Here's the problem: The days of having a 'beat writer' and a columnist are long gone. Newspapers (and TV) want more opinion than news to get just what we have here, friction. Sports stories in particular are more often than not a one-way spin. (The Browns didn't lose, the Chiefs got lucky). And while 'fans' can criticize, they want their newspapers to 'support.' .... This article by GT (short of mentioning tiebreakers) points out that Akron is struggling a bit (correct) but does not point out Toledo is struggling a bit as well, and Kent is hobbled by injuries and led by a guy with two gate creaking knees. (And no mention of Ohio lurking in the weeds via winning percentage). In reality, if Akron doesn't wind up with the No. 1 seed, the Zips will have none to blame but themselves.
Of course, GT did not write that, because it's overall probably a bit harsh (and rightfully so) but at this point it is still a hard fact (with tiebreakers) the Zips control their own fate ... and should be responsible for the end result.