LZIp

Crazy.

Not trying to sound like a d*** (because I've seen others talking about it too), but who cares about any poll besides the CFP poll at this point in the season??

The MAC is so odd.

I liked Dalton. Nice player and good person, but that team went 1-11. Oh, but it was because of the defense? Our defense that year ranked 101st in YPG and 107th in PPG. This year the defense so far ranks 119th in YPG and 111th in PPG. You read that correct. Our defense this year is worse than the defense from our 1-11 season. Fortunately, IMO, we know that Chuck can still coach. We had an ELITE defense last year. I truly believe the issue is a lack of depth (meaning we were very thin/green behind the starters last season). I don't recall having really any injury issues for the D last year..or even offense really for that matter. It is part of the coaches fault? Probably. But I still think its part of building a program. This season is now a wash for me. Make a bowl game and I'll say that a positive came from it. Somehow beating OU/them losing to CMU and we make the MAC-C to get crushed by WMU would be somewhat of a cherry on top I guess.

I don't know where he would have found reasonable time at WR. Lane, Natson, and Wolf are all better than he ever was as a fresh or soph. He has found a niche on the short yardage stuff at least I guess. It does seem we are using TE a little more as the season goes on, though still sparse.

Shame on me for underestimating the mighty Zippers by 2 TDs.

Wow I was wrong. What a start!!

Not a fan of us continually deferring. We are constantly playing from behind because of the swiss cheese defense,

Will be at a bar and will attempt to get them to turn the Zips game on a TV. If not, I can always watch the replay.

Some interesting thoughts there, Hilltopper. I'll start by saying that I agree that next year could probably be the make or break year. We return literally the entire offense outside of Natson and the majority of the defense. What we are mostly losing on defense (DBs), the young ones look capable of being fine replacements. We also have some talented LBs (King, Davis) who will be eligible to play alongside Gilbert. I do agree that trying to hit homeruns every season with someone else's rejects is not the way to build a consistent winner. HOWEVER, we have gotten some great, invaluable players via transfer. We wouldn't be close to where we are if it weren't for transfers. I don't even think its debatable. One thing we need to keep in perspective is that Bowden's first real recruiting class are currently redshirt juniors. This is a recruiting class that came directly after Bowden's own 1-11 season. Some have worked out, but many have and will not. There is still a need to take on transfers, though less so as time goes on as DEPTH (as I mentioned above) is built, I've noticed the past 2 seasons that more and more first year recruits look like they can be contributors. Do you agree with that? I think that's a sign that recruiting is improving, albeit slowly. I believe Bowden himself has stated that he will take less as time goes on. I believe we have had similar discussions about Coach Dambrot as the basketball program's growth has stagnated. One of the main arguments I recall is that the program is a lot better than it was prior to Dambrot. Its interesting to me that you have a different take when it comes to the football program.

Nice, constructive discussion so far. Last week's loss was tough for me. One of the toughest I've had up there with the 2014 Kent and Buffalo games to prevent us from being bowl eligible. So tough, that I think I'm going to pass on going down and watching them play Toledo Wednesday night for fear that I'll be wasting my time to watch a blow out. I have no clue what to expect for the rest of the season. The program just isn't in a spot where we beat every team we are supposed to beat. However, just looking at last week's results...CMU had no business losing to Kent State and Toledo had no business losing at home to Ohio. I'd imagine the fans of those programs are pretty damn happy where they are otherwise. crap happens. Some important questions need asked and answered when evaluating Bowden. Are we where we should be after 5 years? Who do we have to compare with? I personally would like to be a little farther along, but I don't think its fair to compare us with WMU. Three straight 1-11 seasons. We were the worst program in the country and it wasn't even debatable. Bowden's first "class" shouldn't be held against him. He was hired...what, a month before signing day? He had nothing to work with and nearly everyone worth anything was already committed somewhere. What are your expectations for the program? I think reasonable expectations for a top MAC program are 8-9 wins annually with the occasional 10-11 win season. That's what I ultimately expect. That would make for some pretty entertaining football. Would you prefer an older established coach who isn't going anywhere or a PJ Fleck? I think I would trade off the 1 "dream" season that WMU has for consistency and a solid program. I put dream in parantheses because college football sucks for G5's because you have no shot at winning a national championship. Fleck will be gone and who knows what WMU will be. There have been some iffy coaching strategies this season, but I think the biggest problem right now is lack of depth. Is depth REALLY expected at this stage in the rebuild though? We are just getting to the point where we have decent to good starters. Expecting depth this soon might be a little much I think, as unfortunate as it is. Injuries have also been an issue this season. Great QB has missed 3 games. All-MAC looking RB has missed every meaningful game. Draftable edge rusher has been injured all season. Various other starters injured on an already green defense. Our offense has some serious talent when healthy. 5 new offensive lineman this season who are doing a GREAT job. I'm not always happy with results, but I am fine with Bowden and Co. as long as there is no regression. Keep up the steady progress and get your ass bowl eligible again this season.

Rockets 55, Zips 10.

Boise and Navy both lost yesterday. I believe the initial CFP rankings come out this week, but it appears the path is all clear for WMU to get that New Year's Day bowl game.

Based on this season, I'd prefer Reggie Linebacker.

And you know nobody is going to ask coach any tough questions because none of the beat writers give a crap.

Inexcusable loss.

3 facemasks on one play and zero calls. ridiculous.

Se'von continues to disappoint. Looked like he had cinder blocks strapped to his feet on that cutback run.

Not sure why we're content giving them the ball at the 35-40 every possession. They don't have anyone back there to be afraid of.

No room for error or we're going to have a horrible loss.

You've got issues dude.

O'Leary is making his FGs and weather isn't much of a factor anymore. Why not try the 42 yard FG?!

Much better 3rd quarter. Need some TDs though.

Listen to these announcers making excuses for that loser Ianello

#94 Brian Reinke out of Copley was in at DE opposite of Marcus on that 3rd down. First time I've seen him on the field this season/heard of him.