catdaddyp Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 (edited) Over the next few months I’ll update our opponents. GAME 1 (AWAY) - 9/2/2023 - 2pm (ESPN+) TEMPLE = American Athletic Conference (AAC) Head Coach = Sean Drayton (2nd year, 3-9 Overall) - 3-9 Overall and 1-7 in Conference in 2022 Scoring Offense = 21.9 PPG Scoring Defense = 29.3 PPG Offense YPG = 350.5 Defense YPG = 391.2 Rushing Offense = 82.4 YPG Rushing Defense = 192.6 YPG Passing Offense = 268.1 YPG Passing Defense = 198.6 YPG Top Returners: QB - EJ Warner - Son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. AAC Rookie of the Year. 3,028 yards passing with a 60.5% completion rate. 18 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. RB - Edward Saydee - 639 rushing yards for 4.3 YPC and 6 touchdowns. 36 receptions for 262 yards. WR - Amad Anderson - 38 receptions for 479 yards and 4 touchdowns. TE - Jordan Smith - 25 receptions for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns. LB - Layton Jordan - All AAC 2nd Team. 53 total tackles, 9 sacks, and 2 interceptions. - Jordan Magee - 86 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. - Yvandy Rigbe - 82 total tackles and 2 sacks. CB - Jalen McMurray - 49 total tackles. 7 passes defended and 1 interception. S - Alex Odom - 75 total tackles. 2 passes defended and 2 interceptions. Key Additions: - RB EJ Wilson = Transfer from FIU - WR Dante Wright = Transfer from Colorado State - TE Landon Morris = Transfer from Utah - DT Allan Haye = Transfer from Miami - LB Diwun Black = Transfer from Florida - S Kamar Wilcoxson = Transfer from Florida Synopsis: Temple struggled to run the ball in 2022. Quarterback EJ Warner put up impressive numbers as a freshman, however, he was often throwing off-platform and made a suspect offensive line look much better than they actually were. Defensively, the Owls run an aggressive 3-4 and were able to create pressure on opponents (led the AAC in sacks). They were solid against the pass, but were tied for last in interceptions (despite the high amount of pressure created) and frequently had issues stopping the run. Outlook: The Owls should be improved in 2023 and have added plenty of athleticism to the roster, especially on defense. Temple’s offensive line should also be improved, although it’s questionable by how much. Prediction: Akron wins a close one. GAME 2 (HOME) - 9/9/2023 - 6pm (ESPN+) MORGAN STATE = Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Head Coach = Damon Wilson (13 Year, 93-52 Overall) (2nd Year at Morgan State, 4-7 Overall) - 4-7 Overall and 2-3 in Conference in 2022. Scoring Offense = 20.5 PPG Scoring Defense = 20.9 PPG Offense YPG = 270.2 Defense YPG = 336.3 Rushing Offense = 147.2 YPG Rushing Defense = 129.8 YPG Passing Offense = 123.0 YPG Passing Defense = 206.5 YPG GAME 3 (AWAY) - 9/16/2023 - 7pm (ESPNU) KENTUCKY = SEC GAME 4 (AWAY) - 9/23/2023 - TBA INDIANA = BIG 10 GAME 5 (HOME) - 9/30/2023 - TBA BUFFALO = MAC Head Coach = Maurice Linguist (3rd Year, 11-14 Overall) - 7-6 Overall and 5-3 in Conference in 2022 (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 30.9 PPG Scoring Defense = 26.6 PPG Offense YPG = 370.9 Defense YPG = 383.9 Rushing Offense = 149.1 YPG Rushing Defense = 175.4 YPG Passing Offense = 221.8 YPG Passing Defense = 208.5 YPG Top Returners: QB - Cole Snyder = 3,030 yards passing with a 58% completion rate. 18 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. RB - Ron Cook = 600 yards for 4.3 YPC and 4 touchdowns. 16 receptions for 207 yards. - Mike Washington = 625 yards for 4.2 YPC and 7 touchdowns. 23 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. OL - Gabe Wallace = All-MAC 3rd Team. Started all 13 games at left guard in 2022. DT - Daymond Williams = 43 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and an interception. LB - Shaun Dolac = All-MAC 1st Team. 147 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. CB - Caleb Offord = 30 total tackles. 8 passes defended and an interception. S - Marcus Fuqua = All-MAC 1st Team. 65 total tackles. 5 passes defended and 7 interceptions. K - Alex McNulty = MAC Special Teams POTY and All-MAC 1st Team. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Buffalo finished 7-6 overall, including a bowl victory. Still, an argument could be made they underperformed in relation to the talent on the roster. Outlook: The Bulls could finish with a similar record to 2022. They lost their two best wide receivers who may have made Snyder look like a better quarterback than he actually is. The defense lost some key players as well. That being said, Buffalo returns a solid core on both sides of the ball and brought in a strong recruiting class that could quickly fill some holes. The Bulls also have the luxury of collecting points anytime they are in the red zone due to kicker Alex McNulty. Prediction: Akron win. The Zips probably should have walked out of Buffalo with a win in 2022. Akron will field a