Football

The theme — Buffalo specializes in causing negative plays. If the Bulls sniff out the direction of the play, it's probably not going anywhere. The Bulls have 50 tackles for loss in their seven games. Scoring wise, they have been pretty erratic. They allowed 49 to Ball State but only 10 to Ohio and seven to Temple.

Key players — Kareem Byrom was an Preseason All-MAC cornerback, but hasn't done much this season. Although he's second on the team with 56 tackles, Byrom has only broken up one pass and has no interceptions. The real thunder in the defense comes from linebacker Larry Hutchinson, who is third in the conference with 10 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Trevor Scott frequently penetrates the line, as well. He has 9.5 tackles for loss.

How Akron can score — Like Temple, Buffalo's defense doesn't have a particular strength or weakness. I really think the Zips need to throw downfield more, like against Western Michigan. So what if Chris Jacquemain throws a few picks? What is really the difference between an interception 30 yards down the field and a 35-yard punt? Bryan Williams, as always, needs to play his best to suck in the defensive backs.

Notes…

Dave Hackenberg of the Toledo Blade points out that Akron has a chance to lose to Buffalo and Temple in consecutive games. Thanks, Dave.

I talked to Paul Simkovich and some of the 2007 recruits last night. Simkovich's scar from the hunting accident is pretty wild. He said he decommitted from Michigan State because the Spartans fired John L. Smith, who was the kookiest coach in the land, but Simkovich liked him.

The Roo has a lead of about 700 votes as of noon Friday. Why don't we just put Cocky away before the weekend?

Travis Kelce, whom Akron was recruiting as a tight end, committed to Cincinnati as a quarterback. The Cleveland Heights product had a ton of offers in basketball and football.

Andrew Smith, a defensive end target from Florida, committed to Miami — as in "The U."

Two new offers…

Stephon Ball, tight end, Cincinnati
Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Miami and Western Michigan
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 220
Speed: 4.58
Notes: The team clearly wants to grab a tight end in the 2008 class, especially since it didn't last year. Ball plays at St. Xavier High School, one of the top teams in Ohio. His dad, Eric Ball, played in the NFL and at UCLA. The son doesn't plan to make a decision until well after football season ends. Scout.com calls him a wide receiver. Both sites give him two stars.

Marquis Avery, wide receiver, Fullerton J.C. (Calif.)
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
Speed: 4.45
Notes: Scout.com gives Avery four stars and says BCS schools are beginning to notice his ability. Other schools of interest include Kansas State, Mississippi, Utah, Washington State and West Virginia.

Men's basketball

Coaches might just know more than the MAC media.

They ranked Akron at No. 14 in the Preseason Mid-Major Top 25 – the highest of any MAC team.

Kent State (15th), Miami (17th), Western Michigan (23rd) and Central Michigan (24th) are also ranked. Surprisingly, Ohio is not even close to being in the top 25.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pm and is filed under Football, Men's Basketball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.