Terry Pluto is wrong

[Kangaroo Craig]

He calls our schedule a disaster. he is wrong. I told him so in a recent post. The first two games are tough. I don't think anyone would argue that. Having BG and Miami at home is good. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be able to run the table at home and win at least three road games. That prediction is based upon losing the first two against PSU and NC State. The only bad thing about the November games is that they hurt attendance if the weather is bad. Mr. Pluto obviously has no faith in the ability of this team. He is right that we got hosed on the negotiations regarding guaranteed money, but that is what happens sometimes when you negotiate based upon current market value rather than future. Note to Terry: "We are not Can't State!" Do you think he would be calling this a disaster schedule if the Buckeyes were playing it?Schedule unkind to ZipsUA only plays at Rubber Bowl two times before NovemberBy Terry PlutoDo you realize that the Akron Zips won't play their first home Mid-American Conference game this fall until Oct. 21?Or that the Zips have only two home games before November?Or that they have seven games on the road, just five at home?Or that they open the season at Penn State, ranked No. 3 at the end of last season?Or that they have three independent games -- at Penn State, at North Carolina State and at Cincinnati -- and for that tough triple, they are being paid a grand total of $875,000?That's well below the market for these types of games. Usually, the visitor gets $400,000 to $500,000 for each.``This is a very difficult schedule,'' said new Zips Athletic Director Mack Rhoades.Wrong, it's a disaster.Especially this season, when there is a lot of interest in the Zips, who are coming off a season where they defeated Northern Illinois to win the MAC title and played in the Motor City Bowl, losing 38-31 to Memphis in an exciting game.Breakout yearSo many good things are happening with the UA football program.There's former Zips quarterback Charlie Frye now starting for the Browns.Frye's successor, Luke Getsy, is returning for his senior season at UA.Preseason publications such as The Sporting News, Street & Smith's and Lindy's all picked the Zips to win the MAC East Division.UA has 16 starters back from a team that was riveting to watch last season.Getsy is the first-team preseason All-MAC quarterback choice and rated the nation's 10th-best quarterback by The Sporting News.Coach J.D. Brookhart believes defensive tackle Kiki Gonzalez and offensive lineman Andy Alleman of Massillon will follow wide receiver Domenik Hixon into next year's NFL Draft. Hixon was a fourth-round selection by the Denver Broncos last April.Canton McKinley product and defensive back Reggie Corner is a first-team All-MAC preseason choice by The Sporting News, as is offensive lineman Tim Crouch.The Zips do have talent, but the early schedule could be overwhelming.``It's not an easy schedule,'' Brookhart said, ``but we play the games that we're scheduled to play. We don't make excuses. We expect to win.''Pieced togetherRhoades was hired by Akron in the spring so this is not his schedule. He replaced Mike Thomas, who left for the University of Cincinnati. Football schedules are arranged years in advance. It's hard to figure out exactly how the 2006 opponents came together, because of previous athletic directors.But it's a bad schedule because it keeps the team on the road against tough independent competition. It also prevents a new fan base from seeing a team that has caught their attention.The only game that Rhoades scheduled is the Sept. 23 home opener when North Texas comes to the Rubber Bowl at 6 p.m.It's believed the Zips are paying North Texas about $250,000 for the visit to Akron. When the NCAA increased teams' regular season football schedules from 11 to 12 games, suddenly the Zips had to find someone.While North Texas was 2-9 last season, the Mean Green won four consecutive Sun Belt titles from 2001-2004, and they've been to bowl games in three of the past four years.North Texas returns Jamario Thomas, who was the 2004 national rushing champion. He missed part of last season with injuries. It's exactly the kind of team the Zips should be playing.``In the future, we want to get more games like this,'' said Rhoades. ``This is a quality opponent, it's at home and it makes for a good game for the fans.''Lions' denWhile games at Penn State and North Carolina State usually are only good because they bring cash for the Zips, the contracts drawn up years ago mean the games aren't even paying what is now market value.The Zips played at Penn State in 1999 and lost 70-24, then again in Brookhart's first game as coach in 2004 (a 48-10 loss). Akron has played at places such as Virginia (51-0 and 48-29), Wisconsin (48-31), Iowa (51-27), Maryland (44-14), Ohio State (28-14) and Purdue (49-29 and 33-14) since 2001.That's nine so-called ``money games'' in five years, all on the road and all losses. It's a financial fact of life that a program such as UA's must play at least one game of this type every season. But when a schedule seems tossed together as the one the Zips face this fall, it can be discouraging to everyone from the coaches to players to the fans.Even worse, three of Akron's five home games are in November.``I'm aware of that,'' said Rhoades. ``Our goal is to have six home games, six road games. And also to work with the MAC so that we have more home games earlier in the schedule.''UA has taken many serious steps to becoming a viable Division I football program. The training facilities and fieldhouse are first-rate. The talent is improving, as Brookhart has had the highest-rated MAC recruiting classes in each of the past two years according to many scouting services.Rhoades and Brookhart are discussing a contract extension for the coach.

