2017 Schedule Speculation

[Balsy]

Back by popular request:  Here is the fourth annual schedule speculation thread.  Of course as always, the OCC is set in stone, and it seems for the most part our MAC slate is becoming set in stone too.  I can't remember what my average % prediction is correct right now...it looks like I did okay last season...we had Ball State instead of CMU, and we had WMU at home instead of away.

 

Please use this thread to talk about the upcoming 2017 season, speculation of the schedule...predictions, and overall talk.  2016 was a disappointing season but there's an upside to the 2017 season.  I'll post my personal prediction on the season after the schedule speculation.

 

OOC Schedule:

 

@  Penn State

vs (Some FCS Team)  I won't make a prediction on this...because it's kinda irrelevant IMHO.  (Should we be worried there isn't an announced team yet?)

@  Troy

vs  Iowa State

 

MAC Opponents:  This one seems easy, the MAC has gone to a "everyone-plays-everyone-within-the-division" model, so flip the East schedule.  The complicated part is trying to find out what opponents we face in the west, which would be 3 each season.

 

vs.  Ohio

vs.  Kent

vs.  Buffalo

vs.  Ball State

@  BGSU

@  Miami

@  WMU

@  CMU

 

Really the one I'm not confident on is Ball State.  It was the odd ball on last year's schedule, but if you basically flip this year's schedule it works almost perfectly.  The MAC appears to like to schedule one-one in cross divisional match-ups:  thus if we go to Toledo one year, Toledo comes to us the next year.  CMU broke the mold in 2016 though...they played us in Akron in 2015 and we haven't taken the return trip yet, and I haven't yet seen the MAC duplicate the exact same schedule for us year-to-year.  So I'd say that the return trip to CMU might be 2017, and the return trip to Toledo might be 2018.  In 2018 we're likely to get NIU, EMU both again and either Toledo or CMU from the West.

 

Feel free to discuss.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Balsy]

As for my way-to-early prediction:

 

Year-by-year predictions:  (me)/reality

 

2012   (3-9)/1-11

2013  (5-7)/5-7

2014  (7-5)/5-7

2015  (7-5)/7-5..technically 8-5 but I don't do post-season predictions this early.  

2016  (8-4) 5-7

 

Apparently my prediction on seasonal record is correct every other year...so here's hoping the trend continues!!!   

 

Offense:  This seems at the moment to be the strong point of the team returning next year.  There doesn't appear to be any coaching changes going on, so we likely won't see a drastic change in the offensive scheme.  OL and WR are positions of strength, Both RB and QB are ? at this point.  I do not think Kato will be starting next season, but my way-to-early prediction on QB is that neither will Tommy Woodson.  I have a nagging feeling that Nick Johns is going to beat out T. Woodson for the job.  Prove me wrong Woodson, but I think there's more to his injury than we know, and I don't think he'll be the same.

 

Defense:  I don't even know where to begin with this unit.  I have a feeling they're going to be the weak point of this team AGAIN in 2017.  Though I have hope that they will take a step forward and play better than they did.  We shall see.

 

My prediction on the season at this point:

 

L  @ Penn State

W  vs Unnamed FCS School

L  @ Troy

W  vs Iowa State

W  vs  Ohio

W  vs  Kent

L  vs  Buffalo

W  vs  Ball State

W  @  BGSU
W  @  Miami
L  @  WMU
L  @  CMU

 

Way-to-early prediction:  Zips go 7-5, with a trip to Detroit.  We've been playing Ohio close the last two years, I think (hopefully) this is the year we get the monkey off our backs.  Without injuries I think we beat them in 2016.  BGSU has had our number for ever.  Bowden has yet to beat BGSU, and has gone 1-2 against Buffalo.  I think we get the monkey off our back with BGSU find a way to lose to Buffalo at home, because for some reason we just can't ever beat them when we probably should.  Buffalo will be the letdown game on a "good" season...leading to the stereotypical ZN.O meltdown.  

