g-mann17

Well see, right there you fell into the marketing trap. Nissan, Toyota, and Honda have marketed their products as "better made" "longer lasting" etc. If you want to know the truth I see more Honda, Toyota, and Nissan incentive commercials then any of the other three. Hell Nissan spends money to make their car look like it's the best thing on the planet and that it is the "ideal suburban mom's" vehicle (Desperate Housewives).Look it's a combination of both. We have quality players, playing in a much tougher conference then is given credit (no it's not the Big East but we can still compete with most of those teams). But let's face it; if quality of product was the only selling factor (to use another analogy) The PS3 would be outselling both the XBOX 360 and the Wii, it's hands down the better product. But who is winning? The Wii because it is marketed as "everyone's" system.When we did win the MAC how did the City of Akron embrace us? Did they put up a sign that says "Home of the 2005 Mid American Conference Champions" Next to the "Home of Rookie of the Year Lebron James"? Nope, they ran article in the paper about Chris Wells signing with OSU. Which brings up another point JD has got to start beating out Tressel for these Akron kids. But I digress.Cleveland was in charge of marketing the Patriot Bowl. Akron and the University of Akron is in charge of the rest of the games. If there is not a huge joint push next year for the Rubber Bowl's swan song, then the City has failed us once again.

Generations ago the Cubs were a winner. When Tressel was at YSU they won titles. That is history. Post 1960's the Browns have never won anything, they sell out. Why? Because it's our team. You can say what you want, Soldier Field sold out because it's in a city of almost 3 million. And they promoted the hell out of the game. Do you really think Chicago gives an F about Iowa? Notre Dame is "their" team. NIU and Iowa both have a nice following. Their Alumni promote the schools where ever they go.It's simple until the community recognizes they have a team, that is worth a damn (and we are) it's always going to look the same. The first thing about marketing is that the "Public" isn't interested unless they know about it. Quite frankly, FirstMerit and Cleveland did a crap job of promoting this game. The City of Akron does a crap job of promoting the team. (Oh they do a great job of letting you know when the Styx cover band is playing lock 3) but when was the last time the city promoted a Zips game? Oh yeah it was called the Acme-Zip game.But wait and see how attendance is once the stadium is built. Then we can nickel and dime attendance issues.

Wasn't this thread supposed to be about the MACReport online. The biggest problem right now is that there is no sense of community ownership. It's not about winning. It's not about the age of the stadium. It's not about the opponent. Some of you are going to try to burn on this but look at the Cubs. Perennial bottom dwellers and always outsell the White Sox. Why? Because the community feels it's their team. YSU has good seasons, but they don't have big crowds because they bring in Michigan State, Penn State, and Alabama. It's because YSU is Youngstowns team. The current marketing trend for the Zips even points to this. "Roo Town: This is YOUR Team". They want the surrounding community to feel it's their team. (yes I know I'm Captain Obvious)Akron as a city, and Summit as county needs to start helping with promoting these events and getting the companies involved. (ala Acme-Zip games in the 80's). Some will say this isn't their problem. But it is. If you create an atmosphere and sense of ownership that fills a stadium 6 weekends a year, you get people coming to the city and county and they realize there are other things to do besides sit at home and watch their 400 channels or play their videogames. Look around. Portage promotes Can't, the Mahoning Valley promotes YSU. Look at the Toledo area, direct competition with Michigan. Do they win yes (and that is important). But you can have a winner and people still won't go if they don't feel it's their team (ask the White Sox or any southern NHL Team). Toledo promotes the University's sports programs. There is no excuse why Medina, Wayne, Summit and Cuyahoga Counties should not be Roo Town. Bottom line, we need to be successful, but we as a community need to promote our team (and that is us not just the politicians)

I just hope as many people as possible get to see it stupid Big 10 network and stupid TWC can't come to terms.

