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I think it’s safe to say that the East Division was much better overall than the West Division in C-USA in 2007. Proof: in the regular season, the East was 13-5 against the West, with four of the losses being by Marshall and UAB, the last-place teams. League champ UCF, along with East Carolina and Memphis, went 3-0 vs. the West.
A closer look somewhat furthers this notion: six of the East’s wins were by 7 points or less. At the same time though, Marshall lost by just eight at Tulsa and just a TD at Houston, and UAB lost at Tulsa by just 8 points (30-38).
The East Division was 13-5 against the West Division of C-USA in 2007, thanks to the departed Kevin Smith and UCF, who were 4-0
The East also had four bowl teams – UCF, ECU, Memphis, and Southern Miss – to just two – Tulsa and Houston – from the West (C-USA was just 2-4 in bowl games last year). Also, UCF beat Tulsa in the C-USA Title Game.
Will this continue to this year? I will say not to the same extent – look for a more even intra-divisional record in ‘08. Here’s the East…
EAST CAROLINA
Last Year: 8-5, upset Boise State in Hawaii Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
ECU FS Van Eskridge, here returning a fumble for six at UTEP last year, leads a stout Pirates defense into the C-USA East title hunt in 2008
In 2007, ECU closed the season winning 7 of 9, and set a school-record for points in a season (403). However they were outgained by 30 yards/game in conference games, and lose speedy HB Chris Johnson and his nearly 2,000 yards of offense and 23 total TDs. Two QBs – the running threat Patrick Pinkney and pocket passer Rob Kass – alternated last year, and should do so this year as well.
At the HB position, Sr. Dominique Lindsay has plenty of experience, and So. Jonathan Williams has sub-4.4 speed and averaged nearly 7 yards/carry last year. Leading WR Jamar Bryant is back, as is So. Dwayne Harris, who had nearly 800 all-purpose yards (he returned punts too). With 4 starters back, ECU may have the best OL in the conference.
ECU was OK on defense last year, showing glimpses (the opener at Virginia Tech and first 3 quarters of the bowl game) of being really good, and they return 9 starters this year. Three top tacklers return – FS Van Eskridge and LBs Pierre Bell and Quentin Cotton. The entire DL is back, potentially the best in the league, so this should be a pretty good defense. The Pirates play a tough non-C-USA schedule – VT in Charlotte, West Virginia, at NC State and at Virginia – but get their tougher C-USA games – outside of UCF and maybe Southern Miss – at home. With possibly the best lines in the league, ECU might be the East favorite.
UCF
Last Year: 10-4, League Champs, lost in Liberty Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
‘07 C-USA Champ UCF returns their entire secondary, including SS Sha’reff Rashad, who led the Knights with 103 tackles last year
Even-numbered years have not been good for UCF so far under George O’Leary: 0-11 in 2004 and 4-8 in 2006. The Knights went 18-9 in 2005 and 2007, including last year’s C-USA Championship run, led by departed 2,500-yd, 29 TD HB Kevin Smith. They also will have a new QB, likely Jr. Mike Greco, who attempted just 45 passes last year. At HB you’ll see Jr. Phillip Smith and incoming Fr. Latavius Murray. WRs A.J. Guyton and Kamar Aiken combined for nearly 900 yards and 7 TDs as freshman last year, and leading WR Rocky Ross is back as well. Seven of the top 10 OL return.
Nine defensive starters return for the Knights, including the entire secondary – CBs Johnell Neal and Joe Burnett, SS Sha’reff Rashad, and FS Jason Venson. The 3 starters at LB from last year – Derrick Hallman, Chance Henderson, and Cory Hogue – return and the backers may be the best in the league. The top two DL are gone, though. UCF has in-state bragging right opportunities with USF and a trip to Miami on the schedule (also a trip to BC). They get ECU at home, but travel to UTEP, Tulsa, Marshall, and Memphis. Nevertheless, UCF should be bowling again and could very well defend their title.
