Nebraska Will Give Akron The Boot in Week 2
Nebraska enters week 2 with a lot left to prove after a 20-17 victory over Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola continued to impress, completing 78% of his passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. The Huskers’ offense, powered by an experienced offensive line and a promising ground game led by Emmett Johnson, aims to exploit Akron’s undersized defense. Wide receivers Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter provide explosive options, stretching defenses thin. Defensively, Nebraska’s front seven, which held Cincinnati to under 100 passing yards, is poised to dominate Akron’s limited offense. Akron is undersized as well on offense, with one of their starters being listed at 5’8’ and 145 lbs. The Blackshirts should have a huge game and help put this game away early to give our younger guys on both sides of the ball key game experience.
Special teams could have some fun, as Nebraska’s return game has a prime opportunity against Akron’s shaky coverage units to return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown for the first time in probably a decade. A convincing win would set the tone for upcoming games against Houston Christian and Michigan.
Akron Zips: Facing an Uphill Battle
Akron (0-1) arrives in Lincoln after a 10-0 shutout loss to Wyoming, where their offense managed just 139 passing yards and 89 rushing yards on 27 carries (3.2 yards per carry). The Zips, are 1-26 all-time against Big Ten foes, with their lone meeting against Nebraska in 1997 ending in a 59-14 rout. A postseason ban due to a failing NCAA Academic Progress Rate score adds pressure to a program with an over/under of 4.5 wins this year.
Quarterback Ben Finley (6’3”, 200 lbs), now the undisputed starter after splitting duties last year, completed 55% of his passes in 2024 for 2,604 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. A pocket passer, Finley is also Akron’s top returning rusher with a mere 52 yards (excluding sacks), highlighting their ground game struggles, no Zip has rushed for 1,000 yards since 2008. The offense, which returns five starters, including tackle Darrell Johnson and guard Amarie Archer, leans on a pass-heavy, up-tempo scheme but lacks firepower, especially with an offensive line featuring FCS and Division II reserves.
Defensively, Akron fields a rebuilt 4-2-5 scheme with only two returning starters (Not even full-time starters), linebacker Shammond Cooper and junior Gage Summers, who anchor the unit’s strength. True freshman Markus Boswell flashed potential with an interception and pass breakup against Wyoming, but the undersized defense allowed 426 yards in Week 1 against a bad Wyoming team and is projected to surrender 407.5 yards and 30.1 points per game (Phil Steele). Special teams struggled, with a missed field goal and minimal return production, though punter Ryan Castle boomed a 68-yard kick against their week 1 foe.
Key Matchups
- Nebraska’s Run Game vs. Akron’s Front Seven: Nebraska’s physical offensive line should overwhelm Akron’s small defensive front, which struggled against Wyoming’s modest offense. Johnson and the Huskers’ backs should push for 200+ rushing yards.
- Dylan Raiola vs. Akron’s Secondary: Raiola’s precision passing will test Akron’s defensive backs, who missed tackles in Week 1. Expect Key and Hunter to exploit coverage for 300+ passing yards.
- Akron’s Offense vs. Nebraska’s Defense: Akron’s pass-heavy attack faces a Nebraska defense that seems to have improved greatly in pass coverage. The Huskers should hold Akron to under 100 yards rushing and 100 yards passing, with starters likely keeping the Zips scoreless barring turnovers giving Akron good field position.
Special Teams Edge
Nebraska should have a great chance to return a kickoff or punt back for 6 this week. Akron has an average at best special teams and I expect Nebraska to take full advantage of that. When it comes to Nebraska’s kicking and punting game, there should be zero concern. As for Akron they are switching between 2 punters, and a kicker who missed a fairly easy field goal last week against Wyoming.
Prediction
Nebraska’s superior talent and depth should lead to a rout and knock the boots off Akron. The Huskers’ offense, should total over 500 total yards, and will dominate the line of scrimmage, while their defense stifles Akron’s one-dimensional attack. Nebraska’s starters should build a commanding lead by halftime, with reserves entering in the third quarter. Akron may score late against backups, but with Wyoming shutting out Akron last week, there is no reason Nebraska can’t do the same.
Final Score Prediction: Nebraska 45, Akron 7
Fun Fact: Akron’s name of the “Zips” comes from a pair of rubber overshoes called “Zippers” in 1925.