Game #10: It's Cant Week!

[lance99]

Question:

Is this the worst rivalry game in the country this year? We all know that Akron is down, but Can't State is back to being……well.....Can't State.

I know that the won 11 games last season, but I always said " well the blind dog finds the bone once in a while."

Now I also know that this will not be a morgue at the game(see Ball State game). IMO, 20k will show up for this one.

This MUST be an win, or the heat will be on. No question about it.

Discuss

[Dave in Green]

Buffalo is softening up Can't right now, whipping them 27-7 34-7 midway through the 3rd quarter.

[Zipmeister]

Question:

Is this the worst rivalry game in the country this year? We all know that Akron is down, but Can't State is back to being……well.....Can't State.

I know that the won 11 games last season, but I always said " well the blind dog finds the bone once in a while."

Now I also know that this will not be a morgue at the game(see Ball State game). IMO, 20k will show up for this one.

This MUST be an win, or the heat will be on. No question about it.

Discuss

Not only MUST this be an win, this WILL be an win.

[Z.I.P.]

Question:

Is this the worst rivalry game in the country this year? We all know that Akron is down, but Can't State is back to being……well.....Can't State.

I know that the won 11 games last season, but I always said " well the blind dog finds the bone once in a while."

Now I also know that this will not be a morgue at the game(see Ball State game). IMO, 20k will show up for this one.

This MUST be an win, or the heat will be on. No question about it.

Discuss

You should have seen the morgue at Dix Sporting Goods. The side of the field opposite the camera had...perhaps, 50 people.

[zipsfan33]

Well if it wasnt for Ball States band there would have been less than 50 on the east side of the Info

[zipsfan33]

And NO way 20,000 show up. I say 14-17 will be lucky and that's dependent on some iffy weather forecasting for next weekend!

[Zipmeister]

You should have seen the morgue at Dix Sporting Goods. The side of the field opposite the camera had...perhaps, 50 people.

I didn't realize the Akron/Ball St. game was on TV till the second half. The TV director (bless his heart) tried to avoid camera shots of the stands, but occasionally this was impossible. Unfortunately, it was obvious that if we could have convinced those 50 people you saw at the Can't game to come sit on the east side of the Info it would have at least doubled the size of the "crowd" on that side of the stadium.

[GP1]

One of the things I'm sort of following is how the Zips do in "winnable" games. These are games in which the Zips have a punchers chance. Games that prove the talent is at least enough to win some MAC games after this idiot ran off any talent the program had (How his sidekick in idiocy still has a job at UofA as AD is mind boggling, but I don't want to get in to that discussion right now). The winnable games, in my opinion, were/are: JMU, Miami, BSU (home game with some momentum after a win made it winnable yesterday), Can't State and Mass. The Zips are now 2-1 in winnable games. The Zips can win against Can't State this week and Mass after that. Four wins is still an achievable goal.

If we win these games, we have officially moved ourselves from the bottom of the MAC and transformed the program from being terrible (0-3 wins) to just plain bad (4-5 wins) while being on the upswing. Going 2-1 at worst is critical to the future of this program. It's hard to get good players to come to your school when you are "terrible". Bad and on the upswing is a lot easier. It's all about getting better players.

Now, go out there and win these winnable games. It starts with beating those morons at Can't State.

[johnnyzip84]

One of the things I'm sort of following is how the Zips do in "winnable" games. These are games in which the Zips have a punchers chance. Games that prove the talent is at least enough to win some MAC games after this idiot ran off any talent the program had (How his sidekick in idiocy still has a job at UofA as AD is mind boggling, but I don't want to get in to that discussion right now). The winnable games, in my opinion, were/are: JMU, Miami, BSU (home game with some momentum after a win made it winnable yesterday), Can't State and Mass. The Zips are now 2-1 in winnable games. The Zips can win against Can't State this week and Mass after that. Four wins is still an achievable goal.

If we win these games, we have officially moved ourselves from the bottom of the MAC and transformed the program from being terrible (0-3 wins) to just plain bad (4-5 wins) while being on the upswing. Going 2-1 at worst is critical to the future of this program. It's hard to get good players to come to your school when you are "terrible". Bad and on the upswing is a lot easier. It's all about getting better players.

Now, go out there and win these winnable games. It starts with beating those morons at Can't State.

This is pretty much how I feel. Win this game and I think this season will be an overall positive. If not, well. This is easily the biggest game of TB’s tenure here and I’m sure he knows it.

I figured it would be about a toss-up with the odds makers and the Zips open as 1 point underdogs. (use the pull-downs to get more games)

[Aaron]

I believe that Akron can and will beat every team with a losing record that we play this year.

So far, we're 2-0, and will play two more teams with a losing record - Can't and UMass.

