The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Well, there is at least optimism in July. Did anyone else catch the football preview on the Kent site?

<a href='http://dept.kent.edu/athletics/football/fboutlook.htm' target='_blank'>http://dept.kent.edu/athletics/football/fboutlook.htm</a>


Don't know about the offense; hard to change Cribbs at this point. But, am willing to wait and see. I think Pees taking over the defense is a great idea considering his experience and track record as D-coordinator at ND and MSU.

Serously, what do you think of their prospects? Any predictions for upsets?

Go Flashes!

if everything falls into place, I can see six MAYBE seven wins. I would be happy with five and a new coach.
I don't think that pees can do it. he brought in a lot of talent in his tenure here. None of it seems to pan out though.

My best estimate is still 4-5 wins if there are a couple of surprises.

Cribbs will be a show unto himself. The receivers should be better and Alston back and healthy will be a big plus. I think a lot of the league is overlooking him since he was injured last year. Add in the recruits and the offense under a new coordinator looks potentially potent.

The D is a big question. Hopefully, Pees taking over will improve it, but they may have to win some shootouts and hope that they get the ball last.

Pees had a hard row to hoe with this program. Wins aside, they have improved, but the league has passed them. Last year the injuries bit them. Let's hope that he has recruited some depth and they can rebound.

The problem is that the schedule is hell. Let's face it. Pitt and Penn State are money, blow out games that we hope no one gets injured in. Add in UCF, Marshall and BG, oh man.

Most likely wins are:

YSU -Without Tresell, they are not the same program. It will be a battle, but I see a big crowd for the home opener and a win.

Buffalo - Last game of the season. If they lose to them again, Pees is fired.


Winnable
UConn - Paybacks are a ***** for these guys. Rack'm up Joshua!

Ball State - Homecoming, same point in their program as we are.

OU - Tough on the road, but they have won there and their offense, ehh.

Upset special -
Akron - Hate the Zips! Been screwed at the Bowl too many times in the last 10 years. Payback time boys. Big crowd! Big game! About time they returned this game to where it should be.

The Flash Wrote:Most likely wins are:

YSU -Without Tresell, they are not the same program.&nbsp; It will be a battle, but I see a big crowd for the home opener and a win.

OU - Tough on the road, but they have won there and their offense, ehh.

Please beat these 2 :wave:

The Flash Wrote:Upset special -
Akron - Hate the Zips!&nbsp; Been screwed at the Bowl too many times in the last 10 years.&nbsp; Payback time boys.&nbsp; Big crowd! Big game!&nbsp; About time they returned this game to where it should be.

:lolup:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:withstupid:

Almost hate to point this out to you, Zippy; but guess I'm just in a generous mood today. Does it occur to you that the Zips have nothing to gain and everything to lose on Aug. 28?

If you win, so what? You just beat Kent, you were supposed to anyway. No credit given by anyone for beating us; after all, you've been giving yourselves credit for winning this game all summer.

But if you lose...

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

With the new offensive coordinator from East Carolina things should be more exciting; this guy's
offense scheems at East Carolina put up some big numbers -- smart move by Pee's to bring this
guy in and to move himself over to the defense.

Also - I'm concerned about the listing of Antonio King on defense; he was the one real bright spot
on the team (other than Cribbs - but thats expected) - it would be a one - two punch with him and
Alston in the backfield.

My thoughts: Cribbs is the one Big-Time player we have if no other players begin to shine and take some
of that "do-everything" pressure off of Cribbs then it will be another season like last years - few wins.
If some of those highly touted red-shirt freshmen come through things might get fun again....................
PLEASE!!!!!





:D

I agree the Kent -YSU game will be a battle, should be a good one. I think YSU has won the last 3 against Kent. We will have a good idea how the season will go after the Kent game. I think the teams are evenly matched, YSU will have to contain Cribbs to win.

