Game #8 Ball State

[GP1]

I'm angry about losing 2 straight games, but I think I'm more angry at the fans trying to canabalize our coach, who has turned this awful program around.

Why should't we criticize Bowden for horrible personnel decisions? Why is he immune from criticism?

I do agree he has turned it around. I guess we'll find out exactly how far he has turned it around in the next nine weeks. One could say it could be a COMPLETE turnaround. Specifically, he may have turned around a team that had gone 8-3 in its previous 11 games with Pohl starting to one that goes 3-8 in its next 11 games. Like I said, it could be a complete turnaround....the kind we should avoid.

I said it a couple of weeks ago and I'll say it again. This team will struggle to finish out the season 3-3 without Pohl at QB.

[GP1]

My point is how can you explain that it's fair to put Woodson into the Pitt game when nothing was wrong with Pohl other than throwing an INT in the endzone. Woodson didn't do anything, and Pohl came back in. But putting Pohl in, which by everything I heard all week was healthy and ready to play in today's game. If he wasn't healthy or ready to play, you wouldn't hear me complaining. That's why I didn't understand why Bowden didn't do the same thing he did at Pittsburgh, especially this one that meant more for this season. This defense is MAC championship caliber, and I hate to see it wasted like this. If Pohl came in and didn't produce, I would have applauded Bowden for at least trying to get a spark and go from there. Just don't understand how this was "unfair" to Pohl, but benching him in a Pittsburgh game that he was leading when benched isn't "unfair"? Like GP1 said, Woodson is Bowden's project.

The discussion of fair vs. unfair is not the one we should be having over his comments. My problem is he is trying to cover bad personnel decisions in altruism. Whenever I hear comments like that, my BS meter goes into full alert. A decent press pool would roll over a coach with follow up questions after a nonsensical answer like that. Most reporters are just trying to get a comment for their story so they can get to the free post game buffet before all of the good stuff is picked over.

[pdt1420]

I'm undecided on which qb to go with. What's Pohl's record over the last 11 games?

[GP1]

I'm undecided on which qb to go with. What's Pohl's record over the last 11 games?

Doesn't matter. Bowden doesn't want him on the field.

BTW, 8-3.

[Balsy]

Why should't we criticize Bowden for horrible personnel decisions? Why is he immune from criticism?

I do agree he has turned it around. I guess we'll find out exactly how far he has turned it around in the next nine weeks. One could say it could be a COMPLETE turnaround. Specifically, he may have turned around a team that had gone 8-3 in its previous 11 games with Pohl starting to one that goes 3-8 in its next 11 games. Like I said, it could be a complete turnaround....the kind we should avoid.

I said it a couple of weeks ago and I'll say it again. This team will struggle to finish out the season 3-3 without Pohl at QB.

Because the personell decisions you're criticizing are those that deal with a freakin injury! It's not like the hotly debated discussion hear of Hundley vs Chisholm...where I ALWAYS criticized the use of Chisholm over Hundley, but I trust Bowden and his experienced staff more than I trust Balsy or GP1's.

We didn't lose this game because of Pohl vs Woodson. We lost this game because a young team forgot how to win. Imani Davis fumble, the blocked punt...

Note: I'm not advocating Pohl or Woodson. I'd like to see Pohl in again this year, yet I also think that (with time, practice, etc) Woodson has a much higher ceiling than Pohl does.

Pohl will be in next week anyways, so all of these comments are irrelevant. Bowden IS immune to criticism when that criticism is conspiracy-theorist-esque with zero facts to back it up.

[Balsy]

Doesn't matter. Bowden doesn't want him on the field.

BTW, 8-3.

I wouldn't want him on the field either, when (two weeks ago) he was hit in the head to the point that he couldn't even return to the sidelines save for a couple of minutes, and was inactive for one game (last week) because he had a "concussion like" head injury. Cut the crap.

[GP1]

I wouldn't want him on the field either, when (two weeks ago) he was hit in the head to the point that he couldn't even return to the sidelines save for a couple of minutes, and was inactive for one game (last week) because he had a "concussion like" head injury. Cut the crap.

Don't create fantasy for yourself.

[Balsy]

Don't create fantasy for yourself.

That is what the facts support.

[GP1]

That is what the facts support.

ZipsWin! said he was clear to play. That's enough for me.

[a-zip]

I was also puzzled Pohl did not go in but I trust TB and know there has to be a good reason which he may not want to share leaving us all to speculate. If not Pohl, why not Hirschman though (is he done?) 4 INTs are unacceptable BUT TW looked amazing in the first half.

While the focus is on the INTs in the second half…lets not forget they blocked one of our punts and we muffed a punt (both of those are huge in the game!!). For the remainder of the game, BSU was sitting back looking for an INT. One thing I noticed is that all of TW's INTs looked eerily similar (a deep post across the middle)……throw is short and you can barely see a Zip near the ball.

