Balsy

I thought it’d be nice to start a thread on the football schedule itself. There’s been some discussion about the Tuesday night games and attendance in this thread…however I thought it’d be nice to start a thread dedicated to discussing the games themselves. Our expectations, our hopes etc… This is the first time in a long time I’ve felt that ever game on our schedule is winnable (A feeling I’m sure we all haven’t had in a VERY long time. I by no means believe we can run the table, that’s just insane…but this schedule does present some very interesting opportunities for the Zips. Game 1: Home vs. Howard What a way to start off our year! For once, we get our FCS “Cupcake” on the first game of the year so we have a chance to start off on a good note. The Bison went 6-6 last year and have a second year head coach. Game 2: Away vs. Penn State The last couple of years there have been two games that I said we were guaranteed to be blown out; both of which I attended in person. Those games were Tennessee and Michigan. Though Tennessee did blow us out in the 4th; it was not in sweeping fashion as I had expected. Penn State has a new coach in James Franklin. I like this matchup a lot. The questions I have: How much (if any) impact is the sanctions from a couple of years ago going to affect this season (team experience), and can Bowden dial a game plan like he did against Michigan? Football fundamentals will win this game. Protect the ball, and win the battle of turnovers. Game 3: Home vs. Marshall IMO, there is a lot of potential to make noise early in the Season for the Zips. Akron will play it’s former MAC rival after a BYE week. Imagine the momentum the program would have if it really could pull off an upset against Penn State? Not likely, I know, but there is a chance early. The Thundering Herd Game 4: Away vs. Pittsburgh Another close OOC away game! Game 5: Home vs. EMU This might be the first time that the Zips return home for “homecoming” and are actually able to win the game. There seems to be a good chance that the Zips can enter conference play on a 2-2 record. From the improvement we all expect they should be able to knock off one of the three D-I teams. I can’t remember the last time the Zips won a homecoming game…but this certainly looks like the best opportunity for the Zips to break the cycle and for Bowden to continue his success of ending embarrassing streaks. Game 6: Home vs. Miami Miami went 0-12 last year, and have a first year head coach. Though they might turn it around some day, this looks like two straight favorable games for the Zips. Game 7: Away vs. Ohio This is the part of the schedule I see as being a major possible road-bump. Tettleton FINALLY graduated, leaving the QB spot to new blood. The Bobkittens are still a strong team; but the question is how much will the loss of Tettleton affect them? Game 8: Away vs. Ball State Last season I felt that there were only three games that we were truly outmatched and outgunned in; the UCF, Ohio and the Ball St games. Even BGSU and Ohio could have been beaten by last year’s version of the Zips…however if Akron and Ball St played 100 times, I’m not sure we’d win 20% of them. Game 9: Home vs. BGSU When I look at this game, way too early on paper, I just don’t see any way we can win. In conference play, this looks (IMO) to be the hardest conference game. If anyone has any thoughts on BG please share… Game 10: Away vs. Buffalo How good was Buffalo last year? Everytime I watched them it seemed that the only thing that was keeping them in the game was the Defense…a defense spearheaded by Khalil Mack. Considering we’ve also had some turnover on defense, this is a game at this moment I do not expect us to win…but depending upon the season it might end up as a push later on. Game 11: Home vs. UMass I don’t think that we could have asked for a better final home game…except for the fact that it is a Tuesday…in November…All things Considered, with a favorable matchup against the Minuetment with the last game of the season, there is a very good chance our home W’s will be over 500 (another horrible streak we have a chance to end this year). This is also a possible trap game for the Zips, since UMass has joined the conference we are 1-1 against them. The loss coming at the Big Dialer. Game 12: Away vs. Can't There is nothing I can say about this game other then Bonus game: MAC Championship game/Beyond? If I were to give a catch phrase for this season it would literally be “start strong, finish strong”. The Zips certainly have a chance to make some noise early in the year in both the conference and OOC slate. About midway through the season is when I see the Zips playing their hardest conference games with back-to-back weeks against Ohio, Ball St, BGSU, Buffalo. UMass and Can't seem to be a great way to end the season.

Attendance 4049. I'm surprised, way to go ZipNation!

I've been saying it for awhile folks. Increase student involvement, increase student involvement, increase student involvement. I don't know how we breed a sense of community, but UA needs one BADLY. We need to change the culture, and I'm not sure where it begins. Most likely with us Alumni.

And the Golden Flashes defeat the Bobkittens.

