers, I would be a little worried if this game is close if I was an Akron fan.