More speed at running back than in any year Lee Owens has coached the Zips. Experience at QB and on defense. Confidence entering a season for the first time in years. The punt return team is outstanding.
Depth is decent on defense.
Finding a punter, a backup quarterback and a third wide receiver. Akron achieved its first winning season in eight years last season and could challenge Marshall for the East Division title. Akron must show it can win big games and can win on the road. The Zips get Marshall at home on Oct. 28 in the game of the year in the East Division. A program famed for its yearly preseason discussions on being competitive, Akron actually posted a winning record last season and appears in position to challenge Marshall for supremacy in the MAC East Division, thanks to the return of 14 starters and 44 lettermen.