Akron vs. Michigan State: Game time, TV schedule, streaming and more

The Michigan State Spartans return to Spartan Stadium Saturday to take on the Akron Zips in Week Two of the 2022 season. It marks the first matchup against the Mid-American Conference program since 1914. Akron’s record in general over the past several seasons and against Michigan State all-time is far less ugly than the jersey choice for the Spartans in this matchup, however.

Michigan State enters the matchup riding a seven-game winning streak in Spartan Stadium. That streak dates back to a 6-0 record at home in the 2021 season, while head coach Mel Tucker is 8-3 overall in East Lansing as head coach of Michigan State.

Saturday’s matchup will also include a special halftime recognition for the Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Nine members will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 9, including Herb Adderley (football), Kathy DeBoer (volleyball/women’s basketball), Joan Garety (women’s golf), Draymond Green (men’s basketball), Laura (Heyboer) Heethuis (women’s soccer), Greg Jones (football), Kalisha Keane (women’s basketball), Karen Langeland (women’s basketball/administration), and Bob Steele (men’s track and field).

As for Akron, the Zips are in the first season under head coach Joe Moorhead. He returns to lead the program after working on the Akron coaching staff from 2004-2008, including serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2006-2008. Prior to his return to Akron as the now head coach, Moorhead spent the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon after a 14-12 (3-9 in SEC) record as head coach at Mississippi State.

Michigan State fans will be most familiar with Moorhead’s two seasons as offensive coordinator at Penn State for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Nittany Lions went 1-1 against MSU during that span. In his only visit to East Lansing during that span, Moorhead watched the 2017 Spartans defeat the No. 7 Nittany Lions in East Lansing in a 27-24 victory after enduring an over three-hour long delay caused by severe weather.

Akron Zips (1-0) vs. No. 14/11 Michigan State Spartans (1-0)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 10
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. EDT
Odds according to DraftKings Sports Book: Michigan State is a 34.5-point favorite over Akron with the over/under set at 56

MEDIA COVERAGE

TV: Big Ten Network
BTN GameFinder: There are four games scheduled for BTN at 4 p.m. this Saturday. For those living out-of-market, please visit https://btn.com/btn-gamefinder/ to find the game in your area.
Web/Mobile: FOX Sports App
Play-by-Play: Chris Vosters
Analyst: Matt Millen

RADIO: Spartan Media Network
Play-by-Play: George Blaha
Analyst: Jayson Strayhorn
Sideline: Steve Courtney
Broadcast Host: Will Tieman
Website/Mobile: msuspartans.com/MSU Spartans app/Tune In radio
Flagship Stations: Lansing: WMMQ (94.9 FM)/WJIM (1240 AM); Detroit: WJR (760 AM); Grand Rapids: WBFX (101.3 FM)
Affiliates: 24 affiliates listed at msuspartans.com
Satellite: Ch. 83 (Sirius/XM), Ch. 83 (SiriusXM.com/App)
Pre-game Show: Begins at 2:30 p.m.

Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Surface: Natural Grass
All-Time Series: MSU leads, 2-0
Series in East Lansing: MSU leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: Michigan State 75, Akron 6 (1914)
Current Series Streak: MSU with two (1913-present)

COACHES:
Michigan State Head Coach: Mel Tucker
MSU Record: 14-7 (third year)
Overall Record: 19-14 (fourth year)
Record vs. Akron: 0-0

Akron Head Coach: Joe Moorhead
Akron Record: 1-0 (first year)
Overall Record: 53-25 (seventh year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-0

Don’t forget to follow along during the game with The Only Colors on Facebook, Twitter (@TheOnlyColors) and Instagram (@TheOnlyColorsSBN) all game long, and as always here on the website in our game thread.

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.