UA Bomb Threat

I agree with your assessment, and it might even be a more realistic jump. To add, Marshall was down when they left the MAC (kind of limped out of the conference the last season they were here) and UCF was sent packing with their tails between their legs (0-12 their final season if a I recall). But look how quickly UCF was able to become incredibly competetive in C-USA. That is amazing and you can attribute that the recruiting power they have because of the conference change. Marshall is probably close to breaking through in that conference too. Also if the Big East does add teams it will likely pull from C-USA again, which creates openings for the Sun Belt and MAC to fill in spots.

Well when you are doing a story on bottom dwellers you have to go with the teams with the worst records. I am a little shocked with the over all hate on the MAC but then when you have 4 teams with 2 losses or worse it's all you can really expect.

You can wipe the floor all day long with me? LOLI called you and Buckzip out for the same thing a long time ago. Then on this thread I called Buckzip out for saying people have a double standard. And as from what I can see, you both and as well as a few of the other "fair weather" OSU front-running fanboys do have a double standard. The Zips aren't perfect, that's an easy assessment. Because I am a realist.OSU is far from what they were last year, but all of you fanboys seem to think they will be competing with The Blue for the Big 10 championship maybe even back where they were. They certainly won't lose to Akron. HAH! That my friend is a double standard.Wipe the floor with me, you can't even wipe your own ass. I'm not getting back into the OSU being weak this year argument. Everyone has read what I wrote. The only arguments I got were from you fanboys. I'm trying to get along with you guys on here, I didn't say anything offensive, I just argued my point. Then you have to come along with your crybaby, Google searching self and tell me I'm a liar. Anyone can send a recruitment letter, that doesn't mean they "recrutied" every school in the country knew Tressel had Wells. Wells' stats are inflated, like I said I am close to the Akron High School football scene. But I am done defending my comments. You have a jaded view, every poster on here knows you have a jaded view. So 'nuff said. And obviously the only person who got embarrassed in all of this was you. I wrote, and you wrote "My, my my. I feel bad about tearing this apart, but you obviously have no idea what is going on in Columbus."I'm afraid that everyone on here has more knowledge of what goes on C-bus then you do my friend. And again, go back read, and see how you got embarrased. You little fanboy troll.And again this is a Zips fan board so enough with the OSU crap.

Oh look it's Zipgrad01 that doesn't understand logic; back with another long winded complaint about being unobjective yet still believes Chris Wells is god's gift to running backs. If you feel that I am unobjective because I broke down flaws on the OSU squad (wait what? there are flaws with the most perfect team in the nation?) and said that if the Zips play a perfect game they could take advantage of those flaws and win. Well then if that is being an unobjective fanboy; well then you can just call me Zipgrad01.Anyway I am glad to see that you agree with my comment that players shouldn't be burning teams and that fans have a right to be angry about it.It's just too bad your unobjective, misinterpreting self had to try and take a dig at the same time. "Despite differences; there is always common ground."

Absolutely, it will be interesting to see what Chris does against Army. How is CJ going to be utilized? (Leak/Tebow type situation) Is Jabari going to be work horse at receiver and have some confidence going across the middle?Will Kennedy/Allen be a one two punch?We have a lot of potential, a line made up of highly touted recruits. A potentially strong Defense. I am really looking forwardt to 7pm Saturday night.

Well, passion has to be focused. So you are either loving the fact that people write back at you with some of their own passion. (which makes you a troll) Or you are angry because no one respects your wisdom or the superiority of OSU.Either way my point is proven. And this thread was on Sean Hakes, and his decision to leave a program that was not heading in the right direction. Which we all know is direction not towards Sean Hakes.

Case in point.That long impassioned little banter there is proof that you do get mad when people challenge your point of view. You don't bring up your other Alma Mater? Search Buckzip and count the number of OSU references. Oh so many. Whether it is after someone brought it up or not is irrellevant. Because you constantly compare our players to OSU's. I like you, you have good points and nice edge. But the fact is, that fans are allowed to complain about someone burning their school. And truthfully most transfers keep their mouth shut when they do transfer. The school embraced Hakes, gave him a shot, he and the coaches couldn't see him winning a spot, he transferred. Happens at every school every year. Most of them don't say "Well, Iowa is spiralling downward" "OSU just isn't going the right path for me." most of them man up and say "the coach couldn't find a spot to use me" or "i couldn't show my skills there".

