Akron at Massachusetts - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Akron Zips at Massachusetts Minutemen

Massachusetts logo
Wednesday, November 18th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium - Hadley, MA  (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)
Our Line: Akron -16.5  (SP+ AKR -22.5)
Projected Score: AKR: 33 - UMASS: 17 (50)
AKR Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
AKR Travel: 471 miles
Minutemen (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Joe Harasymiak (0 - 12)
Avg Score : 11 - 39 (13 - 35 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 1.3 - 10.7 (#117)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 9)
 
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
Massachusetts's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Massachusetts at Rutgers+30.5
Sat 9/12Massachusetts vs Sacred Heart+8.5
Sat 9/19Massachusetts vs Stonehill+8.5
Sat 9/26Massachusetts at Sacramento State+29
Sat 10/3Massachusetts vs Eastern Michigan+18
Sat 10/10Massachusetts vs Miami (OH)+28
Sat 10/17Massachusetts at Buffalo+25.5
Sat 10/24Massachusetts at UConn+31
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/4Massachusetts vs Ball State+7.5
Wed 11/11Massachusetts at Toledo+32
Wed 11/18Massachusetts vs Akron+16.5
Sat 11/28Massachusetts at Bowling Green+23.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 3, 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 Massachusetts'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
UMASS#135 (-.01)34% (134)11.133% (136)2.05 (136)8234% (129)1652.17 (136)#133 (.28)48% (130)38.649% (129)48% (129)4.64 (134)41.41.30.8
 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
UMASS0%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
UMASS Defense1238.634.748%4.640.8 - - - - - 55%43%49%48%9%.28
 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
UMASS Offense1211.112.833.7%2.171.316248821652.845%54%33%34%20%-.01

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
Massachusetts1226:5615.531%23%5.241.41.30.83.31.1125.9
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)
UMASS Defense1255% (126)49% (129) - - - - .2 (121)3.53 (136)77% (106)6% (136)0.84 (14)
 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)
UMASS Offense1245% (108)33% (136)29.382.42.86 (122)-.03 (129)2.05 (136)60% (127)13% (127)1.12 (12)

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)
UMASS Defense1243% (12)48% (129) - - - - - - 4 (75).41 (128)1.6 (103)26% (134)33% (105).42 (120)3% (136)2 (76)
 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)
UMASS Offense1254% (26)34% (129)18.634.6165.14.88.98 (134)9 (88).02 (132)1.3 (135)38% (135)25% (119).14 (126)7% (110)2 (70)

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   Massachusetts: -29.68

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Akron: -13.9   Massachusetts: -36.6




Massachusetts's Power Ratings
Massachusetts's Power Rating: -29.68  #138
Massachusetts's Offense Rating: 1.09  #138
Massachusetts's Defense Rating: 29.09  #138
2026 Talent Rating: 354.00  #130
Blue Chip Ratio: 250  #67
Massachusetts's 2026 Expected Record: 1.3 - 10.7
Massachusetts's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -36.6  #136
Massachusetts's Offense SP+ Rating: 7.8  #136
Massachusetts's Defense SP+ Rating: 42.8  #136

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
Akron 33
Massachusetts 17


Projected Total Points: 50
Massachusetts Scoring
Offense: 11.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 12.8
Defense: 38.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 34.7

Massachusetts'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
202511/04Akron44Massachusetts10Akron -12.5Akron51.5Over
201909/28Massachusetts37Akron29Akron -7.5Massachusetts60.5Over
201511/07Massachusetts13Akron17UMass -1.5Akron54.0Under
201411/18Akron30Massachusetts6Akron -7Akron0
201311/16Massachusetts13Akron14Akron -7Massachusetts0
201211/10Akron14Massachusetts22
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Massachusetts222 Overs
Akron431 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 34 - 12 - 12 - 0
Road Teams3 - 31 - 40 - 21 - 2

(#119) AKR at (#138) UMASS
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatAKRUMASS
Game ControlGC #106 #136
Momentum ControlMC #128 #124
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #119 #138
SP+SP+ #118 #136
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #127 #130
Blue ChipsBC% #81 #67
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
Massachusetts Notes
(2/27) Vibes: Why bother. School deserves better
(2/27) 8 wins in 7 years (8-68), should not be FBS
(2/27) QB Watson (VT) vs Johnson (FAMU)... meh
(2/27) RB a stable of longshots with 2 portal adds
(2/27) WR could have upside w King (FCS), Matthews
(2/27) OL 6 w starting exp, 2 from FCS. Better than exp
(2/27) DL severely lacks size, talent. Have bros from IU?
(2/27) LB best unit on team, by far. 3 good starters
(2/27) DBs will be bad, likely really bad.
Massachusetts Injury Report
Akron on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffUMASS Def
Game ControlGC #121 #136
Momentum ControlMC #128 #117
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #113 #130
ExplosiveExp #61 #24
PPAPPA #117 #133
PowerPwr #112 #138
SP+SP+ #123 #136
Pts POPPO #112 #134
HavocHav #113 #136
Akron Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffUMASS Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #98 #129
Run ExplRExp #123 #14
PPAExp #123 #121
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #98 #136
Stuff RateStuff #103 #136
TackleTak - NR
Akron Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
AKR OffUMASS Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #113 #129
Pass ExplPExl #34 #103
PPAExp #107 #128
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #136
DB HavocDB #123 #136
Massachusetts on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUMASS OffAKR Def
Game ControlGC #136 #92
Momentum ControlMC #135 #125
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #134 #38
ExplosiveExp #78 #90
PPAPPA #135 #46
PowerPwr #138 #122
SP+SP+ #136 #87
Pts POPPO #136 #70
HavocHav #131 #33
Massachusetts Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UMASS OffAKR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #136 #60
Run ExplRExp #12 #49
PPAExp #129 #27
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #136 #45
Stuff RateStuff #136 #20
TackleTak - NR
Massachusetts Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUMASS OffAKR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #129 #31
Pass ExplPExl #135 #121
PPAExp #132 #60
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #127 #28
DB HavocDB #110 #52
Program Comparison
UMASS 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Akron beat Massachusetts last year (44-10)

  
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

UMASS's OC Max Warner (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
RJ Johnson III (Tr)17626566%21861648.2
William Watson III (Tr)2450%770019.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Washington (Tr)8634034.024
Justin Williams-Thomas (Tr)3519725.637
RJ Johnson III (Tr)5713932.426
Elijah Faulkner4011402.914
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Randall King (Tr)59689511.777
Devin Matthews (Tr)36649718.059
Jordan Washington (Tr)2220219.260
Max Dowling20199310.077

View Massachusetts's Full Roster

UMASS's DC Jared Keyte (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Martin973002
Zeraun Daniel753002
Timmy Hinspeter694222
Kendall Bournes582000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Timmy Hinspeter694222
William Depaepe (Tr)21100
Tyler Martin973002
Kezion Dia-Johnson30000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jahmad Harmon (Tr)242005
Tyler Martin973002
Timmy Hinspeter694222