stronger team in 2023 and be at home for this matchup. GAME 6 (HOME) - 10/7/2023 - 3:30pm (TBA) NORTHERN ILLINOIS = MAC Head Coach = Thomas Hammock (5th Year, 17-27 Overall) - 3-9 Overall and 2-6 in Conference in 2022 (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 25.9 PPG Scoring Defense = 32.4 PPG Offense YPG = 379 Defense YPG = 380.5 Rushing Offense = 211.6 YPG Rushing Defense = 145.8 YPG Passing Offense = 167.4 YPG Passing Defense = 234.8 YPG Top Returners: QB - Rocky Lombardi = Lombardi’s season was cut short due to injury. He was All-MAC 4th Team in 2021. RB - Antario Brown = 689 rushing yards for 6.3 YPC and 7 touchdowns. WR - Trayvon Rudolph = Rudolph missed all of w022, but was an All-MAC selection in 2021. OL - Nolan Potter = All-MAC 1st Team. Started 10 out of 11 games in 2022. - Logan Zschernitz = All-MAC 3rd Team. Started 10 games in 2022. - John Champe = Started 11 out of 12 games in 2022. DT - Devonte O’Malley = All-MAC 2nd Team. 35 total tackles and 5 sacks. - James Ester = All-MAC 3rd Team. 27 total tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception. S - CJ Brown = All-MAC 2nd Team. 78 total tackles. 5 passes defended and an interception. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Northern Illinois finished 3-9, but were competitive in most of their games. Losing Lombardi early was a blow to their season and hampered what the Huskies could do offensively. NIU struggled to push the ball vertically without Lombardi and relied heavily on the run game. Defensively, they struggled to create pressure, but did force some turnovers. Outlook: Unfortunately for NIU, their leading rusher transferred out. On the flip side, it may not matter much who is in the backfield as offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa has done a fantastic job developing offensive linemen and coaching the run game. Also, running back Antario Brown is dynamic when healthy. Wide receiver and the secondary were glaring needs going into the offseason and it remains to be seen if those positions have been addressed adequately. NIU should have an improved record in 2023 if the injury bug doesn’t bite. However, talented depth is an issue every where except running back and the offensive line. Prediction: Akron win. NIU will be looking for revenge, but their lack of overall team speed (especially in the secondary) will still be a sore spot. GAME 7 (AWAY) - 10/14/2023 (TBA) CENTRAL MICHIGAN = MAC Head Coach = Jim McElwain (11th Year, 68-48 Overall) (5th Year at CMU, 24-21 Overall) - 4-8 Overall and 3-5 in Conference in 2022 (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 21.8 PPG Scoring Defense = 26.1 PPG Offense YPG = 327.6 Defense YPG = 360.5 Rushing Offense = 166.5 YPG Rushing Defense = 169.3 YPG Passing Offense = 161.1 YPG Passing Defense = 191.3 YPG Top Returners: OL - Deiyantei Powell-Woods = All-MAC 3rd Team. DT - Jacques Bristol = 34 total tackles and a sack. - Robi Stuart = 31 total tackles and 2 sacks. - John Wesley Whiteside = 36 total tackles and half a sack. LB - Kyle Moretti = 92 total tackles and 3 sacks. - Justin Whiteside = 65 total tackles. Half a sack and an interception. CB - Donte Kent = All-MAC 1st Team. 51 total tackles and a sack. 15 passes defended. S - Trey Jones = 85 total tackles. 3 passes defended and 2 interceptions. - De’Javion Stepney = 40 total tackles and a sack. 8 passes defended. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Central Michigan’s offense was underwhelming and downright anemic when it came to passing the ball. Defensively, the Chippewas were excellent at rushing the passer, while the run defense was average. Outlook: The defense should be stout again with a number of impact players returning. However, the offense will be inexperienced and any number of new comers could see significant playing time. Central Michigan’s defense will keep them in most games. Even so, expecting many wins with a questionable offense is a tough ask. McElwain received a multi-year contract extension so he likely isn’t going anywhere regardless of how Central Michigan performs in 2023. Prediction: CMU win. Akron will probably be the more talented team, but playing away and with a roster full of players not used to consistently winning may sneak up and bite the Zips. GAME 8 (AWAY) - 10/21/2023 - (TBA) BOWLING GREEN Head Coach = Scott Loeffler (5th Year, 13-29 Overall) - 6-7 Overall and 5-3 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 20.5 PPG Scoring Defense = 27.4 PPG Offense YPG = 354.6 Defense YPG = 371 Rushing Offense = 111.4 YPG Rushing Defense = 166.6 YPG Passing Offense = 243.3 YPG Passing Defense = 204.4 YPG Top Returners: RB - Jaison Patterson = 535 rushing yards for 4.3 YPC and a touchdown. - Ta’Ron Keith = 195 rushing yards for 4.1 YPC and a touchdown. 