2022 Akron Zips Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

2022 AKRON ZIPS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

Akron had a rough season in 2021, winning just two of its 12 games en route to a fourth consecutive losing campaign. For the second straight full season the Zips lost 10 or more games, too. After a dismal 3-24 run as head coach, Tom Arth is out, and former Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead takes over trying to right the ship at Infocision Stadium.

It's Moorhead's second go-around as an FBS head coach, as he spent two season at the helm for Mississippi State from 2018-19, going 14-12 with a 3-9 conference record and 0-2 bowl mark.

The Zips plan to run the football plenty, although there are questions about how effective the offensive line can be. Still, if the O-line is adequate, incumbent RB Jonzell Norrils (118-573-3) and incoming transfer RB Cam Wiley could give this team a potent one-two punch in the backfield. At QB, DJ Irons is a dual threat option who completed 65.0% of his passes for 892 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games while running 91 times for 296 yard sand two more scores. He replaces QB Zach Gibson, who left for Georgia Tech.

Unfortunately for Irons, the top offensive player from a year ago, WR Konata Mumpfield, took his talents to Pittsburgh, and WR Michael Mathison has also departed. That means the leading returning receiver is TE Terrance Brank (25-269-3), and then there is a whole lot of fingers crossed that LSU transfer WR Alex Adams can be the real deal.

The defense struggled mightily, and it's expected to be a rather slow go getting better. The secondary could be somewhat serviceable, but there are pass rush questions, and plenty of them.

The non-conference schedule is brutal with trips to East Lansing and Knoxville before the leaves even start to turn. A trip to Liberty is no bargain, either. After an FCS opponent in Game 1, there might not be any success until October. Two of Arth's three victories the past two seasons have been against Bowling Green, and that's the MAC opener at home on Oct. 1. After that, victories might be hard to come by, although Akron is likely to avoid another double-digit loss season under Moorhead, especially if the run game lives up to its potential.

Best Bet: Akron OVER 2.5 Wins (-145)

2022 AKRON ZIPS SCHEDULE

• Thu., Sept. 1 - vs. St. Francis-PA
• Sat., Sept. 10 - at Michigan State
• Sat., Sept. 17 - at Tennessee
• Sat., Sept. 24 - at Liberty
• Sat., Oct. 1 - vs. Bowling Green
• Sat., Oct. 8 - at Ohio
• Sat., Oct. 15 - vs. Central Michigan
• Sat., Oct. 22 - at Kent State
• Sat., Oct. 29 - vs. Miami-Ohio
• Tue., Nov. 8 - vs. Eastern Michigan
• Sat., Nov. 19 - at Buffalo
• Sat., Nov. 26 - at Northern Illinois

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 2.5 (-145)
• Under 2.5 (+125)

AKRON ZIPS ODDS TO WIN MAC CHAMPIONSHIP

+12500

The Zips will simply exceed expectations if it can avoid the basement in the MAC East Division. This isn't a conference title contender, or anything close to it, although Moorhead could turn things around before too long.

AKRON ZIPS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+300000

No chance. Next. Not even worth a small-unit play. If you like to toss away good money, send it to my Venmo instead.

AKRON ZIPS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

The Akron Zips do not have any Heisman contenders to begin the 2022 season

2021 AKRON ZIPS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 2-10
• ATS: 5-7
• O/U: 6-6
• ATS-Home: 2-4
• ATS-Road: 3-3
• ATS-Favorite: 1-0
• ATS-Underdog: 4-7

MORE CONFERENCE ODDS

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish