I had some down time, so I rewatched three Alma/ Mount Union game and I really feel like the offense sputtering when it came to the red zone was the biggest issue. Interception in end zone on first drive, blocked field goal, interception late and a stacked box by Alma. All that to say, if Beaudrie, Maloney or another mobile QB steps up, this opens the door to more offensive mismatches and keeps the defense having to account for more. As long as expected players are returning, we should be in for another fun season Purple Raider fans.

What else are we expecting this year from the conference?
John Carroll wasn't the clear #2 last year with Marietta almost beating them. Their defense and coaching probably keeps them at 2.
Marietta/BW/Muskingum - what do they return from their teams last year? Will one of them get over the hump in JCU's final year in the OAC for 1st/2nd?
Heidelberg/ONU - have certainly fallen off recently, but always pull surprises (both good and bad)
Otterbein/Capital/Wilmington - seem to be battling each other at the bottom for now

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on July 03, 2024, 07:57:23 AMI had some down time, so I rewatched three Alma/ Mount Union game and I really feel like the offense sputtering when it came to the red zone was the biggest issue. Interception in end zone on first drive, blocked field goal, interception late and a stacked box by Alma. All that to say, if Beaudrie, Maloney or another mobile QB steps up, this opens the door to more offensive mismatches and keeps the defense having to account for more. As long as expected players are returning, we should be in for another fun season Purple Raider fans.

What else are we expecting this year from the conference?
John Carroll wasn't the clear #2 last year with Marietta almost beating them. Their defense and coaching probably keeps them at 2.
Marietta/BW/Muskingum - what do they return from their teams last year? Will one of them get over the hump in JCU's final year in the OAC for 1st/2nd?
Heidelberg/ONU - have certainly fallen off recently, but always pull surprises (both good and bad)
Otterbein/Capital/Wilmington - seem to be battling each other at the bottom for now

In the Alma game, the defense fell asleep and were not consistent enough to stop a Alma
comeback. Hopefully the coaches and returning players will build on the shortfall at the end of 2023.

With the strong recruiting, QB room and the Painsville 4, the momentum and excitement for
2024 is possible. Junior Collins return really helps as well.

We struggled with Alma's uptempo.  By the second half our defense was gassed. 

Quote from: CaliRaider on July 05, 2024, 01:46:43 PMWe struggled with Alma's uptempo.  By the second half our defense was gassed. 

This was my thought after rewatching the game. The offense didn't put the defense in great positions in the 2nd half. On two of the huge plays by Alma, the defenders missed tackles from lunging at the ball carrier,  rather than trying to make a tackle as they looked gassed. The offense wasn't controlling the time of possession, but I really feel like the offense will be back when you can run RPO with multiple threats. Had anyone heard of any surprises transferring out or coming in?

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on July 05, 2024, 08:33:55 PM

Quote from: CaliRaider on July 05, 2024, 01:46:43 PMWe struggled with Alma's uptempo.  By the second half our defense was gassed. 

This was my thought after rewatching the game. The offense didn't put the defense in great positions in the 2nd half. On two of the huge plays by Alma, the defenders missed tackles from lunging at the ball carrier,  rather than trying to make a tackle as they looked gassed. The offense wasn't controlling the time of possession, but I really feel like the offense will be back when you can run RPO with multiple threats. Had anyone heard of any surprises transferring out or coming in?

the run up the middle/outside screen pass offense over and over and over again didn't exactly help either. Dartt thought the game was won and shut it down.  It was pretty much a perfect end for that 5 year class and coaching staff. High expectations and declining results, is it due to nepotism? a sub-par senior class? entitlement?  lack of leadership?

https://youtu.be/OJCFUxFeRQw?si=cZAXJDXImq3jjyRJ&t=692

11:33 - 13:41

this kind of stuff should be fueling the Raiders, but I have little to no confidence in this coaching staff to get the boys going once again.  if you are going to be "the standard" then you should be better than needing a freak play to beat BW, giving up 14 points in the first half vs Alfred State and letting Alma come back in the 4th qtr. 

