OSU game thread

[GoZips]

Now, all you Ianello wanks ... learn anything?

[UAZipster0305]

Ianello mumbled what seemed to be a complaint to Fickell as they shook hands. I'm not really sure what Rob has to complain about. As much as I disdain the red & silver, I don't think they rubbed it in.

"I don't think that was classy, but good luck the rest of the year"

I am happy that I heard rob say that to luke. I was so riled up that I would probably have started a fight with any jerk I saw out wearing OSU gear at the bars tonight. That blitzing and those deep throws in the fourth quarter were classless, but that's what we deal with standing behind a bad program playing on a saturday against classless cheating program corrupted by shitloads of money.

As much as I dislike OSU, I disagree. And not because I am so strongly anti-iCoach (which I am) but because as the opposing team, it is our responsibility to compete. Fickell did nothing wrong, and. I would say that regardless of who our coach is. Fickell has one chance and is a long shot to make himself a full-time (not interim) head coach. He needs to do what he feels is necessary to convince skeptics of his ability as coach, earn the respect of his players, and prepare the team for the season.

D1-A isn't a youth league where you have to worry about hurting kids' feelings and having them get discouraged thus missing out on life skills such as leadership and team work because they lose interest and no longer participate. In baseball, this would be a minor league PROFESSIONAL level.

With iCoach's ~half-million dollar salary, he should be the last one to complain. And by doing it on TV after getting beat that badly, it looks that much worse. It's not like iCoach did anything at any point throughout the course of the game to show that our team was there to compete and make an attempt to win. The bland play calling and not going for it on 4th down when we still had a chance to make it competitive in the 2nd quarter was evidence of that. Essentially, the read-between-the-lines interpretation of the comment and our approach to the game was that that we were there to pick up a pay check and let OSU prepare for their season so long as we make no attempt to win and they don't embarrass us.

This incident guaranteed that we didn't leave with our dignity. Nobody expected us to win, so all we had to do was show up, play hard, try to make it competitive, and be good sportsman. We definitely showed up and most of the team played hard, but iCoach failed to make an attempt to be competitive and was not a good sportsman.

[Doug Snyder]

Now, all you Ianello wanks ... learn anything?

yep... That GoZips calls other fellow Zips that disagree with him "Wank".

[skip-zip]

Ianello mumbled what seemed to be a complaint to Fickell as they shook hands. I'm not really sure what Rob has to complain about. As much as I disdain the red & silver, I don't think they rubbed it in.

"I don't think that was classy, but good luck the rest of the year"

I am happy that I heard rob say that to luke. I was so riled up that I would probably have started a fight with any jerk I saw out wearing OSU gear at the bars tonight. That blitzing and those deep throws in the fourth quarter were classless, but that's what we deal with standing behind a bad program playing on a saturday against classless cheating program corrupted by shitloads of money.

I didn't see enough of the last part of the game, but if this is what was happening, I'm not surprised, considering the pompous history of our opponent today.

That's normally always a courtesy between coaches that you don't do that kind of crap late in the game. And although I am not a big ICoach fan, I have so much disdain right now for OSWho's "we can do whatever we want" attitude that I would not be the least bit surprised if this is the way they were calling it. And if that's the way it looked, I would expect our coach to call him out on it.

Hopefully we get our payback when the NCAA is done dealing with these liars and cheaters.

[johnnyzip84]

Now, all you Ianello wanks ... learn anything?

I'm not sure who you mean by that. I don't recall reading one single post from anyone on this board who has ever said anything like "Ianello will get the job done if given the necessary amount of time".

There are some of us, including myself, who have argued that there wasn't enough evidence last year to determine that he's incapable of ever getting the job done here. That doesn't mean we should wait forever of course. Certainly today's performance didn't do anything to help his cause. I'm willing to withhold final judgement until the end of this season. We'll see how the team does in the MAC, although I think the league is much improved this year.

What is particularly troublesome for me is what I perceive as a lack of guts. I fear that's something that can't be learned.

[lance99]

Now, all you Ianello wanks ... learn anything?

I'm not sure who you mean by that. I don't recall reading one single post from anyone on this board who has ever said anything like "Ianello will get the job done if given the necessary amount of time".

There are some of us, including myself, who have argued that there wasn't enough evidence last year to determine that he's incapable of ever getting the job done here. That doesn't mean we should wait forever of course. Certainly today's performance didn't do anything to help his cause. I'm willing to withhold final judgement until the end of this season. We'll see how the team does in the MAC, although I think the league is much improved this year.

What is particularly troublesome for me is what I perceive as a lack of guts. I fear that's something that can't be learned.

Withhold final judgement? The Zips quit

[johnnyzip84]

Now, all you Ianello wanks ... learn anything?

I'm not sure who you mean by that. I don't recall reading one single post from anyone on this board who has ever said anything like "Ianello will get the job done if given the necessary amount of time".

