Game #8 Ball State

[ZippyRulz]

At about the 3:30 mark on the WAKR podcast, Terry talked about playing both.

Thanks for the link. I don't think TB threw the game away because Woodson played but he certainly didn't pull out all the stops he could have with the running game. We had 7 "turnovers" on punts, mostly because of incomplete passes; if we move the chains a few more times then maybe it doesn't come down to a few mistakes at the end of the game. "The Process" is alive and well, and "expectations management" is a big part of it.

[GP1]

I think the staff envisions more out of the position. I see the same when I watched plays at those games. Too many missed plays. You would see them too if you were able to attend those 11 games.

I agree with just about everything g-mann writes above. I hate blaming a game on one play, but I'll say the same thing Bowden said this week, that Pratt fumble was a killer.

I think we all expect more. However, you have to play the cards you are dealt. I don't think one has to watch every single snap of every game to understand this team. Sports are too simple to understand. Quite honestly, many of those who watch every single play and then post about their expertise just because they see every single play are some of the worst at evaluating on the board. The every play people are rarely able to pinpoint the exact reasons behind a loss. My pants pooping post from Sunday morning was the first and still one of the few on this board that put together pants pooping and the ZipsWin! jinx with the eloquence they deserve while cutting through the crap. Hell, Bowden agreed with almost everything I said. So, my guess is when I turn on the TV in coming Tuesday nights, I'll see a weak arm Pohl who doesn't produce INTs but the team wins around him, a strong arm Woodson who is mobile but is turnover prone (Woodson's development is not something that can be fixed mid season. He has a lot of work to do.), a solid defense, a good kicker (speaking of a mismanged coaching decision early this year), a couple of good RBs, some WRs who are decent and a very good punter. On the coaching side, we will continue to see an aggressive defense, too many slants on offense, too many fade patterns in the red zone and rarely a relationship between the running game and the passing game. Anything else I'm missing? The Zips are exactly what they appear to be and one doesn't have to watch every play to understand that. This really isn't very complicated.

Now, getting back to reality. One of the old sayings about a football game is a close game is won and lost on 3-4 plays. Those plays last week were as follows:

1. Pratt fumble.

2. Defense giving up a first down after the Pratt fumble.

3. Woodson interception.

It was a pretty even affair until those events took place. Outside of the MAC, those 3-4 events are usually spread throughout four quarters. The Zips managed to compress them in to four minutes like most MAC teams do.

Last week was the plane crash theory. Rarely does a plane crash for one reason. If there is one problem, it can frequently be overcome. It is usually a series of events. The Pratt fumble started the chain reaction. A little momentum for OU gets them a first down, a shorter FG attempt and a chance to run some time off of the clock. The Zips still had an opportunity to save the plane and Woodson throws the INT when the Zips still had a chance to win and even Bowden agrees with me in his interview. All of these events are not independent of one another. They are intertwined in a game where confidence and momentum are critical to the success of a team. Once those two elements are eliminated, everything starts to fall apart unless they can be recaptured. With under four minutes to go in a game, there is normally not enough time to recapture it...especially in the MAC.

[johnnyzip84]

Zips 27

Cardinals 13

[ZachTheZip]

Everybody assumes that it's 100% on Bowden. What about AJ Milwee? The combination Offensive Coordinator / QB coach that works with these players every day? Maybe Milwee is pushing for things that he sees in practice or something.

Whatever is happening, Bowden needs to see what is happening and make a decision. Pick a QB and stick with him. Don't think Pohl is getting the job done or that Woodson can do it better? Then go with Woodson. Think they are about even? Go with Pohl and work with Woodson to groom him to take over at a point where it doesn't disrupt a promising season.

[Dave in Green]

The problem with the Zips coaching staff is that they not only watch every play of every game, they also watch every play of every practice. The theory that watching too many plays can interfere with one's football judgment is obviously at work here.

[g-mann17]

Great post G-mann.

Though I believe after BGSU, this team can beat any of the remaining teams. This game is crucial.

This team can beat any of their last 5 opponents. Problem is they have to keep knowing they can beat anyone.

[zippy5]

The theory that watching too many plays can interfere with one's football judgment is obviously at work here.

What theory is this?

[K92]

We lost an offensive lineman early in the game, so a sub has to come in.

Speaking of that. . .what's up with Boyett?

[Jrship35]

Just win baby !!! This will be a non-issue when we win Saturday

No matter which QB is on the field ............. I believe that Coach B and staff have no interest in losing and will make the decision as to which one gives us the best chance to win

Will everyone hold the same opinion in the chance that Woodson starts tomorrow and throws for 300 yards and 3 TD's with 0 INT's ? My guess would be no, most would be all on board

And if Pohl returns to the helm and has an equally great game .................. We will be doing the "see I told you so" posts !!! LOL Us fickle fans

[GP1]

Prediction time?

