johnnyzip84

"R-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-I-e!"

Just so it’s perfectly understood, I expect Tree to be back playing hoops at UA before too long. But, I’ll always be somewhat enamored by his gridiron potential. He and KD will work it out.

Get on the phone with Tree, TB! If you can’t talk him into returning for hoops, maybe you can solve some of your own D-Line depth issues in 2014

Agreed. Booker has received most of the press, but Williams has been just as effective.

The "thud" that was echoed when "Mr Irrelevant" hit that 56 yarder still resonates in my brain. It made for a disappointing Akron homecoming for Kenmore's Gary Pinkel, that's for sure. As far as over and above effort, I think I'd rather see over and above execution. The effort, aside from OU perhaps, has been pretty good all year.

I like your idea so much, Dr Z, that I'll put my own twist on it. Empty the backfield like we did on the Chisholm TD reception. In this formation, Jawon had TWO blockers in front of him. Have both wide receivers on the right side of the field set up to block just as they did Saturday. Like you suggest, have Pohl pump fake to Chisholm, WHILE the two WRs rub off one another, the inside WR heading down the sideline and the outside WR streaking deep toward the middle. I think there is a good chance one of the WRs will be open.

This guy

I was paraphrasing But TB was clearly pleased with his game. Of course he has to improve and I'm sure he knows it. I expect him to enter spring ball as the "starter", but the competition will be more intense next year. The Scout list of Akron propects lists a JC QB who we've supposedly offered. If we land another, it could get pretty crowded behind TS67.

I just watched the coach's show for the week, and here are the players of the game and the players "whose stock are rising": Offensive POTG - Pohl Defensive POTG - Freeman Offensive Riser - Bickley (although TB said he dropped 2 balls, one of which was a sure TD) Defensive Riser - CJ Mizell Here are some other notable comments: 1) The winning TD on the bubble screen was KP16's own call. TB said he had a VERY good game (noted the drops) and that this especially was revealed over his head set (implying that KP16 was getting the team in the right positions/calls more often than not). 2) He thinks Freeman, though small, will get a look by the NFL. 3) He implied they'd try to plug a few holes on defense next year via transfers (presumably D-Line), but he is REALLY excited about the LBs who return.

Historically, NIU has had a difficult time with the Rockets, as UT leads the series 29-11. It's only been the last 3 years that the Huskies have been able to string together any form of a winning streak against them. Also, I believe NIU has only won 2 or 3 times EVER in th Glass Bowl. I agree with ZG01that UT is coming together at this stage of the season. NIU will likely be favored, but I doubt by more than 3 points.

In between raking leaves, pruning shrubs and mowing grass, I managed to watch much of the game on ESPN3 yesterday. I don't think I've yelled and cursed at a game like that in quite a few years. I guess that's a good sign, in that the fans are beginning to expect a certain level of competency from this program. Here are my observations: 1) Though it was painful to see JC7 cough it up twice early on, I was glad to see TB sit him out to make him think and/or get him settled. But as the announcers (who I thought were actually pretty decent) noted, the team is not as explosive without him in the game. So I was even more glad to see him return and score the decisive TD. JC7 doesn't get much credit on this forum, but that TD was not just a good play. It was a spectacular play (although, perhaps a little risky). He's had some ball security issues before, so hopefully he'll get it straightened out once again. His average yards per carry (6.0) is exceptional over the last 4 games. 2) I thought KP16 was fine yesterday. The 3rd down difficulties (as pointed out by another poster) were certainly not all his doing. Bickley dropped 2 sure 1st downs, one that had huge gain written all over it. LT dropped what looked to be a sure TD. Sure Kyle missed a few, but he also avoided the big mistakes throwing the football. 3) MF20 is making a claim for all-MAC 1st or 2nd team. He has really improved on his route jumping abilities and he's been making some nice catches on the INTs. 4) JR4's stop on 3rd down was just as huge as the 4th down stop. He deserves consideration for all-MAC honorable mention. 5) I never saw Nico or Goodman on the field, so I'm assuming they sat this one out due to injury. I sure hope Nico can play at least a few snaps against UT. I'd hate to see his exemplary career come to an early end. 6) Mizell's return was significant. I don't think March is near 100% as Jon Shelby played more than I remember seeing so far this year. 7) Tough game to watch, but the team rallied when it counted.

Kudos to both the Cap'n and K92 The better defense stepped up. NIU still has UT in front of them in the NEXT MAC game of the year. BTW, what in the world happened in the 2nd half of the U@B/UT game the other night? I quit watching after Reedy burned the Bulls on UT's 1st possession of the 2nd half to give the Rockets a 38-0 lead, only to wake up and see a 51-41 final score: MACtion at it's finest.

Molnar hopes to get some injured players back for UA. I'm sure TB has the same idea. Hopefully, CJ Mizell's hammy will finally allow him to contribute (although his absence has allowed Evans and Brown to prosper).

This is very intriguing game for me. I think Wenning is the best QB in the MAC, hands down. I know Lynch can be a handful, but a good defense won't allow him to do what he does best. However I was far less than impressed by BSU's defense (hence the intrigue). They are mediocre at best. They're only decent when down and distance are in their favor. Force me to make a call, and I have to go with the Cards. I think Sneed and Edwards will both put up nice numbers in a shootout. BSU 48 NIU 42

Didn't get up early to watch the St Mary's game (good call, game apparently went about as I expected based on the last 10 minutes of the CCU game), but I did watch K.E.N.T. against Temple last night. The East is going to be a LOT more wide open than I (and others I'm sure thought heading into the season. K.E.N.T.'s newcomers (CMU transfer Jackson and Martin in particular) are solid. They play good team defense and are deep. With OU whipping MVC member NIU out of the gate, the battles in Jan/Feb should be dandies.

Zips open as 7 1/2 point favorites (use pull down NCAA-F/this week).

I’ve been trying to find a line as well, but it’s no dice. I can only draw one conclusion from that: The houses don’t want any part of this game. Maybe they’re afraid that no matter how high they put the spread, there would be a good chance of the Zips covering?

That's a great question. Right off the top of my head, I'll go the 'Meister +1 (i.e. 15 points).

The weather didn't help! But I'd gladly do that one over again

Actually, that was Thanksgiving Day

We (rightfully IMO) complained about the MAC West schedule that was handed to us in 2013. But as the season progresses, it's evident that avoiding these guys has been a break. Even though I don't mind seeing U@B have some success, I'm sure glad Mack and Oliver are gone after this season.

Here are two late arrivals from Saturday's tailgate: Avery IPA Brew Kettle 4 C's American Pale Ale

And a loss THIS WEEK….well that would be downright unfathomable

RB Lorenzo Woodley is probably UMass' most hyped recruit in their short FBS/1-A run. Due to a few injuries he became the featured back against NIU last week and responded with 160+ yards (albeit on 38 carries). The Florida native could be a handful if the Zips let him off to a good start, but I think Caponi, Grice, McCray and company will keep the middle occupied and Brown, Evans and March should plug the holes that do appear now and then. They should benefit from not needing to focus a lot on a UMass passing attack that has been anemic for most of 2013. This is the time of year when young, talented players can have break-out performances. Let's hope that doesn't happen with Woodley, who reportedly passed up offers from Pitt, Purdue, Arizona St, Tenn, NC St among others to attend UMass.

Laugh all you want, DB, but why do you even bother?