A Zips perspective from a University of Akron student, fan and sports journalist.

Football

This week's questions come from Mike Breese at Red and Black Attack (NIU blog):

1. Both Ball State and NIU took an early 1900's approach to offense in winning their games this weekend primarily through the ground game. This brings the question: Are you satisfied with the balance of your offense currently? Would you like to see more passing or more rushing?

Akron has freshmen playmakers at running back and quarterback. They both need experience. As one improves, it should help the other (because of the effect a good running back has on the passing game, and vice versa). I'm OK with the current allocation.

2. The two best teams in the MAC in Central Michigan & Temple take on non-conf opponents in Boston College and Navy respectively. What positives or negatives come from playing OOC opponents this late in to the season?

The positive for Central Michigan is that it gives them a chance to actually boost themselves into the top-25. The negative is for Temple, who just needs to keep their MAC rampage going.

3. For fun, predict the outcome of the impending doom the 0-7 Eastern Michigan Eagles face as they travel to Arkansas this weekend.

I'm trying my hardest to come up with a reference to old-school rasslin. Still working on it. My readers are more creative than me…

4. If your team/coach were to wear Halloween costume, what would they be?

There's no need to pile on poor J.D. Brookhart. I could say that his coaches could dress as a parole officer, paramedic and NCAA sleuth, but that would be over the top.

5. MAC Power Poll Time

1) CMU
2) Toledo
3) Temple
4) NIU
5) Kent State
6) BG
7) WMU
8 ) Ohio
9) Buffalo
10) Akron
11) Ball State
12) EMU
13) Miami

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Football

Here are some overall thoughts. I only listened to the game, so I don't feel comfortable giving a full analysis.

Offense – Zero net rushing yards is a serious accomplishment for this offensive line. It's a collaboration of poor run blocking and Patrick Nicely getting sacked five times for 42 yards of lost ground. Maybe coach Joe Moorhead and tackle Chris Kemme were more valuable than we thought. Zero rushing yards is asinine. I could take Western Kentucky and put them against the Florida Gators. I bet WKU (the worst FBS team) would even gain a yard on the ground. Nicely had his first good game. Although he has improved each week, Saturday is the first day when his stat line justifies his playing. Andre Jones has picked up at receiver as if he never left the position. He never should have. Jeremy LaFrance and Nicely continued to build chemistry. Grade: D-

Defense – Akron allowed Delone Carter (formerly of Copley H.S.) to prance for 170 yards. But they did a good job stopping Syracuse's passing game. Sean Fobbs made some nice plays, including two tackles for loss. The defense has not been the main problem this year, nor was it Saturday. Grade: C

Special teams – Branko Rogovic blew both of his field-goal attempts. Zack Campbell somehow boomed a 76-yard punt. Dashan Miller returned a kick for a 98-yard touchdown. It's a mixed bag. Grade: B-

Coaching – I pity J.D. Brookhart. This must be very hard on him because I know he cares deeply. I will say this in his defense: The team is not quitting. Contrast it with the Browns some seasons, when you sense the game should be played with circus music in the background. This isn't a team that I would bet against. It's not a team that is hopeless each Saturday. But it IS a team that was supposed to make its campus proud and "violently protect" InfoCision Stadium. It IS a team that had talent at one point to play in a bowl game. Syracuse isn't very good, so sticking with them is not even a moral victory, but the Zips are far from embarrassing themselves on the field. If the team picks up momentum and finishes with four or five wins, the bad taste would be cleansed from many fans' mouths. Grade: C

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Football

Akron rushed for a net of zero yards in a 28-14 loss at Syracuse, which takes the Zips' record to 1-6.

Grades are coming tomorrow.

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Football

The Zips continue a three-game road trip with a visit to Syracuse's Carrier Dome for a 3:30 kickoff.

The teams have a combined three wins, but this is a better Orange that the one the Zips faced last season. Still, Syracuse has problems. The team has committed nine turnovers in its last two games. The third-down conversion percentage is 117th in the nation (out of 120 teams).

It would be uber-redundant to go over the Zips' problems. There are excuses galore for the team sitting at 1-5. Regardless of the outcome Saturday, it would be great to see Patrick Nicely take another positive step against a team that doesn't stop the pass too well.

Notes…

The Zips are 10.5-point underdogs. The over-under is around 46.5.

Here is this week's MAC Bloggers Roundtable. It's a new format, and I think I like it more. You get to read the most entertaining of the bloggers' responses.

According to FanIQ.com, someone took out an ad in the school newspaper, looking for someone to play quarterback for the Zips. I'm not sure if it's true, but it's a little funny.

Here is the AP's preview, which mentions that Akron is down 13 scholarship players from last season.

This is a really good blog post by a Syracuse writer. It breaks down the game nicely.

In Tom Gaffney's preview, J.D. Brookhart says we will continue to see more of DeVoe Torrence, who has "played a lot better than he practiced."

Former Toledo offensive coordinator Chris Hedden has joined the team to fill the void left by assistant coach Reno Ferri's resignation. Hedden will coach tight ends. Shane Montgomery will take over the running backs.

Here is what I wrote on June 25, when 76 percent of readers thought Akron would win.

Prediction:

I actually think the Zips have a shot tomorrow. They have done a decent job in forcing turnovers, and Greg Paulus' team is prone to them. Brookhart's teams have a way of surprising you, just when you think they're dead. The problem is, this is far too late to affect the team's postseason hopes. I think you'll get a pleasant surprise on Saturday.

Akron 28, Syracuse 24

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