Z.I.P.

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.

And you're crediting WHO exactly for this? Clearly to me, things began to fall administratively upon the change in leadership in the AD office. I'm not calling those guys Supermen or anything, but if you can't tell the difference, you're not paying attention. I fear we ARE sliding back to the Owens Era, and something has to be done, or the new stadium will be as empty as the one it's replacing. I'm not advocating a change in FB HC -- YET. But he's gotta make positive change to turn it around. The same goes for the AD office. Is anyone in charge? Are you listening Dr Proenza?

Nil, nada, ninguno. ?Demaciado (enuf)? :blink:

I guess Can't decided for "don't bother". Remember when Lee Owens was let go, many on the Blue Board said, "They waited a year too late." ?Well, if things go as I fear, and we finish 4-8 or 5-7 this season, and next year shows little or not improvement (like 6-6 and out of the MAC race for example), I can just feel the same comments coming.Now, I agree that JD is the best coach Akron has had in DI-A, at least it appears that way from his recruiting classes. I still have confidence that this guy is capable of creating a sustained winner in Akron -- Tressel took five years to turn YSU around. However, I doubt many of us will be interested in giving JD a sixth year if there's no evidence of a turn-around. My patience is already almost worn out.Now, as far as the AD's office goes, there are a lot more problems there, I'm told than has come to light on this board. I won't spill the beans, but the truth will come out in the budget and ticket (and PSL) prices.Thank God Akron has a top-caliber soccer team!

Guys, the NCAA's minimum attendance "rules" are either a rumor, or a suggestion to raise fear (kinda like No Child Left Behind shutting down schools). But, even if it were serious, Akron would not have to worry. The various "rules" I've seen (and the fact that no hard and fast rules exist is proof that this isn't serious) say a school must draw 15k + once within a range of several years. Akron got their attendance within the rules last year, so are safe for x number of years. Once in 5 years, once in ten years, etc. But even if you "fail", you are put on "suspension" which will allow you to recommit your program for an undending period of time. The bottom line is, the BCS schools who rule don't want Bowl Subdivision (did I get the name right?) schools (i.e., Div I-A) to fall down to FB Championship Subdivision (i.e. Div I-AA) status. It doesn't look good.

Are we talkin' basketball or volleyball here? If Karch has moved to Akron, you've got a scoop (not a scooter), Cap'em.

As seems to be the custom, we dominated the Huskies and yet could not pick up a 'W'. This only gives the opposition confidence they don't deserve. We need to win out in the MAC to set the stage for the post-season.Penn State next up this week. We need a good crowd and Rowdy Crew at the pitch. Let's keep that 300 minute sheet clean!

Football Falls in Heartbreaking Fashion, 24-30.At least that's what our friends from Gozips.com are reporting. Hey, I didn't see it, as you know, so maybe they're right.

Looks like the score is 3-3 in the first, but the ESPN gametracker isn't working this week.