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History Lesson


GP1

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Look no further than last year to see how a MAC team can go from a terrible start (sort of) to a GREAT year. I don't think we will have a great year, but this team has 4-5 wins in them.

NIU won the MAC last year after losing to a horrible Iowa 18-17 in their opener. I believe the UCF team the Zips played tonight would beat Iowa under the same conditions handily. NIU almost lost to Army, but won 41-40...Army is a horrible football program. NIU beat a horrible Kansas team 30-23 last year. UCF would have beaten any of those teams.

Tonight was bad, but no reason to give up the ship.

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I can agree with you that the season can be salvaged. All is not lost, but that doesn't ease the sting of really hoping to see a Zips team that could compete in some way, shape or form against UCF. It was embarrassing. I will be tailgating at sunrise on the morning of September 7, but the buzz has been killed.

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Never thought I'd say this, but if the offense can start scoring we'll be okay. A part of me wants to believe that those awful announcers last night were correct. How they praised the UCF offense's every step, maybe they are good?

If anything take last night as a learning experience for both the team and fans. As Zips fans we can't get optimistic. The team has learned it's going to take a lot of work to get better.

We weren't going undefeated anyway, jut strive for a .500 record and get a bowl game. Progress.

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I agree it's too early to give up the ship and this thing can be turned around.

However, using the old team A beat, or barely beat, Team B doesn't mean a lot.

Iowa is not a good team, but they would still smoke Akron.

UCF looked good, but you have to look at the competition.

I bet those that don't know any better will probably think Akron is a great team after next week. At least they better think that.

Indiana scored over 70 points last night. They will still probably only win 5-6 games at the most in the crappy B10

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...if the offense can start scoring we'll be okay....announcers last night were correct. How they praised the UCF offense's every step, maybe they are good?
What was the stat they showed last night, UCF was sacked 32 times all of last year, and the Zips had 4 last night? That OL is no joke, when the Zips play a less talented group, we might see more. And hopefully some turnovers.
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Speaking of history...George O'Leary was 0-12 in his first year at UCF. So put your Drano back underneath the sink people.

Paul's historic punting performance rivaled that of the immortal John Stec vs. Ohio State several season-openers ago.

Bowden's play-calling was reminiscent of our historically conservative 31-7 loss to Penn State in our season-opener 5 years ago. When your QB is 15-20...for 83 yards...you are being too conservative. When your star RB has 10 carries for 11 yards in the 4th quarter...your OL isn't doing its job.

To expect a 1-11 team to compete, on the road, in game #1, with a 10-win UCF team is unrealistic. Too many new faces in Blue and Gold.

I expect a big turnaround in this weeks game...we can't have another piece of Zips football history being repeated...**cough cough**...Gardner Webb...**cough**...

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Is it too late to get UConn on this year's schedule?

As for the non-conference schedule I say we:

Schedule ONE money game and THREE win(able) games.

Schedule ONE money game and THREE win(able) games.

Schedule ONE money game and THREE win(able) games.

Schedule ONE money game and THREE win(able) games.

Schedule ONE money game and THREE win(able) games.

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When you think about the number of good QB's we'll be facing this year, it's hard to project many wins. It appears we still have a very long way to go. UCF is good, but certainly not great. If the Zips play like that in two weeks, Michigan may be resting their starters in the 2nd quarter.

First objective still remains - get an FBS win. Then hopefully win 2 MAC games.

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Bowden's play-calling was reminiscent of our historically conservative 31-7 loss to Penn State in our season-opener 5 years ago. When your QB is 15-20...for 83 yards...you are being too conservative.

Milwee's play-calling. Bowden handed over the coordinator reigns this year, and Milwee came out as too conservative in his first game.

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Here's my history lesson, particularly in the short Bowden era so far.

We got CRUSHED by CFU last year also, at home, and followed that up with a good performance at Tennessee, demolished a 1-AA school, and almost beat Miami and FIU in the month of September. If we can duplicate that history over the next month or so, I'll stick with these guys. And it will be a tremendous bonus if we could take a couple of those almost-wins from that same period of time last year, and turn them into wins this year.

I didn't see the "wheels coming off" last year until we hit that stretch where we scored 10 pts. against BGSU (Zero in the 2nd half), and got beat badly by Northern and Central. Until that happens, I'm going to hang in there and hope that at least some of last season's history following the CFU game repeats itself.

