MaxZIP

Would an upstart FCS team help them to lose the status?

I understand the argument. It is based on speculation. 5 or six teams have made the jump to FBS in the last 15 years. Some of the major conferences are getting larger, some have shrunk, and some non AQ teams have gotten better and moved up. Why does everybody think that even if the super conferences form that they won’t break up again in 5 years. There will always be disgruntled teams especially in a 16 team league. The super conference Armageddon is probably being hyped too much. I think that 16 team conferences will actually make the bottom 50% (8 teams) of each competitive with the non AQ conference teams. Most top level recruits will be attracted to the same teams as they are now. Will Colorado suddenly have a recruiting class like USC? Nebraska should realize little difference in their recruits besides where they come from (Not to bring up southern talent vs north). Utah made a jump and will probably improve slightly but most likely they will only steal from BYU and other PAC-10 teams. Top to bottom there will be more disparity within conferences. Some schools will add to coffers and some will be a liability. Why will the top 5-8 teams in a super conference continue to support the bottom half instead of breaking away and form a smaller richer conference? The conference change cycle has been happening for years. The push for conference owned media companies adds an interesting twist to the decision to leave or stay in a particular conference. The Big ten network model will not be as successful everywhere and will lead to disparity among conference members. Launching a station requires a large initial investment from involved parties. What happens if the network fails or just plain doesn’t get the ratings to meet conference members lofty revenue expectations? The conference will probably break.

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School senior Mark Murphy has made an oral commitment to continue his football and academic careers on scholarship at Indiana University. Indiana is making a killing in Ohio.

What does the NCAA stand to gain from making yet another tier of DIV-1 football. Individual schools have the choice to remain FBS. If schools are willing to put the money up to remain in the league then let them. FCS is always an option but to force the hands of programs that are willing to dedicate resources to the cause is a bad call. The BCS is already a monopolistic organization and gaining the attention of disgruntled congressmen. Why push the issue and go to 64 teams if the majority of college football fans know that non BCS teams are already playing from behind. I think the NCAA would be silly to further restrict the potential growth of programs that want to experience top-level college football. ECU, South Florida, Boise State, and countless other programs have made the jump and had marked success. Splitting the league would make the rich richer and the poor even more broke. It is very un-American to have a more defined class system in college football. At least having the ideal that any team can succeed against the big boys is better than playing in a second class league. Will the number of schollys be cut in the new middle league? Will the stadiums be taken off the map? Will TV companies flock to cover the new league? The answer to all is no. Where will the perceived advantages to the lower tier div-1 schools come from. They won't be saving money and won't be playing in the top league. In fact they might lose money due to not receiving any BCS money, multiple cash games, and/or fan support. I know that Akron could probably win on the field playing other mid-level teams but what does it matter if they are losing as much money. I think that all of you who want to drop see it as the easy way out. Drop down and win now because we are Akron and we will never be good. I trust in the dedication of Dr. Proenza and we can finally see his support in facilities and salary dollars. Give the new program a few years to grow and see where we are in 5 years. Dropping to FCS is basically quitting. Wining some games at the highest level is better than a couple more at a handicapped level. Naming new levels of DIV-1 football is a way to give organizations excuses for not being able to build a successful program. It is also a way for anal fans categorize teams so they are neat and pretty in their place among similar programs. Please don’t even try to tell me that Akron is second tier because they haven’t had success in the past. We are in a different situation now with growing fan support (despite poor record), new stadium, stronger academics, higher enrollment, higher profile, and most important of all a president that values athletics as a tool. Commence ripping my ideas now GO ZIPS

He has good size and will help where the zips are thin. I hope he passes the classes and shows up in the fall.

And why is that? Because the Buckeyes have had generation after generation of fans who look to Columbus because they W I N. Every year. A lot of them are alumni, some were brought up to watch "Ohio's team". Others just want to watch a winner for a change. I'll use my worn out analogy they use to drive to Summit County to see indoor soccer. Because the Force were contenders year in and year out. One they figured out the team couldn't win when it counted, the bottom dropped out. But Cleveland fans will travel to Akron to see a winner, smack in the middle of a football hotbed. Going to a more "standard" offense and defense will help, hard core football fans look at the MAC the same way they look at arena football. We have to start a winning tradition first. At what level of winning? I'm sorry. People in the Cleveland area don't yearn for the opportunity to pack the kids in the car and spend an afternoon in Akron because they are anxious to see them put a hurtin on teams like Eastern Michigan or Buffalo. Cincinnati changed some allegiances in SW Ohio away from OSWHO because they were on a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP run. People went to Force gaimes when they had a chance to win a national title as well. Akron plays for a title in a low-level league, and a chance to play in a low level bowl game. I am sure none of us expect an all or nothing type of support from the entire Cleveland area. I am expecting that if Akron plays well people will come to see the games. Northeast Ohio is a hotbed of talent and fans. I go to see at least 3 high school football games a year at schools I don’t have any affiliation with just because they are good games. I know that you think that they must make a title run or must be playing some BCS team to pull in 25,000 people. I think that playing consistently solid football and being on the radar regionally would bring in more than enough true football fans to drive the program forward. The organization can’t sit back and say… well they haven’t come before so why now or well Clevelanders won’t pack up the car and come to Akron because... Football fans will drive 30-45 min to watch a good game or to see a high profile team in town. Play good football and the greater Akron area has the population and football fanbase (not just ZIPS) to make the program a respectable member of FBS.

Tell the guy in the bandana that wearing it all day and night will lead to a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage and wearing too much makeup...

I struggled to find bars showing the games last year and ended up watching them on internet feeds. Did any bars in the area acquire out of region channels for the purpose of showing the game last year? The Tap house told me they had bought access for the Buffalo game but when I walked in they looked at me like I was crazy. Where do you guys go to watch the games? Any bar willing to actively pursue buying channels showing ZIP's games can have my $50-$100 bar tab.

All of the talk of conference realignment and size of TV markets has me wondering just how many viewers a successful team in Akron could pull. The Akron-Cleveland market in # 18 in the country. Location could be the Zips greatest ally if they start playing solid football.

I think Mrs. Ianello had something to do with this. Like someone on here said before. Sign her up. At least somebody is doing something out in Zips marketing land.

Give him a chance. Harsh comments this early get nothing accomplished.

See basketball SOS discussion please.

I feel CK's pain. Both my wife and myself recieved a solicitation from the University for donations prior to recieving our diplomas. She also recieved one from the Z fund because she was an athlete. Hell the least they could have done was to send the $40,000 piece of paper prior to asking for a donation.

Lot 34 is/was $5 last year and was a darn good time. Plenty of other tailgaters and a good party every game. Join us and don't pay for priority. Hell, get there early enough and it is free. We were able to take advantage of that twice last year. Yeah, i tailgated there every game and never paid anything. I had a great time there and we were never even bothered by Police or anything. Surprising what with our 30 foot beer bong, kegerator, and flip cup games. That bong was crazy. Were you the guys doing the beer relays as well?

Lot 34 is/was $5 last year and was a darn good time. Plenty of other tailgaters and a good party every game. Join us and don't pay for priority. Hell, get there early enough and it is free. We were able to take advantage of that twice last year.

I enjoyed lot 34 last year. Good times, easy out, and a nice stroll/stumble through campus before the game.

have all the fun you want. Just messin bro. Keep it hip and lame.

