Akron at Minnesota - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Akron Zips at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota logo
Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Huntington Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN

 
Zips (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Joe Moorhead (13 - 35)
Avg Score : 22 - 27 (17 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
MINN 3rd straight Home Game
AKR coming off BYE
Our Line: Minnesota -22  (SP+ MINN -15)
Projected Score: AKR: 13 - MINN: 35 (48)
MINN Win prob: 96% | Cover: 52%
AKR Travel: 650 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Golden Gophers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (66 - 44)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (30 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.2 - 5.8 (#62)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
 
Akron's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Akron at Wake Forest+23————
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Akron at Minnesota+22————
Sat 9/26Akron vs UNLV+12.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Akron's Schedule
Minnesota's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois-30————
Sat 9/12Minnesota vs Mississippi State-4.5————
Sat 9/19Minnesota vs Akron-22————
Sat 9/26Minnesota at Washington+17.5————
Sat 10/3Minnesota vs Michigan+10.5————
Sat 10/10Minnesota at Purdue-7————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Minnesota vs Iowa+8————
Sat 10/31Minnesota at Indiana+26————
Sat 11/7Minnesota vs UCLA-5.5————
Sat 11/14Minnesota at Penn State+13.5————
Sat 11/21Minnesota vs Northwestern-5.5————
Sat 11/28Minnesota at Wisconsin-4————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Minnesota's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
AKR#117 (.07)38% (113)22.340% (98)2.8 (98)13637% (113)2193.25 (112)#46 (.11)39% (38)27.441% (60)38% (31)3.68 (70)45.81.41.7
MINN#94 (.13)40% (101)2339% (110)2.62 (123)10341% (77)1903.79 (60)#97 (.2)45% (113)22.943% (82)47% (124)3.84 (84)310.71.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
AKR0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MINN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
AKR Offense1222.31738.4%3.251.4203551362193.845%52%40%37%18%.07
MINN Defense1322.91345.2%3.841.2 - - - - - 46%53%43%47%18%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
AKR Defense1227.436.339.2%3.681.7 - - - - - 51%48%41%38%17%.11
MINN Offense132330.139.9%3.790.7172931031903.641%57%39%41%16%.13

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Akron1229:5220.131%48%5.845.81.41.75.82.1129.4
Minnesota1329:2317.140%43%3.8310.71.27.13230.7
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
AKR Offense1245% (102)40% (98)35.8136.43.89 (132) (123)2.8 (98)72% (70)10% (98)0.82 (123)
MINN Defense1346% (19)43% (82) - - - - .14 (92)2.86 (63)73% (80)13% (6)0.98 (83)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
AKR Defense1251% (76)41% (60) - - - - .03 (27)2.75 (45)58% (7)11% (28)0.92 (49)
MINN Offense1341% (126)39% (110)28.8103.53.615 (88).02 (116)2.62 (123)73% (61)9% (44)0.89 (105)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
AKR Offense1252% (40)37% (113)17.433.72196.512.620 (50)9 (88).18 (107)1.6 (34)35% (124)28% (97).19 (115)8% (123)2.1 (58)
MINN Defense1353% (119)47% (124) - - - - - - 9 (38).25 (73)1.5 (35)30% (102)36% (129).42 (122)5% (122)2 (54)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
AKR Defense1248% (70)38% (31) - - - - - - 12 (38).23 (60)1.7 (121)30% (93)25% (15).22 (36)6% (52)2.2 (118)
MINN Offense1357% (11)41% (77)19.330.7189.96.29.819 (61)7 (34).22 (82)1.4 (121)33% (96)28% (94).2 (111)7% (114)1.8 (126)

Akron's Power Ratings
Akron's Power Rating: -12.36  #120
Akron's Offense Rating: 2.39  #130
Akron's Defense Rating: 19.75  #96
2026 Talent Rating: 422.00  #127
Blue Chip Ratio: 2%  #73
Akron's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Akron's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.9  #117
Akron's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.2  #123
Akron's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3  #87

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 546.62
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Akron: -12.36   Minnesota: 8.895

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Akron: -13.9   Minnesota: 1.5




Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 8.895  #32
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 17.09  #37
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 10.80  #34
2026 Talent Rating: 1048.00  #9
Blue Chip Ratio: 12  #34
Minnesota's 2026 Expected Record: 6.2 - 5.8
Minnesota's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.5  #70
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.8  #94
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #33

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Akron Scoring
Offense: 22.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 27.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 36.3

Akron's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Minnesota 35
Akron 13

Projected Total Points: 48
Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.1
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Minnesota's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Minnesota000 Overs
Akron000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#120) AKR at (#32) MINN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatAKRMINN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #120 #32
SP+SP+ #117 #70
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #127 #9
Blue ChipsBC% #73 #34
Akron Notes
(3/4) Vibes: Hopeful, this team could bowl, better Off
(3/4) Moorehead wins from 2 in '23, 4 in '24, 5 last year
(3/4) QB Poffenbarger (UNT) was good FCS @ Albany
(3/4) RB Jordan Gant best in MAC? 1K LY, have depth
(3/4) WR trio of Williams, Mason + Burris (Char) good
(3/4) OL has 3 decent starters, 3 portals, 3 exp'd depth
(3/4) DT added 2 big, exp'd FCS, DE Durham is good
(3/4) DBs have lots of exp but sub prod. Could be worse
Akron Injury Report
Minnesota Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Fleck good but stalling? DC Collins shaky
(2/4) QB Lindsey has been good not great. Some depth
(2/4) RB Taylor back, hopefully healthy. Good depth
(2/4) WR 3 portals needed, decent unit, needs #1
(2/4) OL big issue LY, 3 return. Vital this unit improves
(2/4) DT light on exp but lots of options. DE Smith great
(2/4) LB should be good w 2 big portal adds. Depth
(2/4) DBs hit by Perich loss, one good CB & S. Unclear
(2/4) LY Def collapsed & Off was awful. Big year coming
Minnesota Injury Report
Akron on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffMINN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #113 #113
ExplosiveExp #61 #74
PPAPPA #117 #97
PowerPwr #130 #34
SP+SP+ #123 #33
Pts POPPO #112 #84
HavocHav #113 #29
Akron Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #98 #82
Run ExplRExp #123 #83
PPAExp #123 #92
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #98 #63
Stuff RateStuff #103 #55
TackleTak - NR
Akron Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #113 #124
Pass ExplPExl #34 #35
PPAExp #107 #73
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #6
DB HavocDB #123 #122
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffAKR Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #101 #38
ExplosiveExp #99 #90
PPAPPA #94 #46
PowerPwr #37 #96
SP+SP+ #94 #87
Pts POPPO #60 #70
HavocHav #74 #33
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffAKR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #60
Run ExplRExp #105 #49
PPAExp #116 #27
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #123 #45
Stuff RateStuff #94 #20
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffAKR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #77 #31
Pass ExplPExl #121 #121
PPAExp #82 #60
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #28
DB HavocDB #114 #52
Program Comparison
MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

AKR 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Huntington Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
AKR's OC Joe Moorhead (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Brayden Roggow111765%91005.4
Reese Poffenbarger (Tr)5771%36005.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Gant213103264.836
Sean Patrick6927414.025
Marquese Williams218604.114
Taven Curry95406.015
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Marcel Williams45641214.246
Kyan Mason33481514.662
Connor Cravaack1814728.227
Sean Patrick11136012.422

View Akron's Full Roster

AKR's DC Tim Tibesar (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mehki Flowers421001
Alex Branch333022
Cyrus Durham329470
Rodrick Hunter282102
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cyrus Durham329470
Ronald Hull203320
Rodrick Hunter282102
Jamari Somerville152101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Terence Thomas180002
Rodrick Hunter282102
Alex Branch333022

MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey24638963%23821866.1
Michael Merdinger (Tr)214151%350108.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor14367044.771
TJ Thomas Jr. (Tr)9138464.244
Grant Washington2113206.316
Zion Steptoe (Tr)76509.332
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Noah Jennings (Tr)23323014.036
Zion Steptoe (Tr)21272013.042

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Andrew Marshall (Tr)614130
Kerry Brown564003
John Nestor506006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith38181373
Karter Menz329742
T.J. Bush3911541
Jaxon Howard296410
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor506006
Kerry Brown564003
Anthony Smith38181373