State of the Rivalry

[Zipsrifle]

I know none of you are going to believe this, but here in Michigan I just got done watching a program on Woody Hayes broadcast from the Michigan State TV Station. They had a part in there about the Bo vs. Woody, Michigan vs. OSU rivalry and how it is one of the truely great rivalries in all of sports.

That got me thinking about the Akron vs. Can't rivalry. We all know that in past few years, it has really kicked into high gear. The sad part is that I didn't even know Can't was our big rival until like my 2nd year in school. I don't know how it is on compus now, but there wasn't a whole lot of buzz back then. I attribute that to the general lack of excitement with the football program.

So, here we are, mid November, and the UA/Can't game is again, the last game of the year. One team really has nothing to play for, and the other is only statistically still in the hunt. The game is two weeks away, and it feels like it will just be a Thanksgiving Novelty this year.

Do I really consider Can't a "Rival" to Akron. Unfortunately, they are. The sad part is that no other school in the country would want to identify Can't as a rival. They suck, and nothing exciting has happened to that program.....probably ever. We are, in a similar situation. No MAC Championship games, no Bowls. Sure, the winner gets the Wagon Wheel and some bragging rights, but that's about it.

With the Michigan vs. OSU rivalry, they were slugging it out over the Big 10 championship nearly every year. THAT is what made the game huge. The last two early season games were so huge for Akron and Can't because they had MAC Championship implications. Do I hate Can't? Hell yea. We cover the same turf and battle for the same everything. Part of me wants to see them rot at the bottom of the MAC for eternity. The other part of me realizes that that true burning hatred, like I have for Miami, won't really be there until they are good. That will make the end of the year game really mean something.

I hope to see a huge turnout at the RB in two weeks. I hope to see the students on both campuses get fired up and the community get fired up. Personally, I don't feel the urgency like I did the past few seasons and don't expect a huge crowd. I hope the game gets moved up again next year. We sold out for the $ this year folks and from this fans perspective, it was a bad move.

[RACER]

i was against moving the game to thanksgiving. now we are on espn- to see what.

we may be 5-5 at best,and can't has one win. big deal. the game will probably be meaningless for the mac standings. the exposure for akron will be great when in our "biggest rivaly game" the camera's show about 10k in the stands.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I think the Thanksgiving game is worth a shot. If it draws 10K is is a success. Any more and it is officially a "tradition." I'm guessing K-ent brings a couple thousand if the weather is ok. We're good for at least 8k.

The national television is a great thing too. Recruits always want to know how often they'll be on TV. To have two ESPN games is a great selling point for the program. I know last season's Marshall game swayed a few out-of-state recruits to attend U of A.

On the K-ent "rivalry": It goes both ways. We haven't been much of a hoops rival (to them) the past 8 years and they have sucked at football the past...ok, forever...but definitely the past 8 years. If Can't and Akron were ever simultaneously good in any major sport, it would be HUGE for the area. It could happen in basketball...it will never happen in football. Remember - K-ent is the school that arrests their own alumni at Homecoming tailgates for open container violations. K-ent has no interest in creating a winning football program...and if they had the interest, they have no clue how to go about doing it. Arresting alumni who actually how up to see their sorry-ass team...that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard of.

The Annual Beating of Can't is a fun thing. I look forward to drubbing them again in a couple weeks. I hope one day we can get a rivalry going with another MAC school, like Toledo and Marshall had going on for a bit...but it will take the Zips competing for champiopnships before something like that could begin.

[Dr Z]

The Annual Beating of Can't is a fun thing. I look forward to drubbing them again in a couple weeks. I hope one day we can get a rivalry going with another MAC school, like Toledo and Marshall had going on for a bit...but it will take the Zips competing for champiopnships before something like that could begin

I agree, I love to pound K-ent, but when your biggest rivalry sucks it kind of fades away.

Remember when Cleveland / Pittsburgh used to be a big rivalry? (click here)

I think ESPN's bottom 10 refers to the K-ent Bufalo game as a "pillow fight" this week.

That is sad.

Having this on Thanksgiving day is cool. Who want's to watch Tim Couch II (Joey H) and the crappy Lions anyway??

[InTheZone]

I've heard from a lot in the community who don't normally come to Akron games that they're coming for the Thanksgiving Day game. I think people will be there just to have something fun and new to do on Thanksgiving Day. I'm going to make a bold prediction and say 20,000 at least for this game. There's more excitement in the community for a nationally televised Thanksgiving even in Akron then you guys are portraying here.

[msopher]

That's why I enjoy BG and Toledo where the games are played for something in November.

But in a few years maybe this rivalry will be at that level.

[Roudebush Rocket]

That's why I enjoy BG and Toledo where the games are played for something in November.

But in a few years maybe this rivalry will be at that level.

[Quickzips]

That's why I enjoy BG and Toledo where the games are played for something in November.

But in a few years maybe this rivalry will be at that level.

No, no it won't. Can't is going nowhere fast. I think we've all seen by now that Kents late season success last year was in large part to Josh Cribbs. This is a team that has no coaching, can't stay healthy and can't draw a crowd. In all actuality it may be a blessing for Akron to have them late in the year the next few years. That way when we are serious contenders in the East we can have our bitch to nail at the end of the season every year and not have to worry about facing a MAC elite w/ title hopes on the line.

Golden Turkey-> <-Fear the Roo!

[UA Fan]

I believe Can't could have a good football program if their board of directors wanted one. They are about to replace their men-only-sport-hating president, probably with someone similar, so Can't will remain mired in the muck. Buffalo seems to have some desire to improve so they should climb atop Can't on the MAC ladder for the long-term.

[Quickzips]

I believe Can't could have a good football program if their board of directors wanted one. They are about to replace their men-only-sport-hating president, probably with someone similar, so Can't will remain mired in the muck. Buffalo seems to have some desire to improve so they should climb atop Can't on the MAC ladder for the long-term.

They've already taken the first step for that yesterday. I can't see how Can't is ever gonna get any better. There is just no commitment there from anyone. I watched their BG game last week. The coaches looked lethargic. The players looked lethargic. There were no fans. The administration has no desire to make them better. It just looks like Can't could care less about football.

[Zipsrifle]

They've already taken the first step for that yesterday. I can't see how Can't is ever gonna get any better. There is just no commitment there from anyone. I watched their BG game last week. The coaches looked lethargic. The players looked lethargic. There were no fans. The administration has no desire to make them better. It just looks like Can't could care less about football.

Though it would be nice to have a competitive Can't team for a big late season game, I can't complain that they will suck. That means the recruits that Akron and Can't are both fighting for will probably choose Akron. Maybe we just dump Can't as our Rival and pick a new one. Though Miami is the easy choice for Akron fans, I don't think Miami fans consider Akron a rival.....they've owned us. BG and Toledo are both taken. I think OU considers Miami their rival. Buffalo is too far away and so is directional Michigan, etc. Maybe we should start playing Pitt! Another solid recruiting year by JD, and hopefully we'll have a pretty tough team. Maybe, if thing go well for the Zips over the next 5 years or so, we could be the dominant Mid-Major team in the NE Ohio, NW Pennsylvania area! That would be a goldmine!