johnnyzip84

It's interesting that you mention Western Carolina, because I suspect Larry Hunter was probably involved the last time 2 MAC opponents had coaches with 300+ career wins. But the other coach wouldn't have been Charley Coles, because when Hunter was fired by OU in 2001, CC hadn't reached 300 yet. Hmmm still pondering.....

CNN story

I think it's a classic case of addition by subtraction with WMU. They have been talented over the last few years, but always seemed in disarray and lacking in cohesion. Hawkins seems to have more control over this bunch. Nevertheless, I agree the Zips should win in fairly comfortable fashion.

Or NZF?

That would be perfectly fine with me. I just don't wat to move below the rest of the MAC, because I think we'll be competing well with those teams soon. The one thing I've always wondered regarding this scenario has to do with scheduling. Would you still see teams scheduling outside of their division like you do now? If the Big 64 ever formalizes, would they only play each other? I'm not saying whether that would be good or bad; I just wonder how it would play out.

Well the Big East is clearly in panic mode at this point. They're determined to keep all remants of the proposed TV market based league together. Contrary to what some here believe, I don't think any MAC school, including UA, brings a decent market to the table. Fresno isn't that big of a market either, but they have a rabid fan base. UNLV brings a market. None of this makes any difference, because I'll be shocked if either Fresno or UNLV decide to leave the MWC for the Big East. So to answer your question, I don't think Akron or any MAC school is on the Big East radar primarily because of market size. I'm not sure I take this as an afront, because I don't think it has all that much to do with the product on the field. I think it's a perfectly acceptable goal for the MAC to compete and hopefully get the better of the Sunbelt, C-USA, the MWC and the Big East among the lower tier of FBS football. The latter two will be challenging, but in 2012 the MAC put itself in good shape to stay ahead of the first two conferences. I realize that doesn't excite everyone, but that's how I feel.

I'm really glad to see Evans coming in to play next year. I think it's obvious to anyone paying attention that the Zips are extremely vulnerable to AA missing any great deal of time this season. Hopefully, he'll avoid any major injury this year and Evans can allow him to play fewer minutes next year. I'm still concerned with AA playing too many minutes the rest of 2012-2013. I might even consider redshirting Melo NEXT year to allow him to develop physically.

Wait, let me finish my second luscious Duvel of the evening Mmmmm tasty. Sure it was a little cryptic, but you got it. Nice catch. As long as you take every cheap opportunity to belittle UA sports, regardless of how legitimate or lame the comment may be, I will defend the Zips. Cheers! Happy New Year!

Isn't it about time for your botox injection?

I've said over and over again that it's been 26 years in D1-A, but only 3 years in D1-A with D1-A facilities and only 1 year with a D1-A staff. But you never even acknowledge the difference because it doesn't fit your argument. I'll bet you really struggled with the concept of a limit in calculus. If you didn't see incremental improvement in 2012, despite the record, you suffer from gridiron blindness. Once again, you didn't read my words very carefully. I said the MAC is the most logical home for ALL UA sports. What class are Jordan Lynch, Archer, Nix, Fluevellen, etc in? Don't put words in my mouth. Never said the MAC was going to be a power. I only said it was improving and makes for a repesctable home for UA sports, including football.

