xu9697

As much as playing Colorado would be nice, the fact is that playing 3 BCS schools already is enough. I know the theory..play anyone, anywhere. But if the schedule is PSU on the 5th, Colorado on the 11th/12th and then Indiana on the 19th..that is going to be a bear. I believe in this team, but that is tough road to hoe. I think we could win against Colorado, but getting beat up against 2 BCS teams before IU might leave them flat for that game. There is an advantage in playing a team like South Dakota to get other guys work (like Rodgers) and to be well healed going into the MAC portion.Prepare all summer for PSU (along with general preparation).Play them 9/5 Definitely a chance for an upset!!!Go over what went right, wrong, heal up. 2 weeks to prepare for IU. Remember, with 2 new offensive coaches and supposedly a new defensive scheme, having 1 game under our belt and then 2 weeks to prepare could be huge.Play IU 9/19= win! I might go so far as saying, if we play PSU well, that we would be the favorite.9/26= play South Dakota. Get everyone some work.10/3= beat Syracuse3-1. Play the MAC..go 6-2..9-3 and in the MAC championship. Jacquemain vs. LeFevour..win it, 10-3, ranked 23rd...play Minnesota in the Motor City Bowl..win.11-3, ranked #18.

Does it involve a school from a rectangular state? Colorado needs to play a game at a MAC school, and we can always drop USD. It makes perfect sense, which means that the MAC office will screw it all up by forcing one of the other MAC schools to drop a game, creating a never-ending chain of teams being dropped by MAC schools until we end up with the least desirable home game in the country.Whoever gets Colorado gets a home game on ESPN. The ESPN, not one of the "ESPN network" channels. It would likely be played on a Friday, but the only time I like weekday games is when we're on a major channel. We need this stadium to be showcased to the nation.Miami was scheduled to play them on a Saturday. The first game at a new college stadium belongs on a Saturday, not a Friday night.

open tours for everyone or just for club seating? I know they are planning on giving tours of the stadium so season ticket holders and club seating holders can select their seats...I think the select-a-seat will be in May. At least that is what they told me when I bought season tix last week.

Can you elaborate?Anyway, here is what we SEEM to know..9/5 at Penn State9/19 INDIANA10/3 at SyracuseSouth Dakota rumored to be coming here. Besides Can't, do we know which other MAC teams will be coming to Akron?

I don't typically like the modern look OR the all the same color look (unless white). But these are the great!!!I do prefer the blue/gold, blue/white, white/blue and white/white.I hope these designs got into the hands of a decision maker at Adidas/UA

Eventually, when the Big East blows it up, there will be a ton of moving and shaking.Thinking only football..8 BE teams13 MAC teams12 Conference USA teams33 teams total.To have 3, 12 team conferences that play football..we need 3 teams. Army & Navy, IMHO, would be excellent additions to the MAC.If damn ND would jump in this scenario (and go to the Big East!!), it would make it so easy. They would join the BE along with Memphis, UCF and Temple. You could make arguments for others (Miami, Marshall, Akron..yes, there is an argument there, etc.), but these 3 make a lot of sense for different reasons.CUSA would need 2 teams from the MAC. Let's just say, Northern Illinois and Ball State. MAC is left with the 3 directional Michigan schools, 6 Ohio schools, and 3 Eastern schools in Buffalo, Army and Navy. Personally, I like the look of this MAC.WestCMUWMUEMUBGToledoMiamiEastAkronCan't StateOhioBuffaloArmyNavyBack down to 12 teams, more of an "Eastern pull" overall.Now, since ND will not join the BE, this scenario will not happen. But hey, it's fun to think about.

My 4 and your 5= 3009!!!I think this will be a better experience. I can't wait to pick out my seats!!!

Well, I did it...I, my wife and my 2 children are now Akron Zips football season ticket holders. Jumped on the family plan, which is just a great deal!!! Go Zips!!!

I did not want to detract from the Dawson article too much, so I thought maybe we could throw this in here..http://myespn.go.com/blogs/othersAnyone have a problem opening up with Colorado AT HOME on 9/12 instead of Indiana on 9/19 (back-2-back BCS conference games at home..woo hoo!!!)?Actually, Colorado is also free on 9/26, but their playing at WVU on Thursday the 1st would make that date highly unlikely.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...tor_mack_r.htmlRhoades has been at Akron since 2005, seeing the athletic program through unprecedented growth that includes a new football stadium expected to open in the fall, an indoor football practice facility and student center, plus plans for basketball arena improvements to begin in the spring. Maybe I'm totally out of the loop, but anyone have any additional information?

OK..so we didn't get Mason. But I was not too far off= we get Walt Harris as an ASSISTANT!!!

I think the "happy medium", and I have said it many times before, is that every MAC team agrees to NO MORE THAN 1 home weeknight game, and NO MORE THAN 2 total weeknight games per team.I have always liked the Thursday night games..weekend is almost here, definitely was a big party night when I was in college 12 years ago (dang..been a while!), etc. But Tuesdays & Wednesdays suck for games...especially when they almost always occur in November!!!