 

[72 Roo]

Unfortunately I don't share your optimism, altho limited, for the 2017 season. I see our O-line as good pass blockers and poor run blockers. They did not have one team in 2016 that they could knock back off the line. When we needed short yardage we could never get it by running. I agree as to the QB situation: I see TW as riding the pines behind Cato or Nick Johns. Our receivers will be very good. Our running backs need Ball back and a speedster to emerge. Too many questions there so I regard that area as fair-average. Any offense led by Milwee is too easy to stop. He is incompetent at our level. This year proved it.

 

On D our DL needs too much help to be an area of strength next year. They will be below MAC standards, even with transfers. LB needs better talent. We can not count on transfers, who sat this season, to match Gilbert's standard. I see the DB's actually getting better than this year. The kicking game will also be better. 

 

All that said I see too many questions for us to expect to be dominant in the MAC. We may win a weak East, but the West will kick our butts.

[Balsy]

16 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

Unfortunately I don't share your optimism, altho limited, for the 2017 season. I see our O-line as good pass blockers and poor run blockers. They did not have one team in 2016 that they could knock back off the line. When we needed short yardage we could never get it by running. I agree as to the QB situation: I see TW as riding the pines behind Cato or Nick Johns. Our receivers will be very good. Our running backs need Ball back and a speedster to emerge. Too many questions there so I regard that area as fair-average. Any offense led by Milwee is too easy to stop. He is incompetent at our level. This year proved it.

 

On D our DL needs too much help to be an area of strength next year. They will be below MAC standards, even with transfers. LB needs better talent. We can not count on transfers, who sat this season, to match Gilbert's standard. I see the DB's actually getting better than this year. The kicking game will also be better. 

 

All that said I see too many questions for us to expect to be dominant in the MAC. We may win a weak East, but the West will kick our butts.

 

It seems like we agree on a lot of things, just with a slightly different outlook.  We both seem to agree that TW is likely not the starter, WRs will be fine, but our offense should be enough to win games in a weak MAC east.  A battered Zips team contended with Ohio, who won the East.  Anything is possible for the Zips IMO.  I have us losing 2/3 games in the West slate, so I agree with you there, that the West is better than the east.

 

 I personally consider winning the MAC east with a trip to Detroit a win.  But many on this board have been critical of me for being a Bowden cheerleader.  I am a Bowden cheerleader but it comes to a point.  This season is make or break it for me.  anything less than .500 is acceptable to me, and I will be disappointed with anything less than 7-5.  This team should be capable of doing that. 

[LZIp]

TW was a top 4 QB (Terrell,Woodside,  Rush, Woody) in the MAC when healthy. How do people not see this? Don't see how he wouldn't be a top 3 next season. So I definitely don't see how you guys expect 2 players who have never played a down for Akron somehow overtaking him.

[Balsy]

2 hours ago, LZIp said:

TW was a top 4 QB (Terrell,Woodside,  Rush, Woody) in the MAC when healthy. How do people not see this? Don't see how he wouldn't be a top 3 next season. So I definitely don't see how you guys expect 2 players who have never played a down for Akron somehow overtaking him.

 

I agree with you.  My prediction/feeling is based upon that I have a feeling his injury that he had this year was worse than anyone here thinks it is, and will hobble his potential to that top spot again.  Of course that's just my opinion.

[LZIp]

1 hour ago, Balsy said:

 

I agree with you.  My prediction/feeling is based upon that I have a feeling his injury that he had this year was worse than anyone here thinks it is, and will hobble his potential to that top spot again.  Of course that's just my opinion.

Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense now. I would hope that he would recover fully in the offseason though.

[72 Roo]

7 hours ago, Balsy said:

 

It seems like we agree on a lot of things, just with a slightly different outlook.  We both seem to agree that TW is likely not the starter, WRs will be fine, but our offense should be enough to win games in a weak MAC east.  A battered Zips team contended with Ohio, who won the East.  Anything is possible for the Zips IMO.  I have us losing 2/3 games in the West slate, so I agree with you there, that the West is better than the east.

 

 I personally consider winning the MAC east with a trip to Detroit a win.  But many on this board have been critical of me for being a Bowden cheerleader.  I am a Bowden cheerleader but it comes to a point.  This season is make or break it for me.  anything less than .500 is acceptable to me, and I will be disappointed with anything less than 7-5.  This team should be capable of doing that. 