The MAC is where this program belongs, PERIOD. Many of us seem to have forgotten those desperate, early days in D-1 (whether it was the right move or not then is water over the dam in 2012 IMHO). As an independent forced to pay Rubber Bowl guarentees to the likes of CS-Fullerton and CS-Long Beach, the somewhat shady AD at the time (Adams) had the athletic department in a financial mess (some his fault, some not) before UA finally dumped him. When the MAC FINALLY agreed to let the Zips in, it was like a lifeline had been thrown to the sinking Zips. Do you realize we would have been playing hoops in the freaking NORTHEAST Conference had the MAC not invited UA in 1992? While football success in the MAC has been spotty at best over the years, the conference is easily the most logical home given all considerations. I'm willing to follow the Zips wherever the MAC takes them. If that means the MAC drops to FCS, I'm still in. But what are the chances of that happening after 2012's unprecidented MAC football season? (answer: GP"s correct.....it ain't happening) While our football record over the last few years has been difficult to stomach, when I consider it from a MAC viewpoint it's not the worst of situations. After all, you might as well have one of the struggling teams armed with facilities and a credible staff to fuel hope of a turnaround. It's not as if there is no hope for future UA MAC success, except among the most cynical and jaded of us. If the teams that played well this year don't fall off too much (talent remains for many, despite the coaching moves) and programs like UA improve like many of us believe, the MAC should stay pretty respectable in the near term (that's as far as anyone can see these days in college sports anyway). I'll add this. Am I the only one who REALLY likes the fact that the MAC has a championship football game? We focus so much talk on whether playing for an FCS championship is more appealing than playing in a low-tier bowl. The opportunity to WIN your conference on the field if there for EVERY member of the MAC, every year. All we need to see is modest improvement before the Zips are playing meaningful football games within the MAC.

ESPN Link

Obviously, I'm not curious about Tree's NFL chances based on his gridiron prowess. I need to be clearer about what is really my only argument for the NFL over the NBA: NUMBERS. The NFL roster size is 53 (not counting the practice squad), and about 7 of those positions (DE/TE) are filled by players who fit Tree's physical profile. The NBA roster size is 12, and about 4 of those positions (3/4) are filled by players who fit Tree's physical profile. There are 32 NFL franchises and 30 NBA franchises. 32 x 7 = 224 30 x 4 = 120 Keep in mind that the NBA, especially in the "bigs" category, has a large influx of foreign players. This eats into the available roster spots for a guy like Tree. While there are a few foreign players in the NFL, there aren't many Serbs, Lithuanians, Croats, etc Clearly, from purely a numbers only standpoint there is a better chance (probability) for a given player to land in the NFL. Of course, if it turns out that Tree has absoutely no knack for picking up the game then he has no chance (just to preempt anyone wanting to throw the obvious statement at me) in the NFL.

I grew up in Pittsburgh when Sam Sr was playing for old Fifth Avenue High School, and later for the consolidated Brashear HS after Fifth Avenue closed. He was two years ahead of me in class (obviously, I'm an old fart). It's possible that I missed it, but I don't recall him playing HS football. There is no doubt he was a man among boys on the basketball court, but the size you're listing above is after the NFL got a hold of him. He played at 6-6", 250 LB for Pitt as indicated in the link below. Former Pitt football coach Jackie Sherrill never stopped hounding him to come out. I always appreciate your insight and you're probably right that Tree isn't headed for football, but I'll bet Terry Bowden wouldn't mind seeing him come out for a tryout I have one last thought. Size is one thing, but speed is another. I'll bet Tree is considerably faster than Sam Sr was, so if Tree is not big enough to play DE in the NFL perhaps TE isn't out of the question? He certainly has the hands. Sam Clancy

Sorry I was a little unclear, as this (getting down on the MAC) really wasn't my intent. On the contrary, I have acknowledged all along that the MAC faced some tough matchups (opponent and location) in these 2012-2013 bowls. It's great seeing Mark May and Lou Holtz repeatedly giving the conference props in the studio after today's game.

Getting caught up on the games, BG can't hang on to a 4th quarter lead and falls 29-20 yesterday to San Jose St. Watching the game, SJSU's David Fales is about as impressive a college QB as I've seen all year. He is accurate and unflappable, as the stout Falcon defense certainly brought plenty of pressure. Today, OU is all over UL-Monroe, and they're doing it right in the Warhawks' backyard. The final is 45-14. I said ahead of the bowls that a 3-4 aggregate record would be pretty respectable. Sitting at 2-3 after today, the MAC will need either an NIU win over FSU or a K.E.N.T. win over Ark St. That's a pretty tall order. At least the MAC is guarenteed to have a winning record against the Sunbelt.

