Akron at Central Michigan - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Akron Zips at Central Michigan Chippewas

Central Michigan logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Kelly/Shorts Stadium - Mount Pleasant, MI  (Mid-American)

 
Zips (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Joe Moorhead (13 - 35)
Avg Score : 22 - 27 (17 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#89)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
CMU is playing their 5th straight game
AKR is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Central Michigan -8.5  (SP+ CMU -5)

Projected Score: AKR: 20 - CMU: 29 (49)
CMU Win prob: 71% | Cover: 46%
AKR Travel: 240 miles
Chippewas (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Drinkall (7 - 6)
Avg Score : 23 - 24 (30 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 5.3 (#60)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 10)
 
Akron's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Akron at Wake Forest+20.5
Sat 9/12Akron vs Robert Morris-10.5
Sat 9/19Akron at Minnesota+19.5
Sat 9/26Akron vs UNLV+13.5
Sat 10/3Akron at Central Michigan+8.5
Sat 10/10Akron vs Eastern Michigan-1
Sat 10/17Akron at Miami (OH)+14
Sat 10/24Akron at Kent State-2.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/3Akron vs Ohio+3.5
Tue 11/10Akron vs Western Michigan+7
Wed 11/18Akron at Massachusetts-16.5
Fri 11/27Akron vs Buffalo+1.5

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

Predictions for Akron's Schedule
Central Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Central Michigan at New Mexico+10.5
Sat 9/12Central Michigan vs Colgate-16.5
Sat 9/19Central Michigan vs Wyoming-6.5
Sat 9/26Central Michigan at Miami+29.5
Sat 10/3Central Michigan vs Akron-8.5
Sat 10/10Central Michigan at Ohio+2
Sat 10/17Central Michigan vs Western Michigan+1
Sat 10/24Central Michigan vs Miami (OH)+3
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/4Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan-2.5
Wed 11/11Central Michigan vs Sacramento State-0.5
Wed 11/18Central Michigan at Buffalo+0
Sat 11/28Central Michigan at Ball State-13

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Central Michigan'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
CMU#71 (.17)41% (89)22.540% (102)2.79 (103)16544% (42)1673.6 (80)#36 (.1)40% (47)23.541% (56)39% (43)3.14 (26)48.71.21.6
 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
CMU0%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
CMU Defense1323.515.239.6%3.141.6 - - - - - 47%51%41%39%17%.1
 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
CMU Offense1322.530.441.1%3.61.217332165167463%35%40%44%16%.17

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
Central Michigan1332:0616.934%58%648.71.21.65.32.2229
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)
CMU Defense1347% (40)41% (56) - - - - .04 (34)2.83 (55)62% (12)10% (62)0.9 (38)
 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)
CMU Offense1363% (7)40% (102)41.4165.1417 (78).07 (91)2.79 (103)75% (47)12% (120)0.92 (84)

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)
CMU Defense1351% (96)39% (43) - - - - - - 13 (12).19 (46)1.5 (63)32% (61)27% (32).26 (55)7% (22)2 (73)
 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)
CMU Offense1335% (130)44% (42)13.519.5167.18.612.316 (106)7 (3).4 (22)1.6 (40)32% (73)26% (117).31 (67)4% (15)2.1 (36)

Akron's Power Ratings
Akron's Power Rating: -12.10  #119
Akron's Offense Rating: 9.78  #112
Akron's Defense Rating: 21.88  #122
2026 Talent Rating: 365.00  #127
Blue Chip Ratio: 125%  #81
Akron's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Akron's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.9  #118
Akron's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.2  #123
Akron's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3  #87

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

Power Ratings Matchup
Akron: -12.10   Central Michigan: -4.36

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Akron: -13.9   Central Michigan: -8.8




Central Michigan's Power Ratings
Central Michigan's Power Rating: -4.36  #97
Central Michigan's Offense Rating: 15.08  #74
Central Michigan's Defense Rating: 20.00  #114
2026 Talent Rating: 464.00  #108
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #104
Central Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Central Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.8  #101
Central Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6  #120
Central Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.7  #65

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61


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
Central Michigan 29
Akron 20


