Captain Kangaroo Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 I say, "Yes." We all remember Rob Ianello's swirling 2-year ride down the toilet initiated when Garner Webb pulled the InfoCision commode handle. I see the JMU game being a similar flush-or-float game for Terry's boys. Dropping to a 1-13 career mark at UA would be bad enough. But doing so to a 1-AA school, at home, would plunge up some bad memories. And produce a cesspool of embarrassing local and national press. JMU is a legit 1-AA playoff team. The Zips are a legit 1-A doormat. But at some point the doormat needs to turn the corner. A win vs. JMU won't send the drunken Bulger Hall faithful sprinting naked up and down Exchange Street with giant novelty foam fingers. But a loss, be it by 1 point, or 30 points would be absolute Program Napalm. Lot 9 would look like Bhopal (but with trendy microbrew empties strewn about instead of Aam Panna and chai tea). I'm still coughing up chunks of lung from Ianello's Agent Orange campaign...I know I wouldn't survive. Bowden needs to show he can coach. That he can scheme. That he can motivate. He can't play conservative, like @ UCF...like @ K.e.n.t. last season...or he'll lose. At home. To a 1-AA school. Is it fair to make this a "Must Win?" I think so. Sure, there will be 10 games left in the season. The Zips could go on a tear. But I doubt it. The JMU QB was 10-18 last Saturday against The Fighting Yuracheks. Our DB's should be able to deal with that level of QB. I'm told Kyle Pohl is "The Truth." Last week, he was "The False." I want to see the kid who struck some fear into Toledo last year, not the guy doing a dead-nutz-on Clayton Moore impersonation. Chisolm? Dude, you're a Junior. For the first time in your UA career you have competition for your job. Elevate your game. Or the next time you sprint towards the sidelines to avoid contact, you will probably stay there. Zach D-Orazio. If you're healthy, let's see the kid who played at Tennessee. We need him. All you 1-and-done Senior transfers - Dudes...you came here to play. You have 11 games left. Show me there's something left in the tank. It is time to turn the corner, Zips. I'm not waiting until next year. I've been waiting until next year for too long. When Kincade sits in the stands Saturday, I want him excited to enroll in January. Not Tweeting: OMG...#Dukes_me_Pukes. I'll be there Saturday. I'll be as drunk, bloated and obnoxious as I can be. That's my role, and my best means of contributing to a victory. The rest is up the the Zips on the field. #Turnthecornertoday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lance99 Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Very well said Captain. This is THE MUST WIN game this year. Win, I still say 6 wins is possible. An loss and it will be the game that becomes a downward spiral for the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UA1987 Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 I agree your post was well done. Sounded like a Braveheart speech before battle, except you'd have a beer in hand instead of a sword. I will not walk away from such a call. Let the word be spread to all Zips Fans... this is a Must Win! Get Rowdy and loud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxZIP Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 I agree your post was well done. Sounded like a Braveheart speech before battle, except you'd have a beer in hand instead of a sword. I will not walk away from such a call. Let the word be spread to all Zips Fans... this is a Must Win! Get Rowdy and loud! I hope the word spreads to the team. The fans know this is a must win. Very nice work by the captain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ham Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 I don't think it's a must win. It's a will win. We didn't show up with our A game last week. TB will have everyone ready for this one. I'm sure it started last Thursday with coaches and players, and we will see the same turn around that we saw last year. B & B will make some noise. CJMz will make some noise, literally! I think all the TR's saw that they need to show up in practice if they want to see the field. With a couple extra days to prepare, they will have their chance to win pt. The Dukes are a quality FCS team, but we will be ready to take care of business. Zips 49 Dukes 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 It's a must win. I have been looking forward to this Saturday since March. I started counting down the days at 100 left. I came to some practices to try and satisfy my football fever. I bought a new generator, satellite & tv for tailgating. I have my plans set to travel to Ann Arbor, Bowling Green & Oxford. My spare fridge is full of singles for the 2013 beer challenge and I mean full. I am planning on making some food so delicious that Guy Fieri would give me the old "I surrender, mouth-full fist bump". I am going to march my ass down to the Roo Walk and cheer these boys off the bus. Last Thursday is forgotten. The anticipation is at a fever pitch. C'mon Zips! YOU CAN DO IT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 If this program is going to take a step forward this year, this is more than a must win - but it's not a guaranteed win, which is why it is important. When Morgan State showed up last year I don't think anyone was that worried about them, they have been a down FCS team for quite a while. JMU is a different challenge and one the Zips should welcome. A challenge but one they must be able to meet to keep moving forward. A victory by a touchdown or less would not be a victory, these boys need to show they are playing with a fire and need to put this team away by more than the pont spread, otherwise the confidence level won't be there for the games after Michigan. C'mon Zips I am not expecting 66-6, but how about a nice 38 -17 score? I'd be satisfied with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Keener getting pumped, gets me pumped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Keener getting pumped, gets me pumped! Me too. I mean, man, the dude has his own satellite! I wonder if we can hook up some GPS system to it to pin point some long Zip bombs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 It's certainly a comment on the state of Akron football when a game against a 1-AA opponent in the second week of the season is seen as a 'must win' by a number of fans. I certainly agree. But what happens when they play BGSU,OU etc,etc. 4-5 wins is a must this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Good post CK. It is an absolute must win game. Fans talk a lot about death nails, etc. I don't think a loss this weekend would be anything other than a death nail for the program. How do you recover? If any coach goes 1-13 and loses to a I-AA team, there is no way to recruit decent