Akron Football 2026 Schedule: Analysis, Key Games, Outlook

Story by

Pete Fiutak

Thu, May 7, 2026 ·

3 min read

Can the Zips somehow come up with six wins out of this schedule?

They came close last year in a 5-7 campaign, but for a program that’s not used to being in the mix for winning seasons, it could use all of the breaks it can get.

Here’s the CFN analysis of Akron ’s schedule.

Breaking Down the Akron 2026 Football Schedule

Zips’ wide receiver Kyan Mason looks to pick up yardage after a catch during the University of <a class= — Zips’ wide receiver Kyan Mason looks to pick up yardage after a catch during the University of Akron Zips football Spring Showcase in Akron, Ohio on April 25, 2026.© Mike Cardew / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Mike Cardew / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Good

There are just enough home games to hope for a few breaks. UNLV is a tough date, but that’s in InfoCision, as are three of the last four games.

The one road game - and the one trip outside of Ohio after October 3rd - is at UMass .

The Bad

The non-conference schedule doesn’t have enough layups.

Akron should beat Robert Morris , but trips to Wake Forest and Minnesota , and the home game against UNLV, are all likely losses.

That means Akron will almost certainly have to go 5-3 the rest of the way to get bowl eligible, and it probably won’t be the favorite in too many MAC games.

Best-Case Scenario

Realistically, Akron starts the season 1-3, but it finds its footing over the second half of the season. It wins one of the four October road games, beats Eastern Michigan , and then everything works.

It pulls off a shocker over Ohio after having a week off, takes out UMass and Buffalo, and it’s off to a bowl game.

Worst-Case Scenario

The Zips start 1-4 and lose to Eastern Michigan at home.

There’s no pulling out of the nosedive, with three road games in four weeks in October, and they’re ensured of a losing season before November gets going.

Things don’t get much better with losses to Ohio and Western Michigan, and things totally fall off the rails after suffering the indignity of losing to UMass.

2026 Akron Football Schedule

Sept 5 at Wake Forest
Sept 12 Robert Morris
Sept 19 at Minnesota
Sept 26 UNLV
Oct 3 at Central Michigan
Oct 10 Eastern Michigan
Oct 17 at Miami University
Oct 24 at Kent State
Oct 31 OPEN DATE
Nov 3 Ohio
Nov 10 Western Michigan
Nov 18 at UMass
Nov 27 Buffalo

Games That Will Decide Akron’s 2026 Season

1. at Kent State, Oct. 24

As the Zips found out last year in a 42-35 loss, Kent State isn’t the sure-thing win it used to be.

2. Eastern Michigan, Oct. 10

It’s still early in the MAC season, and there are chances to pull off something big, but a home loss to the Eagles would, realistically, all but destroy hopes of a winning season.

3. Ohio, Nov. 3

The Zips have to pull off a home upset somewhere. There’s a week off to get ready, but they’ve lost seven straight to the Bobcats going back to 2017.

This story was originally published by College Football News on May 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.