The RedHawks have won eight straight against Akron, and David McComb's big-play passing leads the MAC afternoon in Oxford
OXFORD, Ohio — Miami has owned this series for most of a decade. Akron arrives hoping close losses turn into a breakthrough.
Akron (1-5, 0-2 MAC) visits Miami (3-3, 1-1) at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Zips have lost five straight, though last week's 25-23 loss to Eastern Michigan was their closest. Miami won 20-19 at UMass.
Miami leads the series 24-9-1 and has won eight straight since 2017, most recently 20-7 in Akron on Oct. 11, 2025.
Miami quarterback David McComb has completed 65 of 103 passes for 1,121 yards, more than 17 yards per completion, with seven touchdowns and one interception. Maleek Huggins is his deep threat with 309 receiving yards. Malcolm McCain leads the defense with 48 tackles, and Roosevelt Andrews III has three sacks. Chuck Martin is in his 13th season.
Akron's quarterback picture is unsettled. Cibastian Broughton is day-to-day with a knee injury after missing three straight games, and Brayden Roggow has started each of them. Roggow has thrown for 834 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Jordan Gant leads the rushers with 410 yards, and Donelius Johnson has 57 tackles. Joe Moorhead, in his fifth season, runs the offense himself, and his up-tempo approach could produce extra possessions against a Miami defense that has given up yards. Akron has lost by 24 or more three times this season, but it has also shown it can stay close.
ESPN's Football Power Index ranks Akron's defense 133rd in efficiency, against a Miami offense ranked 71st. Miami's defense ranks 128th, so Akron's offense, at 108th, should have some chances.
Miami is known as the Cradle of Coaches. Sid Gillman, Ara Parseghian, Bo Schembechler and Bill Mallory all coached there, and the RedHawks won the MAC in 2019 and 2023. Akron's lone MAC title came in 2005.
The weather should be dry and 53 degrees with light wind at Yager Stadium.
Both teams play MAC road games next week: Akron at Kent State and Miami at Central Michigan.
Our score assumes Roggow starts, since Broughton has missed three straight games. With Roggow, we see Miami 31, Akron 19. If Broughton returns, it's about the same: Miami 30, Akron 20.
Miami's big-play passing against a struggling defense, plus home field, is the difference.
Our call: Miami (OH) 31, Akron 19.