I look for YSU to get back to the playoffs this year, 8 starters on O return, and 5 on D from 7-4 last year. We are very deep in the backfield with speed and power, like the early 90's with Smith and Clark. Big question is still QB, IMO still not decided from last season. I think Cincy transfer Luis Gonzales will take the job in summer camp.

The Flash is right when he said YSU is not the same w/o Tressel.
As seen with OSU last season, he took his magic with him. This will be a make or break year for YSU coach Heacock. He is 15-7 in his first 2 years which isn't bad, but the bar is set high at YSU and no playoffs is a disappointing season.

The scary thing is not there are no sure wins. We could lose to anyone on the schedule. And --- anyone who thinks 6 or 7 wins are possible, is a real optimist. 4 wins would be possible but unlikely. I would love to eat my words.

A new offensive coordinator doesn't help your defense, which struggled tremendously this past season. Akron has one of the best offenses in the MAC, but without a defense, you get a 4-8 record. You see what I'm saying?


There is everything to gain on Aug. 28, I don't know what YOU'RE talking about....

The Wagon Wheel...although you KSU folks probably forgot all about that long ago because you haven't seen it in so long. Akron has just as much to win as Kent does. A MAC East win, especially. So I beg to differ with your statement that its a no-win situation for Akron, because it IS a win situation!

FlashFan Wrote::withstupid:

Almost hate to point this out to you, Zippy; but guess I'm just in a generous mood today. Does it occur to you that the Zips have nothing to gain and everything to lose on Aug. 28?

If you win, so what? You just beat Kent, you were supposed to anyway. No credit given by anyone for beating us; after all, you've been giving yourselves credit for winning this game all summer.

But if you lose...

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

:rofl: :ownd: :withstupid:


See my post above

AkronObsessed Wrote:A new offensive coordinator doesn't help your defense, which struggled tremendously this past season. Akron has one of the best offenses in the MAC, but without a defense, you get a 4-8 record. You see what I'm saying?


There is everything to gain on Aug. 28, I don't know what YOU'RE talking about....

The Wagon Wheel...although you KSU folks probably forgot all about that long ago because you haven't seen it in so long. Akron has just as much to win as Kent does. A MAC East win, especially. So I beg to differ with your statement that its a no-win situation for Akron, because it IS a win situation!

How many times do we have to point out that this team was decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball. With a healthy team, the blowouts don't happen down the stretch last year. Cribbs barely played in the second half of the season and Alston didn't play at all. They control the ball, score and take the pressure of the defense and all bets are off. This is a new year and everyone is healthy at this point.

Akron has everything to lose. Akron has the pressure to win this game and so does Coach Owens. Your fans and team think that you are MAC East contenders. No one expects the Flashes to win squat. They will come in loose and confident. If you have followed this series through the years, expect the unexpected. It will be a battle. I'll take my Flashes in this one!

To A/O:

I can't argue that the Kent defense stunk last year; the second half of the year pretty much everything to do with KSU football stunk. I also agree that the new offensive coordinator will not help the defense, but Dean Pees, the new defensive coordinator might. He did okay at MSU as d-coordiantor.

As for your declaration of Akron's defense as "one of the best in the MAC", here's how the PD calls it:

Quote:Akron's entire offense returns, including record-setting quarterback Charlie Frye and a 1,000-yard rusher in tailback Bobby Hendry. It's on defense that the Zips have to get things under control. This has been a negative for Akron football for most of the past six seasons. In that span the Zips have allowed more than 300 points a season four times, and never less than 295. Only one of those ended with a winning season

Apparently, not everyone agrees with you.

I can't wait until Aug 28. You see, Kent isn't expected to do anything in MAC football. No "Lurking in the East" posts from us. No head coach making predictions. No one out to get us. It's ALL upside for KSU football.

P.S. If it were something as prestigious a Claret Jug instead of a Wagon Wheel, then we can get excited. As only one Kent fan speaking, if we win, I'd let you keep the Wagon Wheel. You all seem to get so excited about the only trophy Akron sports seems to get...hate to take it away.

