Desired future opponents at InfoCision Stadium?

[joshgozips]

As I looked over the future non-conference opponents coming to the Rubber Bowl/InfoCision Stadium, I asked myself - "What caliber team can I see the Zips playing in our new home in the years to come?"Speaking hypothetically that the combination of extremely impressive recruiting continiues and that it translates onto the field, who can you see us luring to the new stadium in the years to come? A particular opponent? Or more generally a particular conference?Just curious about everyone's thoughts!

[g-mann17]

Well we can always bet VT and Marshal. I would love to get Vanderbilt, Tulane, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, FAU and FIU would be nice as well.Now other then West Virginia (who I would classify as unbeatable this year, but who knows down the road.) I think some of the Big Ten schools owe us a home trip, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue. West Coast teams wouldn't be too bad either a 1 and 1 with Hawaii would be great for the team.

[ZachTheZip]

I'm up for any team as long as they're in a BCS conference and not named Ohio State (it's supposed to be a ZIPS home game, not Buckeyes). No teams from the Sun Belt or non DI-A (sorry Pengiuns). we need to up the quality of the home schedule. Big names get people to come to the stadium, and our campus in the process. Playing a good schedule filled with weak BCS teams (Vandy, Indiana, UConn, teams like that). Wins over BCS teams look impressive to recruits, even if we are supposed to beat them anyways. That would be ideal for a schedule overall and gives you more room to work with teams coming here in return games.

[johnnyzip84]

I'd like to see some home and homes with schools from the WAC. Boise and Fresno might be tough to get, but Nevada, Hawaii (as g-mann17 mentioned), San Jose St. would all be nice opponents. I like the idea of getting the "brainy"/private schools from the BCS confererences too, such as Vandy and Northwestern. It might take a 2 for 1, but I've always wanted the Zips to host Pitt, since I grew up in the Pittsburgh area and took a lot of garbage from college fans in that region. My how times seem to have changed.....it's Akron with the soon-to-be on-campus stadium, while the Panthers have to trod across town for their games!!! Go Zips!!!

[SoFlaZip]

G-Mann 17, Please educate me you would want me to see FAU and FIU. I live in Broward County, Florida and I wouldn't drive acrosseithere county line to see either one of these (expletive deleted) teams. Wiill however be flying across state lines for the Army game. I pray every night that FIU is removed from the ZIP's 2010 or 2011 home schedule.

[you am i]

toledo has home games this year with purdue and iowa state. with the new stadium there's no reason why akron could not attract teams of that caliber as home games. i think you'd have to be assured of crowds around 30,000 to cover the expense involved in bringing in teams of that stature, but a new on-campus stadium and a competetive team should draw big crowds for teams like that.

[mcperp]

Assuming we can get 2-3 non-MAC home games per year, and trying to be realistic about teams that might travel here; I'd like to see the Zips schedule a team 1) they should definitely beat, 2) a team that poses a challenge but Zips should beat, and 3) a team that would be pretty tough to beat (but anything's possible). Using this formula, some opponents might be:1) Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, UNLV, and a good D-1aa program2) Army, Rice, Indiana, Kansas, Cincinnati, South Florida, Vanderbilt3) Michigan State, Minnesota, Boston College, Syracuse, WV, Louisville, VT, Georgia Tech, and Kansas State

[Z.I.P.]

West Coast teams wouldn't be too bad either a 1 and 1 with Hawaii would be great for the team.

Well, you beat me to the (luau) punch. Unfortunately, the chances of a June Jones team playing a road game vs the MAC is about the same as a snowstorm on Kalaukaua Avenue. That's Waikiki folks.Now, a one-and-one (or even 2-2) vs UNLV?!?! Just say the date, and I'll meet you on the Seventh Island! Zip in Paradise

[zippyrifle32]

university of oregon... there's a match up i would love to see

[timmyboy]

Pittsburgh: would be a very nice home game for us. They are always coming into this area for recruiting, so why not bring em here for a game.VT: We have had a home game against the Hokies (96 i believe) and we did pretty well, id like to see them return to infocision stadium for another one.Boise ST: a school who came out of nowhere to make a name for themselves. Beating them could be the Marquee win we need in our new stadum to make a name for ourselves.Nevada: I know this is a smaller less known D1 school, but ive seen them play an they run the shotgun option.... and well it was fun to watch their offense.North Carolina: This is a school that is starting to rebuild. They had a great recruiting class and Butch Davis has shown that he knows how to run and build a winning college program ( to bad he couldnt do the same in the NFL)Illinois: Yeah it is a BIG 10 school, but they arent a powerhouse in the BIG 10. They had a great recruiting class this year ( #1 in the Big 10, 8th nationally). They are also in the early phase of rebuilding their program so playng them would show us about where we stand since we are a program on the rise.and for the heck of it...... OSU. After we steal a few of their recruits this year (hopefully johnny adams) I would like to see them come play at our place since we have gone there and played them 3 times in the last 10 years.

