Youngstown State at Akron

The Akron Zips came into last season having won 21 games or more for 11 straight seasons. Last season they were just 13-18. They do have three returning starters and some talented newcomers and I look for the Zips to get back to the 20-win level the program has been for over a decade. Youngstown State won just eight games last year, matching their 2009 total for futility. They will struggle once again with just one returning starter, especially early in the season. These teams have met six times since 2007 and Akron has won five of them by an average of over 10 points per contest. The Zips are much better at this point. Take Akron for the straight-up win.