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247 isn't doing so hot...

Makes you all the more thankful we've got Coach JoeMo at the helm!

I went back to 2004 to take a look at kind of a goofy-but-telling stat I've had in mind as the season went on. How much greater was the Zips' biggest loss compared to their biggest win in the MAC schedule? In just three seasons since 2004, the largest margin of victory was greater than the largest margin of defeat. In 2005, the Zips beat Kent by 32, lost to Miami by 28. In 2017, the Zips beat Ball State by 28, lost to Toledo by 27 (though I would argue the MACC was a bigger butt-kicking). In 2022, the Zips beat NIU by 32, lost to OU by 21. 2022 was also the first time since 2004 that a first-year head coach won at least two games, as Bobby I, Terry, and Arth combined to go 2-34. Other numbers, notes, and observations: In MAC play, the 2022 team scored 82 more points than the 2018 team, while giving up just 12 more In MAC play, the average scoring margin of the 2022 team was -3.75. In 2018 it was -12.5 The 2021 MAC Champion, NIU, went 6-2 in MAC play with a -1 scoring margin DJ Irons finished 5th in QB efficiency and 5th in total passing yards, playing in only 6 MAC games. The TD numbers weren't there, but Akron did finish tied for 4th in rushing TDs in MAC play, despite the lowest rushing totals in the league. The Zips scored 26 TDs in MAC play. The defense gave up 26 TDs in MAC play. Zips finish 4th in MAC rushing defense, allowing 3.8 YPC and 138.1 YPG Despite having the no. 1 passing attack in the league, the pass defense never really came along. They come in 9th in the MAC, and only intercepted 5 passes in MAC play. Unfortunately, Durant's final pick should have been a game-winner, but... Special teams cost the Zips at least one more win on the schedule (BG), and the numbers back it up. They only averaged 34 net punting yards all year. Zip kickers were 8-12 on the year. Definitely need improvement in these areas next year. The Zips allowed 36 sacks in MAC play, while only coming up with 13 of their own. That contributed greatly to the field position deficit throughout the year The defense was the best in the MAC at getting off the field on 3rd down, allowing just a 30% conversion rate. Conversely, they were 10th on 4th down conversions, with Friday's game-winner being the most egregious Zips finished 4th in red zone conversions, scoring points 28 times in 32 trips. They were 8-8 on field goals from the red zone. 20 touchdowns was definitely not enough though.

The first official NET rankings are out. For those not aware this is the metric the NCAA created to replace RPI for the purpose of evaluating resumes and to help seed teams. This is how the MAC currently stands. 1) Kent St. - 24 2) Akron - 137 3) Toledo - 156 4) Ball St - 165 5) Ohio - 182 6) Buffalo - 185 7) CMU - 220 '8) NIU - 287 9) BGSU - 295 10) EMU - 325 11) Miami - 329 12) WMU - 338

Bubba's father tweeting about Bubba coming back for one final year w/ the Zips

Looks like we are making Spriggs a priority.

The Portal opens in about 12 hours

HE LEFT 🚨

Ravontae Holt - 6-4, 300 Kyle Thomas - 6-3, 295 Kiawan Murphy - 6-3, 325 Ryan Johnson - 6-4, 250 That's already a FBS-sized DL. If we can keep them all from the portal. All will be upperclassmen save Murphy, who will be a R-Fr. Don't know what we're getting in Murphy but JoeMo was high on him. He'll almost certainly redshirt, but we're also adding DT Marcus Moore (6-2, 300) from Massillon Washington. I saw Massillon's game against St. Ed's & he's a big reason Massillon won. Even with St. Ed's huge OL they couldn't run up the middle on Massillon.

He was offered last week. 6'2" DB from Indiana State by way of Iowa Cenral Community College.

Harrison Waylee of NIU hit the portal a couple days ago. That’s a huge one, as he was the most important player in the program besides Lombardi. Bad things are happening in Dekalb. Next year is a make or break year for Hammock.

If good scenery fostered football excellence Hawaii would win the national championship every year. Of the many campuses which I have been on the one with the best scenery (mostly wearing halter tops) was Miami (FL). Good thing I was not a student there; it would have been problematic trying to focus on my studies while constantly tripping over my tongue.

G5 would be even better.

I’m anxious to see how it all shakes out. Holt, Thomas, and Murphy give us a really nice starting point at DT. Same with Johnson at DE. Do guys like Robinson, Wilson, Fann, and Lawson continue to develop and live up to their potential? Or will we see a few of them hit the portal too? Regardless, just looking at the offers we already know about, we should be more explosive along the DL next year. Im sure we’ll land our fair share of playmakers.

