ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net

The Great GP1 does not ask questions. The Great GP1 answers questions.

God DAMN I hope the players and coaches channel that spirit going forward D1Real! Rob, are you listening? Players? Tom? Are you going to be the ones who finally step up now that there are no legitimate excuses?

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.I agree with you EXCEPT that the Zips really have been one of the worst handful of D-1 teams in the entire country. They have to start becoming the winner among losers before we can expect them to become actual winners. When this program begins to emulate the MAC-Marshalls I will start to support them stepping up. Until then they need every pathetic team you've never heard of on that schedule. The way this team has performed the last few years, to say we shouldn't be playing the Sun Belt teams, the MTSUs and the FAUs of the world is entirely denigrating to the Sun Belt, MTSU and FAU. There aren't three or four D-1 teams in the entire country who I would bet on the Zips to beat. I surely hope that changes starting this year, but it's a sad joke to believe otherwise.

Actually, I feel exactly the opposite. Considering the roughly 15 routine posters here (yes, there really are that few), about half of them are marms who feel compelled to stifle the other posters and shut threads down. New, interesting, "inside" information here is about as common as JD Brookhart wins, and the ratio of self-styled mamma-poster-wannabes is way too high. I find myself less interested every month in checking in with ZN for these reasons. How about:1) Something interesting happen here from time to time to draw interest from new fans and posters?2) If you don't like the tone of a post or a thread, click out of it. Admonitions about the merits of a thread, or the virtue of the points made, only serve to make this an uninteresting place over time. Has it occurred to some of you that a SPORTS forum that would be completely friendly and unoffensive for, say, a moderator's young kid would also, by definition, be a boring and uninteresting place for adult sports fans to hang out? Boring old farts and marms, fire away. It doesn't matter since I check in once every week or so anymore...

Rather than Rasor, I would much rather that a real reporter at the Leaking Urinal cover the Zips consistently. The coverage of UA sports has been better in the last year than it had been before, but that's not saying much. The decrepit little paper that seems to cover only pain and misery can't send someone 3 blocks down the street to get deep into UA and its sports programs? We have to rely on a wannabe politician to sporadically post about the Zips?That, as they say, is the big time fellas.

Q27: Don't you hate it when g-mann17 kills the buzz?Q28: Don't you think he should refrain from thread-killing?Q29: Don't you sometimes want to call him RICHARD CRANIUM?Yes, yes and yes. :CK_brew:

You are a veritable ray of sunshine, meister.

Hopefully one of you guys have a contact inside the AD office...the national scheduling websites are not real timelyFat chance Texan. You're going to find that nobody who posts here with any regularity seems to have access to any worthwhile inside info on the program.

Excellent, excellent post. +1 in a big way. The Southeast can SUCK IT.

Well then you haven't been reading many of the threads on here, and while we're in the process of calling board contributions worthless, your latest post is worthless. I've said it at least twice now that my post had NOTHING to do with the quality of kids in any particular part of the country, it was ALL about college football D-1 programs, specifically the Top 25, and their geographic distribution.Again, post if you have something to say about the thread, but please don't waste my (or anybody else's) time by posting that you're not interested in this thread. I wouldn't do that to you. You shouldn't do it to me.Like I said, perhaps I've missed something - and you could've pointed out what I've missed, if that is the case. You could've referenced a debate to provide clarity for me....but since we're on it, take the time to COMPREHEND - READ. I don't call anyone or anyone's contribution "worthless".I said the premise of this thread is without merit due to the fact I have yet to see what you're arguing. Get your diction-game up before you choose to insult somebody.My point had everything to do with your argument. You reference warm weather programs. Those programs primarily recruit from southern states (southern athletes), so YES, this would relate to the 'quality' of the athletes.However, I won't WASTE your time any further pointing out what you apparently didn't comprehend.Carry-on.......and like I said, your posts in this thread are worthless, or perhaps I should use the term "meritless" as you did. Perhaps in "football country" there is a meaningful difference between the two terms in the context of this discussion.Carry on....The value you place on my post is "worthless" and your apparent fragile nature is without "merit"....so yes, I shall,"carry-on". We have clarity in 'Football Country'....and away walks Football Country, thumb in keester, mumbling to himself about clarity. I guess you showed me big guy!