At least your mind is in the "right" place! Who knew we'd ever be substituting "WIN" for any other word when talking about Akron Football? Students: I guess my perception of student attendance has been marred by football going a collective 11-49 while I was at school (granted the last year was the miraculous turnaround). Student attendance was always a problem (save the early year evening games). Hopefully it will be better especially since we appear to be getting better...however there is always that nagging voice in the back of my mind...

Ehhhhh I've got imagine the attendance would be barely over 3,200. So I'll go over.

Im with Keener on this. I like the national exposure...but I DON'T like the national exposure of ours stadium being empty. I'd rather have more fans in the stadium to build the fan base and THEN get national exposure....over getting national exposure without building the fan base. Students won't likely attend Tuesday night games that late in the season either.

I consider ESPN2 to be a main ESPN channel. This could be a good thing; if Bowden is able to position the team well. I think if we (and our potential opponent) are doing relatively well, we may be able to land ESPN2 (hence a more national audience). Football fans crave football, and there's not much football on a Tuesday night to watch. It would be background to many places. Yes background, but it would be an opportunity for the team to shine and make statement for itself. Especially the OHIO or BGSU game. But don't get me wrong: this is a terrible, terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE schedule.

Thanks for explaining guys! Obviously as a young person, Dambrot has been the only coach since I've been following the team. I'll have a little reading to do

Can't State vs. Akron on a Tuesday...in November...yes let's have closest D-I rivalry play on the WORST day in the WORST month for college football (attendance wise). Freaking morons running the MAC. Can't Akon game will have more people in attendance earlier in the year.

Can someone explain to us young people the "Hipsher days"...I'm lost...

I'm sorry...but Tuesday night games sounds like a disaster for us (attendance wise) in November. Who's going to go watch an Zips game...in the cold...on a school/work night... I know that severely limits my ability to attend games. Though I will be there within reason.

I'm not sure what you mean...you hope we don't get 7 wins? So +/-??

+1. Even though I don't mind the A-Roo. The A-Roo is all over the sadium...and the field already...it is our emblem. I don't mind both however.

I'd imagine they'd try to do something like what Miami did this year. Just a thought.

Because he could still be involved with them post-graduate?

That's also probably why the season ticket information said "back by popular demand...replica jerseys will be sold to the season ticket holders"? @AkZipper there is no doubt in my mind they will be releasing it to the public at some point before we see them. Because it is a great buzz creator. But I don't think Februrary is a good time for creating buzz. Spring game......release of schedule....announcement of new jerseys (with spoilers?). Seems like a reasonable order

As much as the ABJ, Fox8 might not be the most friendly media to UA, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mess up names released to them.

Definitely a good read, though I must admit some of the stats I had to look-up what they meant. Akron 2014 will go 7-5. 2-2 in OOC play (I'm not willing to put a name on who we upset yet). Wins against Can't, UMass, EMU, Miami and a revenge win against either OU or BGSU, though I'm leaning towards it being Ohio. Book it for me.

I was thinking about those who actually have a chance of coming back this year, but without both Reggie and Kretzer it's obvious I think to all of us that we're in a world of hurt. +1.

To be completely honest there are a lot of takeaways as this year grinds to a haunt (or at least seemingly does). We are nothing without 3-point shooting...we need better PG play. However I will say I have seen drastic improvment in Melo from where he was at the begining of the year. Though, that's not saying much. If we can get Kretzer back this team stands a chance of running the table. Kretzer is by far the most reliable 3-point shooter on this team, IMO. Diggs needs to go take a long look in the mirror and evaluate if this is how he wants to go out; with barely scraping by at the end. Kretzer and Q are the keys to the next few games.

Were a couple of conference games added this year? From 2009-Now our conference records are as follows, *indicates NCAA bid. *2008-2009 10-6 2009-2010 12-4 *2010-2011 9-7 2011-2012 13-3 *2012-2013 14-2 2013-2014 9-6 (three games left)

Alright so...go Can't and BG? (the two remaining teams on the Bobkitten schedule that actually have a chance of beating them)

Unfortunately Keener...I must bow to your prophetic abilities

I found myself saying that. We all know that it comes down to what happens in Cleveland...but I can't take myself Seriously saying that. On a positive note: Lady Zips have moved to an 11-game winning streak, slamming the Redhawks 88-63. The Lady Zips look like serious contenders again this year, and should be exciting to watch out the stretch. Bobkittens lost to Buffalo (big surprise). Toledo is also struggling against the mighty Nothern Illinois Huskies... Can't wait for football at this point.