exit322

Fair. I stand corrected.

I'm not sure any MAC school has a ceiling higher than the Sun Belt (NIU kind of, but only kind of, did with the MWC move, though they went Horizon everywhere else...which does work well for them, to be completely fair).

The only thing about that...I just don't see what's in it for the AAC. Another league? Absolutely, I think at least half the MAC is looking at what NIU did. But I don't see any team in the MAC being "big" or "important" enough for the AAC. Sun Belt? OK, you may have a little more interest there. Some kidding aside...how gung-ho is the PAC-12 with regard to its basketball...we can bring them some noon kickoffs for TV and a legitimately decent basketball program...

Excellent writeup. I'm not sure I see all six of these wins, but this is a very well-reasoned argument. I'm still saying 4-8 (Kent and Ohio are the two of yours I would probably peg as losses). It's only Year Five; we can't expect Joe to increase on his win total for a third straight year with so many disadvantages.

Is Moorhead physically capable of saying anything that gives Zips fans hope?

If Joe had ever once said "we're going to succeed despite our limitations," I'd agree with your assessment. Or if he'd ever have been positive about where things are or could be. Then maybe. But nope, the public head of our program is just "yep it sucks."

I mean, the negativity and "woe is me" certainly is on brand.

Yes, they seem to be doing their part. Now let's get a little luck.

Good to see they're trying.

Or a PWO type offer. If there was no actual NIL offered from Kentucky with the offer, it's not completely ridiculous. Also, smart for Akron to promote it even if it's bunk.

In today's NIL world - and it seems they're trying to do this - Akron can't outbid anyone, yeah. We can't pay a whole lot even at the MAC level. That's fine. But, we can show guys how much money they're going to make once they have a good year or two here. It seems there might be a bit of that happening with guys coming to Akron. Feels like a way you can win a lot of games.

That's a step forward, beating out multiple other FBS schools for a recruit.

I guess the difference in mentality here is "this isn't my fault" versus "we have it, may as well use it." Which, they did use it for the Akron FC games this summer (not that those have any risk of filling the place up, but it's still being used). The hope I have is in that they did get a decent crowd for the Kent game last year. It's enough that I'm willing to see what he comes up with.

I don't know if there's any formal such agreement in place, but it makes sense. Of course...Akron hasn't exactly boosted homecoming attendance in a bit, so I'm not sure it affects anything, haha

Oh for sure. Kent (or even any Ohio school) being the opponent for Homecoming would make this more attainable. 2-3 feels like a reasonable record leading into this one. Just sucks that the Tuesday games (and Black Friday) mean that this is their last shot of the year...on October 10...for hoping for any kind of crowd.

Agree, very much welcomed. If we had a stadium as large as where USF plays...I'd say that an Akron sellout is probably really not possible, hahaha I'd kinda rather they push for the "sellout" to be against Robert Morris, but I also understand a (it darn well better be) 56-3 win isn't exciting either.

The optimism is desperately needed with those budget slashings and such. Can make up for some of it. Even if they can get 20,000 people, that would be a big step forward.

I think there's a bit of that, but it comes from an aspirational mindset. I don't think he's necessarily bullshitting anyone (or "playing politics" if we're trying to be nice), even if he knows it's a bit pie-in-the-sky. If they can get even 20,000 for the EMU game, that should triple the resolve to get rid of the garbage Tuesday games on the next TV deal. "Even Akron can get a full house for a Saturday game." Yeah, you're giving up TV money that probably exceeds net ticket sales gain. But you're also doing a lot to build longer-term fanbase relationships. Of course, thinking long-term has never been the MAC's forte.

The Zips can't afford (and shouldn't waste the money) on a firing. JoeMo only leaves after 2026 if he wants to go back to being a P4 OC or similar.

I don't hate this idea. Not sure how feasible is, but I don't hate it.

You know what, that's a great idea. I'd go as far as yo kick off the whole season with that game.

While we know the MAC schools are just trying to get every last penny immediately without considering long-term growth, one would think having six Saturday games (instead of three) just might be better for developing a fan base and a season ticket base. But that involves work, and we know better than to expect that from this athletic department. Hopefully Toledo and BG have at least started sowing the seeds to get rid of this in at least getting their Tuesday rivalry game moved to a Friday.

Two things here 1- at least the games will be fun 2- defense has been the better coached side the entirety of this regime so they should develop well this season

This feels fair

That's what I don't know. He hasn't played for two years, and his last start before that was a 59-0 loss in the FCS semifinals. Is he good? If he's not, well...