johnnyzip84

It was a fun game to watch. It was a gorgeous day. Nicely, LaFrance and others took a big step forward. We keep the wheel. And I don't have to change my avatar. Hoo-Ya is right!!!!

That's good information. We could use a ball-hawking safety, ala the one we'll see in the "other blue and gold" tomorrow.Did you recognize the name of Zach's opposing coach? He should be familiar to Zip fans.I thought so. Matt was a fullback, right?Yes indeed Matt was a competent FB an special teams player for LO. I believe he played at Waynedale (I know it was in Wayne County)

Beacon Link

From the (lack of) interest level I've seen on here this afternoon, perhaps we all need a few motivational posters!

That's good information. We could use a ball-hawking safety, ala the one we'll see in the "other blue and gold" tomorrow.Did you recognize the name of Zach's opposing coach? He should be familiar to Zip fans.

I know from past history that anything can happen in this game, but that summary of the K.E.N.T. defense is downright scary considering what we've seen lately from the Zip offense. This particular matchup sounds horrible. Maybe the Akron D can force some mistakes. I almost think that's a must for the Zips to win.

UA 3MSU 1

While I already voted for "lower division" coach, there IS one guy on the current staff who I hope get's a chance to interview. That would be, of course, Vince Okruch. If he's not considered for the HC spot, I really hope he get's some consideration for DC. He's been a very successful DC over the years. I wonder how much of Brian Wagner's success this year can be attributed to Vince? I know it's not very common (but certainly not unheard of) for a coach from a previous staff to be retained by the new HC. I think in this case, it might be a big plus to have Vince aboard to assist with the transition. It's just a thought.

I voted for "lower division", but I'd prefer to stay within FCS (!-AA) unless a D-2 coach really "wows" them. I would really scour the Missouri Valley for candidates (and NO, eguins, we are NOT taking Heacock off of your hands ), because as I've stated on other threads, I believe if you can win there you can win in the MAC. Year in and year out the top teams in that league are very competitive with the top teams in the MAC. Plus, the recruiting regions are not that much different. I'm not saying I would be head-strong to hire a guy with this type of resume, but I'd like to start there.

The flushes are a 3 point favorite per the opening line (Link). I expected it to be somewhat higher to be honest. One of the interesting things I noticed in the recent history of this game is that this is the FOURTH year in a row in which the road team was/is favored heading into the game. And only once in the prior three games has the road team actually won (last year).Link

Seriously, I came here half expecting the PD had picked the Zips to beat the flushes on Saturday

I went with moderate, but like I've stated in another thread, I think the football rivalry has a chance to increase greatly with Can't improving and the Zips struggling in 2009. I look forward to 4 years of Nicely vs. Keath.

I was thinking about this some more over the weekend, and I will admit that the football rivalry has waned slightly in recent years, mainly because of Can't's problems on the field and the lack of interest in their fan base that losing usually spawns. Just like the Browns-Steelers rivalry, the intensity will soften when it's too one-side for a prolonged period. And the Can't-Akron football series has generally been one dominated by streaks. Consider this however. With BOTH teams having talented TRUE FR QBs at the helm, and with Can't apparently on the cusp of climbing out of their doldrums, the next four games could go down as one of the more heated and competitive stretches over the history of this rivalry. I think Nicely vs. Keith will be better than Frye vs. Cribbs when it's all said and done.

You have no clue what a "rivalry game" is.Really? Should the rivalry have meant something, some time, ever? Will you feel better about this season if the Zips somehow beat their cousins from Portage County?I think it's your definition that is in error. The following is a short list of classic "college rivalries". On MANY occasions, these games do not have a significant impact on the national or conference races.Purdue-IndianaWashington St-WashingtonCalifornia-StanfordKansas-MissouriBowling Green-ToledoOhio-MiamiPitt-West VirginiaIllinois-NorthwesternCincinnati-LouisvilleWhile it's cousin, the pro "rivalry", may live off the need for "meaningful" games, the college rivalry is far more rooted in history and tradition. When a (for instance) one-win Washington State Cougar team can defeat the winless Washington Huskies in the Apple Cup (happened last year) and players on both sides are physically and emotionally spent afterwards because this is the game that ALWAYS matters, that is the ESSENCE of a college rivalry. Would a Zip win over the flushes in any way make up for the "suckiness" we've already seen so far this year? Of course not. Would it be anywhere near enough to save JD's job? Highly unlikely. But the assertion that the battle for the Wagon Wheel is somehow a "trumped up" or bogus "rivalry" is just plain wrong. How about asking ANYONE who has participated in any of these clashes (players, coaches, administrators) over the years and see what they have to say about it.Would I feel better about the season as a whole if the Zips win? Of course, if only because I KNOW I will feel a whole lot worse if they lose. But also because I want the ship to be at least turned in the right direction. I don't care that JD will likely not be there next year. I want some positives for these kids to take into the off-season. Finally, this recruiting season could become very difficult, in spite of the Info factor, if we lose this game.Having said all of that, I think Can't will be a deserved 7 point (or more) favorite. And it's going to take better effort and execution than we've come to expect to beat them. But that's not going to stop me from rooting for the Zips with as much zeal as I can muster come Saturday.

You have no clue what a "rivalry game" is.

