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ZippyRulz...I hope you are right.I've been talking about yesterday's game for quite some time. What you never know, when you have a game scheduled that far in advance, is the stage that both teams will be in at the time of the game.In this case, it was evident that both teams would be strong defensively, and rebuilding offensively. And that's exactly how it played out.Who knows what kind of team each of us will have in 2011.

Ryno..that's true. Indiana is probably not as good as Ohio State. Only time will tell. But it's certainly not encouraging that they beat probably the best team in the MAC on the road.

Ryno...I'd be satisfied if 1/4 of Akron felt that way.

Lots of comments here. Good stuff.Cicero, the classless nature in which Ohio State fans treat visiting fans at a game is what I am referring to. And it's not a great secret. Besides what I've been told BY OHIO STATE FANS THEMSELVES, I only have one personal experience (yesterday), and the numerous incidents I witnessed certainly do more to support the claim, rather than refute it.I have no knowledge of how they talk about other schools on their chat board. I've never been there, so I can't comment on that.Buckzip. I certainly understand your point that if Ohio State wins out, it makes Akron look better since we hung with them for over 3 quarters. However, I've never been of the opinion that a strong Ohio State program helps Akron in the long run. We compete with Ohio State for athletes, students, professors, fan support, media attention, etc. Over the years, history seems to indicated that when Ohio State is having success, it turns into a major publicity boost for their entire University, and pulls more attention away from what we are doing here in Akron. Zippysgotagun...I understand your point about how you felt at halftime. I also was feeling as if we may not be able to score, at least offensively. But in a game like that, where your defense is keeping you within a touchdown for the better part of the game, you always have a chance to win, which is exactly the situation you want to be in when you are in a game like that. I'll stick by my "physical" comment. For more than a half, our defensive starters vs. their offensive starters was nearly a stalemate. In fact, I was quite surprised at our ability to attack their blocks, and make good, clean, physical tackles, and the nature of most of those turnovers supports that. The only thing that stopped us was the fatigue from the extreme length of time they spent on the field. Sure, they broke some longer plays on a few occassions because teams like them still have an athleticism/speed advantage. But, if you've been around the Zips as long as I have, you would have never seen that happen 20 years ago against a ranked team. Back then, our opponent would have knocked us around a bit, scored several times in the first quarter, put their backups in the game, and it would have turned into a practice workout.I know Akron players from back in that era. Believe me, they didn't enjoy it.

I don't want to profess to know more than JD. And I also don't want to start looking towards the backup quarterback to solve the problem, especially since I criticize the Browns for their lack of growth over the last 8 years using that same futile strategy.Much like the Browns, the problem appears to be the blocking. I don't care which quarterback plays, if you can't run the football, and can't keep pressure off of your quarterback, you're in trouble. But, it's not a surprise to anyone that we would struggle to produce offense in yesterday's game. So, lets see how this unfolds when we play some lesser opponents over the next couple of weeks.Yes, it seems Jackson could provide a little more spark. But for now, I am going to trust that JD is putting us in the best position to win games by utilizing the guy who makes fewer mistakes, and rely on a strong defense to win games.

Buckzip....no personal (since you accuse me of this) disrespect, but were you watching the same football game????For 3 quarters, Akron was one play away from taking the lead. And we were a 28 to 33 point underdog, based on which publication you were reading this week. If I were an Ohio State fan right now, I'd be looking for a rock to climb under. Seriously.

Buckzip. Based on what we saw today, and everyone's less-than-impressive viewpoint of the way they performed against YSU last week, I'd say that at least 3 losses is a pretty objective and accurate analysis.

Buckzip...Let me clarify, before you judge me for throwing out crap.I've lived in Ohio my entire life, as a sports fan, and surrounded by Ohio State fans. This was my FIRST EVER visit to Ohio State. And, I was warned by BUCKEYE FANS that we would be facing the most hostile and vulger environment we'd ever see.Not convinced yet?Me and my girlfriend were walking into the game, being badgered, as I had expected. Out of nowhere, this very nice man in an Ohio State shirt walked up to us, shaked our hands and said, "sorry, don't pay any attention to these idiots, you folks enjoy the game".It was a nice gesture from yet another person who KNEW what we were encountering.So, before you say this is MY opinion, know that these comments from me are coming from someone with NO PREVIOUS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE at an Ohio State football game.

My guess was...."Buckeye's could have done more, if it wasn't for turnovers"

I already commented about Cicero's idiotic comments in another thread, so I won't repeat much of it here. But I will just way this...YOU and every other Suckeye faithful was DUMBFOUNDED at halftime of this game. You were thinking "oh no, not us", and everything else you can imagine, thinking of what happened to the Wolverines last week.Don't believe me? I have dozens of Ohio State friends that felt that way. Don't tell me you felt any different. A MAC school beat up your offense, PHYSICALLY. Going into the Washington game, and your Big 10 schedule, I'd be VERY CONCERNED about that.Good luck. You're going to need it.The Red and Silver look poised to have many, many struggled trying to stay afloat this year.

