MDZip

I didn't know Zeke was Irish, since that's the defender in the picture and that is clearly Brett McKnight in the Akron uniform. Sad part is, Zeke actually played in that game and there is a great shot of him blocking a ND shot from then.

No argument there as I am also disappointed in the lack of Beacon Journal coverage, but to cite George as the sole cause of that problem is certainly unfair.

Well the name would work since we are building a "New House".

George does a great job on football, he can't be everywhere.

Crudely done in about 5 minutes but here is an idea. And the good part is if we lose you can claim its works either way.

I think I have given the Bobcats too much credit. I went back and looked at their undefeated record and this Bobcats team also could be a bit of a mirage and could easily crap the bed with any of their remaining games. So far they have played probably the two weakest teams in the East (Umass and Buffalo) and both were close, they beat a Penn State team in one of the all time weird situations (I'd like to see them play again now), beat a bad 1-AA team (Norfolk State), a team who's only win was over a 1-AA team (New Mexico State) and a poor Marshall team (who's beaten only a 1-AA and Rice who is terrible this year). Only the Penn State win is impressive at all and as I said that was in fairly suspect circumstances. If they win the East, it will probably be due to also having a very weak West schedule (Ball State and EMU only). This is no juggernaut team, they are going to get a couple of losses along the way. A good day by the Zips and they could be one of those teams.

I've never posted in one of the recruiting threads but saw this on ESPN today. Anyone heard anything about Heath Harding? It might not be against the stiffest of competition, but 20 yards per carry is still 20 yards per carry. That is what Dayton (Ohio) Christian senior athlete Heath Harding is doing this season. Entering this past weekend’s game, Harding was leading a 6-0 Dayton Christian squad, carrying the ball 64 times for more than 1,200 yards and 22 total touchdowns. Last week, Akron became the latest program to offer the 5-foot-10, 170-pound running back/cornerback. Actually, Harding said the Akron offer has been out there for a while, but he just did not know it.

Not a believer yet. Their three league victories are over EMU, Buffalo and Bal State who have a combined one league wn. I'll wait for the tougher part of the schedule to go by before I crown their ass. They still have OU, Miami, BGSU and WMU on the schedule. Their only "easy" game left is Akron and I wouldn't rule out a Zips victory there either. That's why I think they are a bit of a mirage. I'm saying it now - "No (soup) bowl for you!!" After a few weeks and seeing almost all of the teams, this is my expected order of finish now. East 1. OU 2. Bowling Green (in addtion to scond half dismantling of the Zips, they played Toledo awfully tough and I think Toledo looks like the best team in the MAC). 3. Miami (solely based on Zac Dysert) 4. Can't (by default and have played none of the teams I have listed above them) 5. Akron (we beat CMU and Umass I believe) 6. Buffalo (has the worst MAC west draw, Toledo, NIU and WMU - and have yet to play any of them - ouch) 7. UMass West 1. Toledo 2. NIU 3. WMU 4. Ball State 5. CMU 6. EMU

Think you may be a little premature on that pronouncement. WAC Standings UTSA 1-0 5-0 Idaho 1-0 1-5 Louisiana Tech 0-0 5-0 San Jose State 0-0 4-1 Utah State 0-0 4-2 Texas State 0-0 2-3 New Mexico State 0-2 1-5

Six games left and four of them are against the current top two teams in each division (though Can't is a bit of a mirage). Better beat either UMass or CMU. If we can double our win total each year for this and the next two years, (2-10, 4-8, 8-4) I'll be happy considering the mess this program was just last year.

Defense certainly showed up in the first half. Nice long FG from Stein for a 10-0 halftime lead. Always bemoan the missed chances (fumble on the 4) but as long as they don't come back to bite you... Great job, defense.

Here you go.

And even though it doesn't have anything to do with Miami, another mention in a national publication, this time in SI.com. The last one almost certainly doesn't happen without Terry Bowden and this one obviously doesn't occur without him. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) This week's matchup with Nebraska is probably the toughest game left on Ohio State's schedule. If the Buckeyes win, it may be time for all their beat writers to drive to Akron to ask Zips coach Terry Bowden about his 1993 Auburn team. Don't remember those Tigers? Facing NCAA sanctions thanks to the previous regime, Auburn went undefeated and couldn't play for anything at the end of the season.

I'd agree with that but that caveat is that those schools would all probably want a 1-1 and if you have one money game where there is no home return visit, then you need to counterbalance that with a game where there is no away game (and FBS schools have been willing to do that) otherwise eventually you'd run into a situation where you could only have 5 home games and 7 on the road. Otherwise I'd agree there wouldn't be a need to have any crossover.

