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I received my tix on Friday. I paid for parking, yet did not receive parking yet. Those that received it= was the parking pass with your tix?

ESPN makes the statement that he looks faster on the field. He actually looks like a true 6'1. Taller guys sometimes, even with the long strides, don't time out as well. Football speed is all the matters. Anyone know much about the competition? I know PA has a lot of good HS football.

May have to take back my speed comment= 4.47 according to Rivals..not too bad for a 6'0 200+ lbs kid Looks pretty big and fast in this video (intersting other videos there which might not be best for work)...nice catching and even some throwing in there!: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category...9496355GyaTTmTq

Wow...seems like a good kid that really appreciates the opportunity. 6/6'1 200-210 lb RB that Maryland, UConn, Syracuse and BG had interest in..yeah, sounds like a kid we could use. Even without Howard, this looks to be a nice stable of 4-5 RBs we brought in (Bowers, Turpin, Staten, Washington and Chisholm). Though there doesn't appear to be a speedster in the group, nice mix of size and power in these guys. Have to figure 1-2 of them will get some carries.

I talked to the guy that is running it. "We are doing everything we can to get it up and running, but we are dealing with a LOT of issues" If it is not open, is "the guy running it" out of a job? :-) :-(

Syracuse is down, no doubt. But you are still talking about a program with a national championship on its resume in "modern era" (after 1950). Perhaps VaTech is the biggest opponent ever to come to Akron (based on how they were doing then and since then)..but Syracuse is a close 2nd. I know we beat them 2 years ago= that was big. But this is a golden opportunity to win against a big-time program (which is down on its luck) at home, hopefully in front of a good crowd. Fact is..OSU doesn't play that day, game is at 6PM (kids soccer, football, etc. games should be over= no schedule conflicts), weather should be beautiful. C'mon NE Ohio..come on out and see the Zips squeeze the Orange!!! (overdone...but still fun).

Has anyone "Asked the AD" about this recently?

Cross out Army for next couple years...maybe more: http://www.fbschedules.com/ Around 4 MAC teams per year for Army...should just get Army and Navy signed up for the MAC now!!!

Great post! You are right that they have a couple of very good defensive players. But I, like you, believe we have at least as much talent. I think our D is going to be top 3 in the MAC.

For the most part, I see flushes being predicted anywhere from 3-5 in the MAC East Standings, Zips anywhere from 5-7. This is according to the MAC media, various mags and websites. Quick comparison: flushes have 16 starters back. Zips have 17. flushes went 5-7. Zips went 3-9. flushes have a soph QB. Zips have a Soph QB. flushes have an injury riddled RB who has looked great at times that got another year of eligibility. Ditto for the Zips. Zips beat flushes last year. Zips have Brian Wagner..flushes do not. I get some of the reasons that flushes are, on average, 2-3 spots ahead of the Zips..in comparing them. Same coach (though he has been pretty bad..putting it nicely). Continuity can be good, but can be bad. Play the Zips at home. Spencer Keith, statistically, was a LITTLE bit better than Nicely. Sorry..though..not much else there. Can't State has Army and Murray State at home, PSU and BC on the road. No way do they have a chance at PSU or BC. Army is not a lock. While we might be destined for 1-3, we have a CHANCE against SU and IU. I know those OOC don't affect MAC standings, but how you perform in these games can affect momentum and, in turn, affect your MAC performance. I don't see HUGE differences in the MAC schedules of both teams. I don't find one to be much more difficult than the other. I bring this up b/c it basically shows what a crap shoot predicting the MAC East is (and maybe the MAC in general). Temple is good, and we go there. I also think OU might be tough to get past. But, other than that, us finishing 3rd in the East is highly obtainable. I see no reason why 5-7 should not be the basement, 6-6 is highly possible (and my prediction) and 7-5 is possible. NO REASON we cannot have the season that so many are predicting Can't will have!!!

I think 3A/2H would be great with a BCS school. While Syracuse would be nice, I really would love to see this done with Pitt or WVU. We are trying to make that an area of gains in recruiting, and this would only help. Plus, then you don't have to worry about the buyout= Away, Home, Away, Home, Away. Personally, from the interview with Ianallo and the general feeling I get= 1/1s with BCS schools are going to be tough. I look for Navy, Army, Memphis, Marshall, etc. as more likely possiblities. As we get better, 1/1s with BCS schools become more likely.

One of those links says he has "3 years to play 2". My guess is, based on his size, offers and production, if he makes the grades he is in the 2-deep by the Kentucky game at the latest.

