ZachTheZip Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Before I get into Saturday's game, everyone should know that we are not as bad as we think we are. According to Sagarin, we have played the 12th most difficult schedule out of any D-1 team, and we still have a 2-3 record. Our opponents so far have a combined 19-6 record so far, with OSU, UConn, and Indiana having only one loss between them. That's a hell of a rough way to start your season, but we have already beaten our rival and are undefeated in conference play. Our weaknesses and strengths have been exposed in embarrasing fashion, but it gives our coaches a great way to find out what's wrong and fix it (excluding the fact that the coaches themselves are a big part of the problem).Now, on Saturday, UA will travel to Kalamazoo to take on WMU. According to Sagarin, we should be 2 1/2 point favorites on the road. With CJ starting, our chances significantl;y improve because their defense has to respect his scrambling ability. This is a must-win game because if we lose, we fall to 2-4 and our bowl chances are pretty much erased, plus any win over a west opponent will help in a tie-breaker scenario (which is very likely to happen). We need to get our confidence back, and WMU is ripe for the picking after beating Toledo. My keys to the game, which may change depending on information that gets released this week:1.) Big Nate has to come back soon. Without him, we lose a TON of depth on our DL. The line is supposed to anchor the defense. it doesn't matter how good our secondary is when the other team can run up and down the field at will in the second half because our guys are too tired.2.) There needs to be some semblance of a second-half adjustment on both offense and defense. Anything at all. Helloooo. JD? Coach Fleming? Coach Moorhead? You guys there?3.) Run the spread offense like we used to. You have a running QB, lots of depth at RB, Supposed playmakers at WR, Jabari who belongs in a class all his own, and two decent tight ends. Your line is starting to jel faster than anyone here hoped. It's time to lose the "inexperience" excuse and run wild like our talent should allow us to. They've been tested by some all types of defenses, and we caught glimpses here and there, but holding back is not the answer. We play to win.4.) The defense, oh the defense. Stop giving up first downs on 3rd and 20. Just stop. Have a few guys watch the ball and hang back to stop them before they get the first down. Blitzing the QB and making him run when there's nobody set up to stop him once he takes off is bad football sense.5.) The most important key is to come out on fire. Go straight for the endzone. We can't be afraid to take shots, and it should open it up for the running game to get established. Throw some short, easy tosses to the TEs to get them in a rythm. Make turnovers on defense. Hit them like you mean it. Rattle their bones.Most importantly, play like you have nothing to lose, not like you have everything to lose and are afraid of losing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 I agree with everything you said. I was going to post something similar, but now there is no need. Well done!I'd also like to add that even with our difficult schedule, the only game that was ugly and uncompetitive was the last against UConn. I think as the season goes on, we'll come to see that OSU will be ranked in the top three the rest of the way, IU will have at least an 8-4 record, and UConn will be 10-2 (probable losses at UC and WVU), and Can't will be bowling with at least a 7-5 record (as much as I hate to say it). I was one of the first to say the game against UConn was over before the start of the fourth quarter started, but I'm proud and satisfied with the results so far this season. If we continue to improve, I see no reason we shouldn't be competing for the MAC East and MACC.Cheers and GO ZIPS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 I know very little about WMU, but they were my pre-season favorite to win the MAC. Their start now indicates otherwise. Is it true they have under 200 yards rushing for the season? That's positively Notre Dame-like! (always wanted to say that!) :PThe key is to put pressure on Hiller, and remind him why we didn't recruit him. Get well soon, Nate, and let's hope we can stop this opponent from spying on us and getting that second-half advantage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Roo Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Zips are 10 point dogshttp://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/odds;_ylt=Al...MhRvy4hlhocvrYFTil the offense shows anything -- I have to agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippysgotagun Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Is it true they have under 200 yards rushing for the season? That's positively Notre Dame-like! (always wanted to say that!) Isn't it marvelous? ND not even win 3 games this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips88 Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 According to the stats on WMU's web site, they've got 639 rushing yards for the season so far. I think two of their backs ran for over 100 yards EACH in their win against Toledo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 This should be a great game. After last week, I don't know what to think of the Zips. our offense showed signs of life late in the Can't game and early in the UCONN game, but then died. Our D is beat up. I don't see us as 10 point underdogs.I'm just starting to do some research on Western, but it appears that they don't have much of a D (Ranked 96 in total D). This could be just what the Dr. ordered for our Offense. Think about it, outside of our first game Army, we've played against some damn good defenses. 2 Big 10 teams (OSU is 2nd in total D right now), the top ranked MAC D in Can't, and UCONN who is 5th in total D. That's some pretty tough going....I hope we breakout this week. On the flip side, they can put up the points...no less than 24 in any game this season, so we'll need our D to be at it's best. Looks like they've got to decent backs. West gets about 50 yds per game on the ground and about the same through the air. Bonds had a field day at Toledo, racking up 143 yards and looks to good for somewhere between 50 and 100 ypg. At receiver, Simmons was the man early in the season avg. over 100 ypg., but has fallen off.....maybe he's hurt or something. Ledbetter is good for 50+ ypg and they've got a few others that will get some yards. Something else to consider, WMU turns the ball over a LOT! 14 times this year....8 INT and 6 fumbles. Akron is +7 in the turnover dept., so lets hope the butter fingers continue....this may again be the difference in the game!Anyone going to the game??? I plan on being there.....if the rain holds out, it should be nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 BTW....I'm just a nerd looking at #'s, FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RACER Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 i saw westen play against wvu on gamplan the first week of the season.from what little i saw of them they can throw the ball pretty well.wvu made alott of big plays to score on there defense.this is a perfect chance for cj to break some long runs on the wmu defense.i do worry about our defense being on the field all day against a passing team that will run our db's to death.all i ask is for jd please please please not to throw more than i screen pass every series.i am so sick of that play going no where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 The depthchart (according to Rasor) shows Jacq as the starter after his performance(?) at UConn. With WMU's allegedly weak run defense, wouldn't it be better to have CJ7? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Doesn't look like we are on ESPN's package this weekPage down to "Saturday, October 6"...7 PM.No TV according to WMU website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Doesn't look like we are on ESPN's package this weekPage down to "Saturday, October 6"...7 PM.No TV according to WMU websiteWell, head on over to the game! Looks like it'll be a great day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74ZIP Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 uakronkid...all your saying is the ZIPS are not good enough to compete at even the UCONN level...whats that say about OL JD"S coaching ability...yep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.