next game

[PB1719]

Matt Rodgers becomes more comfortable, the O-line gets it together, The backs run for 170+ yards. The defense plays superbly. Zips win 34-17.Matt Rodgers16 of 23 for 260 yds 2TD, 1INTAlmondo Sewell 2.5 Sacks, 1 forced fumbleDan Marcoux 1.5 SacksSean Fobbs 1 forced fumbleManley Waller 1 Int off a pass deflected by Brian WagnerI just got my Crystal ball recalibrated, I should be right on with this one.

[Blue & Gold]

PB1719, that is by far the most intricately detailed prediction I've ever seen! Lol

[johnnyzip84]

With the sudden rash of bad news coming out lately, one possible outcome is that the team might develop an "us versus the rest of the world" mentality and play with more passion than we've seen so far in 2009. Of course, the passion needs to be focused too. It starts with the O-Line. I sure hope they come out with a "Chip" (or two) on their collective shoulders

[Dr Z]

PB1719, that is by far the most intricately detailed prediction I've ever seen! Lol

If any prediction would change the attitude of ZN, that one would.

[xu9697]

Zips 33Chips 31I watched last Saturday's game again last night. Rodgers actually did a lot of good things, and I only really think that 2 of the interceptions (last 2) were totally his fault/inexcusable.Coaches need to adjust to Rodgers skill, and JUST USE ALLEN AND TORRENCE!!! Enough with Shuford and Tuzze. Get the ball in Bowser's hands in any way, shape or form.D= get those one or two extra stops to get yourself off the field. You are doing a good job, but a better job is necessary.And, this week= JD, if you win, take the ball. PSU= they drive through us and we start losing field position battle right away. Last week..91 yards to paydirt. Get the ball and attack!!!SIDE NOTE:Steve Szaban sports radio show this am. The guy they had on (betting handicapper guy) said CMU over Akron is his under the radar pick (under the radar in that few people know that the MAC has football).

[WinZip]

This season is not over......but with the way we've been playing, there is no way we win this game against a solid CMU team. While I haven't seen anything thus far to suggest we are playing well enough to win, if I thought we could beat Penn State, I sure as heck think we can beat CMU. Hopefully the team and coaches improve this week, minimizing mistakes, and capitalizing on turnovers.So far I just haven't seen itCMU-34Akron-27There's no doubt in my mind we can compete for the MAC east, but we need to start developing consistent, solid play. I'm not abandoning ship yet. MAC EASTOhio 0-0 2-1 Akron 0-0 1-2 Bowling Green 0-0 1-2 Buffalo 0-0 1-2 Can't State 0-0 1-2 Temple 0-0 0-2 Miami (OH) 0-1 0-3 ..Im sorry boo hoo

[PB1719]

..Im sorry boo hoo

I agree.. Our fans seem to have this cry now, rationalize later mentality as soon as they hear any bad news. I don't understand it. Every program runs into situations, some worse than others. I don't think our situation is that terrible. We lost two games, to teams that are undefeated and in a BCS conference. I'm not saying we couldn't have played better or won at least one of those games, I think every team drops a game they should have won at some point. This doesn't worry me, the toughest part of our schedule is behind us. I don't know how many people noticed, but we have a lot of underclassmen getting major playing time, that tells me that after they get a few games under their belt, they'll make drastic strides.These are all Underclassmen starters:Jake Anderson, RT, SoMatt Rodgers, QB, SoManley Waller, CB, SoDan Marcoux, NT, SoRhyne Ladrach, TE, RFrBrian Wagner, LB, RFrOther notable impact underclassmen: (Our RB stable outside of Alex Allen)Dale Martin, RB, SoDeVoe Torrence, RB, RFrNorman Shuford, RB, RFrI'm sure there are others that I've missed, but you get the point. We have a lot of talented youngsters that we'll have for several years.Did I mention we have two 6'5'' Freshman receivers that haven't seen playing time yet? We have a LOT of upside! There's not a team in the MAC that we can't beat, I'll be happy with a 5-3 conference record, extatic with a 6-2 record and a W against Syracuse. Good luck Zips!

[GP1]

We have a lot of talented youngsters that we'll have for several years.