Somehow, someway, the Zips get a big play resulting in a score from either special teams or the defense scoring a TD off of a turnover. I don't see them winning any other way, but I can see this happening...preferably early in the game. Big plays are how you get your confidence and momentum back. This is as big of a must win as the Zips have had in a long time. I can't pull myself away from some of the loses BSU has this year and I think the Zips are just a better team, even on the road.

Ball State 17

Akron 19

[GP1]

What theory is this?

It's the theory that people who couldn't conceptualize a game plan, don't sit in on team meetings, don't see the opponents game films, don't understand what is being coached during the week, don't hear what the coaches are talking about during the game and base their opinions on stat sheets understand what is going on because they watch a lot of it.

Teams run the same offense and defense all season long, only it is geared to whichever opponent they are playing. There aren't an endless number of plays to run. One doesn't have to watch every play of the season to make a determination about a team. At some point, success boils down the competition between humans and which humans give a team the best opportunity to win the competition. After seven games, there are no more secrets. The Zips need to line up and play. The Zips coaches need to put the guys on the field who give them the best opportunity to win.

Run hard, catch passes, throw accurate passes, both lines need to get off the ball, shed blockers, stay on your block without holding, tackle, create turnovers, kick the ball well, if you aren't certain who to block...block someone, don't fumble, break a tackle and make a big play, etc. These are the elements of competition in football. If the Zips can do this today, they will win. None of us has to watch every game to understand this.

[Balsy]

Akron 24

BallS 17

[Captain Kangaroo]

Zips realize they can't beat anyone when the turn the ball over, and can beat everyone if they play a clean, turnover-free game. No turnovers today.

Pohl is well-rested off his bye week, and sparked by the competition from Woodson. Throws for 3 TD's.

Running game is still underutilized, but effective when used.

Revitalized offense + no turnovers + dominant defense = Zips 31 Cardinals 20

[zippy5]

Zips 34

BSU 17

Zips bringing the pain today /d1realscout

[zippy_ua_00]

Zips realize they can't beat anyone when the turn the ball over, and can beat everyone if they play a clean, turnover-free game. No turnovers today.

Pohl is well-rested off his bye week, and sparked by the competition from Woodson. Throws for 3 TD's.

Running game is still underutilized, but effective when used.

Revitalized offense + no turnovers + dominant defense = Zips 31 Cardinals 20

With all due respect, I wouldnt call a defense that gives up 20 points dominant but ill take that result

[ZippyRulz]

If we don't get burned for any long TD passes....we win.

If we run to the outside for positive yardage 4+ times.....we win.

If Grice has 3+ carries.....we win.

If we turn the ball over via punts 7+ times....we lose.

If we throw 22+ incompletions....we lose.

If we lose 2 or more players to ejections and/or injuries....we lose.

[Captain Kangaroo]

With all due respect, I wouldnt call a defense that gives up 20 points dominant but ill take that result

Why does the starting defense get blamed for all the points? Special teams can't score?

Say the scrubs give up a score or two after we're up 31-10 (a la Woodson vs. Marshall)...can you say that Marshall's D wasn't dominant in that game?

Even if the starting D gave up 20 points (only 1.9 above their league-best average) , it would be to a Ball State team that's scored 30+ in it's last 2 games. That's pretty good, and would be enough to win.

[Staton14]

https://twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ/status/526055852214472704

Tommy Woodson starting today. I now think we'll lose, but hopefully I'm wrong.

[LZIp]

I'm...at a loss for words.

[Dave in Green]

Right, Zips average scoring defense can't be considered dominant as long as there are a whole 11 teams in the country ranked ahead of them.

1. Ole Miss 10.6
2. Stanford 12.3
3. Alabama 13.1
4. Louisville 14.6
5. Duke 15.1
6. Penn St. 15.2
7. Marshall 16.6
8. LSU 17.0
9. Temple 17.2
10. Wisconsin 17.7
11. Houston 17.9
12. Akron 18.1

13. Auburn 18.3
14. Pittsburgh 18.6

...

[RootforRoo44]

I don't mind Woodson starting if we actually run the ball a little bit. He can't throw 40+ passes again this week.

Let him be a bit more active out of the pocket, run the ball more than we pass, and we win this one.

[lance99]

Right, Zips average scoring defense can't be considered dominant as long as there are a whole 11 teams in the country ranked ahead of them.

1. Ole Miss 10.6

2. Stanford 12.3

3. Alabama 13.1

4. Louisville 14.6

5. Duke 15.1

6. Penn St. 15.2

7. Marshall 16.6

8. LSU 17.0

9. Temple 17.2

10. Wisconsin 17.7

11. Houston 17.9

12. Akron 18.1

13. Auburn 18.3

14. Pittsburgh 18.6

...

I will take that all day!

[lance99]

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!

Talk about threading the needle

[lance99]

Scott/March almost had a pic. Scott let the ball bonce off his helmet.......

[Balsy]

Tommy Woodson gets the start. Opening drive TD.