Game #9 Bowling Green

[Balsy]

It's time to move on from the Ball State game and begin discussing the game that will decide the MAC East.

Despite losing two straight games, the Zips are still in the hunt, and in control of their own destiny.

Bowling Green: 5-3 (3-1)

Akron 4-4 (2-2)

A win means that the Zips will be tied with BG at 3-2 in the MAC, with Akron controlling the tie breaker between the two.

Where: Akron, Ohio

When: Tuesday November 4th

TV: ESPN 2

Discuss.

[Blue & Gold]

W if Pohl plays.

L if he doesn't.

[Dr Z]

I hope this week mainly consists of the Zips offense practicing how to beat zone coverage. Use the 20 yard hole on the sideline. Run hard sharp curls. Use D'orazio to catch the ball instead of clearing. Use motion. If we practice that, we can win. If the Zips run the same plays as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter like last week against the zone...it won't matter if Hoyer is the QB. Any receiver that runs a curl Tuesday and doesn't come back to the ball should be benched immediately. Effective running plays can help dictate the coverage also. See Pitt game.

[GP1]

This is a game of Contenders vs. Pretenders.

Confidence and momentum are a huge part of football. I doubt we have very much right now and I'm not sure we are capable of making the big plays on offense or special teams that gain it back. BG is going to be ready after losing badly to WMU and they aren't going to let the Zips, mired in mid season stupidity, off of their backs. Starting QB only difference in how bad the Zips lose next week.

If a horrible BSU team destroyed us last week in Muncie. A good defending MAC Champion BG makes a statement to the rest of the MAC East and destroys us in Akron.

BGSU 48

Akron 17

[Lee Adams]

Neither the team nor coaches have any identity at this point. Offense with Milwee in control has no idea how to best use the 'talent' it does have. Seems to be pounding the square peg into the round hole. Could be an epiphany Tuesday night, but.....

[GP1]

Could be an epiphany Tuesday night...

Complete with Maji delivering gifts of turnovers, bad play calling and poor personnel utilization to BG? If anyone sees those Maji walking around campus next Tuesday, tell them they made a wrong turn and point them towards Can't.

[LZIp]

If Woodson plays ahead of Pohl for this game without a valid reason, my support for Bowden will be about all but gone. I just cannot get over such a mind numbingly dumb decision. He is single handily costing us the season due to his own stubbornness if the situation is what it looks like.

[Balsy]

This forum is getting out of control. Lose the Pohl-Bowden talk, and lets talk about THIS game. Those of you who want to continue the conspiracy theory, go create a thread dedicated to it. You can also post about Big-Foot, UFOs, the NWO and the Illuminati while your at it.

[UA1987]

BG and Akron (with Pohl) match up pretty well. The computer ratings have them about dead even. Bowden has been targeting these Tuesday night games for a while so I have to guess that:

1) Pohl has had some continuing problems with his head injury and he is being saved till close to 100% for this Tuesday night stretch

2) Hirschman's knee is still somewhat unstable so he not available to sub unless everyone else (Pohl and Woodson) are down with injuries

3) Scott Boyett is slow or he has not been able to pickup the line calls well enough to start over Williams at LT

4) McNamara has lost a step or he would be playing on the O-line at RG and Brown would be at RT

Note that all of these guesses are associated with the offense, which makes me wonder about the coaching on that side. I expect Bowden to pull this thing together in the next week, however. Watch for Chisholm start to pick up more yards as his injury heals close to 100% (Senior leadership will play a roll in this stretch).

Akron over BG by 7. Grilled bird in lot 9 prior to the game. This is a BIG game for Akron.

[zippy5]

This forum is getting out of control. Lose the Pohl-Bowden talk, and lets talk about THIS game. Those of you who want to continue the conspiracy theory, go create a thread dedicated to it. You can also post about Big-Foot, UFOs, the NWO and the Illuminati while your at it.

This is going to be a different game depending on who starts. I think it's relevant.

[K92]

This forum is getting out of control. Lose the Pohl-Bowden talk, and lets talk about THIS game. Those of you who want to continue the conspiracy theory, go create a thread dedicated to it. You can also post about Big-Foot, UFOs, the NWO and the Illuminati while your at it.

You can't talk about this game without talking about the QB situation. Until there is some real information shared there is nothing to talk about.

[Zipgrad01]

This forum is getting out of control. Lose the Pohl-Bowden talk, and lets talk about THIS game. Those of you who want to continue the conspiracy theory, go create a thread dedicated to it. You can also post about Big-Foot, UFOs, the NWO and the Illuminati while your at it.

Read what Lzip said......He noted "without a valid reason" for playing Woodson instead of Pohl. I agree 100% with his post.

[Dave in Green]

Here's the latest semi-official report from the Chicago Tribune:

Kyle Pohl QB Ques Nov 4 - Concussion - 10/26/14 Pohl has a concussion and has missed the last two games. He is questionable to play November 4th against Bowling Green.

[ZippyRulz]

It's nice that we're getting some health status on our QB out of Chicago, even if it conflicts with what's been reported locally...how weird is that and who is their source?

BTW, let's remember BG lost their #1 QB Matt Johnson in Game 1 so they are playing with a backup also.

[zippy5]

Unfortunately, I don't think we're playing with our backup. This is bizarre

[Dave in Green]

It's nice that we're getting some health status on our QB out of Chicago, even if it conflicts with what's been reported locally....

You mean the ZN.o local report that Pohl is questionable because, even though he's healthier than a tea-totaling vegetarian, the coach doesn't believe he represents the Bowden Ball brand as well as the backup QB who throws lots of interceptions and loses games but better represents the Bowden Ball brand that is built on the concept of losing now and maybe winning at some undetermined point in the future, causing Bowden Ball futures to tank among speculators who rely on insider trading information from people who know people who know people?