MARSHALL
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
FS C.J. Spillman led Marshall with 131 tackles last year, leading a defense that had just a total of 4 INTs
Marshall started off 0-7 last year before salvaging the season with wins over Rice, ECU, and UAB – long gone are the days of Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich setting school records. Marshall should be better this year, however, with 17 returning starters, including 2006 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year DE Albert McClellan, who tore his ACL last summer and missed ‘07.
QB Bernard Morris is gone, but the RBs and WRs return with experience and the OL losses should be replaced with some talented JUCO and redshirt freshmen. Nine defensive starters return, including the top four tacklers, including FS C.J. Spillman and MLB Maurice Kitchens. Marshall intercepted only four passes last year (2 were by DE John Jacobs who returns). The Herd will have to win a couple tough home games against Memphis, Houston, UCF and Tulsa in conference, because a 1-3 non-conference record is very likely with games against Cincy and at Wisconsin and at West Virginia.
MEMPHIS
Last Year: 7-6, lost in New Orleans Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Memphis returns their top 7 receivers from last year, including the tall (6-foot-8), lanky Carlos Singleton
The hometown (I won’t say my) Tigers were 2-4 the middle of last year with losses to Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee before close wins over Rice and Tulane propelled Memphis into bowl eligibility with a 3OT home win over SMU. They were outscored in conference despite going 6-2. The top passer (QB Martin Hankins) and rusher (HB Joseph Doss) are gone, but the entire WR corps return. Head Coach Tommy West, entering his 8th season, has also said this year’s OL may be the best he’s had while Memphis.
Eight defensive starters return, including FS Brandon Patterson. Three DL return, so there should be improvement there, and two starting LBs return, along with 3 in the secondary. The East may very well be a four-team race, and Memphis should be a contender this year. They get UCF at home and travel to ECU, but they draw Rice, SMU, and Tulane out of the West (that’s favorable). They open up at Ole Miss, and look who’s back on the schedule again! Yes, the hated Louisville Cardinals visit Memphis October 10.
SOUTHERN MISS
Last Year: 7-6, lost to USF in bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Damion Fletcher looks for his third-straight 1,000-yd season, though Southern Miss returns just 10 starters and (inexplicably) has a new coach
Rant time: Southern Miss was just plain stupid for forcing out long-time head coach Jeff Bower. What did Bower do in Hattiesburg? He built USM into football respectability: the Golden Eagles have been to 10 bowls the last 11 years, and Bower led USM to 14 straight winning seasons. To put that into perspective, only Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Virginia Tech have that current distinction. Tough spot for new coach Larry Fedora.
To add to the change, Southern Miss has just 10 starters back. HB Damion Fletcher and leading receivers WR Torris Magee and TE Shawn Nelson return, but the OL returns just 45 career starts and the interior line must be replaced. C-USA’s Defensive Player of the Year last year MLB Gerald McRath returns (139 tackles last year), but the Eagles have to replace seven starters, including the entire D-Line. LB Tokumbo Abanikanda, who has one of the coolest names in college football in my opinion, does return too. Continuing their ambitious non-conference scheduling, USM plays at Auburn this year and host Boise State. With the losses and the new coach, don’t be surprised if that 14-year streak comes to an end in 2008.
UAB
Last Year: 2-10 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
FS Will Dunbar led UAB with 122 tackles last year and is one of 9 returning starters on defense for an extremely youthful Blazer team in ‘08
When discussing the powerful offenses in C-USA last year, remember not to include the Blazers – UAB averaged 19.6 points/game last year, and allowed 35 to add on all that. A tough first year for coach Neil Callaway, UAB has just 4 senior starters and just 7 overall seniors on the listed two-deep charts.
Dual-threat QB (Darrell Hackney, part II?) Joseph Webb saw a fair share of action last year, and he enters this year as the likely starter (Webb had 30 receptions and 3 TD catches last year too). The revolving door at HB continues: Rashaud Slaughter led in rushing last year, but moves to WR, Mississippi State transfer Brandon Thornton had 63 carries last year but was dismissed, and Aaron Johns, after failing to qualify last year, returns. Three OL starters return, two of whom started as freshmen last year.