I'm not really disagreeing, but your post made a point clear for me.Our problem is not the youngsters. Teams go through periods where they might have more young than old or visa versa.The problem is not talent. There is more overall talent on this team than ever.The problem is turning the talent into a winning/watchable team. I blame everyone for that. The coaches and the players are to blame.What does watchable mean? How about not allowing the other team to run the ball up the middle for five yards on third and four? How about if our running backs don't go down on first contact? How about if our QB doesn't turn the ball over time and again? How about if when we hit the other team's ball carrier, it doesn't take five guys to bring him down and he gains 2-3 extra yards in the process? How about if we tackle better? How about something other than 2nd and 9 or 10? How about better play calling? How about a punter that can kick the ball further than me...It's freaking D-1A football for crying out loud? All of this makes for bad football. Bad football, like bad baseball, is unwatchable. The people of NE Ohio are not stupid....they are not going to pay their hard earned money to watch bad football. We've been seeing these things happen for 20+ years with different coaches and different players.If JD is let go at the end of the year, the AD should tell the next coach to retain as many players as possible (don't do what Syracuse did) and toughen them up in spring practice. Can a new coach put a heart into a talented filled but heartless team?

[johnnyzip84]

We have a lot of talented youngsters that we'll have for several years.

I'm not really disagreeing, but your post made a point clear for me.Our problem is not the youngsters. Teams go through periods where they might have more young than old or visa versa.The problem is not talent. There is more overall talent on this team than ever.The problem is turning the talent into a winning/watchable team. I blame everyone for that. The coaches and the players are to blame.What does watchable mean? How about not allowing the other team to run the ball up the middle for five yards on third and four? How about if our running backs don't go down on first contact? How about if our QB doesn't turn the ball over time and again? How about if when we hit the other team's ball carrier, it doesn't take five guys to bring him down and he gains 2-3 extra yards in the process? How about if we tackle better? How about something other than 2nd and 9 or 10? How about better play calling? How about a punter that can kick the ball further than me...It's freaking D-1A football for crying out loud? All of this makes for bad football. Bad football, like bad baseball, is unwatchable. The people of NE Ohio are not stupid....they are not going to pay their hard earned money to watch bad football. We've been seeing these things happen for 20+ years with different coaches and different players.If JD is let go at the end of the year, the AD should tell the next coach to retain as many players as possible (don't do what Syracuse did) and toughen them up in spring practice. Can a new coach put a heart into a talented filled but heartless team?

Two words, and not necessarily in this order: Kill Jerry

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

We have a lot of talented youngsters that we'll have for several years.

I'm not really disagreeing, but your post made a point clear for me.Our problem is not the youngsters. Teams go through periods where they might have more young than old or visa versa.The problem is not talent. There is more overall talent on this team than ever.The problem is turning the talent into a winning/watchable team. I blame everyone for that. The coaches and the players are to blame.What does watchable mean? How about not allowing the other team to run the ball up the middle for five yards on third and four? How about if our running backs don't go down on first contact? How about if our QB doesn't turn the ball over time and again? How about if when we hit the other team's ball carrier, it doesn't take five guys to bring him down and he gains 2-3 extra yards in the process? How about if we tackle better? How about something other than 2nd and 9 or 10? How about better play calling? How about a punter that can kick the ball further than me...It's freaking D-1A football for crying out loud? All of this makes for bad football. Bad football, like bad baseball, is unwatchable. The people of NE Ohio are not stupid....they are not going to pay their hard earned money to watch bad football. We've been seeing these things happen for 20+ years with different coaches and different players.If JD is let go at the end of the year, the AD should tell the next coach to retain as many players as possible (don't do what Syracuse did) and toughen them up in spring practice. Can a new coach put a heart into a talented filled but heartless team?

