johnnyzip84

I finally have a chance to throw some comments in regarding the game. This is rehashing for some of you, but I grew up in greater Pittsburgh and, in fact, it was through listening to (and attending a few) Pitt games during their mid-‘70s ascendance that I began my life-long affinity for college football. So a Zip victory over Pitt has always been a dream for me. Consequently, I couldn’t have been happier leaving Heinz Field on Saturday with DZ84 and several other Lot 9’ers in attendance. Thank you to the coaches and players for a game I’ll never forget. Now for some random thoughts: It sure made up for that 35-0 shellacking in the rain over there in the LO regime during Pitt Stadium’s last season. I’ve defended JC7 numerous times (and I still give him credit for playing when the staff preferred he let the ankle get stronger), but it’s hard to see CH34 not getting as much PT as he can handle from here on out. The fumble recovery (was it Isaiah Williams or Tyrell Goodman?) was HUGE. That could have easily turned the game around. I agree with Dr Z on Pitt wasting Boyd’s talent. I disagree on Conner, though. I think the Zip defense simply swarmed him, for the most part, because they didn’t fear Vojtek. From my end zone angle, I don’t recall too many big holes for him. That could have all changed had Pitt simply dumped the ball to Boyd in space a few more times. The one BIG mistake Boyd made was fielding that TREMENDOUS boot from Paul in the 4th quarter. He gave up 15 yards of field position on that one. The one side advantage of making Conner work so hard to yards was he wasn’t available (apparently) for spot duty as DE on 3rd down. It sure seemed like the 500 or so Zip fans there were making a decent amount of noise on Pitt 3rd downs. I wonder if anyone listening can comment as to whether the Zip fans were audible over the radio (or whether Frenchy or Joe took note). As MTB1’s confidence grows, I look for him to have a fantastic MAC season. If the inside running game keeps progressing, those 1-on-1 opportunities should present themselves even more. Nice job by KP16 to recognize it and make the throw. Kudos to the O-line for playing a remarkable game without Brumbaugh once again. I give special credit to KP16 and TW67 for having absolutely NO issues when KP16 was under center. Making a change like that partly through the season can sometimes cause problems, but they obviously worked on it enough in practice. I’ll say this about Nick Rossi once again. Nobody gives more than that guy, and now he’s playing some DE – in fact he played a LOT of DE on Saturday.Go Zips!!! Can’t wait for Saturday!

It's hard for me to decipher whether a Tablet (Samsung) is acceptable under these guidelines. What do you think?

EA also says Chisholm, Hundley and Brumbaugh will be back against Pitt.

EMU, yes. Miami, NO. The sweaters have traditionally owned us and they seem to be improving in under-the-radar fashion in 2014. They have a 5th year transfer QB who is playing well for them and they have a very good coach (IMO). If March can give it a go against MU, even if not at 100%, I want him in there.

Thanks I’d feel a lot better about this game if I knew March was coming back as well. Regardless, I do think the Zips will play significantly better and more inspired football. It’s doubtful that former the former Gateway QB gets any meaningful PT, short of an injury. If Pitt gets a comfortable lead, then certainly TW13 will get to re-experience the Heinz Field turf for the 1st time since the WPIAL playoffs. I still believe KP16 can do the job, but I definitely feel better about our backup situation than I did entering the season.

I haven't watched my recorded coach's show yet. Did he rule out Chisholm and Hundley for Pitt? Edit: GT says both could be back - game time decision.

Cardiac Hill's take on the game Hopefully the struggling Pitt secondary will be a boost for the Zip offense.

He'll be playing LB. He is a PIAA wrestling champ.

Zips are 17.5 point underdogs.

While the loss of Brumbaugh is big, the loss of March is bigger in my opinion. It’s not just his ability on the field, where his decent speed and football instincts seem to put him near the ball on almost every play. It’s his leadership. I saw very little leadership, especially on defense, this past Saturday. I’ve mentioned the loss of Terrell Goodman a couple of times. Nobody seems to know how he was hurt, (presumably in the Howard game). He’s someone who can be an option in the red zone. What’s the word GT? EA? I shouldn’t bother with EA, because his head probably exploded when he saw the Morgan State-Howard score. Here is an early prediction. Even though I’ll be the 1st to admit that Pitt looks like a bad matchup for the Zips, the oddsmakers (and betting public) will overreact to this loss just enough to allow the Zips to cover this week. I suspect TB, being backed into a corner somewhat, will get the team to come out fighting.

I really enjoyed that Green Flash Green Bullet right before the game. Little did I know the progression would be as follows: Green Flash Green Bullet Green Storm!

Although I know there are plenty of significant games left in 2014 with the Zips getting numerous chances to get back on a roll in MAC play, #27 Donnell Alexander, the transfer from CSU, will certainly have a shot at starting RB in 2015. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. 7-5 is still within reach. Go Zips!