If Akron takes care of business against them, ends up 4-8, then this season made good progress in my book.

The Zips schedule this year has once again been absolutely BRUTAL, but the team is at least entertaining to watch again and gives you the feeling that they can come out and pull an upset on any other team any given Saturday.

FWIW, Northern Illinois is currently ranked #3 in Sagarin's "Pure ELO" BCS computer numbers (W/L only, ignores score margins). Should make for some interesting rankings.

[GP1]

I believe that Akron can and will beat every team with a losing record that we play this year.

So far, we're 2-0, and will play two more teams with a losing record - Can't and UMass.

Just for the record, JMU has a winning record. We are 1-0.

[UA1987]

I remember the 2006 game at their place. I had seats right behind where Akron was keeping the Wagon Wheel Trophy, which was very close to Akron's bench. At the end of the game a gang of Cant's players ran over to our side of the field and started throwing around Akron's training equipment till they found the thing and then hoisted it up to their fans. I'd like us to return the favor. Reasonably though, they probably should keep the Wheel in a neutral area once the game starts and then have reps award it to the winning HC or player Captain in order to avoid a team on team fight or some Frat prank one of these years. I haven't noticed recently, but maybe there is a quick award ceremony now.

[LZIp]

So whats the status on Dri Archer? I've lost track, but know he has battled injuries earlier in the season.

Do we have any significant injuries from last week?

[Zips22]

I'm hoping for a good crowd at the game. Any predictions on attendance numbers?

[akronad]

AccuWeather High 55 30% chance of precip

Nat'l Weather Service High 51 40% chance

Intellicast High 49 40% chance

Weather Channel High 49 30% chance

[Captain Kangaroo]

I'm hoping for a good crowd at the game. Any predictions on attendance numbers?

Announced crowd: 20,346

Actual butts in seats: 6, 697

[GP1]

Announced crowd: 20,346

Actual butts in seats: 6, 697

Ouch! Will this set a MAC record for worst (Announced Crowd : Actual Butts In Seats) ratio in league history? A record breaking day!

[johnnyzip84]

Ouch! Will this set a MAC record for worst (Announced Crowd : Actual Butts In Seats) ratio in league history? A record breaking day!

No, that happened last week.

With MAYBE 3000 die-hards in actual attendance, the ratio was well over 5.

[johnnyzip84]

The early money is on the Zips as the opening line (K.E.N.T. -1) has switched and now the Zips are 1 1/2 point favorites.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Zips win this week. The only question is whether it is a laugher, or if the penalty-loving Zips manage to bungle their way to a close win.

There are no excuses this week:

* The Zips play at home.

* Rivalry game, where our rival enters at 2-7.

* K.e.n.t.'s QB is sub-mediocre. What a treat to play against a lousy QB for once?

* Unlike last season, when the Zips defense was decimated by injuries and still should have won the game, this year the Zips are healthy. Even without Turner, CJ James and CJ Mizell, the defense has performed at a relatively high level. How is that possible? Give Amato some props.

* Pohl should have a much easier time throwing against the K.e.n.t. defense than Ball State's. I look for a big day from him.

* I don't think Nico Caponi lets the Zips lose this game. There's a LOT of pent up frustration amongst the Zips seniors...way too many losses over their careers. They finally have a team surrounding them that's capable of beating someone, and they won't let this opportunity pass. Hoisting the Wagon Wheel at InfoCision is something those inglorious bastards deserve. They will seize the day.

* Bowden needs to play like he wants to win the game. Last year his dadgum butt-hole puckered up after half time and the Zips sat around waiting for K.e.n.t. to rally.

Do the Zips have a trick play? K.e.n.t. has historically been stupid enough to bite on them. Pull out all the stops Saturday afternoon!

Robert "Shanken" Stein needs to pull the bolts out of his neck and hit a few short field goals. Either that, or the Zips need to synchronize their frequent personal foul penalties with his chip shot field goals and move him back to 45+ where he seems most comfortable.

Chisholm's legs look like a baby deer on a frozen pond, but he's putting up some decent numbers. If he can keep his balance, he can go for 150+ versus K.e.n.t. Side note: Was there ever any bigger disparity in running style on display than at InfoCision last week watching Ball State's RB patiently wait behind his blockers for a hole, versus Chisholm's wild, slashing unpredictable bursts?

Can Milwee remove that "5-men-in-the-backfield" play from his playbook? It seems to be illegal (at least the refs think so), but we run it multiple times every game?

If K.e.n.t. is unprepared on defense, and we are ready at the line of scrimmage, can someone tell Pohl to run a play instead of waiting and staring at our sideline until K.e.n.t's ready? If Pohl wants to be in the class of the QB's we've faced from UCF, Ball State, Northern Illinois, Louisiana...he needs to take command of this offense. If Getsy was our QB last week, I think we beat Ball State. The rest of our team is improving. But QB seems stuck in 2nd gear. We need better play from our QB. I want to see Pohl become a leader. I want to see some accuracy. Some 3rd down conversions. Or, I'll want see if Hirshmann's celebration dance has improved.