Obviously, we can't say enough about how well Tree has played this year. Please don't misconstrue my following comment as not appreciating his considerable basketball skills. Ever since I saw him on the court I couldn't help but wonder if he's ever even considered playing football. Now I wouldn't count out a possible NBA career for DT, but I'm sure many of us remember DE Sam Clancy of the 80's-90's Browns who starred as a shorter center for the Pitt Panthers in hoops (never played a down of college football). I can't help but wonder, given the much larger rosters in the NFL, would Tree have a better shot there?

Though it's usually not the case, this game was won in the first 7 or 8 minutes with the Zips building a double digit lead that was never seriously threatened. If the Zips came out flat, it would have been a much different game. The team and coaches deserve credit for the quick start. Instead it was TSU and Omar Strong in particular who took a while to get going. I'm not sure I've ever seen the Rowdies INSPIRE an opposing player like I did last night. He really put on a show after getting razzed early on for a few UGLY shots. It's kind of odd to be facing Tigers two games in a row. We should have looked into scheduling Grambling, Mizzou, LSU and Memphis while we were at it Clearly, Princeton (5-6) presents a different Tiger challenge. As a road team, they've defeated two MAC East schools already (U@B by 4 and K.E.N.T. by 12). If the Zips play semi-disciplined defense, they'll win going away. If not, who knows?

Due to schedule conflicts, this was the 1st MAC bowl game I was able to watch live, and I agree it was an entertaining game. Both teams had a couple of players on both sides of the ball who made plays. I also enjoyed the sequence in the 1st half where WKU flipped the field on CMU with an 80+ yard punt only to have the Chippewa punter return the favor after a three and out. IIRC, Ford Field provides a good environment for kickers. It's nice to see the MAC team win on a "home" field, since most of the sites don't lend themselves to large contingents of MAC fans. While I favor a shot at a bowl over a shot at the FCS playoffs, I acknowledge that, besides Detroit, most other bowls are hard pressed to get a decent MAC crowd. Maybe if 1 or 2 of the coastal bowls would move to Indianapolis and/or Toronto (I liked the International Bowl for the MAC for recruiting and locale) this might help out this situation. CNNSI Recap The following quote, referring to WKU going for it on 4th and 2 within routine FG range on their last series, made me chuckle (a little):

That's awesome! Way to represent, Z.I.P.! Mele Kalikimaka to you as well

I wonder if Fred ever used the money line?

Tree and Harney were their usual selves against CSU: motivated and ready to play. AA played his best game in a while (did he miss a shot?). I was happy with the energy and intensity of the whole team. Sure CSU is down and out, but the Zips put them away early which is exactly what you need to do against a squad that is struggling. It's strange to win a game by 30 without Walsh scoring or Zeke blocking a shot. But the final score is all that matters. Hopefully, this will jumpstart the Zips to get on a nice, long roll. Go Zips!!!

This just goes to show how incredibly misinformed the Spin Doctor is. I've stated this before, but apparently you're too full of yourself to conduct an independent investigation. The Northeast Conference (football) is 1-AA/FCS in name only (i.e. non-scholarship). These schools were bumped to I-AA from Division 3 in football because of the Dayton Rule alone. Do some research before you expose yourself next time. BTW, Akron was actually a brief member of the Northeast Conference (in all sports but football) before joining the MAC in 1992. You can look it up.

Here is an older story on the recruitment of Tom Woodson. Two things stand out: 1) Akron (presumably Ianello) started recruiting him early. 2) He made HUGE strides as a passer in 2012. I think it's WAY to early to speculate a position move for this guy. Maybe Pohl's ability to move will cause the staff to make some adjustments along the lines GP1 has been suggesting: a pass-first QB who still provides running threat. Maybe by the time Woodson is called to start, he'll provide a strong pass-run combination? Watching UL-Lafayette's QB Broadway today (he'll be a tough opponent next year at the Info), he really kept ECU off-balance.

CSU wants no part of his 240.0 PPG pace!