Going Scouting: Akron Zips

My mom will sometimes call me before a Pittsburgh sporting event and ask me, "you ready?" I always respond the same way with her, which infuriates her. I tell her that I don't have to be ready. I'm not on the team, so therefore, I can just lay here on the couch and not worry about it. Does this make me a smart-ass? Yes, it does. Let's move on with that established.

Pitt will travel to Akron to take on the Zips next weekend on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. What awaits them at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (and yes, that is a real stadium name) is really anyone's guess at this point. Fourth year head coach, Terry Bowden, kept his camp closed and not much is known, except this is a make or break year for the Zips. After delivering Pitt a devastating defeat of 21-10, AT HEINZ FIELD last season, the Zips faltered down the stretch, ending with a 5-7 record.

Pitt should be itching to get to Akron to atone for the team's loss last season. First though, the Zips will get a big test right off the bat tonight. They will travel to Oklahoma and take on the 19th ranked Sooners on the road. To watch the game you'll have to check it out on FSOK ... or order it on PPV. The game will absolutely let us know if the Zips can hang with one of the top teams in the country right off the bat. It's nothing that is new to Akron, who is known to schedule tough early. The game will kick off at 7:00 p.m., so Pitt fans can check it out after the Panthers are finished.

One big thing to watch is the quarterback battle in Akron. Will former Pitt star recruit, Tra'von Chapman get on the field and take time away from proven signal-caller Kyle Pohl? We'll see. If he does, that will only build the anticipation for the Panthers' game next weekend.

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