Akron Zips
2014 Results: 5-7 SU; 3-9 ATS; T-4th MAC East Division
Since playing in its first ever bowl game in 2005, Akron has suffered through nine straight losing seasons. Three consecutive 1-11 seasons from 2009-2011 were tough to swallow but last year arguably trumped those. A win in the season finale against then 1-9 Kent St. would have made the Zips bowl eligible but instead, they allowed a touchdown with a minute left to fall short of a possible postseason bowl berth. Can they recover? The pieces are in place for another run under fourth year head coach Terry Bowden.
2015 Best Case Scenario: 7-5
While the schedule is soft enough to grab eight victories, considering the fact Akron has not won eight games since 1983 when in was a I-AA team, we cannot make that bold of a prediction. The Zips will likely start 0-2 against Oklahoma and a revenge minded Pittsburgh team, but they then have four straight winnable games to gain momentum and confidence. After that, later season wins against Massachusetts, Miami and Kent St. could send the Zips back to the postseason.
2015 Worse Case Scenario: 4-8
Even with a strong coaching staff and a solid amount of returning players, winning on the road has been a problem for Akron, going 3-33 on the highway since 2009. And those later season games against Massachusetts and Miami are on the road so they are far from sure things. Other road games at Louisiana and Bowling Green will be tough as well so another 0-6 road campaign is certainly possible. Playing four road games in a stretch of five doesn't help matters.
2015 Prediction: 6-6
Akron should have enough to make a bowl run this year as long as there is no hangover from last year's late collapse where it lost five of its last six games. The Zips are 3-9 under Bowden the last two years on the road so sneaking out a couple this year is doable. The MAC has five bowl tie-ins so even a 6-6 record is no guarantee of the Zips making their second ever bowl game.
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