[So what's it going to be?]

It can be argued that the Northwestern hosing was the beginning of the Lee Jackson renovation.

[So what's it going to be?]

Memories.

Who remembers the day before Thanksgiving two years ago @ St. V-M?

[#3 Akron vs #14 IU]

Ampai was never a holding MF. He has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs.

Yes, both Gavin and Zemanski are sorely missed in the D, especially Zemanski. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better. What a head on that kid!

Formation has changed from last year's 4-4-2 to 4-1-3-2, Kitchen at the 1. Not sure of the rationale for that; not sure that it works either.

Supposing Porter reverts to a standard 4-4-2 at any point, Reinaldo Brenes is the choice along side Kitchen @ holding MF, leaving Caldwell as a substitute.

Actually, I would like to see Speas get more time at the expense of Caldwell, but that might be my Royals bias.

Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness down the stretch, especially @ GK. Meves has become so indecisive.

Teams cannot out finesse Akron and keep the ball. If they try that, Zips win. However, much like OSU, Indiana is a direct, ball-in-flight team with a physical front line. Will Bruin is a big, rough-n-tumble F, the kind that gives Akron trouble. This does not bode well.

Hate to say it. Hoosiers win 2-1. I would love to be wrong.

[#3 Akron vs #14 IU]

Welcome to the footballer Side HZ! I wonder if we ever met -- my story is similar, but a few years later (77-82). I too was a "practice GK". Meatwad's comments are interesting, since when I last saw the team, two yrs ago, Ampai was playing the holding mid role along with Gavin (I guess Ben was his backup). Is Ampai now in a more offensive position? I could easily see him and Kitchen as a midfield duo -- they're both good in the air and have all-America type ball skills.

Yes, Ampai is now classified, in my mind anyway (others can confirm what I'm seeing), simply as an attacking MF. He is rarely back on D to the extent Zemanski and Gavin were last year. There's no doubt that was tweaked in the off season to add more numbers forward.

Ben and Blair were almost inseparable on the field by more than 10-20 yards. Ampai is consistently up field while Perry is back waiting for clearances, etc. It's great when we are attacking, however the goals that we have given up in the past few games lead me to believe that the D was supported by the holders just dominating last year and breaking down a lot of attacks before it even got to the D level.

Just my two cents. Anyone can feel free to post other observations.

Ampai was never a holding MF; he has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs.

Yes, Gavin, and especially Zemanski, are sorely missed in the D. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better.

You are correct that the formation has changed from a 4-4-2 to a 4-1-3-2 with Kitchen at the 1. I am not sure the rationale behind this.

If we reverted back to a standard 4-4-2, Reinaldo Brenes would be the choice along side Kitchen as holding MFs, leaving Caldwell on the sideline. Actually I prefer Speas to Caldwell, regardless of scenario.

Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness late in the season, especially at GK. I am not sure why Meves has suddenly shown so much indecision.

This does not bode well.

Short passing teams cannot out possess Akron; play that game and Zips win. However, Indiana plays a direct, ball in flight style, similar to OSU. This has proven trouble for Akron this year. Will Bruin is just the type of big, rough-n-tumble F that finds success versus the Zips.

Pains me to say it, but I predict 2-1 IU. Season over!

I would love to be wrong.

[Today's Observances]

Saw two things today while getting lunch in the union:

1) grounds was aerating the soccer field. While the field looks good for this time of the year, obviously they're trying to get it as dry as possible and keep it that way with the craptastic weather that is bound to come soon.

2) The guys were having practice next door to the Jack. Porter really looked like he was working them hard. I think they stopped maybe 3 times in the hour I was at the union, and the last one was because of an injury. I was too far away to tell who it was, but it looked like they sprained their ankle.

OK. Please identify the injured player to which you refer.

While we are on the subject of injury, please provide status of Kofi Sarkodie playing @ Michigan State.

#8 was sorely missed in loss @ Cleveland State.