Projected Total Points: 49
Central Michigan Scoring
Offense: 22.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.4
Defense: 23.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.2

Central Michigan'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
202510/04Akron28Central Michigan22Central Michigan -7Akron47.5Over
202310/14Central Michigan17Akron10Central Michigan -10.5Akron44.0Under
202210/15Akron21Central Michigan28Central Michigan -12Akron60.5Under
201909/14Central Michigan45Akron24Central Michigan -2.5Central Michigan45.5Over
201810/27Akron17Central Michigan10Akron -4Akron43.5Under
201510/31Akron6Central Michigan14Central Michigan -3.5Central Michigan47.0Under
201210/27Central Michigan35Akron14
201110/29Akron22Central Michigan23
200909/26Central Michigan48Akron21
200711/23Akron32Central Michigan35
200609/16Central Michigan24Akron21
200510/01Akron17Central Michigan31
200311/08Central Michigan28Akron40
200209/14Akron17Central Michigan24
200009/08Central Michigan17Akron7
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Central Michigan1222 Overs
Akron344 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 74 - 22 - 12 - 1
Road Teams7 - 82 - 41 - 21 - 2

(#119) AKR at (#97) CMU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatAKRCMU
Game ControlGC #106 #91
Momentum ControlMC #128 #123
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #119 #97
SP+SP+ #118 #101
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #127 #108
Blue ChipsBC% #81 #104
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
Central Michigan Notes
(3/4) Vibes: Strong, Off could be really good, Def is ?
(3/4) QB Flores (PT LY) can scoot, but didn't throw much
(3/4) RB good unit, Townsend back, 2 prod portals
(3/4) WRs Lewis & McIntosh decent duo, have depth
(3/4) OL has more prod than 1/2 MAC combined. Wow
(3/4) F7 is ?, DL only 3 with exp, LB only has 2.
(3/4) DB best Def unit by far, CB really good, S has 1
Central Michigan Injury Report
Akron on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffCMU Def
Game ControlGC #121 #53
Momentum ControlMC #128 #113
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #113 #47
ExplosiveExp #61 #55
PPAPPA #117 #36
PowerPwr #112 #114
SP+SP+ #123 #65
Pts POPPO #112 #26
HavocHav #113 #42
Akron Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffCMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #98 #56
Run ExplRExp #123 #38
PPAExp #123 #34
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #98 #55
Stuff RateStuff #103 #28
TackleTak - NR
Akron Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffCMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #113 #43
Pass ExplPExl #34 #63
PPAExp #107 #46
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #62
DB HavocDB #123 #22
Central Michigan on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatCMU OffAKR Def
Game ControlGC #116 #92
Momentum ControlMC #134 #125
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #89 #38
ExplosiveExp #109 #90
PPAPPA #71 #46
PowerPwr #74 #122
SP+SP+ #120 #87
Pts POPPO #80 #70
HavocHav #70 #33
Central Michigan Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
CMU OffAKR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #102 #60
Run ExplRExp #84 #49
PPAExp #91 #27
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #103 #45
Stuff RateStuff #80 #20
TackleTak - NR
Central Michigan Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatCMU OffAKR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #42 #31
Pass ExplPExl #40 #121
PPAExp #22 #60
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #120 #28
DB HavocDB #15 #52
Program Comparison
CMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Akron beat Central Michigan last year (28-22)
Central Michigan beat Akron in 2023 (17-10)

  
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

CMU's OC Jim Chapin (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Angel H Flores192868%195217.0
Jadyn Glasser7978%78008.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jayden Clerveaux (Tr)16176254.767
Angel H Flores10752784.937
Brock Townsend8241845.146
Vaughn Blue (Tr)4723425.022
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Langston Lewis43596313.977
Tommy Mcintosh31422313.647
Jaden Allen (Tr)1918719.831
Brock Townsend13145411.251

View Central Michigan's Full Roster

CMU's DC Sean Cronin (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaion Jackson454227
Korver Demma289451
Xavier White261000
JJ Douglas232221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Korver Demma289451
Jaion Jackson454227
JJ Douglas232221
Landon Swanson61110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaion Jackson454227
Daniel Bennett100012
JJ Douglas232221