I am sure we got a big boost after beating Muskingon so handily.

I have a good friend who is very connected in baseball circles. His friend, a college head coach, had one of his players come to him to tell him he was considering entering the portal. The coach told him "I've recruited you once, I am not doing it a second time" and gave him directions to the door!

Does good scenery mean a school should be a football school? Colorado is an historically bad program with no tradition. They'd be lucky to have a few good years. They basically had one good 8 year stretch 30+ years ago in their entire history

I’d say pass defense deficiencies were mostly at the CB spot and lack of consistent pass rush. Safety play was by no means perfect, but they become a strength of the defense. The staff hasn’t made it a secret about the biggest needs on defense with the amount of scholarships that have gone out to defensive backs. I agree it’s always good to look for upgrades on staff, but for the most part, positional coaches at Akron will likely be young(ish) up and coming guys under Moorhead. I think we have a strong staff in place that needs a chance to show their ability with upgraded talent. We saw the development take place over the course of the season, now we need more talented depth.

I suppose the plus of not making a bowl this year is it frees up the coaches and assistants to spend more time on finalizing a class.

Yahoo.com headline: "Sanders arrives in Colorado, tells players to transfer" 😂

Colorado should be an elite football school. The opportunity to go to school & play football in the Rocky Mountains should be a dream. I'm a beach guy. Love the beach. But I've never been literally awestruck by the landscape like I was when visiting the Rocky Mountains.

Deion appears to think there's a roster full of 4 and 5 stars for Colorado and nobody else. We'll see.

Shame he only had one year with this defensive staff. Talent was there, but it just didn’t fall into place. I’m pulling for him.

Multiple Oregon offensive players from the JoeMo era just entered the Portal. WR Malachi Russell OT Bram Walden RB Seven McGee QB Jay Butterfield I wonder if we'll have any interest/shot.

We didn't lose Jalen Hooks to the TP, but he's declared for the NFL draft.

Rick Neuheisel was just talking about G5 schools having their own national championship. Since P5 schools are destroying college with a 12 team playoff, it may make sense. I think a G5 playoff would be more entertaining than the P5 playoff because G5 schools can't buy championships like those at the top of P5 so the match-ups will be more competitive.

You certainly can compare and guys don't get better jobs by having a losing record at a MAC school

As we should. Looks like we're his #1. He tweeted a video of him working out, then quote tweeted it and tagged Coach Tibs. He has also retweeted a bunch of Akron Football posts, and fellow Akron recruit posts. His high school even tweeted a photo of him as a state champion with the Akron "A" in it. I think he's being under-recruited from what I've read. Diamond in the rough. Also, if the Spriggs family reads this - BEAUTIFUL home.

Looks like they clean the portal out to start the new year. I'm going to miss seeing the 135 pound, no star kid whose name I can't remember trying to get picked up out of Akron.

He's gotta be close to getting his degree. Just like Jeslord Boateng.

@LoyalZIPI think the rules now allow players to use the portal once without sitting out a year at the new school. This may keep players like Anthony Williams here rather than using the portal.

They hired Satterfield away from Louisville. They'll be fine

Over/under 10 Zip entrees the first day?

Paraphrasing, but said he got out there early because he's earned it. Must be practicing well. I agree he isn't sticking out a whole lot when he does get minutes, but he did shoot 2/3 from 3 today. A step forward hopefully.

He practices and works hard. he listed a few things he did well on defense but it wasn't all praise.

By the way, congratulations to 2022 DIII Womens Runners Up Case Western Reserve University who lost 1-2 to Johns Hopkins in the Women's DIII National Championship today. https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/soccer-women/d3/johns-hopkins-wins-2022-diii-womens-soccer-championship

Wonder if Garvin will be here in March.

A team consisting of Evan Wilson and the managers would be better competition.

NC State OC Tim Beck headed to Coastal Carolina as their new HC.

Highlight of the game.

Official timeout because a kid in a floor seat spilled his popcorn on the floor.

I hope Kobe & Nate & especially Sammy & Hankerson get a ton of pt today & shoot, shoot, shoot. We need Sammy & Hank to start hitting.

These guys need to work thru the shooting slump

Tavari in starting lineup.

Anyone have a bad feeling about this one?

She's a dribblin' machine! ❤ to go between the legs! 🤣

Edge/OLB Sebastian Benjamin of St. Francis has been offered. Zips fans may recall #9 giving us all kinds of issues in Game 1. As a reminder, he collected 3 sacks that game.