Apparently Hip Zip isn't that hip...that joke was lame

Again, you are thinking in the extreme. Morgan State is I-AA. One Morgan State is fine. Two probably not. Three, no way. One PSU is fine, two probably not, three, no thanks. Is it exciting for me to watch UofA take a beat down three of four ooc games against BCS teams? No. In fact, it is a comlete waste of time. Would I be more excited against Colorado State or New Mexico State or MTSU or Marshall? Hell yes! I want to watch the Zips play good competition against teams they have a realistic shot at beating and the other team has a realistic shot at beating the Zips. That's good competition. They are guaranteed to beat Morgan State. They are guaranteed to lose to PSU. They could beat a non-BCS team. I'll take the excitement of the unknown in a game matching two well equal teams rather than a certain loss or certain win. I would love to see teams on the lower end of the BCS success cycle(Maryland, BC, UCONN, Syracuse, Virginia, Iowa State, Indiana). Who cares about MTSU (Besides Mr. Holcomb) and New Mexico State. Colorado State would be ok and Marshall would be better than average. Schedule up and play up. The key factor is getting them to Akron. Buffalo has done what Akron only can dream of. I still remember the hype surrounding when Wisconsin visited Can't. Bringing top teams to Akron will do more for the program and the school than even joining C-USA. Grab the attention of local fans. Orlando Sentinel Link No. 120 Eastern Michigan No. 119 FIU No. 118 Western Kentucky No. 117 Miami (Ohio) No. 116 Tulane No. 115 Memphis No. 114 San Jose State No. 113 North Texas No. 112 Washington State No. 111 Toledo No. 110 UNLV No. 109 New Mexico No. 108 Colorado State No. 107 Rice No. 106 Ball St. No. 105 Utah St. No. 104 Syracuse Would you really like to bring in some crap teams ad "enjoy" the game? I know they ar preseason rankings and all but either traveling to or getting them to travel here would be a huge waste of money. Remember, Wisconsin visited Can't as a favor! Can't still had to pay their travel expenses and they still could not sell it out! Bringing in bad BCS teams can just be as bad (Indiana anyone?). Noone will care if you beat up on them. You need mid-range BCS teams to beat up on, then people will start to care. Mid-range BCS (Maryland, BC, UCONN, Syracuse, Virginia, Iowa State, Indiana) have good and bad years in typically a 3-5 year cycle. I advocate putting them on the schedule when they are low and play them when they are mid to high. Scheduled 1 for 1 games are arranged at least 1-2 year prior to the first game. BTW you remember the situation surrounding the Wisconsin/Can't game because Wisconsin came to Can't. Can you tell me the situation surrounding and the attendance of any other non BCS OCC game that took place years ago in DIX stadium off the top of your head?

Again, you are thinking in the extreme. Morgan State is I-AA. One Morgan State is fine. Two probably not. Three, no way. One PSU is fine, two probably not, three, no thanks. Is it exciting for me to watch UofA take a beat down three of four ooc games against BCS teams? No. In fact, it is a comlete waste of time. Would I be more excited against Colorado State or New Mexico State or MTSU or Marshall? Hell yes! I want to watch the Zips play good competition against teams they have a realistic shot at beating and the other team has a realistic shot at beating the Zips. That's good competition. They are guaranteed to beat Morgan State. They are guaranteed to lose to PSU. They could beat a non-BCS team. I'll take the excitement of the unknown in a game matching two well equal teams rather than a certain loss or certain win. I would love to see teams on the lower end of the BCS success cycle(Maryland, BC, UCONN, Syracuse, Virginia, Iowa State, Indiana). Who cares about MTSU (Besides Mr. Holcomb) and New Mexico State. Colorado State would be ok and Marshall would be better than average. Schedule up and play up. The key factor is getting them to Akron. Buffalo has done what Akron only can dream of. I still remember the hype surrounding when Wisconsin visited Can't. Bringing top teams to Akron will do more for the program and the school than even joining C-USA. Grab the attention of local fans. Orlando Sentinel Link No. 120 Eastern Michigan No. 119 FIU No. 118 Western Kentucky No. 117 Miami (Ohio) No. 116 Tulane No. 115 Memphis No. 114 San Jose State No. 113 North Texas No. 112 Washington State No. 111 Toledo No. 110 UNLV No. 109 New Mexico No. 108 Colorado State No. 107 Rice No. 106 Ball St. No. 105 Utah St. No. 104 Syracuse Would you really like to bring in some crap teams ad "enjoy" the game? I know they ar preseason rankings and all but either traveling to or getting them to travel here would be a huge waste of money.

Why, people watched the Browns in droves (3 times as many as we need to fill the stadium)? The Browns over the last decade could hardly be called "entertaining football". Unless everyone in the upper deck of Cleveland Browns Stadium is showing up dressed as an empty orange chair, many have stopped attending Browns games and I don't blame them. There is no entertainment in watching them. My as well work in your yard or go for a walk on a nice day with the family. If the Browns were somewhat entertaining, more would go to games. The mac just needs to be more entertaining and I'm convinced people will go to games. I agree. Some of the home games last year were laughable for FBS football. All of the turnovers, blocked kicks, and just overall bad play did nothing to help the situation. I like where the team is going. Concentration on a more pro style fundamental brand of football may help ordinary fans see that there is talent here and recognize the game we all know and love.