[Captain Kangaroo]

T-P writes: Or that they have three independent games -- at Penn State, at North Carolina State and at Cincinnati -- and for that tough triple, they are being paid a grand total of $875,000?  That's well below the market for these types of games. Usually, the visitor gets $400,000 to $500,000 for each.

Hey T-P: Penn State $400,000. NC State: $325,000 Cincinnati: $150,000. That's Exactly what it should be - $875,000. Are you really stupid enough to think NC State and Cincinnati should shell out a collective $800,000 to $1,000,000 to get the Zips in town? There is no way in hell Cincinnati pays ANYONE $400,000 to $500,000 to come to their field. And, how is Cincinnati considered the bookend to "a tough triple?" Cincinnati would finish .500 in the MAC. They suck.

``This is a very difficult schedule,'' said new Zips Athletic Director Mack Rhoades.Wrong, it's a disaster.

Hey T-P: If our coach were a low-aiming pansy like you, you would be correct. Luckily he's not. It is not a great schedule, and no Zips fan is dumb enough to do cartwheels when they review it. But to call it a disaster is ignorant and degrading and shows you have learned nothing in the 2 ½ years JD has been in Akron.

North Texas returns Jamario Thomas, who was the 2004 national rushing champion. He missed part of last season with injuries. It's exactly the kind of team the Zips should be playing.

Yep...bring on those 2-9 directional teams from Texas. That'll get the local fans pouring through the turnstiles. Miami of Ohio…hey, they can play those BCS schools with realistic expectations of winning. So can Northern Illinois, Toledo and BG. But the Zips will never be able to compete at that level, right T-P? Great call, Low Aimer (Tip of the hat to GP1 for defining T-P as a Low Aimer. It couldn’t be more appropriate).Why's T-P griping about paying North Texas $250,000 to come to the Rubber Bowl? We play @NTSU next season so we are basically getting all that money back in 12 months. And don’t we get a return home game vs. Cincinnati too? The answer is “Yes.” A home-home with BCS/Big East Cincinnati is a great deal for the University of Akron. And while I'm at it: Although we are only getting $150,000 for the Cincinnati game, it is a bus trip. That saves $400.00 x 100+ (players, coaches, trainers, etc.) for plane tickets and related expenses, making it a $200,000 net game when all is said and done. Not bad to get paid $200,000 to beat a BCS school.

[AkronURocks]

Not bad to get paid $200,000 to beat a BCS school.

I know that Cincinnati is in the Big East and all, but I saw they are picked to finish 2nd to last in the conference. Does that still qualify them as a BCS school? (Just kidding UAM & MT)

[Quickzips]

When I saw the title of this post the first thing that came to my head was "duh"

[msopher]

I thought Pluto made some interesting points, but I don't agree that the schedule is a disaster. Akron can and should go at least 9-3 in the regular season baring any unforseeable injuries.

[zippyrifle32]

i didn't realize that we had to pay people to come and play us. is that just with independent opponents or everyone?

[liljc]

You guys may think I am crazy, but I agree with Pluto. I have posted it a couple of times. This schedule is horrible. The Zips were MAC Champs last year and their first home MAC game is SEVEN weeks into the season and it will only be their SECOND home game. Thanks a lot to the schedule makers for not allowing us to captialize on our title and use it to build some momentum at home for this season! All this being said, I think the Zips will win 8 or 9 games and win the MAC East. It isn't gonna be easy and I don't think the schedule helps at all.