Here are some random thoughts after giving myself the "sleep on it before posting" rule: The analogy to last year's OU game seems accurate to me. Let's just hope this is the bottom for 2014. That's the last time I put any credence into these NCAA football injury report web sites. Not only were Chisholm, Brumbaugh, Hundley, and March out, but so were Goodman (out since Howard) and Bullard (and perhaps 1 or 2 more). The most disheartening part of the game for me was the complete inability to stop the run. The Herd had 284 yards rushing on 38 attempts for a 7.5 YPC average AFTER your DC says his focus will be to stop the run. I was worried about being able to stop Pitt's power running game, based on the Zips smaller DL, but I did not expect this against MU. I think part of it, per my eyes, is the Herd is a much better ALL-AROUND football team than I thought going into yesterday. MU > PSU if you ask me. Cato is pretty good, but I think the rest of the team is as well. I don't think they'll be much worse next year (post-Cato), unless Doc Holliday takes his practice to Morgantown, Zip WRs had a tough time getting much separation against PSU - many catches were the result of a ball thrown into a tight space. Zip WRs had an even MORE difficult time getting separation against MU. Pitt and most of the MAC do not appear to have strong secondaries at this point. Hopefully that will make all the difference - otherwise every game could be a struggle. We still seem to be a little conservative in game planning, particularly against a "solid favorite". I'd like to see a few more blitzes early in the game, because we have had success hurrying poor throws in the 2nd half of the last two games. I was glad to see Woodson get some time, because we've been in situations in year's past where we didn't have an adequately experienced backup QB. I thought he looked decent against the MU 2nd team. My understanding is a couple of the injured, March being one of them, might have been able to play if the game had been critical (say, for MAC East crown). EMU still looks like a win to me, but all other games are in play from my perspective after the 1st three games.

I'm with you, K92 I haven't anticipated a game like this in a long time. Tomorrow's going to be a great day of college football and tailgating. Food Menu German Brats with Austrian Beer Mustard Spicy Ohio Sweet Corn and Black Bean Soup Beer Menu Redhook Out of Your Gourd Pumpkin Porter St Stephanus Blonde Green Flash Green Bullet Triple IPA Let's Go Zips!!!!!

The Zips have no injuries to report, so I assume Tyrell Goodman is available again. MU has three players on the report, but I’ve seen elsewhere that they’ve all been upgraded to probable. http://chicagosports.sportsdirectinc.com/football/ncaaf-injuries.aspx?page=/data/ncaaf/injury/injuries.html I think how the Zips try to contain WR Allen is critical. His height (6’2” and seemingly plays a little bigger) caused great difficulty for OU’s DBs last weekend. As the ‘Meister likes to hammer home, Zip DBs are a bit vertically challenged as well. I expect UA to counter with physical play. How close the game is called might be the biggest key to the game. Zip defenders will have to walk the fine line between being physical and risking a dreaded replay of the Miami game a few years ago. It’s tough for me to read too much into either team’s results so far this year. This game, for both teams, looks to be pivotal in determining how the rest of 2014 will proceed. This is a game I’ve been anticipating for a long time. The forecast looks to be spectacular and I expect a quality football on Saturday, possibly the finest game to have been played there to date. BTW, in reviewing both team’s schedules so far, how did we all (apparently) miss the fact that Zip 2005 OC Moorehead whipped 2005 DC Fleming two weeks ago? Also, does the loser of this game get the consolation prize of not having to concern themselves as much with the goings on in Morgantown for 2014? Zips 38 Herd 35

Check out this ridiculous play from the USOC final. http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/09/16/speed-deandre-yedlin-chases-down-maidana#ooid=UzcGplcDpCV6lPm9FYH3jrijjKheE5OM

And here is the 'Meister's favorite part:

I mentioned in my PSU game summary that TB55 played BOTH RT and RG in that contest. I think it might have to do with rotations. By playing him at both spots, MacNamara and Osborne are able to stay at RG and RT respectively (where the staff apparently thinks they are best suited). If you only play TB55 at RT, then you need to come up with an effective backup for MacNamara. It's just speculation on my part. I see the line has moved a bit: Zips are currently only 9 point dogs.

I also didn't realize we must have had to forfeit one of last year's wins (apparently): And it was nice of him to lump CAA doormat Rhode Island, a team that nearly joined the freaking Northeast Conference (well, UA nearly did that once as well), in with the MAC.

Zips open as 11 point underdogs.

Nice job keeping this up to date, Balsy It's been a generally down OOC year so far for the MAC and your summary supports this. All the more reason why UA should be in the mix to get to Detroit. NIU and BG still look pretty strong to me. I know Johnson is out for the season, but as I was telling fellow Zip fans in Happy Valley, I think he is a product of a system. Knapke looked very good against the Hoosiers. He's bigger and might have a stronger arm. It will be a challenge to beat them, but we do get them at home. Just one small correction while I am at it. ODU is not FCS. They are now in CUSA East.

That's a decent analogy (especially with Blake Frohnapfel playing the role of DW13), but I'll predict right now that I don't think UMass goes without a MAC victory in 2014. Road games at K.E.N.T. and Miami along with true home games versus U@B and EMU will surely yield one Minutemen happy day.

The close defeat at home to Colorado made me think that Whipple was turning things around quicker than expected at UMass. It looks like they're giving Vandy all they can handle in Nashville this afternoon. The Buffs and Commodores are not good football teams, but still this is a remarkable showing so far for the Minutemen. It just goes to show how important a HC can be to a program. In watching them some today, they have some nice size and Whipple has them playing with confidence. The transfer QB from Marshall, Blake Frohnapfel, is pretty good as well. Now I'm even more glad the MAC gave them the boot.

The MAC had a "destination" bowl for many years with the California Bowl in Fresno. The trouble was, unless Fresno State happened to be playing in it, attendance was weak. Don't get me wrong: I like the idea of spending time watching my Zips in an exotic locale. But there just aren't many MAC fans willing to make that kind of trip.

I watched the coaches show last night and I believe his hair was back to normal. Maybe he was auditioning for the stage production of The Year Without a Santa Claus?