We are more of the same mind than not. I am also a TB supporter but I expect performance and continued improvement. We definitely did not get that in the second half of last season. I don't buy the excuse of injuries but I do accept that they make things more difficult in achieving our goals and I am willing to admit they were a factor. But coaches have to build depth and find solutuions. I hold them accountable for that.

 

Where I may disagree with LAZip is that I do not think TW is a returning starter. He has great talent, I grant LA that. But I am worried about his leadership and his temperment. When things went south so did his attitude. His tweets bothered me and showed a side that I think is selfish and not team-oriented. He had to be constantly harassed to get into shape. No leader requires that. They do it for the good of the team and their own improvement. I like a dual threat QB and TW showed he had not bought into that. I relish an open competition next year. But guys, all this is for naught if Milwee is given the offense. He is incompetent as an OC no matter who we argue should be the QB. Bad coaching ruins good talent.

  

[Ham]

I'm no defensive genius, but I'm confident that I could stop Milwee's O.  Milwee seems to lack any regard for his D.  So many times when we needed a first down, Milwee continued to go for a home run.  Unless Bowden takes more control of the O, I see us under performing there.  I don't see any dramatic improvement for our D.  Spring ball may reveal some hope there, but I still see our O being a drag there putting our D in a position to fail.  I see 1 OOC win and 4 and 4 in MAC.  At 5-7, I think Williams will demand some changes or just bring in a new HC.  I sincerely hope I'm wrong and we do even better than '15.

[Balsy]

10 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

all this is for naught if Milwee is given the offense. He is incompetent as an OC no matter who we argue should be the QB. Bad coaching ruins good talent.

 

Do we see any movement on this/when would we expect to see movement on this?  It always seemed to me that a decision like this comes right as the season ends so a search can begin (a month ago), but I haven't seen anything on it.  

[Ham]

It is a bit late to look for a new OC.  I look for TB to take a big role on  O.

[Balsy]

4 minutes ago, Ham said:

 I think Williams will demand some changes or just bring in a new HC. 

 

I'm surprised more people aren't talking about this.  2016 was the last year of Bowden's original contract.  He got a contract extention after going 5-7 in 2013, meaning his contract is up in 2018.   Though I don't think Bowden will be gone after 5-7, he will be on the hot seat in 2018.  Akron can't afford to buyout a coach's contract to bring in new blood, short of a disasterous 1-11 or something like that.  I think Bowden is safe for 2017...but the seat is definitely getting warmer.

 

If Williams were smart, he'd be demanding the changes now, giving Bowden 2-years before considering a new contract.

[Ham]

Balsy, I think you have it right.  I hope Williams has lit a fire under some seats, but it should be done privately.  If we see some changes this spring, I would like to change my prediction.

[LZIp]

Everyone is always quick to throw Milwee under the bus. BOWDEN has been the one who has made comments that show zero regard for the defense. You don't think it would be corrected if the HC had an issue with it?

 

[K92]

2 hours ago, Ham said:

Milwee seems to lack any regard for his D.  So many times when we needed a first down, Milwee continued to go for a home run.

This has been a topic of conversation before.  I agree that there have been some very questionable calls on offense and that there were times when a first down was much more valuable than trying to score in one play.  We on many occasions were down & distance dumb.  The reason why that is so important (in my mind) has nothing to do with the defense though.  The best way the offense can help the defense is to score.  All offensive play-calling should be predicated on extending drives by moving the chains to eventually result in a touchdown.  The defense getting a rest should never enter into the calculus of what an offense does.  If the defense gives up a long drive for a touchdown and the Zips score on the first play from scrimmage on their next possession, that is not a bad thing because the defense is going back out onto the field.  It is a good thing that we scored.

[zipsoutsider]

On ‎12‎/‎28‎/‎2016 at 8:39 PM, Balsy said:

 

I agree with you.  My prediction/feeling is based upon that I have a feeling his injury that he had this year was worse than anyone here thinks it is, and will hobble his potential to that top spot again.  Of course that's just my opinion.

I agree about the severity of Woody's injury and have serious concerns about Woody returning to his former self. I think it's fair to say the coaches have, as well, based on recruiting and we will see a QB battle unfold during spring ball and camp. It looked like it might have been a tendonitis type of injury, which can be really tough. You can feel better one day and then be in crippling pain the next, and yes, weather can make it feel significantly worse. Hopefully he is getting the treatment he needs to get better. 

