Z.I.P.

I've seen Cal, Washington and UCLA play several times this year on Pac-12 Network. On paper UCLA should be easily #1 of the three, but like our team, they have trouble putting the ball in the net -- and lowly Oregon State took three out of four points against them with home and road comebacks last week and this week. On the other hand, Cal plays the most joga bonita in the country this year. I believe they have the former Charlotte coach there, and I'd be surprised if the Bears don't go a long way in the post-season. Washington is a similar team to Cal on paper, and plays fine team ball, but doesn't quite put runs and balls together like Cal does. Still, I think they're better than the Bruins. Haven't seen USD, but SDSU (which lost @Akron last month) has some skilled people, just not as many as the rest. Overall, it's very nice for me to see the West Coast rising. I hope it can continue. Big West teams like Northridge, Irvine and Cal Poly are going to rise up to where UCSB is before long.

You should have seen the morgue at Dix Sporting Goods. The side of the field opposite the camera had...perhaps, 50 people.

The Bulls did a good job of softening up the F.lashes -- if they can get any softer. I expect Akron to be a 4-point + favorite.

One of the most interesting things on the ESPN3 broadcast today (at least the production quality was better than the announcers) was a cut away during the third quarter to one of the most historic days in MAC history -- they showed a brief tape of Northern Illinois' 73 - 18 victory over #18 Fresno State on October 8, 1990 (the NIU QB, I believe Stacey Robinson is now an ESPN announcer who recently broadcast Jordan Lynch breaking his QB rushing record). This was the game that led NIU to believe they were "too good for the MAC". Going independent in athletics to highlight their newly high-flying football team was the biggest mistake in the school's athletic history. And it serves as warning to any other MAC school about getting big-headed. NIU was lucky the MAC let them back in on their first begging request.

I have to say, I was very much impressed in a positive fashion by the team's performance today. The 10 point line on this game was a severe teaser, as BSU may be the best team in the league. With just a few more good players, and more importantly the improvement of the underclassmen, this team should contend for a bowl game next year. The Bowden era is on track.

WHAT? You couldn't read the sarcasm in my words? To all, including GoZips: Whether Akron coaches, players and fans think they are an/a "underdog" is less important than having the opponents go into the game thinking Akron is the underdog. Zips have to have a chip on their shoulders this year. When I see coach Hawkins in a few weeks (WMU is playing @Hawaii for the third time since 2000), I'm going to tell him how soft Akron is this year -- especially that new Big Dog guy!

All this shows is the absuurdity of the term "mid-major". I would NEVER consider Gonzaga a MM. But if they are, then Butler and VCU gotta be there too! Just changing leagues shouldn't automatically change that. I'm looking forward to seeing a former final-four mid-major, George Mason in a couple months. They still ARE a mid-major, aren't they?

You wannna know what's "insulting"? Chisholm breaks off his 65 yd TD run today vs Ball State. The TV camera pans to the stands, where a guy is celebrating with his arms thrown in the air. The jerk is wearing a Suckeyes T-shirt in Akron's stadium. Now THAT is insulting!

Also not the most relevant of Q's, but I think we all want the best for Rico: Is Alex still on the mainland? Isn't most or all his family still back in the PR? I would be concerned about his support network.

Tyrell Goodman makes the catch of the year! And then Pohl runs it in. I really like the way the coaches choose the plays for Pohl to keep the ball. That was a great selection! 28-17

Hilltopper hits the nail on the head!

This is either a long-long halftime, OR we're not going to see the second half of Akron-Ball State! I only found out late last night that this 6AM kick-off would be televised on the ESPN Game Plan. I suspect I could have watched last week too. Good thing it's only American football! And how 'bout that Barca win?! It was nice to see the Diamond Head Classic advertising to Akron fans about the upcoming tournament in the land of palm trees and mai tais. Listening to Michael Reghi? How many mistakes can one man make? He called "third down" twice while the teams were lined up to punt. Had Zach Paul punting for Ball State, and Wenning at QB for Akron. Wow! We're finally going to have a second half! Good return by UA.

I think Ball State QB Keith Wenning is now familiar with him, after that strip and turnover.

Thank you Dave for saying what seems obvious, yet rare to read. And as far as the improvement to our central defender, I'm glad to see Drew Souders is earning some respect. I haven't seen him play since he captained the US U-17 national team, but I suppose he still has time to become an elite player. I love the standards Caleb established.

I just want to know, where were the Schwarzinger brothers?

New rules: Both the men and the women will see officiating emphasis on hand-checking on the perimeter, and a new block/charge rule that emphasizes players being stationary when a player goes into a shooting motion. Before it was when an offensive player left his feet. A few years ago, they attempted to eliminate hand-checking from the women's game, and early season games were a FT-fest. The players adapted, and fewer calls were made as the season went along. I personally hate the change in the charging rule -- taking a charge is one thing good defenders do -- and it's one of the most exciting plays in the game. A charge should be called if the defender is stationary prior to contact. Period.

fknbuflobo, I looked and looked for a university advisory for Inclement Weather, and the closest I came was this safety policy. Now you also know who to call in case of a chemical spill. I do hope this helps. If you were looking for policy on intimate weather, you will have to look elsewhere.

Hilltopper, if you drive to THIS year's ESPN tournament I promise to be there with a beverage, and a towel when you arrive.

As Montgomery Burns would say, "Eggcelent!"

You have to be underdogs before you can be the Big Dog! And this team needs to be hungry, or the others will be humping their legs all season.

Ohhhhhhhhhh! I thought it was because this is the year we bring back the Zips to the Hawaiian Isles. My bad.

Thanks Lee. I've often enjoyed your not posting on the soccer side. If you don't believe me, just ask DaveinGreen. And can I have some of what you're smoking?

Watching LA Galaxy vs Montreal Impact and Evan Bush is getting his first league start of the season for Impact. Doing well under max pressure infirst half of play. Both sides playing mostly subs tonight.

This could be a auction of an lifetime!

If there's ANYTHING this young Zips squad doesn't need going into this transition season (and what other kine season is there, anyway?), it's to have their individual egos stroked non-stop by an adoring media. I put Superstar McRae of Buffalo at #1. Put THAT on the bulletin board, gentlemen!