Nine defensive starters are back for UAB. UAB was atrocious against the run last year, allowing 291 yards/game in C-USA play (257 overall). The entire DL returns, and all but one LB and one DB return, so huge improvements are expected for the Blazers defensively. Trips to Florida Atlantic, Tennessee, and South Carolina could spell trouble, as UAB is another year away from seriously contending for a bowl bid.
Having grown up in Memphis and been a lifetime Tennessee fan, I would have to say that other than the SEC, the most contact I’ve had with any other college football has been Conference USA.
First, Tennessee enjoys playing C-USA teams, seemingly every year (the Vols are 33-0 in home games against C-USA teams). Secondly, living in Memphis, obviously the Tigers are there, and I’ve had to deal with them for my whole life, though my feelings towards the football Tigers are much less hateful than the basketball Tigers. Finally, I’ve been to the Liberty Bowl every now and then, and C-USA’s champion is usually playing in that game (I saw 3 great games in 2004, 2005, and 2006).
Other than that, I don’t really have anything about Conference USA like I did/will for these other leagues. It’s not as good as the MWC, but not at the lower level of the Sun Belt – just an in-between. The league has lost some respectability, and has seemingly struggled in the non-conference the last couple of years. However the league has finally found sensible geographical balance – no more USF, Cincinnati, or Army of the older C-USA.
C-USA in 2007 was full of offense, but many of the top offensive players in the league – Tulsa QB Paul Smith and Tulane HB Matt Forte, among others – have departed
That said, it’s generally a wide-open league, and last year was not an exception. In conference games, nine teams averaged over 30 points per game (the other 3 were Marshall, Tulane, and UAB). Compare that to the SEC, where just five teams had such offenses. The two division champions, UCF and Tulsa, each averaged over 40 points per game.
However, 4 of the top 10 QBs pass efficiency-wise are gone, and 6 of the top 10 rushers are gone. Just four players of the top 10 in total offense last year return. Some of the losses: HBs Kevin Smith (UCF), Matt Forte (Tulane), Anthony Alridge (Houston), and Chris Johnson (East Carolina); QBs Paul Smith (Tulsa), Martin Hankins (Memphis), and Bernard Morris (Marshall).
Here’s a look at the West…
TULSA
Last Year: 10-4, West Champs, huge bowl win – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Tarrion Adams, along with returning 2006 leading rusher Courtney Tennial, must help Tulsa break in a new QB in Tulsa’s West Division defense
The Golden Hurricane, brought out of being awful by current Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe, have won the C-USA West two out of the last three years, but star QB Paul Smith has graduated. However, nine starters return from the NCAA’s #1 offense from last year, an up-tempo, shotgun style run by former Arkansas OC Gus Malzahn. Think Texas Tech. The QB? Either Sr. David Johnson, So. Clark Harrell, or JUCO transfer/spring enrollee Jacob Bower.
Star HB Tarrion Adams, who ran for 1,225 yards last year and scored 11 total TDs, is back, and HB Courtney Tennial, who missed 2007 due to injury, was granted a 6th year. “FB” Charles Clay had over 1,000 yards receiving and 7 TD catches last year. By a “fullback”? Two 1,000 yard, double-digit TD reception WRs – Brennan Marion and Trae Johnson – are back, with four returning OL.
Just five defensive starters are back, and the top 4 tacklers are gone. Among the best returning defenders – FS Charles Davis, LB George Clinkscale, DB Roy Roberts, and DE Moton Hopkins. Despite the QB and defense questions, Tulsa could win the West again, and win 10 games – their toughest games are trips to Houston, SMU, Marshall, and Arkansas.
UTEP
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe enters his second year as the Miners’ starter
Last year the Miners had to replace their all-time career passing leader Jordan Palmer (yes, Carson’s little brother). They couldn’t stop anybody either (giving up 6, 45, 29, 12, 45, 47, 45, 34, 56, 34, 56, and 36 points). Five offensive starters return, including QB Trevor Vittatoe (25 TDs, 7 INTs last year) and WR Jeff Moturi (13 TD catches). They must replace HB Marcus Thomas, but 3 OL return, so the HB position may be the real only question mark, along with WR depth.
