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Typically there are buy outs...I don't know what type of system the MAC has set up, but Akron would have to buy its way out of the conference.Many sports analysts are predicting the Big East will break-up in about 5 years. At that time, the 8 Div 1 football members will invite in 4 new members for all sports. The Big East would then be able to have a football championship game.So, when the Big East comes calling, they will look at success of football & basketball, success of other sports, academics, venues & the city. I don't really think Northern Illinois is a good fit= further away (UConn to N Illinois is pretty far) and I'm not sure if they fit the overall profile. BG might fit the profile, but they would need to improve their basketball facilities for certain. OU and Miami have the college town similarities to UConn and Morgantown, while Akron and Toledo have the medium city similarities to Syracuse, Pittsburgh (which is obviously bigger) and Louisville. OU has a great basketball facility, but would need more seating for football to join the BE. Miami has the facility for football, but not for basketball (though there are talks of renovating). Toledo's football facility is nice, and may be big enough= though, I'm guessing BE would want 30,000 minimum capacity. Never been to Savage, but I know it seats 9,000+.So, Akron building a 30,000+ football facility would be a huge step. They would also need a plan to renovate/build basketball arena to seat 10,000 or so. Perhaps they could use Quicken Loans for a couple of bigger games until a bball arena is built.

This information is exactly why, when the Big East breaks up, that Akron has to be a program on the rise and in position to join!The Big East will probably take 2 MAC teams when that time comes (5 years or so), and we will be competing with Toledo, OU and Miami for those 2 spots.

Overall the unis are great, but I cant's stand the "pinstripes" in the white jerseys. The NE Patriots had that look in the mid 90's and it is terrible. Slight adjustments could be made in other areas:The numbers could be a little bit smaller as well (especially look pretty big on the home jerseys). Sleeve side and shoulder of jerseys a little busy= logo, various colors and numbers. I would prefer, since the logo is so prominent on the helmet, just the number on the side.Really...a "simplification" of the jersey would make the overall appearance even better.

The game was an impressive display, and the refs indeed were whistle happy. I'm guessing they have bad marriages...longer they are at the game, less time with the wife.Has Dials been gimpy like that all year? He certainly is gutting it out and can do a lot, but he seems to be in some real pain.

Obviously, the sooner they make the announcement the better. In addition, while this year's recruiting class may not be drawn in much by a new stadium, if next year's class knows they will be in a brand new stadium in their Junior and/or Senior year, that is when you will see big gains in recruiting.

When all is said and done, the ON CAMPUS is the key.

Unless the Campus Map is wrong=Toledo's stadium is on-campus; Akron's is off campus. If you could grasp this as being a major part of why Akron wants a new stadium, you will understand so much more of what is going on here.

You still don't get it. Toleod has a nice stadium...the Rubber Bowl is a dump. I think we can agree on that. Those that do get it, understand that it is about more than the football team and what Akron did last year. Akron (univeristy & city) has the opportunity to do something to help the school, the city and the REGION! If done right, it will not just be about the football team. I have proposed a dome, but it obviously cannot be 60,000 seats or just for the football team It will, potentially, be about a facility that could be used for football, basketball (NCAA 1st/2nd round or even regionals), soccer (pro or the occasional Akron game), hs state championships, etc.Finally, I agree with you about the fan base. But if the proper ON-CAMPUS (or walking distance) stadium is built, this will help the fan base, atmosphere, etc. The right facility will not sustain the fan base, but it will help initially.

Anyone know the date for the spring game? I think they need to advertise the heck out of this across NE Ohio, and set-up a bunch of fun events. This is a golden opportunity to continue to build the program and connect with fans.

Let me amend my statement= I don't see room for BC IF Akron doesn't want to continue on the 5 home, 7 away schedule. Maybe they could get a 1 for 1 with BC if they play a "home" game at Browns stadium.

I can't see Boston College coming here next year with the way it is set-up. I'm assuming they would want return games pretty quickly (within 4 years), and I don't see room for those return games.I think a 1-for-1 with a CUSA, MWC or WAC team makes the most sense, with Akron's home game being next year. Maybe we should "start" somthing right away with Memphis!

I agree with you XU. I would like to see a 16 team playoff, but only if it is set up so each 1A conference gets an automatic bid just like in basketball. I think there are about 11 1A conferences so that leaves the next five best at large teams for the other berths (ie. second place teams from ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 10, Notre Dame (If worthy)). You can still play the other second tier bowls by adding selected bowl eligible teams to fill, those slots. When you get down to the final eight there will be seven games left to determine the champion. designate those seven games to be played at the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and say maybe the Peach, Citrus, and Gator or Liberty. That way the bowls still get their money and so do the TV networks. I TOTALLY agree with your format for 16 team playoff= same one I propose. IF MAC, WAC, etc. is not included, don't bother. Some folks want the top 16 teams (based on rankings), which I believe defeats the purpose of an "all-inclusive" playoff.

People may not like the NIT, but that is what the other bowls are (like it or not). If your team is in the game, you care. If not, there may be 3-4 bowl games that matter much to the general public. Having a playoff will not make many of the bowls played before Jan 1 any more or less significant.

A playoff system does not have to mean an end to bowls. At the very least, a "plus one" system would really clear things up. Sure, this year it would not specifically be necessary= but seeing#4 seed OSU vs. #1 seed USC and #3 seed PSU vs. #2 Texas would be fun. Winners play each other for NC.Even if you have an 8 or 16 team playoff, I think there is still room for 15 or so bowl games. Think of the bowl games as the basketball version of the NIT.

