ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net

Thanks Cap'n. That's exactly what we were collectively looking for, the context and content of the situation. I will ask no more Bain questions until it's time for Spring ball.I'll also point out that in the larger scheme of things, for Ryan to receive a solid education and Bachelor's Degree, and to play some high quality football for this program in its inaugural season at InfoSumma, aren't exactly chicken feed. Here's hoping we see the big man crush some opposing linemen with pancake blocks next year as the Zips rise into the top 25.BEAT BGSU. GO ZIPPERS.SeeTeeZip

OK, I agree with everything you just said. Now let's see it happen! You've got me pumped up to see UA make good things happen for the program, for the community, the students and the fans. Who buys the first round for Zipsnation posters at the first home game at the Info next year? I vote for the Cap'n!GO ZIPS! SeeTeeZipper

Call me the Eternal Optimist. I voted for a win >10. I think that in one of these games Akron will outperform our expectations in a big way, and why not this week? Beautiful weather, good times ahead for the program, a team that should be maturing, a QB that (here's where I go crazy with hope) should be growing up and learning from his mistakes. I also think that with the talent that Bowser has, he and Jac are going to explode one of these weeks. BGSU is full of false pride after losing to Eastern, instead of taking a spoonful of humility, as we've seen on the BGSU boards. This is the week that Akron separates from the rest of the pack.Alas, I won't be in attendance at the game or at OBC tomorrow, but I ask that everybody here add some anti-BGSU hostility and cheering for me, and as always.... GO ZIPS! SeeTeeZip

Agreed, but I think the lower limit (if we're playing poorly) would be 2 years of drawing just for the stadium. Alot of people will go the first year, but if they witness a sloppy unprofessional loss, then that'll probably be it for them.I'm not one for looking at the glass half empty, and I'm pretty sure this won't happen, but the worst thing that could happen to Akron is to be 3 years into a new stadium and you're having to run the "discounted tickets through Giant Eagle" and "kids get in free with parent purchase" promotions.If, big picture, we want to become the best MAC football program, and potentially move on and up... then we MUST sell out every homegame for the next two years. If we can't do it with the Rowdies, a brand new stadium on campus, and BCS caliber recruits like Devoe, then we never will. I think that's just the truth. But I think we will do just that, sell out every home game, if we create a schedule that:1) allows us to be 7-3 going into the last home game 2) with wins over an NC State or a UConn 3) and no blowout losses to a BCS power4) and playing for a MAC playoff spot.I'm still torn on the big money games, and here's why: Most years we lose to the "name" schools in the money games, although there have not been many crushing losses by 50 points recently. One of these years, the stars will align and the Zips will win one of these games, which if it happened as the program is surging ahead with new facilities and better talent would potentially provide a slingshot-like boost to the program. Let's all remember too that with the economy falling apart at the international level, the chances aren't bad that people will be looking for affordable entertainment, and comfort, close to home in the next several years (no I'm not joking about that). Zips football may fill a vital niche in Akron, with really good major college entertainment right down town, which will be MUCH more accessible and affordable than any other option available to those in the metro area. Beyond those thoughts, whether or not it's a great thing to ever attain major "name" status is something I'm torn about quite frankly. The thought of ticket lotteries, auctions, having to fight crowds for tickets and parking; some of the things that come along with such status are not attractive to me. Are there programs that reside in the middle? Someone describe a program that has "name" draw, plays high quality major college football, gets press coverage and draws well, but isn't so "mega" that you have to sell your soul for tickets or deal with NFL-like hassles to see the games. That's where I'd like to see the Zips wind up. GO ZIPS! BEAT BGSU!SeeTeeZip

Someone in here had to have known this all along, and yet we've all been left to guess about what the deal has been with Bain. Ridiculous.Here's hoping that he gets that final year so he can crush some inferior Mack linemen for the Zips!SeeTeeZip

I agree with this. Non UA-related fans won't come to see games just because we're playing who WE see as rivals or good games. Face it, we need to win, and win often. Some of us have a hard time getting up for the last homegame in a 5 win season, AND WE'RE DIEHARDS!Joe 6-pack (god bless palin) isn't gonna give up his Saturday to watch a losing program just because it's a new stadium.We win to put butts in the seats, then they develop a closeness with the program and a disdain for our rivals, THEN they stick with us when we struggle and stick up for us at work when we lose to a strong BCS team down the road.I think that's the formula.For at least the first couple of years at the new stadium, fans will come even if we have a poor team. Don't underestimate the draw that a facility can be. GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