Figured I would get this back to "page 1" for now: 2011 @ OSU @ UC 2012 @ Tennessee (according to Ianallo on WKNR) 2013 2014 2015 @ Virginia Tech (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/mid-amer/akron-zips.php) NOTES: Looking like an ND game somewhere..2013 is my guess. Figure an FCS team every year (most years) to get to 6 home games Rumors of FIU and Marshall 1 for 1 contracts, but nothing confirmed.

If you believe Ianallo about 6 at home, then it will not be in 2011. My guess is 2013..but maybe 2012.

ND to Browns Stadium is conceivable, but based on Ianallo's comments that won't be happening either (with geting 6 home games at the Info). I think we can figure on 1-2 brutal $$$ games per season (OSU, PSU, ND, etc.), one "gimme" (GW, Morgan State, etc.) and then 1-2 that are conceivably winnable...Army, UConn, Marshall, Syracuse, etc.

The 3-3-5 defense had nothing to do with the off the field turmoil. You can't let teams march up and down the field at will. College football has become high scoring, but at times, you still have to stop people or at least hold them to a fg try. Whether it be 3-4 or 3-3-5...need to have that space eater (who is also a good player) in the middle that takes up 2 guys if it is going to be successful. Some 6'3-6'5, 310+ player. Those players are tough to find. While the offense might take some time to adapt to the new formation, I think Akron's front 7 playing in the 4-3 will be a top 3 defense in the MAC. Still not sure if there will be a big time sack guy, but I think we will be better than, what..118th?

I noticed that today as well. I actually liked the potential I saw out of him, and thought he could challenge for the OLB spot opposite Thomas (even though scout had him listed as an ILB). Perhaps he becomes a bit of an H-back on this team.

Umm... Derek Anderson went something like 23-15 as a starter in college in his 3 years at QB. Then was drafted into the NFL. And he set some records at OSU. If Nicely is Derek Anderson in college..many of us would be darn happy!!!

AWESOME NEWS!! I have been calling for his since the station began (or darn near it). Makes great sense for all involved.

I read that this AM. Perhaps his hope is to insipire the Zippers!!!

Just to comment on Mallory and Illinois: the challenge of being relevant in the Big Ten at Illinois is probably much greater than being relevant in the MAC at Akron. Couple other things: I think Ianello has put together a really nice group of coaches. Now, whether those coaches can be as dedicated at Akron as they were in other places, whether they can mesh together, whether they can "deal with" a "lower level" talent base in the MAC....that remains to be seen. Ianello made a big flub with the text. Lemon is back on the team, so there must have been SOME exchange of goodwill btwn coach and player. And hopefully, in private meetings, Ianello cleared the air with not only him but the rest of the team. As for the "3 year" vs "win now"...our first indicator will be the first late summer depth chart. I don't think, with 16 starters back, we are going to see a MASSIVE overhaul to new starters. Maybe a freshmen back-up plays more than a senior/junior back-up to get us moving in a good direction for the future. Personally, I think that is where more of "the future" will be noticed= back-ups, special teams, etc.

Whether it be Swanson's spot or this one, would be nice to see a couple places that you can go to before and/or after games to eat and drink. Not saying it should be a "Rockne's", but perhaps that type of place. Maybe a 'Heisman's"?

I live in a "pseudo inner ring" suburb on the west side of Cleveland. I look at it this way... In a global economy, Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, etc. MUST work together to survive. Personally, I don't like the "Cleveland +" slogan/module...if I lived in some of the areas mentioned, that would get me miffed a bit. I enjoy what both cities have to offer. Season ticket holder for UA football, though no official affiliation with UA. Enjoy Lock 3 Park, Aeros games, some of the restaurants in downtown Akron, 1-2 b-ball games per year. Also thoroughly enjoy the Akron Zoo (free to my family as a Cleveland Zoo member). The better job leaders do of joining these areas together in one, unified "Northeastern Ohio" grouping, the better we all are for it.

New defensive coordinator Curt Mallory expects good results from the new defense."'We are going to try to put eight in the box when we can, with either a corner or safety," said Mallory. "It's what my background is. You always start with stopping the run. To do that, we will try to pack the box." Best defensive quote I have seen by a Zips coach since....well...ever. While, in general, I like that attitude.. 1. MAC is full of spread offenses. 2. Our front 7 is our strength on D, while our Dbacks could be, woeful. Mallory has a bit outdated, "Big Ten of the 1980's and 90's view" on things with that statement.

A couple of pics from yesterday. Besides the lack of leaf changing colors, you captured a very "autumnal" day quite nicely. :-)