Zips 41

K.e.n.t. 23

[ZachTheZip]

The early money is on the Zips as the opening line (K.E.N.T. -1) has switched and now the Zips are 1 1/2 point favorites.

Which is much closer to what the computer predictions have the game at.

[GP1]

Zips win this week. The only question is whether it is a laugher, or if the penalty-loving Zips manage to bungle their way to a close win.

There are no excuses this week:

* The Zips play at home.

* Rivalry game, where our rival enters at 2-7.

* K.e.n.t.'s QB is sub-mediocre. What a treat to play against a lousy QB for once?

* Unlike last season, when the Zips defense was decimated by injuries and still should have won the game, this year the Zips are healthy. Even without Turner, CJ James and CJ Mizell, the defense has performed at a relatively high level. How is that possible? Give Amato some props.

* Pohl should have a much easier time throwing against the K.e.n.t. defense than Ball State's. I look for a big day from him.

* I don't think Nico Caponi lets the Zips lose this game. There's a LOT of pent up frustration amongst the Zips seniors...way too many losses over their careers. They finally have a team surrounding them that's capable of beating someone, and they won't let this opportunity pass. Hoisting the Wagon Wheel at InfoCision is something those inglorious bastards deserve. They will seize the day.

* Bowden needs to play like he wants to win the game. Last year his dadgum butt-hole puckered up after half time and the Zips sat around waiting for K.e.n.t. to rally.

Do the Zips have a trick play? K.e.n.t. has historically been stupid enough to bite on them. Pull out all the stops Saturday afternoon!

Robert "Shanken" Stein needs to pull the bolts out of his neck and hit a few short field goals. Either that, or the Zips need to synchronize their frequent personal foul penalties with his chip shot field goals and move him back to 45+ where he seems most comfortable.

Chisholm legs look like a baby deer on a frozen pond, but he's putting up some decent numbers. If he can keep his balance, he can go for 150+ versus K.e.n.t. Side note: Was there ever any bigger disparity in running style on display than at InfoCision last week watching Ball State's RB patiently wait behind his blockers for a hole, versus Chisholm's wild, slashing unpredictable bursts?

Can Milwee remove that "5-men-in-the-backfield" play from his playbook? It seems to be illegal (at least the refs think so), but we run it multiple times every game?

If K.e.n.t. is unprepared on defense, and we are ready at the line of scrimmage, can someone tell Pohl to run a play instead of waiting and staring at our sideline until K.e.n.t's ready? If Pohl wants to be in the class of the QB's we've faced from UCF, Ball State, Norther Illinois, Louisiana...he needs to take command of this offense. If Getsy was our QB last week, I think we beat Ball State. The rest of our team is improving. But QB seems stuck in 2nd gear. We need better play from our QB. I want to see Pohl become a leader. I want to see some accuracy. Some 3rd down conversions. Or, I'll want see if Hirshmann's celebration dance has improved.

Zips 41

K.e.n.t. 23

This post has me fired up for the game. While in Key West this weekend, I might even find some time to take in the Zips at Sloppy Joes. Maybe tie my late morning/early afternoon drinking together with some late afternoon drinking while watching a football game and let that roll into some early evening drinking followed by some late night drinking.

Go Zips!

[Dr Z]

Zips win this week. The only question is whether it is a laugher, or if the penalty-loving Zips manage to bungle their way to a close win.

I stopped by a tv at a party that had the PSU game on Saturday night. There does not seem to be holding in the little 10. I remember that from the UM game. Zips didn't get called for holding in the first half, as I spotted it multiple times. Mac refs throw too many flags for too many things that don't effect the play. They ruin the entertainment value for fans. Little ten refs do a better job of holding onto flags. Steve made me laugh when referring to the refs the second half of the Ball State game.

CK's sig reminds me...Ex Ken+ "attendee", alienates his only fans.

[legendofzippy]

I stopped by a tv at a party that had the PSU game on Saturday night. There does not seem to be holding in the little 10. I remember that from the UM game. Zips didn't get called for holding in the first half, as I spotted it multiple times. Mac refs throw too many flags for too many things that don't effect the play. They ruin the entertainment value for fans. Little ten refs do a better job of holding onto flags.

I don't see any evidence that MAC teams are being penalized too much. Akron commits too many penalties, but it's not the refs picking on them.

College FB Team Penalties per Game

[Dr Z]

I don't see any evidence that MAC teams are being penalized too much. Akron commits too many penalties, but it's not the refs picking on them.

I do, I watch the games.