Give me a couple of hits off of whatever dreal is smokin.And in reply to: "On a related note, is Bain's UA career officially over?"Yes, as of two years ago. I told ya Sewell would kick some ass. Go Zips You were on that one, dreal. The defense in general is hanging tough (sounds familiar). The O's gotta get it going.

A few weeks ago, many of us (CK and me among others) agreed that if the Zips were to get on a roll after the Patrick Nicely revelation, this would be the game that would likely provide the bump in the road. Oh what sweet, joyous irony would be showered upon Zipsnation if the maligned (even NPR for crying out loud) Zips were to pull off the shocker (not THAT kind, STZ and zippyrifle32) today in Dekalb. Come on Zips; go ahead and make fools out of "The Captain and Me" (Doobie Brothers, 1973). With apologies to Wimpy, I'll gladly accept an "I told you so" from Z.I.P. on Sunday, for a Zip victory today! Go Zips!!!As an aside, perhaps Illinois high school great Dale Martin has a big game in his return? On a related note, is Bain's UA career officially over? Come on dead horse, you can take another hit.

I'll say this. Despite the bad football results thus far, the Beacon has continued to include a fair amount of Zip football stories throughout the season. I'm sure the opening of the Info helped to form this strategy, but at least they haven't pull the rug out from under it.Link

On the surface, the Miami/NIU outcome would appear to provide some hope. But there are two important facts from that game that affected the outcome. First, NIU's starting QB Chandler Harnish was out for it (last time I heard, he may or may not play against the Zips). Second, it was Zac Dysert's first start at QB for Miami and he's looked very impressive so far.So if Harnish can't go against the Zips, we might have a chance at a big upset. If I were Fleming and company I'd do everything I could to make the QB (whoever it is) beat me. NIU's rushing attack is very strong. We'll need some turnovers to keep it within reach. In the end, I see a better than expected Zip performance, but still a loss nonetheless.Huskies 27Zips 21

Well as best I can tell one of their most important cities still stands, unlike any of that modern Aztec construction.Wow, never, ever imagined I might see Mayan vs. Aztec (well maybe if it was San Diego St) smack talk on this board. Never know what you're going to see in ZNO. It's a "New World" baby. Next you will be telling me the Mayans were superior to the Incans. You Mayan apologists frost my buns. I hope we aren't straying too far off topic.Of all the wonderfully absurd statements the "Meister" has posted on ZN, I nominate this as his most hilarious. It's worthy of Monty Python.

But getting ND merely on the schedule and getting them to play Akron on the road are two totally different things. Really think they'd ever do that?Yes I do and I think it will be October 12, 2013.Well I know that can't be accurate, the Mayans said that the earth would end in 2012, so, I'm thinking 10/13/2012. Though the Mayan calendar also showed us playing OSU at the Q on 12/15/2011 so take that for what it's worth.That's only because OSU will then be playing in the newly re-formed Atlantic 10 football conference.

:lol:Hey dreal, since NIU is the only team in the conference that has a breed of dog as a nickname, don't you think it's about time we make this opponent our b!@#$? I think we might need a rousing pep talk from you before the end of the week! Go Zips!!!

We could hire Hal Mumme and have Nicely sling it 60 to 70 times a game OK, so I'm kidding. If you think some of LO's and JD's defenses have been bad!I think there's a very good chance Patrick will stay, but it surely wouldn't hurt for him to experience one or two wins to close things out. That EMU game might actually end up meaning something, not for standings of course, but to perhaps bring a sliver of confidence to a number of key players as they head into what willl likely be a tumultuous off-season.

I stand corrected. I forgot A-10 football decided to go by the name Colonial Athletic Association a few years ago.Not trying to be jerking on this but the CAA is not in any way the former A-10 conference. The teams in the CAA are their own conference for all sports. Schools such as James Madison, William and Mary, Richmond, George Mason, and Delaware make up the conference. The A-10 dropped football as a conference. Schools that have programs joined as affliates with other conferences. Currently the CAA is loaded with schools at the top of I-AA(3 in the top 5) and would be a good place to start the search.Well you succeeded anyway. IN EFFECT, what I stated is the absolute truth (see wiki link below.....got to A-10 football near the bottom of the link). CAA FOOTBALL is essentially the former A-10 FOOTBALL conference. Perhaps you should do a little research before you open your mouth next time.LinkJohnny, Johnny, Johnny.You can't believe everything you read on the Internet. That's how World War I got started. Zipmeister, I will agree with you in a sense. I get in a LOT of trouble when I actually take the time to READ the links that people post on here. Like, for instance, page 8 of the following link. I think it may have been written by Al Gore Bill and Mary Season 2007 Preview

I stand corrected. I forgot A-10 football decided to go by the name Colonial Athletic Association a few years ago.Not trying to be jerking on this but the CAA is not in any way the former A-10 conference. The teams in the CAA are their own conference for all sports. Schools such as James Madison, William and Mary, Richmond, George Mason, and Delaware make up the conference. The A-10 dropped football as a conference. Schools that have programs joined as affliates with other conferences. Currently the CAA is loaded with schools at the top of I-AA(3 in the top 5) and would be a good place to start the search.Well you succeeded anyway. IN EFFECT, what I stated is the absolute truth (see wiki link below.....got to A-10 football near the bottom of the link). CAA FOOTBALL is essentially the former A-10 FOOTBALL conference. Perhaps you should do a little research before you open your mouth next time.Link