Balsy

I'm glad GP1 is no longer participating in these conversations of Football, because the sentiment against being tired of "rebuilding" is ridiculous. Perhaps I feel that way because my first season as a Zips fan, we went 3-9, then went 3-33 over the next three years. This isn't "rebuilding" this is completely starting from scratch. This isn't a down program that a few things will fix, this is a blown-up-into-tiny-little-pieces-that-cannot-be-put-back-together program. Winning now would be nice, but it's not realistic. Again I wil reference my post over in the EA article, that our expectations and reality are two very different things.

zipsoutsider +1. Dead on. My post on the EA article reflects this sentiment.

I think it's rather unfair. Many of our expectations (EA's expectations) were based on emotion, rather than critical analysis (I'm guilty of that). Many of us had lofty expectations, EA freakin picked Akron to be No. 1 in the MAC east. These analysis were based, though somewhat reasonable, on the expectations set by the end of the season last year (Ignoring that the worst teams on that schedule were those teams). I know hindsight is 20/20, but we all made a huge mistake when looking at this team. All of the problems that we faced last year, were the same problems we faced this year. The same lack of talent that existed last year, was the same lack of talent we had this year. Even with the exchange of several players for several others (transfers, graduations etc...) this was largely the EXACT same team we had last year, that beat pretty much the exact same competition this year as it did last year. These problems presented themselves in the spring game, summer camp as well as the game against Howard. The play calling was a problem last year, it was again this year. Some members warned about this in the pre-season chatter, which subsided after going 4-2 in the first 6. Going forward I think we need to assess this team for what it is, and align our expectations to whether or not the problems are being fixed or not. The metrics I will be looking at are: 1. Play calling/game management 2. QB Play (yes this is an issue). 3. Other Offensive weapons 4. Does the defense regress or stay relative the same If all of these are addressed in the off season, I will set high expectations for this team. 6-6 was probably an appropriate expectation for this team this year, not 7-5...or 8-4. Eventually those will become expectations if we can continue to grow.

There is something that was invented at Akron that's used on almost every play in modern football: it's called the "Center Snap".

You're joking right Ando? Because if your not...

So far this is how our schedule looks like on RPI: Binghamton (301) N. Kentucky (289) N. Iowa (87) Valsparaiso (106) Belmont (175) Siena (76) Upcoming teams: Morehead St. (56) Bethune-Cookman (263) UCF (117) YSU (69) WMU (66) Go Zips! Mes, if the Zips keep it up I'm going to start "Lady Zips" threads for each game. It's time we start generating some excitement about this team. Old Folk, y'all need to get out to the games! Go Zips!

I was a big fan of the chrome helmets the first time I saw the Zips play in them. I actually don't mind the Black Uniforms at all. I would have rather seen the Chrome helmets in the Penn State game. I'd also like to see some more creativity with mixing and matching the pants with helmet combos. We have enough pant/helmet/uniform possible combos in order to have a "different" look each game. The thing about the Black jersey's...they're only nice if we're winning in them. We were 1-1 in them this year? (Correct me if I'm wrong). At this point I'm more worried about changing this awful culture of losing than the uniforms.

Another area that they can improve: When they have live music venue playing at ZipsFest (which is a nice addition, I'll give them Kudos for trying to make I more of a family event), make sure that the muscisians are DONE PLAYING WHEN THE BAND TAKES THE FIELD! There were three times (that I counted) where the stupid live music bands were playing at the same time the Band was. It was obnoxious and is kind of disgraceful when they're playing at the same time as our fight song. It's almost like playing music over the loud speakers while the band is on the field. Change that.

What a great start to the season! 6-0! Go Zips!

I have to say I agree with Lee Adams.

So we're going to have a Givens and a Bivins in the backfield? Looks like Bowden has gone away from grabbing Williams' and Browns' and is working on names that rhyme with other names on the roster

Agreed. But I've always felt that the Bowden offense was dumbed down for the QB (fitting a system to the QB). We need to find a QB for the system, becuase it didn't work for us the other way around. DW13 ran the offense much more effectively than Pohl ever did.