I hope that these hires indicate that UA is finally getting serious about winning on the football field. How many times have we said here that UA needs to finish the job, spend what it takes to bring in the right people and build this program? I really, really like what I hear so far about these hires. Some of these coaches bring name recognition and credibility to the UA campus. That's got to help when it comes to recruiting, and hopefully they'll gel into great X and O guys too.Very exciting so far this offseason.

How about "adding" to the thread what a couple of jackasses have to my most recent topic, and say to you,/sarcasm and joking on/THIS THREAD AND POLL ARE WORTHLESS./sarcasm and joking off/And, by the way, my most recent thread has to do with success of D-1 programs in different parts of the country, not skill level of athletes from said parts of the country.

Well then you haven't been reading many of the threads on here, and while we're in the process of calling board contributions worthless, your latest post is worthless. I've said it at least twice now that my post had NOTHING to do with the quality of kids in any particular part of the country, it was ALL about college football D-1 programs, specifically the Top 25, and their geographic distribution.Again, post if you have something to say about the thread, but please don't waste my (or anybody else's) time by posting that you're not interested in this thread. I wouldn't do that to you. You shouldn't do it to me.Like I said, perhaps I've missed something - and you could've pointed out what I've missed, if that is the case. You could've referenced a debate to provide clarity for me....but since we're on it, take the time to COMPREHEND - READ. I don't call anyone or anyone's contribution "worthless".I said the premise of this thread is without merit due to the fact I have yet to see what you're arguing. Get your diction-game up before you choose to insult somebody.My point had everything to do with your argument. You reference warm weather programs. Those programs primarily recruit from southern states (southern athletes), so YES, this would relate to the 'quality' of the athletes.However, I won't WASTE your time any further pointing out what you apparently didn't comprehend.Carry-on.......and like I said, your posts in this thread are worthless, or perhaps I should use the term "meritless" as you did. Perhaps in "football country" there is a meaningful difference between the two terms in the context of this discussion.Carry on....

Well then you haven't been reading many of the threads on here, and while we're in the process of calling board contributions worthless, your latest post is worthless. I've said it at least twice now that my post had NOTHING to do with the quality of kids in any particular part of the country, it was ALL about college football D-1 programs, specifically the Top 25, and their geographic distribution.Again, post if you have something to say about the thread, but please don't waste my (or anybody else's) time by posting that you're not interested in this thread. I wouldn't do that to you. You shouldn't do it to me.

There are few things as annoying as a poster who takes the time to post about not caring. Come on zippy5, bring something worth posting if you're going to add to the thread.

Actually shuford beat all of those guys out for the starting job comming out of augest camp and started the first three games. shuford has 3.5 speed and will b a great college player. after the firing of ferri he was not played any more. Monyomgery an brookhart made a lot of stupid decisions. Im not going to beat them up on here. I will say akron is a great school and a great town. I am related to shuford an i will say we have nothing but positive things to say about akron. However when a kid stips being play for no reason at all and when no other back has set themselves apart to b the go to back its dshearting for the kid.He (shuford) had good grades, never missed practice and according to his coaches was doing a great job.Someone on the outside looking in would have no idea of the crazy stuid things the old coaching staff was doing. The new head coach sad he was going to heavly recurit Ohio an Northern PA. we are from Michigan, so YOU. are rite WE CAN SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL. I will say his decision had nothing to do with alaxander, martin or torrence or alex allen. u can see him on utube also just search norman shuford. all that being said good luck Zips. We wish you and the city of akron the best. Two things to think about:1) I wish him the very best at his new program. Hopefully he will shine, although I'm sorry to hear that he's leaving the program because I really think we're about to witness a strong upswing in UA football. It's a shame he's not going to be here for that.2) It really bums me out that we occasionally see posts from real insiders, guys who really know what is/was going on in the program, but they never stick around. How cool would it have been to understand, even in a generic sense, what the coaches were up to, where the areas of function/dysfunction were with JD and those idiots Harris and Montgomery? Why is it the Nation can't seem to attract real insiders with great gouge, and/or those insiders almost never post things that would keep the ZN in the loop? Best of luck and good health to you Norman.