I'm one of those fans...XU grad, OSU & BC fan as well (for various reasons). I have become an Akron fan over the years for many reasons (improvements on campus, LeBron Clev& Akron connection, wanting good things for the NE Ohio region, coach like Dambrot, etc.) since moving back to Cleveland area in 2001.Having a family of 4 now, I am SERIOUSLY considering season tix to Akron football. Good DI football 50 minutes away..on campus stadium, tailgaiting, etc. Take the kids a couple times, leave them home a couple times. I will still travel to a couple of other games as I love the game of college football, but Akron will be venue #1. But A LOT of this is contingent upon games being on SATURDAYS!!!! Every year I try to fit in 1-2 MAC games, and SO MANY times the stupid MAC weeknight schedule is a killer.Give me 5 home Saturday games and I am in!!!

Just another problem with the MAC.

ACC came out about 10 days ago, Big East would seem to be next and then MAC. Anyone heard anything?

I will probably back up some of what has been said and perhaps add a little more. I am thinking of the conference as a whole and not being "Akron-specific". Though, I will have an "Ohio-lean" b/c that is what I know (state of Ohio, not OU).Keep in mind that, obviously, the largest focus should be on football & basketball.With Football..1. MAC has to work with ESPN to limit the amount of weeknight games PER TEAM. No team should have more than 1 home weeknight game. If attendance ever has a chance from the "casual fan", 10 out of 12 games for each of the 13 teams must be played on Saturday. 2. Improve facilities..Akron, Can't and Miami have done this. I believe others have as well. It never hurts to have good facilities.3. I agree with others..spend more time scheduling CUSA, WAC, etc. than signing 2 for 0 contracts with bigger name schools. 2 for 1s with IU, Syracuse, etc. are nice. And an OCCASSIONAL tilt with PSU or OSU is fine as well.4. MARKETING!!! No doubt, the MAC gets stuck between the big name schools and the Division III schools (speaking more of Ohio b/c that is what I know). MAC needs to advertise that these are family friendly environments with family friendly prices BUT also with big-time athletes (unike Div. III). Market the locations, the one-tank trips, the players that have made it to the NFL, the pricing/convenience. Speaking of Ohio..with 6 teams in the MAC and still the 11th largest population (I believe) no reason that attendance cannot get better at all schools in Ohio at the very least.With Basketball...1. Facilities. Can't and Akron both need improvements. OU is nice, Miami is OK, have not been to Toledo and BG has a new one coming.2. Scheduling. Not sure if I have specifics, except keep improving relationship with A-10 (lower 1/2), CAA & Horizon to build an OVERALL better schedule. I know the one game against a team like Pitt or something would be awesome, but perhaps it is better to fill a schedule with Duquesne, Rhode Island, Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy & VCU.3. Marketing!!! Family friendly, good prices, etc. Once again..market league as a whole and advertise NBA players from MAC.I think the MAC has done an excellent job in really pumping up the MAC tourney in Cleveland. They need to continue to find ways to market football and basketball while mixing in some of the other sports (like Akron soccer for example).Thinking outside the box:Maybe look at a new conference name. Is the MAC name really a great brand name?Adding Navy & Army...tough to figure out how that would make their annual game work vs. the MAC championship, but they could bring something to the conference.As an aside in regards to the Big East reconfiguring: I still see it happening some day, and I still think at least 1 MAC team will join. Temple, Miami and Akron for different reasons would be the strongest considerations.

I am a REAL FAN with family history of back issues. And, though I could afford to lose about 25 lbs., I am not in horrible shape. Is it so much to ask for metal benches with backs!!!!Anyways, I am planning on being a season ticket holder but am holding off until schedule is released. No sense in having season tix if games are not on Saturday. More than 1 home weeknight game and I will not be a season ticket holder.

OU afforded Solich.Get Lebron involved. Lebron...unis for OSU b-ball. Mason...OSU alum. Lebron...loves Akron. SMU's boosters paid for June Jones.Just trying to think outside the box.Also, I know it was a different era, but we brought in Gerry Faust at one point. Yeah, it didn't work out great, but you never know.

This guy has plenty of good coaching left. That Minnesota team this year= his recruits. He did a very solid job there for many years, and with their new stadium he would have done even better. Ohio guy, OSU guy (which could be a positive), knows the area for recruiting, etc.This is the kind of splash this program needs. You only get one chance like this. If JD doesn't get this team to 7-5...Mason. And, even if he does, I would SERIOUSLY consider Mason.

