Steve_424
Hall-of-Famer
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Messages
- 10,562
- Reaction score
- 13,194
- Points
- 123
If you've paid attention to the news lately, you've seen that my alma mater, the University of Akron, is having some budget issues. They cut 215 jobs, the baseball program, and more in a sweeping $40 M budget cut. Part of the issue is the brand-new football stadium drawing critically low attendance figures.
Here's why I think it's difficult for people to care.
Let's say the Zips have a magical year. Beyond magical even - let's say they go undefeated. They beat Oklahoma, they beat Pitt again, they dominate the MAC, and they go 13-0.
As MAC Champions, they would look to stay undefeated in a Bowl Game. They could potentially find themselves in a major bowl game, but more than likely they'd be headed to the Bahamas Bowl. They would not be considered for the College Football Playoff.
Let me repeat that - the ultimate prize if literally everything goes right and they have the best season in program history is the Bahamas Bowl.
That, my fellow Zips fans, is why it's difficult for the average fan in Akron to get excited about the football team. Nobody cares about the Bahamas Bowl.
Like all but 20-25 D1 teams, the Akron Zips football team has been eliminated from contention for the 2015-2016 National Championship before the season has even started.
In comparison, a great season by Zips soccer will place them in the NCAA Tournament. Same goes for men's basketball. While they'd have to fight (likely) crappy seeding and might have odds stacked against them (mostly in basketball), they'd have a chance to win a National Championship.
That's why I'm not opposed to Division II. They'd save by having less scholarship to pay out. Playing to have a shot at the D2 National Title is better than the Bahamas Bowl. And hey, it might even add a little excitement along the way and increase attendance.
Thoughts from fellow Zips fans and/or fans of other mid-major programs?
Here's why I think it's difficult for people to care.
Let's say the Zips have a magical year. Beyond magical even - let's say they go undefeated. They beat Oklahoma, they beat Pitt again, they dominate the MAC, and they go 13-0.
As MAC Champions, they would look to stay undefeated in a Bowl Game. They could potentially find themselves in a major bowl game, but more than likely they'd be headed to the Bahamas Bowl. They would not be considered for the College Football Playoff.
Let me repeat that - the ultimate prize if literally everything goes right and they have the best season in program history is the Bahamas Bowl.
That, my fellow Zips fans, is why it's difficult for the average fan in Akron to get excited about the football team. Nobody cares about the Bahamas Bowl.
Like all but 20-25 D1 teams, the Akron Zips football team has been eliminated from contention for the 2015-2016 National Championship before the season has even started.
In comparison, a great season by Zips soccer will place them in the NCAA Tournament. Same goes for men's basketball. While they'd have to fight (likely) crappy seeding and might have odds stacked against them (mostly in basketball), they'd have a chance to win a National Championship.
That's why I'm not opposed to Division II. They'd save by having less scholarship to pay out. Playing to have a shot at the D2 National Title is better than the Bahamas Bowl. And hey, it might even add a little excitement along the way and increase attendance.
Thoughts from fellow Zips fans and/or fans of other mid-major programs?