Dome makes the most sense...wrote about this when I stated purposed Akron as the "new Syracuse". Multi-purpose 35-40,000 dome can be used for many events and can be an asset to the university, Akron and Ohio as a whole. How about moving state championships away from Massilon/Canton and into an Akron dome. I live in a suburb of Cleveland, and I feel that Akron can, in part, make up for Cleveland's mistake of not building a dome.

The Toledo fan is a little full of himself. What he does not understand is that building a new stadium does not just relate to this year (only in part). It is more about the campus improvement and what an ON-CAMPUS stadium would mean. Once he understands that, he'll be fine.

It would seem that a 30-35,000 stadium would make the most sense, with the flexibility to add 10-15,000 when (if) necessary. Here is a great site for stadium building news: http://www.footballstadiumdigest.com/

Perhaps the MAC conference should consider talking to ESPN about making this game a Friday night affair. Say what you will about fan support, but it is tough for those that work (and maybe even some students), to travel 2-3 hours to Detroit on a Thursday night.

I totally agree that BC needs to play more quality OOC teams...read any BC board and you will see that same thing. Akron would definitely be an upgrade over Can't State, Maine, etc.

I doubt it would be BC= their non-con is already set (UMass, BYU, Can't & Maine). UNLESS Can't is getting out of the game, though Can't was supposed to host BC next year= doubt they would turn that $ over to their rival! My feeling is that it may be Pitt, though I'm not sure Wannstedt wants to deal with another MAC road game.

Ok, so 90% or more of the talk should be about the MC Bowl (100% if you are a player or coach). But as fans, we can talk about other games, and that game next year against PSU could be interesting. They lose a ton of players (Robinson along with many on defense). Win the bowl, and then shock the world (or at least the USA) next year!

http://collegefootball.stxwebworks.com/akron.htm Sept 18 2010= looks like a great opportunity to open the new stadium (indoor or outdoor!).

Let me be clear on something: I went to Xavier, and I have no association with the University of Akron (per say). Why do I care so much? Well, I care about my city...which is Cleveland (an inner ring suburbanite). I also love college football, and college sports in general. How does that have me caring about Akron? Well, let me first say that I have been to the campus and city only a few times, the most recent being this past summer. I was amazed by the change in the campus and some of the improvements in the city (downtown park= amazing!). I have also been to Syracuse 3 times in the last couple years. I can see the similarities between the cities and the possibilities that can happen, and I have a passion for urban and university design. Cleveland and Akron are tied together...and I believe that is a positive thing. I want Akron football to be the football team that Clevelanders follow. OSU can still be #1, but no reason Akron cannot be #2. My "adoption" of Akron has little to do with this past Thursday's game. It has more to do with the program and the school in general. As for a dome...I grew up hating domes, but they offer so much more versatility. I've been to Ford Field, and it is very well done, including a great deal of natural light. Look at what Indianapolis is doing with their new dome= it will be retractable, but even when closed it will be letting in tons of light. Just like baseball parks have changed over the last 10-15 years, so have domes in the last few. I see Akron as having the potential to break ground for this new kind of dome! As for Toledo...nothing against the city and university per say, but I've always seen Toledo as being more a part of Michigan.

There is no reason why, in 5-10 years, UA cannot become the new Syracuse. What do I mean? Well, I think, eventually the BIG EAST conference will drop its basketball only members and add 4 new members who play football & basketball. Major national writers have written about this very subject, so I am no "visionary". Who are they going to choose from? Well, unless ND says yes (unlikely) they will be looking at MAC schools and schools like Marshall, Memphis and Southern Miss. Assuming Memphis is a lock (great basketball, solid football, natural rival with Louisville), and maybe some other possible team, there will be 2 MAC teams to choose from. They will choose from Akron, Miami, BG, Toledo and OU. Miami fits nicely because of their academics, renovated football stadium, history (cradle of coaches), natural rivalry with Cincinnati. I put them as the favorite. I think another "city" school would be the next best option= Toledo or Akron. The conference has a nice mix of medium city schools (Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville) along with college town schools (UConn, WVU). Right now, Toledo might have a slight edge, BUT Akron is MAC champions, their basketball is riding high and their men's soccer program only can help enhancethe profile. What is needed? Continued success in basketball and football...and a new football stadium. So, why are they the next Syracuse? Besides the similarities in city size, they can be the next school to build an on-campus (or very near campus) dome. It can be done! I envision a 35-40,000 seat dome (SU seats 50) that can be adjusted for basketball as well (18-20,000). Not only does this dome help UA, but the city can now host NCAA tourney games, hs football games (state championship?!), etc. Think big Akron...I know the whole Cleveland/Akron area needs a boost in jobs & schools performance. This stadium will not be the largest priority, and it would take some major $ from some big time individuals and companies. I realize this would not be easy, but it can be done. It would be great for the city, the region and the state! I know some will dismiss this e-mail and say it is ridiculous. But as a Boston College fan (Dad played football there), I never envisioned them being in the ACC and being the football program that they are now (thank you Doug Flutie). As a Xavier grad, I never envisioned playing the likes of Purdue, Illinois, etc...for home-and-home series, and beating out teams like OSU and Kentucky for recruits. And, though I have no connection with this program, I doubt many out there saw teams like Gonzaga growing to what they have. Just one man's opinion. GO ZIPS!