[MRasor0200]

I'll stand up for Terry.Although I don't think he came out and said it, the real point of his column is this: Akron needs a good record early to get a buzz around this city.A good start, with this schedule, is 1-2. That isn't the kind of record that gets people to the Rubber Bowl.Many of you trash anything Terry says. I've been a sportswriter at the Indianapolis Star all summer. Whenever I tell people where I'm from, they say one of two things:1) Ohhh, the Zips!or2) You are so lucky to have Terry Pluto.

[RACER]

i do agree that the first two games are going to test this team. big ten and acc teams on the road are not going to be easy. as far as the mac goes these games mean nothing. we need to win the mac games to go to a bowl.these two games will get us ready to play in the mac,and the rest of the occ schedule.

[mcperp]

There's really no mystery to the Zips' schedule and Terry Pluto should know this as well. Any mid-major program needs road dollars to keep its football program reasonably healthy financially (and healthy at Akron would still be running a deficit). The Zips' blueprint the last few years is similar to the 2006 schedule. A couple of tough road games along with a mid-major thrown in (Middle Tennessee, Army, and North Texas this season). Those road dollars enhance all aspects of football operations, and also provides an intangible recruiting tool whereby potential recruits see Akron playing nationally televised games against elite competition.To me a 42-31 loss at NC State is more valuable at this point in the program's renaissance than a 3 point win at Arkansas St, both in terms of prestige and financial benefits. Hopefully in the near future, teams like NC State and Purdue will realize that a cupcake game against U of A doesn't really exist anymore.Terry Pluto is a fine writer who many of us have enjoyed for years. His use of the word "disaster" is hyperbolic and representative of years of failure for Zips' football. The Zips' impressive roll at the end of last year was like an unexpected trip to the candy store, and understandably, Terry is worried that the tough schedule this year might mean no return trip to the candy store. Simply put, it was a poor word choice, certainly the lack of early home MAC games is troubling, but the Can't game is Sept 30th and only a few miles away, so hopefully Zips fans will turn out to turn it into a home field advantage.

[Quickzips]

Although I don't think he came out and said it, the real point of his column is this: Akron needs a good record early to get a buzz around this city.

That right there is the main thing keeping me happy. The schedule is grueling, no doubt about that. But if we can pull off an upset or two in there early it can build even more momentum within the community than what we already have.As far as Terry Pluto goes, Mike, I understand what your trying to say defending him, but the average reader isn't going to read into it like that. Readers are going to take things at face value, not read between the lines. A guy who's been around as long as Terry Pluto should know that. I doubt there is any kind of hidden meaning or message to this article.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I'll stand up for Terry.Although I don't think he came out and said it, the real point of his column is this: Akron needs a good record early to get a buzz around this city.A good start, with this schedule, is 1-2. That isn't the kind of record that gets people to the Rubber Bowl.Many of you trash anything Terry says. I've been a sportswriter at the Indianapolis Star all summer. Whenever I tell people where I'm from, they say one of two things:1) Ohhh, the Zips!or2) You are so lucky to have Terry Pluto.

I'll stand up for Terry.

Forgive me if I'm not shocked.

Although I don't think he came out and said it, the real point of his column is this: Akron needs a good record early to get a buzz around this city.

Then why does such an accomplished writer make so many inane, obviously inaccurate points?

A good start, with this schedule, is 1-2. That isn't the kind of record that gets people to the Rubber Bowl.

The schedule as a whole does not get the people to flock to the Rubber Bowl. 1-2 start means nothing. We got 15,000 to travel to Detroit last year and we started the season like crap. Most all MAC teams will begin the season with a losing record after 3 games. That's primarily because the BCS schools won't play us on our home field.

Many of you trash anything Terry says. I've been a sportswriter at the Indianapolis Star all summer. Whenever I tell people where I'm from, they say one of two things:1) Ohhh, the Zips!or2) You are so lucky to have Terry Pluto.

