Dr Z

It should be one of the steps, not the only step. Kansas, Duke, UConn would be a tad extreme, not the point. Pick some teams that are top 60 to 26 instead.

If you are a program that wants to take "the next step," then go play somebody that can make you better. Go play somebody away from Akron. Not a true comparison, but the point is valid, when Bobby Bowden spoke of this very thing at the family breakfast. "When I started at FSU, nobody wanted to come to Tallahassee and play us. We had to go to other schools and play. Nebraska, four away, no return, LSU, five away, no return, two in Michigan, no return, Arizona State, no return." If I have the choice of Bryant, Bluffton, and Coppin St at home versus playing a real team on the road, I would rather see them on the road. Please don't respond by telling me about 20+ wins in todays weak Mac. 20+ wins means little when you have to win the conference to get to the dance in today's Mac. I'll take 17 wins, play some good programs on the road and raise the competition level so when you do play in the big dance you have your team READY. Whomever holds a position that uses the excuse to the fanbase of "nobody wants to come to Akron" needs to move on. We need someone to think bigger.

I would guess Kansas basketball atmosphere would be kind of cool. Some fans may look forward to that, and enjoy the trip.

If you wanted to party on the other side of the river, and like Belgian beer, stop at Sharp Edge. If you stop there, Tenpenny is close, and worth the stop. Both are still walking distance (20 min) to game. PS I do NOT recommend Sharp Edge to Kenner. You will NOT see the game. Here are just the Belgians they have on tap. "OVER THE EDGE" Our Belgian IPA 9.5%, BAVIK Belgian Pils 5.2%, BORNEM Abbey Double 8%, CHIMAY Premiere 7%, CORSENDONK Pale Ale 7.5%, DEKONINCK Belgian Strong Ale 5% DUVEL Single 6.8%, GRIMBERGEN Abbey Double 6.5% (A Dr Z favorite), GULDEN DRAAK Dark Triple 10.5%, LEFFE Blonde 6.6%, LINDEMANS Framboise (Raspberry), MAREDSOUS Bruin 8%, PALM Speciale 5.4%, PIRAAT Triple IPA 10.5 %, URTHEL HOP-it 9.5%, WITTEKERKE 5%Incase somebody wanted to plan a party in Oakland, like parting at the Townhouse when the game is at the Rubber Bowl, if the Bowl was in a cool city??? I would guess they do this for the Akron game too...if we knew the time!!! Come on man!

"This year's schedule is a difficult one, providing us the chance to play multiple high-major programs and a pair of quality mid-majors at home," Dambrot said. "We are happy to have 16 homes games, including nine in a 10-game stretch, as well as having the opportunity to play in an ESPN-sponsored event for the third-straight season." 2014-15 Akron Basketball Schedule Mon, Nov. 10 – Rochester College (Mich.)# Fri., Nov. 14 – UMBC Thurs., Nov. 20 – vs. USC (ESPN3)^ Fri., Nov. 21 – vs. Drexel or Miami (Fla.) (ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN3)^ Sun., Nov. 23 – TBD (ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN3)^ Tues., Nov. 25 – at Penn State Sun., Nov. 30 – Bryant Tues., Dec. 2 – Arkansas-Pine Bluff Thurs., Dec. 4 – Western Illinois Sat., Dec. 13 – Middle Tennessee Tues., Dec. 16 – at North Dakota State Sat., Dec. 20 – Bluffton Tues., Dec. 30 – Marshall Sat., Jan. 3 – Coppin State Tues., Jan. 6 – Western Michigan* Fri., Jan. 9 – at Toledo* Wed., Jan. 14 – Bowling Green* Sat., Jan. 17 – Central Michigan* Wed., Jan. 21 – at Northern Illinois* Sat., Jan. 24 – at Western Michigan* Tues., Jan. 27 – Ball State* Sat., Jan. 31 – at Bowling Green* Wed., Feb. 4 – at Ohio* Sat., Feb. 7 – Buffalo* Tues., Feb. 10 – Can't State* Sat., Feb. 14 – at Eastern Michigan* Wed., Feb. 18 – Toledo* Sat., Feb. 21 – Miami (Ohio)* Tues., Feb. 24 – at Buffalo* Sat., Feb. 28 – Ohio* Tues., March 3 – at Miami (Ohio)* Fri., March 6 – at Can't State* source Ken+ gets Kansas!