It's bad GP1, but we will endure as we always do. Go Zips.

Because someone in Alabama is an awesome Alumni who, despite the just absolute awful collapse of the football team in the last six games, is willing to show up early for the Iron Bowl coverage and represent the Zips. That my friends, is a true fan! GO ZIPS!

Not true: we just showed how there is such a case where there is a better QB on the roster and wasn't playing. I believe that was also the case for Tom Brady? Oh...and some State Ohio University fans would say Barrett (and I'd agree with them). Coaches seem to favor experience over athleticism, until the athleticism proves it can hold under pressure. IMO TW13 has more athleticism and ability than Pohl; but he cracked under pressure. We do have other QBs on the roster too...hopefull (for our sake) much better than Pohl.

Why even post anything if most here are going to dance around the actual point? If you're going to make a comment such as "The Browns Mentality" than you should at least be open to a critique of that comment. And you really should be saying the "NFL Mentality" because just about every team in the NFL goes through the QB carosel until it works. Firing coaches is a better way to reach Browns level of inadequacy than getting rid of horrible QBs. LZip, thanks for actually addressing the point made.

I agree with Zach. And not to take anything away from what you said Zipgrad, but I've seen (all season) receivers open on plays that Pohl did not see, and instead forced the ball to an unopened WR. Today alone there were 3-4 plays he threw a Lazy ball and missed wide open receivers (there was one to Imani Davis that was for sure a TD), as was the missed pass to TE Anthony Ritossa, and there were also several plays where Pohl completely missed at least 1 open WR. I agree our WRs need to improve, but a QB who can hit open guy will make the WRs better. As for the contention that this is the "Browns" mentality. The "Browns Mentality" is the correct one. If a guy isn't getting it done, get one who can in your system as quickly as possible. The Browns have a first year stating QB this year and he seems to be running a brand new offense (to him) with a brand new head coach, with a team who is also adjusting to a whole new scheme: quite well. Its also important to note that the Browns had that QB on their roster already last year, yet the last staff went with the BS notion that a first-round pick (Weeden) must be better without having a proper competition. There was clearly a better option on the bench. I agree something has got to be done with the play calling I'm often left scratching my head, we need to get back to the 2012 style offense that we had. Kyle Pohl (however) is not the QB to lead it.

I tried defending this team up until this point. Sorry...I got nothing. I will officially state that I was wrong. We need changes in just about every part of this team before next season. I'm done with Milwee, I'm done with Pohl.

They sounded pretty strong on my drive back from the Football disaster. Made me feel better

Pohl was 1-3 in his last 4 games. The Zips have been 5-7 twice with Pohl at the helm. We need to solve the offensive problems by fixing the QB position. Pohl has not taken care of the ball in crucial parts of the game. Penn St, Miami, Can't, BGSU...INTs in the Redzone are unacceptable when your offense has trouble moving the ball to get to he red zone in the first time. I've seen very little growth in Pohl over the past two seasons. The problems he had last year, are the same problems he has this year: stares down receivers,does not adapt to the coverage, sticks to busted plays (the INT in the game today was an example of that, the WR wasn't open at all from my angle, and was a forced throw), doesn't command the offense and seems to lack confidence.

Not true at all. If an altercation is bad enough that warrants someone else calling the police, than it is not just their business. But way too many assumptions are being made here on this subject. We need to trust that the adults involved with the program are doing what they judge to be best. Sorry, but if you don't want to get suspended from your team keep your nose clean and don't get in ANY confrontation.

Though it would have been nice to see a victory here, I'm pleased with where this Zips team is at right now. Compared to the team last year, we are vastly improved and we actually look like a team. The next couple of weeks before MAC play should be interesting to watch. Enjoy the ride!

How does it virtually give us a bowl (assuming we take care of business against Can't)? MAC has contracts with five bowls, there are five teams in the MAC who have better records than us...

It's a rivalry game and it's away for us. 4.5 doesn't surprise me.

Let's get all ZipsNation members to pledge here, put that pot together and approach the athletic department/university with the idea.