Zipgrad01

Too bad our early season schedule is set up for failure. If playing Syracuse and Indiana means that we are setup for failure then we might as well give up and implode the new stadium. Those are two teams that are lower-mid level D1 programs. Kentucky is a stretch for us at this point in the programs current status, but we should be able to compete with the Kentucky's of the world. I 100% agree with you, but GP1 in 3...2...1... The football schedule is set up for 6-7 win season and failure. The basketball schedule is set up for a 20 win season and the illusion of greatness. The basketball team has it right. It isn't about tearing down the stadium if the Zips can't beat Syracuse or Indiana. We needed the new stadium anyhow. The Great GP1 is too brilliant to look at the world in such a narrow frame. The problems the Zips have competing against BCS schools are not isolated to just UofA. There is a growing disparity between the upper level of FBS and the lower level of FBS. Neither group is either good or bad. They just exist as they are. The solution isn't "growing" D-IA from 130 to 150 teams. It is about making it smaller....much smaller. We probably have the best facilities and stadium in all of FCS (I-AA to you old timers....I'm trying to make the adjustment but I'm finding it difficult). UofA would be a powerhouse I-AA team and the MAC would be a powerhouse I-AA conference. Instead, we are bottom feeders, which is exactly the way the NCAA wants it to be. There is an old saying, "You can't fight city hall". We can't beat the NCAA because the rules are stacked against us as a I-A team/league. I dont know where this illusion of greatness is because nobody goes to the games. If people thought the team was great the games would have better attendance. If the basketball team beat good opponents and played schools besides Malone and Mount Union at home they may have a following. As for football....this seasons schedule is PERFECT. We have a home opener with a beatable BCS school in Syracuse. We play the 1-AA dummy to get our feel good win. We play a crap Big Ten team and we play a bottom to low level SEC school. How could it be better? I would rather have this then playing OSU, Penn State and Georgia as our 3 BCS teams. I would also rather have this schedule as opposed to North Texas, Middle Tennessee State and FIU. Nobdy gives 2 craps about those teams.

Too bad our early season schedule is set up for failure. If playing Syracuse and Indiana means that we are setup for failure then we might as well give up and implode the new stadium. Those are two teams that are lower-mid level D1 programs. Kentucky is a stretch for us at this point in the programs current status, but we should be able to compete with the Kentucky's of the world.

I got razzed by a Mount Union grad a few years ago because she said their football team scrimmaged ours and they beat us by a decent margin. I find that HIGHLY unlikely. I have watched both schools play and Akron would absolutely murder Mount Union by as many as they wanted to. the key word in your post is SHE . True. I dont remember if she was a trainer or not, but she was somehow a part of the team.

I got razzed by a Mount Union grad a few years ago because she said their football team scrimmaged ours and they beat us by a decent margin. I find that HIGHLY unlikely. I have watched both schools play and Akron would absolutely murder Mount Union by as many as they wanted to.

Absolutely....i will be in Lot 9 just like I always am.

Ding, ding, ding!!! I have said all along that Devoe is not a running back, but a STUD linebacker. He got into it with the Massillon staff because they wanted him to play linebacker and he refused. I have no idea why because he is a mediocre running back, but a potential all american at linebacker.

If this doesnt cement the fact that we need to upgrade our NC schedule then nothing does. No reason should a 24 win team not be in the NIT.

It feels like he has been on the team for a decade now.

Yes, but they stink. A good team that plays a higher SOS helps come tourney time. A bad team playing a higher SOS still makes them a bad team.

Wow, that sounds like a speech a certain person I see on tv ALL THE TIME would make, but I wont name him. Why dont you try to convince Boise State of this argument? I will agree that the odds are stacked against the small guy taking on the titans, but such is life. The Microsofts and Dell's of the world show that it can happen, but not everyone in college football should or will be a USC or Florida.