The last time I went to a PSU game, I was lucky enough to have field passes. During warmups I was standing next to Andrew Quarless. I said the same thing, followed up by "I hope the Steelers draft this guy." He destroyed anyone in a Zips uni that day.

Glad he is getting a second chance somewhere, hopefully he takes advantage. Good luck to him.

Ireland a 'Distraction' to coach Franklin and some team members. They landed in Pittsburgh about midnight Saturday evening, and then bused to State College soon afterward. That resulted in a bedtime approaching 3 a.m. “The hardest part was waking up in the morning,” cornerback Jordan Lucas said. “I was awake at 7 a.m. My body still felt like it was in Ireland.” I think the Zips secondary will have a lot to do with the outcome. I am confident in our front seven, our secondary has not been tested the way it will this Saturday. I will feel better about Pohl if we get another offensive lineman eligible, but even if we don't the Zips run enough quick hit stuff, he should be okay. Good luck, thanks for stopping in.

I'm jealous. I wanted to stop in Belgium on my way from Amsterdam to Germany this summer but ran out of time. I would HIGHLY recommend taking the two hour trip north to Amsterdam. Some awesome sites. Take advantage of the best beers in the world while your there. Good luck.

The Godfather (of the draft) calls Christian Hackenberg a star-in-waiting.

Good to see so many enjoy the images, makes it worth doing. Thanks for all the kind words. Go Zips!

I'll put this here since it's a little early to make a Game #7 or Game #12 thread. Zip fans have a unique opportunity to scout four opponents by watching 2 games on a Saturday the Zips don't play. Herd @ Miami 3:30 pm OU @ Dix stadium 6:00 pm If I were in town, I would head to Dix stadium Saturday evening.

Former first rounder Larry English cut.

Game time for the Akron game is still listed as TBD on GoZips. The Herdzone lists it as TBD with a 12-day window...whatever that means. I'm assuming they have up until 12 days before to announce the time!?! BS. Marshall vs Miami this Saturday at 3:30 on ESPN 3. Marshall favored by 24. Visiting Guide Thread for Marshall fans was started here. Where to stay, what to eat when in town.

George Thomas "About this middle linebacker C.J. Mizell: After the game he looked as if he was ready to go another four quarters and I have little doubt that he could have done so at the level that netted him 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. Mizell, who sat out last year after transferring, played like a beast on Red Bull." CJ is second in the country with 10 tackles. C.J. Mizell recorded 10 tackles (eight solo) and a fumble recovery to lead the defense as the unit recorded its first shutout since a 41-0 triumph over Morgan State on Sept. 12, 2009.

“I’ll take full responsibility for that. I got a little out of sync,” Pohl said. “I wasn’t standing strong in the pocket. I wasn’t making decisions like I was in that first quarter.”

Good tailgating. Perfect weather. Short beer lines. Short restroom lines. Easy to get to your seat. Easy to walk around the beautiful stadium and take in the sites. No traffic. Zips look good on offense and defense. Win. Cover. How could you not have a great time last night? I understand a-zip's frustration when you try to host, and the atmosphere is less than stellar. It is embarrassing. Winning big games will change the attendance, and Zip fans will stop trying to find reasons why the stands aren't full. Then we can start complaining about standing in long lines, and traffic. Go Zips!