As mentioned, UTEP struggled stopping people last year. Seven defenders return, but 3 of the top 5 tacklers are gone. LB Adam Vincent and SS Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith are back, and the DL, which gave up over 200 yards rushing/game last year, returns 3 starters. Head Coach Mike Price needs two LBs, but 3 secondary starters are back. With 3 winnable non-conference games (the other being a rare home game against Texas September 6), UTEP could find themselves a part of the bowl season.
HOUSTON
Last Year: 8-5, lost Texas Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Houston QB Case Keenum had 23 total TDs last year while splitting time with fellow QB Blake Joseph
Bama fans remember Houston from their near-win in Tuscaloosa last year, and Houston has been one of C-USA’s most consistent teams the past 5 years under the departed Art Briles, who’s now at Baylor (why I have no clue). The Cougs were co-West Champs last year, but Tulsa blasted them 56-7 to earn the title game berth.
Last year QBs Case Keenum and Blake Joseph split snaps, throwing for a combined 3,500+ yards and 23 TDs, and both return this year. Keenum also ran for 9 TDs last year, and Houston must find a new top RB. TE Mark Hafner is the only returning player who had double-digit catches last year, so there’s certainly a question mark. Eight of the top 10 OL return, though, so it should be interesting how Houston fares under new coach Kevin Sumlin. Under Briles, Houston was a pretty explosive offense – I know, I saw them (with Kevin Kolb) go at it with South Carolina in the ‘06 Liberty Bowl.
Seven defensive starters return, but leading tackler SS Rocky Schwartz is gone. LB Ernest Miller moves to SS alongside FS Kenneth Fontenette, and CB Brandon Brinkley returns to form a stronger secondary. The 3 starting DL return, including former Tennessee signee DE Ell Ash. The Cougars are fine at LB, so this could be a pretty solid D. Despite the coaching change, there’s enough returning for another bowl season for Houston.
SMU
Last Year: 1-11 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
SMU’s leading rusher and passer last year QB Justin Willis now will be running a June Jones offense
June Jones jumped (sinking) ship at Hawaii and is now at SMU. The Mustangs’ lone win last year was North Texas, but they lost 3 games in OT and another by a point. Leading passer and rusher QB Justin Willis is back, and the top two HBs James Mapps and DeMyron Martin are back. WR Emmanuel Sanders return, but Zack Sledge and his 10 TD receptions are gone. On the OL, just 48 career starts return, and they must learn the Jones offense.
SMU gave up 40 points per game last year, but 7 starters are back. Top tacklers LB Will Bonilla and SS Bryce Hudman return, as do DBs Bryan McCann and David Haynes. The DL returns just two sacks, but two Big XII LB transfers (Chase Kennemer and Alex Odiari) should help. In Jones’ first year at Hawaii, he took the Warriors from 0-12 to 9-4 and a bowl game. Could it be the same story for him at SMU?
RICE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Rice Sr. WR Jarrett Dillard is looking for his third straight 1,000-yd receiving year in ‘08
In 2006 Rice snuck up on everybody, went 7-5 and played in a bowl game (where Troy crushed them). Last year it was back to reality though, as new coach David Bailiff struggled. Rice returns nine offensive starters, including QB Chase Clement, who threw for nearly 3,400 yards with 37 total TDs last year, and WR Jarrett Dillard, an All-American in 2006. Just two OL starters need replacing, and the OL has 83 career returning starts.
Seven defensive starters return, including the top five 2007 tacklers – FS Andrew Sendejo, LBs Brian Raines and Vernon James, DE Scott Solomon, and CB Brandon King. Rice may have some questions at DT, however, but the defense should be better than the one that gave up 43 points/game last season. Four of the Owls’ first six games are on the road (Memphis, Vanderbilt, Texas, and Tulsa), so how they fare in those games will show us what Rice has in store for 2008.