 

To me the question marks are:

• New punter? Gasser was OK but lacked distance and hang time
• New Kicker? O'Leary did alright with FGs after his nerves settled, but lacked leg on KO's.
• OL run blocking? - I am actually somewhat hopeful on this as they gained a ton of experience and showed some signs of improvement. We stayed fairly healthy at OL and the guys will be another year stronger. Council, Brown, Jordan, and Neely will help us build depth at this position, much needed.
• We have plenty of speed with or without Ball with Edwards and Morgan. Ball just gives us power, plus speed. 
• DL - no commentary needed. We need help. 1-2 transfers could help stop the bleed if they are the right ones. I hope the returners are seeing tackling drills in their dreams. Let's see if Camara, Jest, or Moore can make big strides in the off-season. Moore has been injury prone. 
• TE/FB role - this position was constantly in question due to injuries this year. MTB did a good job when he was healthy, but he not healthy for a good chunk of the season. Newman Williams has also been injury prone, limiting his ability to make an impact. MTB has one more year left, I believe. He could be a big impact player if healthy all year. MTB might also be able to provide some leadership if we are looking at a new QB next season.

 

Where we will building on existing strength:

• Defensive Secondary - I feel like we are excellent in this area
• Gilbert at LB
• WRs
• RBs

I am also expecting Alvin Davis and Shawn Featherstone to continue building upon on the flashes of greatness we saw emerging in 2016. 

 

 

 

[kreed5120]

From what some people in the know said on this forum, I was under the impression Woodson's injury was a bone bruise to his shoulder that caused him a discomfort throwing which impacted his accuracy. I'm not going to try to be a medical expert, but that sounds like something that would heal with rest.

Edited December 31, 2016 by kreed5120

[zipsoutsider]

37 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

From what some people in the know said on this forum, I was under the impression Woodson's injury was a bone bruise to his shoulder that caused him a discomfort throwing which impacted his accuracy. I'm not going to try to be a medical expert, but that sounds like something that would heal with rest.

Both are possible. Tendinitis is usually a secondary injury, derived from overuse or compensating for an injury, often when trying to "tough it out." You unknowingly modify your motion or compensate for the initial injury, resulting in the second.

[zzx]

4 minutes ago, zipsoutsider said:

Both are possible. Tendinitis is usually a secondary injury, derived from overuse or compensating for an injury, often when trying to "tough it out." You unknowingly modify your motion or compensate for the initial injury, resulting in the second.

 

I remember that Woodson appeared to injure his throwing arm shoulder during the Potato Bowl game when he was tackled and hit his shoulder hard against the turf. Although he finished the game at QB, his current shoulder problems may have started from that.

[Blue & Gold]

8 hours ago, zzx said:

 

I remember that Woodson appeared to injure his throwing arm shoulder during the Potato Bowl game when he was tackled and hit his shoulder hard against the turf. Although he finished the game at QB, his current shoulder problems may have started from that.

Interesting point.

 

I have zero idea because Bowden's mentioned the injury occurred during the Appy State game, but I don't remember him looking even a little bit dinged up during that game.

[kreed5120]

3 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

Interesting point.

 

I have zero idea because Bowden's mentioned the injury occurred during the Appy State game, but I don't remember him looking even a little bit dinged up during that game.

 

Once again I'm no medical expert, but it reportedly happened near the end of the game. From my experiences with bruises they get worse with time. I got what I'm guessing was bruised ribs (never actually went to the hospital) 2-3 years ago playing pickup basketball. I was sore, but I was able to continue playing for another 30 minutes or so u til we all packed up and left. A few hours later and the next day it was a bitch to deal with and I had a giant black and blue circle on my side.

 

Zipsoutsider I'm aware of tendinitis, but didn't actually correlate it is something that he could have actually contracted during the recovery phase of trying to get back on the field. An interesting point of view.

