25 questions that rue the Roo

What is their body of work?

It is rough.  They won the MAC title in 2005 and have had exactly one winning season since 2005. They won the East in 2017. Over their last 23 games, they are 2-21, all the more sobering since one of the wins is over BG--the only FBS win in the whole 23 games.  They built a new stadium somewhere in there and it's pretty good but the team never seems to get better.

They are 1-4 this year.  The win is over Bryant, and the losses are to Temple, Ohio State, Auburn and OU--a team that was winless when they played.

They were picked to finish ahead of BG this year in the media poll.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

There is not a two-deep in their game notes.  They are #8 in the MAC in experience in Phil Steele and #57 in the country.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

DJ Irons is #14 in completion %

Charles Amankwaa #15 in interceptions

Bubba Arslanian is #6 in total tackles

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are -3 so far.

Gerry Faust!  Coached Moeller, Notre Dame and Akron

Offense:

How is their QB play?

When the season started, Kato Nelson was their starter.  He was injured all of last year and then started the first two games before getting injured in the Temple game.  Since then, the QB has been DJ Irons.  Irons played for Grayson in GA in HS, which is apparently a national power.  He went to EKU, left after a semester for Iowa Central Community College and now he is at Akron.  He's been an improvement.  He's #3 in the MAC in pass efficiency and he's leading the team in rushing.  He's also 6'6".

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are 10th in the MAC in scoring and yards per play.  BG, to no one's suprise, is last in both.  They are scoring 18.6 per game, BG 17.2.

Can they run the ball?

They do not.  They are 11th in the MAC at 3 per carry.  BG is 12th.  The good news is that Teon Dollard, who looked like Jim Brown against BG last year, is no longer with the program.

Do they pass the ball?

They are 2nd in pass efficiency.  This will be interesting.  He has completed 69% of his passes, 8 TD over 3 INT at 11.4 yards per completion, which isn't a ton but is pretty good.  Konta Mumpfield, WR, has scored 4 times.

How is their run/pass balance?

Sack adjusted, 50-50

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are 11th, one spot ahead of BG.

Do they score in the red zone?

They are not great at 4.2 points per trip. 9 TDs in 17 trips.

Do they protect the quarterback?

No.  A thousand times, no.  They are the most-sacked team in the NCAA, with 27 sacks.  This is a shocking number.  They have been sacked on 16% of their attempted passes.

The Akron team that beat OSU.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are last in the MAC in scoring defense--by a lot--and last in yards per play.  They average 7.7 yards per play allowed.

Do they defend the run effectively?

No, last place.  6.5 yards per carry allowed.

Can they be passed on?

Yes.  Last place.  74% completions, 9 TD over 2 INT and 11 yards per completion.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They do not.  They are last in the MAC, under 50%.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They allow 6.2 points per trip.  They have zero red zone stops.

Do they pressure the QB?

They have 7 sacks (last) but that is 6% of attempts, which is pretty normal

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are 4th in net punting.  No blocks, no return TDs.

Punt Return?

Middle of the pack in the MAC, no TDs, no blocks.

Placekicking? 

Not much.  He's 3-4 with a long of 40.

Kickoff? 

Last in the MAC.  Opponents start on the 33.

Kickoff Return?

Has to be last.  They average starting on the 20.

These are the Goodrich overshoes that a student suggested 
as the inspiration for the Zips nickname.

"Rubber and dainty"  I can't even

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

OK, here is the thing.  First, these are the two worst teams in the MAC, I think that's pretty clear.  Akron is just a little better than BG on offense and they are way worse on defense.  Their sack total should look very juicy to BG's stunting/blitzing defensive attack.  BG should be able to mount some kind of running game as well.  Having said that, last year Akron delivered a blow out victory--one of the lowest points in program history.  BG is much better and I'm not sure Akron is.  Unbelievably, BG is a 14-point favorite...we might not cover for the first time but I like us to win this one.