Will a win against Can't State carry ANY meaning

[zip81]

Why do I feel as though I just read a script for an episode of Seinfeld?

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Bad news and good news for stz: you're only young once, but you can be stupid forever.

...and you've proven it with your post 'Meister.Here's the shocker to you my friend. Bottom's up!

[RootforRoo44]

On Rasor's blog he ends with:'Akron will next embark on "Mission: Salvage the Season." Can't State visits InfoCision Stadium on Saturday for a 3:30 kickoff. If the Zips lose this rivalry game, 2009 will be a failure of Biblical proportions.'/Vent Mode On/Sorry, but this season has been so completely disappointing and un-entertaining, a win against the Portage County heroes will mean less than nothing. The whole contrived rivalry thing with Can't State is stupid to begin with, when it comes to football. Real rivalries are for good programs, where the rivalry counts for something. It only means something when both teams are good, or have a tradition of being so. The rivalry between the Browns and Steelers has meant little for many years now because the Browns aren't worthy of claiming such a rivalry anymore. UA and Can't State are both bad football schools and have been so for many years. Neither of these sad-sack programs should ever boast a rivalry with anybody until they start to win consistently. I was hoping that UA, with the new stadium and investments related to it, would finally start to become a football program worthy of our positive attention. They aren't. This game with Can't State means absolutely nothing and if UA wins I won't cheer as if the win somehow magically makes this year any less terrible and disappointing than it's been./Vent Mode Off/STZ

You have no clue what a "rivalry game" is.

Really? Should the rivalry have meant something, some time, ever? Will you feel better about this season if the Zips somehow beat their cousins from Portage County?

I will...beating Can't and seeing their sad faces after a loss makes up for most anything.And i hate to attack another Zips fan but if the Cant/Akron game doesn't mean a ton to you than i dont know how you're a Zips fan because this game is what i wait for all year long. There is the football meeting, the 2 basketball games each spring, and that great game at Canal Park every year for baseball. They are like mini holidays to me and my friends and have been since highschool.

[Dave in Green]

A debate about rivalries on a sports forum? Really?Rivalries do not require explanation or defense. They exist because a large number of people want them to exist and believe they do exist. They do not need to be rationalized because they are not always rational. But sports are not entirely rational, either. They feed on the emotional energy of fans (fanatics).Seriously questioning rivalries on a sports forum borders on trolling. Really.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

A debate about rivalries on a sports forum? Really?Rivalries do not require explanation or defense. They exist because a large number of people want them to exist and believe they do exist. They do not need to be rationalized because they are not always rational. But sports are not entirely rational, either. They feed on the emotional energy of fans (fanatics).Seriously questioning rivalries on a sports forum borders on trolling. Really.

Really, you're wrong, and as usual your response was self-righteous and sanctimonious. How about a couple more uses of the word "really" while you're at it? A rivalry isn't any kind of a rivalry until more than 10 or so of the fans from each side care about said rivalry. I'll say it one more time for those of you who clearly missed my point. The supposed UA/Can't State rivalry is a joke. Nobody beyond about ten posters here give a rat's behind about this "rivalry", and this "rivalry" is part and parcel of what has kept UA football small time in the minds of fans everywhere. A rivalry with a school that has won nothing in, well, forever. There's a winner for you....not. You can have your silly little "rivalry" game that nobody cares about, and I'll continue to root for better.Let's see how this grand "rivalry" game draws this weekend. It's a huge rivalry right? How many fans do you suppose will show up for this grand "rivalry"? 12K? 15K?

[skip-zip]

I was annoyed by all the Can't State basketball success over the last 10+ years and their 10 years in a row of 20 wins or more. The reason I was annoyed was I always thought Akron Basketball should have been the successful one as 20 years ago we had Coach Huggins and a program on the rise.Now I see a Can't State football team which has had more success this year then UA and I am slightly concerned that history will repeat itself (doubtful, we don't have a good football coach on the rise this time), so yes I want UA to beat Can't State! Will it make for a successful season? Of course not, but it will take some of the sting out of this horrible season. Akron-Can't is a bigger basketball rivary but even in football it is fun to beat Can't State!

Thanks. This just about hits it on the head. And don't worry about the basketball. We're taking care of that now too. I know Bobby started a trend that we thought would continue, but it's back now.

[johnnyzip84]

I was thinking about this some more over the weekend, and I will admit that the football rivalry has waned slightly in recent years, mainly because of Can't's problems on the field and the lack of interest in their fan base that losing usually spawns. Just like the Browns-Steelers rivalry, the intensity will soften when it's too one-side for a prolonged period. And the Can't-Akron football series has generally been one dominated by streaks. Consider this however. With BOTH teams having talented TRUE FR QBs at the helm, and with Can't apparently on the cusp of climbing out of their doldrums, the next four games could go down as one of the more heated and competitive stretches over the history of this rivalry. I think Nicely vs. Keith will be better than Frye vs. Cribbs when it's all said and done.

[Dr Z]

a win against the Portage County heroes will mean less than nothing

I'm at a loss for words. I'll chalk this up to a minor error in judgment. Rasor is balz on, but I'm pretty sure it goes without saying.

