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Our ninth verbal commitment: Malik Wooldridge

The MAC really needs to set up something with another conference similar to the ACC-B1G challenge every year. That would give us a quality game against a mid major of our caliber that would be home every other season.

This is something I have been thinking for the last month or so when I did a little research on the OOC opponents for this year. And since there is now some talk about that game on the Bryce Dixon thread, figure I'd start its own discussion thread. It was mentioned that it wouldn't be a surprise if Akron beats them this year. I actually tend to agree with that. Not saying it will happen, but there are some things about that game that makes me believe the upset could happen. 1. As was mentioned, Wisconsin is breaking in a new QB and neither of the guys in competition have any meaningful playing experience. While Joel Stave wasn't a great QB by any means, I believe I read he was the winningest QB in the program's history. Maybe the guys they have now are more talented, but I doubt either will be as good right away as Stave was last year. 2. Wisconsin plays a mega game against LSU at Lambeau Field the week before the Akron game. The fact that it's against an elite SEC team and at the hallowed grounds of Lambeau could make that the most hyped and emotional game in Wisconsin history. While I don't think Chryst will take the Zips lightly, I do see the possibility for an emotional let down, regardless of how that LSU game turns out. 3. Wisconsin is one of the few true smash-mouth running teams left in college football. While it's unknown if the Zips will be as good against the run as they had been the last couple of years, I'm still pretty confident (depending on how the young, but pretty talented linebackers fare) that this will still be a solid defense against the run. There is no way that Akron can totally shut down the Wisconsin running game (the Badgers have their usual strong offensive line and get stud running back Corey Clement back after missing most of last year), if they can hold the Badgers to less than 200 yards on the ground, I think they can stay in the game. 200 is a big number for most teams, but Wisconsin is going to run the ball 40-plus times, and historically a team that could put up 400-yard games on the ground against teams. Clement will probably pop a couple of big gainers, but if they can consistently hold him (and the other backs) to three, even four yards a carry and put the Badgers in a lot of third and 3s and longer, that could put some pressure on whoever the QB is (haven't checked lately to see if they named one) to making some plays with his arm. 4. The Badgers lost their elite defensive coordinator Dave Arnada to LSU. They were the top ranked defense in the nation last year, IIR. That's a blow in itself. On top of that, they lost quite a bit in the back seven. If Woodson can build off of last season, with the weapons he will have on the outside this season, I think the Zips could do some damage in the passing game. Overall, while Wisconsin is easily the most talented of the OOC teams, just based on how the Zips match up, it wouldn't shock me to see the Zips win this game ... and then go on and lose to both Marshall and Appalachian State. Nor would it shock me to see the Zips lose to Wisconsin and then beat both Marshall and Appalachian State. I guess what I'm getting at is that all three of those games, IMO, are "toss-ups" (for lack of a better word).

Coach Embick is quoted several times in this article from a North Canton and Plain township newspaper http://www.northneighbornews.com/sports/20160824/zips-ranked-high-still-seeking-right-lineup-as-season-launches

This is a pretty great clip. Bowden brings in an ice cream truck for after practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Rwsj6Sh3c

Hasn't Bowden came out saying this year the O-line is more athletic? If they have gotten larger and quicker those are both signs.

Brutal. Guess I'll stop back into this forum in January. 11-2 going into MAC play, it's not bad by any means, it's just old watching the same story.

Granted you can skip through it...but the 1:20 minute intro for a 2:20 minute video is a bit excessive. Nice to put a voice and personality to the players. Otherwise you'd only know their name and number. Since Akron has no TV coverage, it's really the only chance to hear most of the guys.