TULANE
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Green Wave MLB Evan Lee led Tulane in tackles last year
The Green Wave have only been to one bowl (2002 Hawaii Bowl) since the undefeated, Shaun King-led 1998 season, and coach Bob Toledo enters his second year in New Orleans. His main task this year is replacing HB Matt Forte’s 2,127 yards and 23 rushing TDs. All three QBs who saw significant time last year – Anthony Scelfo, Scott Elliott, and Kevin Moore – return, but those three threw a combined 10 TDs and 12 INTs last year. The top two WRs – Jeremy Williams and Brian King – are back, along with 4 OL starters and 80 combined career starts.
Oh look! another team in this division returning seven defensive starters. Leading 2007 tackler MLB Evan Lee is back, along with CB Josh Lumar, LB David Skehan, and FS Chinonso Echebelem. While the LBs and secondary should be fine, Tulane loses its top three DTs – Avery Williams, Antonio Harris, and Frank Morton. Tulane plays at Alabama and LSU this year, as well as UTEP, Houston, and Tulsa. Replacing Forte will be hard enough, so it could be a tough year for Tulane.
Now for the Mac East division, otherwise known as the oddest division – literally, with 7 teams – in college football.
BOWLING GREEN
Last Year: 8-5, lost to Tulsa by bowl-record 56 points – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Bowling Green Jr. QB Tyler Sheehan looks to lead the Falcons into the MAC Title game in 2008
If it had been this year last year, Bowling Green would have played for the MAC Title, not Miami. The Falcons were 6-2, Miami was 5-2, but with only the division records counting, BG lost the tiebreakers. It worked out for them though – well, kinda. Miami lost, and Bowling Green got their bowl spot and promptly got blown away 63-7 by Tulsa.
The offensive skills position pretty much return everybody – QB Tyler Sheehan, HBs Anthony Turner and Willie Geter, and WRs Freddie Barnes and Corey Partridge. Interestingly enough, both Turner and Barnes played some QB for the Falcons in both 2005 and 2006, before Sheehan nailed down the starting job heading into last season. The offensive line, however, returns just 2 starters, and have just 36 career starts with the returning players this year.
Defensively, Bowling Green only has to replace a DE and an OLB. Leading tacklers – LBs Erique Dozier and John Haneline and SS P.J. Mahone – all return to lead what should be an improved defense. There are no non-conference breaks on the schedule, as BG plays Minnesota (who they beat last year) at home and Pitt, Boise State, and Wyoming all on the road. That said, the Falcons certainly are one of the favorites in a wide open East.
MIAMI
Last Year: 6-7, lost MAC Title and a bowl game to Central Michigan – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Clayton Mullins (9) is one of the 3 returning LBs that lead a strong Miami defense
It might be safe to say Miami is still finding the going tough post-Roethlisberger. They improved from 2-10 to 6-7 last year, and should see more of the same this season, challenging to repeat as the West’s title game rep. Daniel Raudabaugh returns at QB, though with 12 TDs and 12 INTs last year he will have to battle redshirt Fr. Clay Belton for the starting job. The top 3 rushers are gone, though Thomas Merriweather appears to be the guy at HB and he led the Redhawks in rushing TDs last year. Miami is fine at WR, with Dustin Woods, Eugene Harris, and Armand Robinson all returning, and the OL has 3 starters back.
Miami topped the MAC in defense last year and returns 9 starters, obvious reasons to believe they may be the team to beat in this division. The strength is the LBs – Caleb Bostic, Joey Hudson, and Clayton Mullins – who were the top 3 tacklers last year. The DL and secondary are both solid, and you know what they say – “Defense wins championships.” Miami plays at Bowling Green this year and hammered the Falcons 47-14 last year . Interestingly, they host a very green Vanderbilt offense on the opening Thursday night, becoming the first MAC team to host an SEC team since 1920.
KENT STATE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Eugene Jarvis spearheads a potent Kent State running game as the Golden Flashes look to improve on last year’s 3-9 season
Kent State stunned Iowa State 23-14 in Ames on the opening Thursday night of last season, and then things went awry. Injuries, most notably at the QB spot where they were down to the fourth-stringer, wrecked the season. QB Julian Edelman started last year and is back this year, along with HB Eugene Jarvis, a 1st Team All-MAC player from last year. The OL is experienced, and the Golden Flashes are predominantly a running team.