The Zips got a mention in Gregg Easterbrook's Tuesday Morning Quarterback column on ESPN.com. This weekend, the New Orleans Saints gained 474 yards, the University of Tennessee gained 478 yards and scored 44 points, Virginia gained 625 yards, the Akron Zips gained 629 yards and scored 49 points, NC State gained 664 yards. And all lost, because in the era of Xbox Offense, they didn't score enough.

Playing the "big boys" is good for both the players and the fans, assuming you are not completely out of your league. A schedule of nothing but teams that we are competitive with (like an FIU and UCF) out of conference will not help to raise the national profile at all. In 2014, where I believe we could be getting good, we go to Penn State and Pitt. Knocking off the two of them in the same year (regardless of how good they end up being) gets you some national attention, beating the likes of ECU, UCF, Fresno St and Troy in the same year might be a more impressive accomplishment but not in "Joe Akron's" eyes. So I stand with I am OK with one "money" game, one "buy" game of an FCS school, and then 2 1-1's with schools of "equal" value (non-BCS or lower level BCS). I really like the fact that the two year series with Pitt is a 1-1 (of course history shows sometimes that the bigger schools will buy that second away game out, but at the moment, I think that's great). So non conference I'd love to see something like, "buy" a Youngstown State, get a "money" game at Georgia, get a 1-1 with say, Troy and Iowa State (whom we do have coming up in 2018).

Let's see, since the question came from you, and Biletnikoff played for Florida State in the early sixties, I'm going to guess, Bobby Bowden?

I had a ball at the game on Saturday. The tailgating group is larger, the crowd was into it, there was hope and optimisim. Yes, the outcome was disappointing, but you have to believe the team is getting there. Our defense was even worse last year with effectively the same personnel (and we lost our leading tackler with a year of eligibility left. Man, I wish Brian Wagner was still here, not even so much to help shore up the defense - which I think he would have - but just to give the kid one solid year of fun playing - oh well, water under the bridge). The Zips will pull off at least a couple of conference wins this year. Altogether a fun Akron football experience and the only other time I can say that was the day the stadium opened in 2009. Funniest comment from the Miami board: "Charlie Coles is reading this score and is wondering how Miami could score so many points on the road at Akron. How did Dambrot let that happen?" And as an aside the soccer game was a great ending to the evening, I've never seen a game that one-sided. 4-0 and the Zips had 12 shots on goal and 12 corner kicks. The Bulls had none of each. At one point, after Scott Caldwell (I believe) dribbled through three Bulls, one poor Bulls player not involved in the play screamed at them "For God's sake, suck it up, there are three of you!" ).

I am getting the same feeling with Coach Bowden that I did with Coach Porter and Coach Dambrot, I just trust they know what they are doing. If Bowden sees an opportunity to fill a hole or pick up a great athlete even for a year, he'll do it to plug some gaps until his whole system has time to take root. It's not a process, it's a win now and win even bigger later philosophy. Our record would probably be the same right now had we picked up Winters or any other coach, but I don't think I'd have the same feeling of real, quick and efficient progress being made. Last year I'd come to games to support the Zips and with only the tiniest hope they could somehow pull off a miracle upset, this time I legitimately believe they have a chance to win (and they do). This from what was arguably the worst team in all of FBS last year. That's some amazing stuff.

I will be bringing in some National Bohemian (not great, think the Iron City of Baltimore, but wanted to add it to the list) and some Arrogant Bastard since that's what we should be becoming.

Kind of a cool Bottom 10 this week. First, even after the Tennessee loss we are only on the waiting list. Second even though there are two MAC schools on the list, the MAC got a little love for the four BCS upsets: "Top Chef": Sharpen your knives and enter the Bottom 10 kitchen. Today's special: a Big MAC sandwich with all the fixings. Mix in a little Hawkeyes, Jayhawks, Bulls and Huskies and bon appetit. Knock off Miami and sprinkle a few more wins in and I think we're off this list for quite a while.

The record for receptions in a season is 86 by Jabari Arthur (page 86). On his current pace, Suel would have 96 at seasons end.

Only one touchdown. My apologies. :-) God, it's good to have the Anti-nello coaching for us. I genuinely feel bad for Kansas. They are looking at last place with that Algonquin Round Table in charge.

I'm very excited this is the weekend I selected to come and see the Zips play (thank you schedule makers for combining it with a Zips soccer game). I really believe they can beat Miami, but even if they don't happen to I know it will be a great game and great fun to watch. Add in a happy tailgating group and I haven't been this excited about Zips football since 2005. By luck or design we have acquired not only a great football coach but a great leader and molder of young men. For this year how could you possibly ask/expect anything more? Coach Bowden - thank you!

Shoot, we added Umass. didn't we?