“Akron bashed its shin on the Temple steps two weeks ago. If the Zips stand up and look around, they’re still in the Mid-American Confer ence East race. The team will travel to the University of Buffalo Saturday to play the Bulls, who have never defeated Akron.”
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Akron bashed its shin on the Temple steps two weeks ago.

If the Zips stand up and look around, they’re still in the Mid-American Confer ence East race.

The team will travel to the University of Buffalo Saturday to play the Bulls, who have never defeated Akron. This is one of two key games remaining on the schedule. I hear you laughing. Playing the Bulls is important?

Hello??? Buffalo’s not bad anymore and they lead the division at 2-0. Running back James Starks trampled over Ohio and Toledo for a combined total of 414 yards. Turner Gill, the Bulls’ coach, is the favorite to eventually replace Bill Callahan at Nebraska.

How do the Zips win? They stack the box with eight players to stop Starks and rely on the stellar cornerbacks to hold their own. On offense, Akron has to take chances. Buffalo’s excellent punting game (and Akron’s subpar one) will make a field-position battle futile for the Zips.

Before you bet on the Bulls, who are a 1-point favorite in Vegas, consider Akron’s secret weapon.

John Mackey, who has already proven to be the toughest guy on campus, returned to the depth chart Tuesday – only four weeks after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Kent State.

The team is incredibly excited about Mackey’s return. The team will come out rested from the bye week, angry from the loss to Temple and all kinds of Chuck Liddell-fired up about Mackey putting on pads again when it appeared the captain’s career was over.

Look for UA to recapture the division lead with a big win.

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