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My GUESS is Indiana will be a Noon BTN game and the OSU/Toledo game will be at 6 or 7.My goal is to hit both (but I will definitely be at The Info!!).

I understand what folks say about Gonzaga, but being a public university WITH football I feel UC fits the eventual model better. And, they have just a bit of good basketball history too (though it pains me to say that...Go X!!!).

If you've been to CSU's arena in the last couple years, they drop a curtain to make the venue smaller (like 13,600 to 9,000 or so). Now, this wasn't originally planned, but it works OK. They also do it for smaller concerts and it really works well for those.Now if you DESIGN the facility with the thought process of using it in its largest form and a smaller form, you could really make a facility that is intimate for basketball while still allowing the possibility of nice sized concerts, indoor soccer, hockey (possibly), etc. I think there are MANY ways to make this work. And, much like the talk of a football stadium a few years ago seemed a long shot, I totally see this venue being built in the next 5 years. The old, as someone else mentioned in this topic, "where there is smoke there is fire" applies here.

Gentlemen, I implore you to believe.As an XU grad who stayed in Cincinnati for a few years after graduation (1993-2000 including college years), I always talked about the potential of UC. Good POTENTIAL fan base, awesome SETTING for the stadium, already successful basketball program, etc. Let's remember that a short 22 years ago, Akron became a Division I team (and was beating up a team by the name of Cincinnnati in 1989).Since moving back to the Cleveland area in 2000, I have year-by-year become a bigger fan of Zips athletics for various reasons (too many to mention, too many probably wouldn't care). Anyway, I see the same kind of thing building here at Akron. Yes, we there are differences, most notably the not-having a big-time bball program. But, coincidentally it is growing at the same time as the football team. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GREAT FACILITIES!!! UC has upgraded and built great ones, while also redoing their campus in a very similar fashion as Akron is doing (green areas, athletic facilities, retail, parking, residences, etc.) Akron has done or is doing the same things. Many doubted me when I spoke about UC 10-12 years ago, so I'm cool with being doubted here. But the combination of a talent-rich football area, new facilities of every kind, improved logos/slogans/marketing (yes it makes a difference), exposure b/c of LeBron James, basketball team improvement/Zeke/KD (Phil Martelli of Akron!), soccer team (and growing coverage of college soccer b/c of ESPNU), etc. it can be done here. This program can reach the heights of a Cincinnati.The obvious final big difference is Cincy landed in the Big East (which was a BIG KEY). I still believe that in the next few years there will be a retooling of conferences, and Akron needs to be ready to do all that is necessary to be in the best conference possible...BE, improved CUSA, improved MAC, whatever.Believe in The Roo!!!

5 Fall Saturdays= 1 home game. Miami has a terrible schedule in so many ways, but they have 3 fall Saturday games.I do think this schedule could have been much worse. I do like most of the schedule up until November (one more October Saturday home game would have made it awesome!). MAC selling out as ESPN's biatch in November every year is just disgusting.

Is Blatz acceptable?If so, I just need to come up with $579!!!

They are supposed to have a day or two sometime in May where fans can "pick-a-seat".

Dude, you can join me in the family section. That is a hell of a good deal and if it was like last year, they don't differentiate between a "Child" ticket and an "Adult" ticket so when you leave the kids at home, you can bring a couple of your buddies. I've got it all figured out. The "Family" section is in the upper deck which is a stupid idea, I see my kids falling over the side and as you know, the kids are going to be chasing Zippy around the stadium. Anyway, we rig up some type of jungle gym about 15 rows up, all the guys sit in the front rows, drink beer and cuss at the refs. The Moms sit behind us and make sure the kids don't learn any phrases they aren't supposed to know. Yeah..odd about "upper deck" for a family section. When I go to pick my seats, I will definitely be factoring that in! I like your thinking, no doubt. Being the rule follower that I am, I'll just hit the concourse a couple times to shotgun a beer!!!

