UA1987

He was on the sideline in street clothes at the Pine Bluff game. Was not on crutches or in a boot. I thought he had a leg injury, but not sure. My guess is he is questionable, but could play.

We seem to match up size wise with Iowa State, except that they have tall talented receivers. Iowa State has more depth, but I think we are close to their athleticism. I'm not 100% sold on their QB who has only 5 starts under his belt, but had a good week against iowa. Not sure how special teams compare, but these squads will play an important role, if Bowden goes all out to game plan and tries win this one with all hands on deck.

Iowa State Depth Chart.pdf

I'd start with the pass game if they come out in a run stop defense. I think they will target Warren Ball and see if our previously injured QB can pass and if our depleted receiver corps from last year can get open. No read option if Woodson is not a serious threat in running the football for nice gains and the decision needs to be quick if we do run it. Work Warren into the game for 20 to 25 carries with a balanced attack once they back out of the box. I also wouldn't mind seeing a little razzle dazzle fake or a Chapman pass in this game. Iowa State is very good and we will have to do just about everything right to win. Lets hope Bowden doesn't treat this as a scrimmage in order to work into shape for MAC play. These winnable out of conference games mean a lot to the fans and could determine if we get a decent bowl invite. By the way, I have to wonder if the Bahama bowl or some of the lower tier Florida bowls will be available this year after hurricane Irma.

Pretty good student attendance at this game. As some have said some true freshman are playing. Brimage ought to keep his head in the game, however, at least when the defense is on the field. I saw Boxen calling him in and DeAndre was nowhere to be found till it was very late on the play clock. That's what causes penalties.On the other hand, Davis had a nice game at D/E and Warren Ball is a joy to watch.

Iowa State looked very good in the game against Iowa. They have Penn State type receivers that are tall and athletic.

Any eligibility left?

Yes Sirrr! Look at Northwestern's future schedule unless it gets cancelled somehow down the road (no time to provide link). My brother is also an alumni of NU and he confirmed. Looks like I'll be going to Evanston for this one. I'll have to wear a glove with a zipper on my middle finger to field the Zipper comments. Really though, we have something in common with the Wildcats in that for years they have received zero respect. My brother would unfurl a giant purple tarp when NU took the field at away games to make the visiting fan contingent look bigger.

You probably already know this, but we play both Nebraska and Northwestern next year. I like the Northwestern game even though they are good again like the mid-nineties, just because i've heard some of their fans say their athletic department would never schedule Akron in football (I guess that meant they would hold their elitist noses to schedule a soccer match, but only in Evanston).

Just got off a phone appeal with an office in Utah. The guy was laughing at the Akron game. Yep, this one reached all the way across the Country. I think some of you are getting it right in that we should only schedule games with teams that traditionally fall outside of the top 25. If we are good enough at the end of the season, maybe we go to good paying bowl and play a competitive game with a top 25 team. Our home opponent targets should be teams that are likely to bring fans, like Iowa State, Marshall, or an FCS team that might fill seats (wish we could get Tressell to force Y-towns AD to cave on their home and home requirement).

Yes, Penn State is going to swarm our running attack. I would come out throwing, then move the game plan into the run once they adjust. Someone needs to step up with the loss of Wolf. By the way getting Wolf (4 year player) injured in camp is inexcusable. Some coach or knucklehead DB ought to be made to run back punts or get in the I and run ISO's into our defense to pay for that.

Starving Amishman - classic. Lets be clear here - what killed the chance for an attendance bump at the Info opening was shot down by the opioid crisis in Ohio (poor #11 and no one ready to step in at backup QB) and the 'I" dud one year later. Agreed another great article.

Excellent interview. I like the way way Boxen never quits - always trying to run down the play.

Other than Penn State's QB and RB their other preseason all Big 10 picks are their T/E Mike Gusicki and DB Marcus Allen. Gusicki is a better receiver than blocker and I believe our SAM linebacker (Junius or Bell?) has responsibility for coverage. Gusicki was their #2 receiver last year with 48 receptions. For some reason I keep hearing the Maaco auto body ad jingle when think of this match-up.

You seem to say scheduling top P 5 teams helps recruiting because players like to play in these games. I have not seen these great recruiting classes here at Akron you elude to despite scheduling many top P 5 teams. Terry and his coaches have to scurry around to find athletes good enough to elevate this program. I say early blowouts in games where we are perceived to be stretch scheduling hurt attendance and attendance has been a problem. Unfortunately MI was lost or stolen from us so nobody remembers except die hard fans. App St won their MI contest so everyone remembers. I hope for a good game with PSU and a chance for victory at the end. I hope I'm not hoping for too much.

Here we go

Yes, I agree about the scheduling. I like the Iowa State game but dislike top P5 opponents (play them in a bowl on a neutral site if you go 10-2 or something similar). I used to round and round with another poster about this. Getting a paycheck for a blow out game hurts the program as skeptical fans steer clear of teams that have been involved in a laugher opener. I have always thought the AD should focus on revenue by building attendance with wins and scheduling has a lot to do with it (no pansies just solid winnable games). Lets keep this one close and have a shot to win at the end.

Who's running back punts for the Zips this year? Chapman with his scared cat moves would be great at making people miss, but could he field the ball without mishaps. I do worry about Tra'Von's cat moves in traffic as a receiver as someone is liable to blindside him and cause a turnover. Those jumping around fake out moves are good in thin coverage.

You go into this game to win. As the game progresses it will become apparent if we have a shot. If the battle looks bleak, then Ball comes out first, then you get Woodson out and learn more about our QB backups. If Woodson comes out this signals game over to everyone watching (including the players). I think we have a good chance of being close into Q3.

True Freshman Matt Hanson could play on the inside if needed. He's 6'3" 245 lbs and might be better suited as a D/E. 300 lb O Lineman Andrew Siegman could help out if an injury thins the ranks.

Young has been injured most of his time with Akron. Why do I think he may have a big year - he is a senior and time paid for playing football may be possible with a big 2017 season as a Zip. Who is our best potential receiver? - Austin Wolf. I think Wolf can play in the NFL.

I see Sands in pads. Will he be there at Penn State? By the way, I have this gut feel that we will see Anthony Young emerge as a big target in 2017.

Penn State's Oline has @310lb LT, LG, and C. Their RG appears to be 339 lbs. and starting RT at @310. Wright is a big RT at 345 lbs. but appears to be a sub. I could see PSU loading up the right side with beef and running right in the second half. They of course go three deep with great talent at all positions on the Oline. Guiser may have to come up and help on a lot of plays leaving the Zips secondary exposed. If the Zips are close in the second half the defense will have to go with high risk pressure and run support as PSU wears down opponents and surges in the second half. If Akron gets blown out in the first half, we will see lots of subs. and it will be a scrimmage for both teams. Lets hope Terry game plans to win and not just to run the Brinks truck out to pick up the check. If we don't see some deep balls thrown to Wolf down the sideline in the first half then I question our intentions. I will be game planning nachos and beer starting at noon.

Very impressed to hear about Iowa State fans and their team. This is the big one on our OOC schedule. Corn and hogs at the tailgates! We will be underdogs but I'm anticipating a great game. All Iowa State fans should know our local food tops out with sauerkraut balls, jojos, and canned brown gravy. Anyone that can guzzle a can of gravy and a beer afterwards brings luck to their team. No projectile vomiting in our new stadium please.