Cicero...you and every other Suckeye was shaking in your shoes at halftime of this game. Quit the crap. You guys got out-physicalled by a MAC school. Don't believe it? Look at some clips of the way those fumbles went flying out of the hands of Columbus State players when they got hit mercilessly. Keep laughing at Michigan all you want, because it's only a matter of time before you lose to a "non-bcs" school also. Since the scholarship levels for 1-A dropped, and you were no longer able to "harbor" significant amounts of talent, and keep them on your bench, the playing field has leveled. Oh, by the way, your Suckeye friends have continued to uphold the tradition of the most classless fans in college football. And that's not coming from me, an Akron fan. I have plenty of OSU fans that are friends of mine that have acknowledged the same.

eguins. You are a piece of work.Based on YOUR performance last week, getting lit up by an amateur Ohio State offensive unit, and our ability to pretty much stuff them cold for 3 quarter today......are you not yet convinced why your administration will not schedule us?

I'm saying that people will gravitate to the team that is in position to win national championship, period. Which explains your typical Ohio college football fan. If that's not the case, why aren't Ohio college football fans predominantly following Toledo? or BG? or Cincinnati? In my case, and the case of many of the other alums and fans I hang out with, we're Akron fans. We don't "become" the fans of other schools based on what is happening in the national polls.

bobby..you're right on the money.Although, it's not about "winning" necessarily. It's about having a chance to win a national title. If that was Akron in that position, everyone in this area that "says" they are a Suckeyes fan would turn Benedict Arnold in a hurry.

Nice job guys. Obviously, someone wasn't aware that we've won some titles lately too. As for the Florida being a "front runner" comments, how many people in Ohio do you think become Suckeyes fans because they compete in a conference where they have a chance for national championships?Better yet, let me ask this question. If Ohio State played in the MAC, and Akron played in the Big Ten, who would have the lion's share of fans in Ohio?It's a no brainer.

What surprises me is this....This is an AKRON paper, in The U of A's backyard, the day before a matchup that only comes along for us once in a great while.And what's in the Beacon Journal sports section today??An article about Ohio State, and a section entitled "Ohio State: 5 Things To Watch".Nothing about Zips Football.Unbelievable.

Oh, I absolutely love seeing Ohio State, and any other "front runner" lose. Anytime teams above us are losing, it's good news.Underneath every Nut Head's joy over Michigan's loss to Appalachian State is a quiet fear that the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" continues to close. Minnesota and Iowa State have already gotten their taste, and the season is just barely underway. Your time will come too, Suckeyes. Possibly not this week, but these upsets are continuing to happen with more frequency, and sooner or later, you'll get your turn.

This might be more facts than I've ever seen anywhere about Akron football. I like how they rate themselves better at every position, except TE. I don't think that's going to be a difference maker. I'd also rate Akron better at DB. And possibly equal at RB since DK is a Big Ten caliber player, with depth being him. Also, I'd rate us equal at QB since they have a new starter as well.I think the real difference in a game like this will be the Nutheads' defensive front against our new offensive line. I just hope our defense can keep it close.

I'm thinking I won't be dissappointed with the 34-17 score that they are predicting. Although, I'm sure hoping for much better.

I'll be happy if we lose by 2 touchdowns or less, as was the case in 2001.I also do not see then scoring on us as much as they did on Y-town. Unless, of course, Tressel was showing mercy to his old school.Nut Heads - 28Akron - 6 (missed extra point also)

ahh...an old battle with the Penguin. Gosh, the Rubber Bowl looked bad even back then.

Bad weather conditions would absolutely favor the Zips. It's not a question of what they do well, or what we do well, and how the weather will affect that. It's simply the idea that bad weather makes things unpredictable, and often leads to sloppy play and turnovers. If last week is any indication, Tressel will be trying (and trying) to run the football. If any of you noticed, it appeared that our defensive front got worn down a little bit by the tail end of that Army game. So, our lack of depth up front could really be a huge difference in this game. They will certainly be pounding the ball at us trying to take advantage of that. As for past trends, I think just about every team wins a game they should lose, and loses a game they should win during just about every season.As for Temple not being able to upset us.....Someone's not following college football close enough, because they pulled one of the biggest upsets of all time on the road by beating a ranked Virginia Tech team a few years back.

I will be flying the Blue and Gold. And I already know that Columbus State fans are classless. I've been there before, and so have many, many other people I know, including Ohio State fans, and they all say the same thing. Columbus State fans are the worst in the country when it comes to the treatment they give to visiting fans.I certainly understand that some people on this board want to be "mature", and "not stoop to their level". But honestly, I like seeing some of this "we're going to dish it out too" attitude from the Zips fans. It shows that we aren't going to go lay down this week, as fans, and as a team.We need this kind of attitude going into this Saturday. I just hope everyone keeps it clean.

Yep, come to think of it, if Akron can pull off this win, I'd drink for a week and call off sick for work. A win over the Suckeyes would top Getsy's pass to Hixson, Alcorn's 56 yards field goal, and Charlie's pass to Montgomery in the Marshall game. I can't wait for Saturday

Come on guys.....you'd try to kick the 36 year field goal to win the game rather than throw a pass into the end zone, no matter how confident you feel about your kicker.ahh...Maurice. There's also so many other good candidates too.