Game 12 - Akron at Toledo

[johnnyzip84]

Since it's only 3 days away, I thought I'd kick the final game thread of 2012 off today.

Coming off the disappointing loss to UMass, many probably don't give the Zips much chance in this. Here are my top 10 reasons why I think this game could be much closer than most expect.

10) Lost amidst the 1-10 record thus far has been the surprising trend of the Zips arguably playing their best football on the road. In every single game, the Zips were in contention in the 4th quarter. Even in the worst of these (CMU), the Zips had a 1st and goal from the 5 with about 8 minutes left with a chance to make it a one score game (with several key players at home in Akron).

9) The Zips will have had 10 days between games.

8) The Rockets will have only had 6 days between games.

7) UT just lost a heart-wrenching game that was essentially a MAC championship semi-final.

6) UT just played the most physical team in the conference.

5) The Tuesday night attendance will be low, negating any appreciable home field advantage.

4) The Rockets are on a bit of a downer as the regular season winds down, having lost 2 in a row including the last game in the Glass Bowl.

3) UT will be bowling regardless of the outcome (nothing to gain).

2) The UA season is over regardless of the outcome. (nothing to lose)

1) Even though he will likely be flying solo, johnnyzip84 will be in the (glass) house (not throwing stones)!

Go Zips!! Zap the Rockets!!

Here is Coach Bowden's weekly press conference that I somehow missed this week on GoZips.com.

[Lee Adams]

35-10 TU

[MaxZIP]

48- 21 Toledo. Good stats but another loss.

[johnnyzip84]

The Zips open as 21 point 'dogs.

[MaxZIP]

The Zips open as 21 point 'dogs.

Very fair. Good luck in Toledo.

[johnnyzip84]

Very fair. Good luck in Toledo.

I agree. But I still think the Zips will cover. I'm looking forward to my 1st Glass Bowl visit. Go Zips!

[Zipmeister]

I think the Zips may surprise.

Zips by 14.

[akzipper]

I think the Zips may surprise.

Zips by 14.

I think you may be surprised

Toledo 31 Akron 7

[TrippleZip]

A close win for the Zips 20-17

[Dr Z]

I'm crazy, I think the Zips cover.

[GoZips88]

45 - 13 Rockets

[Captain Kangaroo]

A little bird told me the Kyle Pohl Fan Club will be pleased tomorrow evening. Expect him to get some meaningful PT.

On a related topic, Pohl is still considered The Man @ QB for 2013. The Zips are looking at a JUCO QB because, after Pohl, there's presently only unproven newbies.

[GP1]

A little bird told me the Kyle Pohl Fan Club will be pleased tomorrow evening. Expect him to get some meaningful PT.

On a related topic, Pohl is still considered The Man @ QB for 2013. The Zips are looking at a JUCO QB because, after Pohl, there's presently only unproven newbies.

Your post made me think of something Phil Sims said on Showtime last week about the two most important players on a team.

1. The QB

2. The back-up QB

[LZIp]

I thought we were only getting 1 QB every year? And I thought we already had ours commited?

[Captain Kangaroo]

I thought we were only getting 1 QB every year? And I thought we already had ours commited?

We will see how it plays-out. But Bowden's plan since he laid-out this policy back in August has probably changed.

He's now had a chance to see what the existing back up QB's can do for a full camp + season. He also has a better gauge on what level of QB is required for success in the MAC. If Pohl goes down, the Zips can't afford bad QB play, or TB's staring at yet another 1-win season. 1-win isn't an option in 2013.

I will say the spirit of TB's original plan remains...only 1 Frosh. QB recruit for 2013. But a JUCO to provide depth is a possibility. Maybe even a probability.

[johnnyzip84]

The line is down to 18.5. Injuries are apparently a big concern for UT:

Toledo Blade Link 1

Toledo Blade Link 2

[Big Zip]

Do we really want this game on TV?

I hope Terry and the boys make a good showing of it...I hate to see a stinker on national television.

[skip-zip]

Even after things turned sour for us again this year, I still think it would be huge boost for the kids going into next year if they could pull this off, regardless of whether we see Toledo at anywhere close to full strength or not.

On another note, I have had my concerns all season long about going into next year (2013) with a QB with no experience. I leaned against starting the Senior, and this is why. It's hard to make an argument that it's been a decision that's worked out for us.

[Captain Kangaroo]

On another note, I have had my concerns all season long about going into next year (2013) with a QB with no experience. I leaned against starting the Senior, and this is why. It's hard to make an argument that it's been a decision that's worked out for us.

It is tough....but I'll try to make an argument...

D. Williams - 2012 (with 1 game remaining):

324 completions for 3,335 yards. 63% completion percentage.

25 TDs vs 16 INTs

If that is the worst decision Bowden makes during his tenure in Akron, I can live with it.

For comparison - 2011 statistics (combined, in 12 games)

171 completions for 1,960 yards. 46% completion percentage.

12 TD's vs 11 INTs

[LZIp]

I dont think it is fair to compare the two, honestly.

[K92]

I dont think it is fair to compare the two, honestly.

Especially when the numbers are so close.

[LZIp]

Especially when the numbers are so close.

Every QB who comes out of TB's system will have similar or better numbers. Take it to the bank.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Every QB who comes out of TB's system will have similar or better numbers. Take it to the bank.

Then why did he get rid of Nicely and Moore? He could have simply plugged either of them in the TB System and gotten "Dalton Williams Results."

Why get a JUCO QB to back up Pohl next season, if any of the incumbent back up Freshman QBs could step in and post similar or better numbers?

[LZIp]

Then why did he get rid of Nicely and Moore? He could have simply plugged either of them in the TB System and gotten "Dalton Williams Results."

Why get a JUCO QB to back up Pohl next season, if any of the incumbent back up Freshman QBs could step in and post similar or better numbers?

He didnt get rid of Nicely and Moore. Nicely and Moore did not fit the system. If Pohl is the starter next year, he will have similar or better numbers. Bank on it. There is a reason Williams was a career back up at 1-AA.

Its called a system QB. OK St, Hawaii, Texas Tech, Missouri are examples. All have QBs who put up big numbers every year, but dont amount to anything else once they get to the NFL.

[Captain Kangaroo]

He didnt get rid of Nicely and Moore. Nicely and Moore did not fit the system. If Pohl is the starter next year, he will have similar or better numbers. Bank on it. There is a reason Williams was a career back up at 1-AA.

Its called a system QB. OK St, Hawaii, Texas Tech, Missouri are examples. All have QBs who put up big numbers every year, but dont amount to anything else once they get to the NFL.

Bowden didn't get rid of Nicely or Moore, huh? Coulda' fooled me.

If Pohl is as good a QB as Williams, of course he'll have similar numbers. That isn't and Jean Dixon-esque prediction, and taking it to the bank will only get you a stupid look from the bank teller.

The reason Williams was a back up in 1-AA was - the guy in front of him was better. If Williams were at UA for those 3 previous seasons, he'd have been a starter at the 1-A level. His logistical circumstances don't dictate is ability.

Weeden is from OK State, isn't he a starting NFL QB? Cincinnati Bengal starting QB Andy Dalton...a "system QB" at TCU, right? Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert, starting NFL QB, right? Your broad brush is lacking paint.