GP1, it seems that there are only a few here who are putting the larger picture together. I've posted dozens of times arguments that boil down to:(1) Proenza's prestige and legacy are now tied to the football program, primarily through UA's bet on Infocision.(2) Proenza hired Wistrcill, clearly a marketing guy who has been hired to raise the profile of UA football and to SELL TICKETS.(3) UA is obligated to make substantial payments on debt associated with Infocision.(4) Infocision is NOT your typical MAC stadium, and IMO was built with an eye toward building this team into more than a MAC power.(5) Items 1-4 above will all FAIL without performance on the football field. The days of crappy UA football and NE Ohio fan apathy must become a thing of the past to satisfactorily answer items 1-4.(6) There is a finite window of opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity, which is why I believe that Wistrcill is breathing down JD's neck for the team to perform. Whether this dynamic should exist is debatable, but our current situation is sort of "be careful what you wish for". From Proenza, to Wistrcill, to JD, to the players, to all of us, we ALL want better. Well, with better facilities and the resulting spotlight come EXPECTATIONS, of the administration, coaches and players. We're all about supporting the team, and the coaching staff, but this thing is really much bigger than all of them at this point. They are now all inextricably intertwined with the dreams, aspirations and desires of a chain of people that leads all the way to Proenza and beyond, in a very real and very personal way. That was never the case when UA football was played at the Rubber Bowl. All of them perform, collectively, and generate interest and resulting revenue, or they'll be replaced, and much sooner than most posters here are prepared to admit. STZ

[PB1719]

GP1, it seems that there are only a few here who are putting the larger picture together.

I get it STZ, we need to show progress. If we have a winning record in the MAC, that will be showing progress. I think we can beat Syracuse as well.I think if we reach bowl eligibility we are headed in the right direction. The 3-3-5 will never be a good run stopping defense. I think the only way to raise this program is to lose the base defense. We play our corners too far off of receivers, They've got a free pass to gain 3-4 yards before contact. We can allow the corners to play closer in a cover 2. Also, it's easier to tackle when the receiver is still securing the ball. That opprotunity ia negated when we play off so far. There are lots of small things that can be done to get this team better.

[Zipmeister]

After careful consideration, and factoring in all the events of the past week and a half, I'm going with the Zips by 14.

[GP1]

(1) Proenza's prestige and legacy are now tied to the football program, primarily through UA's bet on Infocision.(2) Proenza hired Wistrcill, clearly a marketing guy who has been hired to raise the profile of UA football and to SELL TICKETS.(3) UA is obligated to make substantial payments on debt associated with Infocision.(4) Infocision is NOT your typical MAC stadium, and IMO was built with an eye toward building this team into more than a MAC power.(5) Items 1-4 above will all FAIL without performance on the football field. The days of crappy UA football and NE Ohio fan apathy must become a thing of the past to satisfactorily answer items 1-4.(6) There is a finite window of opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity, which is why I believe that Wistrcill is breathing down JD's neck for the team to perform.

This is utter gibberish. Let's clear one thig up first. In 20 years, what happens this year does not matter.Secondly, as I read this board, there are more people who have been posting here for years who would rather have the football program fail so they could say "I told you so" than people who want the best for the program....just read the board over the past five day. Failure is actually desired by these Browns fans.

[MDZip]

Failure is actually desired by these Browns fans.

Ok, Mr. Steelers fan, gloves are off. I have known many self-entitled Steelers fans over the years who seem to believe that the NFL started when the Super Bowl began. I can't tell you how many have asked me how many Super Bowls the Browns have won. Somehow any NFL championship won before 1966 doesn't count. The Browns only joined the NFL in the 50's, they have four NFL titles to their credit, and four in the AAFL before the NFL would recognize it was a legitmate league after the AAFL starting beating their best teams so they merged. That's eight titles, or four if you only count the NFL ones. The Steelers were founded in 1933 (as the Pittsburgh Pirates - hey that's original) and had a history of being one of the most miserable teams from their founding all the way through the sixties. They have six NFL titles in eight decades of play, the Browns 4 in 6. But because most Steelers fans suffer from a recency syndrome, they have a hard time recognizing that. Sports go in cycles, the Steelers time to fall will come again. And as far as fan support goes, here is a link to an ESPN article about the Pirates years of failure. Impressive crowd they had the other night. They got as many people for their "professional" baseball team as we had for a Zips soccer game. But Pittsburgh fans don't count them as part of their city.Pirates Record Losing StreakHere is a quote from the article."I can honestly tell you. I'm not the biggest baseball fan -- I like the Steelers and Penguins -- but I know the Pirates and I can't name one player on that team. Not one," she says. "But if they showed they cared, and got some players and didn't get rid of them once they got good, Pittsburgh would be back out there in a heartbeat. I have no doubt of that."Yep, exactly. The "City of Champions" will support a team as long as they are doing well. When the Steelers inevitably tail off you will hear just as much grumping as you do from Browns fans. As you have pointed out the Browns have been miserable for years and yet fans still pack that stadium hoping for a breakthrough some year. Those are real fans.So while we appreciate your insight on the Zips, as far as anything about the Browns or Steelers, leave it off the Zips board. We're tired of it.

