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The absolute best offense you can run with inexperienced players on offense is a wide open no huddle spread. There are a handful of teams in the entirety of college football that can efficiently run a ball-control smashmouth offense and none of 'em are in the MAC. These spread offenses aren't rocket science. Most high schools today are running them. If you have an offense that can move the ball through the air, a decent running back will get his yards. Ball should be a decent running back if he can stay healthy. That's a big if. The whole 1000 yard mark means less than zero to me. Alex Allen gained 877 yards (I know, I know. 123 yards short of 1000 but you get the gist) for Ianello in an offense that couldn't get out of its own way. If the Zips are going to have any success they have to let 'er rip. Snapping the ball before the defense is ready is the biggest advantage an offense can get. That's why folks that want to run the ball down your throat want to outlaw it. (Saban, Bielema)

I was headed south on I-77 the other week, I always stop at the Goodwill between exits 35 and 36 in NC. It is just west of the race shops and tends to have a selection of NASCAR items that get donated when crew members switch teams. So when I was in there I found a 4XL Kansas City Chiefs shirt with MARCH and 59 on the back. Not being a 4XL guy I left it. So a week later coming back through I stopped again figuring I'd get it and find someone that could wear it. This second time through I couldn't find it. So the moral of the story is the time to buy an item is when you see it.

Let's face it, we have to have a lot of things go well for us to be successful this year. Some would say too many things. When I hear we want to run the ball this season I welcome that decision. My main concern here is if our O-line can be nasty enough to drive defenders out of the way. I didn't see that last season. They pass blocked well, but when the chips were down and we needed short yardage we rarely got it. My hope is that with time, coaching and strength training this O-line can reach the potential we all hold for them. We can develop everything but nastiness. It's either inside you or not. I hope our boys have it and show it.

As mentioned before, the staff has indicated that they want to run the ball more this year. As one offensive coach told me, we are more talented at the running back position than we are at the wide out position. Look for more running early in the season. If Ball is healthy, he will surpass the 1,000 mark. This was the reason I highlighted the writers comment, not to bring back old RB stats.

Great article on Justin March-Lillard

Akron Football: 2017 Zips Preview and Prediction

Sam Gainford scored another goal...on a penalty kick but Marcel Zajac was the star current zip tonight Akron Zips M Soccer Retweeted L1OLive‏ @L1OLive 5h5 hours ago *GOAL* 38' @SigmaFC brings it to 2-1 thanks to a cheeky back heel into the bottom corner from previous scorer Zajac! #SIGvMAST Akron Zips M Soccer Retweeted L1OLive‏ @L1OLive 6h6 hours ago *GOAL* 4' @SigmaFC's Zajac equalizes after @MastersFA opener. The game is opening up fast! Don't sleep on this one. It's 1-1 #SIGvMAST 0 replies 3 retweets 10 likes and I also see a zip recruit....in the starting lineup...with Marcel