[Dave in Green]

A debate about rivalries on a sports forum? Really?Rivalries do not require explanation or defense. They exist because a large number of people want them to exist and believe they do exist. They do not need to be rationalized because they are not always rational. But sports are not entirely rational, either. They feed on the emotional energy of fans (fanatics).Seriously questioning rivalries on a sports forum borders on trolling. Really.

Really, you're wrong, and as usual your response was self-righteous and sanctimonious. How about a couple more uses of the word "really" while you're at it? A rivalry isn't any kind of a rivalry until more than 10 or so of the fans from each side care about said rivalry. I'll say it one more time for those of you who clearly missed my point. The supposed UA/Can't State rivalry is a joke. Nobody beyond about ten posters here give a rat's behind about this "rivalry", and this "rivalry" is part and parcel of what has kept UA football small time in the minds of fans everywhere. A rivalry with a school that has won nothing in, well, forever. There's a winner for you....not. You can have your silly little "rivalry" game that nobody cares about, and I'll continue to root for better.Let's see how this grand "rivalry" game draws this weekend. It's a huge rivalry right? How many fans do you suppose will show up for this grand "rivalry"? 12K? 15K?

I think I get it now. The /Vent Mode Off/ at the end of the first post was a bit deceptive. Seems this whole thread is full /Vent Mode On/. Vents should not to be confused with invitations for discussion.On the other hand, vents do have a lot in common with sports rivalries -- the emotionalism, the exaggeration, the taunts, the insults. This thread has many of the same qualities I've witnessed at UA-Can't games over the years.Interesting juxtaposition.

[RootforRoo44]

A debate about rivalries on a sports forum? Really?Rivalries do not require explanation or defense. They exist because a large number of people want them to exist and believe they do exist. They do not need to be rationalized because they are not always rational. But sports are not entirely rational, either. They feed on the emotional energy of fans (fanatics).Seriously questioning rivalries on a sports forum borders on trolling. Really.

Really, you're wrong, and as usual your response was self-righteous and sanctimonious. How about a couple more uses of the word "really" while you're at it? A rivalry isn't any kind of a rivalry until more than 10 or so of the fans from each side care about said rivalry. I'll say it one more time for those of you who clearly missed my point. The supposed UA/Can't State rivalry is a joke. Nobody beyond about ten posters here give a rat's behind about this "rivalry", and this "rivalry" is part and parcel of what has kept UA football small time in the minds of fans everywhere. A rivalry with a school that has won nothing in, well, forever. There's a winner for you....not. You can have your silly little "rivalry" game that nobody cares about, and I'll continue to root for better.Let's see how this grand "rivalry" game draws this weekend. It's a huge rivalry right? How many fans do you suppose will show up for this grand "rivalry"? 12K? 15K?

10 posters?! Are you crazy? I know more than 10 of us on here care a ton about this because i know 10 people personally who care about this game enough to tailgate 24 HOURS BEFORE THE GAME with me.

[Z.I.P.]

Since it appears no one else will, let me thank See Tee Zip for pretty much expressing the feelings I've had for the Akron-K-ent "rivalry" since UA joined the MAC. The only reason these two schools are rivals, is because there's no one else wants to play with them. When I was at Akron U. about thirty years ago, I don't think we played Can't in any sport in my entire time there. Akron's main rival was -- uh, oh, talk about inviting trollers! -- Youngstown State. Ron Jaworski was one of the most hated people in Summit County in the mid-70s. They had a running back who absolutely killed us. Does that mean I want to go back to that rivalry? Hell no! But, honestly, from where I come from, I can't feel any more mirth toward K-ent State than I can to a stranded kitty. That being the case, this week's game is vs Stranded Kitty State, so let's kick the kat back where it came from! Sorry Humane Society and PETA!BTW -- don't bring up the boys from Cowlumbus -- there's plenty for Akron, Can't, YSU and every other state U in Ohio to hate about the relationship with THE Cowlumbus State University.

[MDZip]

My dad died in 1977 and Pitt's winning the national championship in FB may have had something to do with that [ ].

Now THAT'S a rivalry.

[Dr Z]

Too bad some upperclassman football players can't post here. Would be a good question for Rasor to ask members of the team.

[Dave in Green]

Maybe someone who's into creating polls would want to whip one up on the UA-Can't rivalry with something like 5 options:How strong do you think the UA-Can't rivalry is today?IntensePretty strongModerateWeakVirtually non-existent

[tbozeglav]

Maybe someone who's into creating polls would want to whip one up on the UA-Can't rivalry with something like 5 options:How strong do you think the UA-Can't rivalry is today?IntensePretty strongModerateWeakVirtually non-existent

Ill throw one together for ya

[Zipmeister]

Bad news and good news for stz: you're only young once, but you can be stupid forever.

...and you've proven it with your post 'Meister.Here's the shocker to you my friend. Bottom's up!

I'm rubber, your glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks on you.

