TRENDING: Toothless NCAA Penalizes Akron

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated May 7, 2025 3:58 PM ET

Many people believe that the NCAA has no real bite in today’s ever-changing sports world. And when they do have an opportunity to make a statement, they usually fold. Yesterday they tried to make a statement, but once again it was for show only.

Akron Football's multi-year Academic Progress Rate has fallen to 914, and is eliminated from bowl eligibility before the season even starts. They are the first FBS team to become ineligible for a bowl due to academic reasons since 2014 Idaho. pic.twitter.com/gGrpDIwmpV
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) May 6, 2025

Disciplining Akron, a program that has gone 11-43 during the decade and hasn’t made a bowl game since 2017, is similar to knocking down a toddler who hasn’t learned to walk. But I guess the NCAA must try and prove that they still have some power. And Akron was their target.

Let’s keep in mind that there are ongoing NCAA investigations involving Michigan, USC, Florida, Tennessee and Cal, but instead it were the Zips that were disciplined. It is good to see that priorities are in order.

The days of any top program taking the NCAA seriously are over, and the organization only has itself to blame for this. And because of this, the fans are the ones that must suffer through another Akron-less bowl season. Good job NCAA.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: