ESPN College Football

A midseason team-by-team look at the MAC.

The Zips rebounded well after a heartbreaking loss to rival Kent State in the season opener. Akron's offense ranks among the nation's best and the defense has seen glimmers of promise. After seven games the Zips are 4-3 and rank second in the MAC East.

Akron can't quite keep up with the league's elite, in large part because of its pass defense, which allowed 229.4 yards a game. Zips coach Lee Owens labeled his defense "horrible" after the Kent State loss, but has been pleased with the improvement over the next three weeks.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider