(08-19-2016 11:28 AM)kreed5120 Wrote: (08-19-2016 10:33 AM)CMichFan Wrote: (08-19-2016 08:57 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (08-19-2016 08:42 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote: BG has a clear path now? They lost all of their staff, offensive talent and had a bad D last year anyhow? Why can't UB, OU or Akron give them a run? With BG's OOC I could see them being 1-3 entering MAC play and ending the year below .500. OSU, MTSU, Memphis, Toledo, NIU, OU and Akron on the schedule... Is that too far of a stretch to make?
Word is Knapke is looking very good.
Passed for about 3200 yds and 15 TDs in 2014 as a Soph.
Akron lost their entire OL and the majority of their Defense. Bowden has brought in some good talent at some spots - especially on the DL -- but it could be tough sailing for awhile this season. UB I thought would do better last season. The 2nd season with the new coaching staff could be better, but there are still enough unknowns to make things interesting. Ohio is still my best bet to challenge BGSU...but only if one of the young QBs steps up, IMO.
Offensively I feel the Zips should be improved. With the players Bowden brought in we should be more talented at the skilled positions. Lane and Woodson now have a full season under their belt starting. They do have to replace the entire offensive line, but that really wasn't the strength of the team last year anyways. They will have plenty of time to gel as a unit before facing BG and OU as those are the 11th and 12th game of the season.
Defense is what I feel will make or break the team this season. That was the strength of the team last season and they have lots of holes to replace. I feel the defensive line should certainly still be a force. The question of concern is with the linebacking unit.
I'm not saying Akron will win the East, but I wouldn't be shocked if they do given all the turmoil at BG and OU losing who was likely going to be their starting QB.
The talking point that Akron has to replace its entire starting offensive line also is not entirely correct. Yes, they do have to replace five key guys, but Kyle Ritz played in every game last year as a sophomore (including five starts at RT) and he has an All-MAC future ahead of him. Stephen Ericksen also played quite a bit (including a start a center) as a sophomore last year.
The fact that Ritz is being moved from RT to RG, IMO, shows that Bowden likes what he sees out of JUCO transfer Jovann Letuli. Same for the moving Ericksen from center to LG. LaVonne Gauthney must be showing some ability at center. LT is a little scary with true freshman Trevor Brown listed as the starter, but I think that has to be Logan Tulley-Tillman's job once he gets up to speed.
For those who don't know about the Tulley-Tillman transfer. He was a four-star recruit with offers from just about everybody (Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, etc.), who was booted from Michigan and was set to transfer to Washington State. Since he had his degree from Michigan in three years, even though he is a junior, he is technically a grad transfer. He had a change of heart and decided to flip to Akron in June. He didn't arrive on campus, though, until camp started (some grade issues/paperwork needed to be worked out). It sounds like if Tulley-Tillman didn't do a stupid thing (filming himself having sex with a drunk girl, while drunk himself), he was in line to have been a starter (or at least in the two-deep) last year at Michigan.
But, overall, I'm also going to go on record in saying that Akron has a legitimate shot at winning the East. Like Kreed mentioned, they don't need the OL to be great, just average. Think they will achieve that.
And Kreed, obviously, every Zip fan would agree with you about the LBers, but I'm cautiously optimistic about that group.
For those who aren't familiar with the Zips, John Rachal is a four-year program guy who should be steady in the middle. I absolutely think Ulysses Gilbert is going to be a future star in this league. It's easy to see why he was at one point a Cincinnati commit, with offers from UCF, USF and others. Travonte Junius is a great athlete and was a sack machine at one of the best high schools in the country (Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary) and he'll be pushed by Brian Bell (who was committed to Florida State before being blackballed by the school for bogus PR reasons when he was unfoundedly accused of murdering a classmate in high school). Won't go into the details, but google Brian Bell's name and there is no shortage of articles on the case.
Overall, I'm not as worried as a lot of Zips fans about this unit. Plus, I absolutely love the H.S. tape of freshman DeMarkus Glover. Guy looks like a bigger Jatavis Brown, he may force himself onto the field this year.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2890002/5721...5d90d0e1d2
Other than LB, not too many questions on defense. The DL could be even better as Marcus and Pittman are still at DE, and Brock Boxen looks promising inside. Hopefully, Miami grad transfer Jelani Hamilton (a former top 150 recruit) can also step in and be solid. ... The secondary should also be better with DeAndre Scott and Larry Hope (another Miami transfer) back at CBs, along with Boston College transfer Bryce Jones. Zach Guiser is solid at FS.
