Balsy

I sat there wondering how we had 18,000 people in the stadium...because that's like 70% full. I could agree with 50%...but 70? Maybe if everyone on the field was added into that number...and the workers...

Agreed. On my drive back I calmed myself down from another disappointing loss by reminding myself that "Only Conference play really matters." Which is the truth. But we absolutely have to start winning these perfectly winnable games, and soon...or I fear for the fan base. It was a fun atmostphere at Infocision tonight, but if we keep losing absolutely no one will be there.

I mean thanks for saying great game. But that wasn't a great game. That was Akron up to it's old ways. Finding any possible way to blow the lead.

Got my custom Zips basketball jersey today. Despite the rain, feeling good about the Zips. 38-35 Akron.

Sure we will. They'll just be in the form of Post Season games.

I'm getting my "Don't Give Up The Ship" flag ready. It's time to defend the home field.

Here are several observations I made from being in Ann Arbor. 1. The Big House doesn't seem as big as it is, and it was not really that intimidating. Neyland was much more intimidating. I have a soft spot for old buildings, but it really felt empty despite being packed. I never once felt like I was at a fierce away game. In point of fact, Akron players were jumping on the side line and waving their arms to pump up the crowd as if it were an Akron crowd. Home field advantage almost had NO effect. 2. Everyone was extremely nice to me, nicer to me than State Ohio fans. In fact, many of the UM fans were commenting about how they want to follow Akron the rest of the season, and are pulling for us to get out of the dumpster. Very classy stuff. For once in my 5-year college career, I don't feel embarrassed to be an Akron fan. 3. This team looked like the real deal, almost as if the past two weeks were Vanilla offenses on purpose for this game to throw off Michigan's preparation. I saw many more of our "meat and potato" plays run effectively than in the last two games. I felt I was watching two equal teams. And statistically speaking, we beat/tied Michigan in almost every measurable way. 4. For the first time EVER in my college career, I actually found myself believing we could win a game. I walked into the stadium with no nervous or excited feeling, to having my adrenaline constantly pumping in anticipation for our offense to take the field. For once I found myself excited about scoring as opposed to nervous about interceptions. 5. CJ Mizell is a stud. Michigan fans around me noted it, I noted it, he needs to be starting. 6. Kyle Pohl proved he can lead this team, and Chisholm showed he can take a hit and move the ball. Zenel showed marked improvement. Perhaps they all read ZN? 7. LT Smith is the best WR we have at the moment. Traylor-Bennet will develop, but until he makes more of a Punch, Smith needs to fill Suel's role.

Clearly, my drunken prediction was pretty damn close.

I'm heading up with one friend...but I think we're going to wonder around Ann Arbor before the game.

39-38 Akron!

Alright, sitting in the stands by the band for the first time in my college career and I loved it, also purchased my first Beer of Infocision stadium...and we started coming back after that...so clearly alcohol consumption = Zips success Any who, I was VERY disappointed in this game, though I'm happy to have the W. KP16 looked terrible in my opinion, missing open receivers, over shooting them...undershooting them...Pohl looked confused half the time, while Hirschman looked poised in the pocket. The last thing I wanted was a QB controversy...but perhaps we can run QB by committee instead of leaving in all in Pohl's hands? Because I don't trust him at this point. On top of that, I really feel like the coaching staff made some bone headed decisions. CJ Mizell seems to be one of the best LB on the team, and we didn't start using him until about half way through the game...even on situational pass rushes...when he is clearly one of the best pass rushers. I know he didn't show up to practice until later, but he looks better than half the LB's out there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I still felt like we were running a vanilla offense. We did have a few more shots than normal, but I felt like Milwee and Bowden were still holding back. Perhaps I'm delusional, but I certainly felt that way...

Though I agree...I must chime in. The Name "Zips" and our Mascot the Kangaroo originated in two different places...We are the AKRON ZIPPERS we've shortened it to Zips because that's cooler/hipper? ZIPPER is after a product made by BF Goodrich when the factory was opened. C'mon Zips fans...you guys should know this! We ARE Zippers AND our mascot is a Kangaroo...

I can't believe people are predicting large JM wins. This is beyond belief to me. ZN what has happened to us?

From a guy who was at that game: It was FAR from an ass-whipping. Ass-whipping is what UCF did to us this year. Completely controlling the game, never allowing the opponent to gain an advantage. Tennessee game we were in the lead for a good portion of the game. And as a graduating senior, there has been no game more exciting in my Collegiate career than being in the stands of Neyland Stadium watching Akron hang-in against the University of Tennessee.

No. Because "ranking" systems are asinine, and completely worthless to predicting the outcomes of games. There's that the NCAA ranking system for BCS championships are such popularity non-sense...because there is no actual way to rank teams who only have a 12 game season.

Well this first one would cost money, which UA doesn't seem to have at the moment however there are décor needs to be done to the JAR, and I'm not referring to seats. Just walking into the JAR (the dark damp feeling) as well as décor itself that just feels old and warn. Very minor changes were made to the soccer stadium and those have made it feel better. I know that may sound ridiculous, but walking into the soccer stadium there's an excited feel, The JAR just feels like gloom. I feel like the "we're a second rate institution" feeling that a lot of outsiders seem to be projecting onto the University, is being projected onto us as students. We may have to live with the JAR for now, but there are small things we can to do make it feel more relevant. I would add lighting, but apparently there's a rumor going around that is already underway...and if that is the case kudos. Second; one that doesn't require money, stop making the student section so confusing. The last two years (besides the on-court AK rowdies section) the student section has been moved with very little notice. We need to find a place for the students, and not split it with potential ticket sales. I know that sounds bad...but if we want this program to gain momentum on the fan side, we've got to make it an easier and more enjoyable experience for the students (who burden the biggest financial support for Akron Athletics). Along with that, don't have the special student entrance on the opposite side of where the students sit. There's a lot of little things that go a long way to making students more excited about the game experience, and we've got to understand our market better. We are not OSU, but we can build a better experience.

Though I agree, I honestly agree with TB's game plan. They expected to play a lot closer...not having UCF jump to 7 point (in 30 seconds) and 14 point (5 minutes) so early in the game. The conservative play calling was likely because last year we had four turnovers, 3 from the offense, which basically handed UCF 14-21 easy points last year. There is something in the water; it's called 4 years with a 6-42 record. It's called literally having the "turn around" game 4x last year, only coming up empty in the waning seconds of the game. That's enough to drain ANYONE's fire; including TB's.

Actually there's a lot to do in NE Ohio besides said activities...as a current college student not only do I attend games but I also do many other activities OTHER than drinking. I get what you mean, but it's kind of hard to push myself to go to the football game when I can go do other Saturday afternoon things...and I'm a die-hard Zips fan. I ALWAYS go to the games, but leave questioning what I could have done with my time instead. Build a good program and the students will start coming: this is because upper-classman like myself will grab the younger people and bring them with us (unforced). Soccer has a fun, college fan atmosphere that Akron Basketball and Football do not have. It makes it very appealing. And this new "Roo Weekend" nonsense is working hard to further destroy the appeal.

MTB certainly has the potential to be another Dom Hixon...as well as Chandler Kincade has to be the next Frye. This team is headed in the right direction.

Another reason why the University of Akron is slowly sliding to an new, pathetic low. My graduation cannot come fast enough! Can we please get some "real" people incharge of academics and standards to take over decision making please? "Encouragers" getting paid $8 an hour (which isn't worth the hassle or the time), just seems plain desperate...and makes those of us who are good students look bad for choosing to go to Akron.

I certainly hope so. With what we've been dealing with for the past 14 years with the Browns, having the team not rely on a kicker to save them is better than kicking fieldgoals while the other team is scoring touchdowns.

and James Madison...and Miami...and Can't... Can't looked TERRIBLE against Liberty. Without Dri Archer they completely fell apart offensively. And I would wager to say our defense is better than Liberty's.

Agreed...I see buckeye trees all the time...However who cares about State Ohio University?

I couldn't handle the ESPN3 feed anymore. If I didn't know any better, UCF are the undisputed National champion gods going by what I've heard. UCF cannot do wrong, that (clearly non-)fumble was clearly a fumble. But seriously...this is really horrible to watch. I don't think we turned a corner at all.

Can't is losing to Liberty? Well...looks like their on the chopping block this year...