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Anyone who is shocked that the Zips ONLY sold 9,000 tickets for the EASTERN MICHIGAN game is ...high on crack. If anyone think a stadium is going to fill up just because the Zips beat a weak Pitt team to elevate its record to 2-2, that person is ...high on crack. If anyone thinks decades-old attendance problems can be solved with a 3-2 record and wins over teams like EMU and Howard, that person is high on crack. If someone thinks it is a better option hang around outdoors on a blustery, tent-uprooting 30 degree day than sit on a warm couch and watch a game on the couch on a 60" flat screen...that person is high on crack. People want to plant a garden on Monday, and be eating tomatoes on Wednesday. It doesn't work that way. The Zips have stunk for almost a decade. Spraying a little Glade in the bathroom after a 10-year long dump just doesn't cut it. Zips need to keep winning. The schedule has never been more favorable. If Bowden takes care of business over the next 7 weeks, fans will come.

Good defense and a QB that doesn't lose the game is good enough to win most MAC games.

I also thought Nate played pretty well in the exhibition. He did some familiar things out there, like strip Haywood of the ball as Brendan was going up for and apparent dunk after a feed from LeBron. The biggest thing that struck me about Nate’s current appearance is his frame. He always looked like a giant 5th grader to me in his UA days with his relatively slight build, gangly arms and longish hair. He has obviously taken to a serious strength program, as he looks much thicker and stronger – to the point where DZ84 thought I was kidding when I identified him. It was great to see him play against LeBron (again - must have occurred informally a few times in the past at the JAR) and the rest of the Cavs!

The more I look at the roster, the more I think this is going to be an unsettled season in terms of lineup. The Zips have a few veterans who haven't performed at a level that would guarantee them long minutes and a couple of true freshmen and a couple of redshirt freshmen who are talented enough to vie for significant minutes. So I think we're in for another season that will cause indigestion for fans who are uncomfortable with anything other than a fixed lineup with the same 5 starters and same 3 subs getting all but a few minutes of PT. Aside from the normal development that might be expected of every player as they evolve from freshmen to seniors, I think the following points are key to the Zips becoming a really good team this season: * Tree's maturity -- he has the physical tools and intensity to be MAC Player of the Year. In his senior season and with Q having graduated, Tree should be the unquestioned leader of this team. He must lead by example and not fall into funks. He needs to be consistently positive no matter what anyone else on his team, anyone on the opposing team, the refs or even himself might do that he doesn't like. Get over it and play like a true champion at all times. * Pat's self-confidence -- he has the physical tools and skills to be the best center in the MAC but becomes tentative when he makes mistakes. He needs to develop the attitude that he's the man who owns the paint on both offense and defense, shrug off any mistakes he makes and pour on more intensity. The team with the best center has a big advantage in winning the MAC championship, as Zeke and Shayne Whittington have recently demonstrated. Pat has that potential. * Noah's learning curve -- he has the pedigree to be an outstanding college PG. He's a winner who played at a high level in HS alongside NBA-level talent (Shabazz Muhammad). He's a pass-first PG who can knock down the open 3 or drive to the bucket. He has the potential to be the Zips starting PG for the next 4 seasons. But this is the only season he gets to play alongside the Zips' best proven player (Tree). Can he make the adjustment from high level HS ball to D1 college ball quickly enough this season to make everyone forget the Zips ever had a problem at PG? * Wild cards -- How much did BJ and Aaron benefit from their redshirting, and how much will they surprise us by what they can do on court this season? Aaron obviously benefited physically by growing from 6-7, 193 to 6-8, 215. That's a big 2 guard who's now the same height and 10 pounds heavier than his Gahanna-Lincoln predecessor Nate Linhart. Could he quickly become, as Nate did, the shut-down defender who could guard the other team's best player at any of the 5 positions? Could BJ quickly develop into a point forward working alongside the backup PG to give the Zips a strong point presence at all times? Those are some of the things I'm going to be watching most closely as the season goes on.

CK, (edit) most of this may be true, yet you come to games. I come to games. Balsy attends games. Dr Z is there. ...etc. After a couple of games with iCoach, I quit coming because I couldn't stand it for myself or the players. (edit: Just looking at iCoach or TW made me almost pop a blood vessel. I quickly recognized it wasn't good for my health.) I still bought season tickets to support my team. It sucked to spend money and not be there, but I knew one day someone would iCoach. I had the pride to support the program. Students get in free. Come to a game if you're not working. If it sucks, leave. But show some damn pride in your school. Winning takes effort of those on the field, but it also takes effort of those who attend and have graduated from Akron to support their team. EDIT: Attending football games is also a way to make new friends and contacts. I would think that college students who are looking to graduate one day and start their careers would be interested in networking.

"Minus quarterback scrambles by Pohl and Woodson, plus two short-yardage dives from nose guard Cody Grice, Akron only attempted five running plays in the first half last week." Limit their possessions. Run the ball more than 5 times in the first half AJ.

Thanks LZip. In an effort that produced two easily forgettable drives, I forgot one.

Watched the game on the internet ...... Seems to be a slow starter. Missed some reads and receivers dropped more balls ..... Responded well in my opinion. The o-line certainly didn't help early with the penalties and not being able slow down a THREE MAN RUSH !!! Not sure there are many QBs that are going to be successful with 8 in coverage and three d-linemen getting good pressure Still think the offense needs to establish the run earlier ..... The run was there from the opening snap. Good win ...... Still lots to work on but definitely positives to build on

Pohl takes care of the ball. He has three INTs (I think) this season and 2 of them were the receivers fault. He's plenty good enough to win with.

Then he can't complain when the stands are empty because the opponents aren't exciting to watch.