35 receptions for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns. WR - Odieu Hiliare = All-MAC 2nd Team. 58 receptions for 747 yards and 6 touchdowns. TE - Harold Fannin = 19 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown. DT - Anthony Hawkins = 35 total tackles and a sack. LB - Darren Anders = 77 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 4 passes defended. - Demetrius Hardamon - 25 total tackles and 6 sacks. CB - Deshawn Jones = 42 total tackles. 4 passes defended and an interception. S - Trent Sims = 61 total tackles. 2 passes defended and 2 interceptions. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Bowling Green probably outplayed their talent level in 2022 and managed to land in a bowl game. The defense was unusually opportunistic in creating turnovers and were near the top of the league in sacks. Outlook: The Falcons had a high turnover rate this offseason through graduation and the transfer portal. They will be fine at the skill positions, but are hurting on the offensive and defensive lines. Replacing lost production along the line of scrimmage is a challenge that the 2023 Falcons will struggle to overcome. Prediction: Akron win. The Zips will field a better team while the Falcons are seemingly headed in the opposite direction. GAME 9 (HOME) - 11/1/2023 - 7pm or 7:30pm (ESPN2 or ESPNU) KENT STATE Head Coach = Kenni Burns (1st Year, 0-0 Overall) - 5-7 Overall and 4-4 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 29.1 PPG Scoring Defense = 27.6 PPG Offense YPG = 442.9 Defense YPG = 425.9 Rushing Offense = 209.5 YPG Rushing Defense = 160.8 YPG Passing Offense = 233.4 YPG Passing Defense = 265.1 YPG Top Returners: RB - Bryan Bradford = 302 rushing yards for 4.7 YPC and 2 touchdowns. OL - Jack Bailey = Started all 12 games in 2022. DT - CJ West = 26 total tackles and a sack. LB - Khali Saunders = 55 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 2 passes defended and an interception. - CJ Harris = 35 total tackles. 5 passes defended and 2 interceptions. CB - DJ Miller = 63 total tackles and 4 passes defended. S - Alex Branch = 34 total tackles and 3 passes defended. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Kent State should have been much better than their 4-4 conference record. Instead, they fielded one of the top offenses and one of the worst defenses in MAC play. Outlook: The Golden Flashes roster was ravaged by graduation and transfers. The 2023 offense will look nothing like last season and Kent State will be hard pressed in producing similar offensive numbers. While it’s hard to fathom the defense being any worse, that is a distinct possibility. Kent State will probably field one of the worst (if not the worst) teams in the MAC this year. Prediction: Akron win. Zips fans could choose to empathize with Kent State, but nah. GAME 10 (AWAY) - 11/8/2023 - 7pm or 7:30pm (ESPN2 or ESPNU or CBSSN) MIAMI (OH) Head Coach = Chuck Martin (16th Year, 119-66 Overall) (10th Year at Miami, 45-59 Overall) - 6-7 Overall and 4-4 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 20.6 PPG Scoring Defense = 20.9 PPG Offense YPG = 317.8 Defense YPG = 380.8 Rushing Offense = 137.6 YPG Rushing Defense = 161.9 YPG Passing Offense = 180.1 YPG Passing Defense = 218.9 YPG Top Returners: QB - Aveon Smith = 1299 yards with a 49% completion rate. 11 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. 533 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. - Brett Gabbert = Only played in 4 games due to injury, but was All-MAC 3rd team in 2021. RB - Keyon Mozee = 471 rushing yards for 4.3 YPC and 2 touchdowns. OL - Reid Holskey = Started all 13 games in 2022. DE - Brian Ugwu = 43 total tackles and 5 sacks. 1 interception. - Corey Suttle = 31 total tackles and 6 sacks. 1 interception. - Caiden Woullard = 29 total tackles and 4 sacks. DT - Austin Ertl = 35 total tackles and a sack. LB - Matthew Salopek = All-MAC 3rd Team. 124 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. NB - Michael Dowell = 97 total tackles and 2 sacks. 6 passes defended. CB - Yahsyn McKee = 35 total tackles. 6 passes defended and 2 interceptions. S - Jacquez Warren = 63 total tackles and 2 interceptions. P - Dom Dzioban = All-MAC 2nd Team. 42.38 yards per punt. 27 downed inside the 20. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Miami had the top scoring defense in the MAC, but still allowed their fair share of yards and failed to create many turnovers. The offense struggled to find their footing after Brett Gabbert went down. Aveon Smith was an adequate replacement as a dual-threat quarterback and provided another dimension in the run game. However, Smith struggled with accuracy when throwing the ball. Outlook: Coach Chuck Martin claims the Red Hawks have only lost one or two players to the portal they actually wanted to keep over the years. A load of defenders return, albeit minus All-MAC cornerback John Saunders. On offense, the wide receiver corps will basically need to be rebuilt. Same for the offensive line. There is no reason to think Miami will not be competing for bowl eligibility again. Coach Martin almost always fields competitive teams. Prediction: Akron win. The last three games will be tough and could go either way. GAME 11 (AWAY) - 11/14/2023 - 7pm (ESPN2 or ESPNU or CBSSN) EASTERN MICHIGAN Head Coach = Chris Creighton (27th Year, 185-107 Overall) (10th Year at EMU, 46-61 Overall) - 9-4 Overall and 5-3 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 29.1 PPG Scoring Defense = 28.3 PPG Offense YPG = 346.5 Defense YPG = 355.6 Rushing Offense = 128.1 YPG Rushing Defense = 158.6 YPG Passing Offense = 218.4 YPG Passing Defense = 197 YPG Top Returners: QB - Austin Smith = 774 yards with a 57% completion rate. 6 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. 