NCAA FBS

[bobbyake]

How cool would it be to magically make all the OSU gear worn by UA grads turn into UA gear? What a presence-statement that would make.

When I walk into an Akron bar after a game wearing a nice Akron golf shirt, on many occasions the bartender will ask "Are you a coach?" It's unfathomable to many that an everyday alum might be walking around campus in Akron gear. If you are in Akron gear they expect you to be either a player or a coach.

And I don't look much like a player anymore.

I've been asked this before. I gave them a dumb look and said, "are you serious?"

[legendofzippy]

Regardless of NIU getting a shot at a national title or not, they are doing exactly what we need to mimic. The fan base in this area wants a winner that is nationally known. Everyone borrows Ohio State because they are the closest thing to representing this area at the national level. I don't like it, but I understand it. If Akron started putting together undefeated records, we would give these frontrunners in this area something they value, a team that has national standing.

NIU getting a title shot is the whole point. People on this board act like Akron is somehow in competition with Ohio State. Well, NIU is undefeated, and they can't even compete with a two-loss Arizona State team, let alone Ohio State. They're also well behind a one-loss Michigan State team.

Any MAC fan talking up the SEC does so at the expense of their own conference. NIU sits one spot ahead of a three-loss LSU team. That's absurd.

[bobbyake]

The basketball and soccer programs are suffering because of the MAC. The Big East is gone and there are only 5 BCS conferences in the future. We will not be joining either of those conferences anytime in the future. These are facts.

My opinion: The best from the MAC join up with the best from the old Big East and CUSA to form a new conference. I don't think this is going to happen.

[GP1]

When I walk into an Akron bar after a game wearing a nice Akron golf shirt, on many occasions the bartender will ask "Are you a coach?" It's unfathomable to many that an everyday alum might be walking around campus in Akron gear. If you are in Akron gear they expect you to be either a player or a coach.

If this happened to me walking into a bar, I would respond by saying, "Why, yes I am. I'm the head coach of the Varsity Quarters Team and the head coach of the Junior Varsity Beer Pong team. Just spending some time looking for talent."

[GP1]

Eventually IU and Vandy and about 30 others will get tired of losing.

They may get tired of the losing, but they will never get tired of the money. The money matters more than the losing.

[bobbyake]

NIU getting a title shot is the whole point. People on this board act like Akron is somehow in competition with Ohio State. Well, NIU is undefeated, and they can't even compete with a two-loss Arizona State team, let alone Ohio State. They're also well behind a one-loss Michigan State team.

Any MAC fan talking up the SEC does so at the expense of their own conference. NIU sits one spot ahead of a three-loss LSU team. That's absurd.

Akron competes with Ohio State in several ways besides on the field. Recruiting in the area, fan purchases, and several different factors have to be considered.

The problem is, there's little pride behind the Akron name regarding football. You will see soccer and basketball fans proudly wearing their Akron gear.

I'm impressed with Bowden's 5 win season. I will be honest, I gave up on Akron football during Ianello's 1st season and haven't cared about college football since. Bowden brings a sense of hope for Akron Football future. I find myself trying to like the sport of football again because of this.

I don't believe anyone in the MAC should be disappointed about NIU going to a BCS game over the National Title. I'm sorry you are.

[Zips Win!]

NIU getting a title shot is the whole point. People on this board act like Akron is somehow in competition with Ohio State. Well, NIU is undefeated, and they can't even compete with a two-loss Arizona State team, let alone Ohio State. They're also well behind a one-loss Michigan State team.

Any MAC fan talking up the SEC does so at the expense of their own conference. NIU sits one spot ahead of a three-loss LSU team. That's absurd.

1.) We are in competition with tosu. For dollars, respect and if we can steal even one player from tosu maybe the NIU and UM games are wins and we go bowling. It matters!

2.) That 2-loss ASU team and that 3-loss LSU team would roll tosu. ASU probably has two losses because the schedule they played this year is the 4th hardest in the nation. LSU's stands at 27.

3.) As for MSU, they blow.

4.) You can take your insightful comments along with typy-typerson and find a board that appreciates a bunch of nothing.

[Spin]

I am so tired of Akron students/alumni trying to justify rooting for OSU.

I was born into an Ohio State family, and my first football memories watching Woodie Hayes and Archie Griffin. And Mike Phipps and Brian Sipe, for that matter.

