skip-zip

I'm skeptical about whether we have adequate people at our DE positions. Especially with the height factor.For the sake of the Zips, I sure hope this guy has a monster year and proves me wrong.

Considering the schools where these kids have made verbal commitments, I doubt if they will fall down to MAC level, even if they do happen to change their minds.

Zen...we can only hope things turn out that way. The first couple of years will certainly see nice crowds, and I hope that it is not followed by a return to apathy. And those large crowds will indeed come from the community. I'm not quite sure how much the student attendance will grow considering that we will still be, in large part, a commuter school.As an alum and faithful attendee over the the years, I appreciate the invitation to line up behind the band on campus, and enter the stadium for pregame festivities. But unfortunately, that will cut into prime tailgaiting time for me.

I agree that this dampens the enthusiasm of seeing a highly-rated recruiting class. But, when you are a MAC team, you have to go after these kinds of players. Many good players have come here in the last 20 years because we took a chance, and they did eventually qualify. Then again, we've also had situations like this one.You have to take those chances when you play at our level.

That's what makes me angry about the Temple situation.It's like someone said, "Temple isn't cutting it in a bigger conference, just throw them in the MAC".

zipboy...I agree with your points about the improvements at Akron.But the fact remains. If a kid is Big Ten level talent, your chances of getting him to go to a MAC school are remote. For the most part, a 17 year old kid is going to try to go as big as he can. We're still hard pressed to find a situation where a kid says "I could go to Penn State/Ohio State/Michigan, but Akron has some nice facilities, so I think I will go there".We need to be realistic and understand that our recent upgrades in facilities are likely intended to help us compete better against MAC schools. Our best chances to land those Big Ten level kids will remain when their situations do not work out, and they look to transfer.

This discussion about using the football stadium for NCAA championship soccer games was started on another thread.Do some of you folks not remember that the NCAA soccer playoffs and championship game are played in December????

A college soccer game will never be played in a 30,000 football stadium in Akron. It won't ever be necessary. With all due respect to our good soccer program, a 5,000 seating capacity for Akron soccer games is PLENTY.Ohio Stadium is a crap hole. Even Suckeye fans I know admit it. It's old and out of date. They just continue to make lame attempts to try to keep up with Michigan by plugging new seating arrangements wherever they can fit them. It's a design and architectural disaster. But to them, it's all about "how many people can we fit in here".

We've developed so much talent and depth in our DBs that I've almost forgotten about this guy.

If he is a higher-level player, he likely will not go to a MAC school, even if he is one of the asst. coaches kids.I agree that it has no impact on our future ability to recruit kids from that school.

Remember guys.....This isn't a critical issue, like it is in basketball. Nowadays, if you have a winning record in 1-A, there's enough bowl games that you'll get to one of them. What happened to us a couple of years ago was a real fluke.Sure, winning the MAC gets you to the biggest bowl game that's available to teams in our league. But again, strength of schedule really has no impact on our post season possibilities.The only thing it would impact is our national ranking. But, since we're not competing for a national championship, I'm not sure our national ranking matters that much.

I'm guessing that showing the lights would obstruct some of the details of the stadium itself, so there were omitted from the drawing.I like those little "boxes" of seats with a table. If the game gets boring, you can just play cards. If only I had the money for one of those loges

The reason there probably has not been a "buzz" about this board meeting is because, as we expect, we are just going to hear that the board has approved the stadium proposal.

That's the "Frye Bashing" I was waiting for...One thing I will agree with is this....At some point, regardless of what Frye does on the field, the Quinn situation will likely create a controversy. And here's what happens to Frye...at the very LEAST.Frye has started 15 or so games in his first two years in the league, which is more than most guys get early in their careers. His experience and ability would be valuable to many teams in this league. BZip-08 is right. He earns respect because he focuses on winning football games. He doesn't hang out at the Playboy mansion, pursue music deals, or pose in the mall for pictures and autographs for cash while his teamates are practicing. Plus, you are forgetting that he doesn't make that much money. Those who know anything about the NFL would know that a young QB with starting experience, who is only making 1 million a year, won't get "cut". But I know that this "Frye Basher" would love to see that to prove a point.At the very LEAST, Charlie will easily get plugged into a roster spot with another team in this league, and get an opportunity to earn a starting job in a much better situation than Cleveland. If the unthinkable happens, and the Browns outright "cut" Frye. Well, then they will show their own stupidity once again.