There are some of us, including myself, who have argued that there wasn't enough evidence last year to determine that he's incapable of ever getting the job done here. That doesn't mean we should wait forever of course. Certainly today's performance didn't do anything to help his cause. I'm willing to withhold final judgement until the end of this season. We'll see how the team does in the MAC, although I think the league is much improved this year.

What is particularly troublesome for me is what I perceive as a lack of guts. I fear that's something that can't be learned.

Withhold final judgement? The Zips quit

In one way, I"ll agree. The coaching staff quit before the game even started by adopting the same ultra-conservative style we've grown to loath. But I strongly disagree that the team quit. I watched all 60 painful minutes, and I saw players TRYING to make plays until the bitter end. Maybe the earlier poster who suggested iCoach simply used this game for more film study is spot on.

[Quickzips]

Let's just face facts people. We are a pathetic football program in arguably the worst conference in the country. It would be nothing short of a miracle over the next five years for this program to get to the point where we can realistically say we are average. We are at rock bottom right now and have been for most of the last year and a half. The bigger problem, there is no tangible evidence that we are going to start clawing our way back up in the next few seasons. We are content to skim along the bottom hoping that nobody notices how ugly we are.

[Lee Adams]

Some folks thought that this could have been a close game. As I indicated earlier it was my sense that Fickell wasn't going to let off the gas like Tressel always did in these games. Fickell is trying to keep a job. The last thing he wanted to see was some 28-14 game that would give the folks in cornfield Cbus an excuse to complain. Ianello needs to worry about trying to learn how to coach his team. At this point after 13 games under his belt we are waiting to see.

[ZachTheZip]

But I strongly disagree that the team quit. I watched all 60 painful minutes, and I saw players TRYING to make plays until the bitter end. Maybe the earlier poster who suggested iCoach simply used this game for more film study is spot on.

It's hard to make plays when your coaches put you in a position to NOT make plays because they don't have the self-confidence to even attempt to compete.

[UAZipster0305]

Some folks thought that this could have been a close game. As I indicated earlier it was my sense that Fickell wasn't going to let off the gas like Tressel always did in these games. Fickell is trying to keep a job. The last thing he wanted to see was some 28-14 game that would give the folks in cornfield Cbus an excuse to complain. Ianello needs to worry about trying to learn how to coach his team. At this point after 13 games under his belt we are waiting to see.

This is exactly what I said earlier, and I don't blame him. It is iCoach's job to make the score competitive without relying on the other team to back off. Unlike a game against Tressel, today's score was truly representative of the difference in talent and performance.

[skip-zip]

Some folks thought that this could have been a close game. As I indicated earlier it was my sense that Fickell wasn't going to let off the gas like Tressel always did in these games. Fickell is trying to keep a job. The last thing he wanted to see was some 28-14 game that would give the folks in cornfield Cbus an excuse to complain. Ianello needs to worry about trying to learn how to coach his team. At this point after 13 games under his belt we are waiting to see.

This is exactly what I said earlier, and I don't blame him. It is iCoach's job to make the score competitive without relying on the other team to back off. Unlike a game against Tressel, today's score was truly representative of the difference in talent and performance.

Not an accurate comparison. In our last two games at Cowlumbus, OSWho needed LATE scores to beat us. Those two games weren't close because Tressel "let off the gas" in the late going. They actually needed to turn up their play in the late going in order to beat us.

[Lee Adams]

Some folks thought that this could have been a close game. As I indicated earlier it was my sense that Fickell wasn't going to let off the gas like Tressel always did in these games. Fickell is trying to keep a job. The last thing he wanted to see was some 28-14 game that would give the folks in cornfield Cbus an excuse to complain. Ianello needs to worry about trying to learn how to coach his team. At this point after 13 games under his belt we are waiting to see.

This is exactly what I said earlier, and I don't blame him. It is iCoach's job to make the score competitive without relying on the other team to back off. Unlike a game against Tressel, today's score was truly representative of the difference in talent and performance.

Not an accurate comparison. In our last two games at Cowlumbus, OSWho needed LATE scores to beat us. Those two games weren't close because Tressel "let off the gas" in the late going. They actually needed to turn up their play in the late going in order to beat us.

I am NOT a big OSU fan. OK we can debate whether OSU 'needed' to do anything. You just said it, OSU wasn't playing well. They were able to 'turn it on' when they needed to. Do you think that OSU may just have done some minimal prep for Akron feeling confident they could 'turn it on' when needed?

[Lee Adams]

Ianello mumbled what seemed to be a complaint to Fickell as they shook hands. I'm not really sure what Rob has to complain about. As much as I disdain the red & silver, I don't think they rubbed it in.

Correct.