I read that book at least 5 years ago while commuting on the metro to and from work in DC every day. You? I find it very interesting to discuss the potential long term health of college football programs in different parts of the country, if for no other reason than to look for hope in this little cold weather city. I will say though that while trying to shut down the discussion you actually bring to mind some great info from the Diamond book having to do with technology, tool sets capitalized on by cultures and the fact that demographics almost never come down to "where is it warm and easy to live?" In the historical context, places being relatively warm and hospitable have almost nothing to do with cultural and technological advances made by human civilization. This discussion can be as complex or simple as we'd like to make it, but again I come back to the most recent polls, which are the most current and simple way to measure program performance I can think of.

Are you kidding me? You question my use of the actual most recent college football polls, while at the very same time torturing and teasing data the way you do? What simpler method of comparing teams can there be than looking at how they stack up in the most recent, real, football season? Here's where I'll answer your questions though:1) You note a very FEW cold weather states in your listing, but fail to mention Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, etc, etc. Any of you who have traveled out west will remember that many of the schools out west, including in the mountainous desert areas, are true winter locations. Winters are no warmer or nicer (unless you want to talk about recreational activities) in places like Denver, Salt Lake or Boise than they are in the midwest of the US. Now, stack up the teams from those OTHER cold weather areas that you neglected and let's talk. 2) You mention kids from California, Texas, Florida and "cold weather" rosters. As I watched OSWho last night I was amazed at how many kids I saw on that roster from all over the country. And frankly, my argument really had nothing to do with the dispersal of kids to programs around the country. I'm not a college recruiter and so I really couldn't care less where exactly kids on rosters are from. My argument had to do with the one meaningful measurable, that being performance and rankings from the most recent REAL season. I don't care where the kids come from, it is a fact that 15 of the top 25 programs in the country to end the 2009 season were in cold weather cities. Beyond that, there were exactly 3 SEC teams in the top 25 to end the season. So, maybe those vaunted hot weather hillbilly programs should have recruited a little differently and they might have performed better on the field? Lastly, your "let's cut the country in the middle" argument is just silly. Have you been to some of the cities, in the winter, that are included on the couthern side of your "college football Mason Dixon line"? Wichita, Oklahoma City, KC, etc.? Many of those places have nasty winters, and/or are in the middle of nowhere. Just because programs in the southeast WERE dominant over the last ten years does not mean they are currently dominant nor that they will be going into the future.

This is a few weeks old, but apparently Illinois co-DC Mike Mallory interviewed for the DC job here at some point (link 1).link 1Also, it looks like JD has interviewed for the passing coordinator spot at UC (link 2).link 2See, JD will land on his feet after all.

OK, we've all heard the inane arguments from some here about how warm weather programs are (generically) better, how the best athletes want to play in warm weather, that the cold weather programs are "second tier" or worse, and are generally doomed. This morning I took a few seconds to actually look at where programs ended up this season. I pulled the last AP poll and noted very few differences between it and the other major polls. Anyway, take a look and see more comments below.1 Alabama (58) 13-0 (SEC) 2 Texas (2) 13-0 (Big12)3 TCU 12-0 (MWC)4 Cincinnati 12-0 (BigEast)5 Florida 12-1 (SEC)6 Boise State 13-0 (WAC)7 Oregon 10-2 (Pac10)8 Ohio State 10-2 (Big10)9 Georgia Tech 11-2 (ACC)10 Iowa 10-2 (Big10)11 Penn State 10-2 (Big10)12 Virginia Tech 9-3 (ACC)13 LSU 9-3 (SEC)14 Miami (FL) 9-3 (ACC)15 Brigham Young 10-2 (MWC)16 Oregon State 8-4 (Pac10)17 Pittsburgh 9-3 (BigEast)18 West Virginia 9-3 (BigEast)19 Stanford 8-4 (Pac10)20 Nebraska 9-4 (Big12)21 Oklahoma State 9-3 (Big12)22 Arizona 8-4 (Pac10) 23 Utah 9-3 (MWC)24 Wisconsin 9-3 (Big10)25 Central Michigan 11-2 (MAC)Now, you'll note that 15 of these programs are in (relatively speaking) cold weather country. That hardly speaks to warm weather conference dominance. You will also note that in the Top 25 there are 3, count 'em, 3 SEC teams listed. The "old-fashioned", traditional power conferences, the Big10 and Pac10, hold 8 of the top 25 slots in the country. All 3 BigEast teams are cold weather teams. 2 of the 3 MWC teams are cold weather teams. Lastly, 2 of the 3 Big12 teams are also cold weather teams. Take a look at the teams and visualize where they are in the country. A large number of these programs are in NON garden spots, places in the meaty middle of the country where it's miserable during both the summer AND the winter. Now, let's focus on just the Top 10. 5 of those teams are cold weather teams. Fully 8 conferences are represented in the Top 10. There is no way that you can look at the polls and conclude that warm weather programs dominate, that any particular conference dominates, that there isn't high quality college football being played all over the country in most of the D-1 conferences. Of course, as an aside, you will also conclude that the MAC blows, with one team meekly making the Top 25. The arguments about southern demographics, about "quality" players in the south, about the fall of football in cold weather states, none of them are supported by the performance of the teams in question or the state of the major conferences around the country. There are 7 teams in the Top 25 that are located (generally) in the Southeastern US. Does 7 of 25 indicate dominance to you? I will conclude by asking how anyone in their right mind can say that in 2009/2010, the SEC is the "dominant" conference in the country?The "rise" of the southeastern football, compared to other parts of the country, is over.

