Akron has Indiana in its sights and ESPN notices

[Bull_In_Exile]

http://mac-smack.blogspot.com/Adam Rittenberg over at ESPN has slated the Akron Zips as being one half of a Big 10 fork in the road. Acording to Adam Indiana has allot riding on the September game: Indiana enters the season with its head coach on the hot seat and serious doubts about the team's ability to get on track again. That's why an early trip to Akron and the new InfoCision Stadium is so critical. Indiana could be 3-0 after a win against Akron, or it could be 1-2 with a loss and starting the death march.Incidentally MAC Smack has picked this game for Akron, there is no reason the MAC should not have a banner year against the Big-10 with CMU and WMU getting a crack at the wolverines and also at Michigan State. I doubt the MAC can win more than they lose but anywhere between 3-5 wins is very possible.

[Class of 82]

http://mac-smack.blogspot.com/Adam Rittenberg over at ESPN has slated the Akron Zips as being one half of a Big 10 fork in the road. Acording to Adam Indiana has allot riding on the September game:

It's a huge game for both teams.For Indiana, it is an absolute must win. While a perennial also-ran in the Big 10 for the last 40 years, IU had never lost to a MAC team prior to last season, when they lost to both Ball State and Central Michigan. A loss at Akron would be, to say the least, a devastating blow to a program desperate to become competitive in the Big 10.For Akron, it's not only a legitimate shot to chalk up another win against a BCS opponent, it's the marquee game for the inaugural season at the Info. It's the chance to finally open the eyes of northeast Ohio football fans to what has long been one of the area's truly great entertainment values that now features an arguably unmatched venue.What makes this game most interesting to me is that for the first time in Akron football history, the Zips actually will be facing real pressure to win... and not just be competitive... against a BCS opponent. Who knows what the spread will be, but it doesn't really matter if Akron is favored or an underdog. They need this game. And they need it bad.And that's the only thing that worries me about the Morgan State game. Akron's not experienced enough or good enough to look past anybody, and I think the Zips will have a tough time not thinking about Sept. 12 while they're getting ready for Sept. 5.

[Zipmeister]

http://mac-smack.blogspot.com/Adam Rittenberg over at ESPN has slated the Akron Zips as being one half of a Big 10 fork in the road. Acording to Adam Indiana has allot riding on the September game: Indiana enters the season with its head coach on the hot seat and serious doubts about the team's ability to get on track again. That's why an early trip to Akron and the new InfoCision Stadium is so critical. Indiana could be 3-0 after a win against Akron, or it could be 1-2 with a loss and starting the death march.Incidentally MAC Smack has picked this game for Akron, there is no reason the MAC should not have a banner year against the Big-10 with CMU and WMU getting a crack at the wolverines and also at Michigan State. I doubt the MAC can win more than they lose but anywhere between 3-5 wins is very possible.

Reminds me of the Canadian expressing his affection to the cute zoo keeper."Of all the animals here at the zoo I love your beaver allot."allotOne entry found.Main Entry: Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): al·lot·ted; al·lot·tingEtymology: Middle English alotten, from Anglo-French aloter, from a- (from Latin ad-) + lot, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hlot lotDate: 15th century1 : to assign as a share or portion <allot 10 minutes for the speech.2 : to distribute by or as if by lot <allot seats to the press.— al·lot·ter noun

[skip-zip]

http://mac-smack.blogspot.com/Adam Rittenberg over at ESPN has slated the Akron Zips as being one half of a Big 10 fork in the road. Acording to Adam Indiana has allot riding on the September game:

It's a huge game for both teams.For Indiana, it is an absolute must win. While a perennial also-ran in the Big 10 for the last 40 years, IU had never lost to a MAC team prior to last season, when they lost to both Ball State and Central Michigan. A loss at Akron would be, to say the least, a devastating blow to a program desperate to become competitive in the Big 10.For Akron, it's not only a legitimate shot to chalk up another win against a BCS opponent, it's the marquee game for the inaugural season at the Info. It's the chance to finally open the eyes of northeast Ohio football fans to what has long been one of the area's truly great entertainment values that now features an arguably unmatched venue.What makes this game most interesting to me is that for the first time in Akron football history, the Zips actually will be facing real pressure to win... and not just be competitive... against a BCS opponent. Who knows what the spread will be, but it doesn't really matter if Akron is favored or an underdog. They need this game. And they need it bad.And that's the only thing that worries me about the Morgan State game. Akron's not experienced enough or good enough to look past anybody, and I think the Zips will have a tough time not thinking about Sept. 12 while they're getting ready for Sept. 5.

I do find this to be a unique opportunity. Why? Although one can probably say that this level of opponent probably has no bigger impact than beating Syracuse or NC State over the last few years, there are a couple of important differences.1) This is Big 11 Country. More people in the Midwest will take notice of such a victory....I'm talking about those Big 11 fans who probably paid little attention to our last two BCS victories.2) This victory would take place in AKRON, and not on the road. ESPN will be showing highlights of our new stadium and field that night, AND during a game where it should be packed. Hopefully, all of the Cleveland news stations will be there as well to give us nice coverage that night....possibly helping to open the eyes of a few more curious local football fans who may just decide to give an Akron game a try.It's not the type of victory that I would necessarily be looking for to help us gain ground in terms of respect on a national level. But I still think it would be the most beneficial victory to date in our D-1A era as a program.

[Class of 82]

It's not the type of victory that I would necessarily be looking for to help us gain ground in terms of respect on a national level. But I still think it would be the most beneficial victory to date in our D-1A era as a program.

Exactly right, skip. Of course we all know Indiana is no powerhouse and that beating them is, as you said, no more momentous than NC State or Syracuse were. But the eyes of the region will be on Akron that afternoon, in a way that hasn't happened, well, ever, as far as football is concerned. That's why I think the Zips will be feeling pressure like they've never felt it before.Throw in the pressure to win that IU will be under in their own right, and you have the makings for a whale of a college football game.

[UA Fan]

And that's the only thing that worries me about the Morgan State game. Akron's not experienced enough or good enough to look past anybody, and I think the Zips will have a tough time not thinking about Sept. 12 while they're getting ready for Sept. 5.

I think the Zips will be focused in the moment for Morgan State and opening the stadium with a large crowd. There will be some nerves from all the excitement so I think it's better to have the FCS opponent for the first game...more room for error. Then we'll be more settled for IU in the 2nd game.