Game 12—@Ohio Bobcats

[1981 grad]

32 minutes ago, ZipsVoice said:

Hit the nail on the head HT.  What is happening is this team didn't have a huge fan base to begin with, but what we did have gave a crap about what was happening.  Now the team has become irrelevant to the fan base, more people care about the soccer team.  Basketball is exciting a lot more of the fan base, not because they are winning, obviously, but because there was change, and the change has led to a more exciting brand of ball, and more people are talking about them, it not attending.  From the Miami second half debacle, no one out side the loyal Zip base even thinks about Zips football, at least not in a positive manner.  We've become an afterthought, and that's not good.

After watching the Northwestern and Iowa State games, I thought this was a good football team.  I went to the Miami game and there was a very good crowd.  Everyone showed up except our football team.  We did not give up a first down in the first quarter and things went down hill after they went to a hurry up offense.  I kept thinking that we were too good not to come back and stayed until the end of the game.  It only got worse.  That was by far the best crowd and we layed a big egg.  That crowd was not coming back.  This years we had 2 wins in the MAC and the teams we beat had a combined record of 1 and 15 in the MAC.  We were not competitive against any other MAC football team.  I do not know why anyone thinks next year will be better.   What is bizarre is that I had written off the soccer team after watching that terrible loss against West Virginia and the rest of their subpar season.  However, that team got better as the season progressed and now is playing its best soccer of the season.       

[monrowe]

1 hour ago, zipsoutsider said:

Looking at some of the young talent that has worked it's way in on D, we are more ready for that transition. Honestly, our D line has not been stellar. Jamal Davis has had a good year, but we have not had a lot going on up front on D. Ohio and any other team committed to run against us, manhandled the D line 

 

If we are honest, apart from Northwestern, we lacked physicality on both sides of the ball. Maybe Gildersleeve is the one who needs to go.

Yep!The AD has some tough decisions next week

[LZIp]

glad i didn't set aside time to watch this one.

[zipsoutsider]

1 hour ago, ZipsVoice said:

Not being pricky, but why do you believe it will be exciting the next couple of years?  Please expound.....

1. Kato has improved and after Northern Illinois, which I consider his true breakout game, he mentioned that the difference was that he watched a lot more film. Judgement had been Kato's issue and it seems that he has figured out that the more he prepares, the better he will play. He is more than good enough to lead the team at QB when he does the prep work. I think it took him a while to get into a groove yesterday, but I think an injury in cold weather always takes little more time to warm up.

 

2. Dre Williams, Nate Stewart, Boogie Knight, and Maverick Woolfley. Our upper classmen on offense have largely been underwhelming. These kids all have talent, probably more talent than any other group of Zips WR group in the Bowden era. Timothy Scippio worked his way into the rotation, yesterday. I will be interested to see what he can do, too.

 

3. We are really losing only Ritz on the OL. Corne, Council, Treveor Brown and Peterson will return as solid starters and we also have some nice sized Freshmen ready to step up. The OL had some nice halftime adjustments, yesterday, that gave Kato time to throw. These young guys will get stronger and we return some decent experience on the OL.

 

4. The D returns some solid players: Alvin Davis, Jest, Lako, Glover, DeAandre Brimage, Arslanian, Zaire Jacobs, Butler, and Meeks, to name a few. I think there are some guys who have talent but who have been sitting behind some talented guys, too, like Jeffrey Lubin.

 

The 2 largest off season question marks for me are the run game and who will kick and punt for the Zips next year.

 

Glasser has been, arguably, the most consistent performer of the year. He does not put up huge numbers but he is pretty consistent. Kick-offs were much better, mostly out of the end zone.

 

For the run game to improve, something needs to happen with the OL. Not sure if that means a new OL coach is needed or if it has been all strength and size. 

 

 

[kreed5120]

Frank wins about 70% of his MAC games. Bowden has won about 40%. You're trying to compare apples to oranges again.

 

Akron was projected to finish 4th in the MAC East because this staff has failed to recruit and develop talent. 

[zipsoutsider]

42 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Frank wins about 70% of his MAC games. Bowden has won about 40%. You're trying to compare apples to oranges again.

 

Akron was projected to finish 4th in the MAC East because this staff has failed to recruit and develop talent. 

Solich did not take over the worst program in Div. 1. 

[72 Roo]

A change must be made. Anything that keeps the status quo is denying reality. The fan base has deserted this program and rightly so. I have always felt Summit county fans know good football. They don't settle for less. The attendance and sponsorship support speak volumes about what this knowledgeable community sees in our future under this leadership. Invoke the buyout and end the bleeding.