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I think this is the one this year. Beat James Madison and possibly sneak one in later.

Hi , Ohio fan here but love coming to Akron for games. Hang in there guys, you have the right people in place , it will get turned around. Will be seeing you on 10/5. Love the fight song, it is one of the best(nice to hear one that is original to that school also).

david

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Here's my history lesson, particularly in the short Bowden era so far.

We got CRUSHED by CFU last year also, at home, and followed that up with a good performance at Tennessee, demolished a 1-AA school, and almost beat Miami and FIU in the month of September. If we can duplicate that history over the next month or so, I'll stick with these guys. And it will be a tremendous bonus if we could take a couple of those almost-wins from that same period of time last year, and turn them into wins this year.

I didn't see the "wheels coming off" last year until we hit that stretch where we scored 10 pts. against BGSU (Zero in the 2nd half), and got beat badly by Northern and Central. Until that happens, I'm going to hang in there and hope that at least some of last season's history following the CFU game repeats itself.

First 6 games will tell the tale. If this team is 1-5 or 2-4 there are going to be some 'starters' who will be assistant coaches the rest of the year. Michigan is a big loss. But then you have ULaLa at home and OU at home. Thats assuming a win over JMU(maybe not a smart bet). If they can't beat JMU,ULaLa and OU at home,the next 4 weeks in the MAC are against contenders. While the Defense 'looks' improved up front the secondary is still scary. If the offense can't find a running game(Mr. Chisholm your job is in jeopardy) this team will struggle to score points.

ASSUMING they can beat JMU,the ULaLa game is going to be a good indicator of where these guys are.

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First 6 games will tell the tale. If this team is 1-5 or 2-4 there are going to be some 'starters' who will be assistant coaches the rest of the year. Michigan is a big loss. But then you have ULaLa at home and OU at home. Thats assuming a win over JMU(maybe not a smart bet). If they can't beat JMU,ULaLa and OU at home,the next 4 weeks in the MAC are against contenders. While the Defense 'looks' improved up front the secondary is still scary. If the offense can't find a running game(Mr. Chisholm your job is in jeopardy) this team will struggle to score points.

ASSUMING they can beat JMU,the ULaLa game is going to be a good indicator of where these guys are.

I wasn't a big fan of scheduling JMU to begin with. They are no Gardner-Webb (2010 version anyway) and they are certainly no Morgan St. If you're going to play one FCS team a year, play one that you know you can beat.

Based on how CAA teams have performed versus FBS teams this weekend, I think next Saturday's game is essentially a "pick 'em". That's not to say the Zips can not or will not win, but I believe they'll have to play better than they did Thursday night. The flip side is this. Let's say the Zips lose this one. Although it would sting, it would not necessarily mean that a few MAC games wouldn't swing their way. I just don't see much difference between CAA football and MAC football right now, in spite of all the MAC bowl games last year.

It sure would be great to get the winning started now, however. Go Zips!!!

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If the offense can't find a running game(Mr. Chisholm your job is in jeopardy) this team will struggle to score points.

As long as we are talking history, this brings to mind one of my all time favorite Zips. In 2004, the Zips struggled at the beginning of the year. They started the season with a running back who ran soft and turned the ball over too much. This player was benched for a little known running back out of Florida, B. Biggs and the offense turned itself around quickly. The team finished 6-6 that season. The following season, the Zips won the MAC with this player playing a key role in the success.

I don't think the Zips need wholesale changes. Hell, they probably don't have the players on the bench to make meaningful wholesale changes. However, the RB situation is an area that can quickly spark a team.

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As long as we are talking history, this brings to mind one of my all time favorite Zips. In 2004, the Zips struggled at the beginning of the year. They started the season with a running back who ran soft and turned the ball over too much. This player was benched for a little known running back out of Florida, B. Biggs and the offense turned itself around quickly. The team finished 6-6 that season. The following season, the Zips won the MAC with this player playing a key role in the success.

I don't think the Zips need wholesale changes. Hell, they probably don't have the players on the bench to make meaningful wholesale changes. However, the RB situation is an area that can quickly spark a team.

Problem is they don't have a Brett Biggs,Dom Hixon,Charley Frye etc. etc on this team.

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We don't know yet if they have an unknown player who can spark winning because that person has yet to reveal himself.

MTB certainly has the potential to be another Dom Hixon...as well as Chandler Kincade has to be the next Frye. This team is headed in the right direction.

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