Thanks for the kind words above. This board has nothing to do with being an internet tough guy. I'm one of the few people on this board that if you were to pass me on Route 8, you would know exactly who I am.. There is no hiding here...We've had these arguments about my love for the buckeyes about a dozen times now...My stance has always been the same.While it's obvious that I would never root for tosu to win any sporting event, that is about all the "hate" you will ever see from me towards tosu.My disgust is truly with those that have zero affiliation with the school and yet they continue to support them. Specifically, I'm referring to UA students, UA faculty and staff and most importantly, UA alumni.Can I be any more clear? UA, UA, UA.....Even OSUgrad 01 mentions that people need to stop the OSU hate and worry about Akron's program...Well, exactly who is supposed to worry about UA's program? I'm of the opinion that we need UA students, fac/staff and alumni to support our program, not OSU's. As long as there continues to be UA people(defined above) supporting tosu instead of UA, I will continue to "hate".... Finally, here is where CB needed to step up and say " OSU was my first choice, but I didn't get an offer. I had a great experience at The University of Akron and that is where my loyalties lie."So you stand on the side of Route 8 all day long? I guess people would know who you are, there cant be too many people that do that.I will just say this for the last time....1. I root for OSU, yes....but not over Akron. I am first and foremost an Akron fan, but they werent playing in the Rose Bowl when I had a game to watch on New Years day....I rooted for OSU. Too bad, so sad.2. I do support MY university. I have season football tickets to UA and I go to basketball games at UA. 3. Do not tell me or any other student, alumni etc.. who they should and shouldnt support. Last time I checked this is a free country. If UA does not like their students, etc...supporting other schools then do something about it. Put a winner on the field and give people a reason to care.

Exactly my point. How or why would anyone know he went to Akron? All he talked about was tosu...Guys like CB need to get in front of the media and promote UA. It would go a long way to validating our program and then maybe he wouldn't be asked such a question...I think a lot of the problem also stems from our constantly changing Athletics Department staff.If you recall under Mike Thomas' administration we had a spring game where Frye, Blackburn, Taylor and a bunch of other former Zips attended. I guess they put a big effort into getting football alumni back into the UA "loop."I recall one administrator telling me - "I called Jason Taylor and asked if he'd like to make a donation. He said 'sure,' and then said...'no one's ever asked me before?"In the short time Thomas' group was here they did more than build the practice facility and get the stadium off the blocks. Look in the JAR. All those coaches murals in the corners were installed during that time. All the championship banners hanging from the rafters were raised during that time. Eric McLaughlin's jersey was retired during that time. Thomas' group did a great job of bringing former Zips back into the fold, and also promoting the history of Zips athletics that had been forgotten in some Memorial Hall closet for a couple decades.Then Thomas left, and it all stopped. UA needs to be in Blackburn's face. Give the guy t-shirts and caps. Invite him back for the golf outings and spring practices. Ditto Hixon. And Frye. And others. And if they can't make it in one season, you call them back in 6 months and try again. It's pretty simple.If you see Chase Blackburn wearing an OSU shirt underneath his jersey, I blame UA, not Chase.Who cares what he said? The guy grew up in the Columbus area. 99% of the time that person grows up rooting for OSU. Dont rag the guy for being honest. Is he suppose to avoid the question and say....I went to UA damn it, F OSU!!??? Hell no.I grew up a Browns fan. If I got drafted by the Steelers I would still be a Browns fan inside. You cant just get that out of you. You mistakenly assume his loyalties lie with OSU and not UA when that simply isnt true. I have said it before and I will say it again....the success of UA has NOTHING to do with OSU. If you believe that OSU make us a lesser program then you are sadly mistaken."OSU having nothing to do with Akron" you couldnt be more wrong the reason we cant sell out a beautiful new stadium on the second home game of the season is because more people were worried about going up to Cleveland to watch basically a scrimage between Toledo and OSU then cheering on the home town team. Students that go to this University would rather sit at home and watch a OSU game on tv then walk down the street and watch a game live in a beautiful new stadium.So let me get this straight.....it is OSU's fault that people would rather watch a "scrimmage" as you call it against one of our conferences perennial powers? I think that in and of itself says something. The level of talent and football is not the same. We need to be better as a program and it has nothing to do with OSU. Cincy had ZERO fan support, but the right coaches turned them into a top 10 team and back to back BCS game program. Was it OSU's fault when they stunk? I think not! Their stadium was empty too. How is their fan interest and attendance now? People need to stop the OSU hate and worry about Akron's program. Recruits and fans will follow when we when start winning!Let me guess your not from Columbus nor did you go to OSU yet you support a team you have nothing to do with? People should be a fan of their team regardless I bet you cheer your little bandwagon heart off for the Buckeyes win or lose. And Cinci is in the Big East they were #3 in the nation at one point, and still the majority of recruits in this state would rather go to OSU than Cinci. That is why fans of other schools in Ohio hate on OSU and hope they lose. We could go 14-0 for the next 3 season and would still struggle to fill the stadium when OSU is playing the only way we would get fan support is if we were winning every year and OSU was losing. Dont get me wrong I love every Akron fan as much as the other regardless of who else they cheer for (except for cant) but I would love to see the day when I walk into an Akron game and see more Akron gear on then OSU.First off...my comments have nothing to do with me liking or disliking OSU. Read what I wrote and you will see that. You cant be upset at a guy like Chase for what he said.No...I did not live in Columbus and I did not go to OSU. I was raised in New Philadelphia, Ohio. My cousin played for OSU when I was younger and a local high school kid,Cie Grant, who was about my age played there as well. My entire family has been OSU fans for decades. Big deal...what does that have to do with what I wrote? Please tell me how me growing up an OSU fan automatically makes me incorrect in what I wrote. The funny thing is, I did not go to OSU. I CHOSE to go to Akron. I root for Akron over anyone (including OSU). I have 4 season tickets to U of A football. Just because I grew up an OSU fan doesnt make me loyal to them over my own university.As for Cincy...they were in CUSA until only a few years ago. Even after they went to the Big East they stunk. Just because a team is in a major conference doesnt make them good. Nobody in Cincy gave a rats ass about that program. They could have switched to the SEC and the seats would have still been just as empty. Cincy made some great coaching moves by bringing in Dantonio. He got the ball rolling and then Kelly came in and took the program to a new level. The fan interest increased as they won. The fan interest really increased after they started beating the WVU's, Pittsburgh's, etc... of the world. Let me get this straight....you say that Cincy moved up to #3, but most Ohio kids would still rather go to OSU. Yes, this is true. OSU has been a winner forever. Cincy is the new tough guy on the block. Let Cincy build something bigger than a 35,000 seat stadium and go to BCS games for 20 years. You will see a huge split start showing in the state. Cincy needs to show consistency. It takes YEARS to develop a fanbase. It doesnt happen overnight, and whether you like to admit it or not, you cant make people root for a school by hating the successful one.I dont care if you hate OSU or not. It simply doesnt sound very intelligent when someone spouts off that OSU is a major reason why Akron stinks. Akron stinks because we were a smaller division school for years. We played in a terrible stadium and we had horrible facilities. We have always been a commuter school, so the campus (until recently) has never had a major university feel. We have made terrible coaching decisions after coaching decisions. We play teams that nobody cares to see. We have never won ANYTHING. Please tell me why this is OSU's fault? OSU mandated us to play in the rubber bowl? OSU hired Lee Owens and JD Brookhart? OSU made us be 1-AA, etc...for decades? OSU built our GARBAGE campus (up until recently). OSU makes us play an entire schedule of worthless opponents that we still cant beat? OSU makes us terrible at recruiting better talent? If you can answer yes to those questions then yes, OSU makes us stink. I cant blame Joe fan rooting for a team that is a winner. There isnt much to root for in the state of Ohio when it comes to sports, so I find it so surprising that you get upset when people latch on to the only consistent winner this state has. Akron is never going to be OSU, but it doesnt have to be. Akron needs to do one thing that it can control....win. Win games and the other things eventually start taking care of themselves. Just look at Cincinnati. 5 years ago they were the Akron of SW Ohio.

