johnnyzip84

Bingo on his instincts. He made a lot of obviously instrumental plays last night. But I also noticed a few things that highlight his high football IQ. One of them occurred when the Trotwood QB was running from a D-Lineman up field for about 3 yards. Newman came up to possibly make a tackle, but as he realized the QB was already going down he laid off at the last minute. A move like that shows a very keen understanding of the game and, in particular, the way the game is CALLED in 2013. The obvious concern will be can the Zips hold off the last minute suitors from the BCS conferences, as these will surely come. As for now, I like what I have heard from Newman and his father in terms of the solidity of his oral commitment, but only time will tell. I agree with Dr Z about his exceptional lower body strength. I remember commenting on the size of Cody Grice’s legs back when he was a fullback under Ianello and how it seemed that he could be better used elsewhere on the field. It seems as if Newman could play any number of positions in college. I still like him as a middle LB first, but it’s not too hard to imagine him playing DT or NG even at some point.

He displayed his notorious leg drive on a 2 yd TD run. Dozer is certainly an appropriate nickname.

Ha ha! Was just about to post something to this effect

I remember that as well and, if I recall the details correctly, the kid is currently on the roster (preferred walk on?).

Is it unusual that Mizzou and A&M have had early success? Yes, but that doesn't mean it's not merely coincidental. In the case of A&M, I think we can safely point to a special player as being the fuel. The Tigers are different. They have benefited greatly from a seasoned O-Line and the return to health of several key individuals. I agree Bama, though not as strong as in recent years, is probably still the best team in the conference. But how many seriously believe OSU would still be undefeated if they had played the schedule of Auburn or Mizzou (or Bama, for that matter)?

Hmmmmm alright. Winners of the last SEVEN BCS championships.......not 1, not 2 ,not 3.....SEVEN!!! I'll admit it seems likely at this point that an SEC team will be left out of the 2014 BCS championship game. If this happens, the 2014 "national champ" will deserve about as much respect as the 1984 "national champs". Even Urban knew what he was talking about back in 2006.

Were you paying the slightest bit of attention this year? We have a NICE LB group already, and NONE of them graduate. Although I expect some of these guys to perhaps get switched to DE, we are looking at a STELLAR LB group for years to come. It's a great time to be a Zip football fan

Don't you think the on-the-field circumstances have changed just a bit since our last discussion? I think it's a perfectly reasonable discussion to have now that the program looks to have begun to right the ship.

I think you're spot on with your summary. The University has put forth the investments necessary and the pieces are all in place. I've been where DIG has been for a while now. I dislike the overall lack of community, student, and alumni support as much as anyone, but I won't let it affect how I personally view the program. We have a vibrant, yet smallish, tailgating tradition started here. If the team continues to improve on the field, perhaps these grassroots initiatives will bear fruit over the next few years. I know I'll be a part of it. Let's hope the University doesn't do anything to dissuade the die-hards in the meantime. They should be encouraging the tailgating regulars to continue to build game day traditions on campus.

Looking forward to the game AND the halftime show. The last time the Howard band came to Akron, they rocked the Rubber Bowl

What is your solution? Or are you simply venting?

Agreed. That's the one thing that made no sense to me at all.

Looking at the UT stats, Fluellen does look like he makes a difference. I guess I'm a big believer that the running game is about 70% line play and 30% RB play. IMHO, RBs get more credit and more blame than they actually deserve. Certainly, UT has a quality stable of backs behind Fluellen. But you've followed the Rockets far more closely, so I'll take your word at Fluellen's importance to their success. I hope he heals well and gives the NFL his best shot.

ESPN's box score (and possibly others) for the U@B/BG game at Ralph Wilson Stadium had a pretty egregious typo. The announced attendance was actually 26,226.

I apologize for not being able to make the tailgate, but something unplanned came up over Thanksgiving and I missed my first tailgate in a few years. I did manage to make it to the game though. It was an entertaining game between two pretty evenly-matched teams. Did injuries play a part in this? Probably to some degree, but as GP1 points out the UT O-Line is outstanding. I'm not sure it matters too much who is playing RB behind them. I'm sure Campbell will be getting some heat for this and some other calls during the year. He's young. I'm not sure I'd bail on him just yet. Everyone has hit on the big points. Here are a few side notes: 1) I didn't realize when JR4 picked off Owens he was picking off his former HS teammate. 2) You have to really admire the work of the seniors yesterday. It was almost Disney-esque with Root catching his 1st TD, Bailey calling his own number and briefly returning to his FB roots, DF83 getting his 1st action since early in the year, Nico gutting it out, Freeman adding to his MAC leading pass break-up total (14) etc. 3) CJ Mizell recovering JR4's fumble after the INT was almost as important as the INT itself. Love having him back next year. 4) Since Capi wasn't honored as a SR, I have to assume he has one more year. That is huge. 5) Frenchy said on the pregame show (which I normally don't get to hear) that Sconiers is coming back for one more year and Rachal (and another player I forget at the moment) had season ending knee surgery. 6) KP16 must like playing against UT. I'm sure the Rockets think pretty highly of him (as do I)!

Skip, I think you are misunderstanding msopher's statements. He's a Rocket fan (a seemingly decent once at that) who comes here periodically to post. It's Campbell he's criticizing, not Bowden.

Not exactly good, but THIS was probably there best. They somehow actually hung with Vandy until the 4th quarter. Next best is probably the 1 point loss to the Zips. I don't think the win over Miami was all that impressive

Speaking of YSU, eguins must be going berserk watching teams like Lafayette (5-6!), Butler, Sacred Heart etc make the FCS playoffs while the Pens waddle all over Y-Town after losing 3 in a row to end the season.

I've seen Hunt on TV and he is a very dangerous back. It'll be a challenge for the Zips to contain him. If you get a chance, stop over in Lot 9 under the scoreboard to say hello and have a snack and/or a beverage. I'll be there around 10:30 am, but several others will be there much earlier.

JMU cans Matthews after 15 seasons.

Toledo opens as a 7.5 point favorite.

Count me in. Taking into account their body of work, I rate our opponents as follows: 1) UCF 2) NIU 3) Ball St/BGSU/ULL/Michigan (4 way tie) 7) Toledo (projected) 8) OU/K.E.N.T. 10) JMU 11) UMass 12) Miami

....as in "coulda, shoulda, woulda", a phrase that should resonate with EVERY Zip fan (football, in particular).

As always, I appreciate your insight, YAI I put your above statement in bold, because it's exactly what I've been thinking today. Up until a few weeks ago, I didn't give the Zips much of a shot in this one, regardless of a potential 3 out of 4 win streak (which happened, of course) heading into it. But when Bulls QB Joe Licata burned the UT secondary (albeit when most thought the game was over) for 400+ yards, it gave me a little hope. Now with NIU possibly taking some of the fight away from the Rockets, I agree the Zips have a shot. UT's D-Line has impressed me, but if the UA O-Line can play reasonably well against them I think both Pohl and Chisholm could have nice games. Russell will be a difficult match-up with his height and speed, but Owens looks erratic enough that the Zips might be able to get away fairly unscathed. Any chance you'll be making the trip? I enjoyed speaking with you in the Glass Bowl last year.

Good topic. Here are my thoughts: 1.) I think it's mostly evidence of moving in the right direction. The close losses to UM, NIU and ULL can’t be ignored either. 2.) I predicted 4-8 this year. We can do no worse than that. The MAC loses a lot of talented seniors after this season (this was not so going from 2012 to 2013). That factors into my early projection of 6 or 7 wins next year. I’m a little concerned with the D-Line, but I think the staff will assemble the necessary depth come September. 3.) It’s not a huge role, but it certainly impacts a team like UA who is trying to establish a winning culture after a long period of losing. I think it’s naïve to think many conference schedules aren’t tweaked for reasons other than fairness and equality. 4.) I would say defensive structure is the biggest improvement. We still see an occasional breakdown on this side of the ball, but it’s a far cry from those years when opposing backs would seemingly run through gaping hole after gaping hole and opposing receivers would find themselves all alone 30 yards down field. Amato has his players in the right places on the vast majority of plays. I think this is definitely sustainable (linebacker corps is going to light it up next year), plus I think the team’s confidence will be much higher in 2014. That’s the biggest area I see for improvement on both sides of the ball. If the 2013 Zips were a little more confident, we would have blown out both Miami and UMass and possibly squeaked out another W early in the year.