Only mention of progress of Akron is the new stadium.

Here is the article: Alliance Review on MAC Football

This is a really good article. A lot of small words...you guys shouldn't have any problems.

Two things stick out to me:

1. Temple's contract is up after 2010. Don't add, subtract....then subtract two more.
2. Fans exist in silos a lot of the time. We are not the only school improving our facilities and the article notes MAC schools that have improved facilities. I've been telling you guys that for weeks. Stadiums don't win games, players win games. I think a lot of you guys at the game last weekend came to this harsh realization Saturday around 7:00 over some beers in the parking lot.

And rightfully so...we still don't have what I would consider an IMPACT win. In the last few years, the MAC title game, and the Syracuse and NC State games are probably the closest we have gotten. And I enjoyed them all. But unfortunately, under the national radar, none of those hold the same kind of clout as CMU beating Michigan State in Lansing.

I really think JD has taken some positive steps to build a program over the last couple of seasons. But, this season is going to be tough. I think we were all hoping for a win against Indiana to give us a chance to have a good season. And right from the get-go, that 3 game road stretch against NIU, Syracuse, and Buffalo concerned me. And I personally believe Syracuse is going to be a lot better this year. And having Central on the road this year is another one that's going to be really, really tough to win.

I think we need to get it together in a hurry, and get a couple of unexpected wins, to make this season a success. If that doesn't happen, I'm in support of the administration taking a good hard look at our leadership, and seeing if someone might be available that gives us a better opportunity to succeed.

In the meantime, I am going to enjoy the season, the tailgating, and the new stadium...and let the chips fall where they may. Go Zips!

Well said. This pretty much sums up my present feelings about the program and this season. I do, however, hope we have something to get excited about by the end of the year.

I guess I'm just excited to see if the Info can make an impact on the caliber of recruit we bring in. The Indiana game was really an eye-opener.

Capitalize the C in chips for this week and I'm with you.

I think many just got ahead of themselves. This is really "year 1" of building Akron football to new heights. And while the stadium won't do it alone, the stadium coupled with improvements to campus, improvements in the city, success of other sports teams (soccer and men's baskeball especially), getting a big-time guy for b-ball like Zeke, high profile hires like Walt Harris, association with LBJ and HOPEFULLY the hiring of Wistrcill can be a big part of it. In the end, it is up to the coaches and the kids, and getting the right ones in both areas.

As for expansion/contraction:

I would hate to lose Temple, as I like the "Eastern Push" that the MAC has made with Buffalo and Temple. I wish they had a more "MAC friendly" facility, and I definitely wish we could take their other sports on as well (basketball isn't what it was. but it is still good and has name value).

Can we kick someone else out? Unlikely that we would do that.

Could expansion be the answer? Unlikely, but perhaps Marshall would come back and you could add Army and Navy for football. 16 teams seems rough. Play the 7 on your side and maybe 1 "rival" on the other side. Might as well break into 2 conferences if that is the case.

If I could poach some C-USA and develop a new conference, maybe....

Eastern 9 Conference
Akron
Buffalo
Temple
Miami
Marshall
Memphis
East Carolina
Navy
Army

I know that wouldn't happen, but nice football league from our perspective, and Memphis, Temple and even Miami to some extents have a nice b-ball history to go with our "budding history".

Where's the 'dead horse' picture? Anyway, the big money game for most leagues is their league championship game - you need at least 12 teams in a league for that.

I only brought it up b/c the commissioner of our CURRENT league alluded to it. And yes, I understand the 12 team thing.

How does this sound for a conference?

Akron
Can't
Ohio
Miami
BGSU
Toledo
Ball State
Western M
Central M
Eastern M

Get rid of Eastern. How long has it been since they really contributed anything to the conference?

Horrible

Sounds like a bunch of teams that absolutely nobody in the area would pay money to watch the Zips play against.

You might be right, you might be wrong.

What interest would there be if we removed one MAC team and substituted it for any CUSA team. Keep in mind that in native American, "any CUSA team" is pronounced Indiana.