[Zip Watcher]

I don't understand what the Bucs have to do with a discussion about Zips football. Other than the fact that both teams have the best stadiums in their respective leagues, there doesn't seem to be any relation.Go Zips!!

[MDZip]

I don't understand what the Bucs have to do with a discussion about Zips football. Other than the fact that both teams have the best stadiums in their respective leagues, there doesn't seem to be any relation.Go Zips!!

About the same amount that discussions on the Steelers and Browns do. I just get tired of hearing that garbage spewed on the board that has zero to do with Zips athletics, especially from Pittsburgh fans. Just pointing out that all is not wine and roses on either side. Plus it's late and I'm grumpy.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

(1) Proenza's prestige and legacy are now tied to the football program, primarily through UA's bet on Infocision.(2) Proenza hired Wistrcill, clearly a marketing guy who has been hired to raise the profile of UA football and to SELL TICKETS.(3) UA is obligated to make substantial payments on debt associated with Infocision.(4) Infocision is NOT your typical MAC stadium, and IMO was built with an eye toward building this team into more than a MAC power.(5) Items 1-4 above will all FAIL without performance on the football field. The days of crappy UA football and NE Ohio fan apathy must become a thing of the past to satisfactorily answer items 1-4.(6) There is a finite window of opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity, which is why I believe that Wistrcill is breathing down JD's neck for the team to perform.

This is utter gibberish. Let's clear one thig up first. In 20 years, what happens this year does not matter.Secondly, as I read this board, there are more people who have been posting here for years who would rather have the football program fail so they could say "I told you so" than people who want the best for the program....just read the board over the past five day. Failure is actually desired by these Browns fans.

Tell the President of the university, who has thrust the football program into a "cornerstone" position for the institution, literally and figuratively, that those points are gibberish. I doubt that he'll agree with you when he has to find the funds to pay the first interest payment against the stadium debt. If you don't think that there is a new dynamic and a new sense of urgency regarding the state of the football program, you're kidding yourself down there in Ya'll Land.STZ

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

(1) Proenza's prestige and legacy are now tied to the football program, primarily through UA's bet on Infocision.(2) Proenza hired Wistrcill, clearly a marketing guy who has been hired to raise the profile of UA football and to SELL TICKETS.(3) UA is obligated to make substantial payments on debt associated with Infocision.(4) Infocision is NOT your typical MAC stadium, and IMO was built with an eye toward building this team into more than a MAC power.(5) Items 1-4 above will all FAIL without performance on the football field. The days of crappy UA football and NE Ohio fan apathy must become a thing of the past to satisfactorily answer items 1-4.(6) There is a finite window of opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity, which is why I believe that Wistrcill is breathing down JD's neck for the team to perform.

This is utter gibberish. Let's clear one thig up first. In 20 years, what happens this year does not matter.Secondly, as I read this board, there are more people who have been posting here for years who would rather have the football program fail so they could say "I told you so" than people who want the best for the program....just read the board over the past five day. Failure is actually desired by these Browns fans.

And another thing: you accusing someone else on the board of wanting failure for the Zips program? You're kidding right? Pointing out the situation as I see it in NO way amounts to hoping against the program. Where do you get that from?