[Big Zip]

I'm confused why a guy with a concussion would be dressed for a game. I'm not saying there is a conspiracy as some are but you have to admit there are definitely some disconnects here.

[Balsy]

I'm confused why a guy with a concussion would be dressed for a game. I'm not saying there is a conspiracy as some are but you have to admit there are definitely some disconnects here.

I've already gone over this, which most of the conspiracy theorists just glossed over. Concussions are a very serious injury. Pohl was never diagnozed with a concussion, it was described as a "concussion like injury"...which likely means he didn't have all the hallmark symtoms of a concussion, but something wasn't right.

If that is the case, a responsible coach (Like Bowden) would take (and should take) all the necessary precaution in order for that player to get better. Everything in this non-existant Pohl saga is consistent with the re-introduction of a player who has had a significant head injury.

1. Pohl was knocked in the head on the final play of the first half in Miami. He de-dressed from that game. Came back to the field to ride the bike, and left shortly after he had come back on the field. He was gingerly from my own observations. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but clearly something WASN'T RIGHT.

2. Was not active for the Ohio game at all, which is consistent for a player who has suffered a head injury of any significance.

3. He was cleared (officially) on Wednesday before Ball State.

4. Sat on the bench (second behind Woodson) during the Ball State game (which is what sparked this BS controversy).

Every part of this is consistent with the reintroduction a player who had a significant head injury. Or rather I should say the responsible reintroduction of a player with a significant head injury...

This is the most rational explanation of the facts, and we should apply the principle of lex parsimoniae (aka Occam's Razor), that the simplest solution is most likely the correct one.

I expected a lot more from ZN.O members, I thought we were more logical and rational than this...but apparently we're not.

[zippy5]

Every part of this is consistent with the reintroduction a player who had a significant head injury. Or rather I should say the responsible reintroduction of a player with a significant head injury...

That is false. Find me another concussion instance where a player was medically cleared, and the coach sat him out anyway.

[a-zip]

I've already gone over this, which most of the conspiracy theorists just glossed over. Concussions are a very serious injury. Pohl was never diagnozed with a concussion, it was described as a "concussion like injury"...which likely means he didn't have all the hallmark symtoms of a concussion, but something wasn't right.

If that is the case, a responsible coach (Like Bowden) would take (and should take) all the necessary precaution in order for that player to get better. Everything in this non-existant Pohl saga is consistent with the re-introduction of a player who has had a significant head injury.

1. Pohl was knocked in the head on the final play of the first half in Miami. He de-dressed from that game. Came back to the field to ride the bike, and left shortly after he had come back on the field. He was gingerly from my own observations. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but clearly something WASN'T RIGHT.

2. Was not active for the Ohio game at all, which is consistent for a player who has suffered a head injury of any significance.

3. He was cleared (officially) on Wednesday before Ball State.

4. Sat on the bench (second behind Woodson) during the Ball State game (which is what sparked this BS controversy).

Every part of this is consistent with the reintroduction a player who had a significant head injury. Or rather I should say the responsible reintroduction of a player with a significant head injury...

This is the most rational explanation of the facts, and we should apply the principle of lex parsimoniae (aka Occam's Razor), that the simplest solution is most likely the correct one.

I expected a lot more from ZN.O members, I thought we were more logical and rational than this...but apparently we're not.

Thank you Balsy......ZN.O has gone crazy.

[LZIp]

That is false. Find me another concussion instance where a player was medically cleared, and the coach sat him out anyway.

Coach Bowden must be the only responsible coach in all of college or professional football.

The decision raises questions, and rightfully so. Our questions will be answered the BG game. I'm still willing to give coach the benefit of the doubt, but The "responsible" excuse cannot be used 3+ weeks after a player is cleared.

Also note that coach has said nothing about not putting Pohl in the game because he wasn't ready, he stated its because it wouldn't have been "fair" to him.

[zippy5]

Coach Bowden must be the only responsible coach in all of college or professional football.

The decision raises questions, and rightfully so. Our questions will be answered the BG game. I'm still willing to give coach the benefit of the doubt, but The "responsible" excuse cannot be used 3+ weeks after a player is cleared.

You're missing the point.. If a player broke his leg, and it healed, why hold him out once it's healed? Once concussion-like symptoms are gone (which they must be), a player is cleared. Whether he sits a day after he is cleared, or 5 years, he's just as prone to another concussion. If he was at more risk, they wouldn't clear him.

[LZIp]

You're missing the point.. If a player broke his leg, and it healed, why hold him out once it's healed? Once concussion-like symptoms are gone (which they must be), a player is cleared. Whether he sits a day after he is cleared, or 5 years, he's just as prone to another concussion. If he was at more risk, they wouldn't clear him.

I was agreeing with you.

[zippy5]

Whoops

[Balsy]

That is false. Find me another concussion instance where a player was medically cleared, and the coach sat him out anyway.

Vanderbilt

Michigan (not benched after being medically cleared...played after being medically cleared, but was clearly not okay). And has since been classified as indeed having a concussion.

Massachussetts Medical Society Recommends lots of caution:

Recent research on athletes under 18 years of age has shown that even when they say they are normal after exhibiting shown symptoms after an initial concussion, brain function and reflexes may not return to normal for many weeks in some athletes...Regardless of the recommendations of others, if your gut feeling tells you to bench a player, do not let anyone — players, parents, coaches, fans, or circumstances — change your mind. You are never wrong to keep a player out of a practice or game. It is the safest option. when in doubt, sit them out!

You know, medical professionals getting in the way of a good conspiracy theory.

I can't imagine why Bowden would want to hold a player out of a game, take the most caution as possible, after the Michigan debacle above. (note, this last comment is sarcastic).