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Yes, I'd agree that the diehard fans of a 6-0 team ranked #23 could easily justify a 4-5 hour trip. I think the game time really helps too. If it was the other way around, I'm sure plenty of Akron people would make the trip up there.

Take it for what it's worth

Anyone remember the last time we beat WMU? 38-37 in 2007...I recall listening to Frenchy going nuts on the radio about a kick return. I believe it was very late and was the go-ahead score. Such a thrilling win would be very timely for the home crowd and the progrum.

I imagine we will see an uptick in traveling fans for this game.

Fans of other schools have to deal with a 4 hour game as well. Akron isnt at liberty to shorten games to 8 minute quarters and eliminate tv timeouts. Why fret over something the school has 0 control over?

Portland Timbers assistant coach Cameron Knowles inducted to University of Akron Hall of Fame

That's right! Add two W's

I agree 4 hours is way too long! How many people would go to a 4 hour movie? I attend Mass at my Church and if the Priest runs over an hour people get irritated. LOL

But, it's certainly possible that many don't come to begin with, because of the 4+ hour commitment. I was also careful to note that I don't think that the length of the game is our biggest obstacle. But, it could have an impact.

I enjoyed my trip to Akron. I met Captain and tried to take in several local establishments. I will admit, I just don't get the student indifference to Zip football. The product is marketable, the band and dance team do a fine job, and the facility and amenities are very nice. I personally witnessed the Kansas State University turn around in the early 90's and regardless of the product, the students showed up at least for a half as it was a social event. I was just amazed by the lack of people in the area bars and the students that would pop in for a couple of shots and then back out the door. The bartender asked them if they were going to the game, and most said, "No, we're having party...." I know this is the choir, but I just wanted you to know the game day experience is fine. The Greeks, living areas, and campus groups need to take the lead. Again, I love coming to Akron. I will be in Norman, Oklahoma this week and then in Manhattan, KS the next, so I see several game day experiences each football season. Go Zips!

Good point. In some way, this could all certainly be attributed to the changes in our society. They say that this is the reason why enclosed Shopping Malls are failing, and why golf is dropping so much in popularity. A four hour sporting event could be a victim of this same trend. Come to think of it, I doubt that there is a football stadium anywhere in the country anymore where the fans are not hitting the exits early in droves, if they feel that the game has already been decided, one way or the other. If all they cared about was getting a full 4 hours of "entertainment" they would stay, right? I don't think this is a big part of the problem, but it could definitely have an impact.

This team just hasn't seem the same since that California trip...

Except people don't want to go to ANY game for 4+ hours, Browns, Ohio State, Cavs or otherwise. I agree that the gameday atmosphere is going to make attendance better, but part of that is shortening the damn games. 4 hours is WAY TO LONG for a game that only takes 1. This isn't 1924, people aren't looking for one thing to entertain themselves for 4 hours.

It's just rather stunning, knowing that we were considered the #1 team in the Nation just a few weeks ago.

Here are a couple truths about the Akron-area Football Fan - 1.) He's not a "football fan." He's an Ohio State and Cleveland Browns fan. 2.) He will show up if you give him El Cheapo tickets (See Acme-Zip games). Unfortunately, $3.00 tickets don't pay the bills. 3.) The Zips haven't won squat for 25 years. Expecting Joe Akron to flock to InfoCision to see 4-2 Akron play Western Michigan is like waiting for The Great Pumpkin. "But Western Michigan is undefeated and Top 25 ranked", you say? Refer to #1. If you neglect a garden for 25 years, you don't expect to be eating tomatoes 1 week after you rototill it. The crowds are what they are. The team is rapidly improving. The butts-in-seats are gradually improving. I'm confident the team, and new administration ,will continue doing the necessary things to fill the stands. But it will take a few years of consistent, hard work to overcome 25 years of abject neglect. I think Zips fans need to enjoy the 70% empty InfoCision and essentially zero game day traffic. There will come a time, probably in about 3-4 years, when you'll be bitching about the traffic and all the idiots surrounding you who don't know 1st Team All MAC Quarterback Kato Nelson from Kato Kaelin.

If it makes you sick to think about 12K for hapless Miami, you will really be sickened by the 13K crowd vs. ranked WMU.

If there was a disclaimer like below, would you feel any better?: Louisiana-Lafayette - 18,809 - Grossly inflated Ohio (homecoming) - 19,775 - Grossly inflated It makes me sick thinking about the 12k (- actual attendance) we had last Saturday.

Man, you're venturing into that crazy logic of Team A beat Team B who played close against Team C who lost close to Team D. You do know that Akron won the National Championship two years ago, right? Akron beat Piit, who beat Virginia Tech, who beat OSWho. All I've said is that you can't compare "Two Big 10 games" as equal when you see who MSU played, and who WMU played. And I'm not a Michigan State fan. And besides, I wish early Big 10 games were indicative of performance in the games that follow, but we Lost 4 straight games after nearly (should have) taking down Michigan in 2013, and we just got our a$$es handed to us by Wisconsin and followed that with some of the best football we've played in the last decade. ADDED: It's actually funny to take a glance at 2013, although this is the wrong topic. Despite being in the middle of a 5 game losing streak (including Michigan), here was our home attendance. Louisiana-Lafayette - 18,809 Ohio (homecoming) - 19,775 It makes me sick thinking about the 12k we had last Saturday.