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Good post. I absolutely agree that it's nearly impossible for us to get an NCAA at-large bid. However, the primary reason I really want to see us amp up our scheduling is not for a possible at-large bid, but for our local perception. People in the Akron area still think we're small-time and not worth coming out to see. I believe we need to do something radical to break that perception. We need to go on the road and play the big boys in their houses, not worrying about any return game what-so-ever. We need to not worry much about our 21-game winning streak. The only time I ever hear it mentioned is when Akron is on t.v. & the announcers are looking for something to talk about. What are the other schools? Kansas, Gonzaga, Duke, Ohio State. They never mention that 21-game win streak when those teams are on t.v. because I don't think anyone really cares. Recruiting? We'll still have a good record, even if it's a 19-win season.

I agree with much of what has been said, but I'd like to add playing Bethune-Cookman or South Carolina State doesn't prep us well for when it comes time to play a VCU, Notre Dame, or Gonzaga at tournament time. The Zips aren't accustomed to playing against opponents that have big, fast, strong, and highly skilled players. Sure a MAC team might have a few of those guys on the roster, but they don't have a roster full of them. It's easy to see why the Zips have been overwhelmed at the big stage.

I hear you. I don't understand why the Z is cool and slick to them either, but okay, it is and that's life. For me, the Z is overused on scarf designs #1 and #3. I would like scarf #1 better had they incorporated the ARoo where the large Z is on the side with the Adidas markings. The ARoo was the preferred logo the year we won the Title. I would like #3 better had they used the ARoo in place of one of the Z's. My understanding is that the ARoo hasn't gone away. So, why not use it along with the Z. Edit: Now that I think about it more, why not put AKRON on one side and Zips Soccer on the other with the Z in Zips being the slick Z (like at the top of the graphic)?

and Travis Clark...gave the best goal of the week....to Ben Speas

What is the University/Athletic Department doing to differentiate themselves from every other Mid-Major that's looking to get to the next level? Why aren't we at the forefront of an All-Ohio tournament? Better yet, why don't we start some sort of MAC vs. A10, Big East, CUSA, or AAC tournament? Using the regular season results, take the top 4 MAC teams from the year before, take take the top 4 teams from an aforementioned conference, create a bracket style tournament with the Championship game being played at the Q or another rotating neutral site (i.e. FedEx Forum if playing against the AAC or CUSA) while every other game is played at the higher seeds' arena. The regular season conference champions would be the #1 seeds on each side of the bracket, guaranteeing at least one home game for each. You could even shrink the "tournament" to feature just 2 teams from each conference (the Conference Tournament Champion and the Regular Season Champion; in event of each champion being the same team, go to the second place finishing team from the regular season). I am sick and tired of hearing about our scheduling revolving around "money" games. 10 straight 21+ win seasons, 3 NCAA Tournament appearances in that stretch, a national ranking at one point, and we act like we are still a small mid-major. If you want to hang your hat on your mediocre (by national standards), quit hiding behind excuses. Stick your neck out there, take the bull by the horns, and control your own destiny. Edit: I want to add that I completely understand the difficulties of scheduling. So many schools nowadays are looking for the easy win instead of earning everything. It's sad and pathetic that nobody wants to play Akron. The point of my post was to merely express some frustration with what appears to be a misdirected scheduling search in my opinion. Just seems like we are dropping the ball when it comes to which teams to target. (Edit cont.) I like the idea of playing at Creighton. That is a solid name and a winnable game. Ty Dalton as a walk-on is an interesting development. I wonder what made him decide to come here to walk-on instead of staying closer to home? I'm excited for next year! Go Zips!

I think that's why the offense is speeding up this season. Make a play happen before the defense can get to the QB. Also helps when you have legit deep threats to spread the D out.

Top programs lose OOC home games all the time to mid majors. Sure, fans are upset at the time but a few a days later there is a new game. Win and all is right with the world. People get over it. This board does the same thing. There not devastating blows by any means. Has a lost to Akron cost one of our OOC opponents a tourney bid in the past? So, what really is the risk? Just as an example, I know that Dayton seeks out teams that are projected to win there conference for their buy games. Losing to a Chattanooga didn't crush their season. Maybe they would schedule a buy game with us, maybe not. Stay in the A10 and give VCU a call. They've played Toledo and Buffalo in buy games in the past two years. It doesn't need to be a "blue blood" program.

Here is my question for you: Scheduling the way Akron does and racking up wins against cupcakes: a - helps prepare the team to win big games in the post season? b - attracts fans and excites them about the program? c - puts the team in a good spot to get a good seed/at large in the tournament? d - helps coaches achieve contract incentives and build up their resumes?

It also didn't give Lane his due credit on offense. For the first time in a long time, I'm good with the WR core. I'm also ok with Woody. Especially if he keeps progressing. The other items are legitimate concerns. I'm excited to see this version of the 2016 Zips offense.

The dorky (and inexplicable) kangaroo is distinctive, to be confused with no other mascot or logo. The kangaroo has never looked better than on the A-Roo logo. Z is just a letter.

I never imagined I would miss the A-Roo so much!

Here's what nobody wants to admit - strength of schedule doesn't matter that much in relation to Akron getting an at-large. How many mid-majors earn at-large bids? One, maybe two per year? Wichita State is the only one that comes to mind from this year's tournament, while teams like Monmouth, St. Bonaventure, St. Mary's, San Diego State, Valparaiso, and many others worthy of being considered were sent to the NIT instead. And it's only going to get worse now that Syracuse - a team selected as an at-large that did not have the resume of any of the teams I just listed - made a Final Four run. They'll say the RPI isn't high enough, or there aren't enough Top 50 wins, or they had one too many bad losses. Playing at Louisville isn't going to change all of that. Would it help seeding if they get in with an automatic bid? Maybe. But I'd counter that by pointing out most had us projected as a #12 or #13 (pretty solid for a mid-major) had we defeated Buffalo. I don't know how much better they'd get than that, tougher schedule or not. Could Akron find a few tougher teams to schedule every year? Probably. Have they progressively scheduled better and better over time? Certainly. In the end, do they pretty much have to win the MAC Tournament to go Dancing? Unfortunately, yes. If complaining about the schedule makes you feel better, have at it. If you want to believe Akron could schedule bigger state schools but chooses not to, feel free. But no matter which side of the debate you're on, please just realize that whether Akron plays the eventual National Champion (which they did this year) or Marshall in the regular season, they're still going to have to win 3 games at The Q to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Travis Clark has a tweet showing a nice assist for Richie Laryea....the guy who posted it....put Reggie on the video

Put my vote in for 2. But I'd be happy with 1 and 2. I was a huge opponent of the Z becoming a focal point for the Zips.

Dear Coach Boals- Welcome to Stony Brook- http://nypost.com/2016/04/11/stony-brook-basketball-player-accused-of-breaking-into-car-stealing-5k-tax-return/ Aaaaaaah, the joys of being a college coach.

Buffalo won the MAC tournament last year and had a host of challenging OOC opponents this season. OU managed to schedule Oklahoma, Memphis, UMass, and St. Bonaventure the year after they made the sweet 16 and were returning DJ Cooper. Why are big names programs scared of Akron, but not other MAC programs? Something smells fishy.