I make no apologies.

[Zipmeister]

Realistically, Keith Dambrot has zero chance to win an NCAA championship.

Sure, there's a tournament. But realistically (different than statistically) Dambrot's best hope in a given year is to win a conference championship, and maybe a game in the NCAA tourney. No different than Bowden winning a MAC championship and a bowl game.

Should we drop to a lower basketball division too?

That's an interesting idea; move each sport down (or up) to a division in which they can compete.

Is there a division 4 iin women's swimming?

[Zipgrad01]

How cool would it be to magically make all the OSU gear worn by UA grads turn into UA gear? What a presence-statement that would make.

When I walk into an Akron bar after a game wearing a nice Akron golf shirt, on many occasions the bartender will ask "Are you a coach?" It's unfathomable to many that an everyday alum might be walking around campus in Akron gear. If you are in Akron gear they expect you to be either a player or a coach.

And I don't look much like a player anymore.

I got that at the grocery store yesterday. I was wearing an Akron shirt in the beer section and the lady that works there said "well, lets hope the Browns win today. It would cap off a great weekend with OSU winning yesterday." I just looked at her and pointed to my shirt and her response was "oh, are you a coach?" Priceless

[legendofzippy]

1.) We are in competition with tosu. For dollars, respect and if we can steal even one player from tosu maybe the NIU and UM games are wins and we go bowling. It matters!

They only players we can take from OSU are the ones who know they'll never play there. They're almost exclusively recruiting 4 and 5 stars. Those players aren't coming here.

2.) That 2-loss ASU team and that 3-loss LSU team would roll tosu. ASU probably has two losses because the schedule they played this year is the 4th hardest in the nation. LSU's stands at 27.

You miss the whole point. If Akron went undefeated, they'd be sitting behind those teams too. But you'd be happy with that I guess. I would not.

3.) As for MSU, they blow.

And yet, they're ahead of NIU, and would thus be ahead of an undefeated Akron. It baffles me why you're so excited about that.

4.) You can take your insightful comments along with typy-typerson and find a board that appreciates a bunch of nothing.

I cannot possibly imagine you have a degree from Akron.

[Spin]

Realistically, Keith Dambrot has zero chance to win an NCAA championship.

Sure, there's a tournament. But realistically (different than statistically) Dambrot's best hope in a given year is to win a conference championship, and maybe a game in the NCAA tourney. No different than Bowden winning a MAC championship and a bowl game.

Should we drop to a lower basketball division too?

Mid major programs are not only invited to the tournament (something that will NEVER happen in football), with their roster size and lower co$t they can and do have a chance to win it all.

[Buckzip]

I certainly hope not. He's an embarrassment.

[Z.I.P.]

I travel a lot and whenever I see someone wearing the real nice Polo or golf shirts, I think coach also.

Most fans wear jerseys or tee shirts. At least the low class fans that I know.

Without wanting to psych-analyze our friend Buckzip, I can't help feeling this comment says a lot, and can be applied to his and others' antipathy toward the University of Akron compared to THE Ohio State University. "Class" prejudice does play into the decision about which school's gear one wears, when the felt "superior" school is determined to be the one which wins the most games, or throws the most $$$ at "building" their athletic monstrosity. And that fits MIT as well. I can't remember ever seeing anyone wearing an MIT T-shirt OR collared polo to a football (or "soccer") game recently. I suppose there are more collared Buckeye shirts and more Akron T-shirts.

Regarding the original thread, rather than the this same sort of thinking still plays out -- if it didn't you wouldn't have the Charlottes and UTSA's attempting to copy NIU (and EMU for that manner) in pretending to be a "contender".

[Z.I.P.]

Akron competes with Ohio State in several ways besides on the field. Recruiting in the area, fan purchases, and several different factors have to be considered.

The problem is, there's little pride behind the Akron name regarding football. You will see soccer and basketball fans proudly wearing their Akron gear.

I'm impressed with Bowden's 5 win season. I will be honest, I gave up on Akron football during Ianello's 1st season and haven't cared about college football since. Bowden brings a sense of hope for Akron Football future. I find myself trying to like the sport of football again because of this.

I don't believe anyone in the MAC should be disappointed about NIU going to a BCS game over the National Title. I'm sorry you are.