Eight defensive starters return, including all 3 LBs – Cedrick Maxwell, Stevon Moss, and Derrek Burrell. 3 DL starters are back, and, while losing their top 2 DBs, Kent State has 6 DBs returning with starting experience. Overall, Kent State should be an improved defense, and should be much better overall. They could be a darkhorse contender in the West and reaching bowl eligibility – Kent State has made only one bowl ever – isn’t out of the question.
BUFFALO
Last Year: 5-7 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Could HB James Starks lead Buffalo – yes, Buffalo – into a bowl game??
Buffalo was 12-68 from 2000-2006, or really, really bad. UB brought in Turner Gill in 2006, went 2-10, and started off 2007 1-4 – ho-hum Bulls football. Yet after a 26-10 win over Akron, Buffalo was 3-0 in the division and were in the race. After a 31-28 loss at Miami, Buffalo fell 31-17 at home to Bowling Green, falling out of contention. They won 5 MAC games last year, just 3 less than the 7 years before that, and outgained MAC teams by 70 yards/game last season (third in the conference). Maybe that’s why Nebraska was looking at Gill for their vacancy. The offense returns 10 starters, most notably 1,100-yd and 12 TDs from last year in HB James Starks.
Defense is a little bit of a concern, though, especially at LB. The line should continue improvement and the entire secondary returns. Road games at Pitt, Missouri, Central Michigan and Bowling Green will be tough, but could it be possible for Buffalo to have a .500 season?
TEMPLE
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Jason Harper is one of Temple’s 22 – yes, that’s all of them – returning starters
After seemingly forever in the Big East cellar, Temple has found a much better home in the MAC. From 2003-2006, Temple won four games, the same number they won last year. Much like Buffalo, incredible improvement for one of the worst I-A programs in recent years. Amazingly, Temple returns all 22 starters and loses just two letterman from last year, something I have never even seen or heard of.
The top 3 offensive players – QB Adam DiMichele, HB Jason Harper, and WR Bruce Francis – return with a year of experience. The entire defense is back. You would think a team with all their starters back would have to improve, but it’s Temple, right? Could Temple be one of the bowl eligible teams next year? It will certainly be a surprise to me if Buffalo or Temple reaches the 6-6 mark next year.
OHIO
Last Year: 6-6 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
So. WR LaVon Brazill should be a starter at WR for Ohio this season
After being fired for going 9-3 at Nebraska, Frank Solich seems to have found some success at Ohio, signing an extension through 2013 in mid-July. The Bobcats went bowling in 2006, but were just 6-6 last year. This year could be tougher as Ohio returns just 13 starters. HB Kalvin McRae (19 rushing TDs last year) is the biggest hole to fill, and QB Brad Bower is gone, giving way to Theo Scott to be this year’s starter.
Three of the top five tacklers from last year are gone, but LB Michael Brown, SS Michael Mitchell, and DE Jameson Hartke look to lead the defense. A tough sked won’t help the young Bobcats – trips to Wyoming, Ohio State, Northwestern, Western Michigan, Kent State, Temple, and Miami could be trouble. Phil Steele says of Ohio, “If Solich pulls out a winning record, I’ll give him my vote for MAC Coach of the Year.”
AKRON
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Akron’s Andre Jones moves from FS to WR this year in efforts to replace the departed Jabari Arthur
Last year’s struggles might have been expected for Akron, having to replace QB Luke Getsy, who replaced Akron’s career passing leader Charlie Frye. QB Chris Jacquemain enters his second season as the Akron starter after a tough 2007. The leading rushing TD (7) HB Alex Allen is back, but they must replace 1,171-yd, 10 TD receptions WR Jabari Arthur. The offensive line does have 4 starters back, and T Chris Kemme was 2nd Team All-MAC in 2007.
Just 5 starters back from a defense that was #10 in the MAC last year. Leading returning tackler FS Andre Jones moves to WR, leaving Sr. MLB Kevin Grant as the top returning tackler. Leading rusher from last year Bryan Williams moves to SS and is the only returning “starter” (can you call it that?). The defensive line should be the Zips’ strength, but it’s a little different in the back 7.