Those people are ass-clowns. T-P needs to stick to what he does best...feel-good stories about local HS kids...the Browns...the Indians. Remember - This is the same guy who stated "I think the Zips new stadium should seat 20,000." That's a guy that knows a ton about Division 1 football. T-P is an excellent writer...when he writes about something he knows about or has thoroughly researched. He thinks so little of U of A ahtletics that he doesn't need to research anything. He just types out his blather off the top of his head and the Akron sheep who don't know better just follow along. He is the sheep's voice for U of A athletics, even though he only dabbles in it once evey two months. If Terry Pluto can find fault with any of my points in the above-listed posts, he is welcome to drop us a line.

[MRasor0200]

You know your stuff, CK.I think we agree that the Zips needed more early home games. First, because it will help attendance. A snowy Rubber Bowl is delightful when it's against Can't State to win the division. When it's against Buffalo on a Thursday, a lot of students would rather go to the library.Second, because it will help the Zips record look better and improve fan support from the get-go.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I don’t think it is physically possible to clarify every misconception regarding the ZipsNation and Terry Pluto/The Beacon. I will give it a shot.The ZipsNation has several issues with the Beacon. They include:Lack of Zips athletic coverageShoddy Zips athletic coverage, if coverage is actually givenDespite what many at the Beacon think, Zips fans don’t care about the coverage OSU gets in the Beacon, as long as the Zips get equal billing…or better, since this is an Akron-based paper. Zips fans realize covering OSU sells papers in Akron. Zips fans realize the Beacon isn’t a non-profit organization and as such needs income to survive. With all the OSU fans in the area, it makes total sense to give OSU solid coverage. But not at the Zips expense.The Beacon says, “When the Zips do something, we’ll cover it.” Then why was there minimal/negligible coverage of Zips football on signing day? We had the #1 class in the MAC for the second consecutive year, and got no press whatsoever. In our hometown paper? The defending Conference Champs? How is that explainable? Why does the Beacon not send a reporter on a bus to MAC road games? That’s a bitch slap to Akron fans. The worst part is: The Beacon used to cover the Zips well. I still have the Beacon from Signing Day 2000, the class that included Charlie Frye. Pluto wrote a great article on Frye’s HS career. There were several other nice columns in that paper regarding other Zips signees. Even one on Rick McFadden, who had signed with OSU. Enron stock hasn't eroded like the Beacon's Zips coverage.Do the participants on this board hate everything Terry Pluto writes? No. He’s an excellent writer when he writes something he knows well. He knows the Browns. He knows basketball. His book on the ABA is great. He knows the Indians. He has some national renown and it is deserved. BUT – The reason people on this board have a problem with him is he always sells the University short. That’s why he never said a word as Dan Hipshers’ teams crashed and burned every season. That’s why he never said a word as Coleman Crawford nearly killed the basketball program prior to Hipsher. That’s why he clamored to keep Lee Owens, despite his inability to make an opponent punt for 9 consecutive seasons. And on and on and on….Pluto wants the Zips to have a 20,000 seat stadium. That’s absolutely absurd for a Division 1 football program. He says North Texas State is EXACTLY the type of team Akron should be playing. In the context of his column he’s saying the Zips have no business playing teams like Penn State, NC State and Cincinnati, and should schedule more teams like NTSU. NTSU is a good non-BCS program, as is Akron. They are similar in that respect. The game this season will be competitive. But Akron will compete well vs. NC State. NC State is a team that finished 6-6 last season and had 3 first round draft picks. I like JD’s chances vs. a crappy coach like that. Cincinnati is worse than NTSU but we shouldn’t play them? Toledo, BG, Miami, Marshall…all these schools can do it, but Akron can’t? Come on.The money points Pluto made in his most recent column regarding scheduling had no place therein. They were way off base. Does the 2006 schedule suck? Pretty much. I would have learned a lot if Pluto had described how it came to be. Not PSU, NC State and Cincinnati, but the MAC schedule. How do the Zips get three home games in November? And, two of those are on WEEKDAYS! How is the University supposed to get season tickets up if the MAC is going to screw us like that? Who was responsible?It is a benefit to play the home-stretch games at home. We should win each of those games. That advantage is far from a disaster. But attendance will be a fraction of what it would have been had the games been held on Saturdays. Or with better weather.Pluto’s name carries a lot of weight in the area. Hence when he says something, right or wrong, many buy into it. While 80% of his “disaster” column was accurate, the remaining 20% was his same old “poor little University of Akron” stuff that I really can’t handle. Rasor – I love your blog. Seems like everyone does. It is a great information source and always well written. But until something changes, the Beacon will continue to be the fingernails on the chalkboard of my existence.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

