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Just dropping by to say that I'm excited, as ever, about the start to the season. There's some excellent continuity from last year's squad and some exciting new additions as well. Go Zips!

I'm optimistic. We are young, especially on defense. What I really want to see is an actual running game!

some very good photos

My biggest concern is if there's enough room for the MAC Championship Trophy in the case! Kidding. Very excited for the season. We'll see what the record is at the end of the season, but I think the journey is going to be fun. Looking forward to exciting, disciplined football. Illinois is the ideal Big Ten team to play this year, too. No harm in tacking on a P5 victory to what hopes to be a solid season.

I apologize for my comment to your post @ZipsVoice I meant that I didn’t put the disaster point up (Jozie’s Goal) because the majority of things I seem to read on social media these days are negative. I didn’t intend it as it reads...my bad. So sorry about that.

One good thing that happened for this game is that Lovie Smith was given a contract extension. To date Coach Smith has not been able to to provide the teaching skills, motivation, or recruiting effort needed for the Illini to develop in the three or so years he has been in Champaign. Glad he is still there and he has taken over as the DC to boot. I briefly saw their spring game and they possess a lot of team speed and a big T/E, which could give Akron a lot of trouble. Their QB's seem to be still developing and their defense has been atrocious. I got the feeling I was watching a Toledo caliber team, but without the stellar coaching. Akron will be running new schemes in 2019 so this could be problematic, but if the Zips hold on early I give Akron a shot, despite it being in a big ten stadium with big ten refs. I expect that Chief Illiniwek will have the Illinois program fully informed of the Zips victory over Northwestern last year so the Zips will not be taken too lightly to our detriment. Let's hope for a better outcome than in 1996 when a poor Iliinois football team (ended season 2-9) did everything right, it seemed, and beat the struggling Zips 38-7.

Ranking Steelers rookies after Week 2 of the preseason Guess who they ranked #1?

Well to start, Arth's first season at TN Chat was disappointing, but year two was much better. I guess he lost some key people due to injury in year 1. I have to wonder if this year won't be something similar for Akron, but it does appear that the culture of the team has been changing, which is good. I like the multiple look defense, but wonder if the players know their positions well enough. Early in the season could be tough with blown assignments and several huge opponent gains. If they can batten this thing down now in fall camp, this team has enough talent to surprise. We will know much more in 11 days at Illinois as Akron should have some success and have a chance to win. It would be nice if the Zips could have opened up with a cupcake to smooth things out in the new systems. I guess my take - cautiously optimistic.

Only 11 days. I’m excited for football. Any thoughts about the team & upcoming season. I got two major concerns, our defensive backs & our depth ?? Prayers to injury free football ??

This is a contract year for Jatavis. Looks like he's also supposed to make 3x plus the amount he's made in any previous year this season. Big year and offseason for him. Hopefully he can stay healthy and show out.

Well, not only did I inadvertently triple the graphic, I also posted to the wrong thread. Remember, it's pre-season for me too. https://www.buildlineup.com/shared/5d59e209138c092e24ae0340

Sorry, but I cannot seem to get rid of two screenshots. Austmann Nets Game-Winner in 1-0 Exhibition Victory Over Evansville. https://gozips.com/news/2019/8/18/mens-soccer-austmann-nets-game-winner-in-1-0-exhibition-victory-over-evansville.aspx?path=msoc