Men's soccer
Another shutout for the Zips defense and a deciding goal by Steve Zakuani led Akron to a 1-0 victory over West Virginia tonight.
The Mountaineers began the season ranked No. 15, but fell off the chart. Next up is Cincinnati at 2:30 on Sunday at Lee Jackson Field. It will be the Zips' third Big East opponent in 10 days.
Football
- Some news and notes about tomorrow's game…
The Syracuse newspaper talked to assistant coach Bill Bleil about the team. That has to be the first time I've seen him quoted.
The Associated Press has a pretty good preview of the game. In it, J.D. Brookhart confessed that he's worried about the impact of Syracuse's stud defensive tackle, Arthur Jones.
The Columbus Dispatch told the story of Zips' free safety Tyler Campbell, a walk-on who quickly rose to grab a scholarship and a starting role.
The line remains at Akron plus 4.5. The over-under is 43.5.
It looks like a bunch of guys from ZipsNation.org are heading to the Ohio Brewing Co., next to Barley House on Main Street. Yours truly will be there, as well.
- Prediction
I feel strongly that Akron will win tomorrow.
Syracuse is horrible. Akron hasn't shown to be much better. Still, the Zips should be pumped up to play at the Carrier Dome against a BCS opponent. (It's the first indoor Akron game since the 2005 Motor City Bowl, if I'm not mistaken.)
Both teams will probably scamper for over 200 yards on the ground. The difference will come in the passing game, where a couple Akron receivers will have huge games. Also, look for a significant boost from special teams.
Akron 28, Syracuse 17
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That is a great little peice that the Columbus Dispatch did on Campbell. I must have missed it somehow in the print edition.
I actually think there are a number of guys around Central Ohio that have the ability to play and play well at the MAC level that just never get noticed. This is especially true with guys that play at some of the smaller sized high schools in the area.
I have often wondered if there is a way to inform someone at Akron that there may be an unheralded or unknown guy they should take a look at just to see what they think. Even if there was a way to do it, I wonder if anyone would seriously listen.