ballgame

I dont think VCU is that good either to be honest.

you are right about that. Their length on d is causing us problems.

It is really sad to see the difference in size, athleticism, etc... of a mid major like VCU as compared to us.

Exactly my point. How or why would anyone know he went to Akron? All he talked about was tosu...Guys like CB need to get in front of the media and promote UA. It would go a long way to validating our program and then maybe he wouldn't be asked such a question...I think a lot of the problem also stems from our constantly changing Athletics Department staff.If you recall under Mike Thomas' administration we had a spring game where Frye, Blackburn, Taylor and a bunch of other former Zips attended. I guess they put a big effort into getting football alumni back into the UA "loop."I recall one administrator telling me - "I called Jason Taylor and asked if he'd like to make a donation. He said 'sure,' and then said...'no one's ever asked me before?"In the short time Thomas' group was here they did more than build the practice facility and get the stadium off the blocks. Look in the JAR. All those coaches murals in the corners were installed during that time. All the championship banners hanging from the rafters were raised during that time. Eric McLaughlin's jersey was retired during that time. Thomas' group did a great job of bringing former Zips back into the fold, and also promoting the history of Zips athletics that had been forgotten in some Memorial Hall closet for a couple decades.Then Thomas left, and it all stopped. UA needs to be in Blackburn's face. Give the guy t-shirts and caps. Invite him back for the golf outings and spring practices. Ditto Hixon. And Frye. And others. And if they can't make it in one season, you call them back in 6 months and try again. It's pretty simple.If you see Chase Blackburn wearing an OSU shirt underneath his jersey, I blame UA, not Chase.Who cares what he said? The guy grew up in the Columbus area. 99% of the time that person grows up rooting for OSU. Dont rag the guy for being honest. Is he suppose to avoid the question and say....I went to UA damn it, F OSU!!??? Hell no.I grew up a Browns fan. If I got drafted by the Steelers I would still be a Browns fan inside. You cant just get that out of you. You mistakenly assume his loyalties lie with OSU and not UA when that simply isnt true. I have said it before and I will say it again....the success of UA has NOTHING to do with OSU. If you believe that OSU make us a lesser program then you are sadly mistaken."OSU having nothing to do with Akron" you couldnt be more wrong the reason we cant sell out a beautiful new stadium on the second home game of the season is because more people were worried about going up to Cleveland to watch basically a scrimage between Toledo and OSU then cheering on the home town team. Students that go to this University would rather sit at home and watch a OSU game on tv then walk down the street and watch a game live in a beautiful new stadium.Oh yeah, and beat someone that people know. Pounding a freaking loser 1-AA does not make people excited to come out and watch us play a powerhouse like North Texas or Eastern Michigan.