So let's see an Akron ass kicking and jump on their boards to rub it in over the rest of the weekend!GO ZIPS! SeeTeeZip

Before the season I picked up the 2008/2009 Priority Reserve package and while sitting on the bleacher seats at Dix stadium yesterday wondered whether my old self will be sitting on benches at Info next year or cushy seatbacks. Does anyone know whether other than loge/luxury seats will have seatbacks?GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

Way to go big man! Have a fantastic senior year, be a fine young man, make your family proud, study hard and get ready for what will be the rest of your life. Oh, and have fun doing it all.SeeTeeZip

Defensively, B-Will was outstanding again, and as a matter of fact most of the DB's played pretty well.MDZip did you make it to the game this week?

I know that this is an eminently arguable point, but after watching the running game today, if DeVoe appears to be the real deal there is NO reason to play games with redshirting him. We need him to be on the field if he's the best back they have. Kennedy just did not impress me today, and without the three-headed monster the Zips had at their disposal before last week the running attack looks, well, terrible. Anyone have any inside scoop on just how good DeVoe looks in practice compared with their other current options?I say WHIP IT, WHIP IT GOOD. GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZipper

Being at the game in an area packed with Hippie Tech students, they were confident and cheering hard the entire game, but that replay call just sucked the life entirely out of the entire student body. That was a wonderful thing! As the end of the game approached a couple of us looked at that wagon wheel on the side line and wondered how crappppy it would be to have to watch Kan't players bum rush the sideline to grab it. It was a really nice feeling walking out knowing it will be safely where it ought to be for another year.Silly Kan't Skaters. They almost thought they had it! GO ZIPS.SeeTeeZip

The Zips' D has been playing extremely well the past 2 weeks making this team for real. We beat down Ball State the next time we play them... in Detroit! Fear the Roo!Not so fast. I thought exactly the same way until going to the game today. The Zips looked slow, overmatched and poorly coached. I saw lots of Jack from last year, and it freaked me out. Someone please help me feel good about this win today, because I feel palpably worse after this win than I did after the Cinci loss. A fumbling, turnover-laden and weak win against Hippie Tech is not a great thing in my eyes this evening. However, we are 3-3, and I suppose I'm happy with that record against our opponents so far. <<<---See, the optimist in me is trying mightily to come out. GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

Was at the game today, sitting amidst a sea of Kan't students opposite the Press Box side. After the first offensive drive the Zippers were awful, I mean just awful. Even though I know we won the game on the scoreboard, I actually felt on the way home as if we lost today. The O-line was overmatched, I wanted to choke Jac, who looked like the same uncertain goof ball as last year, and the Zips in general were uninspired and uninspiring. I'm still very disappointed, although somehow we pulled it out. I'll stop venting, and we'll all hope that they get their heads out of their behinds before taking on BG next weekend. For those of you who were there today, imagine THAT many students, plus the rest of the Akron-area community at home Infocision games next year. Akron sports are about to become a major community event, in general, unlike they've been before. I can't wait to be a part of it.GO ZIPS.

And the Zips WILL crush the Hippies...GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

Very interesting! I say that if Devoe is the best they've got at this point, put the ball in his hands. We've all heard a lot about his skill set and talent. I have no problem losing the redshirt if he's the best option. Considering how much better the Zips are this year than most of us expected, if you knew that playing Devoe would make a demonstrable difference, to not play him would be tantamount to saying the season is lost and we're already waiting for next year, 5 weeks into the season.I say WHIP IT, WHIP IT GOOD, and GO ZIPPERS.SeeTeeZip

Who's in the mood for a never-in-question ass kicking next weekend? Akron is on the rise and Hippie Tech is falling apart, and fast. I'm not expressing false hope here. I really think that after playing so well against very good teams so far, once the Zips play some "normal" crappy MAC teams we're going to see a dominant Zips football team begin to shine. How do posters feel about the prospect of seeing DeVoe play this weekend? I must admit I don't know much about Gary Pride, but I see DeVoe on the sideline and wonder how he might look getting some snaps. I say WHIP IT.Go Zips!SEETEEZIP