[Spin]

For those who have just crawled out from under a rock in week three of the football season, and don't understand the rivalry, and you wonder if it exists, you obviously have not seen the two play each other in men's basketball.Last year was the first time in my life I have seen a scoreboard on TV that compared the number of floor burns. It's incredible, you gotta go to one or both this year.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Dumbest thread in the history of ZipsNation (and that says a LOT). Not worth a response. I learned a long time ago that you can't win an argument with a guy afflicted with Keyboard Diarrhea. He just keeps typing...and typing...and typing...

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Dumbest thread in the history of ZipsNation (and that says a LOT). Not worth a response. I learned a long time ago that you can't win an argument with a guy afflicted with Keyboard Diarrhea. He just keeps typing...and typing...and typing...

....and yet you may or may not see the irony you generate when you yourself had to hammer out a response, to say that the thread wasn't worth a response.I suppose we'll have to call yours the dumbest response within the dumbest thread ever. Now THAT's saying something. :lol: Oh, and I guess that makes two of us with Keyboard Diarrhea. Arggghhh, Cap'n!

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

For those who have just crawled out from under a rock in week three of the football season, and don't understand the rivalry, and you wonder if it exists, you obviously have not seen the two play each other in men's basketball.Last year was the first time in my life I have seen a scoreboard on TV that compared the number of floor burns. It's incredible, you gotta go to one or both this year.

Men's BB is absolutely a rivalry. No doubt about it, and a good one at that. Not so much for the crappy football game between these two schools though. Are you arguing that if there exists a rivalry in any sport between two schools, that animosity extends to all of the other sports as well?

[zipseuph]

For those who have just crawled out from under a rock in week three of the football season, and don't understand the rivalry, and you wonder if it exists, you obviously have not seen the two play each other in men's basketball.Last year was the first time in my life I have seen a scoreboard on TV that compared the number of floor burns. It's incredible, you gotta go to one or both this year.

Men's BB is absolutely a rivalry. No doubt about it, and a good one at that. Not so much for the crappy football game between these two schools though. Are you arguing that if there exists a rivalry in any sport between two schools, that animosity extends to all of the other sports as well?

rivalrys are what make college sports so great. just because neither school is all that great in football will not take anything away from the fact that it is hate Can't week. honestly I don't care what the two teams are doing this game determins bragging rights for a whole year with just one game. basketball is great because of where the two schools are but it doesn't have that one and done effect that football has. if we win this game then no matter what happens we will atleast be able to look back and say "at least we're better then Can't" and that to me is worth it. I must ask however. are you trying to change something or just complaining because we aren't "big time" in the football world? maybe one day the team will be big time enough for you and then you can act like most other ohio sports fans.

[Dave in Green]

I'd argue that a one-sport rivalry is not a true collegiate rivalry. Sure, one sport may have more national significance than another at any given time. But that can change from football to basketball to baseball to soccer, etc. I think a true collegiate rivalry is one that's always there to varying degrees in all sports, no matter how high or low the teams may be ranked nationally.I think a rivalry that's only based on national rankings is a false rivalry. It's just about beating another highly ranked team to improve your own position. A true collegiate rivalry between two schools is much more emotional than that. Winning or losing an intense rivalry game can make or break a season, regardless of how good or bad the rest of the season may go.If you don't feel it in your heart and in your guts, it probably doesn't make much sense to you. But that's the way it is.

[you am i]

I'd argue that a one-sport rivalry is not a true collegiate rivalry. Sure, one sport may have more national significance than another at any given time. But that can change from football to basketball to baseball to soccer, etc. I think a true collegiate rivalry is one that's always there to varying degrees in all sports, no matter how high or low the teams may be ranked nationally.I think a rivalry that's only based on national rankings is a false rivalry. It's just about beating another highly ranked team to improve your own position. A true collegiate rivalry between two schools is much more emotional than that. Winning or losing an intense rivalry game can make or break a season, regardless of how good or bad the rest of the season may go.If you don't feel it in your heart and in your guts, it probably doesn't make much sense to you. But that's the way it is.

Exactly.

[Spin]

The rivalry between the schools definately exists. It is bigger in sports that are popular and where the games count for something.But I was at the game last year at Can't, and the students had a lot of fun with it. It wasn't 'drunks beating the crap out of each other' like the Browns Steelers rivalry of old. If that's people's definition of a good rivalry, I don't want one. Last year that was a lot of fun to be part of. Not what it could be, but it was a good time. Especially leaving their house with the Wheel!!!

[Lee Adams]

When you figure out what rivalries really mean let me know. Regardless of both teams records, anything could or should happen. BTW, Don't look now, but Can't is a in a very good position and has competed well in this league this year. It wouldplease me to no end to be able to be a spoiler and put a damper on teir seas.And for those that really care, and I still hope there are a few of us out there, it is Saturday at 7:55 PM and Can't State STILL SUCKS.

nothing personal(or is it) but most of us are awrae of the 'rivalry" unfortunately in the big picture for the program this one is pretty meaningless...there WILL be changes win or lose...us long time fans who have spent our money and attended games for years would love to see a win on saturday... we will feel good for a week...short term thinking however is not what is need at this dismal point...i hate to say it but doug martin will outlast brookhart...