[jupitertoo]

But reality also includes the need to be financially responsible...something the U as a whole needs to be very careful about in this era.

[Zip JD]

54 minutes ago, zipsoutsider said:

Solich did not take over the worst program in Div. 1. 

Maybe not the worst, but they were damn near it.  Akron had won 10 games in the four seasons before TB took over.   OU won 11 games the four years before Solich arrived.  I give you Frank did not have to follow the worst DI Coach in the history of football, but OU was a waste land before he showed up.  Which coach do you feel better about next year?

Edited November 24, 2018 by Zip JD
left out a word

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, zipsoutsider said:

Solich did not take over the worst program in Div. 1. 

Bowden took over the program 7 years ago and it's at the same place it was at in year 2. It's laughable that you're still trying to use it as an excuse.

[Zip JD]

45 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Bowden took over the program 7 years ago and it's at the same place it was at in year 2. It's laughable that you're still trying to use it as an excuse.

This team is not as good as the year two team. 

[Lee Adams]

5 hours ago, zipsoutsider said:

Solich did not take over the worst program in Div. 1. 

 Maybe he did, maybe he did not.  A lot of people are claiming Bowden tookover the worst program in the MAC in 2012.  Maybe he did maybe he did not. I'll admit it wasn't good. I doubt if it was the worst program' in Division I however. That would cover a whole lot of really bad programs. But look at Solich's record. Only 2 sub .500 seasons since he took over. Again,when you want to compare yourself to the lowest common denominator you will look 'OK'. But,you will never look good against the best. That train claiming taking over the so called worst program

left the station 4 years ago. 

[Lee Adams]

6 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

Frank wins about 70% of his MAC games. Bowden has won about 40%. You're trying to compare apples to oranges again.

 

Akron was projected to finish 4th in the MAC East because this staff has failed to recruit and develop talent. 

Especially the development aspect.

[Lee Adams]

11 hours ago, zipsoutsider said:

I think the win over Northwestern set up unrealistic expectations. I never thought we would be that competitive this year. We were picked to finish fourth in the MAC. Most other people are not really surprised by the results. The offense has gone through a rebuilding season and the QB was injured as things started coming together. That happens. Why are people so shocked and dismayed. 

 

You could probably put together a one and done championship team with a coach without scruples and he would be gone the next year. Is that what you want? Ir would you rather build a perennial contender? We are pretty close to being that perennial co te der.

 

Frank Solich has never won a MAC championship. Would you fire him, too?

 

I'll take Solich tomorrow! Can you get him here?

[Spin]

14 hours ago, zipsoutsider said:

I think the win over Northwestern set up unrealistic expectations. 

 

I think the FUBAR called the Bowling Green game set up the expectations we have now. And for the most part, the Ohio game just backed them up.

...from a team that won the division title and went to a bowl game last season.

 

Blaming the fans or soccer is a bit myopic.

Edited November 25, 2018 by Spin

[ZipsVoice]

12 hours ago, Spin said:

 

I think the FUBAR called the Bowling Green game set up the expectations we have now. And for the most part, the Ohio game just backed them up.

...from a team that won the division title and went to a bowl game last season.

 

Blaming the fans or soccer is a bit myopic.

Who’s blaming the fans or soccer?  Can’t remember seeing that in this thread....

[zipsoutsider]

This elusive next level does not exist in a sustained fashion in the MAC and is becoming a thing of the past in all G5 and weaker P5 schools, thanks to the college foootball playoffs. Sollich has never won a MAC championship.

 

Again, a division title, four straight wagon wheels, two bowl bids, and couple of signature P5 wins are significant accomplishments coming out of three straight 1-11 records, especially given the climate we have today.

 

Fleck had one above the mark season at WMU, which he largely I horrified and has gone on to be a yawned at Minnesota. You guys seem to be enamored with the idea of getting a cult personality, some mythical messiah to lead you to the promised land, which is clearly undefined. In the world where the NCAA broke G5 and lower P5 programs for money, top recruits sit on the bench for 4 years, watching elite players, so they can be a part of something special. High school football is in decline, across the country. Try taking a look at the larger picture instead of a myopic one that puts when we have a rough, but still respectable year. Or, fire Bowden, go through a string of maybe-can coaches until you happen on one who has a lot of luck and wins the MAC only to leave for the revolving door at some weak P5 school.

