When a problem comes along you must zip it, zip it good: Akron pregame thread

[Turtleneck]

Akron won in OT last week against I-AA St. Francis. It sounds like they might want to push the tempo and try to play fast.

From the moment they took the opening kickoff, the Zips clearly wanted to play the game fast and aggressively. The first drive featured seven passes, a rush on a scramble and four running plays. The end result was a field goal. However, the offense clearly was finding its way as subsequent drives were unsuccessful until the second quarter.

What the UA offense would look like was one of the most significant questions related to Moorhead's hiring. What showed itself was one in which the quarterback was allowed to drop back and pass. Starter DJ Irons completed 24 of 39 passes for 273 yards and showed a real connection with wide receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis, who had eight catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2022/09/02/akron-zips-st-francis-in-football-opener-ncaa-scores-schedules-dj-irons-joe-moorhead/65462279007/

ESPN's FPI predicts winner of Akron-Michigan State in Week 2 [this is basically a double revenge game for Akron]

The Football Power Index is leaning towards Michigan State. It’s giving the Spartans a 98.5% chance to win against Akron.

Michigan State and Akron have played just 2 times before now. Once in 1913 and 1914, and Michigan State has won both times.

https://saturdaytradition.com/michigan-state-football/espns-fpi-predicts-winner-of-akron-michigan-state-in-week-2/

[Floyd Robertson]

4PM (shocked, BTW) on BTN.

[Turtleneck]

Michigan State vs Akron Prediction, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen
Michigan State won’t have much of a problem putting this away early.

It was a bit of a slow start against Western Michigan, but the defense will keep Akron from moving the chains – expect at least five sacks – and the offensive balance will take over with even more coming from the running game this week.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2022/09/michigan-state-vs-akron-prediction-game-preview-lines-tv

[Turtleneck]

What We Learned from Akron’s 30-23 win against St. Francis (PA)

Akron’s Achilles heel in 2021 was a nightmarishly bad defensive unit. The team finished in the Bottom 5 in scoring, rushing and total defenses, and if Thursday was any indication, there is still a lot of work to do in terms of cleaning up their efficiency.

Akron only managed six tackles-for-loss and two sacks on the FCS side, which given the sheer amount of talent the team has in the front seven after transfer portal additions, is a genuine concern. (Though the good news there is Wyoming transfer Victor Jones was the second-most productive Zip, with eight tackles and two tackles-for-loss.)

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2022/9/5/23338028/akron-zips-st-francis-pa-red-flash-football-game-analysis-what-we-learned-2022

[Turtleneck]

The Only Podcast (9-6-22) — Just a College Kid from Akron

(0-11) 12 Team Playoffs. They’re a good thing!

(11-15) CROOTIN - Welcome, Colton Hood

(15-39) Michigan State/Western Michigan Recap — everybody just calm down

(39-1:08) Week 1 Review - NC State is not for real but OSU probably still is

(1:08-1:17) Week 2 Preview - Texas? Back? No. Also, burn the big ten slate with fire.

(1:17-FIN) Akron Preview - They aren’t good.

https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/9/6/23339013/the-only-podcast-9-6-22-holy-toledo

[Turtleneck]

[ig]CiGegTirwvK[/ig]

[Floyd Robertson]

to TN for this creative thread title, tying in the birthplace of devolution.

[Turtleneck]

'Ton of room to improve' as No. 14 Michigan State faces Akron

https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/272729343/ton-of-room-to-improve-as-no-14-michigan-state-faces-akron

[Turtleneck]

Game Preview: Akron vs No. 14 Michigan St

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/video/game-preview-akron-vs-no-14-michigan-st/

No. 14/11 Michigan State Welcomes Akron to Spartan Stadium on Saturday

https://msuspartans.com/news/2022/9/6/football-no-14-11-michigan-state-welcomes-akron-to-spartan-stadium-on-saturday.aspx

[Turtleneck]

Akron’s secondary is no match for Michigan State’s passing attack

With that said, Michigan State wide receivers Jayden Reed, Keon Coleman and Tre Mosley should be too fast and too talented for Akron’s secondary, and Payton Thorne should be able to pick the Zips apart. After a few big plays, fans may get to see backup quarterbacks Noah Kim or Katin Houser — and likely several other depth players getting reps as well.

Thorne completed just 50 percent of his passes last week, missing a few throws he should have hit and throwing an interception. The Zips allowed Saint Francis to throw for 264 yards last week. Akron should be the perfect opponent for Thorne to get into a groove against and build his confidence further.

https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/9/7/23341032/akron-zips-secondary-is-no-match-for-michigan-state-spartans-passing-attack

[Trapper Gus]

Akron’s secondary is no match for Michigan State’s passing attack

With that said, Michigan State wide receivers Jayden Reed, Keon Coleman and Tre Mosley should be too fast and too talented for Akron’s secondary, and Payton Thorne should be able to pick the Zips apart. After a few big plays, fans may get to see backup quarterbacks Noah Kim or Katin Houser — and likely several other depth players getting reps as well.

Thorne completed just 50 percent of his passes last week, missing a few throws he should have hit and throwing an interception. The Zips allowed Saint Francis to throw for 264 yards last week. Akron should be the perfect opponent for Thorne to get into a groove against and build his confidence further.

https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/9/7/23341032/akron-zips-secondary-is-no-match-for-michigan-state-spartans-passing-attack

I spend my life worrying ... though Akron should be cannon fodder for MSU, and certainly will be if Tucker leaves the starters in, their new coach did a similar thing to Tucker did via the portal. Their lines have not "meshed" yet, but they have way more talent than they have for several seasons ....

[Turtleneck]

Agree, Trapper. They have around 15-20 transfers on their roster, many from Power 5 schools and two are from MSU. Anthony Williams, Jr. and Jeslord Boateng. This team is probably more talented than any of their recent teams.

[Trapper Gus]

Still MSU, if they play to their skill level, with the starting lines and defense, where the D backs now need the experience, should easily beat the 35 points ... however, if Tucker uses the game to season the backups, and rest the starters, it might be close.

[Turtleneck]

Get To Know The Opponent: Akron

One of the lone bright spots for the Akron in the season opener against Saint Francis was the Zips’ No. 1 wide receiver, University of Pittsburgh transfer Shocky Jacques-Louis.

Head coach Joe Moorhead is known to be a creative offensive mind going back to his time at Penn State when he helped lead the Nittany Lions to the 2016 Big Ten Championship as offensive coordinator. Coach Moorhead was able to get the speedy Jacques-Louis the ball in a few different facets, including a 41-yard double-move touchdown to take the lead in the third quarter.

Jacques-Louis had an outstanding day overall, which was much needed for the Zips to survive an upset-minded Saint Francis team. Expect Coach Moorhead to empty the playbook and get Jacques-Louis the ball against a Michigan State secondary that still has some question marks.

https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/9/7/23341718/get-to-know-the-opponent-akron-zips-michigan-state-spartans

[Turtleneck]

No. 14 Michigan State aiming for consistency against Akron

https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20220907/sports/309079869

[DWags]

Damn it Turtle. I’m cutting the grass today and what song am I singing over and over? How many of you other guys are doing the same thing over and over because of this thread?

[Trapper Gus]

[Trapper Gus]

Bob, do you remember when Bruce was a skinny kid?

[Turtleneck]

How Mel Tucker, Michigan State football is a road map for Akron's rebuild

Moorhead took a similar approach to upgrading his new roster that Mel Tucker did a year ago with Michigan State football, with Akron adding 40 new players — more than half from the transfer portal — in an attempt to jumpstart a rebuild for the Mid-American Conference's perennial East Division cellar-dweller.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2022/09/08/michigan-state-football-mel-tucker-road-map-akron/66049431007/

[Turtleneck]

Know Your Opponent: Scouting the Akron Zips

https://www.si.com/college/michiganstate/football/michigan-state-spartans-football-know-your-opponent-akron-zips-week-2-msu-spartan-stadium-090822

3-2-1 Preview: 3 things we want to see, 2 key stats and 1 best bet for Akron vs. Michigan State

https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/9/8/23341037/3-2-1-preview-3-things-we-want-to-see-2-key-stats-1-best-bet-akron-zips-vs-michigan-state-spartans

Michigan State football vs. Akron: 5 determining factors and a prediction

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/graham-couch/2022/09/08/msu-football-michigan-state-vs-akron-prediction-preview-how-to-bet/66260465007/

[Turtleneck]

Michigan State football vs. Akron game predictions: Can Spartans make it 2-0 vs. MAC?

https://www.yahoo.com/now/michigan-state-football-vs-akron-100946655.html

[Robert J Sakimano]

Bob, do you remember when Bruce was a skinny kid?

oh heck yeah. Always a scrawny little hoodrat up through The River tour. Then he was quite muscular during the BITUSA days. Nowadays, he has to be one of the slimmest, trimmest 72 year old dudes out there.

[Turtleneck]

Akron Zips defense looks to build on promising opening-game performance

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2022/09/09/akron-zips-college-football-michigan-state-defense-mac/66817099007/

[Trapper Gus]

Bob, do you remember when Bruce was a skinny kid?

oh heck yeah. Always a scrawny little hoodrat up through The River tour. Then he was quite muscular during the BITUSA days. Nowadays, he has to be one of the slimmest, trimmest 72 year old dudes out there.

Maybe, but I know a former amateur bike racing champion who is 76 and still rides who is thinner ...

As for Bruce, he has always looked better skinny

[Turtleneck]

Guys, please get your act together. You have been warned.

[Jake from State Farm]

[Robert J Sakimano]

Guys, please get your act together. You have been warned.

if, as a fully grown man, you start dressing like a super hero and going out into public, I'll be sure to stage an intervention.

[Turtleneck]

Guys, please get your act together. You have been warned.

if, as a fully grown man, you start dressing like a super hero and going out into public, I'll be sure to stage an intervention.

Was hoping you would catch that.

[Turtleneck]

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