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Akron will not go undefeated the rest of the way, although should be pretty much favored in all of them. There are bound to be some clunkers in there, and league road games are always tough. But, if we can minimize those clunkers and come to play every night we are in position to have a very, very successful year. Also, the program that comes to mind with all this "30-3 but awful schedule" talk is Stephen f Austin the last few years. They've had great records but even worse schedules than the zips and finished the last two years in the top 60 of kenpom and as 12 seeds in the tournament, even winning a game (against vcu, sound familiar?) two years ago. I would love to see the zips do something like that.

Hey LZip. I realize that I've been too critical of Zips Football out of frustration. I love all Zips sports. Wish I could support them all the same, but don't have the time to do so. I've gotten very close to the Men's Soccer staff and always stick around to talk with the players as well as going to many of their road games. It will remain my first love as long as we have a coaching staff that works to keep our program at or near the top. I hope that you and others have tempered your expectations and realize, that for various reasons, it is extremely difficult to do what Caleb & Company did in 2009 & 2010. Jared has proven he's capable of fielding a Championship team. Although they didn't bring home the trophy, they certainly were capable of doing so. As for Football, I hope that this season is the beginning of a series of winning seasons and bowl appearances. Being able to point to the accomplishments this season when recruiting should be a help. It's also time for students and alumni to take pride in what we have. We have a good, competent coaching staff and good players. The next step is to provide them decent, supportive attendance. There is no excuse for not coming to see Zips Football. And, yes, as someone stated long ago, I don't care about the uniforms as long as they win. I know what they wore at the Potato Bowl, but I don't care whether or not anyone liked it. The Zips were there, and the Zips got the W and brought home the trophy. I look forward to seeing the team bring it to one of the home basketball games in January. Maybe they should serve special Idaho Potato fries at the concession stand that night. Merry Christmas and Go Zips!

Inspired by recent events, I decided to update this for 2015: Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Zipsnation Not a ‘puter was stirring, not e'en a Playstation; The posts were all hung on each new thread with care, In hopes that the moderators would not strip them bare; And KD was nestled all snug in his bed, While visions of tournaments danced in his head; And Zippy in sweater, and I in my cap, Were jogging around the JAR for a lap, When far beyond Carroll there arose such a clatter, We sprang from the track to see what was the matter. Away to the circle I flew like a Zip, Jumped over some hedges and banged up my hip. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the luster of Lot 9 to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should unfold, But a beautiful field, no light poles to behold, With a lush brick facade, and no grass to mow, I knew in a moment it was the INFO. More splendid than all in this quirky conf’rence, I named them aloud as I leapt o’er a fence; "There’s, Yager! there’s, Peden! There's UB and Dix and! The Glass Bowl, Doyt-Perry! all suited for Blitzin'! Rynearson and Scheumann, Waldo in K-Zoo! Huskie, Kelly Shorts, now I think I am through." As dry leaves that within the December breeze fly, When they waft the scent of football to the sky, So up to top of the press box I flew, With Keener, ZipsWin! and Cap’n Kangaroo. And then, in a twinkling, I saw in my head the end of Zip losing and seasons of dread. And I drew in my hand, a most stunning portrait of Bowl vict'ries for Akron for 7 years straight. TB dressed in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all swollen with jewelry and loot; A bundle of trophies he flung on his back, And he looked like they proclaimed him King of the MAC. His line -- how they guarded! his QB how merry! His wide-outs caught plenty, e’en more than Matt Cherry! His halfbacks were tough, his returners could go! As they sped down the sidelines, they looked like Pat Snow; His defense was mean, taught by Coach Chuck the Chest, Of his players, Jatavis was clearly the best; They had a large line, lead by Cody and Coe, A progrum unmatched, not e'en by State-O. TB stood with pride, a dadgum jolly coach, A confident stare, beyond all reproach. A wink of his eye and a nod of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but I knew right away, That this place would be filled, on each Fall Saturday, With Zip fans aplenty, exhorting the team, Then TB glanced over to finish my dream; He sprang to his legs, to his team gave a whistle, And away the Zips ran like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘fore he fizzled from sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all Zips good-night."

App State and GSo are great teams. I was impressed that Ohio could hang with App but the GSo beat down was pretty surprising. I wasn't necessarily expecting BG to win, but a 31 point loss never crossed my mind.