Exactly my point. How or why would anyone know he went to Akron? All he talked about was tosu...Guys like CB need to get in front of the media and promote UA. It would go a long way to validating our program and then maybe he wouldn't be asked such a question...I think a lot of the problem also stems from our constantly changing Athletics Department staff.If you recall under Mike Thomas' administration we had a spring game where Frye, Blackburn, Taylor and a bunch of other former Zips attended. I guess they put a big effort into getting football alumni back into the UA "loop."I recall one administrator telling me - "I called Jason Taylor and asked if he'd like to make a donation. He said 'sure,' and then said...'no one's ever asked me before?"In the short time Thomas' group was here they did more than build the practice facility and get the stadium off the blocks. Look in the JAR. All those coaches murals in the corners were installed during that time. All the championship banners hanging from the rafters were raised during that time. Eric McLaughlin's jersey was retired during that time. Thomas' group did a great job of bringing former Zips back into the fold, and also promoting the history of Zips athletics that had been forgotten in some Memorial Hall closet for a couple decades.Then Thomas left, and it all stopped. UA needs to be in Blackburn's face. Give the guy t-shirts and caps. Invite him back for the golf outings and spring practices. Ditto Hixon. And Frye. And others. And if they can't make it in one season, you call them back in 6 months and try again. It's pretty simple.If you see Chase Blackburn wearing an OSU shirt underneath his jersey, I blame UA, not Chase.Who cares what he said? The guy grew up in the Columbus area. 99% of the time that person grows up rooting for OSU. Dont rag the guy for being honest. Is he suppose to avoid the question and say....I went to UA damn it, F OSU!!??? Hell no.I grew up a Browns fan. If I got drafted by the Steelers I would still be a Browns fan inside. You cant just get that out of you. You mistakenly assume his loyalties lie with OSU and not UA when that simply isnt true. I have said it before and I will say it again....the success of UA has NOTHING to do with OSU. If you believe that OSU make us a lesser program then you are sadly mistaken."OSU having nothing to do with Akron" you couldnt be more wrong the reason we cant sell out a beautiful new stadium on the second home game of the season is because more people were worried about going up to Cleveland to watch basically a scrimage between Toledo and OSU then cheering on the home town team. Students that go to this University would rather sit at home and watch a OSU game on tv then walk down the street and watch a game live in a beautiful new stadium.So let me get this straight.....it is OSU's fault that people would rather watch a "scrimmage" as you call it against one of our conferences perennial powers? I think that in and of itself says something. The level of talent and football is not the same. We need to be better as a program and it has nothing to do with OSU. Cincy had ZERO fan support, but the right coaches turned them into a top 10 team and back to back BCS game program. Was it OSU's fault when they stunk? I think not! Their stadium was empty too. How is their fan interest and attendance now? People need to stop the OSU hate and worry about Akron's program. Recruits and fans will follow when we when start winning!

