MDZip

Does that mean we got a 5 seed? Are you watching it?

You seem surprised, sadly most of us are not.

I think I found it - this should give the live link when it starts. http://www.ncaa.com/sports/soccer-men/d1

Anyone know what network is televising the NCAA slection show? ESPN and Fox Soccer channel don't have it - is it televised? Or on-line somewhere?

OK SeeTee, I'll bite. Akron is a relative newcomer to college football in an area that was already overloaded with D-1 teams. There are 8 FBS schools in Ohio and Ohio probably doesn't have the talent to supply all of them with high level players. However, every one of them has seen a high level of success in the last ten years (except, you could argue, Akron) so its not impossible. Look at other states like Florida, until recently they only had three FBS schools, now they are at seven and plenty of talent in Florida to supply them (and enough for other out of state schools to swoop in and grab some quality as well). Texas is similar, with 11 FBS schools but lots of talent and population in the state. California is even better off with only seven FBS and tons of talent. With Akron being a relative newcomer, with no real tradition or cachet, its tough to attract good players and the awful facilities didn't help (but even then there was some measure of success). A lot of it comes down to the coach, his system and philosophy that matters that much in college sports, why do you think the good ones get paid so much? I don't think we've ever really had a good one. What happened to all our former coaches? Not one was offered another FBS head coaching job. I'm willing to let the Terry Bowden era play out because I think we still struck gold with him. If he can't do it, I'm not sure who could. How might we be feeling right now if Paul Winters was coach? Do you he might have gotten more out of this lot? Could anyone? What if iCoach was still around? Wow. So I'll let Terry work his longer term plan and stick with him while he tries to gain some short term victories. What could help? I hate to mention this because its one of the things people tend to dislike the most about Akron, but the one advantage we might have is the open enrollment policy. Chuck Amato thought that non-qualifiers helped us years ago, lets go get him some now. I'm not talking about it as a long term strategy but at least to get the ship righted in the short term. JUCO's, kids who couldn't get in anywhere else because of grades or SAT's, welcome them, we're the Statue of Liberty school - bring us the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Open enrollment is a lemon, let's make some lemonade. Of couse there is a real risk here, you do have to worry about APR, so my solution there is we list all of the soccer players (men and women) as backup kickers (I suspect that is what's starting to occur at Can't ) so we can mix their GPA's and graduation rates in the bunch. Time to start thinking out of the box, I see movie potential in this one.

Nov. 19th

The top five in RPI are in order, Notre Dame, Akron, Maryland, Georgetown and UCLA. That's probably the top five seeds in some order. Notre Dame benefits greatly from the Big East and I have no problem if there are two Big East teams as one of the top four seeds but I think both Maryland and Akron can make a better claim for the top spot. Maryland's one loss was to a good Wake Forest team, 11-3-5, at Wake Forest and the Zips lost only to Notre Dame, at Notre Dame. Notre Dame's OOC isn't anything spectacular (partly it's good because they played Akron) and they lost to a Big Ten team that didn't even make their conference final (plus the Zips won the Big Ten this year ) in addition to two losses in conference. Outside of Louisville and UCLA, Maryland's OOC is nothing special and they played all but one game at home. So overall strength of schedule probably favors ND just a bit, but three losses should rule them out of the top spot. If I look at the top five, I go Akron, Maryland, Notre Dame, UCLA, Georgetown, (and to round it out) North Carolina, Connecticut and Marquette. And for a grin, do you know how many OOC schools the Zips played this year with a losing record? One - tOSU. Notre Dame OOC vs Duke 8-8-2 vs San Diego State 7-9-3 vs Clemson 6-9-5 vs Oregon State 6-9-3 vs Akron 17-1-2 vs Michigan State 11-9-1 at Michigan 10-9-1 at Indiana 11-5-3 at Northwestern 11-5-4 (L) Maryland OOC vs Louisville 12-5-1 vs UCLA 13-2-1 (D) vs California 8-7-3 vs UMBC 11-4-5 vs Georgia State 6-12-0 at College of Charleston 8-10-1 vs Rutgers 7-7-1 vs Colgate 5-8-6 vs Lehigh 4-12-1