Kyle Pohl hands off to Jawon Chisholm. —©Photo by Dr Z The students had a lot to cheer for during the opening game of 2014. —©Photo by Dr Z Defensive guru Chuck Amato checks in with his defense. —©Photo by Dr Z The team has fun indicating that it is the start of the fourth quarter. —©Photo by Dr Z Zips QB Tommy Woodson gets instruction from his coaches before coming in to relieve Kyle Pohl. —©Photo by Dr Z Tommy Woodson looks over the defense before the snap of the ball. —©Photo by Dr Z

Here are a few images from last night's game. The Zips enter the field showing off their much anticipated new uniforms. —©Photo by Dr Z The first defensive set of the night results in a three and out series. —©Photo by Dr Z The first offensive set of the night with the drive ending up in the endzone. —©Photo by Dr Z The first touchdown of the year is a 57 yard Kyle Pohl pass to LT Smith. —©Photo by Dr Z A nine yard touchdown strike from Kyle Pohl to Imani Davis. —©Photo by Dr Z Mykel Traylor-Bennett celebrates a 43 yard touchdown pass from Kyle Pohl. —©Photo by Dr Z Cody Grice cools off while showing off his new haircut. —©Photo by Dr Z

Catchy trend.

Zips favored by 21.5 Over/Under 55

Of course golfers like scrambles, who do you think invented them? Golfers love all kinds games to compete, that's why they exist. I'm happy to donate, but don't take away the game I love on a day I'm donating my time and my money. Once I give whatever money your asking, I'm ready to play golf. I guess I'm what you call a "purist"....I would just call it golf. The way you describe it, I would rather donate, not show up, and go play golf with my friends on a day I choose to be out of the office. Simple answer, if you need more money, just charge more up front. Golf is a great game, don't ruin it because you can't be creative enough to figure out how to raise x-amount of dollars.

Hmmmmm.....

Hackenberg Big10's Top QB Hackenberg was about as on-the-mark as anyone could have reasonably expected last season as a freshman weeks removed from high school graduation when his season began. Heading into this opener, which kicks off 8:30 a.m. Saturday against Central Florida, Hackenberg has the benefit of not only a year of body maturity but also of experience at the major-college level. Plus, Hackenberg went through spring practice for the first time. Even with a new coaching staff and slightly different scheme, Hackenberg said he's better prepared for the start of this season. Where do the Zips attack PSU's secondary? The fourth spot in the secondary -- the corner opposite Lucas -- is the only unsure part of the group. Trevor Williams is listed as the starter with Davis backing him up, but freshmen likely could see playing time. Christian Campbell and particularly Grant Haley have been talked about as backups. The other three, however, are firmly entrenched in their positions and comfort with one another, so much so that their familiarity goes beyond verbal communication. Amos says he recognizes Lucas' hand signals. Penn State Players Vacationing in Ireland For about an hour late Thursday afternoon on an artificial turf field at University College Dublin, though, Penn State's players were allowed to be kids again.“It was really cool,” linebacker Mike Hull said of tutorials in Gaelic football and hurling from players in the top leagues of Ireland's flagship sports. “We all like playing sports, and we all always made up sports like that growing up. It was a lot of fun.

Connor to play on BOTH sides of the ball As Conner prepares for Pitt's 2014 season, which opens Saturday against Delaware at Heinz Field, he does so not just as the Panthers' No. 1 running back, but also as a key pass rusher in their third-down defensive packages. Basically, the blueprint for Conner is to play running back on first and second down, then work with the defense on third downs when the opponent is in a passing situation. Pitt Rebuilding the DefenseChange has arrived after the departure of six starters, but the plan formulated by coach Paul Chryst when House was hired two years ago remains in place, with its intended result.Not on the field — that will be determined by the next 12 games, starting against Delaware on Saturday at Heinz Field. But the part that was a Chryst mandate: Play a lot of guys.House did that last year, allowing 20 passing touchdowns (11th in the ACC). The good news is the two-deep depth chart is loaded with players who wear scars from last season but may be better for the experience