I have to agree with Pluto-- this schedule is a disaster. I think his key point is not that the teams are wrong or that the Zips are over-matched, but that the way the schedule lays out is exactly the opposite of what we really needed. I would add to this that not snagging BC (as was strongly rumored) or another quality BCS team to play at the Rubber Bowl or even at Cleveland Stadium is a HUGE missed opportunity to build on the most potent momentum this program has ever had-- the MAC Championship, Frye starting for the Browns, the facilities and recruiting class...the only missing pieces (assuming the Ws come this year) is a big time home game with a great crowd, ESPN coverage, and a great game. THAT will start to swing the average NEO football fan from totally apathy to casual interest-- the first step to getting them to actually following and eventually supporting.Instead, the Zips play the bulk of their home games in horrible weather and the one early home game is a giant yawner.I agree that Pluto's tone in the piece, and in general, is that the Zips should be satisfied with mediocrity-- something I completely reject. But in this case, he is right and being supportive in describing the schedule as a disaster.

[xu9697]

While I don't agree with everything he says, I do agree that the schedule doesn't help the Zips capitalize on last year's success. It would have been nice to have a "marquee" or "name" home game this year...Indiana, Kentucky, Syracuse. It would have been nice to have 6 home and 6 away games. He also said that schedules are made years in advance...so it really would have been tough to change things much. Hopefully, another good season will lead to more "marketable" games. If they keep the momentum going, the name teams will be arriving just in time to take the program to another level.

[Dr Z]

More comments from BJ readers that I found at the bottom of the article:CommentsI disagree when you say that this schedule is a disaster (Maybe if Can't or Buffalo were playing it). You obviously do not have much faith in the ability of this team. After the first two contests, every game is winnable. Miami and BG, the two big boys in the east are at home. Toledo will be a tough game on the road. Cincinnati was not very strong last year. UA definitely was better than them even on their turf. Even with two losses at the start of the season, I think the Zips will still win at least 8 games (All 5 at home and at least three on the road). They will repeat as MAC East Champs and will again go bowling. * Posted by: Craig SpringfordThe real tough part of the schedule isn't the reoad games but the undesirable weeknight games that the MAC office stuck Akron with again this year. Hey MAC, these are the defending champions! Show a little respect instead of the usual second-class treatment. * Posted by: Anonymous *Not a bad article. I would like to see the next one talk about the attendance needs and how Akron must average 15,000 per game. Tickets are cheap for D-1A football. Season tickets are cheaper than one game ticket at Happy Valley where Akron will be playing it's season opener! * Posted by: AnonymousTime for a new stadium near Canal Park and the University. * Posted by: Anonymous *The schedule is a real doozy. The Zips have become a lot of fun to follow, and I wish them well. I think the program will really blossom when we get a new stadium on or near the campus. * Posted by: Anonymous *"Getsy is the first-team preseason All-MAC quarterback choice and rated the nation's 10th-best quarterback by The Sporting News." If Luke and his recievers gel early, this schedule could help his possible future worth if he decides to continue his carreer past college. With comparisons to Leftwich, Big Ben, etc. already out there, I'm excited to see him against a defense like Penn State. GO ZIPS!!! * Posted by: Anonymous *Tell me something I don't know if I didn't pick up the schedule and read it myself. * Posted by: John David

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Excellent example of the type of announcement that has NOT happened but MUST for Akron to take the next step:From staff and wire reportsMiami (Ohio) will play Colorado in 2007 and 2009 in the Buffaloes' second and third games against a Mid-America Conference team, Colorado announced Monday.The RedHawks visit Boulder on Sept. 22, 2007, in the schools' first meeting. The Buffs will play in Oxford, Ohio, on Sept. 12, 2008Note, this deal is for NEXT YEAR. Yes, some elements of the schedule are done 5 years in advance but there is always wiggle room. Right now, UA is being completely outclassed in scheduling by Miami, Toledo, BG, Norther Ill, and others. In the absence of securing BC or someone, we at least need to have some great scheduling announcements...like hosting Ohio State at Cleveland Stadium-- ah, shoot, that's been taken by Toledo.

