Game 1—Oklahoma

[Zipgrad01]

I don't have the link, but it is the scout forum

[ZippyRulz]

One of their boards is saying Bowden predicted a UA victory over Oklahoma today on Sirius radio. They are freaking out about it. Lol

Seriously though...what do they expect him to say?

[Dr Z]

I think Perine will ne hurt with the new offense and new line. Mixon should excel. Z Mixon is going to be special. With Perine and Mixon the Sooners have the best two back tandem in the Stoops era. Neither is the quality of Peterson or Murray currently but the two are a better combo than what they had during the Peterson/Murray days. And that says a lot.

I'm looking forward to seeing Mixon vs our front seven. In the big payday games of the past, the Zips tackling ability against talented backs has killed them, it is now as strong as it's been in decades. It used to be that bigger schools could just line up and run all day on us. The current team is much better at diminishing that, and getting our opponents in predictable passing situations. I'm still apprehensive about putting points on the board though.

[pphilfran]

I think the Sooner defense is going to be far better this year. I think.

D tackle has some questions. Linebackers are deep. Secondary needs one kid to step up and give Sanchez some help. If that happens they will be damn good. More geared towards big 12 spreads vs Old Big 10 type power games.

They actually spent some time on a 2-5-4 defense. Late shifts dropping 1, 2, or 3 backers into the line. They have a lot of versitality. Probably going to be more aggressive this year.

[Dr Z]

I would guess if the staff had to pick an D to go against this year, that would be it. If we can do something about it will be the big question. We used to play the "stack" defense two head coaches ago, IMO, it's one of the reason's we are in the hole (attendance issue) we are in. His claim was that he couldn't recruit DL's at MAC, say what you will about the current staff, but they have proven that to be a misnomer.

Oklahoma a Surprise Team:

We're falling into the same trap we did last year with the Sooners—only in reverse. We anointed them national title contenders based on their Sugar Bowl win against Alabama after the 2013 season, and they proceeded to go 8-5 the next season. In December, Oklahoma got thumped by Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl and now we’re forgetting about the Sooners. This is a better team with a new offense that faces Baylor and TCU in consecutive weeks in November. Oklahoma will help decide the Big 12 title.

[savagehenry]

I can't wait to shut most the sooner fans mouths on Saturday. I bet the team isn t taking us as lightly as the fans are.

I always try to tread lightly when it comes to predicting scores or whatever with opposing fans.

"I bet the team isn t taking us as lightly as the fans are"...and that, my friend, is your problem. This team has had to hear about last season all year and I, personally, would not envy the team that they can take that frustration out on.....so with that being said...I have much respect for Terry Bowden and having lived in Miamisburg and Reynoldsburg previously, I love the great state of Ohio....and with that said.....I, respectfully predict, that this game will be over by the middle of the third quarter if not sooner. I respect the institution that is Akron (and being the hometown of Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders helps a lot). I just don't think your athletes are as talented as OUr athletes, respectively and they will have a hard time dealing with the Oklahoma heat. I just can't see Akron hanging for the full four quarters.

I do hope all of you coming to the game have a safe trip here and back and I honestly hope our fans treat you with the respect you deserve. Good luck Saturday.

[savagehenry]

The biggsst issue is him forcing passes. His starts, for the most part, were against the dregs of college football. He got hurt and never got back as startrer. They were not going to give him a scholly so he walked off after walking on.

He never officially notified the OU staff that he was going to walk on. According to Stoops the day he showed up for the first team meeting/ practice was the first time Stoops had ever met or talked to him.

He didn't speak to Stoops because of NCAA regs. Baker was offered several D-1 scholarships, he just turned them down to walk on at Tech. It's not like no one wanted him, he just made his own decision and it worked out well for Oklahoma, I think.

And he lost his job at Tech, primarily, because he got injured and Webb was playing well. Don't forget he won the job in the first place and Kingsbury has proved to be quite abrasive with people and his players.

[savagehenry]

I won't freak by Bowden's words. He can't give the pre-game speech of "Let's just go out and try our best", now can he? I absolutely admire him for that, although I respectfully disagree as I think Perine and Mixon will run wild. Keep in mind that Perine continually put opposing backers and Dbs on the bench last year.....through injury. I think our backs are too much for Akron, respectfully.

[Dr Z]

Andy Staples looks past the Zips on the Sooners schedule.    http://bcove.me/x8zgjj7m  

[zippy5]

Well if it was all nice and friendly until "OUr" *shudder*

[Captain Kangaroo]

Andy Staples looking past the Zips on the Sooners schedule.

http://bcove.me/x8zgjj7m

Chubby guys in bow ties are never wrong. We're in trouble.

[Dr Z]

EA of the PD is polling MAC fans.

One of the questions:

Which MAC team has the best chance at opening with an upset?

Bowling Green at Tennessee (21 point spread)

Akron at Oklahoma (31 point spread)

Can't State at Illinois (14 point spread)

Western Michigan vs. Michigan State (21 point spread)

Speaking of odds, if you believe the Zips can win the MAC this year, you can get 12:1 in certain sportsbooks.

Hustlebelt's preview of Zips vs (no 19) Sooners.

[K92]

I always try to tread lightly when it comes to predicting scores or whatever with opposing fans.