I can't think of one elite NFL QB under 32 that didn't play in either a spread offense or at least one geared toward passing. Brees was from Purdue, but he grew up in Texas and Purdue runs a spread style offense. Roethlisberger ran a spread type offense at Miami. Tennessee was almost completely dependent upon Manning's arm. Brady went to Michigan but was a California kid who understood how to pass and wasn't very good in their offense at UM. Palmer won the Heisman because of his arm, not USC's defense and running game. Rivers is from NC and went to NC State where they threw constantly.Alabama is absolutely loaded with talent and it makes more traditional offenses easier to run. The spread is a good offense with only a couple of good players and lesser talent. WVU under Rodrigues had Slaton, White and Henry and that was about it. That's why they HAD to run the spread.The NFL game today is much different that even 10 years ago. Trent Dilfer is the best commentator on today's NFL and he always says the league is about QBs, WRs and coaches. Is it coincidence that the elite QBs are also the ones in the playoffs this season? Favre is not under 32, but he is an elite NFL qb. The rules in the NFL are geared toward passing....you can't touch a receiver after five yards (this penalty results in automatic first down)....if you breath on one while the ball is in the air or you get a penalty...any shot to the QBs head is a 15 year penalty...if you tackle the QB too low you get a penalty...the list could go on. Smash mouth football teams don't win the big games in the NFL anymore. The Steelers lost AFC Championship one after another until Cowher realized he needed to turn the ball over to his QB. Minnesota will not even go to the Super Bowl because they are a smash mouth team. Cincy will not win one playoff game because their coach will go Cowher and run the ball too much in the playoffs. San Diego is better because their QB is more productive and Tomlinson is less productive.Since this is a Zips board, I'll bring it all around. If the Zips ignore the fact that they have a QB with an NFL arm and start running the ball too much, they will continue to lose. The Zips badly need to find two good wide receivers for next year for Nicely to throw to. With improvements in his accuracy, I believe Nicely can be the winner we have been looking for. All they need to do on defense is show some level of ability and they should be able to win.I hope going into next year, all of you on this board make a resolution to stop thinking about college football as if it is the 1950s. It will greatly help the Great GP1 utilize his time in educating you guys and bringing our fan base into the 21st Century. I'm going to go get drunk now and I don't plan on posting tomorrow. On Saturday, I'm going to Hilton Head for a couple of nights ($40 per night at hotels) to walk the beach and go to the Jazz Corner on Sunday night to see one of my favorite bands. I don't want any more 1950s posts between now and when I get back Monday afternoon.Happy New Year from the Great GP1 and Mrs. GP1, the luckiest woman in the world!Uh yeah. You completely lost me at Trent Dilfer being the best commentator on the NFL today. That.Is.Wrong.

That's simply because you are comparing yourself to the redneck inbred hillbillies who inhabit the southeastern US. I'll take the North, the Midwest and the West of this country any and all day over ANY place south of Washington DC and east of the Colorado border.

I don't think the 3-3-5 decision was made by the linebacker coach. I would lay that at JD's feet... plus they barely used that this year. They called it the 3-3-5 but they always had someone on level with 3 LBs. More like a 3-4I was referring to Fleming, not Okruch. Also, you're right about the D last year, and I also felt they were better than they had been the year before, but how many chances are we going to have to take shots at the 3-3-5? I have to take every opportunity available.

Good luck with the 3-3-5 FIU!

Gee, I surely do love when posters MUST bring politics into football discussions.....