Because it allows the MAC to get TV time. We aren't getting on TV on Saturday, that's just how it is. Friday, and mid-week games, allow us to get a game or two on ESPN network. That is a big plus for the school. I don't understand why so many people cry about a game behind on the weekday. You have to get up the next morning...ok?...You aren't going to be out there til 1 or 2 am. Im all for whatever gets the school, and this great new stadium, more exposure. Putting every game on Saturday would mean absolutely no national exposure. Which hurts the program.Buddy, I get that. In my scenario, we get 2 games on National TV (though many don't have ESPNU!!!). And then, hopefully 2 more with MAC Champ and bowl game. Throw in the fact that PSU might be on the main ESPN networks (or Big 10), IU game will be on at the very least Big 10 Net., etc.= plenty of exposure.Andy why do people "cry"? Well, it depends on your situation. I happen to have bought tickets for my family of 4, and it is a heck of a lot tougher to go on a weeknight, especially if it is cold. And, I live 1 hour away. Not to mention, there is nothing better than a college football SATURDAY!!!! There are PLENTY of reasons that weeknights, even Friday nights, suck!!!

It is actually OK for this year. My bigger concern is, as a 1st year season ticket holder that wants to continue being a season ticket holder, that I want at least 4 Saturday home games. They did it this year, but with 3 straight Fridays it doesn't seem that they are taking my advice (big surprise!!). Why can't the MAC just simply say NO MORE THAN 1 NON-SATURDAY HOME GAME PER TEAM!!!

Not too bad, but 3 straight Fridays!!!! I can deal with the home one the day after T-giving as it basically plays out like a Saturday.The MAC really needs some help here though. Damn you Chryst!!!

Which teams are really willing to come to the Info, and which teams might we be able to get a 1-for-1 instead of 1-for-2Big Ten:1-for-1: Don't see it happening1-for-2: Indiana, Minnesota (went to Can't), Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue, Iowa (went to Miami), Wisconsin MAYBE (went to Fresno State)Never coming here: OSU, UM, PSU, MSU ( I don't think there is a history of MSU going to non-BCS schools)Big East:1-for-1: No guarantees, but maybe Cincinnati or Connecticut. UC's recent success probably makes it a "no", but there is no "going to a smaller stadium issue" with them.1-for2: Louisville, Syracuse, South Florida, Rutgers and Pitt (though I don't know of them traveling to non-BCS schools)Never: I just don't see WVU coming here, but they went to Marshall finally.ACC:1-for-1: Nada1-for-2: I think many teams are possible though UNC & VTech would be unlikely. BC, Maryland, Duke & Wake Forest would be the strongest candidates.Nope: FSU, Clemson & MiamiSEC:1-for-1: Nope1-for-2: Vanderbilt and Mississipi State.Nope: The restPAC 10:1-for-1: Nope1-for-2: Washington State might be a good candidate.Nope: See SECBig 12:1-for-1: Nope1-for-2: Kansas State, Kansas (I know their recent success might make it less likely), Iowa State, Baylor, ColoradoSlim, but possible: Texas Tech & MissouriNope: Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Oklahoma StateSo, obviously, our focus should be on BE and Big 10, though I think there are some real possiblities in ACC and Big 12. And, of course, I still think we should focus on some C-USA teams (like Houston, Memphis, Rice, etc), MWC and WAC teams where 1-for-1s would be more likely.

Another positive:Playing Morgan State (and hopefully getting an easy win) allows the fans to see all the bells & whistles and walk around BEFORE the Indiana game. With Kellen Lewis and the Hoosiers coming in, the game will definitely be worth watching. Wander during Morgan StateSit (or stand) in your seats for Indiana

I'm going to wait until the entire schedule is out until I pass too much judgement. Hopefully this means 2 home Saturday games in September and October (5 Saturdays in October) and whatever they stick us with in November. I will feel much better about my season tix purchase if I get 4 Saturday home games before the calendar says November!

