Akron Zips vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Picks and Prediction for Thursday, September 3, 2026

By: David Anicetti Updated 08/30/2026, 10:13 PM ET

The Akron Zips open the 2026 season against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem. Akron finished last season 5-7 overall and 4-4 in MAC play, showing improvement under head coach Joe Moorhead. Wake Forest went 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the ACC before closing the year with a 43-29 bowl victory over Mississippi State. The Demon Deacons are 23.5-point home favorites, with the total set at 48.5 points. Start the college football season with our free NCAAF picks.

Akron Zips

Akron closed 2025 by winning three of its final four games, including a 19-16 road victory over Bowling Green. Running back Jordan Gant returns after rushing for 1,032 yards and six touchdowns, giving the Zips an established option on the ground. Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger is expected to take over an offense that converted just 31% of its third downs and completed only 51.7% of its passes last season. Marcel Williams also returns after leading Akron with 45 receptions.

The biggest concern is an offensive line that lost several important pieces through the transfer portal. Defensively, Akron recorded 26 sacks last season, and Cyrus Durham returns after producing three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. The secondary and linebacking corps have significant turnover, however, creating a difficult matchup against a Wake Forest offense with several experienced options.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest enters its second season under Jake Dickert after finishing 2025 with four wins in its final five games. New quarterback Gio Lopez takes over an offense that averaged 394 yards and 28 points per game last season. Ty Clark III rushed for 323 yards and three touchdowns while adding 17 receptions for 209 yards and another score. Carlos Hernandez also returns after leading the Demon Deacons with 40 catches for 611 yards and three touchdowns.

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Wake Forest made major defensive progress last season, climbing from 118th nationally in total defense to 26th. Langston Hardy leads the front after recording 67 tackles, seven sacks and 17 tackles for loss, while Gabe Krischke added five sacks and nine tackles for loss. Frank Cusano and Aiden Hall combined for 118 tackles at linebacker, giving Wake Forest an experienced defensive core capable of pressuring Akron's rebuilt offensive line.

Akron Zips vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction

Wake Forest has the stronger roster and enters this opener with an advantage on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Akron can rely on Gant to establish the running game, but keeping Poffenbarger protected against Hardy and the Wake Forest pass rush will be difficult. The Demon Deacons also have more offensive balance with Lopez, Clark and Hernandez against an Akron defense replacing several important contributors. The 23.5-point spread requires Wake Forest to create separation, but the Demon Deacons finished last season with three wins of at least 16 points in their final five games. Akron's offensive line turnover and poor third-down numbers from 2025 make sustained drives a concern. Wake Forest will control possession, create pressure and pull away after halftime. Final Score Prediction: Wake Forest Demon Deacons win and cover ATS, 38-13.