FBS-CFB Game Preview: Akron Zips (1-3) vs. Toledo Rockets (2-2)

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Venue, Date & Time

Location: Glass Bowl, Toledo, Ohio (Capacity: 26,248)

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Toledo, OH)

Conditions: Partly cloudy, mild

Temperature: ~71°F (22°C) at kickoff

Wind: W at 7 mph

Impact: Ideal football weather; minimal wind impact on passing/kicking

Injury Report

Akron Zips

RB Cameron Gee – Questionable (undisclosed)

OG Nick Stopiak – Questionable (undisclosed)

OG Drew Shor – Questionable (undisclosed)

RB Tariq Curry – Questionable (undisclosed)

K Alex Samaha – Questionable (undisclosed)

DL Eric Davis – Questionable (undisclosed)

WR Patrick Davis – Questionable (undisclosed)

S Dominic David – Questionable (undisclosed)

Toledo Rockets

No major injuries reported entering Week 5

Key Player Matchups

QB Ben Finley (Akron, 694 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT) vs. QB Tucker Gleason (Toledo, 688 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT)

Finley is inconsistent but capable of big plays; Gleason leads a balanced Rockets offense.

RB Jordan Gant (Akron, 278 yds, 3 TD, 7.3 YPC) vs. RB DeaMonte Trayanum (Toledo, 401 yds, 5 TD, 100.3 YPG)

Gant is Akron’s breakout runner; Trayanum is the MAC’s leading rusher.

WR Israel Polk (Akron, 163 yds, 2 TD) vs. WR Junior Vandeross III (Toledo, 258 yds, 4 TD)

Both are top red-zone threats; Vandeross is more explosive.

DL Bruno Dall (Akron, 4 TFL, 3 sacks) vs. Toledo OL

Dall is Akron’s defensive disruptor; Toledo’s line must protect Gleason.

LB K’Von Sherman (Toledo, 24 tackles, 4 TFL) vs. RB Sean Patrick (Akron, 199 yds, 1 TD)

Sherman anchors Toledo’s defense; Patrick provides Akron’s secondary rushing option.

Recent Team Forms

Akron Zips (1-3, 0-0 MAC)

W 51–7 vs. Duquesne

L 31–28 @ UAB

L 68–0 @ Nebraska

L 10–0 vs. Wyoming

Trend: Offense averaging 19.8 PPG, defense allowing 29.0 PPG.

Toledo Rockets (2-2, 0-1 MAC)

L 14–13 @ Western Michigan

W 60–0 vs. Morgan State

W 45–21 vs. Western Kentucky

L 24–16 @ Kentucky

Trend: Offense averaging 33.5 PPG, defense allowing just 14.8 PPG.

Conference Context

Akron: Opening MAC play; looking to build momentum after first win.

Toledo: Defending MAC West contender; aiming to bounce back after WMU upset.

Series History

All-time H2H: Toledo leads 13–10

Last Meeting (2024): Akron 21–14 OT win (Akron snapped Toledo’s 4-game streak)

Trend: Toledo has dominated historically, but Akron stole the last matchup.

Betting Trends

Akron:

2–2 ATS in 2025

3 of 4 games Over the total

0–1 ATS as 20+ point underdog

Toledo:

3–1 ATS in 2025

2–2 O/U this season

1–0 ATS as 20+ point favorite

Historical Betting Results

2024: Akron +10 covered, upset Toledo 21–14 OT (Under 47.5)

2021: Toledo -13.5 covered, won 49–14 (Over 55.5)

2017 MAC Title Game: Toledo -11 covered, beat Akron 45–28 (Over 57)

2013: Akron +7 covered, upset Toledo 31–29 (Over 52.5)

Game Odds

Akron Zips                          49.5

Toledo Rockets                  – 20.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025