[skip-zip]

Some folks thought that this could have been a close game. As I indicated earlier it was my sense that Fickell wasn't going to let off the gas like Tressel always did in these games. Fickell is trying to keep a job. The last thing he wanted to see was some 28-14 game that would give the folks in cornfield Cbus an excuse to complain. Ianello needs to worry about trying to learn how to coach his team. At this point after 13 games under his belt we are waiting to see.

This is exactly what I said earlier, and I don't blame him. It is iCoach's job to make the score competitive without relying on the other team to back off. Unlike a game against Tressel, today's score was truly representative of the difference in talent and performance.

Not an accurate comparison. In our last two games at Cowlumbus, OSWho needed LATE scores to beat us. Those two games weren't close because Tressel "let off the gas" in the late going. They actually needed to turn up their play in the late going in order to beat us.

I am NOT a big OSU fan. OK we can debate whether OSU 'needed' to do anything. You just said it, OSU wasn't playing well. They were able to 'turn it on' when they needed to. Do you think that OSU may just have done some minimal prep for Akron feeling confident they could 'turn it on' when needed?

I'm not sure I understand your post here. I'm just pointing out that this game wasn't the same as the last two games under Tressel. If Tressel had "let off the gas" in the previous two games, we would have won. Today, the game was long over with in the 4th Q.

[Lee Adams]

Some folks thought that this could have been a close game. As I indicated earlier it was my sense that Fickell wasn't going to let off the gas like Tressel always did in these games. Fickell is trying to keep a job. The last thing he wanted to see was some 28-14 game that would give the folks in cornfield Cbus an excuse to complain. Ianello needs to worry about trying to learn how to coach his team. At this point after 13 games under his belt we are waiting to see.

This is exactly what I said earlier, and I don't blame him. It is iCoach's job to make the score competitive without relying on the other team to back off. Unlike a game against Tressel, today's score was truly representative of the difference in talent and performance.

Not an accurate comparison. In our last two games at Cowlumbus, OSWho needed LATE scores to beat us. Those two games weren't close because Tressel "let off the gas" in the late going. They actually needed to turn up their play in the late going in order to beat us.

I am NOT a big OSU fan. OK we can debate whether OSU 'needed' to do anything. You just said it, OSU wasn't playing well. They were able to 'turn it on' when they needed to. Do you think that OSU may just have done some minimal prep for Akron feeling confident they could 'turn it on' when needed?

I'm not sure I understand your post here. I'm just pointing out that this game wasn't the same as the last two games under Tressel. If Tressel had "let off the gas" in the previous two games, we would have won. Today, the game was long over with in the 4th Q.

I guess we can speculate about anything that is over.

[w00t]

I hate it when we lose these huge rivalry games. Think of all the recruits we're going to lose to OSU now.

[UAZipster0305]

I hate it when we lose these huge rivalry games. Think of all the recruits we're going to lose to OSU now.

Or all the recruits we could have gotten had we won...or the ones we wouldn't have lost had we TRIED to make it competitive.

[Buckzip]

I hate it when we lose these huge rivalry games. Think of all the recruits we're going to lose to OSU now.

[K92]

Finally got home tonight and was able to watch the game. I was getting score updates while I was working, but saw no highlights (lowlights?) until I got home.

Trying to keep it positive:

I like to watch Steiner hustle down the field on punts.

Anthony Holmes was the lone bright spot in the secondary in the first half. Saw him on the field for 2 plays in the second half. What happened?

Nice leaping catch by Suel before halftime.

Chiz played ALOT today and kept banging. Although yards were hard to come by, I still saw his cutting ability and I still have high hopes for him. Nice one handed catch too.

I like LR8's running ability.

One nice return by Antoine Russell.

Couple of nice blocks by Rossi in extremely limited playing time.

Defensive line actually looked pretty good to me. James Harvey sure played alot. Hazime looked good. I think we will see some good things from Griggs and Wilson in MAC play. Saw Monster Hands in there!

Keeping it real:

The offensive game plan was beyond pathetic. No imagination whatsoever. If you're gonna pound the ball with Chiz, get Rossi in there to block. What's with all the one-back, double tight formations? 100% vanilla play calling. Does Latina deserve to wear the albatross on this or has RI got him on a short leash? Bullshit needs to stop.

How many passes did LR8 get knocked down today? Ever think about rolling him out a little bit? This is common sense for anyone who has ever WATCHED football, never mind coached.

How about some blitzes on defense? When you are playing a better team you gotta take some chances on this side of the ball too. We took no chances on either side today. Well, one. The corner blitz by Holmes.

Our secondary is lacking. Many people expected that, but the LB's were on their heels all day. These guys weren't tackling, they were catching.

The Zips need to make lots of improvements this week in preparation for Temple. Players and coaches. Mostly coaches, though.

