Central Michigan

[johnnyzip84]

Mount Pleasant has been a veritable "house of horrors" for the Zips over the years. Nevertheless, I am convinced that next Saturday's game is a "must win" for JD to continue his coaching career at UA. And please do NOT give me any "take 'em one at a time" lectures. If anyone is paying attention to how our future adversaries have been fairing so far this year, and if they couple this information with the pathetic piece of garbage we all witnessed today, then I do NOT see how you can conclude anything otherwise. First, let me say that I respectfully disagree with Z.I.P. with regards to the "threshold of acceptability" that both the President and the AD will apply. I do not believe that 6-6 will cut it, based on the amount of investment the University has in the Info. 7-5 is the minimum IMHO. If you accept that, then let's look at the remaining schedule.at CMUOhio Uat Buffaloat Syracuseat NIUCan'tTempleat BGEMUIf the Zips lose to CMU, they would fall to 1-3. This would mean they would have to win at least TWO of their remaining roads games to finish at least 7-5. IMHO I don't see them winning even ONE of these road games if they lose to CMU. UB has not fallen anywhere near as far as some had thought after Starks went down. The 'Cuse is getting back on track after cracking through in the win column tonight against N'western. NIU will physically dominate us. BG should be a big favorite. Thus, I don't think it will matter what the Zips do at home. JD needs to win this coming Saturday, or his fate will be sealed. I sure hope he sees it this way. I'd hate for him to save any redshirts, only to benefit his future sucessor.

[Z.I.P.]

Mount Pleasant has been a veritable "house of horrors" for the Zips over the years. Nevertheless, I am convinced that next Saturday's game is a "must win" for JD to continue his coaching career at UA. And please do NOT give me any "take 'em one at a time" lectures. If anyone is paying attention to how our future adversaries have been fairing so far this year, and if they couple this information with the pathetic piece of garbage we all witnessed today, then I do NOT see how you can conclude anything otherwise. First, let me say that I respectfully disagree with Z.I.P. with regards to the "threshold of acceptability" that both the President and the AD will apply. I do not believe that 6-6 will cut it, based on the amount of investment the University has in the Info. 7-5 is the minimum IMHO. If you accept that, then let's look at the remaining schedule.at CMUOhio Uat Buffaloat Syracuseat NIUCan'tTempleat BGEMUIf the Zips lose to CMU, they would fall to 1-3. This would mean they would have to win at least TWO of their remaining roads games to finish at least 7-5. IMHO I don't see them winning even ONE of these road games if they lose to CMU. UB has not fallen anywhere near as far as some had thought after Starks went down. The 'Cuse is getting back on track after cracking through in the win column tonight against N'western. NIU will physically dominate us. BG should be a big favorite. Thus, I don't think it will matter what the Zips do at home. JD needs to win this coming Saturday, or his fate will be sealed. I sure hope he sees it this way. I'd hate for him to save any redshirts, only to benefit his future sucessor.

Next Saturday is the LEAST likely road win for the rest of the season. First off, CMU is the best team we'll play the rest of the way (possibly excepting "Cuse, which you just can't figure out). Second, we're still breaking in a new QB. I know all this sounds like excuses, but that's all I -- and the coaches can offer right now.When I write that I think six wins will secure a return for JD and staff, I'm not using MY standards but rather what I think the bosses will decide. (BTW I predicted a 6-6 season weeks ago) I have a lot of sympathy for the administration. First off, the difference between my and jz84's keep/fire decision is only ONE thin win. I'd keep the guy, and I think the AD will (after a 6-6 finish) based on what I have to write below.There is a lot higher standard for this program on ZipsNation than exists anywhere else. The first thing Wisty and Dr Pro will be thinking is how far it will set the program BACK if they make a change at this time in history. I'd like to think we're on the brink of good things happening. The belief out THERE is that it will take three or four more years to turn the program into a MAC contender if a new coach and staff comes in in 2010. I'm not at all confident that any new coach we could get could improve significantly or quickly upon what we have already.In any case, the rest of the season will make all the difference. I have to think 5 wins is now more likely than six even (my 6-6 prediction was based on splitting vs IU and Syracuse). Five wins and JD will certainly be sent packing. But my prediction that 6-6 will be enough for one more season is based on what has been said by people in power over the past year +. Mack Rhoades said in an interview in the summer of 08, that there was absolutely NO pressure on JD to produce soon. A 5-7 season put that pressure on for this season, BUT given the situation with a new AD and the new stadium, I believe there is actually LESS pressure than if we still had the same AD and were at the Rubber Bowl. The benefit of the doubt is increased in Brookhart's favor due to the "momentum" (where have I read that word lately??) created by Infocision. I know many on here feel the opposite, that we must WIN NOW! But I believe you are in the minority, as expectations for the program are so low and it's been so long since Akron made any news in football. So, let me repeat once more: Six wins, he's a genius. Five wins, off with his head! That's the world of football coaching.

