University Athletic Association

[Wizardman]

While its jim dandy to rush the ball a quarter mile, CMU will need to find a way to get the ball in a split ends hands at least 12 yards down field before the end of the season to be prepared for playoff caliber defenses.

Can this be done without the quarterback getting hit?  Probably not, but this offense gets quarterbacks hit, just not blindly.

Dont want to see Erdelyis offense devolve into an Augustana.  Hoping to see some tandem lines and fly ingredients before seasons end.

best regards,
Derek Lutz and Thornton

After seeing how Mount Union played, a team like CMU would have very little chance based on how often they run. Of cours,e that's what their trick plays are for.

[CMURyan]

No offense, but everyone gets dominated by Mount Union.  If we lose to Mt. Union in the playoffs, that's a successful season by CMU standards. 

Second, our quarterbacks, first Mulkern now Facemeyer, have been hitting the deep ball all season long.  We don't pass a lot, but when we do we average around 10 yards per attempt.  Not sure if Facemeyer will be quite as successful, but I don't think it's fair to say that CMU can't pass the ball. 

Plus, with Sivek and Gimson grinding out yards, why would we pass it if we're consistently out in front and averaging 5.4 yards a carry for the season?  Stick with what works.

[ADL70]

Welcome CMURyan

Hope you'll stay around and comment.

Solid #5 ranking for CMU in the South.  Typical 1-8, 2-7, etc. seeding does not apply however.  W&L is in line for an AQ.  Three Texas teams creates a potential geography problem.  Millsaps and Sul Ross could have something to say about that.  CMU v W&J would be a possibility.  If CMU holds the number five I don't know that they'd get Mt U in first round.  If Wooster wins the NCAC they might draw that straw.

CMU passed a lot early against Grove City, probably because they were stacking against the run.  They were very successful, but then that was Grove City.

In the prognostication department:  LAZ  CMU by 8   CWRU  by 5
                                                            DH  CMU  31-24   CWRU  21-14

I don't think WUStL gets that many points.  21-7.   In Cleveland neither team gets that many, esp. if Schey doesn't play.  17-12.

Josh Bowerman disagrees w/me on CMU-Mt, but Mr Ypsi seems to be w/me.

[Superfoot Wallace]

After seeing how Mount Union played, a team like CMU would have very little chance based on how often they run. Of cours,e that's what their trick plays are for.

Those arent trick plays.  They are part of series plays.  Playcalling in the wing t is something different than any other.  Series calls as opposed to gaming another teams best defensive lineman or tendency.  Would be surprising to everyone how much Bill Walsh stole from the wing t to create the touted West Coast (cough! cough!) offense.

Not that there arent trick plays within the wing t, but whereas nearly every other major system offers two types of runs (direct and misdirect), the wing t offers two varieties of diret and three varieties of misdirect, with the major direct run, the Waggle follow actually being a counter.  Dont ask me to explain how a counter is a direct run, it just is.

I wasnt saying CMU couldnt pass the ball either.  I was pointing to a particular reciever within 100 and 900 formation.  The reason I brought up tandem and fly ingredients (or rocket motion) was to cut some stripe from that tack that says if CMU runs the ball that much they cant beat a MUC.

With all the playoff talk, CMU better keep it in gear and take care of business on Saturdays.  Probably will get to see a game in about two weeks.  The last two weeks of the season are gonna be a huuuuuge roadtrip for Macleod.  Expecting to see six maybe even eight major offensive systems put on display in competitive D3 football.

signed,
Clark Shaugnessy

[ADL70]

I think the "trick plays" being referred to were the WR and RB throwing a forward pass and the fake field goal.

[CMURyan]

Not sure how the seedings lead to playoff matchups (I wouldn't have thought a 5 seed could play an 8 seed), but a game against W+J would be our dream scenario.  We'd be hosting a game at Gesling Stadium and the place would be rocking (by CMU standards anyway).  Winding up in a region away from Mt. Union would of course be a major plus.

[BDTartan]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves people.  There is still the UAA "championship" game this weekend in St. Louis and then two more games after that before we start talking Mt. Union.

I do wonder how many OAC teams run the Wing-T and whether or not they run it like Erdelyi.  Because I think he has broke out of his shell with play-calling compared to the box he lived in last year.  I didn't see any passing last year until CMU got behind by too much.  This year he has opened it up a bit.  As far as Facemeyer goes, I don't think there is much of a difference between him and Mulkern other than maturity and game experience.  I do agree with CMURyan that if you can grind out 300 yds. a game and you are ahead in every game then why not pound it down somebody's throats.  Keeps the defense fresh and off the field.  I think the D will be the most important unit if CMU gets into the playoffs.  If they can keep whoever they draw off the scoreboard then Erdelyi and the offense can do what they do and not have to get away from something that they have been doing all year.

CMURyan, nice to have ya.  If you're on the team, good luck this weekend and tell my brother (#37) I said good luck too.

[ADL70]

Ryan-Rankings do not equal seedings.  Teams in Top 8 in region aren't even guaranteed to get in the playoffs.  Playoff teams come from the Pools.  And geographic proximity means more to the NCAA than rankings.  They have to fly teams that have to travel more the 500 miles.  And the playoff "regions" aren't the same as the ranking regions.  N teams have gone E before.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ryan-Rankings do not equal seedings.  Teams in Top 8 in region aren't even guaranteed to get in the playoffs.  Playoff teams come from the Pools.  And geographic proximity means more to the NCAA than rankings.  They have to fly teams that have to travel more the 500 miles.  And the playoff "regions" aren't the same as the ranking regions.  N teams have gone E before.

Good points!  And to clarify a bit more, there's still 2-3 weeks left in the season, so the current rankings could be shaken up quite a bit.  Also, in the North, the MIAA has an AQ, but no team currently in the top ten - there goes another opening (not sure whether this is true in any other region)!

While moving a team to a different region is fairly rare, it does usually happen at least once each year.

[ADL70]

Trying to bring the new kids up to speed.

[ADL70]

Congrats to CMU's Aaron Lewis

http://www.d3football.com/notables.php

The ESPN crawl only lists the DI finalists.   HsssssssssBoo

[Pat Coleman]

Mount Union seems to have little trouble with Augustana's Wing-T in the playoffs on a regular basis. I'm sure they can manage.

[Superfoot Wallace]

What are the take on this weekends matchup of CMU and WasUStL? 

Polar opposites offensively last year if remembering correctly.  Ground and pound for CMU and vertical passing for the Bears.

Could bode bad things if WasU reels off more than one early score.  Even though a wing t advocate, still get caught up in that Lindy Infante mindset that thinks highscoring affairs are for passing game track meets.  That being said, CMU can score often with their running attack, but strategically theyre better suited playing with a lead than from behind.

Anything more than a 12 point lead by WasU could prove to be CMUs demise in this one.  Whats the word on the return of the CMU linebacker?  Any insight on CMU defensively would be appreciated, particularly secondary.  Does CMU get a pass rush with their front four or do they have to do something in the blitz game?

Pat, not actually matching them up against Raiders, youll notice the indefinte article before my instantiation of mUC earlier.  Hard to get a gauge on the UAA teams until the NCAC agreement is in full force.  Just wouldnt have had the same meaning if had said a Trinity.

And congrats to Aaron Lewis.

best regards,
Boyd Dowler

[BDTartan]

I wasn't trying to say that CMU's wing-T is the greatest.  I just wondered if Mount sees that much of it and whether or not it is run like Erdelyi's.

As far as Ploetzner goes, I would think he's ready to go this week unless he has had a setback.  I don't know how much he would play but seeing him in shorts and his jersey on the sideline last week made me think he was ready last week.

MacLeod, CMU only has a front 3 but I have seen them send a LB or two on occasion, but they do well enough rush their 3 down linemen.  The NT Mike Reggie is a big boost on that line and allows CMU to rush just 3 on most downs.  I would have to say that the secondary is healthy and playing well with 3 seniors and a junior.  Other than that I don't know what to tell you.

Yes, congrats to Aaron Lewis.  Let's hope he brings another one home for the UAA and D3.

[ADL70]

WUStL has struggled offensively.  Eg, 13 pts, 142 yds v CWRU.  Their attack is more balanced this year, mostly because the passing game is down.  They've scored 3 1st Q TDs all year.  Their D did hold Wheaton to 134 yds rushing the lowest of the year, but they gave up 300 yds passing.  And lost 48-7.