Game 2 - Akron at FIU

[johnnyzip84]

The opening line is déjà vu all over again.

Edit: the link seems to have been removed (will probably be back up tomorrow), but the line is indeed 23 1/2 points once again

[skip-zip]

This may have been one of the more decent games we played last year. I hope we can play even better this year, and I would be happy. But, it's on the road, in South Florida, in the early September stiffling heat, with a team with very little depth. It's going to take a great effort to make a respectable showing.

[johnnyzip84]

This may have been one of the more decent games we played last year. I hope we can play even better this year, and I would be happy. But, it's on the road, in South Florida, in the early September stiffling heat, with a team with very little depth. It's going to take a great effort to make a respectable showing.

Good points and my thoughts are much the same. It will be interesting to see whether our defense is better equipped to handle a spread/finesse attack as opposed to the power running game it faced last week.

[ZippyRulz]

FIU Stadium:

[akzipper]

FIU Stadium:

Not impressed...

Looks like the poor man's version of UCF's stadium.

[K92]

FIU lost to Duke by 4 last year and by 20 this year. I think they have regressed and the Zips will pull off the upset victory!

[RootforRoo44]

Not impressed...

Looks like the poor man's version of UCF's stadium.

That pic doesn't do it justice...it's actually pretty nice.

[akzipper]

That pic doesn't do it justice...it's actually pretty nice.

It looks more like a soccer stadium or FCS, than a FBS stadium. Even if it's "Phase I" having only one level makes it seem a lot smaller than it probably is. This is why I think we did it right. Build multiple levels on the sides first, and worry about the endzones during the next phase. Which in our case may never happen.

...and man it's tough to accept the fact that beating FIU would be considered an upset, but that's the state of our program.

[Kangaroo Craig]

...and man it's tough to accept the fact that beating FIU would be considered an upset, but that's the state of our program.

I was thinking the same thing. 23 1/2 point dogs to a freaking Sunbelt school! It just goes to show how deep of a hole that iCoach put us in.

[johnnyzip84]

Miami Herald (originally) article on FIU's struggles vs. Duke

[GP1]

I saw Duke play in person last year. Their offense is either really good, or horrible. There is little in between. They moved the ball well, but hurt themselves a lot in the game I saw. They have a good returning senior qb in Renfree and some players around him, although not many. Duke is good enough to get on a roll against a team like FIU and put up a blow out in the first game of the season. I wouldn't dismiss the ability of FIU because they got blown out by Duke...Duke is better this year and has some good players in the right spots.

It looks like FIU has trouble with their red zone offense. In playing a team like FIU, our bend, don't break defense may do well if we can force them into longer fields and keep the D off the field in the Miami heat (no pun intended).

Doesn't look like they get much pressure on the QB. I'll be interested to see if they blitz early and what success they have blitzing. Our QB has a good grasp of the offense and gets rid of the ball quickly, which can neutralize a blitz. If he can neutralize the blitz, THEN the issue will become whether or not he can complete passes against greater numbers of pass defenders. Could be an interesting chess game.

It also doesn't look like they may be a very physical team. Another issue that could help our smaller defenders.

Should be a fun game. I expect the Zips to compete much better this week.

[Mr_Knightman]

I saw Duke play in person last year. Their offense is either really good, or horrible. There is little in between. They moved the ball well, but hurt themselves a lot in the game I saw. They have a good returning senior qb in Renfree and some players around him, although not many. Duke is good enough to get on a roll against a team like FIU and put up a blow out in the first game of the season. I wouldn't dismiss the ability of FIU because they got blown out by Duke...Duke is better this year and has some good players in the right spots.

It looks like FIU has trouble with their red zone offense. In playing a team like FIU, our bend, don't break defense may do well if we can force them into longer fields and keep the D off the field in the Miami heat (no pun intended).

Doesn't look like they get much pressure on the QB. I'll be interested to see if they blitz early and what success they have blitzing. Our QB has a good grasp of the offense and gets rid of the ball quickly, which can neutralize a blitz. If he can neutralize the blitz, THEN the issue will become whether or not he can complete passes against greater numbers of pass defenders. Could be an interesting chess game.

It also doesn't look like they may be a very physical team. Another issue that could help our smaller defenders.

Should be a fun game. I expect the Zips to compete much better this week.

I really hope you guys eviscerate (slowly) those Panthers, and then dump the carcasses on I-95 on the way back. Make 'em extinct. They just started (their president) some board fodder by calling us the "little university". Sealed their fate...

[g-mann17]

I really hope you guys eviscerate (slowly) those Panthers, and then dump the carcasses on I-95 on the way back. Make 'em extinct. They just started (their president) some board fodder by calling us the "little university". Sealed their fate...

UCF and "Little" do not belong in the same sentence.

[skip-zip]

Not impressed...

Looks like the poor man's version of UCF's stadium.

I hate to say this, but I WISH our stadiuim had been built that way. Our 30K and under crowds should all be on the same level. It makes for a much better atmosphere when you can see everyone. And I love that their stadium is entirely enclosed, even with seats in the corners.

