2016 Schedule Speculation Thread

[Balsy]

Time to start this thread up again. Last season they announced the schedule before I had a chance to post this, but this is a place to discuss the 2016 season. Hopes, expectations, and thoughts on what teams we will play next year. Our OOC schedule is set in stone, but the conference schedule should be pretty close to this years'.

OOC Schedule:

vs. VMI

@ Wisconsin

vs. App. State

@ Marshall

Conference Schedule (My prediction, Toledo and WMU I'm not confident about):

vs Bowling Green

vs Miami

vs Buffalo

vs Toledo

@ Ohio

@ Can't

@ CMU

@ WMU

All MAC east opponents are pretty much a lock that they'll me on our schedule, with UMass leaving the conference after this season, there are three spots open that would need to be filled by MAC West opponents. CMU visited this year, so I could see us having the return visit next season. We have not played either NIU or Toledo in over two seasons so they seem like a fit to me. WMU is almost a lock for being on next year's schedule to me because we haven't played them since 2011.

Thoughts? After this season, I'm really looking forward to next year to see if we can keep the momentum going.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Balsy

[kreed5120]

The Zips will be losing in the neighborhood of 14-15 starters; including pretty much the entire o-line, their top 2 backs, and the majority of their defensive front 7. Woodson will need to shoulder the load early on until the team gels. The fact he is returning his #1 playmaking receiver should help. There are going to be some pretty big shoes that will need to be filled. Akron success will heavily depend on how well the new guys fill them.

The schedule you propose is pretty brutal considering the turnover we have to overcome. I'm going to hold off making a prediction until an official schedule is released.

[akronzips71]

The good news is that it is way easier to recruit quality talent to a team that won a bowl game than a team that went 1-11 for years.

[ZippyRulz]

Can't wait to see a projected depth chart for next year. A lot will depend on off-season transfers I suppose.

Edited December 30, 2015 by ZippyRulz

[LZIp]

Balsy's schedule predictions have been pretty close to spot on in the past, IIRC. I wouldn't mind trading Toledo or WMU for a Ball St.

Edited December 29, 2015 by LZip

[K92]

Road trip to Western would be fun.

Edited December 30, 2015 by Keener'92

[LoyalZIP]

VMI home

Wisconsin away

App State home

Marshall away

BG home

Ohio away

Can't away

Miami home

Buffalo away

CMU away

WMU home

NIU home

We last played WMU in the game that...uh...yeah and that was in the Zoo in 2011, so I'm damn near positive we'll play them at home (last time we did was 2010--also not pretty). We'll close the "series" with CMU on the road and that leaves one more home game for either NIU or Toledo. We haven't played either since 2013 and UT was at home so I'm going with NIU. As far as I know, there's no rules when it comes to "playing the last game at their place so the next one is a home game" in regards to East vs. West, but by that logic, this will be the schedule.

[blueandgold]

As far as the OOC games, we should definitely beat VMI, but probably lose to Wisconsin. I think App St and Marshall are a coin flip. If the conference schedule is as Balsy predicts I say we go 5-3 in that span. (Losses to BG, Toledo and Western Michigan). Basically that would give us another 7-5 or a 6-6 record. Unfortunately I can't see us building on our win total after losing so many seniors this season.

Edited December 29, 2015 by blueandgold

[ace]

App state will be fun.

Anyone know what marshall will look like next year? They've been great the last 3 years and im wondering what they have coming back

[Dr Z]

Anyone know what marshall will look like next year?

I'm sure you can get a pretty good answer here. Let ZipsNation know what you come up with.

[Hilltopper]

Home:

Miami

Bowling Green

Away:

Toledo

Can't

Buffalo

Ohio

Looks like WMU and BSU both at home

[Jrship35]

http://www.gozips.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20160113jop6mh

[LZIp]

Home:

Miami

Bowling Green

Away:

Toledo

Can't

Buffalo

Ohio

Looks like WMU and BSU both at home

Switch BSU with Toledo and thats the MAC schedule. Not a bad draw. Have our tougher opponents at home.

Edited January 13, 2016 by LZip

[zippy5]

2 toughest games at our place.

[Dr Z]

2 toughest games at our place.

I like that. I hope they are on a Saturday in the afternoon.

[K92]

If the Ball State game is on a Saturday with a favorable weather forecast, you should consider traveling because their tailgating scene is pretty impressive. We had a good time there in 2014.

[lance99]

I like that. I hope they are on a Saturday in the afternoon.

Akron+Toledo=Black Friday Fun!

[Dr Z]

"We have the hardest schedule in the MAC next year" -Thomas Woodson

VMI

at Wisconsin

at Marshall

APPALACHIAN STATE

BOWLING GREEN

MIAMI (OHIO)

TOLEDO

WESTERN MICHIGAN

at Ball State

at Buffalo

at Can't State

at Ohio

Edited January 14, 2016 by Dr Z

[ZippyRulz]

Athlon Sports has Appie State ranked #58. That game won't be any easier than Marshall.

 

[zipsfan33]

Balsy.... are you plunking the magic twanger in anticipation of the upcoming schedule?   In other words.... can we expect to see a projection this year?  One of my favorite posts of the year by the way! 

[zippy5]

5 hours ago, zipsfan33 said:

Balsy.... are you plunking the magic twanger in anticipation 

I was really curious to see what the heck was going on in this post at this point 

[zipsfan33]

No worries just an old saying from "The Ghoul" a local horror host if you don't know the name. 

[72 Roo]

6 hours ago, zipsfan33 said:

No worries just an old saying from "The Ghoul" a local horror host if you don't know the name. 

Loved Ghoulardi! My age is showing but I don't care. He was so ahead of his time. Go ahead and "Pluck your magic twanger Froggy!"