A couple points based on my experiences as a long-time Xavier fan (and a graduate).1. XU got a top 10, 7 foot center this year. He played well, but never started. Averaged about 6 pts, 5 boards. He is going to be good, but it takes time. I think that Akron will see the same kind of thing from Zeke. Now, in XU's case they already had a 6'9 JR true defensive center (who averaged about 7 & 5 this year). I think Zeke could be a starter in his first year, but my guess is that it won't come until at least 10-15 games have been played.2. XU does an excellent job of blending in JUCOs and transfers. I do agree you have to be careful, but it can be done. And. keep in mind, when a kid transfers to XU or has gone the juco or prep route he is STILL EXPECTED TO GRADUATE= he is not just a hired gun. XU does a great job of graduating their kids. I know X is private and Akron is a public university, but XU is in no way an elite academic school. Dambrot just has to make sure he gets the right kind of kids (both basketball and academically) if he goes that route. There is nothing that says you MUST go this route, but take it from someone who has watched a mid-major in a non-BCS conference grow into a top 20 program...JUCOs and especially transfers help get to that next level!!

Nothing but proud of that performance. Looking to win with 15 minutes to go, still very much in it with 8 minutes to go. Dambrot is right= there are probably 3 pros on that team.If you are going to lose as a #13 seed, that was in many ways the best way to do it. Look good for A LONG TIME, then start to watch the better talent win knowing you gave it everything you could. In turn, keeping the game and the score respectable at the end.Great performance.

I'm still rooting for Northwestern, but if they keep the Miami game on another date, NW will have already have twelve games. If they don't, NW only has 5 away games this season, we could make it 6. I'd have no problem opening up the Info a week or two early for Northwestern, but we need a BCS school for the opening, so if not another BCS school, Indiana will be just fine. We could go on the road against NW but if they're in a scheduling bind, I wouldn't do it without a home game the following year.I thought about that (OK..we will play you there this year and only have 5 home games, but then you play us at Info in 2010). Problem is, as of right now, we play at MSU, Kentucky and Indiana next year.2010 Sep 4 at Michigan State East Lansing, MI Sep 11 at Kentucky Lexington, KY Sep 18 Syracuse Oct 9 at Indiana Bloomington, IN http://cfbpalace.net/akron.htmlAssuming that site is correct..which it definitely sometimes is not.Once again..Colorado at Akron on 9/12 pretty much solves everything for Miami, Kentucky, Akron & Colorado. Nwestern is the only team with an issue there. Perhaps there is some other MAC team that can fill in there.

For the record we dumped out on them because buying out of the Wisconsin game last year was more expensive then buying out of the Kentucky games.My apologies. Thank you for setting me straight. Still hate them, but won't falsely hold this against them.

I have always hated Kentucky, and they seem to be one of the biggest reasons for the delays. First they dump out on us, now they want Miami, which screws up their schedule and sends ripples to screw up others!!!

CUSA schedules are trickling in today.http://www.fbschedules.com/The Colorado thing seems to make too much sense not to happen, unless our coach and AD really is concerned about 3 straight weeks agains the big boys. If they were willing to play Miami on 9/12, not sure why they would have an issue playing Akron on that same date. Wisconsin and Colorado look to be the only 2 of the Big 6 conferences that has an opening where they would travel. And Wisky's opening is on 10/24..day we play at Syracuse.These last few teams need to get on a conference call and figure things out!!!!

Wow..that would be a real buzz kill.

Big East is done, and we play at Syracuse on 10/24http://www.fbschedules.com/With BE done, we should be finalizing ours soon. ESPN prioritizes ACC, BE, MAC.

Arkon and CSU need to play each other every year.

Ohio is still in the top 10 in state population (I believe they are 7th). So I don't really know if 6 teams from Ohio is an issue. Bringing in Navy & Army would be huge in that it would continue to push the MAC into the East. Mixing Ohio with Eastern population would continue to give exposure to the league in that region of the country. Not to mention the prestige of bringing these 2 schools in. And, it would give us more leverage in battling BE schools for players.C-USA is so spread out it has no brand identity. If & when the BE blows it up, you will see a lot of adjustments in BE, C-USA and MAC (along with A-10 from the basketball/other sports side). And for those that think the BE will not break up, look at a program like Depaul= they have too proud of a basketball tradition to go 1-15 or whatever they finished in the BE. It is tough for a program like theirs to compete (though Marquette has done it).

The ranking might be a tad unrealistic. But I really do think this team can be special.