A few observations - one, that victory just set the all-time record for a conference unbeaten streak, 47 games, just passed Furman. Zips have gone 44-0-3 in MAC play since 2007, Pretty incredible. Two, the contributions that three of our seniors have made and the impact since they were Freshman is pretty astounding. While I had not forgotten the fine job David Meves did on penalty kicks against Virginia in 2009, I had forgotten that Scott Caldwell was used as one of the PK takers - and made it - in that contest even though he had not played a minute of the game. Don't really need to rehash what they did in the National Championship win the following year, but all three made key plays in that game, especially Chad Barson's knock away of the game tying goal with a minute left. They also led the team last year into the Sweet Sixteen yet again in a rebuilding year when no one gave them much of a chance. I believe in these three young men and believe they have an excellent chance of leading the team in claiming another National Championship. I will be in Hoover, AL if they do. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the MAC home page congratulated the Zips on their 2-1 win which would be great if they hadn't won 2-0. It even continued on the inside story where it quoted the Akron Sports Information Department on the 2-0 win and mentioned this was the Zips 16th shutout. Ah, accuracy.

Notre Dame 3 Georgetown 2 OT Looks like ND, the Zips, Maryland and maybe UCLA as the top four seeds.

Shortest penalty ever. One inch.

Nice to see a Jamel Turner sighting. Big QB sack.

All right!!! Showing a little heart. Back to within one score. Chisholm looked awesome on that drive.

The band just played the 1812 overture as a salute to veterans. That also, however, was used as the theme music for "The Bad News Bears". Coincidence it was used today? And I seriously hope you're kidding about Bowden, maybe we can somehow fire Ianello again?

They just interviewed Bowden on his way in for halftime and he stated that was the worst half of football he's seen since he's been here. He was pissed. Wouldn't want to be in that locker room at halftime. And for a small crowd, the booing was really audible. Wow.

Zips had a punt blocked. Two finely tuned machines running on all cylinders.

Really? We're now going to lose to John Carroll too? Yep disappointing, and I expect that probably means a loss to OKST now (but I do think the Zips can win the other two), too tough to integrate that many new players that fast when you don't have your veterans, screws too much with team chemistry. But the ship will get righted and the Zips will be fine. So maybe a top 25 dream is still not realistic, OK. Still going to be a good team and I am looking forward to a few days in Puerto Rico watching them. Anyone else going?

Multiple Offsides, false starts, two timeouts, yep looks like a beginning of a game pitting the two bottom teams in the MAC East.

I see NIU-BGSU. Or maybe that's just because I can't root for anything good for Can't. We've played both and I was far more impressed with BGSU. Go Falcons!

I am sure this was the best result after a nationwide search.

Both statements borne out. By the way, can anyone on Ohio catch a kicked ball? I believe BG wins the East, I'm stunned that Can't is doing as well as they are, I think BG beats them at BG. If Can't can win that game, they obviously deserve the MAC East title no matter what happens against Ohio. BG only has Buffalo at home after that.

The Zips have quite an opportunity in front of them. Joe Lunardi's first Bracketology has Oklahoma St, NC State and Tennessee all listed as being in and UMass as the first team out so the Zips have a good chance to change perceptions early on. Would also be fun to possibly beat UMass in football and basketball in a week. I also think that Oklahoma State is a perfect first opponent. High profile, very good but not great (one of the last teams listed as in and #36 in the AP poll) and one the Zips have a legitimate opportunity to beat and raise some eyebrows early. Go Zips!

2012 Can't State Football Roster. Looks real, wonder why it hasn't been mentioned anywhere that I know of. Have women playing college football become that commonplace? 91 April Goss K 5-4 116 So./Fr. Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell

That's why its a projection. And though it doesn't really mean much of anything the Zips are now the #1 team in two different polls: College Soccer News Top Drawer Soccer David Meves was also selected as the College Soccer News Player of the Week.

NCAA just changed the hardship transfer rules like in Pat's case, where you have to be within 100 miles of your home to care for an ailing family member. Wouldn't have mattered for Pat because he was well within range but it will affect cases like his.

I know it's a bit early, but the Zips are making the NCAA tournament regardless of what happens in the MAC tournament this weekend. If they win it, I think they are assured a top four seed. Here is one writer's projection of the field before this weekend's play. He has the Zips at a four seed but with UNC, Marquette and UConn in their bracket. If it fell out that way, I think that would be "the group of death". Glad there is more time before the selections are announced. And he has Notre Dame as the #1 seed? I know they beat the Zips and have a really strong RPI but I can't see a team with three losses getting the one seed. Here's hoping they go down in the Big East tournament.