Dr Z

MassLive: UMass vs. Akron game preview: After separating his shoulder late last week against Ball State, Kelton Brackett is questionable to play (he was in a sling all week). And if he does play, it'll be in limited snaps with limited effectiveness. Marken Michel and Trey Seals, have both missed extended time and don't figure to suit up. Whipple gushed over the senior linebacker earlier in the week, calling him the best linebacker UMass has seen in the MAC. And for good reason. Brown, despite size limitations, is second in the MAC in sacks. He's the heart and soul of a good Akron defense, one that stops the run as well as anyone in the nation.

Might have to do with the funny things that happen at Gillette stadium. Odds are still holding at two and a half.

George had this story (about the game) up at 10 pm last night with nine photos from Ed Suba Jr.

Can someone periscope it?

I wish the Zips had the coaches All-22 film so I could study all his routes compared to his replacement at the "X" or split end position when he isn't on the field. He should be running mostly long routes. From the X position, I see the majority of routes run to the sideline; outs, corners and ups. From his position I don't see many "in the middle of the field routes"; hitch, slant, or hooks. I have seen some posts. He has about nine routes to run, most of which our offense rarely run from his SE position. I would need some solid proof to the above statement to convince me of it. I could buy that he runs a lot of long routes and comes off the field for a breather, but that should only take him off the field occasionally, not mostly. I haven't studied his blocking on runs plays enough to know if that is a strength or weakness, but you would have a hard time convincing me that someone is so much better, that he would not see the field because of it. With the quality of our opponents left on our schedule, I would hope that Jerome gets a lot of route running practice during game time. My critic of the offense so far would be to let TW use the middle of the field more at this juncture of the season. I think because of the mistakes he made last year over the middle, the play calling is limiting him this year. Seems too conservative to me. Personally, I think it's too easy to defend all our sideline routes. TW should be comfortable enough now to command an expanded passing attack, and JL should be involved more.

It will be interesting to see if anyone takes the home favorite?

Oddsshark predicts Akron 28 Umass 25. Whipple Loves the Akron Defense. After eight games, they're the only unit in the MAC that has allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards per game. They're 97.6-yard average ranks eighth nationally behind power programs like Alabama, LSU and Michigan. Whipple praised defensive coordinator Chuck Amato and his penchant for using multiple, varied looks in the front seven. "They play three different fronts, so they force you to have some issues schematically in blocking schemes and pass protection. They'll mix it up, Chuck always has," he said. 'They can rush the passer with four down or rush with three and the blitz game in the weak, strong or overloads.

Nice article. I would hope to see JL7's snaps and targets increase. If somebody wants a project at the game, count his snaps. I'm guessing it's been less than fifty percent. I could be wrong, just a guess. Turn he and TW loose one game this year.

They play like they did against the Zips, I don't see them losing to another team. I'm looking forward to seeing how Toledo defends BG's offense on 11/17.

Feel free to discuss your answers. Members that answer all three correctly will be recognized Sunday morning. Last weeks winners were; Johnnyzip84, Captain Kangaroo, KentZip, ZippyRulz, Zipgrad01, and MDZip.

Boy is this the truth. This is why I really hope we get to a bowl game. I hope by getting the extra practices/reps, stuff like this starts to go away.

Haven't looked at one of these in a long time. Reading back through this thread brings up some dark days. 8. UMess (1-7) This weekend the Minutemen host Akron. No offense to the Zips, but they are merely garnish for the UMass schedule that follows, with a trip to Oopsilanti on Nov. 14 and a visit from My Hammy of Ohio one week later. It's going to be like the three-man staredown at the end of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" if we replaced The Good with something not as good.

I'll predict that one of the guys coming off the bench will start playing well at some point during the season. A ZN member will suggest that the player should be starting. A ZN member will argue that it doesn't matter who starts, and that player provides a spark off the bench. He will probably cite some sixth man of the year stat. Another ZN member will argue that if that player starts, he would score more points to help the team. Another ZN member will argue that even if he starts he isn't going to get anymore minutes.

Sounds great. Does anyone know the budget?

Heroin in the Heartland. NOVEMBER 1, 2015, 7:22 PM The faces of heroin include the young, middle-to-upper class and suburban. What was once thought of as an inner-city problem is now a national epidemic. Bill Whitaker reports.

The Minutemen are favored by one and a half.

Photos from GoZips dot com here. Photos from Mike Cardew of the AJB here.

Not the same jersey as the rest of the team. Seen here.

Newman Williams was injured early during a five yard reception. —©Photo by Dr Z Connor Hundley fights for yardage. —©Photo by Dr Z Jordan George celebrates his interception with his teammates. —©Photo by Dr Z Van Edwards turns the corner on one of his two carries. —©Photo by Dr Z Se'Von Pittman slows the runner as Rodney Coe eyes his target. —©Photo by Dr Z The Zips defense harasses quarterback Cooper Rush. —©Photo by Dr Z The Zips offense came up short on a Hail Mary pass to end the day. —©Photo by Dr Z

Freshman Kyle Ritz makes room for a Tommy Woodson pass. —©Photo by Dr Z Se'Von Pittman helps hold CMU to thirty-nine yards rushing on the day. —©Photo by Dr Z Joe Bacci scores a two yard touchdown on his only catch of the day. —©Photo by Dr Z Rodney Coe and DeAndre Scott take a break after another defensive stop. —©Photo by Dr Z Offensive coordinator AJ Milwee celebrates another Jerome Lane long touchdown reception. —©Photo by Dr Z Quarterback Tommy Woodson expresses emotion after a review confirms his touchdown pass. —©Photo by Dr Z The Zips defense held the Chips to an average of 1.6 yards a carry on the day. —©Photo by Dr Z

Once again, Johnnyzip84 wins. Simply amazing. Joining him this week are Captain Kangaroo, KentZip, ZippyRulz, Zipgrad01, and MDZip. Congratulations guys!

Brett Nault previews the game, and picks the Chips -3.5.

Feel free to discuss the reasoning behind your answers. Members that answer all three correctly will be recognized Sunday morning.