InTheZone..I think you're right on the money with this guy. If anything, we might see him in some obvious passing situations as a rush DL. We'll have to wait for him to develop to see more.

I don't agree with the rating either. Like I've said, with what I've seen, I'll be happy with a .500 record from this team.

Since this shows that it just came out today on their website, I doubt if anyone has seen this. It's the Congrove Computer Rankings. Their computer system actually "plays" each game of the season, comes up with your record, and ranks you nationally. I initially could not even find Akron on the list because I was looking towards the bottom. You can even click on our team link to see how they are projecting each individual game. http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/pre_sea...e_rankings.html

Hmmm. Seems as if someone keeps trying to turn our discusson back to "minor league" college football.Hey Eguins...we left 1-AA 20 years ago. We have now been in the majors for two decades. I frankly don't care how you guys are ranked against schools I have barely even heard of. Have a great season

When you remove the local propoganda that always gives more promise than what is justified to the backup QB, and the Browns staff pumping up Anderson a little bit to try to motivate Frye, you'll see that most of the NFL pundits believe that Anderson is likely a longshot to start over Frye to start the season.By taking a closer examination, you'll see this from Anderson.1) Played well in the KC game's 2nd half, the same game in which Frye had a good first half before being injured. Plus, on the drive right before the Browns scored the winning touchdown, Anderson made a horrible read and threw an interception that nearly cost Cleveland the game.2) The Browns offense did absolutely nothing against Pittsburgh, with Anderson at QB.3) In the loss to Tampa Bay, Anderson's interception total wasn't far from equalling his completions.With these facts on the table, does anyone (other than the Frye bashers) really believe that the Browns truthfully want to try to develop Anderson as a starter? Especially with their jobs on the line?I'm not sure if Frye will ever be a star in the NFL. But, the Browns have invested time, money, and more than a full season of games in him already, under very poor circumstances. They certainly have to feel as if their wisest move at this point is to give him a fair opportunity to grow with a few more offensive pieces in place. NFL teams simply don't throw away early 3rd round draft picks, especially QB's, who take time to develop. Plus, as a Browns fan, I just get tired of continually starting over. Frye is the more experienced QB, has paid his dues (and then some), and has earned the opportunity to continue his growth behind what appears to be an improved offensive line.

The truth is, the U is certainly limited by budget. Every MAC team losses tons of money on football, and accordingly must make sure they do not overspend and turn the situation into a financial disaster. Making a big investment in marketing just does not do a whole lot to generate the substantial amount of revenue that's needed to make up that enormous deficit. If we want to build "brand awareness", it is up to each one of us to display our Akron pride. Personally, I do not own ANY Ohio State gear, and never will. Everything I have is Akron, and I encourage all of my fellow alums to do the same. So, we can make a difference on our own.

Folks (especially eguins)...you are forgetting that Purdue is playing Toledo AT the Glass Bowl this year. And the Glass Bowl is no huge football stadium.In fact, this year there will be a record number of Big Ten teams playing road games against MAC teams. I like how Y-town people like to sit on the sidelines and criticize. You folks have had your chances to join the Major Leagues, and you've decided not to do so. Meanwhile, we've fought through our growing pains, have had some success, and are now poised to compete with even larger schools in both facilities and talent. Sounds like you guys missed the boat, and are now just dissappointed. Enjoy playing Northeast Connecticut Techincal College.

I've liked what I've seen of Balaam. I especially like the name.

I haven't seen Marshall yet either. They'll be in the top 50, and spent most of the last decade in our league.

I think it's encouraging to see 3 MAC teams in this 51-75 tier. It does prove that you can make "some" progress on the national stage while playing in a conference like the MAC. Although, going much higher than 50 would likely take a long string of 8-10 win seasons.

I still hope they at least rank the MAC higher than the Sun Belt, which is the conference that includes Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Lafayette, Florida Atlantic, and Florida Intl.