[skip-zip]

...and man it's tough to accept the fact that beating FIU would be considered an upset, but that's the state of our program.

I was thinking the same thing. 23 1/2 point dogs to a freaking Sunbelt school! It just goes to show how deep of a hole that iCoach put us in.

Restoring the player's confidence will hopefully happen quickly, and will take care of most of the job of making us forget about ICoach. Lets just not look pathetic by continuing to blame the previous coach year after year for whatever challenges continue to arise, like Obama does with Bush.

[AKSportsFan]

I see very little reason to why Akron shouldn't be very competitive in this game.

[MDZip]

Restoring the player's confidence will hopefully happen quickly, and will take care of most of the job of making us forget about ICoach. Lets just not look pathetic by continuing to blame the previous coach year after year for whatever challenges continue to arise, like Obama does with Bush.

I adapted this from a presidental joke.

When Ianello got the job, he received three envelopes from JD Brookhart and was told open the first at the first crisis, the second at the second crisis and the third at the third crisis. After starting 0-10 he opened the first, and it said "blame it on your inexperience" and he did and people decided he should get another year. He opened the second after the Gardner-Webb game and it said "blame it on the previous coaching staff" and he did and people said maybe the cupboard was bare and he continued on. He finally opened the third after finishing 1-11 for the second consecutive year. It said "Prepare three envelopes" ...

[zestycoyote]

I adapted this from a presidental joke.

When Ianello got the job, he received three envelopes from JD Brookhart and was told open the first at the first crisis, the second at the second crisis and the third at the third crisis. After starting 0-10 he opened the first, and it said "blame it on your inexperience" and he did and people decided he should get another year. He opened the second after the Gardner-Webb game and it said "blame it on the previous coaching staff" and he did and people said maybe the cupboard was bare and he continued on. He finally opened the third after finishing 1-11 for the second consecutive year. It said "Prepare three envelopes" ...

Great, and I mean GREAT post. The Ianello regime still amazes me. Whether it's the horrible recruiting (funny, ain't it?) or the 20+ year old offense...just unreal.

[GP1]

I adapted this from a presidental joke.

When Ianello got the job, he received three envelopes from JD Brookhart and was told open the first at the first crisis, the second at the second crisis and the third at the third crisis. After starting 0-10 he opened the first, and it said "blame it on your inexperience" and he did and people decided he should get another year. He opened the second after the Gardner-Webb game and it said "blame it on the previous coaching staff" and he did and people said maybe the cupboard was bare and he continued on. He finally opened the third after finishing 1-11 for the second consecutive year. It said "Prepare three envelopes" ...

With any luck, Wistrcill is working on three envelopes as well. I try not to dwell on it on this board, but the guy absolutely destroyed a football program with one decision.

[GP1]

I adapted this from a presidental joke.

When Ianello got the job, he received three envelopes from JD Brookhart and was told open the first at the first crisis, the second at the second crisis and the third at the third crisis. After starting 0-10 he opened the first, and it said "blame it on your inexperience" and he did and people decided he should get another year. He opened the second after the Gardner-Webb game and it said "blame it on the previous coaching staff" and he did and people said maybe the cupboard was bare and he continued on. He finally opened the third after finishing 1-11 for the second consecutive year. It said "Prepare three envelopes" ...

With any luck, Wistrcill is working on three envelopes as well. I try not to dwell on it on this board, but the guy absolutely destroyed a football program with one decision.

[johnnyzip84]

Lots of detailed information on this game is available here.

TY Hilton is now in the NFL, but QB Medlock and RB Rhodes will be difficult to stop. Hopefully, the offense can minimize the drops and put just as much pressure on the FIU defense.

And note to MDZip: that huge 6'9" dude is still on their roster, but not starting at DE.

[GP1]

Lots of detailed information on this game is available here.

Its amazing what one can forget in a year. We had a 7-3 lead and then a 10-3 lead in the second quarter last year. The game was close until the fourth. Kind of gives me more confidence about this year.

[MDZip]

Lots of detailed information on this game is available here.

TY Hilton is now in the NFL, but QB Medlock and RB Rhodes will be difficult to stop. Hopefully, the offense can minimize the drops and put just as much pressure on the FIU defense.

And note to MDZip: that huge 6'9" dude is still on their roster, but not starting at DE.

We've been playing football for over 100 years longer than they have and we're 23.5 point underdogs (sigh). They should point that non-starting DE in the direction of their basketball team. They could probably use him more.

[johnnyzip84]

They should point that non-starting DE in the direction of their basketball team. They could probably use him more.

Perhaps, but he sure is intimidating on the kickoff coverage team!

[g-mann17]

With any luck, Wistrcill is working on three envelopes as well. I try not to dwell on it on this board, but the guy absolutely destroyed a football program with one decision.

In his defense, he didn't destroy it, he just buried it. And Ianello did come with recommendations from Alvarez, how was Wistrcill supposed to know that recommendation was written while battling dementia.