[GP1]

Mount Pleasant has been a veritable "house of horrors" for the Zips over the years. Nevertheless, I am convinced that next Saturday's game is a "must win" for JD to continue his coaching career at UA. And please do NOT give me any "take 'em one at a time" lectures. If anyone is paying attention to how our future adversaries have been fairing so far this year, and if they couple this information with the pathetic piece of garbage we all witnessed today, then I do NOT see how you can conclude anything otherwise. First, let me say that I respectfully disagree with Z.I.P. with regards to the "threshold of acceptability" that both the President and the AD will apply. I do not believe that 6-6 will cut it, based on the amount of investment the University has in the Info. 7-5 is the minimum IMHO. If you accept that, then let's look at the remaining schedule.at CMUOhio Uat Buffaloat Syracuseat NIUCan'tTempleat BGEMUIf the Zips lose to CMU, they would fall to 1-3. This would mean they would have to win at least TWO of their remaining roads games to finish at least 7-5. IMHO I don't see them winning even ONE of these road games if they lose to CMU. UB has not fallen anywhere near as far as some had thought after Starks went down. The 'Cuse is getting back on track after cracking through in the win column tonight against N'western. NIU will physically dominate us. BG should be a big favorite. Thus, I don't think it will matter what the Zips do at home. JD needs to win this coming Saturday, or his fate will be sealed. I sure hope he sees it this way. I'd hate for him to save any redshirts, only to benefit his future sucessor.

Excellent post. If Tonoto from The Lone Ranger was to describe the rest of the Zips season he might say, "The Zips are in heap big trouble."Let's see how they do with Rodgers and a week of game planning with him in before we start throwing dirt on them. Get your shovels ready though.

[xu9697]

Tom Wistrcill has no ties to JD. He has to keep Porter and Dambrot around (and, of course, he DEFINITELY SHOULD), but the football coach is the one place he can make a splash. I think it might be time to start throwing names out there. Who does Wistrcill have good connections with? Folks at Wisky and Minny..so I would at least start casually looking at their assistants. And I know some hate the name and the coach, but Glen Mason was at Minny when Wistrcill was there. Tough to say if Tom likes the guy or not. I think we could do better, but I also think we could do worse. And, personally, I'm not totally giving up on JD...yet.

[UA Fan]

Tom Wistrcill has no ties to JD. He has to keep Porter and Dambrot around (and, of course, he DEFINITELY SHOULD), but the football coach is the one place he can make a splash. I think it might be time to start throwing names out there. Who does Wistrcill have good connections with? Folks at Wisky and Minny..so I would at least start casually looking at their assistants. And I know some hate the name and the coach, but Glen Mason was at Minny when Wistrcill was there. Tough to say if Tom likes the guy or not. I think we could do better, but I also think we could do worse. And, personally, I'm not totally giving up on JD...yet.

Some of the names on this list may be available:http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview09/co...&id=4397344

[GP1]

I think we could do better, but I also think we could do worse.

That's the problem with the MAC. Just when you think it couldn't get worse, it does......

[GP1]

This is actually a really good topic the more I think about it. The only thing we really know about the Zips IMHO is:1. They can lose to a high level BCS team in PSU.2. They can beat a I-AA team.3. The can lose to a BCS team that could possibly make a bowl. I don't think the Zips win yesterday even with Jacq.That's all we really know and it isn't much. I don't think the first three weeks of the season should be a surprise to anyone. I picked the Zips to be 1-3 after four. We are going to learn a lot more this week and I don't think we are going to like what we find out.

[Zipmeister]

I think Gerry Faust is available.

[UA Fan]

We're 16.5 point underdogs. Still, I wouldn't take the Chipps and give that many points...I guess I still have a little bias left. Boy do we need the DL to get some pressure on LeFevre.

[GP1]

I think Gerry Faust is available.

Just when you think it couldn't get worse......