GoZips said a lot of what I was going to say...great post, GoZips.Yes, you cannot forget that market, atheltic facilities & other sports are crucial. Football attendance? This will definitely be better once they move onto campus and students & fans can more readily feel the "college football experience". This will only be increased if the MAC eases up on weeknight games.I understand that Louisville and Cincinnati have great basketball programs that helped them, but if you would have said 10-15 years ago that those teams would be in the Big East, you would have been laughed at (and not just because of geography). Cincinnati's football program was abysmal, and Louisville was not much better.I do think that regional rivalries are important for the school and the fans. I DO NOT think the C-USA is the way to go as it stands right now. But WHEN the Big East "expands"(12 teams that play football, kicking out the b-ball only schools), they will be choosing from C-USA teams (Memphis, Southern Miss, East Carolina & Central Florida), the MAC (more on that in a minute) and Army & Navy.MAC programsAkron= Cleveland/Akron market, top notch facilities on the way, growing student base, etc.Temple= they will be greatly helped by possibility of basketball membership, even though basketball is down. They will also be helped by Philly market. Tough to tell if previous membership helps or hurts.Miami= regionally close to Cincy & Lville, good facilities, pretty good history. They would fit in nicely if you are looking to balance the city schools (Pitt, Syracuse, Cincy, etc.) with the college town schools (WVU, UConn, etc.)Toledo & BG= could pull Detroit to Cleveland market. Otherwise, I see it as a long shot.Buffalo= they are definitely in the Big East region. Not sure about their facilities. Solid market.Ohio University= decent history, college town, nice basketball facility and football facility that could expand. Can't, Northern Illinois, Ball State and the 3 Michigan schools= I just don't see them as viable candidates.In all likelihood, barring major changes, Memphis & UCF are virtual locks. I'm not so sure Navy would do it, and Army doesn't look very viable now. They both play WAY DOWN in basketball, so that would hurt them greatly. I would see them as likely candidates to come to the MAC if we lose 1-2 teams. If 4 teams are chosen from C-USA, then maybe they pick 3-4 from the MAC and it looks much more intriguing.

Playing PSU makes sense. Not only is it a big paycheck, but it is cheaper to travel there than, say, Nebraska. And, fans can follow them to PSU.Now, where folks SHOULD get upset is if we follow up this game by playing Virginia Tech (or someone similar) on the road the next week. At that point, we play 2 power teams and come in all beat up to open our home schedule vs. Indiana. Let's hope they either play NOBODY on 9/12 or travel to play a team like UConn, Memphis, Navy, etc. before opening Info.

Thanks for the link. I filled out the questionnaire and definitely pushed for less non-Saturday games.

Why can't I see Zip81's helmet designs!?!?!? I've said OK to popups...these sound good.I really want to see the underlined Akron helmet!!!

Who will listen to my pleas to limit the MAC weeknight games? Who of importance can I send my thoughts to?I'm a BIG FAN of college football, and as I get older I enjoy the MAC even more & more. What I love about the MAC is it is the perfect mix of 1st round NFL talent, mid-round NFL talent and those that know that when college is done so is their football career.Saying all this, there have been NUMEROUS times over the last 3-4 years that I have wanted to travel to a specific MAC game or venue and noted that the game was on a weekday. Tough to travel from Cleveland to OU, Miami, etc. on a weekday.Next year, I plan on becoming a season ticket holder for Zips games. I love the idea of having high quality college football just 1 hour away, with the ability to tailgate, hang out on campus (great campus!!!), etc. There is nothing better in the world than doing the whole "College Football Saturday" thing= drinking some brewskies, eating some dogs & burgers, hitting the bookstore to "gear" up, walking along campus as the leaves crunch under your feet, having the cool morning turn into a warm, sunny afternoon, hearing the band, taking in all the little traditions, etc. Of course, my season ticket holder status will be GREATLY jeopardized if the Zips play more than one weeknight home game. Very simply= I understand, to some extents, why the MAC plays the weeknight games. But please, please, PLEASE limit every team to no more than 2 weeknight games, and no more than 1 home weeknight game. Those that rule the MAC= please don't kill all that is great about a COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY!!!!!P.S. If you know of anyone in the MAC offices or at UA that will listen, I'd be glad to send this to them!!

I'm actually a fan of the A/roo logo, but here is another thought for the helmet= go with "Akron" on the actual helmet, & the A/roo still on the shirt sleeves. The "Akron" could be underlined, ala Illinois, Giants (NY), etc. I'm not really much of a fan of the all blue look (not really a fan of all the same color in the pros or college), UNLESS they get some striping on the pants. BC has 2 solid striped down each type of pant= white & maroon down the gold pants & maroon & gold down the white. Blue pants with white & gold stripes would be sweet, and definitely could look good paired with the blue jerseys.I do agree that too many combos can weaken your "brand". So, whatever they decide, best to wear their main home & road combo at least 4 times IMHO. Good to see some nice discussion on this topic. I'm so glad someone hasn't busted out the "who cares what they look like, they need to win". Yes, we all know the most important thing is winning. But no doubt that the better a team looks, the better the logo is, the better the jersey looks it helps in marketing, sales, etc. which only helps in positive exposure for the team & the university.