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Well, we finally have 4 WRs listed in the depth chart: http://www.gozips.com//pdf8/712943.pdf?SPS...DB_OEM_ID=10800 (page 4) Russell as a starter. Carter= starting nowhere.

I think it would be hard to argue, right now, that Nicely is better than Keith. But, again, Keith is in the same system. I know...football is football. But, I'm sorry, there is a big difference btnw the offense we are running this year vs. what we had last year. And, remember...last year we had quite a few veteran receivers. And, with those veteran receivers, Nicely put together a couple of nice games (and some bad games). This year we have one, and that one apparently dropped a big time TD pass in the last game. I watched a good deal of the Can't/BC game. Keith really struggled and, if memory serves, threw at least one if not 2 picks. Towards the end he seemed to be playing better, but at that point the game was in hand. Not to mention, being that I am a big BC fan (my Dad played football there), BC plays a bend don't break style of D that waits for the QB to eventually make a mistake. So, it is not surprising he completed a decent %. It looks like his coach might agree with you. So that's my point. If 23 of 37 was judged so critically, how should we be judging our own situation? I certainly didn't intend it to be a "which QB is better" comment. But FYI, Ken+ was so thin at WR this year that they had to put a backup RB into one of the starting WR spots. And when Jarvis got hurt, they had to return him to RB. So, should we also use that as an excuse that his numbers should be even better than 60% also? It was just amazing to me to see a 60% passer against good BCS competition described as struggling with his accuracy, and missing a lot of open receivers, while some of us sit here encouraging patience with numbers that don't even remotely approach any level of acceptable efficiency. So, to what standards should we hold the performance of our own QBs with several examples on this thread alone of other young MAC QBs performing well? When should all of the excuses about systems, coverages, etc. stop, and we start looking squarely at the fact that we are seeing an extremely low amount of good throws in our passing game? We obviously have many opinions on that= some have seen enough already, some want a few more games (including at least a couple of MAC games) and some would probably say ride out the whole season with Nicely if healthy. Personally, I feel you have to give him at least the next 3-4 games. And, I also think that Nicely will ALWAYS struggle somewhat with accuracy. Which is why I consistently bring up a guy like Derek Anderson in college= got better as the years went on, but was never the most accurate. HOWEVER, he and his teams were at least MODERATELY successful= they did win football games, did finish above .500, did go to bowl games. And, DA was drafted, did have 1 very good year, has now started in 2 NFL cities, etc.

My guess would be Western Kentucky and MAYBE Army (football only). Personally, I think expansion would be good. I understand it would not reel in greatness, but say the MAC goes to 14 schools, we start to move away from having 1/2 our conference teams in Ohio. In addition, IF CUSA does ever come calling for 2-3 MAC schools, better to have 14 dropping to 12 vs. having 12, dropping to 10 and then SCRAMBLING to find 2 schools. Some may want 10 schools, but you can forget about that being a desired path from any conference.

I think it would be hard to argue, right now, that Nicely is better than Keith. But, again, Keith is in the same system. I know...football is football. But, I'm sorry, there is a big difference btnw the offense we are running this year vs. what we had last year. And, remember...last year we had quite a few veteran receivers. And, with those veteran receivers, Nicely put together a couple of nice games (and some bad games). This year we have one, and that one apparently dropped a big time TD pass in the last game. I watched a good deal of the Can't/BC game. Keith really struggled and, if memory serves, threw at least one if not 2 picks. Towards the end he seemed to be playing better, but at that point the game was in hand. Not to mention, being that I am a big BC fan (my Dad played football there), BC plays a bend don't break style of D that waits for the QB to eventually make a mistake. So, it is not surprising he completed a decent %.

2 questions about the game against UK... 1. Nicely sacked 5 times= bad protection, indecision, no one open? Where are folks leaning here on the majority of the sacks? 2. Did we use any more shotgun? I still think that using the gun would help our offense and Nicely immensely as a "transition" from spread to pro.