[GP1]

Ok, Mr. Steelers fan, gloves are off. I have known many self-entitled Steelers fans over the years who seem to believe that the NFL started when the Super Bowl began. I can't tell you how many have asked me how many Super Bowls the Browns have won. Somehow any NFL championship won before 1966 doesn't count. The Browns only joined the NFL in the 50's, they have four NFL titles to their credit, and four in the AAFL before the NFL would recognize it was a legitmate league after the AAFL starting beating their best teams so they merged.

Thanks for the history lesson grandpa. No go put your gloves back before you get chilled and wait for dinner to be served at three o'clock.

[xu9697]

While there may be those that want Zips football to fail, those folks are not on this site (save for maybe one or two "trolls").Great day of football tomorrow...GO ZIPS!!!

[MDZip]

Ok, Mr. Steelers fan, gloves are off. I have known many self-entitled Steelers fans over the years who seem to believe that the NFL started when the Super Bowl began. I can't tell you how many have asked me how many Super Bowls the Browns have won. Somehow any NFL championship won before 1966 doesn't count. The Browns only joined the NFL in the 50's, they have four NFL titles to their credit, and four in the AAFL before the NFL would recognize it was a legitmate league after the AAFL starting beating their best teams so they merged.

Thanks for the history lesson grandpa. No go put your gloves back before you get chilled and wait for dinner to be served at three o'clock.

Exactly what I expected from you. I used facts, I backed them up, I didn't insult you directly (I even complimented your contributions on the Zips), and you resorted to pettiness. Thank you for proving my point.

[ZippyTuba11]

Looking back over CMU, they lost to Arizona 19-6. Bad offensive performance. Lefevour had a bad game. At Mich St, they won because of an offsides penalty. The only team they really beat was 1-AA Alcorn, 49-0. I really don't think they are as amazing as so many people make them out to be. They are one play away from being in the same boat as us, at 1-2. Personally, I think Mich St is going to be one of the bottom teams in the Big11, if not the worst this year.On the other side, Akron's losses were to far superior teams. We all know Penn St's resume, but I think Indiana is going to be a surprise to the Big11 this year. Not saying they are going to win it, but a bowl game is in their future. Akron's one win was against a 1-AA Morgan St, 41-0. Rodgers now knows that he is the man this year. I think he is going to have a very different performance (aside from the 4 INTs against Indiana, he did fairly well). If he limits his mistakes, and the coaches use him smartly (run him, damn it!) the offense should look a lot better.The defense needs to lock down on those receivers from CMU. Sure, that opens up Lefevour to run, but I'm okay with that. His running ability will hurt us, for sure, but it isn't going to be his legs that kill us. Keep glued to those receivers and create some turn overs, and we make this a very winnable game.Offense just needs to be steady and not make mistakes. I want to see a slow, powerful, march each time we get a drive. Make every play count. We will not win a shootout. "Three yards and a cloud of dust" will beat this team. It wears down the defense, and most importantly, keeps Lefevour off the field. I think our chances of winning this game are directly related to the rate of playing time Lefevour sees.

[Captain Kangaroo]

(aside from the 4 INTs against Indiana, he did fairly well)

[johnnyzip84]

A couple of last minute things have popped into my head on the eve of this game.1) I believe it was the year of the MAC Championship when a very average CMU team came into the Rubber Bowl and defeated the the Zips pretty soundly after losing at HOME to a typically poor EMU team the week prior. It reminded me that this league can be hard to predict at times.2) I keep thinking about the far less than expected quality of the offensive line play. And I remembered something JD said coming out of summer camp. He said something to the effect that, while the team might not have been permitted to compete as hard as they have in the past, this was partly by design to avoid the injuries that have plagued the team (D-line in particular) over the past few summer camps. Is it possible that the slow start we have witnessed by the O-line is directly related to an "easier" summer camp? If so, I would think this can be rectified in practice. I'd love to see them get very physical tomorrow.Go Zips!!! Snip the Chips!!!

[fear the brown roo]

Is it possible that the slow start we have witnessed by the O-line is directly related to an "easier" summer camp? If so, I would think this can be rectified in practice. I'd love to see them get very physical tomorrow.I'd love to see this too after being physically embarassed last week. I'd also like to see Jake Anderson not continue the tradition of Crouch, Donaldson, and the likes and stop with the offsides and late hit penalties that destroy any momentum we get going.