players and it only gets worse because there is no credibility with the staff. If they lose Saturday, it validates every opinion that Akron can't field a winning team and all the advances in terms of stadiums and practice arenas have been a waste of money. There is a ton riding on the game Saturday. I'd go as far as to say this needs to be a minimum 4 win season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 I nearly started a similar thread as this, but after thinking about it I decided it wasn’t quite a “must win”. The only thing that stops me from agreeing is the makeup of the Zip roster. I think many of us based our enhanced expectations on the talent of transfers such as Mizell, Capi, James, etc. I still retain that hope. BUT at this early point in the season it is possible (although I certainly hope it is not the case) that these new additions will still take some time to mesh with the team and perform at their highest level. Mizell, for one, may just now be getting into football shape. So while I agree the season, and Bowden’s tenure, begin to look more ominous with a loss to the Dukes, I still believe it’s possible to lose this one and still win 4 games (I agree with GP1 that 4 wins are probably necessary in 2013). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 After JMU, the Zips are @Michigan, vs. Louisiana, @BGSU, vs. Ohio, and @NIU. That's part of what makes this game Saturday so important. If any players are looking ahead to Michigan instead of focusing on JMU, they need to be kicked off the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legendofzippy Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 I think we're straying a bit from the original post. It's not a must win for the program - we've been terrible for years and are still around and not going anywhere. But is it a must win for TB? I don't think so - we're certainly not going to fire him if that's the question. Programs need stability so I think this staff will be in place for as long as possible. In general I think TB gets more credit than he's earned, but there's no denying he and his staff are working their tails off. When he took over how many legitimate FBS players were on this roster? How many still? This will still be a tough year, but we need a few wins for a little momentum. It's possible but going to be tough. This staff also needs more time to build trust back with HS coaches. Apparently there are many that would steer kids away from Akron in the past, but that appears to be changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UA1987 Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Heard on Joe Dunn's show that James Madison could bring 5,000 fans. I don't believe this will happen (500 maybe), but they do draw well at home with @ 18,000 per game last year in their new 25,000 seat stadium. Will our student sections be well attended? Will the voice of Akron be heard or will there be more Dukes fans in the stadium that Zips fans? Will someone dress up like 'the Duke' and get sloppy drunk? How about a Dukkie Howser look alike? Will Duke of Earl be playing in lot 9 after the game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Will our student sections be well attended?Sadly, no. or will there be more Dukes fans in the stadium that Zips fans?More Zip fans. Will someone dress up like 'the Duke'Some early tailgating ZN member will put on daisy dukes at the post lot nine party if we win. Unfortunately, it will be a dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UA1987 Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Sadly, no. More Zip fans. Some early tailgating ZN member will put on daisy dukes at the post lot nine party if we win. Unfortunately, it will be a dude. You may have zeroed in on our attendence problem. We need knockout Zips babes in outfits with big zippers on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcveyrl Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Heard on Joe Dunn's show that James Madison could bring 5,000 fans. I don't believe this will happen (500 maybe), but they do draw well at home with @ 18,000 per game last year in their new 25,000 seat stadium. Will our student sections be well attended? Will the voice of Akron be heard or will there be more Dukes fans in the stadium that Zips fans? Will someone dress up like 'the Duke' and get sloppy drunk? How about a Dukkie Howser look alike? Will Duke of Earl be playing in lot 9 after the game? Not sure where they got that info, but we actually drew just shy of 23K. And it was actually the second year of the new stadium. We drew 25K in 2011. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_rec...ndance/2012.pdf But no, I do not expect us to bring 5,000. Probably our biggest fan base is in Northern Va./DC and that's a 6 hour drive. I would guess between 1-2K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Good post, CK. I'll chime in... This is a must-win for the Zips and Bowden. If we lose this game, nothing differentiates Bowden from iCoach on paper. Though I can see the improved performance and recruiting under Bowden, and I will support him unconditionally until after his fourth year, we desperately need the W to move the program forward. However, that is not what this game is about. This game is about a loss potentially moving the program backwards when we are already as far back as a D-1 program can get. If we lose, we are not even worthy of a playoff spot in a lower division! Think about that. The UMass game is also a must win because they are only a couple years removed from D-1AA. Prediction: I think we win a close one this weekend and get UMass and The Sweaters for 3 wins. Nonetheless, because it is the MAC (thanks, GP1), another 1-3 wins are possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UA1987 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Not sure where they got that info, but we actually drew just shy of 23K. And it was actually the second year of the new stadium. We drew 25K in 2011. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_rec...ndance/2012.pdf But no, I do not expect us to bring 5,000. Probably our biggest fan base is in Northern Va./DC and that's a 6 hour drive. I would guess between 1-2K. The radio show information on the radio program was coming from a call to the douche Virgina reporter that covers your team while he was standing in your stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcveyrl Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 The radio show information on your program was coming from a call to the douche Virgina reporter that covers your team while he was standing in your stadium. Not the first time the beat writer's been wrong. No need to get all feisty. What's your deal? Attendance envy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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