255 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. RB - Samson Evans = All-MAC 2nd Team. 1,166 yards for 4.7 YPC and 15 touchdowns. - Jaylon Jackson = All-MAC 1st Team Returner. 398 yards for 4.4 YPC and 2 touchdowns. WR - Tanner Knue = All-MAC 3rd Team. 45 receptions for 632 yards and 9 touchdowns. OL - Brian Dooley = Started all 13 games in 2022. DT - Peyton Price = 33 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. LB - Chase Klein = 91 total tackles and a sack. 3 passes defended. - Joe Sparacio = 89 total tackles and a sack. 1 interception. S - Quentavious Scandrett = 44 total tackles. 2 passes defended and an interception. - TJ Peavy = 46 total tackles and a sack. 3 passes defended. Synopsis: The Eastern Michigan defense was stingy when it came to yards in conference play, yet they were near last in giving up points. The offense on the other hand would not have been considered a force when moving the ball, although they were near the top of the conference in scoring. Outlook: The Eagles had their best record during coach Creighton’s tenure and will be hard pressed to replicate that success. EMU has some talented skill players returning, but will have to rebuild their offensive line. MAC Defensive Player of the Year Jose Ramirez is gone and his production will be difficult to replace. The eagles do have the middle of their defense returning in tack, which will help when integrating new faces. Prediction: EMU win. This should be a fairly even matchup, but it’s the second of back to back road game for the Zips and that situation traditionally does not end well for the traveling team. GAME 12 (HOME) - 11/24/2023 - 12pm (ESPNU or CBSSN) OHIO Head Coach = Chris Creighton (6th Year, 38-21 Overall) (3rd Year at Ohio, 13-13 Overall) - 10-4 Overall and 7-1 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 32.8 PPG Scoring Defense = 21.1 PPG Offense YPG = 427.9 Defense YPG = 392.6 Rushing Offense = 155.2 YPG Rushing Defense = 135.6 YPG Passing Offense = 272.7 YPG Passing Defense = 257 YPG Top Returners: QB - Kurtis Rourke = MAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-MAC 1st Team. 3,256 with a 69% completion rate. 25 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. 249 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. RB - Sieh Bangura = MAC Freshman of the Year and All-MAC 3rd Team. 1,078 yards for 4.9 YPC and 13 touchdowns. WR - Sam Wiglusz = All-MAC 1st Team. 73 receptions for 877 yards and 11 touchdowns. - Keegan Wilburn = All-MAC 1st Team Returner. 734 return yards for 23.6 yards per return. - Jacoby Jones = 45 receptions for 776 yards and 6 touchdowns. - Miles Cross = 47 receptions for 560 yards and 3 touchdowns. TE - Tyler Foster = 13 receptions for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns. OL - Jay Amburgey = Started 10 games in 2022. DE - Vonnie Watkins = 46 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. DT - Rodney Matthews = 26 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. LB - Keye Thompson = All-MAC 3rd Team. 96 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 3 passes defended and an interception. - Bryce Houston = 76 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. CB - Torrie Cox = 52 total tackles. 6 passes defended and 3 interceptions. - Justin Birchette = 36 total tackles and 8 passes defended. - Roman Parodie = 29 total tackles and 8 passes defended. Synopsis: The Bobcats were strong on both sides of the ball in 2022. They led the conference in scoring on offense and were second in giving up points on defense. The Bobcats’ biggest weakness was giving up yards through the air. Outlook: Ohio returns the majority of their playmakers and have what’s seems to be the easiest path to winning the East. Ohio’s biggest task will be replacing the interior of their offensive line. That being said, Ohio again looks to be one of the premier team in the MAC. Prediction: Akron win. This game should be a good measuring stick for the program and might be the big win that pushes this program into elite MAC status. Edited August 6, 2023 by catdaddyp 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zips Win! Posted March 1, 2023 Report Share Posted March 1, 2023 Schedule is awful. What is with the 5 game home Schedule again. Terrible - Charles. In fact awful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyalZIP Posted March 1, 2023 Report Share Posted March 1, 2023 2 minutes ago, Zips Win! said: Schedule is awful. What is with the 5 game home Schedule again. Terrible - Charles. In fact awful... Larry Williams can be reached at the AD office at the University of San Francisco for these awful non conference schedules lately. Better things are coming. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips86 Posted March 1, 2023 Report Share Posted March 1, 2023 29 minutes ago, LoyalZIP said: Larry Williams can be reached at the AD office at the University of San Francisco for these awful non conference schedules lately. Better things are coming. Better things will come, sure, but I see that reply every time someone makes a legitimate complaint on here... The fact is this schedule is atrocious. It came out today, no shame in being able to express the disappointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyalZIP Posted March 1, 2023 Report Share Posted March 1, 2023 4 minutes ago, GoZips86 said: Better things will come, sure, but I see that reply every time someone makes a legitimate complaint on here... The fact is this schedule is atrocious. It came out today, no shame in being able to express the disappointment. The nonconference schedule was set years ago. The MAC determines the MAC schedule and was not going to give Akron an extra MAC home game to make it 6. So yes, I am going to direct blame at Williams. Firing Arth was just the beginning of cleaning up that mess. I’m sorry that it’s taking a little longer than you may have hoped. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 34 minutes ago, LoyalZIP said: The nonconference schedule was set years ago. The MAC determines the MAC schedule and was not going to give Akron an extra MAC home game to make it 6. So yes, I am going to direct blame at Williams. Firing Arth was just the beginning of cleaning up that mess. I’m sorry that it’s taking a little longer than you may have hoped. Thanks for making the facts clear. A few things stink about the schedule. Complain about it? Sure. Blaming Guthrie is misplaced though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyalZIP Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, LZIp said: Thanks for making the facts clear. A few things stink about the schedule. Complain about it? Sure. Blaming Guthrie is misplaced though. This is the worst schedule I can remember since the Rubber Bowl days. I hate the 5 home games thing to begin with, but the MAC home games we do have are unfortunate too. Kent on a weeknight should be illegal. Ohio on Black Friday sucks. It’s just a shame. The MAC is bringing in all of this money for now while killing its fanbases and not giving students the opportunity to build their own fandom. Once the contract is up and ESPN no longer wants these games, there will be no fans left. I don’t think the MAC ever thought about those consequences. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 I'm mainly disappointed the biggest game of the year - KSUcks - is going to be played on a Wednesday night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Just now, LoyalZIP said: The MAC is bringing in all of this money for now while killing its fanbases and not giving students the opportunity to build their own fandom. Once the contract is up and ESPN no longer wants these games, there will be no fans left. I don’t think the MAC ever thought about those consequences. Spot on 😔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 2 hours ago, LoyalZIP said: Larry Williams can be reached at the AD office at the University of San Francisco for these awful non conference schedules lately. Better things are coming. In this case the reason we have 5 home games is because we did a 2 for 1 with Kentucky. This deal was always going to make it so one year we'd have 1 home OOC game to 3 road games. The only way we could have fixed it would be to buy 2 FCS, which would be pointless since only 1 of those would count towards bowl eligibility. In the grand scheme I can live with this Larry Williams as I'm looking forward to Kentucky coming to Infocision in 2024. There are plenty of other things we can burn him at the stake for... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ham Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 I wonder how much Kentucky will offer to buy their way out of that visit? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted March 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 46 minutes ago, Ham said: I wonder how much Kentucky will offer to buy their way out of that visit? Probably a lot. I’ll be surprised if that game actually happens at Akron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Take heart that 2024 and 2025 are full of absolutely winnable P5 road games, assuming we continue to improve as a program. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) I looked at the schedule again just now and I'm in even more disbelief than I was last night. I know there is nothing we can do about the ooc schedule and can only hope our Athletic Department can use it as a lesson in stupidity, and stop the insanity. Kent stands out the most. Tradition is important in college athletics as the tradition attracts people to games. Is there a bigger game on the schedule that can accomplish the task of benefiting the players, students, alumni, fans and greater Akron community than this one? It checks the boxes for both schools. Throwing it on the trash heap of weeknight ESPN football is morally reprehensible if you look at it like I do. The only possible positive is if they somehow salvage a nice day for people and play the day after Thanksgiving game during the afternoon. A nice day in possibly sunnyish weather, off of work with family and friends during the day would be a nice treat for a lot of people. Since I don't live in Ohio any longer, I look for one game I might attend and this could be that game as I'm normally in Ohio anyhow. Play this game at night and I'll be looking towards 2024 for a possibility. This schedule is absolute trash. Edited March 2, 2023 by GP1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Just now, RowdyZip said: Take heart that 2024 and 2025 are full of absolutely winnable P5 road games, assuming we continue to improve as a program. Akron will continue to improve. There is not a winnable P5 road game on this schedule. Another 1-3 start in 2024 is something to look forward to if you like that sort of thing, and I'm confident there are some Zips fans who do. I see them on this board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyalZIP Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 The Midweek MACtion games had a luster and quirkiness to them 10-15 years ago. That is long gone for people who really follow and love this league. Barstool makes fun of the empty stadiums and ugly football and Jeremy Guy (Assoc. commish for Comms for the MAC) just eats it up and wears it with a badge of honor. Ask any die-hards of MAC teams and they'll usually say the same thing. At this point, weeknight games are just the usual status quo. Nothing fun or whacky. Just inconvenient and give the league, that has declined, an even worse public image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Section210Zip Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 Kent on Wednesday is bad. No way around that one. Ohio on black Friday .... I don't dislike it. Gets out from under the OSU-Mich. shadow that really is an abyss for the casual sports fan. If we are having a good season we can actually get some spot light that Friday from the local media. Is black Friday even a thing anymore with online shopping? I'm confident (maybe naive) that Kentucky will play here. That contract has been edited multiple times and we have kept that as part of it and in fact they are paying us now to come here as part of the payment plan type structure that both schools came up with. It's not a uncommon for the non top of the hill P5 schools to travel. Iowa State has come here to play and Kentucky is probably lateral on that level. The Hurricanes played Toledo at the Glass Bowl, these kind of games happen every year. https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article260410282.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted March 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 24 minutes ago, RowdyZip said: Take heart that 2024 and 2025 are full of absolutely winnable P5 road games, assuming we continue to improve as a program. While I appreciate the optimism (and some here would probably call me an optimist) Akron is not going on the road and beating a South Carolina team in front of 85,000 fans (at least not while Shane Beamer is there). I’ll be at that game and I hope most Zips fans also make the trip. I can tell you from experience Williams-Brice can get to a fever pitch and cause the stands to sway. It’s one of the best venues in the SEC and they are still sinking millions of dollars into the stadium and surrounding areas. If anyone is interested, take a look at the upgraded facilities on YouTube when you have a chance. Carolina is quietly becoming a power in the SEC (similar to Illinois in the Big 10). To give an idea of their momentum, their 2024 recruiting class is ranked #8 with five 4 star prospects already committed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 30 minutes ago, catdaddyp said: While I appreciate the optimism (and some here would probably call me an optimist) Akron is not going on the road and beating a South Carolina team in front of 85,000 fans (at least not while Shane Beamer is there). I’ll be at that game and I hope most Zips fans also make the trip. I can tell you from experience Williams-Brice can get to a fever pitch and cause the stands to