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WOW

And "Akron University", and many missing words and grammar errors. I was shaking my head the entire time I was reading it.

But, I love that the prognosticators are talking about Arkansas State out of the Sun Belt. The perennial power of that league that's had some recent 10-win seasons, and recently catapulted the careers of Hugh Freeze and Gus Malzahn. Going to a nice, warm southern location, and getting a draw like that would be the jackpot for me. I really don't want to go back to Boise again either.

It will be interesting to see if we have enough guys right now who can make shots to play a game that might go into the triple digits. This might have to be a night where Utomi takes 40 FG attempts.

Being a Div. Champ or Conference champ from the MAC is going to provide better opportunities than having to leave the Country. I'm sure that bowl just started shopping early for teams that were done for the season.

A slew of MAC teams have gone to Mobile in the last several years, so I wouldn't doubt if that one is high on the radar for the higher level teams coming out of the MAC.

I forgot to mention the 4th St. area earlier. Great place to go if you want several places in close proximity. But if you're wanting the real Bourbon Experience, don't waste your time at the commercialized version in the city. Make the drive (less than an hour) down to Clermont to visit the actual Jim Beam estate.

Great post. Being the ugly duckling who gets no respect, and gets beaten up repeatedly has far more benefits than winning. It's amazing, isn't it?

I agree. We need to make that abbreviation standard practice on this forum.

I think our defense needs to show us one more thing. Can they contain an offense that can do a lot of things well? 12 years ago, we all sat here in the same position. An underdog against a team that could score on the ground and through the air. That night, they lit us up, but our offense was on fire that night, and was able to keep pace. We'll need performances like we had against OU on the offensive side of the ball once again, unless this game takes a very unexpected course.

I think it really is a shame that Penn State lost to the Suckeyes, by 1 point, in their stadium, in a near-miracle comeback.....and that is supposedly the NEGATIVE that's keeping Penn State out of the conversation? I think that should be a POSITIVE in their favor. But regardless, it does come down to Alabama. They've been the top team in the country for 3 months, and just lost ONE game, on the ROAD, to the team who the committee now feels is the 2nd best team in the country. No way in hell can anyone bend their mind far enough to justify them not claiming any of the available spots that might open up next Saturday. And it would be the ultimate hypocrisy if they allow the two-blowout-loser Suckeyes in under the same criteria that they used last year to eliminate Penn State.

These trips are always tough with an early game. But I can understand going this route if you don't want to go a day or two early or do anything else in town, and don't want to pay for hotels.

Amen. Or, for the Defense to force some punts to get THEMSELVES off of the field.

I think since Kato played the entire Kent game, that would be a signal from the coaching staff that they intend for this to be Kato's job, unless he falters. In my opinion, if there was any thought that Woodson could see action at any time during the remainder of the season, you should have given him plenty of playing time or started him last week. I can't think that it would be wise under most circumstance to send a QB out there in a conference championship game who hasn't played since October. But regardless, there won't be anything we can do offensively that will probably make a difference if Toledo once again throws for over 300 yards and rushes for 7 yards per carry.

As I've commented before, I keep waiting to see where that true "scorer" will come from, to compliment Utomi. I think it might end up being Parrish. He seems to have that ability and makeup, and is getting the minutes. We'll see if he starts to take more opportunities in the coming games. But with Patton in the starting lineup, I'm wondering if the coaches see him as having that potential? But for a starter, his minutes are still low, and his turnovers and fouls last night in limited action were a bit troubling. We'll see where this goes after after a few more games.

No, that hasn't been the response. I don't know anything about placing speakers in the best locations. I've only shared some of those thoughts with you guys here. I've limited those conversations to my thoughts about the bad location right now, and I know others who have done the same. .

Give yourself some time. It's a Huuuuge facility.

I actually think that would be a good location on the West side. Don't know about the East side. Instead, they are right on the sides of the press box, directly behind seated fans.

Actually, Butler being in those Final 4's likely made those years more exciting for everyone. Certainly more memorable. That benefits the NCAA. I don't see why they'd have a problem with that.

I think this is a fair assessment of the situation. Just like the OU game, I'm probably looking at things from angles that tell me that we may not be outmatched. It's an exciting time for us, and I'm really trying to see the optimistic side.

I don't want to ignore the previous game. But.... 1) It was in mid-October. 2) It was at Toledo. 3) In just the last couple of weeks, Toledo has played their worst game of the year. 4) In just the last couple of weeks, Akron has played their best game of the year (and it was against the team that demolished Toledo).

That's the way I'm leaning. Tickets sales to the games is only one part of the money that's made from March Madness. As with most sports, sponsors and TV advertising revenue is what makes everything possible. No Cinderella has to make it to the Final 4 in order for the tournament to see the value of the Cinderellas in capturing the fascination of college basketball fans. And if your focus is only on the attendance at the Final 4 and Championship Game, that has become one of the premium yearly tickets in sports. That part of their revenue stream is probably going to max out from this point forward, no matter which 4 teams are playing.

Now that they're already making the weakest #16 seeds play a play-in game, they are probably a step closer to eliminating those teams. But, I do wonder if the public's attraction to those kinds of teams, and the possibility of big upsets, is something that the tournament powers could never justify eliminating? If the field was smaller, the "Cinderella Factor" would go away.

It's nearly impossible for the Suckeyes to get in now, if you follow logic. But, there probably is some scenario that still makes it possible for the committee to sneak them in the back door, if they want them and their fans in the playoff. But, even if there is an upset in all of the championship games, you'd still have to move them ahead of Alabama probably, who has only 1 loss, to a top team, and spent the entire season at the top of the rankings. Compared to 2 losses, in blowouts, and one of them was against a dismal team in the latter part of the season.