Exactly my point. How or why would anyone know he went to Akron? All he talked about was tosu...Guys like CB need to get in front of the media and promote UA. It would go a long way to validating our program and then maybe he wouldn't be asked such a question...I think a lot of the problem also stems from our constantly changing Athletics Department staff.If you recall under Mike Thomas' administration we had a spring game where Frye, Blackburn, Taylor and a bunch of other former Zips attended. I guess they put a big effort into getting football alumni back into the UA "loop."I recall one administrator telling me - "I called Jason Taylor and asked if he'd like to make a donation. He said 'sure,' and then said...'no one's ever asked me before?"In the short time Thomas' group was here they did more than build the practice facility and get the stadium off the blocks. Look in the JAR. All those coaches murals in the corners were installed during that time. All the championship banners hanging from the rafters were raised during that time. Eric McLaughlin's jersey was retired during that time. Thomas' group did a great job of bringing former Zips back into the fold, and also promoting the history of Zips athletics that had been forgotten in some Memorial Hall closet for a couple decades.Then Thomas left, and it all stopped. UA needs to be in Blackburn's face. Give the guy t-shirts and caps. Invite him back for the golf outings and spring practices. Ditto Hixon. And Frye. And others. And if they can't make it in one season, you call them back in 6 months and try again. It's pretty simple.If you see Chase Blackburn wearing an OSU shirt underneath his jersey, I blame UA, not Chase.Who cares what he said? The guy grew up in the Columbus area. 99% of the time that person grows up rooting for OSU. Dont rag the guy for being honest. Is he suppose to avoid the question and say....I went to UA damn it, F OSU!!??? Hell no.I grew up a Browns fan. If I got drafted by the Steelers I would still be a Browns fan inside. You cant just get that out of you. You mistakenly assume his loyalties lie with OSU and not UA when that simply isnt true. I have said it before and I will say it again....the success of UA has NOTHING to do with OSU. If you believe that OSU make us a lesser program then you are sadly mistaken.F-U OSUgrad 01Go away...You are a punk...plain and simple. I will say whatever I want whether you like it or not. I love how you are an internet tough guy. Why dont you go out tonight and find some OSU fans to beat up. Did an OSU fan take your girlfriend or something?I am just curious what I wrote in the above statement that got you all upset. Actually, I dont even care....your OSU penis envy is beyond cure.

Exactly my point. How or why would anyone know he went to Akron? All he talked about was tosu...Guys like CB need to get in front of the media and promote UA. It would go a long way to validating our program and then maybe he wouldn't be asked such a question...I think a lot of the problem also stems from our constantly changing Athletics Department staff.If you recall under Mike Thomas' administration we had a spring game where Frye, Blackburn, Taylor and a bunch of other former Zips attended. I guess they put a big effort into getting football alumni back into the UA "loop."I recall one administrator telling me - "I called Jason Taylor and asked if he'd like to make a donation. He said 'sure,' and then said...'no one's ever asked me before?"In the short time Thomas' group was here they did more than build the practice facility and get the stadium off the blocks. Look in the JAR. All those coaches murals in the corners were installed during that time. All the championship banners hanging from the rafters were raised during that time. Eric McLaughlin's jersey was retired during that time. Thomas' group did a great job of bringing former Zips back into the fold, and also promoting the history of Zips athletics that had been forgotten in some Memorial Hall closet for a couple decades.Then Thomas left, and it all stopped. UA needs to be in Blackburn's face. Give the guy t-shirts and caps. Invite him back for the golf outings and spring practices. Ditto Hixon. And Frye. And others. And if they can't make it in one season, you call them back in 6 months and try again. It's pretty simple.If you see Chase Blackburn wearing an OSU shirt underneath his jersey, I blame UA, not Chase.Who cares what he said? The guy grew up in the Columbus area. 99% of the time that person grows up rooting for OSU. Dont rag the guy for being honest. Is he suppose to avoid the question and say....I went to UA damn it, F OSU!!??? Hell no.I grew up a Browns fan. If I got drafted by the Steelers I would still be a Browns fan inside. You cant just get that out of you. You mistakenly assume his loyalties lie with OSU and not UA when that simply isnt true. I have said it before and I will say it again....the success of UA has NOTHING to do with OSU. If you believe that OSU make us a lesser program then you are sadly mistaken.

Why would anyone be excited about a home and home with Marshall? They are a shell of the program that they were in the MAC and nobody really came out to watch those games. I just dont get it.

No FAU home and home. We HAVE TO PLAY AND BEAT the Indiana's, Syracuses and Purdue's of the world. I for one do not want to spend my hard earned money to watch us play the FAU's and MTSU's of the world. If I want to watch small time football I will drive to Baldwin Wallace, YSU or Mount Union. We are a D1 program in a talent rich state. We need to be able to play with and beat low to mid level BCS schools. I had people asking me to go the the Indiana game, etc... When we play those crap teams I cant pay people to come with me. If people do not recognize the teams you play it will always be considered pee wee ball whether we go undefeated or not. We play enough garbage in the MAC home games....I want to at least watch one or 2 games a year against BCS schools. If we can't sign up for that then tear down the stadium and call it a day.

Amazing that there isnt anything on him...he looks like he can fly.

Good story....I think we hit paydirt with Ianello, but only time will tell. I simply can not wait to see what he can do with a full year to recruit.

We got a verbal from Dematha, Maryland fullback Austin Bailey. He seems to be Ianello's choice to step in as a "true" fullback. Scout has him rated as the #17 fullback in the country.