[Blue & Gold]

I hate it when we lose these huge rivalry games. Think of all the recruits we're going to lose to OSU now.

Recruits really have nothing to do with it for me. It's the potential fan base.

This week I've taken a ton of heat about being an Akron fan, from fellow Akron-area residents!! It's sickening. It's demoralizing. I'm not looking forward to work this week.

Still won't bow down to Columbus.

[Blue & Gold]

Concerning the vanilla playcalling, either Speilman or Myer noted at least twice that, "Akron keeps running plays into Ohio State's wheelhouse," i.e., just coming straight ahead into the strength of Columbus' defense. Discouraging.

And with Rossi, if we're going to waste his LB talents by playing him @ FB, let's not completely waste all of his talents by having him ride the bench. I really don't understand the thinking here.

I know many of you are upset w/ not going for it on 4th down. I was hoping they'd go. If we can't QB sneak for 6-inches then we don't deserve it. However, it was on our own 20, so I'm not as upset about not going for it as many other posters.

We really should have taken more shots downfield. We didn't challenge, stretch, or confuse Columbus' defense a single time all day. Discouraging.

[skip-zip]

I hate it when we lose these huge rivalry games. Think of all the recruits we're going to lose to OSU now.

Recruits really have nothing to do with it for me. It's the potential fan base.

This week I've taken a ton of heat about being an Akron fan, from fellow Akron-area residents!! It's sickening. It's demoralizing. I'm not looking forward to work this week.

Still won't bow down to Columbus.

B&G, I am going to guess that WooT's comment was meant to be humorous, and in support of the idea that what happened yesterday doesn't matter. But, at the very least, you'd have to be an absolute fool to think that there is no effect on our fan base and recruiting when you send a resounding message to fans and recruits that your current team didn't belong on the same field as the more popular school in the state.

Buckzip can laugh all he wants, and attempt to convince us that it doesn't matter. And for him, and others like him, I would ask one question: If we had won yesterday, could you also say that fans and recruits would not have taken notice? It would have made a HUGE impact. So, performing so poorly certainly produces the opposite effect.

I'm concerned about what this does to dampen fan interest right now as well. But unlike you, I think I am much more concerned about the recruiting impact. Because, in the long run, getting the horses in here to just compete successfully against the top MAC programs would have to be the first step to getting local fans interested in our program again.

[johnnyzip84]

I'm also concerned about recruiting skip, but not so much directly because of losing to the in-state bully. After noting how the class of 2012 has been slow to commit, this heightened the importance of getting off to a good start this year. I've always viewed the Temple gave as paramount in this regard. Given yesterday's result at OSU and Temple's thrashing of 'Nova on Thursday, I expect the Zips to be at least 14 point underdogs in this all-important game. This staff is going to need the week of its collective life to put UA in a chance to win come Saturday.

[Buckzip]

I hate it when we lose these huge rivalry games. Think of all the recruits we're going to lose to OSU now.

Recruits really have nothing to do with it for me. It's the potential fan base.

This week I've taken a ton of heat about being an Akron fan, from fellow Akron-area residents!! It's sickening. It's demoralizing. I'm not looking forward to work this week.

Still won't bow down to Columbus.

B&G, I am going to guess that WooT's comment was meant to be humorous, and in support of the idea that what happened yesterday doesn't matter. But, at the very least, you'd have to be an absolute fool to think that there is no effect on our fan base and recruiting when you send a resounding message to fans and recruits that your current team didn't belong on the same field as the more popular school in the state.

Buckzip can laugh all he wants, and attempt to convince us that it doesn't matter. And for him, and others like him, I would ask one question: If we had won yesterday, could you also say that fans and recruits would not have taken notice? It would have made a HUGE impact. So, performing so poorly certainly produces the opposite effect. I'm concerned about what this does to dampen fan interest right now as well. But unlike you, I think I am much more concerned about the recruiting impact. Because, in the long run, getting the horses in here to just compete successfully against the top MAC programs would have to be the first step to getting local fans interested in our program again.

I do laugh at you because you live in lala land.

However, I will answer your question.

Yes, it would matter to fans. Look at what soccer has done at Akron. I have been saying it forever, win some damn games regularly and fans will show up.

No, it wouldn't matter to recruits that are looking at OSU.

It may matter to recruits that are looking at Akron and other schools, but if they are looking at OSU this means nothing for Akron. Sure, if Akron beat OSU, then some of those recruits looking at Akron, Can't, Ball State, BG, Minnesota, Indiana may give Akron a second look, but that's it.

You guys can say the same thing over and over and over, but that doesn't make it true.

Some of you make it sound like so many players have UA and OSU as their final 2 and always pick OSU.

If these guys don't go to OSU, they are going to UM, PSU, Florida, or a variety of other schools.

UA may offer some of the same recruits as OSU, but that doesn't mean UA has a shot at any of them.