I was at the Marshall/BG game. Schilz is actually a RS Frosh, but he was playing in his 3rd game. He looked good, no doubt. But I was more impressed with their little RB (Gentry) and receiver (Jordan) than Schilz. What he did well was get the ball in their hands. I'm not so sure Akron has put an offensive player on the field yet this year that has the ability of Gentry or Jordan. Also, Schilz hurt his shoulder and the back-up QB with 1 start (RS Soph Pankratz) came in. Looked shaky at first, but then used SCREENS and short passes to do some things and get the ball in the playmakers hands. BG had 2 QBs execute= is it b/c they are both better, is it b/c the talent around them is better or is it b/c BG's coaches are doing the right things and putting them in a position to be successful. Not sure if we have that answer yet. BG also did a nice job of riding the emotion of an enthusiastic crowd, including an OVERFLOW of students (which became annoying in that some seemed to have nowhere to sit). I know the crowd probably will not be the same when it gets cold, but a much better showing in a FAIR comparison to the crowd for SU at Akron.

The Kentucky game was his 11th start. 11 starts, 2 coaches, 2 schemes. Proof is in the play of the field, but this is a kid that everyone (just about) in the MAC offered a scholarship to, and who had interest from Boston College. He has the size, the strength and the arm. Sure, I get it...we are not sure if he has the accuracy, the footwork and the leadership qualities necessary. But I still don't see any good reason to jump ship from PN7 for Rodgers. On the flip side, I totally realize Rodgers was not given a great chance either. It is a tough call, and one that Ianallo and his staff are paid to make.

I think you have to give Nicely this season, or, at the very least, 3 more games. Indiana is strong on O, weak on D. N. Illinois is tough on D (supposedly), but it is a home game against a MAC school. One of his best games last year was against Can't. After those 3 games, you basically have a whole "season" of film on him. And, even at that point, you are talking about a 2nd year player with 12 starts who is on his 2nd coach and 2nd system (and the systems are pretty darn different). Again, I will use Derek Anderson's COLLEGE career as an example of how strong armed QBs with accuracy issues can still do well in...COLLEGE!!!!

I agree to an extent. The difference, of course, is Carter had proved to be able to play DB in college, where Hall hadn't done anything in college and, PROBABLY, played on O and D in high school. We see this with a guy like Randy Greenwood as well=I think he has been moved once or twice already!

Again= did not see the game. But what I do like to see is some of the younger players are slowly trickling into the games: Russell, Bowers, Dillard, etc.

If true, that is a big bad sign of major issues. Even if I did agree with this, they could easily spin it to the development of younger receivers, slower development of DBs, injury issues, etc. I guess, no matter how it is "spun" or what the truth is, it is another bad development in a rough beginning to the 2010 season.

I missed Saturday's game. So, if there is something I don't know, tell me. If I saw it correctly, Carter did not have a reception. If I missed it, the most he had was 1 (b/c no one had more than 1). What's going on here? Third team all-MAC at safety last year & Nicely's #1 receiver in the spring game (and he really LOOKED the part of a WR). Carter seems like a good athlete and a Division 1 talent (which many on here believe we have little of). If I question just one thing about this coaching staff, I cannot understand how they have "allowed" this player to become insignificant.

I still ridicule it. The difference is, they are "selling" a value, not giving it away. They are basically charging GA price for Reserved seating, and throwing in parking. 1 game 4 tickets, 60 dollars. It's $90 for a family plan for the season. This is a far cry from what your suggestion was. $90 for a family plan?!!??!? I paid $155 for mine!!!! Is it flexible based on mood swings of the AD/Ticketing Department?!?!?!

That is a very good deal, BUT...I dont think I could round up 3 other people to go! I have a hard time finding one other person to go. And I completely echo the beer sentiment. The beer garden at the Rubber Bowl was a great addition. Can't, BG, Syracuse all sell beer. BG might be the exception, but seeing a pattern here...beer and bad football.

Time to sell some beer (to the "masses") at the Info!!!! Just found out BG sells beer at Doyt.

Nice deal. However, it starts to DEVALUE my $155 season ticket package (+$50 for parking) for the family section. Slippery slope you start heading down here... Now, granted...I can't imagine they won't do SOMETHING for season ticket holders. At the very least, I expect they will send some free tix for the Buffalo game. However, I would prefer perhaps a $15-20 gift card (valid on game day only) to the new team shop and/or a $10 food voucher. Something that keeps me going there through the potentially brutal season.

