zipsoutsider

Dumbest post I have ever read on ZN. Get a grip.

On the bright side, we haven't turned it over, have we?

I agree. Pohl still can't convert in the red zone. We need to move on, although concerned about Chapman's passing.

QB problems not solved.

Kids ranked at the top of Kohl's are not likely to whiff. Ranked #2 kicker and #1 punter in class of 2015. Snapper is solid, too.

Preview of the helmets: https://www.periscope.tv/w/aLoQPzM3ODc4ODZ8MUJkR1lsZW1sQlpLWJSeq3JZn_o8oD8VQhj3JBdZMlMFdXmh_pUWLYRb0BSD

"Team Note | True Freshman Corner Into The Fire: As I mentioned earlier in the week, I had heard that true freshman PJ Mbanasor had been taking a lot of first team reps at corner throughout the week. I checked with a couple sources and it appears that Mbanasor is expected to get the start on Saturday night. I cannot get into the specifics of what led to Mbanasor getting the start over Jordan Thomas, but I can say Thomas is expected to play on Saturday as well. And while it will continue to be a competition, as is virtually every starting position throughout the season, the expectation is that Thomas will resume his starting role the following week in Knoxville. (Super K)" https://thefootballbrainiacs.com/ou-oklahoma-sooners-football-duvonta-lampkin-pj-mbanasor-jordan-thomas-recruiting-tre-brown-obi-eboh-robert-barnes

Present company excepted, pphilfran (you have been a good sport in all of this), I hope Sooner fans realize how ridiculous it is to make fun of the nickname, "Zips" when you constantly cite and sing, "Boomer Sooner." Just sayin'

Zips FB equipment team got a little love from US Airways: https://twitter.com/ZipsFBVideo/statuses/639464561632919552

I don't expect the Zips to walk into this game feeling like underdogs or being overwhelmed. We have enough experience playing in large venues, and in competitive games, to give us the confidence to compete. Do we have talent that can match up. Yes, I believe we do. Here's why: I believe the Sooners are all looking ahead to TN. They almost have to look ahead. It's a huge road game for them and the Vols are already planning to be decked out in that awful, checkerboard, orange and white. The new offense for Oklahoma that puts the o-line in a 2 point stance, I believe gives the Zips defense an advantage. I look for an aggressive, energized defense to come out strong and try to throw Mayfield off of his game and force him into his notorious poor decision-making patterns. Their backs may break 1 or 2, but I expect a solid performance by the Zips D if the offense can give them the breathers they need. Overall, I am less concerned by the heat than I am the pace. We are all worried about the offense. However, if you look back at some of our games last year, it is easy to see that lack of cohesion from the OL was a major factor. With a more experienced and hopefully improved OL, and an increase focus on the run game, I am hopeful that we can have a more balanced attack. If we can sustain long drives on offense, I believe we can win. If we cannot, the Zips D will wear out, eventually. I expect to see improvements, due to experience on offensive penalties, which will also help our cause. This game may very well come down to special teams. Austin Seibert was the best punter and second best kicker in the country last year, ranked by Kohls, the premiere kicking and punting training organization in the country. However, he is not a big kid. He's 5' 10". I like the punter to be a little taller in case things go amiss. Zach Paul was able to make a couple of very athletic plays last year that saved us from bad situations. Robert Stein had a solid year last year and anticipate similar this year. I think we have the special teams edge, largely due to experience. Siebert might be able to kick a longer FG, but it is a big transition from HS to college, and a reason coaches often prefer to redshirt kids. Zips 24, Sooners 21 ​

I guess that remains to be seen, doesn't it?

Pitt OL having injury issues http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2015/09/02/Pitt-Panthers-offensive-line-still-in-flux-heading-into-opener-against-Youngstown-State/stories/201509020205?utm_medium=social&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=echobox&utm_term=Autofeed#link_time=1441233473

I didn't hear the interview, either, but believe that Bowden has clearly demonstrated his ability to get our kids as ready for big games where we are notable underdogs. Anyone have a link to the thread where they are discussing this?

Could be, but take a look at the reserved seats left for the Pitt game - not many left. Hard to tell how much GA seating is left.

Really good article: "I lost my crimson shades" I especially found the following interesting: "The starting quarterback for OU was a non-scholarship athlete before transferring to OU from Texas Tech. Mayfield was a starter at Tech before eventually losing his position due to the amount of interceptions thrown. Mayfield’s Spring Red/White scrimmage back in April was more evidence of a tendency to throw interceptions. Accuracy is paramount in the Air Raid offense. It is the single most important factor for the offense to be successful.​" And: "Both of these backs need to be in offenses that feature them with linemen that are in 3-point stances, and charge forward to create holes for running space. In the Air Raid offense, linemen are up in 2-point stances, and back peddle almost every snap."

Wow. Just. Wow.

The new band uniforms look sharp.

This has always been an option for non-athletes, if a school can afford it. My friend's son got such a stipend with his full academic ride to Villanova, and they were not a financially needy family. At UA, marching band members get a $1,000 stipend per year.

I am pretty excited to watch him too. I am also excited to see what they do with Newman Williams.

EA is predicting a sellout home game this year, perhaps against Pitt. I have hear rumors that the Pitt game may sell out. This would go a long way towards helping our attendance issue.

EA with a couple of good posts yesterday. I thought this one, "Five Things I think About the Akron Zips" was particularly interesting. He seems to be one of the few writers who is a believer in the 2015 Zips. Also found his logic here valid and has persuaded me to reconsider my thoughts on the QB situation. "Why Pohl is fighting for his job is an absolute puzzle. In brief glimpses at practice, Tra'Von Chapman is different, with his ability to run, but not clearly better. I just can't see sitting a senior QB who has played well at Michigan, Penn State and Pitt for a QB whose biggest game to date was while playing at Ashland."

I have to say that after perusing the OK boards, I am not impressed. Biggest bunch of ___________ I have seen in a while. Can't wait until our D shuts their traps. I am glad a couple of the more reasonable fans stopped by over here to show us you aren't all like that. Penn State fans were nothing but courteous and I found them quite complimentary during the game.

I thought the same thing, but he didn't seem incredibly focused on us in his presser or what they needed to do this week. It could have been because it was the first one if the season, but after he acknowledged the game and TB, he never really cane back to it. They might feel forced to look ahead to TN more than they are looking at Akron. He did mention the win over Pitt, but I am not sure Pitt is held in any higher regard than Akron.

I eyeballed the size match-ups and overall, not too bad. They are, in general, taller, but it was not as big if a mismatch as I anticipated. They are very tall at LT (6‘ 8") and they have one taller receiver, but other than that I don't see dramatic differences. However, according to this article, the left side of the OL is inexperienced. https://trove.com/a/10-Thoughts-on-the-Sooners-Depth-Chart.vZNvs?utm_campaign=hosted&utm_medium=twitter&ts=1441111001&utm_source=sns&nocrawl=1

My cable provider will have the game..... on Monday.