Week 1 of College Football is lastly right here. I’d name it the opening week of football, however we did get video games final week, which have been fairly entertaining. I’m attempting to mood my expectations a bit as we have now just one ranked matchup this week, and that doesn’t come till Sunday. Week 1 is ready up for groups to attempt to beat the crap out of different groups in order that they’ll get issues in line earlier than their convention schedule begins and so they have harder opponents. This sport seemingly shall be no totally different as Akron takes on Wake Forest.
Akron will not be going to be an excellent crew this season, and is predicted to have about 5 wins. The Zips’ over/under for the 12 months is listed at 4.5 video games and barely juiced to the over. Their schedule doesn’t seem like they’ve a very tough path, however there simply isn’t a ton of expertise on the roster. Ben Finley, their quarterback from final season, is gone, and so they flip the ball over to Reese Poffenbarger.
Akron Zips football coach Joe Moorhead leads the crew by means of warmups earlier than the season opener towards Wyoming on Aug. 28, 2025, in Akron. (USA TODAY Network through Reuters Connect)
It may very well be an excellent factor, although, going to Poffenbarger. He came visiting from Miami and North Texas, two faculties which have had very dynamic offenses. However, he wasn’t the starter at both college. Jordan Gant is again within the backfield and had an honest 12 months final 12 months with a 4.8 yards-per-carry common. He solely discovered the tip zone six instances, although. I’ve a little bit of a blended opinion on the Zips, as they’ve 4 transfers beginning of their defensive unit. That may very well be good, but it surely may take some time for continuity and cohesion to come back out for them.
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Wake Forest is a kind of faculties that sometimes has an excellent season, however by no means actually has a completely dominant crew. They actually aren’t anticipated to be a lot better than Akron, however they are going to be at the very least a bit of higher. They are anticipated to have at the very least six wins this 12 months. They have a tricky schedule this 12 months with Purdue subsequent week and Miami the next week. It gained’t be straightforward for them, however there are positively a number of winnable video games (together with this one) on the agenda.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Jake Dickert and his household obtain the normal mayo dump after the crew’s win at Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 2, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect)
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Like Akron, the crew has a brand new quarterback under middle. Gio Lopez would be the main thrower for them. He had an honest season final 12 months at North Carolina, the place he threw for 1,747 yards and 10 touchdowns. He did have 5 interceptions with it, although, so defending the ball shall be necessary for him. There has been a variety of change on this roster with two new offensive line members and two vast receivers coming within the transfer portal.
A Wake Forest Demon Deacons cheerleader stands throughout the first quarter towards the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 2, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect)
Usually when a crew begins the season, they begin relatively slowly. When a crew has transfers and revamps every part, I feel they may begin even slower. Both of those groups have a variety of modifications and are studying new offenses in stay motion for the primary time. I feel the under 48.5 is the best look on this sport. The Zips and Demon Deacons each have new quarterbacks, and neither is overly spectacular. Give me the under 48.5.
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For extra sports betting information and performs, observe David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024