The Akron Zips will kick off their 2010 season when they host the Syracuse Orange this Saturday evening at Infocision Stadium. Doug Marrone enters his second season at the helm for Syracuse, and is ready to lead this once proud program back to the top of the Big East. Although the team only claimed four victories in 2009, it is clear that coach Marrone has this Orange squad disciplined and ready to play, so it should be interesting to see how Syracuse opens its 2010 season.

As for the Zips, they are also looking to rebound from a miserable 2009 campaign, and leading the way into the new season is coach Rob Ianello. Ianello replaced J.D. Brookhart at the end of last season and takes over an Akron squad that posted just seven wins over the two previous seasons, including only three last year. All eyes will be on coach Ianello and his staff on Saturday to see if he can begin his tenure at Akron with a victory over a Big East opponent. This will be the third straight season that Akron and Syracuse collide on the gridiron. Last year the Orange grabbed a 28-14 victory over Akron, a year after the Zips pummeled Syracuse 42-28.

The Orangemen should get the win but don’t count out Akron completely especially at home. Take the Akron Zips to be competitive enough o cover the big line.