Z.I.P.

Hey -- at least we don't have to face Truck Robinson in this game, like the last time I remember playing them -- in Evansville in 1971! That was considered the best small college team ever, and we stopped their undefeated season! Thanks to Roberson, the Massillon kid.

Whoops! Sorry, I was just talking to myself again. :o I just wonder why the Viks couldn't have played decent basketball when I was living on campus. They've gone through so many coaches (including the most recent quitting to take a Pac-10 ass't job) I can't tell you who's in charge now. I can tell you -- from the game description, that they can shoot. And that's without Hawai'i transfer Dominic Waters who was WAC Freshman of the Year. This won't be as big a loss as some might think, as PSU should represent the Big Sky in the dance come March. They will hopefully be somewhere around #80-125 in RPI. They're better than several MAC teams.

Does anyone know if Will is still going to be coming to Aloha Stadium this Friday for the Hawaii-Boise State game???If so, I will try and find him, and convince him that he should stay in Akron instead of enjoying the constant 70 and 80 degree days and lovely trade winds of O'ahu, OK? p.s.: Wish me luck!

=>I am here to help you all! No need to have broken hearts. Miami never offered Parrish. After getting a verbal from Julian Mavunga, Miami had had expended the only scholarship to give (Tim Pollitz is only senior on the team).It's gerat to see our Bimmer pals looking for talent far and wide. I can't remember the last Samoan basketball player in the MAC. Ball State did have a Hawaiian volleyball player once, but that was the Midwestern Intercollegiate VB Association.Can we expect to ever see Uncle Leo back in HI again? We miss his haole sideline dance.Zip in paradise

Ummmm. You didn't major in math, did you sport? Jus'kiddin'.

I would only request that someone take my place in waving the following sign before the ESPN cameras: WE LIKE YOU COACH BUT WE'VE HAD ENOUGHMahalo nui loa

But Ken has already proved himself as a great coach -- not just in AKron but now at UL. His squad pulled off a huge victory at Indiana this season, and drew with OSU in Cow'bus. His team has at least a 50-50 shot at the NCAA -- not sure what their RPI is. How about a Zips-Cardinals matchup at Lee Jackson in Round 1? Go Zip futballaz!

If anything, it is MORE basic to the soccer committee than it is to basketball, because the Sagarin is the ONLY RPI for soccer, while basketball has several floating around with different mathematical quotients.It is good to see we have a voice on the committee in Mary-Lu Gribschaw. That is another legacy of our former administration.

Thanks OZ, that's great news that we produce both great footballers and scholars. I don't buy the story from the guy in Soccer America that collegiate football (soccer) is the thing that keeps the US from competing better internationally. I see more international stars coming to the US to get degrees -- and hopefully compete in MLS.

Let's try to keep our paranoia in check, eh?Akron has gotten at-large berths to the tournament several times in the past. The selection committee is made up of people who are football (soccer) coaches and administrators, who are well familiar with Akron's tradition in the sport. The real question to be decided is: Is Akron one of the top 16 teams in the nation -- deserving of a home game in the first round? The team can take it from there, win out and we should be playing at home at least to start the NCAAs. If Akron loses in the MAC tourney, then they will be sent on the road, most likely. I have to view our RPI -- again a crucial part of the puzzle, but I can't see a scenario where we are not in the NCAAs.

Is it just me, or does that banner look like a Pontiac ad?

Whoa, whoa! What'd he say??? Possible return of John Mackey?? Where'd he here that?

I saw this on ESPN, and what the NFL doesn't seem to realize is, it makes as much sense to the average Londoner as a 22-foot Wayne Rooney would make on South Beach!Okay futbal haters, you can all go Google Wayne Rooney now! BTW -- I wonder what the long-term plans are for this thing. Will it be on e-bay next week? Maybe the UA should pick it up to sit in front of the new stadium.

Can ANYONE out there explain how in the world Central Michigan is so highly rated this year? They won just 13 games a year ago, now they're a nationally-ranked mid-major?? Do they have THAT good a recruiting class???

LOL! That's a good one -- especially as when I was a Zip, about half our team was from the Toronto area. Though many were Portuguese immigrants, such as Joao Pereira, the all-American Canadian international.

I think this player just showed up on Scout.com for the first time with an offer from Akron. He's listed at 6-4, 190, with a 4.45 40. It is his only offer -- but all the other schools associated with him are from the Pac-10 and WAC. I wonder if he will get other offers yet -- its getting late.

Hey, if Turner Gill leaves, UBuff will be back to #115 or below in...well, instantly. But, if I were in Vegas, my money would be on UB -1. Sorry, but that's MHO.

The guys are right about Caleb. BUT, can you tell us what YOU have heard about fundraising? I'm told it is off substantially, that the department is treading red ink, in part because of the bloated marketing staff. Comments?

Okay -- but I still don't understand why Brett McK isn't available automatically. If he's that good -- and I suspect Go Zips may not be exaggerating as much as usual here -- his absence could cost us a game early on.First big hurdle to cross this season: The might Viks of PSU. As former ED of PSU Students for Unity, I can tell you they will be loaded for roo.

You can see the first NCAA men's soccer RPI on the NCAASports.com site. Akron is in the #22 position, which should be good enough to garner an at-large NCAA tournament spot, if they somehow fail to win the MAC -- no sure thing given that NIU, WMU, Buffalo and Hartwick are all good programs, capable of being champs. RPI is a crucial determinant in the minds of the selection committee, so we need to keep an eye on it as the season wears down. A year aog Akron closed the season at about #48, or somewhere in that area -- not high enough to get in after losing to the Huskies in MAC Tourney action.We get better and better each week, so I am as confident as ever. Look for Akron to break into the top-20 of the coaches poll this week.

That was about the worst blown (non-)call I've ever seen. Even the return man hesitated a moment waiting for the whistle -- THEN took off, and hoped he didn't get the penalty I'm sure he was expecting! I'll bet they get a formal apology from the Big East -- but that crew should be the ones offering it!

Frankly, I can understand the coaches sentiment -- but, I have no confidence in either the QB, OR the OC.

Not sure where that comment came from originally. UA produces PhD's from every department in Arts & Science, social sciences, etc.

The East is very competitive, as usual this year, so Akron finishing #4, with the loss of the top playmaker and one of the top post players in school history is not outside the realm of possibility. They could easily win 20+ games even as a fourth-place team.Now Central Michigan second in the West?? Weren't they the worst team in the league last year?

Hey people! The might, might Penn State Lions did not have ONE shot on goal for ninety minutes!!! Zips are Lion slayers, who seemed to play with the little beasts. 900+ minutes and counting of clean goal-keeping sheets! Holy spumoni, that's some defensive calcio Caleb!Clearly this team is creating chemistry, as we had hoped early on, and our own cubs are growing into their new roles on a smaller stage than they had played with US national squads. And the seniors, Ben Zemanski especially, are playing brilliantly (pass the Guinness, master Bradbrook (are you 18 yet?). If we can keep up the momentum, I think we could go deep into the tournament. Knock on plywood.Go Caleb and the Kids.