Thank you Mr Ake for speaking for us both -- BTW, that doesn't mean either of us are any less enthused about Coach Embick's team. Go Zips. Get us another star!

[Buckzip]

Without wanting to psych-analyze our friend Buckzip, I can't help feeling this comment says a lot, and can be applied to his and others' antipathy toward the University of Akron compared to THE Ohio State University. "Class" prejudice does play into the decision about which school's gear one wears, when the felt "superior" school is determined to be the one which wins the most games, or throws the most $$$ at "building" their athletic monstrosity. And that fits MIT as well. I can't remember ever seeing anyone wearing an MIT T-shirt OR collared polo to a football (or "soccer") game recently. I suppose there are more collared Buckeye shirts and more Akron T-shirts.

Regarding the original thread, rather than the this same sort of thinking still plays out -- if it didn't you wouldn't have the Charlottes and UTSA's attempting to copy NIU (and EMU for that manner) in pretending to be a "contender".

Sorry, I meant all schools. I travel all over the southeast and gulf states. Whenever I see someone wearing a collared shirt, polo, etc, I assume they are coaches or admins. I don't care if it's Akron, Bama, Texas, Florida, etc.

My post had nothing to do with Akron. I am just saying that most fans and students wear tees and jerseys. That's just my experience.

BTW, anyone that judges a school by their athletic teams is clueless IMHO. I guess all the Ivy league schools suck as do a lot of good schools. Sports is sports, academics is academics. I am just as proud of my Akron degree on my resume as I am of my OSU degree. I could care less about sports when I am discussing business and degrees.

[Dr Z]

Whenever I see someone wearing a collared shirt, polo, etc, I assume they are coaches or admins.

[legendofzippy]

BTW, anyone that judges a school by their athletic teams is clueless IMHO. I guess all the Ivy league schools suck as do a lot of good schools. Sports is sports, academics is academics. I am just as proud of my Akron degree on my resume as I am of my OSU degree. I could care less about sports when I am discussing business and degrees.

I've been in on hiring decisions at a number of companies. The idea that the reputation of a school's sports team would have any influence on hiring them is ridiculous.

"This guy was fired from his last job for excessive tardiness. But he has a degree from North Carolina and I see lots of kids wearing their gear, so let's give him a shot!"

[Buckzip]

Thanks for the incredible input.

[Buckzip]

I've been in on hiring decisions at a number of companies. The idea that the reputation of a school's sports team would have any influence on hiring them is ridiculous.

"This guy was fired from his last job for excessive tardiness. But he has a degree from North Carolina and I see lots of kids wearing their gear, so let's give him a shot!"

As have I. I look at their degree, not where it's from. Unless it's an online school, and then I am a tad more inquisitive.

[BirdZip]

QUOTE(Legend of Zippy @ Dec 2 2013, 03:09 PM)

1.) We are in competition with tosu. For dollars, respect and if we can steal even one player from tosu maybe the NIU and UM games are wins and we go bowling. It matters!

They only players we can take from OSU are the ones who know they'll never play there. They're almost exclusively recruiting 4 and 5 stars. Those players aren't coming here.

According to this link, OSU signed nine 3-star players making up 36% of their recruiting class.

2.) That 2-loss ASU team and that 3-loss LSU team would roll tosu. ASU probably has two losses because the schedule they played this year is the 4th hardest in the nation. LSU's stands at 27.

You miss the whole point. If Akron went undefeated, they'd be sitting behind those teams too. But you'd be happy with that I guess. I would not.

3.) As for MSU, they blow.

And yet, they're ahead of NIU, and would thus be ahead of an undefeated Akron. It baffles me why you're so excited about that.

4.) You can take your insightful comments along with typy-typerson and find a board that appreciates a bunch of nothing.

I cannot possibly imagine you have a degree from Akron.

Actually, I think he has two degrees from UA, so you might want to rethink the juvenile jab.

---------------------

I don't think that people wearing OSU gear devalues my degree, but it certainly takes money away from Akron and hurts Akron recruiting both on and off the field.

[Buckzip]

QUOTE(Legend of Zippy @ Dec 2 2013, 03:09 PM)

1.) We are in competition with tosu. For dollars, respect and if we can steal even one player from tosu maybe the NIU and UM games are wins and we go bowling. It matters!

