2022 MAC Football Week 7 Game Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas at Akron Zips

Central Michigan Chippewas are struggling in the MAC West and need a win to keep their hopes alive. They play a historically-vulnerable Akron Zips team on the road.

Central Michigan Chippewas are a 13.5-point road favorite against the Akron Zips. Central Michigan leads the all-time conference series 17-10-1.

Central Michigan Chippewas are the current MAC champions. They are a 13.5-point road favorite against the Akron Zips. Central Michigan won the last meeting 45-24 in 2019.

CMU was selected to finish third in their division in the preseason media polls. The team has struggled to replace the production of two first-team all-MAC tackles and two all MAC receivers. Daniel Richardson has especially struggled, completing just 55 percent of his passes for 1,586 yards. Carlos Carriere, Joel Wilson and Jalen McGaughy are the most reliable receivers, while other players are fighting for reps. Lew Nichols has 469 yards and six touchdowns on 132 carries for 3.6 yards per game. Myles Bailey (7.4 YPC) and Marion Lukes (9.9 YP) have found more run, but they're utilized differently. Thomas Incoom continues to lead the defense as a highlight player, with 25 tackles, leading the Chips with nine tackles-for-loss and five sacks.

Akron Zips are rebuilding under first-year head coach Joe Moorhead. They have one win so far this season, but they are improving. DJ Irons has been impressive at quarterback, while Shocky Jacques-Louis, George Daniel and Alex Adams have been productive as receivers. Bubba Arslanian is the heart of the defense, with 64 tackles in six games. The defense is still a work in progress, and it has taken them out of several games this year. The team is 107th in total offense and 127th on defense. It is in position for at least two more wins.

Central Michigan is on the road against a 1-5 Akron team. The game is a must-win for Central Michigan. For Akron, a win would show their improvement after close calls against Liberty and BGSU. The result could be damning for either team depending on how the game goes.