[Buckzip]

I agree with Pittsburgh. I would like to see Syracuse, Cincy, Indiani, Illiinois, Minnesota, Bosten College, Rutgers and other upper level mid-majors like that.

[timmyboy]

I agree with Pittsburgh. I would like to see Syracuse, Cincy, Indiani, Illiinois, Minnesota, Bosten College, Rutgers and other upper level mid-majors like that.

from what i was told, syracuse will be making a trip to akron when the new stadium is built, as well as kentucky and indiana.

[Zipmeister]

What you were told agrees almost completely with what has been published for years under future schedules on the Zips web site.

[johnnyzip84]

What you were told agrees almost completely with what has been published for years under future schedules on the Zips web site.

Shhhh!!!!!!

[Zipsrifle]

I thought I read somewhere a while back that OSU would never play a MAC school during the regular season anywhere but in Ohio Stadium.

[GoZips88]

I thought I read somewhere a while back that OSU would never play a MAC school during the regular season anywhere but in Ohio Stadium.

That's because these big schools saw what happened with can't state and duke in basketball last year and dont wanna be on sportscenter on the losing end to a smaller but growing school

[Kangaroo Craig]

I thought I read somewhere a while back that OSU would never play a MAC school during the regular season anywhere but in Ohio Stadium.

I believe that. InfoCision Stadium could be designed to hold 100,000 and they would never play in it because their noses are too high in the air for that. I wouldn't want them here anyway because there would be too many front running Ohio MAC school grads rooting for them over the Zips. We all know those folks. They are no better than Steeler and Yankee fans who live in northeast Ohio and have been here their entire lives.

[Buckzip]

I thought I read somewhere a while back that OSU would never play a MAC school during the regular season anywhere but in Ohio Stadium.

I believe that. InfoCision Stadium could be designed to hold 100,000 and they would never play in it because their noses are too high in the air for that. I wouldn't want them here anyway because there would be too many front running Ohio MAC school grads rooting for them over the Zips. We all know those folks. They are no better than Steeler and Yankee fans who live in northeast Ohio and have been here their entire lives.

Please explain the type. Do you think that every person in NE Ohio should have only gone to UA? Do you feel that everyone only should go to school where they live, no matter their major?Do you feel that noone is allowed to go to both schools?Do you feel that everyone should feel the same as you?So, I guess if someone grew up in Pittspuke, but moved to Cleveland later in life, they should now be a Browns fan.Because we are Zips fans, doesn't mean that everyone whom lives in the Akron area has to be Zips fans. Talk about noses in the air..........Not everybody is fans of the local teams or of the winning team.Growing up, one of my friends was a big Bengals fan. They sucked. we lived in Akron.Another friend was a Redskins fan. They were nothing special.Some people start following teams when they are very young. They may do it for a reason such as they see tham on TV all the time, or they just like their uniform. By the time they get older, they have already pledged allegiance to that team.Many Akron people grew up when Akron was a DII program. They saw other schools on TV weeky, because those other schools were big draws. They couldn't afford to go to local games or their parents wouldn't take them. They ended up latching onto the team they saw on TV every week. Just because UA become a DIAA and then a DI didn't mean these people could turn off their love of their other teams.I was lucky enough that when I was a kid my parents always took me to the Acme-Zip game. That was a blast, and I fell in love with the Zips. At the time, UA was DII. It was like they were the JV and the school in Columbus was the varsity. That was no different than being a high school fan a Browns fan and an Akron fan. They were 3 different levels. It was ok to like all 3. Then when UA became DI, I couldn't just say no more love for my other team. I went to both schools and I will root for both schools. Even though some of you just don't "get it".I bet Michigan, Florida, Texas, USC, LSU, Auburn, etc. won't play in Akron either. I don't see you calling them names. Why in the hell can't we have a topic on here talking about other teams where some of you don't have to start an attack and then get upset when it is responded to?

[Zipsrifle]

I'm sure if there was a need for InfoCision to seat 100,000, then we wouldn't be in the MAC and OSU would play us. I think it has more to do with money than anything else. $60 a ticket * 100,000 seats + Concessions + Merchandise = $8,000,000+ per game is my guess.

[Quickzips]

Any BCS team, regardless of if they are as good as USC or OSU or as bad as Duke or Indiana would be good.Beyond that any HIGH level mid-major. No more begging the Middle Tennessee States of the world to come play us once this thing is built. Tulsa, Utah, Boise State, Fresno State, heck even Marshall. And for the love of god please no IAA teams.