They only players we can take from OSU are the ones who know they'll never play there. They're almost exclusively recruiting 4 and 5 stars. Those players aren't coming here.

According to this link, OSU signed nine 3-star players making up 36% of their recruiting class.

2.) That 2-loss ASU team and that 3-loss LSU team would roll tosu. ASU probably has two losses because the schedule they played this year is the 4th hardest in the nation. LSU's stands at 27.

You miss the whole point. If Akron went undefeated, they'd be sitting behind those teams too. But you'd be happy with that I guess. I would not.

3.) As for MSU, they blow.

And yet, they're ahead of NIU, and would thus be ahead of an undefeated Akron. It baffles me why you're so excited about that.

4.) You can take your insightful comments along with typy-typerson and find a board that appreciates a bunch of nothing.

I cannot possibly imagine you have a degree from Akron.

Actually, I think he has two degrees from UA, so you might want to rethink the juvenile jab.

---------------------

I don't think that people wearing OSU gear devalues my degree, but it certainly takes money away from Akron and hurts Akron recruiting both on and off the field.

Lol at the juvenile jab. The guy uses childish names and attacks. The guy is an embarrassment to Akron.

2 degrees or not.

[zippy5]

The MAC isn't so much of a laughing stock anymore. Looking like two straight years of BCS bids, and 7 bowl eligible teams two straight years. Multiple teams got votes throughout the year. We aren't that far off from where the MWC was a couple years ago when they were considered the cream of the non-AQ crop and deserving of am automatic BCS bid over the Big East. Gotta keep the momentum up, an NIU bowl win will do a lot for the perception of the conference. Funny how standing pat through the realignment chaos worked out.

[GP1]

The MAC isn't so much of a laughing stock anymore. Looking like two straight years of BCS bids, and 7 bowl eligible teams two straight years. Multiple teams got votes throughout the year.

Respectfully, this is not very good evidence for why the league is no longer a laughing stock. The MAC set NIU up for success this year and they should have gone undefeated. 7 bowl eligible teams is not that significant considering almost anyone who can breathe makes a bowl.

There is a case to be made for the MAC being a better league and here it is. First, the top of the league has always been entertaining. The middle of the pack and the bottom always were vomit inducing. The bottom of the league, which we are no longer part of, is still vomit inducing. The bottom of every league is vomit inducing. However, a weakness has become a strength for the league and that is the middle of the pack. The middle of the road teams, which we are now part of, don't make me want to vomit when I watch them. In fact, they are playing some entertaining football.

How much statistical evidence do I have to make this case some might ask? I have zero statistical evidence other than my ability to watch a game without wanting to grab for the remote as quickly as possible. Hardly a giant sample size, but I'm sure a lot of football fans around the country who watch it on TV and who attend MAC games feel a similar way. If anyone has been paying attention, I haven't referred to the MAC as Dollar General in a couple of years now. Three years ago, it deserved that tag and today it doesn't.

Who is ranked? Who goes to bowl games and what bowl game? Etc. These are all secondary reasons for determining the quality of the MAC. The best determination is what you see with your eyes. The MAC is a much better product than in previous years because the quality of football is much better.

[legendofzippy]

The MAC isn't so much of a laughing stock anymore. Looking like two straight years of BCS bids, and 7 bowl eligible teams two straight years. Multiple teams got votes throughout the year. We aren't that far off from where the MWC was a couple years ago when they were considered the cream of the non-AQ crop and deserving of am automatic BCS bid over the Big East. Gotta keep the momentum up, an NIU bowl win will do a lot for the perception of the conference. Funny how standing pat through the realignment chaos worked out.

In general I agree with what you're saying, but what's the point of being the biggest kid at the little kid's table? Why not give us our own championship at least? AQ and non-AQ conferences are not treated the same. We're not both "D1".

And that perception of respect doesn't actually exist. This was Bruce Feldman on Jim Rome yesterday, with comments I've heard a million times:

Feldman also addressed Auburn A.D. Jay Jacobs’ comments to USA Today saying it would be a “disservice to the nation” if a one-loss SEC champ was left out of the BCS National Championship game.

“To put it on that scope is laughable; he’s made a farcical situation even more comical,” said the CBS columnist. “Look, it’s not like Ohio State is playing in the MAC, it’s not like Florida State is playing in the Mountain West, those teams are good teams.”