Akron @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2008 ) Cincinnati 17, Akron 15

THE STORY: Cincinnati’s season came unglued in September last year when it played one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country. This year, the Bearcats have already played Tennessee and have a home game Sept. 22 against North Carolina State, which means they can ill afford to drop a game against Akron. The Zips finished 1-11 in 2010 and are off to an 0-2 start this year. The Bearcats lead the all-time series 3-2, but the three games at Cincinnati have been decided by a total of nine points, including a 20-14 Bearcats victory in 2006.

TV: ESPN3. Line: Cincinnati -34.5

ABOUT AKRON (0-2): The Zips were picked to finish near the bottom of the MAC again this year, and they haven’t done much to sway that opinion in the first two weeks. Akron has yet to score a touchdown and has been outscored 83-3 in losses to Ohio State and Temple. The Zips are averaging only 1.4 yards per rush, have completed less than 44 percent of their passes and have been outgained by 287 yards per game.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (1-1): Cincinnati coach Butch Jones went for a pair of fourth-and-shorts in the Bearcats’ 45-23 loss at Tennessee on Saturday, and came up empty both times. The plays swung momentum, as the Volunteers turned the second turnover on downs into a touchdown and took a 28-14 halftime lead. Cincinnati, led by quarterback Zach Collaros, has shown promise offensively. The Bearcats scored an FBS-best 72 points in their season-opening win against Austin Peay and lead the Big East in total offense at 478.5 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Collaros has six touchdown passes and zero interceptions this season.

2. Akron has just two victories over BCS opponents the last six seasons, winning at Syracuse in 2008 and at NC State in 2006.

3. The Zips have allowed 40 or more points in five of their last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 54, Akron 17 -- Collaros should have a field day against Akron’s leaky pass defense, and if things go according to plan, he will probably be holding a clipboard in the fourth quarter.