sway. It’s one of the best venues in the SEC and they are still sinking millions of dollars into the stadium and surrounding areas. If anyone is interested, take a look at the upgraded facilities on YouTube when you have a chance. Carolina is quietly becoming a power in the SEC (similar to Illinois in the Big 10). To give an idea of their momentum, their 2024 recruiting class is ranked #8 with five 4 star prospects already committed. Admittedly, I had assumed SC was in the same boat as Nebraska having been mediocre the last several years. Still feel there's a difference here from playing at the Ohio States/Auburns/Michigan States/Tennessees of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 SC finished the year ranked #23 and beat Clemson and Tennessee. I would expect them to continue on a similar trajectory if not improve. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted March 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 12 minutes ago, RowdyZip said: Admittedly, I had assumed SC was in the same boat as Nebraska having been mediocre the last several years. Still feel there's a difference here from playing at the Ohio States/Auburns/Michigan States/Tennessees of the world. Agree, they aren’t on the level of Ohio State…yet. But I’d say they are ahead of Auburn (fired their coach) and Michigan State programs that took a step back. Carolina also shell shocked Tennessee and Clemson to close out the regular season. They lost to Notre Dame in the bowl game, but both teams were missing key players so it wasn’t exactly a true matchup of the teams that closed out the regular season. Where Carolina has struggled is consistently winning and not dropping games to weaker conference foes they should beat. That’s the mark of a program that’s building though. They are on the cusp of taking the next step and most national pundits will be surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted March 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Section210Zip said: Kent on Wednesday is bad. No way around that one. Ohio on black Friday .... I don't dislike it. Gets out from under the OSU-Mich. shadow that really is an abyss for the casual sports fan. If we are having a good season we can actually get some spot light that Friday from the local media. Is black Friday even a thing anymore with online shopping? I'm confident (maybe naive) that Kentucky will play here. That contract has been edited multiple times and we have kept that as part of it and in fact they are paying us now to come here as part of the payment plan type structure that both schools came up with. It's not a uncommon for the non top of the hill P5 schools to travel. Iowa State has come here to play and Kentucky is probably lateral on that level. The Hurricanes played Toledo at the Glass Bowl, these kind of games happen every year. https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article260410282.html I’d rather Kentucky just pay a few million and buy that game out. I don’t want to see Kentucky fans turn InfoCision into a home game. Maybe if the Zips are rolling in 2023 like I expect, Akron fans will hang on to their tickets when that game comes around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted March 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, LoyalZIP said: The Midweek MACtion games had a luster and quirkiness to them 10-15 years ago. That is long gone for people who really follow and love this league. Barstool makes fun of the empty stadiums and ugly football and Jeremy Guy (Assoc. commish for Comms for the MAC) just eats it up and wears it with a badge of honor. Ask any die-hards of MAC teams and they'll usually say the same thing. At this point, weeknight games are just the usual status quo. Nothing fun or whacky. Just inconvenient and give the league, that has declined, an even worse public image. Cruising other MAC message boards and they sound similar. Not many fan bases happy with the schedule. Edited March 2, 2023 by catdaddyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Section210Zip Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted March 2, 2023 Report Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, catdaddyp said: I’d rather Kentucky just pay a few million and buy that game out. I don’t want to see Kentucky fans turn InfoCision into a home game. Maybe if the Zips are rolling in 2023 like I expect, Akron fans will hang on to their tickets when that game comes around. I can't imagine the buyout is millions? Probably $700k would do it. We could "buy" YSU for 250k as a replacement, and have a fun "local" home game with a good chance of a "W." I don't mind Kentucky fans coming up to Akron. They know how to tailgate, and it would make for a fun game day environment. Better than the typical morgue that InfoCision has been since its inception. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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