Kind of how some posters are allowed to talk about how teams are so great that we don't stand a chance, but when logical arguments are made to the contrary they get mad about it.The fact is, he transferred, and then was quoted "burning" the University of Akron. "the program was not going in the direction I wanted." That is cry-baby talk for "I don't stand an f-ing chance to start for this team." Or considering he pointed out the receivers leaving, maybe he was fearful of falling to the same fate as Harvey and Lindsay.

I didn't see anyone Rip on Michigan in here

Oh so, then you will let the 1-0 record plus MVP award for a college all-star game speak for itself? Ok good for you.

Well, sir, there's nothing on earthLike a genuine,Bona fide,Electrified,Six-carMonorail!What'd I say?Monorail!What's it called?Monorail!That's right! Monorail!I hear those things are awfully loud...It glides as softly as a cloud.Is there a chance the track could bend?Not on your life, my Hindu friend.What about us Can't State slobs?You'll be given cushy jobs.Were you sent here by the devil?No, good sir, I'm on the level.The ring came off my pudding can.Take my pen knife, my good man.I swear it's the University's only choice...Throw up your hands and raise your voice!Monorail!What's it called?Monorail!Once again...Monorail!But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!Monorail!Monorail!Monorail![big finish]Monorail!Mono... D'oh!

Well we can always bet VT and Marshal. I would love to get Vanderbilt, Tulane, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, FAU and FIU would be nice as well.Now other then West Virginia (who I would classify as unbeatable this year, but who knows down the road.) I think some of the Big Ten schools owe us a home trip, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue. West Coast teams wouldn't be too bad either a 1 and 1 with Hawaii would be great for the team.

Well if there are empty seats near me I will invite you all to come on down.

What you all seem to be missing is that this is not a University run function. The commission overseeing the Patriot Bowl gave each school an alotment of tickets for students and season ticket holders. It's out of the University's hands on what seat you get if you are a student or season ticket holder. So don't take it personally. If it was a University controlled function you would have had the best seats possible. Unfortunately it is controlled by a third body. It sucks for season ticket holders but it's good for the team because (hopefully anyway) people who normally wouldn't watch Army vs Akron are going to get to see a great game.

BGSU? Do these "fearless" ESPN writers even pay attention to MAC games at all?

This is the last thing that I am going to say. You questioned my fact checking ability? You questioned my knowledge of players?"As a senior in High School, Boeckman sprained his MCL, and missed much of the season. During the jersey scrimmage over the summer, Boeckman suffered from an undisclosed injury, and missed some practices. Boeckman also suffered from an injury trying to run with the ball late in the game against Cincinnati last season. Although none of those injuries are to be considered major, he does seem to be banged up quite a bit compared to Buckeye quarterbacks of the past. Troy Smith and Craig Krenzel took a ton of hits during their respective tenures as Buckeyes, and the only injuries to come from them were an injured thumb and an injury against Penn State in 2003 which escapes me at the moment (concussion perhaps?)."Little Fact on ToddYes I question your loyalty. Don't you think everyone on this site grew up a Home State Fan? I told you I root for them, but that doesn't mean they outweigh my Alma Mater. I'm sorry, they play anyone else I'm pulling for them. I'm also a realist and not a fan boy that thinks they are invincible. Haven't said that the Zips will "kill" or even beat them, just said why they have a chance. yet you have to get defensive. Yes the rest of everyone on here that had a problem with your post and Buckzip has a right. Because you both think OSU is unbeatable. Florida proved otherwise last year (it should have been a blow out, but it wasn't) No Akron isn't Florida, but this isn't last years OSU. They have 4 (in some counts 5) returning defensive starters. They have experience but they are raw, they aren't used to going every play. Same thing with your skill positions. So you tell me who has the issue? The realist (me)? or the Fanboy (you)?I'm done.

This was never meant to be a Wells bashing. Or an OSU bashing. I'm just pointing out the facts. 100 carries 4 fumbles. That is a very, very bad ratio. Boeckman will be like Germaine, or Zwick a hold over until the future QB is ready. Or an injury as he is so prone to getting hurt.The truth is OSU is incredibly vulnerable you are just to jaded to see it. GO ZIPS! not "by the way", just plain GO ZIPS!Because to me they aren't an afterthought, to anything I say or to the Buckeyes.

Wow, you are long winded in your attempts of saying the same thing over and over again. And you do get hostile. I made a logical argument and you have OSU playing for the National Championship. LOL, Let's see where to startWells is so good that the only Big 10 school that wasted any time on him was OSU. He was highly touted and pursued by a lot of schools because of the stats he puts up, but let's see he played 3 games in High School against tough defenses. I don't have access to the Garfield schedule from two years ago but I do know that both North and Ellet held Wells to 1 touchdown. Say what you will, but I have a better inside track on that information then you. So what I'm saying is, you rush for 1600 yards in high school and you play Kenmore, Central, a very week East and that makes you better then Tony Hunt. One person that is not a Penn State fan boy that would take Hunt over Wells? Tressel... Yes that's right your own coach. Lost out to Joe Pa for Hunt, here's another Bobby Bowden. But neither of those coaches know as much about raw fumbling, bumbling, stumbling talent as you do. I forgot. Boeckman might start one year, will never start two. I'm sorry I saw 5th year and assumeed he was a senior. I forgot how easily the Alumni Association of OSU can buy extra years for players. But again not bashing. As far as calling you a front running OSU fan boy.If it quacks like a duck, and doesn't listen to logical arguments and accept logical opinions, it's probably a front running OSU fan boy. You have yet to blast me, you have only angered yourself in an attempt to tell everyone how a Big 10 school is deeper then a MAC school. Who is the captain obvious. I must still be because I keep pointing out the obvious facts. OSU: down, raw, and vulnerable. OSU fanboy: repetetive, blinded, and naive

Never said Akron was as fast as Florida. Florida isn't even as fast as the OSU defense. But look what happened. OSU struggles against an offense that has multiple threats. And yes Akron has multiple threats. Now for the rest of your comment.LOL since when is 41-14 a fluke. 21-14 maybe, 17-14 definitely. 41-14 is a slaughter. I cried alligator tears into my pillow because of that loss. Never once did I think it was a fluke. Further proving your undieing fanboy devotion. Except you might not be a fan boy. You might be a front runner. Tell me what you think of OSU after Michigan wins the Big 10, Wisconsion gets the Rose Bowl and Penn State gets the Capital One Bowl. I will still love them, will you? Probably not.

I really wish you would so could continue to prove how much of a fanboy you are of OSU. I would think that would be everyone's biggest gripe about some of these responses on OSU. The "returns 4 starters" comes directly from the Big 10 preview. And this "they were starters but got bumped" just shows that they weren't good enough to play last year, which means they are weaker. Boeckman's 5th year? Then chances are he won't be the starter the entire season because you can't build for next year with a QB who will be around for 1 year.Yes Tony Hunt is a better running back then Chris Wells. Since Wells had Pittman in front of him you can't do a head to comparison of stats but... 1000 yards to seasons in a row, greater then a 5 yard per carry average. I like OSU I root for them almost every Saturday. Truthfully none of the fanboys realize how truly bad they are going to be this year. Tressel knew. That's why he made sure his non conference games would be YSU, Washington. The MAC schools were picked a long time ago so I can't give him credit for that. But Besides the MAC schools (of which he stands a good chance of losing one of those) there really aren't any sure wins this year. There is a good chance if things don't work out for them they will go 7-5 maybe even .500. The best they can hope for is 8-4. They will lose to Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State, and Minnesota.