(10-05-2015 04:27 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  The thought of Reggie catching screens out wide or taking direct snaps with Roback still in the pocket is so thrilling.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Bell has the speed to go deep too.

Deboer has shown some creativity so far this year. Much more than anyone we've had since Genyk. Let's see if he can use Bell's main strength as a weapon.

(10-05-2015 04:27 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  The thought of Reggie catching screens out wide or taking direct snaps with Roback still in the pocket is so thrilling.

Yuppers - that would be sweet!!

I just don't think Bell can stand the pounding at QB - sooner the coaches make that decision the quicker the offense can move toward these formations.

I got to wonder if this is why they wanted Pensyl. Let him redshirt and then compete with Roback to be the nominal starter. So next year the Eagles will have a 'pro-style' starter and back-up either of which can play alongside Bell. It is a little too risky to do this year, but maybe next year...

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/...chore.html

And then this is one of the comments:

The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never bee used in the same sentence, much less same headline. Akron basically has a bye. EMU should drop to D-3. Honestly, I think the whole university is redundant. There are 15 public universities in Michigan and EMU is like five miles from "that school up north." It's just silly. EMU is should be the first to fold when the college bubble pops in a few years and public schools start contracting. Sorry, I know this is about sports and I got off track.
The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never be used in the same sentence....

(10-06-2015 09:25 PM)HuronDave Wrote:  From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/...chore.html

And then this is one of the comments:

The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never bee used in the same sentence, much less same headline. Akron basically has a bye. EMU should drop to D-3. Honestly, I think the whole university is redundant. There are 15 public universities in Michigan and EMU is like five miles from "that school up north." It's just silly. EMU is should be the first to fold when the college bubble pops in a few years and public schools start contracting. Sorry, I know this is about sports and I got off track.
The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never be used in the same sentence....

Hope that comment finds its way to the locker room.

I have always had a bit of an affinity for Akron. Now, I just want EMU to completely steamroll the Zips Saturday.

(10-06-2015 09:25 PM)HuronDave Wrote:  From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/...chore.html

And then this is one of the comments:

The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never bee used in the same sentence, much less same headline. Akron basically has a bye. EMU should drop to D-3. Honestly, I think the whole university is redundant. There are 15 public universities in Michigan and EMU is like five miles from "that school up north." It's just silly. EMU is should be the first to fold when the college bubble pops in a few years and public schools start contracting. Sorry, I know this is about sports and I got off track.
The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never be used in the same sentence....

Isn't Akron having their own problems? (see the main MAC board).

(10-06-2015 10:29 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-06-2015 09:25 PM)HuronDave Wrote:  From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/...chore.html

And then this is one of the comments:

The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never bee used in the same sentence, much less same headline. Akron basically has a bye. EMU should drop to D-3. Honestly, I think the whole university is redundant. There are 15 public universities in Michigan and EMU is like five miles from "that school up north." It's just silly. EMU is should be the first to fold when the college bubble pops in a few years and public schools start contracting. Sorry, I know this is about sports and I got off track.
The words "tough" and Eastern Michigan should never be used in the same sentence....

Isn't Akron having their own problems? (see the main MAC board).

It was a CMU fan who wrote that comment.

Some good news.......the betting line has gone from 9.5 to 7.5!

I really, really, really, really want to beat Akron on Saturday. This team cannot afford to have a letdown after last week's great performance against LSU.

(10-07-2015 07:02 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  I really, really, really, really want to beat Akron on Saturday. This team cannot afford to have a letdown after last week's great performance against LSU.

+1

Good luck against Akron. Show them the MAC West is best!

(10-07-2015 10:34 PM)CMichFan Wrote:  Good luck against Akron. Show them the MAC West is best!

Please beat the boat rowers.

If we can 200 yards ground game and control the clock on offense we have a good chance of winning.

Agreed, Super. If we can control the clock like we did against LSU that would go a long way for us. Amazingly, I think LSU only converted on one 3rd down all game. Limiting the 3rd and 4th down conversions is essential to the defense taking strides forward.

The run defense only needs to be halfway-decent to give us a shot to win. I like what I saw against LSU, but can we make the same effort this week?

We need to make that effort each of the remaining games in this season and continue to improve each game.

The team has played competitively this year but has only one win to show for it, time to close out these games and get the W.

(10-08-2015 10:17 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Agreed, Super. If we can control the clock like we did against LSU that would go a long way for us. Amazing, I think LSU only converted on one 3rd down all game. Limiting the 3rd and 4th down conversions is essential to the defense taking strides forward.

The run defense only needs to be halfway-decent to give us a shot to win. I like what I saw against LSU, but can we make the same effort this week?

The effort has been there consistently. Now it's about execution, and eliminating turnovers & penalties. The mental part of the game, gaining confidence, slowly but surely changing the losing mentality.

I am envisioning a close game and ultimately a win. One more small step in the right direction for the players, coaches, and fans.

If your game plan is to run the ball on Akron you'll be in for a long, frustrating day of football. Akron only allows 92.4 ypg on the ground. Akron's defense is prone to giving up big pass plays on the outside, and that's how I would attack it.

As for defending against the Zips offense, Akron's QB Tommy Woodson looks great against man coverage, but has been absolutely awful against zone coverage. The RB Connor Hundley has fairly average numbers, but he's a workhorse that physically wears down defenses.

Good luck on Saturday.

Hoping Deboer has cooked up a few new wrinkles for the offense this week. I kinda like his "kitchen sink" scheme. Throw everything at them.

The days of Karcher's favorite stretch handoff are far behind us.

Looking through the social media accounts, seems to be lots of school-spirit focused events going on this week. Even administrative offices were decked out in EMU decor for Homecoming. Residence halls went all-out in decorating contests. Block Party and Pep Rally, which are tonight, usually both draw a good crowd.

Makes me smile.