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My research has inspired me to do some more research regarding other mid-major OOC schedules, specifically mid-majors who have made runs in the NCAA tournament runs the past few seasons (SFA, FGCU, Dayton,Mercer, Davidson...the list could go on and on). You'll find at least 1 thing in common between all of them..they all played at least 1 really good team in the OOC. Coincidence? I'm not so sure. You can't convince me that going on the road for big games doesn't help prepare you for the NCAA tourney regardless of the outcome.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Don't get hung up on the Penn State game, go beat Marshall next week. I was responding to Ziprifle's comment that "sure, beating Marshall would be great...but MAC is all that matters." (I'm not throwing you under the Bus Ziprifle so don't take it that way) Every game matters, w gets us one step closer to the goal of the Bowl. That is our goal right? I'm not settling for "sure I would like to beat Marshall"...I'm settling for GO BEAT MARSHALL NOW and worry about the conference later.

Next year always looks like it could be "history making" until it isn't. It's why we always feel so good on opening day of baseball. A few key injuries can make a "history making" season a catastrophic disaster in a few seconds. It happened to OU last year. That's why winning now is most important. We can't get too far ahead of ourselves. First things first. Beat Marshall. Win the MAC this year. Then win a bowl game. Worry about next year, next year. It's interesting that Marshall is coming in this week. I think when they were in the MAC, they had the perfect philosophy...Win Championships! All they wanted to do was win the MAC and then win their bowl. Great philosophy. The big OOC wins will happen over time because you win Championships. Winning championships attracts winners to your program. The more winners you get, the better chance of winning all of your games you have. A culture of winning was developed and they won. It was very simple, the more you win, the more you can win if you are smart about it.

I think we will have success this year, but I think Balsy was referring to "major success". Like beating most of our OOC opponents. Like a double digit win season. Sure we have that chance this year, and it would be great, split the OOC sweep the MAC, but realistically I am looking for a 8-4/7-5 season and a chance to play for a Conference Championship this year. But next year is looking like the "history making" season.

I've seen this line of thinking a couple times recently. I completely disagree with it. Win, and win now. Nothing about next year is guaranteed. We can just as easily be worse in 2015. Wait until next year...we have all these phenomenal players coming in next year...all our existing players will be so much better next year...next year is the year we're set up to knock off a BCS program... I've seen that line of thinking with the Zips basketball team forever. And despite whatever 4-star kid...BCS transfer...phenomenal recruiting class...whatever happens, we ebb and flow around 21 wins year-in-year-out. And you're always a 5 lb bale of pot away from the CBI. This Zips football team team has the capability to win a championship in 2014. The MAC East is there for the taking. We can win it this year.

The simple reality is that the Zips have won 21 or more games for 9 consecutive seasons. Trading one cupcake home game per season for one road game against a virtually unbeatable opponent (Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Michigan State, etc.) at worst would have changed that to winning 20 or more games for 9 consecutive seasons. There's no way that would have cost the Zips a single recruit. On the other hand, it may have better prepared them to win a close regular season game or two and maybe pull a first-round NCAA tournament game upset against a tough opponent. I have to believe that telling a recruit they're going to get a shot at playing against a Duke/North Carolina/Kansas/Michigan State is going to be more persuasive than saying you've never won fewer than 21 games vs. 20. We're not talking about a major scheduling change here. We're talking about a small tweak with more upside than downside. We're talking about trading a single home cupcake game for a single road game against a big-name opponent that every HS kid dreams about playing for or against. Think Bigger should be more than a single season marketing slogan.

Give the guy credit for not taking a vacation day on the PSU game so that he can give Zips fans a nice summary of the game. I guess you will have to deal with pulling out that roster. Thanks JZ84.

http://www.gozips.com/sports/fball/2014-15/roster?sort=number Here is the 2014 GoZips.com roster. You can click on the headers to sort by number, name, position, or class. Use the Printer-Friendly button to print a copy for easy reference when player initials/numbers are used as a substitute for typing out unwieldy names.

Hmmm let's see.....less typing for me vs. ZTZ being forced to look up (or perhaps familiarize himself with) the roster. That's an easy call

Can we PLEASE stop referring to players by some letter/number combo? I hate having to pull up a roster every time I want to decipher somebody's post.