[ZachTheZip]

This is the last game where I will accept excuses from the coaches and players. After this game you have two weeks off to figure out why everything is going so horribly wrong and then fix as much as you can.CMU will win this game, but I am looking for a change in the offense. If the offense looks different, with different plays being called that better suit the talent, I will be happy that they are at least trying. If we see the same old offense built for the old Getsy/Hixon/Biggs offense when we clearly have a different style of player at each of those positions, then I will start advocating that we start looking for a new coach.

[BirdZip]

Charlie Weis might be available next year...

[GP1]

Charlie Weis might be available next year...

To do what? Coach or fly over the stadium in lieu of the Goodyear Blimp or both?He is a Hell of a coach though. Probably not a good fit in college.

[g-mann17]

Charlie Weis might be available next year...

To do what? Coach or fly over the stadium in lieu of the Goodyear Blimp or both?He is a Hell of a coach though. Probably not a good fit in college.

At least he would have a heck of a view of the action from up there.

[Dave in Green]

Mount Pleasant has been a veritable "house of horrors" for the Zips over the years. Nevertheless, I am convinced that next Saturday's game is a "must win" for JD to continue his coaching career at UA. And please do NOT give me any "take 'em one at a time" lectures. .....

I'll promise not to give any "take 'em one at a time" lectures in return for not getting any "must win" lectures. ;)But seriously, replacing a veteran QB with a younger, inexperienced QB a couple of games into the college season most often results in an initial dip in team performance. But it also positions the team for more potential growth as the QB gains experience. So while the odds are stacked against the Zips in their first couple of games with the new QB, there's a lot of potential to improve as the season progresses. Nothing's guaranteed. The Zips could completely fall apart, or Rodgers may grow quickly in the next few weeks and salvage the season. It could go either way, and I'm not smart enough to be able to predict which way based on whatever happens in the CMU game.

[johnnyzip84]

Mount Pleasant has been a veritable "house of horrors" for the Zips over the years. Nevertheless, I am convinced that next Saturday's game is a "must win" for JD to continue his coaching career at UA. And please do NOT give me any "take 'em one at a time" lectures. .....

I'll promise not to give any "take 'em one at a time" lectures in return for not getting any "must win" lectures. ;)But seriously, replacing a veteran QB with a younger, inexperienced QB a couple of games into the college season most often results in an initial dip in team performance. But it also positions the team for more potential growth as the QB gains experience. So while the odds are stacked against the Zips in their first couple of games with the new QB, there's a lot of potential to improve as the season progresses. Nothing's guaranteed. The Zips could completely fall apart, or Rodgers may grow quickly in the next few weeks and salvage the season. It could go either way, and I'm not smart enough to be able to predict which way based on whatever happens in the CMU game.

I see your point. And perhaps my initial take on this was clouded somewhat from the fresh disappointment of Saturday. BUT, one of the things I really wanted to convey is this. At least in my view, our schedule has gotten a whole lot harder in the past few weeks based on the early season results of the teams we still must face. This is especially true of the teams we must face on the road. Can the team take one more shot to the chin and still come back off of the canvas and make this a season? I'll grant you that it's possible. But (as others have pointed out) if the O-Line continues its current form, we can forget about it. I know he was good, but was Chris Kemme REALLY that good???!!! Or did one of us make a trade with the footbal gods, surrendering quality blocking for a promise of no more high snaps?Go Zips!!! Take the fire out of the Chips!!!

[skip-zip]

We're 16.5 point underdogs. Still, I wouldn't take the Chipps and give that many points...I guess I still have a little bias left. Boy do we need the DL to get some pressure on LeFevre.

Wow...16.5 against another MAC team. I guess the "lets just dominate the MAC" philosophy is still a long way off.The problem with their QB isn't necessarily pressuring him, but containing him in the pocket. That guy has destroyed us with the way he can run. Kind of the same frustration I used to feel when we had to play against that kid from Can't (I'm so glad he's gone).

[Dr Z]

The problem with their QB isn't necessarily pressuring him, but containing him in the pocket. That guy has destroyed us with the way he can run.

He can beat you both ways. He'll take what you give him. With our awesome pass rush Look for another Julian-esk performance.PS I did see Wagner rush late up the middle applying pressure a few times last week. That is scratching the surface with him.

[Lee Adams]

Look folks, CMU is WAY beyond Akron...if this is close?...doesn't matter for JD though he HAS to WIN..