Ham

Zips finally put their sh** in a pile and win a close one. BG is improved, but I give us the edge with the home field.

It's hard to tell watching TV, but it seems that both OL and DL are lacking quickness. TE could bump and release to slow down those games that were giving OT's so much trouble. TE & HB might be needed to power up some off tackle runs. Red zone issues?

With Liberty's injuries, I'm looking for a close Zips win. We have gotten off to fast starts, but allowed mistakes to derail us. This week we put it together. Turn overs will be key. New starter jitters will lead to Liberty T/O's. Don't we still have some expected contributors that have not seen action yet? A couple more bodies on D could help.

It is more than 60 min of football. If you make it an event, fans will come even in an off year. For some tailgating party makes thr day. Others may enjoy dinner down town before or after the game. Get creative with the excessive TV time outs.

I think Undercufler will be over the jitters and move the team. I predict 2 TD's this week. Vol's. 45-17.

I don't know if injuries or discipline kept several men on the sideline for week one. I look to see them in action this week, but it will not be enough. Spartans 49-30

I guess we just found what level of play we are at.

Maybe not.

Finally, a sack. Now maybe the OL will exert themselves!

Zips win by at least 30. SFU will be limited to a couple FG's. 42-6.

@catdaddyp, you are right. What l was getting at was that we don't want to see the same kind of stupid sh** that we have been fed. Your clip was perfect! By game 9, a team should know what they are doing. You could have posted a similar clip of the O looking like a peewee team. I really don't think all of our problems have been a lack of talent. We will see if fresh faces will bring out improved performance from what we already had. Fresh faces with pads and those with whistles!

Bigjim started a thread "What else is needed for the class of '23?". It made me think what else is needed coming out of camp? QB: consistency, ball security---Skill positions: FOCUS. It just seemed like we had untold issues with people lacking total commitment last year.---O line: Some of these men showed the ability to run block as true Fr. Last year defenses could run the simplest of stunts and run free in our backfield. We need coaching to put these men in position to succeed.---D line: We were man handled last year. We need determination not to be beat. ---LB: It was hard to tell if LB's were slow to react or if D linemen were pushed into their way. We need the LB's to tackle at the line of scrimmage. CB's & S's: We need tighter coverage. Coaches: We have been getting a lot of "Raw, Raw"; we need results on the score board. We are not going to go 12/0, but we can not have 50 point blow outs!

We lost about 50 players, and Buffalo may have lost more. With just a quick look, it seems like the have nots have shored up, and the powers didn't need much shoring. I think that when Oct/Nov rolls around, you just don't know what will happen from week to week. I don't think either division will be decided until Thanksgiving.

Bubba and new-be's! That could mean a complete new 11 on the field this year.

Wow! Get rich scheme for the site operators like GO FUND ME. I think we are already swirling around the toilet on the way to as low as one can go!

Money.

I'm with LZIP-- 6/6

This was an outsider's assessment without the rose colored glasses. With all of the additions, coaching staff included, panning out, we could win the MAC. Potential is just that. For every Jojo, we have had a Bain. I'm not pessimistic about our coming season; I'm hopeful that we realize enough of that potential to not be embarrassed this fall. I think @Zippyrulz made a good bet. Three W's is a low bar, but that is where outsiders have us.

@catdaddyp, I'm really with you. Were there "issues" with any of the transfers that could surface? Will a new situation bring out the best in them? That is where I think our new staff could shine. I do think we have a chance to sneak by Liberty and enter the MAC 2-2. With 4-4 in the MAC, we could go bowling!

Until the bullets start to fly, all those transfers are unknowns. I do have a positive outlook for the season. I think our success rests on Iron's shoulders. Will he show the growth he needs, and run the O efficiently? I don't think we have a next man up; so he also needs to stay healthy.

That assessment should be a reality check for our fans. There are a lot of factors that could move the needle in our direction, but our expectations should be solid improvement.

I think it's telling when we have a negative reaction from @ermiller27 who has 12 posts in 12 years. At least l hope this has stirred up er; so he will get more involved with our other conversations.

Lets Go, take a breath. After 3 wins in 3 years, it is pretty clear that our talent level was pretty low. We have no where to go but up. I have said before, if we enter the MAC season 2-2, I think we could go bowling, but first? Sure it's possible, but is it realistic? I'll be happy if we get 5 W's this year(as long as one of them is PCCC). Six or more W's; we are on the road to nirvana as long as Joe is happy in Akron.

Clark, l tend to agree with you. I feel ball security has been an issue. Both decision making and security issues could go away with maturity. If he develops confidence in himself and THOSE around him, maybe he won't try to do too much on his own. From a distance, that seems to be the issue.

isn't that's how it is now?