footballzip

I was happy they finally got there W. This year of covid football, no fans, bands, pageantry was hard to get into. I think it will take Arth another couple years of recruiting to make us competitive in the MAC. Unfortunately we are going to have to be patient. He can build off the win to build confidence within his players. Its nice that we are no longer the worst in the MAC. Thats an improvement.

Of course the academics are important. My point is when you mention those Universities, personally I think football/basketball first, regarding the schools reputation.

University identity of pride, tradition, and popularity comes from football and basketball programs. When you mention Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma, I think football programs not there academic programs. Same with the big time basketball programs. Kentucky, North Carolina, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown etc. Successful programs brings recognition, name identity, and of course money from packed 100K fan stadiums, tv coverage, and fan gear. Kids want to come to these schools for this reason also along with good academic programs. MAC schools not as much being a mid-major conference. Ivy league schools is the only conference that is known primarily for academic prestige.

This year is a wash. Until there a fans back in the stands with the marching bands and all the pageantry, it will be a dull atmosphere. Like watching a practice. Looking forward to 2021 season. Boy can't wait for an OSU game with no fans or marching bands in Ohio Stadium. Same with the NFL. It will be exciting. Whoopeee!

Coach D final year was 1985, 2nd in OVC with an 8-3 record. We we're in 1-AA playoffs not D-2. Ranked 10th in the nation at 1-AA that year.

Times are tough now. Its easy for these writers and naysayers to take pot shots at a struggling/rebuilding program. Hopefully by mid-summer, fall things will get back to normal. I hope Arth will get this program back on track. His recruiting classes so far are encouraging. Winning cures a lot. Its not just Akron, but other MAC schools going through the same things.

Lets get the kids back on campus. Get this Covid stuff behind us. Make some cuts and stay in the MAC where we belong. Football, Soccer and Basketball are the priority sports we need to preserve. We already committed by building a Div 1 stadium and Field house. Makes no sense to drop divisions. Seems like KSU and other MAC schools are in the same position. Keep playing couple big boy teams a season and collect the cash. Fun for the players to play against the big time programs. Administration doesn't need to make a knee jerk decision.

If we leave the MAC, I think Missouri Valley Conference looks like the best alternative. FCS (1-AA) football. Division 1 in basketball with auto bid to tournament. We have to wait till the smoke clears and we get back to "normal" to see what happens.

Buchtel field photo was taken 1934

The season is mercifully over. Arth isn't going anywhere. Unfortunately he has to start rock bottom and build up. Bringing in the kids that fit his philosophy of a successful program. It really comes down to recruiting. Obviously needs to bring in bigger better talent than what TB left him. I believe it will take 3-5 years to get us bowl game worthy again. As long as we see improvement next year by at least being competitive and a few wins would be nice, we need to give Arth a chance. Most all positions need to be addressed especially in the trenches and a much needed running game.

OU goes to low level bowl games every year, but has yet won a MAC championship under Uncle Solich

Throw away season. Tough to be positive and patient right now. Hopefully he can get his recruits the next couple years and turn this around.

Would we be this bad if Bowden was still here? I realize last years 4-8 wasn't great, but I'll take it now.

Winning would help put butts in the seats. Nice we won a MAC championship in 2005, and been in a couple bowl games, but that's been about it We have not developed a winning tradition over the years which causes apathy and hurts attendance.

Looks like our defense needs lots of work also.