Zipmeister

Zach, that's why I'm thinking. Akron is going to definitely have to have a varied offensive scheme to get the W. Run on pass downs, pass on run downs.The big unknown to me is team speed. As a Penn State fan, I like to think our front 7 will punish the Zips and disrupt their entire offensive scheme. But, I am trying to consider all possibilities, so enjoy kicking around how Akron may pull off the upset.On the other hand, I'm thinking the Penn State offense will lean heavily towards the run, in order to give our O-linemen a chance to get settled in.Akron's strength last season, save for a few too many high shotgun snaps, was the play of the big, deep and pretty talented O-Line. They only lose one (albeit a good one in Kemme) in 2009 so expectations are high this year too. Can they hold up to the strength, speed, and talent of the PSU front 7 all game? That's the key question here, but IMHO they don't have to dominating or play a "perfect" game. They just need to give Jacq enough time on enough occasions, spring Allen/Martin/Torrence free a few times to keep the Lions honest, and avoid giving up too many sacks/holding penalties. I think they're good enough to do that, thereby placing the fate of the Zip offense in the right arm of Jacq. If he takes enough advantage of the opportunities that are presented, the Zips will probably score more points than the any of the locals expected.What concerns me most about PSU's offense is that even if the revamped Zip defense IS markedly better against the run with the new talent (Bain, the "Tonganator", Henderson, etc) and LB coach/secret weapon (former Illinois DC Vince Okruch), there is still the task of containing Clark if things break down. We all know how elusive QB's have killed the Zips in recent years. Obviously, I hope we can make Clark try to beat us with his arms and legs. It beats the slow, methodical form of torture we've had to deal with lately.Finally, whoever wins the PK job (Igor or Branko) simply MUST come through when called upon. Sure we'll need to score TD's to have a shot, but we can't squander points either. Stec will have to punt his butt off too. He seems to play better in these kind of games, though.Oh I wish you hadn't mentioned that. I had finally managed to blot it out of my head. A "few" high snaps is an optimistic way of saying "every damn time!"

Oh my God! Some of the fans have gone berserk and are ripping layers of roofing material off the elevator/stairway covers behind the north endzone! Oh the humanity.

I can see tour groups on the web cams. I am so envious I could puke.

Wish I could make the journey, but I can't. I will try to be there in spirit. So if your girl friend or wife attends with you and claims something just grabbed her butt, you will know I made it.

I know the feeling. This may possibly be thee biggest women's soccer game between a team from Michigan and a team from Ohio being played that afternoon. My belly button won't stop puckering and unpuckering.

If your "quotation" were correct, arena talk would only be a little premature. Unfortunately, the exact quote indicates such talk is a lot premature.the exact quote: "plans for basketball arena and soccer facility improvements soon"

The interesting part of this report appears at the bottom. Delaware State is taking a forfeit in a previously scheduled game that conflicts with a game they scheduled with Michigan this year. Why can't we get a game against Delaware State?

Nah... speed THRILLS! It's the stop that kills.Glad to see another big WR with speed. Hope he catches well and does well with his classes.Another bit of good news for this guy is that with his speed and weighing 156 pounds, at full speed if he turns sideways he is likely to become invisible. He could become our first stealth receiver.

But not good enough to have a crowd of people walking on it.

39 days = 0.169% of a century which sounds like a very small part of a pretty long time to me. GO ZIPS

Max, U really have to learn the difference between cancelling and getting cancelled on.

The only disagreement I have with this insightful prognostication in the MAC East concerns Ke.nt State and Miami. I predict both of them going 4 and 4 in conference action.

Let's review previous grass/sod comments Not sod. It doesn't work on a sloped bank. That's what they've said. Grass seating won't be available this season. Fall is a good time to plant grass. It lies dormant over the winter and begins to grow in the spring. It should be ready for 2010.Wrong.

Phil Steele isn't the only one who likes the Zips for this year.http://preseason.stassen.com/consensus/2009.html#mac

Sounds to me like ke.nt is about to turn the corner. Look out the rest of you teams in college fball.

Strangely enough average ACT scores are completely unrelated to the elevation of the above two geographic areas. The approximate mean elevation of the country is 2,500 feet above sea level and the approximate mean elevation of Ohio is 853 feet above sea level.

Ah what a beautiful morning. Forgive me if I wax eloquent, but the views from the stadium cams are breathtaking. As the sun rises, the view of the west stands reminds me of the painted desert only with a big unfinished building in it. And the southern view reminds me of a minor league baseball park only all the outfield fence advertising is jammed onto a single board. Life is good.

With his height are we recruiting him as a dback?

Kid, you either have great sources or brown eyes (the latter b/c you are full of crap). Checked a few on-line sources -- nada on this story. Of course, I live in North Carolina, which is not a hotbed of Big10(11) football.Do you guys run a gameday thread? If you don't mind (assuming I can't get to Happy Valley for this game) I'd like to discuss the game in realtime when it FINALLY gets to 5 Sep.I read that one on the Scout boards. http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=157&f=1395&t=4524450Thanks, Kid! Interesting that they've been discussing for two days but it hasn't shown up anywhere else. But, hey!, every story -- true or false -- starts somewhere.Also, we have a live chat feature on gamedays for discussion in realtime.Thanks again! Like I said before, you guys remind me of the Oregon State fans: Very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, loyal. I am privileged to interact with you -- I hate getting into pee'ing contests over trivial stuff -- you guys avoid that garbage.Yes only we are more specialists here. Some of our fans are enthusiastic, others are knowledgeable.

Nah. They wouldn't do that.

Luckily for Zips fans...you tend to be wrong quite a bit.Any idea what factors resulted in him picking the Zips?

When I first tuned in this a.m. I had the southern view and those two guys looked like they were walking the wire. I thought whoever said the wire was for the Flying Wallendas was a genius. Most important advance in stadium construction yet.....all ads on one side of the scoreboard are up!!!

You sure that's not a guide wire to assist in putting a few more layers of roof on the elevator/stairway covers?

I could have sworn we were scrounging for scraps only three weeks ago?We were. Now we're right about where we should be, maybe a little on the low end, as far as quantity of verbals. The quality of the recruits is very good, however.Verbals seem to come in waves. I hope that this will cause some other top prospects out there to follow suit.I just hope this group of recruits does not split.Wouldn't we just lose two then?Inside scoop -- I hear this particular recruit liked our coaching staff, facilities and other things.Good get gman. lol Capt.

I could have sworn we were scrounging for scraps only three weeks ago?We were. Now we're right about where we should be, maybe a little on the low end, as far as quantity of verbals. The quality of the recruits is very good, however.Verbals seem to come in waves. I hope that this will cause some other top prospects out there to follow suit.I just hope this group of recruits does not split.