[Kangaroo Craig]

I'm sorry if I offended you BuckZip. You a re a great Zips fan and you are very good for this board. I wasn't referring to the small group of Buckeye fans who went to both schools I was just referring to the OSU fans who only attended 1A football schools in Ohio other than OSU. For some reason, some of those fans (Very few, if any, on this board) feel compelled to be more of a fan to the big, successful winning school, that they have no tie to, rather than their own, or maybe just a token amount to their own. Everyone loves a winner don't they? The local print and TV media has played a very large role over the last 50 years by portraying OSU as almost a pro sports team, meaning if you live in the state of Ohio, then you should be a fan. Many have been brainwashed into believing that. It is only my humble opinion, but I bellieve that only professional sports teams represent areas (Cities and surrounding areas in particular). Schools represent current and former students, alumni, faculty, and on a reach, those who don't have a school and just want to pick one. I know that I am probably in the minority many are going to diagree with me on this. That I why I said it is just my opinion.To me, Ohio State University is just one of the eight D1-A football schools in the State of Ohio or 119 nationally. If you live here and you didn't go to a college, then okay, pick them as your team. I get that. If you went somewhere else, then that is your school and, as an alumni, you should feel obligated to give your alma mater 100% of your support. BuckZip, since you went to both schools, you are a very rare exception to the point that I am try to make and therefore you get a pass. again, I am not trying to offend you, or any former OSU students and I am sorry if I did.Also you and I both know that 90% of the Steeler and Yankee fans around here are not like your old Bengal friend from Akron. We both know that if the Steelers and Yankees had a history like the Bengals do, only a very small few of those folks would still be fans. Probably just the ones who moved here from Pittsburgh or the Bronx. I am starting to see a few more Bengal jerseys than I used to, but, for the most part, its probably because they are starting to win, or, they were too embarrased to wear it until recently. If the Browns and Indians had a long and sustained history of winning, we would see less of the fans around here wearing garb from other cities. If OSU had a football history like the other OSU (Oregon State). They would probably get a lot less support outside their alumni base as well. Sort of like us Akron folks. That is why we need to build a very strong Football program here so we can start attracting the casual fan who does not have a school and just wants to pick one. The new facilities and recent recruiting success are definitely a step in the right direction.And finally, although I would love to see the U of A continoue to grow and attract more students from the area, by no means do I believe that everyone, or even anyone in Northeast Ohio should attend Akron because it is here. I came to UA because it has an outstanding engineering, sciences, and technical curriculm and yes, because it is close to home. Absolutely A student should most definitey look out for what is in their best interests when choosing a school. If it is beneficial to study at more than one institution, then by all means do so.Go Zips! Lord, please choose us to be that 1 in 100 chance to win on September 8th.

[Zipgrad01]

It is all about the money like zipsrifle stated. Why would OSU want to go play in a 30,000 seat stadium when they can make 25x the money hosting a MAC school? OSU has the largest athletics budget in the country and they need every dime they can get to support all their programs, etc.. Playing at a MAC school and getting a fraction of the money would be a very poor financial decision for the university. Running an athletics department is like running any other business. Would you give up several million dollars at your own business just to be nice to your competition? I highly doubt it. It really has nothing to do with them being snotty and sticking their nose in the air. I mean....they did play Cincy at Paul Brown stadium a few years ago. If we had the facility to host them they would do it if they had to for scheduling reasons. I highly doubt OSU has any fears whatsoever about ducking us. That is just comical.As for who people should root for....why is it anyone's right to say who you have to root for? Just because someone goes to a school for an education does not mean they have to support the athletics teams. If I went to Michigan or Can't because they had a certain academic program that was very strong, it doesn't mean I would ever root for their sports teams.What you seem to miss is the fact that people like cheering for Ohio State because they have always been the lone major power in the state. People grow up and learn to cheer for them at birth in most cases. Why? Because they are the lone big dog, they win and they are always on tv. Most people in Ohio root for Akron when they are playing an out of state school, but they are not looked at by anyone as a major power, thus OSU is usually their focus. There are tons of Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Florida and USC fans in Ohio. Why? They are a national power. How many people do you see in Ohio that follow sports at Rice, Louisiana Tech or New Mexico State? Why? They are not a major team. Let them become good on a national level and you will see things change. You can't force people to cheer for you are want to follow you. You have to give them a reason. Up until now Akron has done little to make people look away from Ohio State. Can you really blame them? One played for a national title last year while the other was sub .500 team in the 2nd worst conference in the country.

[Zipmeister]

That's enough. I'm sick and tired of all the New Mexico State bashing going on on this board. Did't your mother ever tell you. "If you Can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

[Kangaroo Craig]

Just because someone goes to a school for an education does not mean they have to support the athletics teams.

Well, I'll agree to disagree and we'll just end it at that.

[Zipsrifle]

It's easy to root for a winnter. Even if Akron had a stellar year this year (10-2), we would still get crap from fans from BCS Schools saying how we play an easy schedule (which admittedly, relative to most of their schedules, it is). Most people don't want to get picked on at the water cooler week in and week out, it's just that simple. Some of us, just don't care.