[red_steve]

I'm sorry to say but nobody cares to visit the rubber bowl. Miami is rich in tradition, has top notch facilities, and continues to set the standard of the MAC. To compare Akron with a school like Miami is ludicrous. Before you start predicting a win over Miami this season, remember this: We beat you six years in a row The MAC champions you speak of were waxed badly in Oxford. The zips will probably be nervous when they face us this year. Just like NIU fears Toledo, Akron fears Miami.Post the facts before you post at all.

[ZachTheZip]

red_steve, Miami's glory days are over. Deal with it. Akron will dominate the MAC East again this year, and next year the top recruiting classes from '05 and '06 will get to show their stuff. Akron has improved in almost every way since last year. Don't expect a repeat of that game. I suppose you think that you will beat Northwestern this year too. Guess what! Another guy from Akron is going to run over your defense in that game too. His name is Tyrell Sutton, and he is the reason you will lose that game too. Don't come to this website just to annoy us. Go play in your cornfield of a school or remenisce about the good 'ole days when Miami used to be the top team. Those days are over. Now that I have that out of the way...

[GP1]

The schedule is what it is. As far as I am concerned, the most important thing the Zips have to do is win the MAC East. This schedule is favorable for them running the table on the MAC East, which helps with tie breakers. It starts the heart of the MAC schedule with a a week off prior to playing Miami and then a series of home games with traditionally good teams and bad teams on the road. It's all about winning the MAC East.If we are going to have a difficult schedule, let's have one in a year when we have a lot of veterans who can rise up to the challenge of a tough schedule. Historically, veteran teams do well in the MAC and I think our experience is going to benefit us greatly.As far as Pluto, he write three types of articles: 1) The story about the little engine who could, 2) A feel good story about a crappy team/player we should all like because they are good people, and 3) A column where he babbles on and on with himself trying to talk himself into liking a team or player that falls into story 1 or 2. Since the Zips are no longer a crappy team and he was not having a fictional conversation with himself, this story falls into category 1.

[red_steve]

Let's hold on a second here...our glory days are over? Perhaps you have not checked out our hockey facility. You don't even have a hockey team. We dealt a 1 for 1 with Colorado and will host many more BCS schools...a 1 for 1! Do you really see Akron doing so? Also, an indoor practice facility is in the near future for Miami. Remember this name. It is Chris Givens. He is a four star wide receiver, and he sure did not choose Akron. Our glory days are behind us? I would be very afraid if I was a roo...very afraid.And....running the table in the east?? You already have at least three losses there. You will lose against Toledo, CMU, and Miami. Solich may even very well hand you a loss in Athens. Come on here.

[GP1]

And....running the table in the east?? You already have at least three losses there. You will lose against Toledo, CMU, and Miami. Solich may even very well hand you a loss in Athens. Come on here.

Akron WILL beat Miami at the Rubber Bowl this year after a week off to rest. The other two schools are in the MAC West and Akron will split those two games. This is going to be a good year for Akron.

[Quickzips]

I'm sorry to say but nobody cares to visit the rubber bowl. Miami is rich in tradition, has top notch facilities, and continues to set the standard of the MAC. To compare Akron with a school like Miami is ludicrous. Before you start predicting a win over Miami this season, remember this: We beat you six years in a row The MAC champions you speak of were waxed badly in Oxford. The zips will probably be nervous when they face us this year. Just like NIU fears Toledo, Akron fears Miami.Post the facts before you post at all.

Whats the matter red_steve, tired of stroking your ego over at hawktalk?

[fear the brown roo]

it was 5 wins in a row. we won 37-20 in 2000. eat shit miami, we own you this year