Was at the game yesterday. Great weather, decent crowd, incredibly exciting game. The hitting was tremendous, as evidenced (unfortunately) by four players being ambulanced/carted off of the field. Of course there were mistakes, the Big East officials were making questionable calls all afternoon, but for crying out loud this was supposed to be a game where the Bearcats came in and blew up the Zips. Instead, the Zips D was blowing up plays all afternoon, Lemon and Grant were all over the field, the offense was able to move the ball. Right to the end of the game, I sat there thinking that this was real, legitimate, major college football. This Zips team has been woefully underrated this year, and perhaps the Bearcats are overrated. Was I ppisssed at the bad calls? Was I angry at some of the kicking gaffes, the funky play calling a couple of times? Did I want to throw my bottle on the field at the refs a few times? Hell yes I did. However, even with the let down that ended the game, as I walked to my car I felt good about these Zips. This is a hard-hitting, fighting, tough scrabble team here in town, and they should (please, please) get better. If we can crush Hippy Tech next week, we'll be about as positive a 3-3 as many of us would have hoped for going into the season.Based on the HUGE questions going into the season, and most of the predictions that I saw, this team is overperforming and looks to be a MAC team on the rise. GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

It was another fine day for the Road Runner Akron Marathon yesterday. Not sure how many actually ran, but predictions were around 10,000. For those of you who haven't been a part of the race, it is incredibly well-run and has become one of the best marathons and relays in the country. One of the best things about it is the team relay, such that you can form a 5-person team and take part without having to run more than ~10K. The crowds are getting better and better each year too. FWIW, I am in no way affiliated with the race, other than as a runner. This event is becoming a real community gem, and we should all support it.GO ZIPS, GO AKRON!SeeTeeZip

He's not. Move on. Questions about Bain in 2008 are as useful as one's regarding David Harvey.Barring a miracle, forget about Bain in 2008.Yeah, fine Cap'n, but why? Why does it seem somehow verboten on the board for (1) all of us to ask about the mystery behind Bain's status, and (2) for those who represent themselves as bring "in the loop" to discuss what's going on with the kid. Until there is a sense that we have some clue as to what's going on with Bain, the questions will continue. SeeTeeZipper

I'm thinking that maybe some OSU underpants, thong style preferred, would be nice....GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

In a very brief checking of Cincinnati forums, it appears that many of their fans are looking for a killing at the Rubber Bowl this weekend. Here's hoping we can send them home with happy and positive memories of their warm Akron welcome, PLUS a miserable and crushing loss on the field! :wave: :wave: GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

So is anyone who beats Akron a jerk? You said the BSU fans came to sit in a UofA section and were crude... Turns out the vast majority of BSU fans sat together... behind their own team. Now a guy who very well may never play football again is a mouthy jerk?Get over yourself, visiting troll. YES, several BSU fans who sat in the AKRON section at the Akron/BSU were less than fun to listen to. Is it really that much to ask for the visiting fans to NOT sit smack dab in the middle of the AKRON home section? And yes, during that game I watched Love on many plays specifically because he came in with the hot hand, and was a "name" player to many of us. On many plays he was talking enough smack that I was waiting for one of the BSU coaches to tell him to get his head in the game. Obviously talented, but beyond cocky, veering into being easy to dislike. I already said that I would wish permanent harm on no one, but man, you are working my last nerve. Take it back to YOUR OWN BOARD.SeeTeeZip

I talked to one of the bartenders about that and she showed me a schedual that says what they are suppose to wear. I asked to talk to the bar manager about that but he wasn't around. I make a point not to hate on OSU because it does nothing but make us look like little jealous third grade girls but I think it's kinda silly that they would make their bartenders wear OSU stuff when they are hosting a bunch of Akron fans. who knows maybe that'll chage as the season goesI believe there was a thread about that last year during the UA-OSU game too. There were a lot of UA fans at one establishment and the staff was wearing OSU gear. I thought that was 100% BS.This was a game that UA was playing in and the bar was in Akron, yet they wore OSU gear. That is BS.OK BuckZip, I have to say I am impressed by your very rare ability to actually be a fan of both teams. If I meet you at a game at the Info or at one of the local watering holes during a game party I'll buy you a beer. Go Zips!SeeTeeZip

Check out Rasor's blog guys. Some great info on Bain, the great enigma of the Zips' D this year. I pare it down to:"Ryan Bain's problems are with the NCAA, not the foot.""My point is, don't expect to see him in uniform this season, or maybe ever.""Putting Bain on the injured list, however, is misleading."Hmmmmmm. ?????????????When is someone, anyone, going to to just explain what is happening, or should I say what happened, with Bain? Why all of the obfuscation, from the team, in the news, even on this board?Cap'n?GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip