johnnyzip84

K92 and Zips Win! want to know what the forecast is for 8:00 am

Here is an article by EA in the PD on the need to improve.

HERE are the JMU game notes, but the depth chart looks to be unchanged from last week. I wonder if TB simply doesn't put too much stock/effort in these "public" depth charts?

Thanks for the update, MamaZeke I think this is a great opportunity for Zeke!

He didn't mention specific changes on defense, but Dylan Evans was the "stock rising" defensive player and Nordly Capi was the defensive player of the week. TB expects the defense to play much better this week, citing a combination of a difficult matchup and and bad luck (missed turnover opportunities) for the struggles against UCF. BTW, Bickley was "stock rising" offensive player and Hundley was the offensive player of the week

Just got done watching the coach's show on STO and here are a couple of things to expect this week, based on TB's comments: 1) Bickley and MTB should play more and earlier. 2) The offensive game plan should be much more aggressive.

Beat me to it, ZR!

Since this was the earliest post, I'm going with it as the official game thread. I think it's pretty funny that ZTZ is calling anyone who thinks this might be a tough game "pathetic". JMU QB Birdsong is not just a runner, he is a dual-threat QB. While I still have much hope for the defense, dual-threat QBs have given the Zips trouble historically. My main concern with this game is simple. The CAA is right there with the MAC in unbiased ranking systems such as Sagarin's. I haven't seen the updated Sagarin rankings yet, but even without last week's results included, JMU would be about a 3 point favorite. I've said it before that I think this is a toss-up. Hopefully the Zips will play much better and come out with a win. I'll save my prediction for later in the week.

Yes!!! My contributions are week, as I was finishing up a round of golf during the 1st quarter: Yuengling Lager, Budweiser

I appreciate the honest assessment, gz19 It'll be interesting to see what, if any, personnel changes are made for JMU. Looking forward, as always, to the tailgating. I'm going with a "colonial" theme: 1) Buttermilk Biscuits 2) Virginia Ham 3) Corn Chowder

I wasn't a big fan of scheduling JMU to begin with. They are no Gardner-Webb (2010 version anyway) and they are certainly no Morgan St. If you're going to play one FCS team a year, play one that you know you can beat. Based on how CAA teams have performed versus FBS teams this weekend, I think next Saturday's game is essentially a "pick 'em". That's not to say the Zips can not or will not win, but I believe they'll have to play better than they did Thursday night. The flip side is this. Let's say the Zips lose this one. Although it would sting, it would not necessarily mean that a few MAC games wouldn't swing their way. I just don't see much difference between CAA football and MAC football right now, in spite of all the MAC bowl games last year. It sure would be great to get the winning started now, however. Go Zips!!!

Why do FBS schools continue to schedule these guys? NDSU is now 7-3 all-time against the FBS, with 2 of the 3 losses by 1 and 4 points. The MAC (Ball St and CMU) learned early on to stay away. Perhaps now the only way NDSU will get to play FBS teams is to move on up. I'm surprised I have't heard much talk along those lines. People always speculate who the next Boise St could be. Why not the Bison? Craig Bohl doesn't seem too interested in going anywhere else and he had a solid, well supported program that continues to get better in an area of the country that is experiencing considerable economic and population growth.

I am by no means an OSU fan, but you are spot on with this comment.

Bump. This is in no way to be taken as a swipe on TB. I believe he can turn the Zips around. I am merely wanting to express my admiration for the job Craig Bohl continues to do at NDSU. I am watching them play solidy at K-State on Fox Sports, taking an early 7-0 lead. The Bison is 6-3 in their last 9 FBS games. Think about that.

A record of 4-8. Dr Z, something Detwiler said on the radio after the 3 and 1 that was stuffed for a 4-yard loss makes me think KP16 does have the authority to audible. He (Detwiler) mentioned that Milwee was going ballistic in the booth next to him (and Frenchy), and he (Detwiler) thought that meant Milwee wanted KP16 to check out of that play. Frenchy wanted them to call a timeout, but that’s another story.

I couldn’t watch the game and I could only join Frenchy’s call after the Zips were already down 14-0, so I have a hard time making any definitive statements particularly about individual play. Nevertheless, here are my “feelings” about the game. 1. I didn’t expect to win, but I really thought it would be far more competitive. It didn’t seem much different than last year’s opener. Some of this, I agree with others, is due to the conservative approach. This was hard to figure out. I thought one of the benefits from having depth (and I think the depth is real) was the ability to play high-tempo, attacking offense without the fear of wearing out your defense. If AJ is primarily responsible for the offensive game plan/play calling, TB needs to get more involved. If TB was primarily responsible, he needs to refrain from making statements like “We are coming down here to win”. 2. I’ve been a staunch defender of JC7, but the numbers (and the accounts of those who watched) don’t lie. I’m just about ready to see a change at RB, and while Hundley is a nice option I think DJ Jones may have more upside. Jones just might have a little Brett Biggs (or is that a big Brett Littles?) in him. 3. I didn’t hear either Mizell’s or McCray’s name called (except when Joe Dunn likened the former to a “caged lion” wanting to be unleashed on the field). What gives? 4. The D-Line pressure is encouraging. 5. Zac Paul may be the difference in a game this season. 6. I’ve never been a fan of “protecting” players from anything. If Bickley and MTB are your best, they should be on the field as much as possible. 7. 4-8 is still possible, but it looks harder today than yesterday.

Z I . . . .

Actually, he IS on the roster (#97).

Maybe Bowden figured he didn’t need to send a depth chart to O’Leary because George is so good at cobbling together documents all by his lonesome

Orlando Sentinel article on "Depth Chart Gate"

Tyrell at backup punter is certainly a surprise, but he was booting them fairly well in the spring. I wonder if this means the Aussie is struggling with the finer points of punting (timing, hands, football sense, etc). Isaiah Williams backing up at the blind side is interesting. He and Petrides also deserve credit for the effort they’ve put in (like Rossi) to compete. I suspect CJ Mizell will still be used, but he’s probably being held back a little due to his late eligibility. The same might be true of Drew Phillips. Seeing no MTB on the 2-deep is a little surprising. I still think he’ll play tomorrow, though. ZTZ ventured pretty close to the truth when he mentioned every position would see platooning. This is especially true of the WRs and DBs. TB has mentioned that he didn’t think he would want to have Bickley see his 1st action before 50,000 opposing fans.

No they are both one and done. Good for Nick Rossi! You have to admire guys who have worked hard to compete against the newcomers

Unsurprisingly, Joe Dunn picked the Zips to upset the Knights 35-31 at the end of the Big Time Sports show on 1350 am this afternoon, with the Zips fight song playing during closing credits. That's somewhat to be expected. But this guy at Rant Sports also has the Zips prevailing. Hmmmmmm.

EA of the PD has this article on the opener. EA also has this article on KP16.