If we are going to speculate on the QB controversy, here is my theory……..If you have two guys you view to be equal (or close to it), you play the younger player. I would think that either Pohl or Woodson would transfer if they did not play this year. If you lose Pohl, he has 1 year left….if you lose Woodson, you have 3 years left.

We have Chandler Kincaide who looks like he could be good and we also got a top commit with Jacob Harrison. With these two in the stable along with Woodson, I think we are in good shape.

To be clear, I am not saying you scrap this season to develop a player for the future but I trust TB's instincts more than any of our and he knows a lot more about the situation than any of us do.

[GP1]

I was also puzzled Pohl did not go in but I trust TB and know there has to be a good reason which he may not want to share leaving us all to speculate. If not Pohl, why not Hirschman though (is he done?) 4 INTs are unacceptable BUT TW looked amazing in the first half.

While the focus is on the INTs in the second halflets not forget they blocked one of our punts and we muffed a punt (both of those are huge in the game!!). For the remainder of the game, BSU was sitting back looking for an INT. One thing I noticed is that all of TW's INTs looked eerily similar (a deep post across the middle)throw is short and you can barely see a Zip near the ball.

If we are going to speculate on the QB controversy, here is my theory..If you have two guys you view to be equal (or close to it), you play the younger player. I would think that either Pohl or Woodson would transfer if they did not play this year. If you lose Pohl, he has 1 year left.if you lose Woodson, you have 3 years left.

We have Chandler Kincaide who looks like he could be good and we also got a top commit with Jacob Harrison. With these two in the stable along with Woodson, I think we are in good shape.

To be clear, I am not saying you scrap this season to develop a player for the future but I trust TB's instincts more than any of our and he knows a lot more about the situation than any of us do.

One does more of one thing that can't be done if you want to win. They aren't equal.

[Balsy]

ZipsWin! said he was clear to play. That's enough for me.

Hearsay. I expected better from you GP1.

I beginning to think your anti-Bowden. Because when it comes down to being Coach's word (a primary source of information), or ZipsWin!'s word (secondary source)...or rather the word from the source that ZipsWin! got it from (so hearsay on the hearsay, so a tertiary source) you choose Zipswin! Ridiculous.

ZipsWin! If you read this, I'm not trying to throw you under the bus.

[Balsy]

We have Chandler Kincaide who looks like he could be good and we also got a top commit with Jacob Harrison. With these two in the stable along with Woodson, I think we are in good shape.

To be clear, I am not saying you scrap this season to develop a player for the future but I trust TB's instincts more than any of our and he knows a lot more about the situation than any of us do.

+1. Don't forget we also have Travon Chapman who throws a great ball can move in the pocket and scramble. Zips have a good stable of QBs after this year.

What we all should be worried about is other offensive weapons. WRs are desperately needed.

[Zipgrad01]

Hearsay. I expected better from you GP1.

I beginning to think your anti-Bowden. Because when it comes down to being Coach's word (a primary source of information), or ZipsWin!'s word (secondary source)...or rather the word from the source that ZipsWin! got it from (so hearsay on the hearsay, so a tertiary source) you choose Zipswin! Ridiculous.

ZipsWin! If you read this, I'm not trying to throw you under the bus.

I think the quarterback situation is extremely troubling, but I am becoming just as concerned with the in-game management for the last 2 weeks. We have been out-coached badly during these games. Our offense is beyond predictable and opposing offensive coordinators are starting to make the perfect calls against our defensive formations. This is a disturbing trend that I noticed during Bowdens first year as coach. We did do better during the 2nd half of last year, but our schedule also matched us up with the doormats of the MAC, sans Toledo.

[Dave in Green]

... Nothing official about Pohl's status was made (despite claims of the conspiracy contingent here) until about Thursday of this week. Everything I saw with Pohl is consistant with a head-injury (non concussion) re-introduction. And I'm sorry folks, I don't care how "connected" you are. If it's not coming from the coach's mouth publicly (thus officially) it is to be disregarded as hearsay. ...

Balsy, you are right to keep the focus on KP's head injury, something I didn't do well in my comments about Coach Bowden's quotes in EA's story. It may help explain the quote about it being "unfair" to throw KP into the game when things started falling apart in the 4th quarter. Only the Zips coaching staff knows how KP looked in any practice he may have participated in prior to Saturday's game. Head injuries should never be underestimated or downplayed.

[Balsy]

Balsy, you are right to keep the focus on KP's head injury, something I didn't do well in my comments about Coach Bowden's quotes in EA's story. It may help explain the quote about it being "unfair" to throw KP into the game when things started falling apart in the 4th quarter. Only the Zips coaching staff knows how KP looked in any practice he may have participated in prior to Saturday's game. Head injuries should never be underestimated or downplayed.

Well said.

[Jrship35]

I'm not yet familiar enough with the players but it was pretty crystal clear that Woodson completely lost his confidence and was not comfortable in the second half ....... Obviously the coaches couldn't get the kid calmed down, so would the smarter move (if not ready to put Pohl in the game) have been to go with this Hirschman guy?

Sounds like Monday morning QB'ing but I was curious ...... Is Hirschman that bad ? Or worse than Woodson was ?

[Balsy]

Hirshman played so well during his only game as Zip QB (other than sitting on the sidelines) that it had ZN.O discussing whether or not Hirschman should be starting over Pohl. That game was against Lousiana-Lafayette last year. He was an instant spark for an Akron offense (that was led by Pohl at the time, whom had thrown two interceptions and was down 14 poitns). He led two scoring drives bringing the game to a tie.

The bad thing was: he injured himself in that game, on a celebration. He jumped around and came down funny on his knee (from what I remember). He never looked the same since. During spring practice this year, he still seemed hobbled by the knee injury he sustained from that September game last year. Feel bad for the guy, but hopefully he's making the best of the free grad school.

[ZippyRulz]

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2014/10/qb_kyle_pohl_is_back_for_the_a.html#incart_related_stories

The good news for the Akron Zips is that quarterback Kyle Pohl is back, 100 percent good-to-go on the football field.

Bowden also said no final decision would be made on a starter until the end of the week, although both quarterbacks would likely play.

Following a recent practice, where Pohl participated full-go in full gear, the 6-3, 215-pound junior QB said he was now ready for a return to action.

"I feel great,'' he said. "I have felt good since the middle of last week. Just wanted to go through all the precautions. I am ready to go."

"I'm ready to go, cleared, and knocking the rust off from last week, getting back into it. I feel good."

[Balsy]

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2014/10/qb_kyle_pohl_is_back_for_the_a.html#incart_related_stories

The good news for the Akron Zips is that quarterback Kyle Pohl is back, 100 percent good-to-go on the football field.

Bowden also said no final decision would be made on a starter until the end of the week, although both quarterbacks would likely play.

Following a recent practice, where Pohl participated full-go in full gear, the 6-3, 215-pound junior QB said he was now ready for a return to action.

"I feel great,'' he said. "I have felt good since the middle of last week. Just wanted to go through all the precautions. I am ready to go."

"I'm ready to go, cleared, and knocking the rust off from last week, getting back into it. I feel good."

Thanks for pointing out what we already know/

[Jrship35]

Hirshman played so well during his only game as Zip QB (other than sitting on the sidelines) that it had ZN.O discussing whether or not Hirschman should be starting over Pohl. That game was against Lousiana-Lafayette last year. He was an instant spark for an Akron offense (that was led by Pohl at the time, whom had thrown two interceptions and was down 14 poitns). He led two scoring drives bringing the game to a tie.

The bad thing was: he injured himself in that game, on a celebration. He jumped around and came down funny on his knee (from what I remember). He never looked the same since. During spring practice this year, he still seemed hobbled by the knee injury he sustained from that September game last year. Feel bad for the guy, but hopefully he's making the best of the free grad school.

Thanks Balsy ....... Would he have been a better option than a visibly shaken Woodson ?

[LZIp]

To be clear, when Hirschman led us back last season, it was against James Madison. I thought he looked serviceable last season, though should not have played over Pohl. Hirschman is a forming starting QB at a FBS program (Colorado). While playing at Colorado isn't anything to write home about, I still feel like if we are trying to win games this season, he would be the better option to go to with his experience.

None of this makes sense to me. If Woodson is better than Hirschman and the coaching staff thinks he gives us a better chance to win, then so be it. I still cannot rationalize why Woodson would be playing ahead of Pohl if Pohl is good to go. Nothing at all against Woodson, because I think he has the tools to have a bright future and has been giving it his all, but he just isn't ready yet. Its kind of unfair to him. Bowden shouldn't be playing for the future. He should be playing for this season. Getting this program to a bowl and a winning record is very important. We are more than capable of doing it THIS SEASON.

Bowden has seen two samples of Woodson. One, he was forced to. The other, nobody really knows. It'll be very interesting to see who we goes with against BG...If he goes with Woodson, there is no way I can support the decision.

[Dave in Green]

... Would he have been a better option than a visibly shaken Woodson ?

Are you kidding? Can you even begin to imagine the level of fantasy we would have had to wade through on this forum if Coach Bowden had subbed in the 3rd string QB with KP standing on the sideline?

[Dave in Green]

ZippyRulz, please go back and look at the date on that story.

[Zipgrad01]

ZippyRulz, please go back and look at the date on that story.

Exactly...shows why Bowden is full of shit.