1. Why would you want your brand on TV getting its ass kicked by the competition? The last thing we want is the Zips on TV getting a beat down. This is like watching Kyle Petty race a car. You know he isn't going to win and you know he is a bad driver. Nobody goes to watch Kyle Petty. 2. They may fill the coffers, but when Joe Akron sees they are 1-3, they aren't going to fill any seats at The Big Dialer. 3. Give the players what they want? Why? They are the same guys who got the last coach fired. Why would we listen to them? Why would we have an AD? Just let the players run the program. 1. defeatist 2. they aren't going to get filled losing to Marshall 3. I don't even know where to begin with that. Support the team?

Again, you are thinking in the extreme. Morgan State is I-AA. One Morgan State is fine. Two probably not. Three, no way. One PSU is fine, two probably not, three, no thanks. Is it exciting for me to watch UofA take a beat down three of four ooc games against BCS teams? No. In fact, it is a comlete waste of time. Would I be more excited against Colorado State or New Mexico State or MTSU or Marshall? Hell yes! I want to watch the Zips play good competition against teams they have a realistic shot at beating and the other team has a realistic shot at beating the Zips. That's good competition. They are guaranteed to beat Morgan State. They are guaranteed to lose to PSU. They could beat a non-BCS team. I'll take the excitement of the unknown in a game matching two well equal teams rather than a certain loss or certain win. I would love to see teams on the lower end of the BCS success cycle(Maryland, BC, UCONN, Syracuse, Virginia, Iowa State, Indiana). Who cares about MTSU (Besides Mr. Holcomb) and New Mexico State. Colorado State would be ok and Marshall would be better than average. Schedule up and play up. The key factor is getting them to Akron. Buffalo has done what Akron only can dream of. I still remember the hype surrounding when Wisconsin visited Can't. Bringing top teams to Akron will do more for the program and the school than even joining C-USA. Grab the attention of local fans.

Army is good scheduling for UB for the reasons you mentioned above. Non BCS school that has struggled as of late. Good shot at winning. MAC Champs from 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 (Lost 1 BCS and to Army), 2004 all lost to at least 2 BCS teams to start out the season. The 2003 Miami Championship team lost to Iowa on the way to a #13 ranked season. They beat Northwestern, Colorado, Cincinnati, Central Florida, and Louisville. The 2009 CMU Champ team lost to Arizona away and beat MSU in East Lansing. Losing to BCS teams early apparently has nothing to do with MAC success or momentum. Once again, the exception and not the rule. Miami had the best QB to come out of his draft class that year. They are an exception. You are thinking in the extreme. Losing to one BCS team is fine. Two maybe you can be OK. Three is a disaster waiting to happen. I think you guys are nuts if you think we should continue to schedule 3 BCS teams per year. There is no evidence it is helping the program in any way but financially. Let's keep pointing to the exceptions to the rules though and that one time out of 20 we beat one BCS team we can all feel good. Man, I can't wait to see how we stacked up in the other 19 games. The point of that post was to show that losing to 2 BCS teams will have nothing to do with what happens during the MAC season. Play two BCS teams and a FCS team each year. Earlier it was said that losing two games to start the season will swing momentum against a team entering the MAC season. It doesn't appear to be relevant as shown by the fact that MAC champions lose to two BCS teams on the regular and fare well against MAC opponents. The 03 Miami team had nothing to do with the argument at hand. I just threw that in because it was interesting. I am not "thinking on the extreme". Losing to BCS teams has nothing to do with MAC success and has little to do with whether or not we get a crap bowl appearance. Schedule BCS teams, get the brand on tv, fill the coffers, and give the players what they want. 3 BCS games per year might be a little extreme if they are not 1 for 1. Schedule them up if we can get three 1-1 series per year. Recruits would be likely to choose a MAC school with 3 BCS opponents on the schedule every year as opposed to a team with a bunch of scrubs. Play the games and build the program. We could schedule like BB and win 8 or nine games/year and end up playing in some crap bowl that actually costs the program money.

Army is good scheduling for UB for the reasons you mentioned above. Non BCS school that has struggled as of late. Good shot at winning. MAC Champs from 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 (Lost 1 BCS and to Army), 2004 all lost to at least 2 BCS teams to start out the season. The 2003 Miami Championship team lost to Iowa on the way to a #13 ranked season. They beat Northwestern, Colorado, Cincinnati, Central Florida, and Louisville. The 2009 CMU Champ team lost to Arizona away and beat MSU in East Lansing. Losing to BCS teams early apparently has nothing to do with MAC success or momentum.