 

 

 

 

 

[LZIp]

19 minutes ago, zipsoutsider said:

This elusive next level does not exist in a sustained fashion in the MAC and is becoming a thing of the past in all G5 and weaker P5 schools, thanks to the college foootball playoffs. Sollich has never won a MAC championship.

 

Again, a division title, four straight wagon wheels, two bowl bids, and couple of signature P5 wins are significant accomplishments coming out of three straight 1-11 records, especially given the climate we have today.

 

Fleck had one above the mark season at WMU, which he largely I horrified and has gone on to be a yawned at Minnesota. You guys seem to be enamored with the idea of getting a cult personality, some mythical messiah to lead you to the promised land, which is clearly undefined. In the world where the NCAA broke G5 and lower P5 programs for money, top recruits sit on the bench for 4 years, watching elite players, so they can be a part of something special. High school football is in decline, across the country. Try taking a look at the larger picture instead of a myopic one that puts when we have a rough, but still respectable year. Or, fire Bowden, go through a string of maybe-can coaches until you happen on one who has a lot of luck and wins the MAC only to leave for the revolving door at some weak P5 school.

 

 

 

 

 

I think a lot of us are OK with keeping Bowden, so long as he does his job and makes changes that need to be made. If nepotism is an issue, then I'm not sure how anyone can defend him being the head coach.

 

Maybe a poll should be made @Dr Z. Do you want Bowden to stay and don't think any changes are necessary, fire OC, fire other coaches (explain), or fire everybody and start fresh. Would be nice to see everyone's thoughts all in one place.

Edited November 25, 2018 by LZIp

[monrowe]

15 hours ago, Lee Adams said:

Especially the development aspect.

Yes NO development just look at Van Edwards 5 years and still can get 100 yards in most games MTB when healthy no development. The O-line keeps  getting worse and worse Ulysees Gilbert,out tackeld by a walk on, special teams is not good its like groundhog day with this team and coaching staff most of the time.  

[Zip JD]

46 minutes ago, zipsoutsider said:

This elusive next level does not exist in a sustained fashion in the MAC and is becoming a thing of the past in all G5 and weaker P5 schools, thanks to the college foootball playoffs. Sollich has never won a MAC championship.

 

Again, a division title, four straight wagon wheels, two bowl bids, and couple of signature P5 wins are significant accomplishments coming out of three straight 1-11 records, especially given the climate we have today.

 

Fleck had one above the mark season at WMU, which he largely I horrified and has gone on to be a yawned at Minnesota. You guys seem to be enamored with the idea of getting a cult personality, some mythical messiah to lead you to the promised land, which is clearly undefined. In the world where the NCAA broke G5 and lower P5 programs for money, top recruits sit on the bench for 4 years, watching elite players, so they can be a part of something special. High school football is in decline, across the country. Try taking a look at the larger picture instead of a myopic one that puts when we have a rough, but still respectable year. Or, fire Bowden, go through a string of maybe-can coaches until you happen on one who has a lot of luck and wins the MAC only to leave for the revolving door at some weak P5 school.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think anyone is looking for the next Nick Saban.  We just want to win more than 40% of our games and stop the high frequency of times we get housed by mediocre MAC teams.  We have no home field advantage and often times we cannot compete with average to good mid level programs.      

 

As for Solich, I checked out his first 7 years at OU.  He was 50-40 overall (56%) and 36-20 in the MAC (64%).  TB is 35-51 and 23-33 in the same time frame and will probably end up 35-52 overall.  You are correct that Frank has never won the MAC, but he won the East 3 times and went to 4 bowl games in his first 7 seasons.  TB will end up at 1 and 2.  Frank beat his rival Miami 6 out of 7 years with his only loss coming in the first year.  The program he took over was in very similar condition to when Bowden arrived at Akron.  Frank has won 8 or 9 games each of the last 4 seasons which is a level I do not believe TB and Milwee can get to.  

 

I agree that nobody will be putting Frank in the coaches hall of fame, but he is the perfect comparison to what a decent coach can accomplish.  TB has said several times that he hands over the day to day of running the team to his assistants including the play calling.  He is a figure head like his father.  This is why people want changes, especially with the OC.  I do not think that a 7 year sample is leading anyone to a knee jerk or rash decision.  I hope i am wrong, but I do not see this team going anywhere next year except the usual 5-7 season that is TB and Milwee.

 

This will be my last post on this as I am beating a dead horse, but I have to ask you one question.  Do you really feel that this program is going in the right direction with TB and Milwee?  Thanks and Go Zips

Edited November 25, 2018 by Zip JD