More Zips basketball news: The new roster is now up on gozips.com and there are some minor items to report. First, the official roster confirms that Noah is 6-1 -- a little taller than the PGs who've been running the Zips over the past few years. Also, Tree is still listed at 6-7, 235 lb, not the 6-8, 250 that GT optimistically reported back in July. I don't see any changes in anyone's height or weight from last season, so they've all apparently stopped growing. Only two players on the roster are listed as pure forwards -- Tree and Kwan. BJ is listed as a wing/forward and Jake and Reggie are still listed as wings. Pat and Big Dog are of course the two centers and the rest are listed as guards. Jimond Ivey is the only player listed without a uniform number, adding credence to the suspicion that he may not be playing this season. With Steve McNees and Brian Walsh moving on from their graduate assistant positions, two news ones have been named: Cameron Black and Marcus Smith. Cam played center for Bowling Green the past four seasons after graduating from Kent_Roosevelt HS. At one time he was interested in playing for UA and was seen at the JAR prior to ending up at BGSU. Marcus comes to UA from Seton Hill, where he was a graduate assistant. He has a really intriguing background, including strong Ohio recruiting ties, that's outlined in detail on the Seton Hill website. Instead of trying to paraphrase it all here, I think everyone would find it worthwhile to read everything about Marcus at this link. He's not your typical graduate assistant.

Although I returned from State College last night, I figured I'd sleep on it before providing my game summary. Before I do, thanks to PSU_Lions_84 for stopping by ZNo again this year. I enjoy your insight into the PSU program. The Zips return to PA in 2017, so I wish you good health and fortune until then 1. I think some fans are punishing JC7's 2014 performance so far on the basis of "past sins" (East-West running, avoiding contact). I haven't seen much evidence of either at this point and he's only carried it a total of 16 times. The run blocking has been ineffective for EVERY RB so far. Was Hundley supposed to bowl over 3 PSU defenders on the 4th and 1 (more on this later)? Regarding the prior play, I had an ideal angle for play in which JC7 went out of bounds. As was stated before by ZippyforPresident , in order to catch that pass his momentum forced him out of bounds. There was no option to plow over the defender. I haven't watched the replay yet, but I've read that the review was questionable (I.e. Zips should have been given a 1st down). If I had any criticism on that play, I might say JC7 could have tried to extend the ball before exiting the field so as to make the 1st down without question. 2. PSU fans, by and large, are really friendly and hospitable. Beaver Stadium is an idyllic setting worthy of its reputation. 3. In answer to Dr Z's question on TB55, he did not start, but he rotated between RT and RG all day. I think his ability to play both allows him to spell both QO71 and JM50. He looked OK to me. I think his availability will help the running game, but just not too much against PSU (front 7 is too good, he'll need some time to mesh with his teammates). 4. It was clear that O'Leary rushed and hooked that 1st FG attempt - FR jitters for sure. I agree with CK. In the scrimmages I saw, Stein was more productive. I don't think he'll re-lose the job. 5. While the defense really played hard and well, I agree with those that would have liked to see a few more blitzes. I'm really surprised Coach Amato played it so close to the chest....err....vest 6. When you can't run the ball and you don't even TRY to stretch the field, it's only a matter of time until the short passing game is solved by ANY defense let alone a pretty good one. 7. MTB1 has the CHANCE to become a go to WR, the type that can provide the scoring threat in the red zone we so desperately lacked yesterday. But he MUST learn to catch the routine throws consistently. Speaking of WRs, I didn't see Tyrell Goodman play. Is he hurt? He's a decent red zone option. 8. I generally avoid play calling criticism, but I think the only TB play call I disliked worse than the 4th and 1 run up the middle was the fake FG in the Glass Bowl in 2012. CH34 had NO chance in that one. Why not fake the handoff and roll KP16 out for a run-pass option? 9. Zach Paul is booming the ball this year. 10. On entering the field, the Zips tried to intimidate the Lions by coming very near the PSU sidelines with verbal taunting etc. While I kind of liked the brazen display of confidence, I think you need to establish yourself on the field first. We're not quite there yet. 11. I would have loved to see us get in the end zone a few times. PSU did not impress me with a lot of confidence when they HAD to make a play (other than that 3rd and 25 conversion - sheesh). If the Zips had put them in that position late in the game, I could have easily seen the Lions coming up short. 12. In summary, I'm disappointed in the score and I wish the coaches had a more aggressive game plan on both sides of the ball. But there is plenty to be hopeful about in 2014. The defense is the best UA has ever fielded. The offense has ability. Fix the run blocking and the Zips can roll off a nice win streak here before too long.