My concern for the program moving forward is largely based on a couple things out of their control.  With the rare exception of a Berg team here or there JCU has pretty much been the only true test until at least the 2nd round of the playoffs.  Even when JCU wasn't their most talented in a particular year that game still had playoff intensity.  Soon the Raiders should pretty much coast to 10-0 likely without ever really being pushed at all.  I'd like to think they could add a tough OOC game, but I don't have much hope on that front.  The combination of losing JCU from the schedule and just more parity seemingly emerging at the top of D3 makes Mount's path to the level of consistency they've had historically more difficult.

All that being said, they themselves talk about the standard.  The expectations do not change.  They played for a national championship in 2022.  The alumni and fans are not going to kick up their feet and watch the program recede in the future (at least I hope). 

Quote from: Dr. Acula on July 09, 2024, 11:18:04 AMMy concern for the program moving forward is largely based on a couple things out of their control.  With the rare exception of a Berg team here or there JCU has pretty much been the only true test until at least the 2nd round of the playoffs.  Even when JCU wasn't their most talented in a particular year that game still had playoff intensity.  Soon the Raiders should pretty much coast to 10-0 likely without ever really being pushed at all.  I'd like to think they could add a tough OOC game, but I don't have much hope on that front.  The combination of losing JCU from the schedule and just more parity seemingly emerging at the top of D3 makes Mount's path to the level of consistency they've had historically more difficult.

All that being said, they themselves talk about the standard.  The expectations do not change.  They played for a national championship in 2022.  The alumni and fans are not going to kick up their feet and watch the program recede in the future (at least I hope). 

Grove City in '25-26 is a nice OOC. Having the PAC back open to out of conference should be a huge help in finding OCC games.   I agree that it seems, for now, Mount's toughest tests will have to be in games 1 and 2 with a severely weakened OAC.

It might at some point require scheduling some of the D2 programs in OH/PA to fill in a spot with a quality opponent.

Quote from: joelmama on July 11, 2024, 09:41:37 AMIt might at some point require scheduling some of the D2 programs in OH/PA to fill in a spot with a quality opponent.

A non-conference game with a D2 program could really help the Raiders, or a another
series with a WIAC opponent. Not sure why the Raiders have not been aggressively having talks with the top WIAC teams. It would be good for both conferences if anything came of it.

Quote from: joelmama on July 11, 2024, 09:41:37 AMIt might at some point require scheduling some of the D2 programs in OH/PA to fill in a spot with a quality opponent.

How would scheduling a D2 opponent affect the strength of schedule calculations for the playoff?

Quote from: Gregulator316 on July 11, 2024, 12:44:27 PM

Quote from: joelmama on July 11, 2024, 09:41:37 AMIt might at some point require scheduling some of the D2 programs in OH/PA to fill in a spot with a quality opponent.

How would scheduling a D2 opponent affect the strength of schedule calculations for the playoff?

It would not. Only D-III games are accounted for.

Rayshaun Williams, explosive receiver who was set to be a top returning playmaker, is looking to transfer from Mount Union. He was a really exciting player for sure! Best of luck.

Quote from: joelmama on July 11, 2024, 09:41:37 AMIt might at some point require scheduling some of the D2 programs in OH/PA to fill in a spot with a quality opponent.

would not shock me if the number of D2 programs in OH shrinks dramatically in the next few years

there is a program right up the road that would be a quality non-conference game after a year or so.  I wonder if they would be up for a "rivalry"

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on July 11, 2024, 08:00:49 PMRayshaun Williams, explosive receiver who was set to be a top returning playmaker, is looking to transfer from Mount Union. He was a really exciting player for sure! Best of luck.

graduating HS in '19 and still having two more years of eligibility is certainly a "welcome to college football 2024" type of moment.  I wish the kid nothing but the best, but something tells me that Mount will be just fine in the WR room

Quote from: D3fanboy on July 12, 2024, 07:52:14 PM

Quote from: joelmama on July 11, 2024, 09:41:37 AMIt might at some point require scheduling some of the D2 programs in OH/PA to fill in a spot with a quality opponent.

would not shock me if the number of D2 programs in OH shrinks dramatically in the next few years

there is a program right up the road that would be a quality non-conference game after a year or so.  I wonder if they would be up for a "rivalry"

I would hope that there's occasionally a John Carroll-Mount Union non-conference game on the schedule, agreed.