[ZipsVoice]

My first post on zipsnation....

i'm glad to read that there are some question marks about Milwee and TB.  Thought I was the only one.  As far as AD Mike, have heard he has voiced his concerns to TB and it is and was done in private, like Ham said above, it should be.  Have also heard that Ball WILL be back.  And I agree, if a change was coming we would have heard by now.  Although lots of HC changes across the country and staffs change, so maybe AJ might see writing on wall and apply or network for a change....

[72 Roo]

8 hours ago, ZipsVoice said:

My first post on zipsnation....

i'm glad to read that there are some question marks about Milwee and TB.  Thought I was the only one.  As far as AD Mike, have heard he has voiced his concerns to TB and it is and was done in private, like Ham said above, it should be.  Have also heard that Ball WILL be back.  And I agree, if a change was coming we would have heard by now.  Although lots of HC changes across the country and staffs change, so maybe AJ might see writing on wall and apply or network for a change....

Welcome to the board. I hope to read more of your posts. 

 

As regards your first post I, for one, feel Milwee is a detriment to the program when it comes to play calling. He appears to be a good recruiter but cost us too much when he runs the offense. He is better at stopping us than any defense. In fact he's damn good at it. I love the talent we are assembling, but the unfortunate fact of football life is that bad play calling can negate that talent. He proved it last season and I hope TB does something about it. Next season is critical for us to turn this around. Glad to hear Ball is returning. Hope it is official soon.

[LZIp]

19 hours ago, ZipsVoice said:

My first post on zipsnation....

i'm glad to read that there are some question marks about Milwee and TB.  Thought I was the only one.  As far as AD Mike, have heard he has voiced his concerns to TB and it is and was done in private, like Ham said above, it should be.  Have also heard that Ball WILL be back.  And I agree, if a change was coming we would have heard by now.  Although lots of HC changes across the country and staffs change, so maybe AJ might see writing on wall and apply or network for a change....

Thanks for posting and hopefully you stick around! Some fresh perspective is always welcome.

Edited January 1, 2017 by LZIp

[94zipgrad]

On 12/27/2016 at 8:06 PM, Balsy said:

Back by popular request:  Here is the fourth annual schedule speculation thread.  Of course as always, the OCC is set in stone, and it seems for the most part our MAC slate is becoming set in stone too.  I can't remember what my average % prediction is correct right now...it looks like I did okay last season...we had Ball State instead of CMU, and we had WMU at home instead of away.

 

Please use this thread to talk about the upcoming 2017 season, speculation of the schedule...predictions, and overall talk.  2016 was a disappointing season but there's an upside to the 2017 season.  I'll post my personal prediction on the season after the schedule speculation.

 

OOC Schedule:

 

@  Penn State

vs (Some FCS Team)  I won't make a prediction on this...because it's kinda irrelevant IMHO.  (Should we be worried there isn't an announced team yet?)

@  Troy

vs  Iowa State

 

MAC Opponents:  This one seems easy, the MAC has gone to a "everyone-plays-everyone-within-the-division" model, so flip the East schedule.  The complicated part is trying to find out what opponents we face in the west, which would be 3 each season.

 

vs.  Ohio

vs.  Kent

vs.  Buffalo

vs.  Ball State

@  BGSU

@  Miami

@  WMU

@  CMU

 

Really the one I'm not confident on is Ball State.  It was the odd ball on last year's schedule, but if you basically flip this year's schedule it works almost perfectly.  The MAC appears to like to schedule one-one in cross divisional match-ups:  thus if we go to Toledo one year, Toledo comes to us the next year.  CMU broke the mold in 2016 though...they played us in Akron in 2015 and we haven't taken the return trip yet, and I haven't yet seen the MAC duplicate the exact same schedule for us year-to-year.  So I'd say that the return trip to CMU might be 2017, and the return trip to Toledo might be 2018.  In 2018 we're likely to get NIU, EMU both again and either Toledo or CMU from the West.

 

Feel free to discuss.  

 

Dates haven't been released but looking at other Mac team sites the schedule hasn't changed

 

home games

Arkansas Pine Bluff

Iowa State

Buffalo

Ohio

Kent State

Ball State

 

away games

penn state

troy

toledo

bowling green

miami

Western michigan

 

 

 

On 12/27/2016 at 8:06 PM, Balsy said: