johnnyzip84

Just so happens, we're having a hotly contested chili cook-off at work tomorrow. So I have an enormous batch now cooking, so I can kill two birds with one stone. Just as a teaser, not one can was opened for this recipe. But ZG01, I could still pass a random test after eating this Scotch Bonnet flavored blend Looking forward to all of the festivities. Regardless of the record, this is as excited about a Zip football game as I've been in a few years. Go Zips!!!

K.E.N.T.’s o-line was a huge strength of theirs last year. The loss of that talent, plus a few keys injuries, has been instrumental in the drop-off between 2012 and 2013. And the jury is still out on Paul Haynes as well. Archer remains a big threat of course, and Colin Reardon has looked effective at times (they really suffered when he went down). Without the terrific o-line, Durham has become pedestrian. The reinstatement of CJ James is huge and I think (pure speculation) that Mizell will also play. I agree with CK that Caponi will lead by example in not allowing K.E.N.T. to get anything established consistently on the ground. Grice played well at Dix last year and I expect more of the same. The Zips will run it better, with Pohl and Reardon basically matching each other in productivity. ZIPS 31 F.L.A.S.H.E.S. 27

The early money is on the Zips as the opening line (K.E.N.T. -1) has switched and now the Zips are 1 1/2 point favorites.

No, that happened last week. With MAYBE 3000 die-hards in actual attendance, the ratio was well over 5.

This is pretty much how I feel. Win this game and I think this season will be an overall positive. If not, well. This is easily the biggest game of TB’s tenure here and I’m sure he knows it. I figured it would be about a toss-up with the odds makers and the Zips open as 1 point underdogs. (use the pull-downs to get more games)

+1 --> well deserved Two Brothers Resistance IPA Widmer Bros Milk Stout So I am going to assume the chili cook-off is this week in Lot 9? That’s what I’m planning anyway.

Random snippets on the Ball St game: 1. BSU has a very good offensive line. 2. Wenning is the best QB in the MAC. 3. Sneed is a future NFL player. 4. I was extremely puzzled when the JC7’s attempt to go over the top on 4th and short wasn’t at least reviewed. 5. The Cards defense is not very good. This will hurt them against NIU. 6. The student attendance, coming off the 1st road win in 5 years, reached an all-time low. 7. As CK stated beforehand, the Zips need to improve in the red zone and that remains the case. The final score should have been closer. 8. After incurring the wrath of Zipsnation for much of the season, JC7 has turned in 2 pretty nice games in a row. Hopefully, he can make it a trifecta. 9. I’d like to see more screens or safety valves involved when the defense is loading up for the rush on obvious passing situations. 10. KP16 was obviously too inconsistent with his passing, but his ankle looks the best it has since he hurt it against UCF. The read option has become a nice little weapon with him back at nearly 100%.

I'll go 400, which is a good 150 less than their combined averages.

As game day draws a little closer, I’ve been thinking more about what the Zips need to do to win on Saturday. The best place to look for a template to defeat the Cards is their lone loss in Denton, Texas to North Texas. The Mean Green (my niece’s school as well as Joe Greene’s) put pressure on Wenning (2 INTs) and ran the ball effectively (231 yards) to pull out the come-from-behind win (BSU was up 20-3 at one point). With the weather for Saturday looking to be cold and dry, but blustery, these two “pass first” teams could both struggle a bit in the air. So that leads to who will run the ball more effectively. On the surface, Ball St would seem to have the edge. BUT, Jawhan Edwards was dinged in their last game (knee) and is listed as probable against the Zips. If his snaps are limited and/or his effectiveness diminished, the Zips could very well compete in terms of who wins the running game battle. This is also the time of the year when a coach like Pete Lembo, with a team that is sailing along at 7-1 and facing a foe with a far poorer record, has an extremely difficult task at hand. Will the Cardinals bring the effort required over 60 minutes against a team that many of them may feel, deep down, they should easily whip? If they don’t turn it over and play with heart, the Zips certainly have a fighting chance.

Zips +10.5 Edit: you need to use the NCAA-F pulldown and select “this week”.

With both teams focusing more on passing, the weather could easily be a factor. I'm going with the old notion that inclement weather CAN be a great neutralizer. BSU 31 UA 24

Now that's pretty funny

Would I be shocked? No. Would I be surprised? Yes, and so would the betting houses who have consistently had UA as a TD favorite.

I like your thinking, MDZip. I think Pohl will enjoy playing before a small but feisty contingent of friends and family, and he’ll settle in for a nice game. JC7 takes the momentum from the NIU game and has his 1st 100-yard game of 2013. The defense, finally able to face a struggling offense, shows its teeth. Zips 28 Sweaters 10

No problem, GZ88 GoZips.com is reporting the same information in this week’s game notes, so it seems legit.

Apparently, the Zips DID defeat MU once back in 1939. What was that game like, Zipmeister?

Now their, they're 'Meister

I wonder if one of these will be available?

You realize the question is regarding linebacker CJ Mizell, not defensive end CJ James (whose eligibility has been covered by GT lately, including the link you posted). Just checking

The GoZips box score verifies that he did not play, but I have not heard the reason. The defense's play Saturday is even more remarkable considering this.

The Zips are apparently 6 point favorites and THIS GUY says they will cover. Nothing is a given of course, but I agree with him. Eat 'em up. Eat 'em up. Go Zips go!

Maybe the day of the last road win at EMU in 2008?

Anything you might want to add, Debby Downer?

Well said, GZ88. I hate losing as much as anyone, but after the stinker last week I really wanted to see the Zips compete today and they certainly did not disappoint in that regard. NIU hasn't been contained like that all season, and UA did it with James at home and several key players playing at less than 100%. I am certain the Zips have not won a MAC game ever in Oxford, but I'm not entirely sure they've never won there period. Regardless, I am excited for the opportunity next week. Kudos to the players today, especially the defense. GREAT effort. Go Zips!!!

With the noon kickoff, I think some people are gearing towards breakfast. I’m thinking about spicy, habanero potato pancakes myself.