Gameday news and notes
Posted November 24th, 2006 by mrasor
Football
- The ABJ's David Lee Morgan talks a little about the Zips bowl hopes in his preview today.
- He predicts a 28-12 Akron win.
- Oddsmakers set the spread at Akron minus 2.5 or 3.
- The USA Today's Danny Sheridan offers a 1.5 point prediction in favor of the Zips.
- Dave Ruthenberg of MACReportOnline.com says it will be 24-17 Western Michigan.
- Nick of VanDelaySports.com says 23-13 Broncos.
This game is crucial to WMU's shot at the International Bowl. The Broncos (7-4) might also be scoreboard watching during pregame. Their main competition for the bid, Northern Illinois (6-5), is playing Eastern Michigan at 11 a.m. Kent State is another team seeking its seventh win. They play at Ball State today. I don't think the Flashes have such a great shot at a bowl since they have tailspun across the finish line.
If neither Kent State or Northern Illinois get their seventh wins, the door is cracked for the Zips at 6-6 to earn a bid to the International Bowl instead of 7-5 Western Michigan, who they would have just beaten. It sounds crazy and full of stipulations, but so was last season's division title.
All that said, I don't think Akron will do its part. The Broncos' defense features an intense pass rush. They also stop the run better than any other MAC team. Although they don't run or pass particularly well, the Broncos also find a way to score.
The Zips also will face the most feared defender of the season. Ameer Ismail, a linebacker, has 15 freaking sacks. Let's not forget the WMU secondary, which probably is close to tops in the nation with 21 interceptions.
Like I wrote in my column, the play of seniors has been disappointing. If Akron is to win, there must be a reversal. Specifically, the offensive line needs to excel in pass blocking and Luke Getsy will need a Motor City Bowl-like performance. While I'd like to have faith in those things happening, I wouldn't bet on it.
Prediction: Akron 21, Western Michigan 27
November 24th, 2006 at 9:33 am
If the Zips can get it together today and have a highly competitive game or, perhaps, even win then JD has someting to build on for 2007.
If they play mediocre or less, then there needs to be a complete overhaul for 2007.
An overhaul, if needed, should start with the 2006 juniors. These folks should be scrutinized with special intensity. As year 2007 seniors they must provide much more in terms of commitment, effective performance and leadership than the 2006 seniors.
Today should be "measuring up" time for the juniors and 5th year seniors (2007). JD and the staff should use the WMU game as the baseline for next year. 2007 juniors, sophomores, red shirts and incoming freshmen should be "penciled" in over any of today's non-performing 2006 juniors.
November 24th, 2006 at 11:07 am
"There's a fine line between wins and losses," says JD. Spoken like a loser, for sure.
There's no "fine line" when your team shows up in the first half and actually nails down a win by scoring some points…instead of waiting til a frantic last-four-minute wing-and-a-prayer. So JD doesn't think it's the players not "playing hard" or his game "schemes" which are the problem? Exactly what games are he watching? Let's see, could it be the coaches aren't getting the Zips "up" for each game, a lack of urgency in winning every single game, and a complete failure to make adjustments at halftime?
JD's happy that UA could be "bowl eligible" for 3 seasons…what, is 6-wins something great to shoot for? This dude needs to revise his mindset. Now that Luke is getsy-ing out of town, maybe a leader can emerge. Hopefully he won't be saddled with lame game-plans like recent seasons. Stop patting yourself on the back for "backing into" the MAC title & a bowl game. Serious improvement is needed, starting with the top on down.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Great game plan, Zippers. Way to stubbornly refuse to change QB's, Brookhart. You did indeed live & die with Getsy. 5-7 record, you really should be ashamed. Little tip: when you can't buy any time for your QB or receivers, that's what gadget or trick-plays are for. They throw a defense off balance. And you never, ever use them. Heard of a flea-flicker? Heard of a double-reverse? Have you heard of anything besides your stinkin vanilla, unproductive offense? Nooooo, your schemes aren't the problem. Get real.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Have to agree with Matt's post above. Left the Rubber Bowl when Western went up 17-0. Didn't see any adjustments on offense. Western poured in on the pocket all game lone and Getsy took the sack or threw up a wobbler. No creativity or imagination. No real attempt to throw Western's defense off-balance. Disappointing end to a disappointing season.
November 24th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Everybody can coach when you lose, but I have to say that Brookhart could have done a better job this year. At halftime of the Western Michigan game I would have inserted a backup QB for Getsy. I would have substituted for the entire Offesive Line, even if they are Seniors. I would have put somebody in the backfield that could pick up a blitz off the corner. This game was the worst I've seen since the Army game last year, a fitting end to this year's season.
November 24th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Disgusting and pathetic. I haven't seen such good-will squandered for a team since Bush took office the 2nd time. As far as I'm concerned, the UA coach can submit his application down at Miami. Please! Or at NC State. You know Amato's gone.
This program really needed momentum this year to keep the stadium buzz alive. But they laid a major egg, losing game after game they should have won. The similarities to the Browns' plight is uncanny. Agree with above posts regarding poor senior leadership. How many balls did Jabari drop? Interceptions, sacks, fumbles, botched kicking game; man, what a mess.