bigjim

T minus 2 hours and counting until kickoff

Why to bet on Akron to Cover tonight https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/why-to-bet-on-akron-one-of-the-worst-teams-in-the-country-to-cover-tonight/ar-BB1b6D0T?ocid=msedgntp Spread is down to 26.5

Over half of the people in the lot were Kent fans.

Let's go Zips The game is only 10 hours away from kickoff. In the past, If the game was at the INFO, I would be unloading the car and getting ready for a day long excursion of tail gating. Now, there would only be a couple of us in Lot 9, but that number would grow in the hour before kickoff. Zips need to put on a good show tonight.

We are about a month from the early signing period, and the stars have not been updated for the players. I am still looking forward to all the Zip recruits becoming 3 star players.

My point is that lets get a little playing time for everyone who has potential. The best that the Zips will do this year is 1 win against BG. So, let's keep prepping for next year and get a little amount of playing time for anyone who may contribute in the future. It will prove to be very beneficial as long as Arth is kept as coach.

I know these guys are not ready. But, give them 4-5 plays a game to understand the speed of the game. Also, that will help them work harder in the weight room and get ready for next year. It will also give a brief breather to the starters while you are prepping for future success, and it is not at the expense of current success.

DL is young, but it needs to play Brendan Smith and Bryce Wilson in addition to the players listed above. Smith put on 35 lb from last year and is ready to contribute. Maybe rotate in Julius Hawkings. I agree that Logan Hawkins needs to be in the mix. I support your linebacker analysis, but I think they need to get some minutes for Juan Jarett and Michael Snowden. with the rules this year, they will not be charged a year of eligibility. Give them some playing time.

that would be great

Very few replies to this challenge. I think it shows the (lack of) Zips support. My thoughts are that the Zips are going to take it on the chin for this game. However, they are playing mostly very young players. Look, 4 red shirt freshman on the OL. This is similar to other position groups. 2021 will start to show the benefits, but 2022 will be a bowl season. that is if they keep Arth around that long. Sorry, but I see a loss here, but I see a serious potential win versus Bowling Green.

There are always exception to the rule. Coaching is very important, but you need talent as a base. You have listed several exceptions over a many year period. Stars do not measure heart and desire and that is one way that players make it, based on heart and desire. All 4 and 5 star players do not make it, but the probability is much higher for success over a 0 or 1 star player. Does Alabama and Clemson sign 0 star players hoping that they will pan out. I looked at 247, and between Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State, all of their recruits are 3,4,or 5 star players. Looking at the MAC, Toledo, Buffalo, and Miami all have 17- 3 star recruits. Will they all pan out, no, but there is a basis of talent for those teams. Akron does not have that talent basis. Bowden left the cupboard bare. Look at the Zips football scholarship chart. We need to close the gap. Stars are important.

Not sure its a grade up from EPPS, a 3 star linemen vs. no stars. Akron is not getting better.

Not trying to get into an argument, but the comment in the first yellow does not make any sense. With the second yellow, I agree that playing young players will pay off. That is if they have talent to improve with the playing time.

We may end up having double digit 3 stars. However, looking at 247, the following schools have the number of 3 stars prior to the season. Toledo, Miami, and Buffalo each have 17 -3 stars. Western 15, Central 12,, and NI 14. We need to catch up on talent. Look at OSU and Notre Dame. Every player has a minimum of 3 stars. Stars are important. They will not all pan out, but it is important to get talent to the school. You are right. Hence is listed as a 3 star player. We need many more.

It does come down to talent, and Bowden left the cupboard bare. Look at the Zips football scholarship list. The receivers had some good returning players. LBs had some upperclassmen, but outside of Bubba, there is not much talent. Same with CBs. The rest of the position groups have little to no good upper classmen. Also, look at the 21 committment list. There is only one 3 star, and that is EPPS who has reopened up his recruitment. Talent is weak, and it does not appear that the gap will be closed. s

The only 3 star recruit is now gone.

I agree that Hawkins should be playing. From a big picture, the Zips have more DL depth than ever, although they are young. I would recommend going to a 4 man front and rotating in the DL men. With a 3 man front, you need good line backers, and we are very weak at this position. Let's utilize the DL depth that exists.

That is going to have an impact on the 85 player limit for many schools. I am curious on how this will pan out. I was referring to the freshman running backs and D Linemen. Also, the freshman QB Marousek.

The last couple of years, freshman were allowed to play 4 games and they still can be red shirted. What is the rule this year? I was surprised that several freshman did not get into the game. Unless, the rule has changed, I do not understand the players choices. I look forward to the responses since I do not know the rules this year. Go Zips.

During the game, the announcer said that Kato is not yet recovered from off season surgery. He should be ready in a couple of weeks. Will need to determine if he is the best option.

How are we going to win with 4 red shirt freshman on the line. In 2 years, they should be dynamite, but not this year. they did get pushed around a lot.

I have enjoyed many Zips tailgates, but that is usually because of the good food that I cook and a small group of friends that leads to a fun time. However, the same fun could usually have happened in my driveway at home with the same group of people. Lot 9 is the best location in the nation for a tail gate. We are 50 feet from the field in the perfect location. We get to hear the best band in the land in the mornings before games, but very few people are present in Lot 9.. The band is fantastic. However, the Zips fans are typically really weak; I want to say pathetic. I have been to the Muny lot in Cleveland, to lots at Pittsburgh rooting against the Stillers, to Heiny gate in Columbus, to Ann Arbor, and the times have been crazy. I have been to South Bend and the SEC where tailgating begins on Wednesday or Thursday prior to game time. I have showed up most times when Lot 9 gates open, and there is nobody present. As of 3 hours in, we have a paltry 10 vehicles in the parking lot. Now, I applaud these folks, but that does not make a good tailgate. Also, how many times are you not allowed into Lot 9 when it opens due to some University event. It may be a 5k, Akron marathon, or a lack of workers, but there is no communication that goes out to the fans. And, the 10 - 20 fans are left waiting outside of the lot and we are told not to drink or the cops will be called. But, we have good tailgating. Also, I have showed up may times at 1400 (2 p.m.) on weekday ESPN games, and I have to wait 2 - 3 hours to have 5 other vehicles in the lot to join my group. I like to hear how good the tailgating is in this special lot. The bottom line is that tailgating is so bad at Akron even though we have the perfect situation. Also, how may past players come back to enjoy the festivities. Almost none. It is fun to see the cheerleaders and other Zips sport teams in Lot 9 before the games, but most people are too cheap to buy a program to support the school. I will continue to show up and support the Zips and be a Varsity A member as well as making several donations a year to the University. I do not want to hear how good tailgating is at Lot 9. You have set the bar very low. Please, let's figure out how to set the bar high. As bad as the football has been, it is still the best part of game day. Anyone who cannot see that, has never put on a jock strap and has not been an athlete. T ball does not count. Go Zips

i watched the second half of the Euclid Strongsville game tonight wanting to see Reese make some great plays. I do not recall his name being called at any time. Actually, I did not see him on the field many defensive plays in the second half. I was hoping for some tackles and sacks that would leave me wanting to see him in a Zips uniform, but that did not happen. I am still looking forward to him being a great Zips DL.

After today, I am glad the Zips have Logan committed instead of Austin.