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Way to early prediction with high optimism: L @Oklahoma W vs Pitt W vs Savannah St W @ Lousiana L vs Buffalo L vs CMU W vs Can't W vs Ohio W @ EMU W @ UMass W @ Miami L @ BGSU 8-4 Baby, And Bowden Makes history

I'm not sure about every senior. ND had some Akron-Canton players in his tenure and don't recall them coming to NE Ohio (but that was before my time). But it is pretty common to play a homecoming game if you have a "star" senior, ala Jawad Williams. I was also thinking about what programs could fit the bill. Wyoming is the one that immediately comes to mind due to Nance Jr., who is a senior and one of the best players in the MWC. However, Larry Shyatt is probably gun shy about coming to the JAR considering the beating his team took in 2007 (and also lost to Akron at Wyoming). Wichita State would've been a great team to try to get here with Darius Carter. But he was a JUCO transfer, so who knows if WSU was ever interested in giving him a homecoming game since he wasn't a 4 year guy. I think if Sampson didn't leave early, St. John's would have been a possibility, but probably at the Q. Sampson was a Cleveland kid (started at Solon) before going to SVSM. Virginia Tech makes sense on the surface as a possibility down the road, but Hudson wasnt an Akron guy. He is from Richmond and transferred to SVSM solely for basketball. Pierce lists his hometown as Barberton, but did he ever play HS ball here? Its not a name that sticks out to me and he lists his HS as Kiski Prep. But that could be a possibility down the road. Again, not sure if you can get them to the JAR, but easily could get them at the Q... But VT isn't worth the Q. That would have to be marquee name. A couple other possibilities would be Loyola-Marymount. Evan Payne (Walsh Jesuit) is there top player and one of the best in the WCC. I think that would be an attainable home and home. LM wouldn't be a huge draw, though still some name cache with the 30 and older crowd due to Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble. And a WCC team sure beats a SWAC or MEAC dreg. College of Charleston could be another solid mid major that could do a home and home. Evan Bailey, of Jackson HS, is a freshman there. Another generally solid mid major with some name cache. Texas Tech is another potential "high major". They have two NEO kids on their roster, Justin Jamison of Strongsville and Devaughntah Williams of Canton McKinley. Williams is one of the Red Raiders top players and is coming off a 21 point performance in a loss to WVU. Maybe you can get them into the JAR. But if it would have to be at the Q, like VT, I'd pass. Finally, maybe Washington State. Ny Redding of Solon is a freshman with the Cougars. While Solon isn't far from Akron, its still suburban Cleveland, so not a true homecoming. And again, no way you play WSU at the Q. As for options I would be in favor of playing at the Q: Louisville: Terry Rozier (Shaker Heights) is one of the Cards top players. Pitino has recruited NEO recently (also had Zach Price of St. Eds before he was booted). That game easily draws 15,000 plus. A return game to Louisville is a no lose situation either for Akron. But Rozier is projected top 15 pick so who knows if he will return. Kansas: they just got a commitment from 5 star Carlton Bragg from VASJ. He may be a one and done, so it would probably have to be next year to potentially get KU in Northeast Ohio. Like Louisville, that is a game you play at the Q if it means getting them here. Obviously, the biggest issue even if either is willing, would be that the Zips would be behind CSU in the pecking order.

I guess for me in my Sophomore year as a Zips fan, I can only measure last season. Balsy I agree with the above as that appears to be (or at least the first 3, maybe 4) ours to piss away (like 2014). I might add the following weekly things in order to achieve the 5 things above Offense: 1. Establish an offensive identity ......... Are we a true "uptempo" team, a basic no huddle team ? We were 38th in the country with 76.5 offensive plays per game (Baylor #1 with 90.3 ... www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/plays-per-game ). I believe, based on the time wasted after getting on the LOS and waiting for the play to be called in, that we can easily hammer out another 10 plays per game by simply having a better play calling plan. I'm off the OC rant and if it is Milwee so be it ......... He will have to make great strides from last year IMO 2. Find the right QB to LEAD the offense !!!!! Goes with #1 3. Establish and be able to keep a cohesive Oline ............... Hopefully there will be a bit more depth also 4. WR's who can actually stretch the field AND catch the ball Defense: 1. A solid two deep rotation on the D-Line ...... Very apparent last season, of the lack of depth in the fourth QTR 2. Need a consistent pass rush ....... Early in the games, we were fine. Goes with the depth above in #1 3. Replace losses in the secondary due to graduation 4. Do a better job of getting off the field on 3rd down ................ Especially in the 4th QTR (also goes with #1) **** And of course, stay healthy **** The last two in Balsy's post can definitely be accomplished ...................... Damn, lets kick it off now !!!! Can't wait for Spring practice, planning a little road trip up to see some practice and the spring game !!!

We need to obtain it before we can keep it.

"The referees robbed us" is always a good one in Akron.

I liked this quote better: