Dr Z

Can't State (2-1, 0-0, MAC) at Akron (1-2, 0-0 MAC), Noon ETSite: Rubber BowlSeries: Akron leads 27-20-2 (Last meeting: Can't State 37, Akron 15 in 2006).Television: ESPN Regional - List of Affiliateswagon_wheel.jpgOutlook: It may not have the national recognition of the Little Brown Jug or the longevity of the Victory Bell, but the Wagon Wheel trophy will be on the line when these two cross-town rivals collide in Akron. The teams have split the last four meetings with Akron winning the past two matchups at the Rubber Bowl. The Zips opened the season with a win against Army but have dropped two straight against Big Ten foes. QB Carlton Jackson came off the bench last week and sparked a valiant comeback effort, before the Zips fell to Indiana, 41-27, throwing for 200 yards and recording three touchdowns, earning the start this week for the Zips. The Zips hope that Jackson can spark an offense that ranks last in the MAC in total offense and is averaging just 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. Zips WR Jabari Arthur however is having a solid season, and is third in the MAC, averaging 91.7 yards receiving per game. Can't State enters the contest coming off a home-opening win over Delaware State, 38-7. The flushes posses the MAC's top rushing offense, led by MAC rushing leader Eugene Jarvis and QB Julian Edelman who combined are averaging 192 yards on the ground. Can't State also leads the MAC in total defense and have been particularly stingy against the pass, allowing only 146.7 yards through the air. A victory would give Can't State its first 3-1 start since 1987. The flushes have been impressive in the early going and have to be considered early favorites for a MAC East title.Prediction: Can't State 31, Akron 26. Mac Report Online

Can't State @ AkronMid American Conference footbal 2007 Can't State (2-1, 0-0 MAC East, 0-0 MAC Overall) at Akron (1-2, 0-0 MAC East, 0-0MAC Overall) - NoonSITE: Rubber Bowl (31,000/AstroPlay) - Akron, OhioTELEVISION: ESPN Plus/ESPN Game Plan (Jim Barbar, Bob Chmiel)SERIES RECORD: Akron leads 27-20-2 ... the rivals have split the last four meetings with Can't Statecapturing last year’s contest 37-15 ... since Akron joined the MAC in 1992, the Zips hold a 10-5series advantage ... the schools will be competing for the Wagon Wheel trophy.COACHES: Can't State-Doug Martin (14-23, fourth season); UA-J.D. Brookhart (19-20, fourth season).Can't State @ Akron - GAME NOTES: Can't State’s 28-7 win over Delaware State last week pushed the Golden flushes to a 2-1 start for the first time since 2003 ... Can't State has not been 3-1 since 1987 ... the Zips dropped their second consecutive Big Ten road loss last week at Indiana, 41-24, although they trailed just 27-24 with seven minutes remaining ... Can't State’s Eugene Jarvis leads the MAC in rushing (380 yards) and QB Julian Edelman has added 196 rushing yards to the attack ... last week Jarvis rushed for 136 yards, his third consecutive game with 100-plus yards ... the Zips have used both Chris Jacquemain and Carlton Jackson at QB ,,, at IU, Jackson came off the bench to pass for 200 yards and two scores and rush for another 71 yards and a third TD, and that includes -39 yards on four sacks ... defensively, UA’s Andre Jones had an end zone interception at IU ... this will be this Zips first game in 2007 at the Rubber Bowl as their opener vs. Army was held at Browns Stadium.Nick’s Pick: Can't State 34 – Akron 28Line: Can't State by 3Comment: Quite possibly the best MAC game of the weekend. Two long-time rivals who are just a few miles from one another, who dislike one another and who both have rebuilt their football programs and are now playing good football. Yes, this is going to be a terrific contest that on paper should be a defensive slugfest. Considering that each team has big-play abilities, I’m going against traditional wisdom of a low scoring game and seeing a shootout. Can't has had better QB play to date so that gives the Golden flushes the upper hand. Enjoy this game people! Nick

Akron is superior to K-en't in every way.

I listened to some of the show last week. Nice job (from what I heard).I like to hear the player interviews. Looking forward to listening to the show in the lot as we continue to tailgate after the big victory this week.

I don't think I have come close to a JD coached Zips score yet, but here goes:Top MAC defenses will mean little in this one.Zips 28Can't 24Should be a good game. Home field advantage brings the wheel back where it belongs.Akron makes it 9 out of the last 11 against Can't.

No, but some of their fans lurk here though.

Agreed. I used to feel the same, then I met and talked with Joe, that guy REALLY bleeds Blue & Gold. I gained a lot of respect for him that day, and his "homerism" is tolerable to listen to for me now.Keep up the good work Joe

You can download the pdf here if you still don't believe (listed on page 14)Maybe somebody can get a photo of him holding up Saturday's BJ

Wonder if Charlie would have been better off getting cut last week?I wonder if they talked to Charlie before they traded him and asked if he wanted cut?

Only two photos I found of him from that game. Don't read too much into it.I guess if you don't want your photo taken of (you) missing tackles...don't miss.If you find photos of him making a good play in the game, this would be a great place to post them.

Indiana wide receiver James Hardy, left, runs out of the tackle of Akron's John Mackey Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis (15) runs past Akron's John Mackey

Since everybody did such a great job last year, seems like a good idea again.Be creative. Good luck.You can upload & host an image here if you need to

Should have "opened" his play book for Florida earlier this year.

Found it.Here is a blow by blow of the first three sacks:Sack #1: On a simple four-man rush with no trickery right tackle Kevin Shaffer was simply blown back into Frye by Aaron Smith for the sack. The sack occurred 2.97 seconds after the snap, so it's borderline, but this one is more about the offensive line than Frye.Sack #2: This was a little more difficult of a disguised blitz for the line to pick up. The Steelers rushed two linemen while bringing three linebackers in a well-designed dime defense on third and 12. But again it's less about trickery than a man being beaten head-to-head. Linebacker James Farrior simply bull rushed left tackle Joe Thomas back to Frye. Shaffer was also being beaten on a speed rush by LaMarr Woodley on the other edge which forced Frye to step up into Farrior. The sack came 2.75 seconds after the snap so it again seems to be more of a line problem than Frye.Sack #3: There's no way to blame Frye for this sack. Just 1.5 seconds after he took the snap, and as he set to throw on a three-step drop, Frye was hit and sacked by Clark Haggans coming off his blind side. The Steelers sent Haggans and two defensive backs on a blitz from the left side. With no one in the backfield for blitz pickup there simply was too many rushers and not enough blockers.Does anybody in the Cleveland media have the balls to dispute the Browns front office with this? My guess...no.

I wish somebody had an image of Shaffer getting pancaked during that game. Funniest thing I have ever seen from an OL.

Looks like he is holding on to the ball too long here.

I also thought this was a jab at CharlieThe Browns look chaotic by doing this now. Yet trading a below-average quarterback who beat up on stiffs after a debacle isn't a big deal.

No, I thought the same thing

Does anybody remember watching Igor's high school highlights?

Does Youngstown still have a team?

I wonder how many Frye Seattle jerseys people will be wearing in Clowns stadium?Remember when everybody was wearing the Bernie Dallas jersey?