"I bet the team isn t taking us as lightly as the fans are"...and that, my friend, is yOUr problem. This team has had to hear abOUt last season all year and I, personally, wOUld not envy the team that they can take that frustration OUt on.....so with that being said...I have much respect for Terry Bowden and having lived in Miamisburg and Reynoldsburg previOUsly, I love the great state of Ohio....and with that said.....I, respectfully predict, that this game will be over by the middle of the third quarter if not sooner. I respect the institution that is Akron (and being the hometown of Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders helps a lot). I just don't think yOUr athletes are as talented as OUr athletes, respectively and they will have a hard time dealing with the Oklahoma heat. I just can't see Akron hanging for the full fOUr quarters.

I do hope all of you coming to the game have a safe trip here and back and I honestly hope our fans treat you with the respect you deserve. Good luck Saturday.

FIFY. You are not nearly as adept at the whole OU thing as your peers from Athens are.

[zipsoutsider]

I just don't think your athletes are as talented as OUr athletes, respectively and they will have a hard time dealing with the Oklahoma heat. I just can't see Akron hanging for the full four quarters.

I guess that remains to be seen, doesn't it?

[johnnyzip84]

Do we want to start separate prediction threads for each game? I think I prefer that to placing then in the general discussion for that particular game, but I'll go with what the mods want.

[Balsy]

I just can't see Akron hanging for the full four quarters.

So said the Tennessee Volunteers, and the Ranked Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions.

[savagehenry]

Never said Akron couldn't hang....my view is simply my opinion. It is highly feasible that Akron CAN win this game...I just don't think they will. I guess I'm going to have to be little less respectful in the expression of my views. Do I want to pay 40 bucks to watch to OU truck Akron back to Ohio, well yeah...but I happen to like my football team being forced to overcome adversity. AND FYI...I don't ceaselessly capitalize the OU vowel combination in every word in my posts. I use it once and that's it, but thanks for FIFM. I am extremely adept in both dissecting and analyzing the Sooners football team...been watching them 40 years. With all due respect, I could be two things...arrogant and disrespectful in my views.

The "FIFY", to me, has worn out it's welcome. I won't post anymore as the next ones would not get approved, I fear. So again, good luck, be safe, and I hope our fans show you respect as I have attempted to do.

[Aaron]

SavageHenry - not sure if you'll see this, but I appreicate it when opposing fans come on our boards and share genuine insights into the matchups, as you and pphilfran have done. Usually, when we see "OU", it's from people at Ohio University, one of our conference rivals who very rarely offer constructive conversations on sports. The 'FIFY' post is more of a MAC joke than a particular poke at you.

Personally, if the Zips get blown out in this game, I will be disappointed. Akron's two worst losses last year were by 31 points. The team does not usually 'lose big', and I have high hopes that they will continue that streak.

Given Oklahoma's depth, it will be hard to keep up for a full game, but maybe if the team land a couple good shots early, they have a chance. Realistically, my brain says a 21-7 halftime score, with a 38-14 finish. If OU's running game eats up enough clock to keep the total gametime shorter, I think it works in Akron's favor to beat the spread.

My heart hopes that our defense gets one more stop in the first half, and our offense scores on a trick play in the 2nd half, leading to a 28-28 4th quarter, where the Zips get a field goal at the end to pull off the upset.

[Balsy]

So said the Tennessee Volunteers, and the Ranked Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions.

Nor was I poking at you in a mean manner. I'm just pointing out that the expectation of blowing out the Zips, which is help by most Sooner fans, is somewhat missplaced. This won't be the same cupcake season opener that big teams are accustomed too. Though I could be wrong, this is why we play the game.

[K92]

Never said Akron couldn't hang....my view is simply my opinion. It is highly feasible that Akron CAN win this game...I just don't think they will. I guess I'm going to have to be little less respectful in the expression of my views. Do I want to pay 40 bucks to watch to OU truck Akron back to Ohio, well yeah...but I happen to like my football team being forced to overcome adversity. AND FYI...I don't ceaselessly capitalize the OU vowel combination in every word in my posts. I use it once and that's it, but thanks for FIFM. I am extremely adept in both dissecting and analyzing the Sooners football team...been watching them 40 years. With all due respect, I could be two things...arrogant and disrespectful in my views.

The "FIFY", to me, has worn out it's welcome. I won't post anymore as the next ones would not get approved, I fear. So again, good luck, be safe, and I hope our fans show you respect as I have attempted to do.

Jeez, Henry. You're letting your savage side show. My FIFY was an Ohio University joke meant for anyone who would get it. There are a couple of Bobtwat posters that capitalize every occurrence. However, I gotta say shame on you for not color coding sooner.

[pphilfran]

That was strange. Seems like a good dude.

Safe traveling to all those coming down here. Good luck and...

BOOMER SOONER

(You're going to sick hearing that all game long.)

[skip-zip]

I'm always amazed at the number of Bubbas down South who don't understand that our guys train in 80-90 degree weather in August.

Note to Cletus in Oklahoma: It won't be snowing here for several more months. We have hot summers too

[ZachTheZip]

It's been 90 degrees every day in Norman for a while. It's been 90 degrees in Akron every day for a while. Humidity is just about the same, too. Plus, something like a third of our roster is from Florida. The heat is not any more of an issue for Akron than it is for Oklahoma.

[pphilfran]

I'm always amazed at the number of Bubbas down South who don't understand that our guys train in 80-90 degree weather in August.

Note to Cletus in Oklahoma: It won't be snowing here for several more months. We have hot summers too

Gonna be in the low 90's. Had a 107 kickoff temp a few years back

[Z.I.P.]

Does anybody know what's up with the TV coverage of this? Gozips.com is talking about "Fox Pay-Per-View Only"! I've never even heard of Fox pay-per-view. Will it be telecast on Fox Regional television for free? Oklahoma games were on free TV all last season, has that changed??