Week 7 offseason preview: Akron Zips
I am determined to get through these offseason previews of Cuse opponents for the upcoming season. So let’s move right along and get to our 7th game and that is against the Akron Zips.
What we know
As we all know quite well, the Zips are the team that for all intents and purposes ended the GRE at Syracuse. The 42-28 smackdown, where the defense basically could not stop the draw play, deflated any last GRob apologist. After that game it was clear that it was time to throw the baby out with the bath water. Revisionist history demands one more look at some of the carnage from that day. For starters, how about the 29 first downs, 478 yards of total offense and a 7 minute time of possession advantage garnered by the Zips? Too mind numbing? How about this specific: Faced with a 3rd and 23, Dennis Kennedy rushes through a slew of arm tackles to not only convert the first down but also scamper in for a 35 yard TD and 14-0 lead at that point? Ok enough of that.
On the season last year the Zips finished with a 5-7 record, and that’s right they couldn’t even manage .500 in their own conference! The Zips were plagued by a horrible defense that seemed to match their high powered offense. The offense averaged 30 pts a game, while the defense managed to give up 31.3. The offense averaged 396.7 yards per game while their defense allowed 397.6. Get the point? For the record Zips won against Syracuse, Army, Kent St, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo. Losses were to Wisconsin, Ball St, Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Ohio and Temple.
Spring Developments
On offense, there will be 9 returning starters. Dennis Kennedy is replaced at TB by Alex Allen (who also shredded us for 103 yards and two TDs last season). The biggest changes on O come via the coaching ranks. Former Miami Oh HC Shane Montgomery takes over as OC and Walt Harris was brought in at QB coach. Harris will be called in to try and improve the efficiency and consistency of QB Chris Jacqueman. Deryn Bowser leads an experienced pack of receivers (the others are Andre Jones, Dashan Miller and Jeremy Bruce). However Bowser and Jones missed much of spring due to some minor dings.
The defense gets a much needed enema as only the secondary returns major experience. Iowa transfer Ryan Bain will try to reverse his injury woes and nail down the DT spot. Bandit LB Mike Thomas will try and shore up the 3-3-5 defensive alignment that has been more than generous in yielding yards in the JD Brookhart era. Thomas is undersized but a playmaker but will need fellow LBer Aaron Williams to build on his spring exploits into the fall. Miguel Graham heads the secondary, with 3 picks and 70 tackles last season.
Akron’s spring game capsule can be found here.
Interesting facts
The Zips are the second team on the Orange slate to be debuting a new stadium. Akron will be moving to the new InfoCision field,saying good bye to the Rubber Bowl. Check it out.
Chattering masses
The most active football forum on the web can be found at ZipNation. Also if you are looking for an Akron view of the Syracuse game check this one out (spoiler alert, they don’t think this will be even remotely close!). Additional previews of the Zips were done by the Quad Blogs and Bleacher Report.
Why we can win
I expect our tackling will be much better with Derrell Smith manning the middle and Doug Hogue on the outside. Our WRs were non-existent last year and the infusion of Mike Williams will energize our attack and give the Zips a few extra wrinkles to handle. We should see Scott Schafer’s aggressive schemes start to pay off – assuming we don’t take any severe/crucial injuries to this point. We will be coming off of a bye week and plenty of time for the team to watch last season’s debacle. I don’t expect any letdown from a DM led group. This game will be the 5th of 6 consecutive home games and that should play as a prominent factor.
Why we can lose
Considering the damage that Akron was able to inflict on the Orange last season, it is a given that the Zips will be feeling pretty confident about their chances in the Carrier Dome. They also could be making it two wins in a row over BCS foes if they take down Indiana as is quite possible. There is a lot of confidence that Akron has all the tools necessary to make a serious run at a MAC championship if they get their defense straightened out. By the time of this game, both sides should have a good idea about how this game will go down.
The Pick
I think this game will be circled on alot of calendars based on the results of last season. The Orange will try to measure their progress against last season based on how this game is played. The staff has been quite clear that the goal for this season is a bowl game and this is game that is absolutely necessary for that scenario to occur. I expect that this game could be every bit as how powered as last year. Recall that the Orange was also able to rack up 200+ yards on the ground. The game will turn on fundamental changes in defensive philosphy and intensity. We should have a pretty good grasp by this game if the Orange can defend against the spread. I’m leaning towards a W at this point so color this one Orange, 38-30.
