The Akron Zips and Temple Owls meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Lincoln Financial Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Akron Zips Betting Preview

Akron is coming off a 2-win season and has won a combined 5 games in the last 4 years. Joe Moorhead returns for a second season as head coach, and he has a new offensive coordinator in Billy Fessler. DJ Irons returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,600 yards and 10 touchdowns on 66.8 percent completions. Irons also had 300 rushing yards and 4 scores, so he’s a key playmaker for Akron. Alex Adams and Daniel George are a returning receiving duo that combined for 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Nate Thompson returns after 72 tackles, Antavious Fish had 2 sacks and Tyson Durant is back after leading Akron with 3 interceptions. Expectations have to be low for Akron given what’s taken place these last few years. However, Akron has a playmaking quarterback and decent returning production on defense. Akron shouldn’t be the doormat of the MAC this season, as the Zips should get 3 or more wins for the first time since 2018. 

Temple Owls Betting Preview

Temple is coming off a 3-win season and has won a combined 7 games in the last 3 years. Stan Drayton returns for his second season as head coach, and he has a new defensive coordinator in Everett Withers. E.J. Warner returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns on 60.5 percent completions. Edward Saydee is back after leading Temple with 639 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, while Amad Anderson Jr. and David Martin-Robinson is a returning receiving duo that combined for 800 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Jordan Magee returns after leading Temple with 86 tackles, Layton Jordan had 9 sacks and Alex Odom had 2 interceptions. Temple has been an afterthought these last few seasons, but there’s enough returning production for this to be a bounce back season. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball and a proven quarterback. Temple won’t win the AAC, but a bowl appearance for the first time since 2019 shouldn’t be out of the question. 

Randy’s Pick

Temple is the more talented team and should be favored at home, but the Owls have had issues winning these last few seasons, let alone covering big numbers. This will be just the fourth time since 2021 where Temple has been a double-digit favorite. I’m not buying it. Also, Akron returns a lot of players from a year ago and has a proven quarterback. This could be a competitive game. I’ll take my chances with the road dog in the Zips.