FlashFan Wrote:P.S. If it were something as prestigious a Claret Jug instead of a Wagon Wheel, then we can get excited. As only one Kent fan speaking, if we win, I'd let you keep the Wagon Wheel. You all seem to get so excited about the only trophy Akron sports seems to get...hate to take it away.

OBVIOUSLY.....the statement is true....

"Kent read, Kent write, Kent State"

I said our OFFENSE is one of the best in the MAC....our OFFENSE.


OFFENSE....defense....OFFENSE.....defense....there IS a difference, right? I'm not sure if you know though. I'm not arguing, our defense blew nuts (but still 8th overall in total defense) last year. I agree with that.....but learn how to read.

It's truly pathetic when a rivalry trophy has been away from a team so long that they no longer care about it.....just a shame really. Although you're right, the trophy isn't very prestigous...maybe because our opponent blows.

It's all upside for Akron, too. It's not like we went friggin undefeated last year - we went 4-8. You don't think our players want to win a MAC East championship? Especially if they have the talent to do so? A first win is critical this season, and who better to get a win from than our rivals? It's a great way to gain confidence and to get things rolling.

Quote:"Kent read, Kent write, Kent State"

I bet after the schools combine and the new name for U of A is
Kent State - Akron Branch you'll drop that line. :D

Got it. I made a mistake. It's not even my first. I'm sorry. Sorry your defense sucks, too.

Now, will you calm down or find another hobby? This one obviously creates too much stress for you.

The Flash Wrote:

AkronObsessed Wrote:A new offensive coordinator doesn't help your defense, which struggled tremendously this past season.&nbsp; Akron has one of the best offenses in the MAC, but without a defense, you get a 4-8 record.&nbsp; You see what I'm saying?


There is everything to gain on Aug. 28, I don't know what YOU'RE talking about....

The Wagon Wheel...although you KSU folks probably forgot all about that long ago because you haven't seen it in so long.&nbsp; Akron has just as much to win as Kent does.&nbsp; A MAC East win, especially.&nbsp; So I beg to differ with your statement that its a no-win situation for Akron, because it IS a win situation!

How many times do we have to point out that this team was decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball. With a healthy team, the blowouts don't happen down the stretch last year. Cribbs barely played in the second half of the season and Alston didn't play at all. They control the ball, score and take the pressure of the defense and all bets are off. This is a new year and everyone is healthy at this point.

Akron has everything to lose. Akron has the pressure to win this game and so does Coach Owens. Your fans and team think that you are MAC East contenders. No one expects the Flashes to win squat. They will come in loose and confident. If you have followed this series through the years, expect the unexpected. It will be a battle. I'll take my Flashes in this one!

Just had to bring this thread back to the top!
Great call by The Flash!
And look at the date.

Thanks. I'd like to think that watching this program get pummeled for well over 15 years now is worth something.

Flash, you also called the game ending scenario.



I have some random thought on this year's prospects:

First, sure feel a whole lot better about the season this week.

Here's the but...one win, even a big one, does not make a season. The Flashes have to stay focused, not reacting to what just happened - good or bad. This seemed to be a problem last year. In the only games I saw, NIU and Marshall, they fell apart after bad breaks or bad calls. So a bad play turned into a bad quarter then a bad game. No stopping the slide once it started. The resilence factor is a coaching problem, IMO. Coming back from 14 down onthe road is a big plus in this area. Was it a one time thing? Hope not.

I'm glad we are deeper at QB, glad Smith has a ton of talent (nice to have the poor man's Mike Vick backed up by the poor man's Kordell Stewart), glad Smith is getting game experience. But knowing how receivers get hit, a piece of me hopes he isn't laid up when (if) we need him most.

Final random thoughts...variety on offense is only good and will get better as Cribbs gets more experience with it, this year and next.
Hope defense doesn't get worse, and don't think they will. But the offense will have to win more shoot outs than we'd like. Big nag...overlooking YSU. They would love to knock us off and can do it.

End stream on consciousness. What do you think now?