Good link for players we have offered in Ohio: http://www.scoutingohio.com/index.php/view...sk=quick_search Need to get a bunch of those guys that have all MAC/a few struggling BCS schools to consider Ianallo a recruiting success in year 1.

This was still my guy. IN this never ending search for a guy to bring 10+ wins to UA and put us on the map, we miss on the guy that would AT LEAST get us 6-8 wins a year and puts us a bit on the map. He has coached at 3 places that have struggled mightily WITHOUT him... Best coaching record at Minnesota since the mid 40's and above .500 in his career there (and Brewster is only driving them into the ground WITH a nice new stadium. You can say it is "Mason's recruits", but I'm not buying it. Brewster can't coach.) Winningest coach at Can't since 1974 (Don James= legend) and only one with above .500 Besides Mangino, winningest coach at Kansas since 1970. And, sorry...at NONE of those 3 places did he have a great program or facilities to sell (except maybe at the END of his time at Minnesota). At least here he would have facilities to sell. If you think he was not an option b/c of finances...fine. Sad if true, but fine. We keep trying to hit this home run with a coach, when, for now, a double will do.

That screams moving Jalil Carter back to defense!

So, by that logic, James Madison should be ranked ahead of Boise State. No that's not the logic being employed at all there buddy. Syracuse is not good on defense. And we couldn't score on them. Simple as that. Locker is probably one of the best players in the country. Washington was picked around 4/5 in most rags in the PAC 10. I will concern myself more with how we do against the remaining opponents on our schedule vs. putting too much stock in SU at UW. If this then that stuff is just a time waster, especially when you are talking about 2 games.

I will go UK 44 UA 20 (1 for 3 on 2point attempts) I also predict we will receive the ball to begin one of the halfs. Maybe. This game will tell us a lot about the hearts and minds of the players.

So, by that logic, James Madison should be ranked ahead of Boise State.

Minnehaha as well Minnesota is pretty much Akron's Big Ten twin brother. Never can seem to get it going, rarely show signs of being anything better than mediocre at best. Both open new stadiums during the same year and lose to a FCS team on the same day.

Spread offense?!?!?! We (well, the COACHES) can barely find 2 WRs they want to put out there, now we want 4-5 guys out there?!?!? I told everyone my big fear when we had 3 WRs listed for 2 spots in the first depth chart released 20 minutes before the Syracuse game. That was a telltale sign of a problem. And, in saying that, I was shocked to see Carter being only a back-up. The spread can work, pro formation can work, hell...the veer or wishbone could probably work if you have the talent, the wisdom and the coaching!!!! Heck, some team could easily be the Wisconsin/Alabama/Boston College (3 successful teams with a more "traditional" offense) of the lower FBS= why not Akron??? I am not jumping ship on any of this..chances are, it is NOT one thing but it is a least a little bit of all these things...coaching issues, players not understanding things completely yet (wisdom/learning curve) and having some (many?) areas where we lack talent.

I am not giving up on Ianallo or the coaching staff yet. But I do wonder if they are struggling to recognize lower FBS talent vs. the higher FBS talent they are used to. This is a different pool of players, and if they are looking at them through "BCS glasses", it might take a bit more time to adjust. I know, I know...NFL coaches drop down to college, college coaches might move down to HS at times, and "talent is talent". But it still might be another adjustment in transferring from BCS schools/talent to MAC schools/talent. If we are building a "championship program" without worrying about a "championship team", why are we not seeing a few more freshmen? Or will it just take a few weeks? Jalil Carter= some have said it already= he needs to move back. I know Russel had a catch and some time, hopefully that will continue. I just don't understand how their can't be one or 2 other WRs that could play out of the Greenwood (I know, listed as DB), Schrock, Sconiers, etc. PLENTY of programs go with lots of young WR. Sometimes you just need to throw them out there!!! I think this D still has lots of potential. Putting Carter back there would help solidify that unit so we could at least POTENTIALLY count on one unit week in and week out. As for Special Teams...unfortunately, I thought this was the one area that could lead us down a bad road (from my 6-6 prediction). I know other things did not go well, but a better kicking game would have one this one for us.