University Athletic Association

[BDTartan]

First thing first, I wasn't trying to take anything away from CWRU.  I know the same things were being said about CMU last year.  Well guess what, I'm saying it about CWRU this year.  CMU increased the strength of their schedule quite a bit from last year and their record shows it.  You can't play against better competition the way you would play against some of the teams on the 06' schedule.  If CWRU runs the table and follows CMU's lead then they will find out what it takes as well.  I'm not dissing CWRU, nor am I complaining about CMU.  It is what it is.........the boys will be seperated from the men when the UAA schedule kicks in.  CMU may end up being a boy, but hey, I don't think that is going to happen.

cwru70, I didn't take your post as a dis.  I think that CMU's 06' schedule is starting to show why they broke so many team records since they are playing better competition in 07' with practically the same team and not getting the same results.  Which seems to be the same case for CWRU.  What happens if they schedule up in there open dates in 08'??  Considering that you probably will have quite a bit of offensive firepower returning in 08' that just might happen.  With a favorable schedule any team is capable of anything.  Once again, I took no offense and I meant no offense.

[DagarmanSpartan]

BDTartan,

I admit that this year's out of conference schedule has been a bit sub-standard.

I doubt that many (if any) of our OOC opponents will finish the season with winning records.

But conference will still be tough, with CMU, WashU, etc.

I'm hoping, however, that we do run the table, and earn the NCAA playoff bid that we were apparently didn't get in 1984 (9-0 NCAC champs).

[ADL70]

The schedule thru '09 is set.  The two weakest will be gone, to be replaced by Rochester and Hiram.  As I've said before I wish that it was Allegheny not Hiram.  What happens in 2010 is anyone's guess.  Coach Debeljak was quoted as saying the UAA teams could join the NCAC permanently.

Maj  There are more playoff spots now than in 1984.  But while 10-0 would be great, the prospect of playing Mount doesn't thrill me.  CWRU would likely be an 8 seed, even at 10-0.

[UAA Follower]

Let's face it, one often has no idea how a schedule is going to shape up in terms of strength until the season is underway. Sure, there is past history of the teams you are playing, but those fortunes can change from year to year.

Wooster has been a powerhouse but is off to an 0-3 start including a beating by CWRU. Go figure. Franklin and Marshall drops from 8-3 in 2004 to 3-7 when CMU played them last year. Rhodes, on Wash U's schedule, ranges anywhere from 2 to 7 wins over the last 8 or 9 years. Northwestern, on Chicago's schedule, had 7 and 8 win seasons the past two years, but already has two losses. Wittenberg, who CMU plays next year, had numerous 1 and 2 loss seasons before losing 3, 4, and 5 games over the last few years.

Point is, one can try to schedule for strength with no guarantees of how that will actually work out. That said, I have always respected the scheduling of Wash U who shows no fear in scheduling the Mt. Unions, Trinitys, and Wheatons over the past few years in spite of how it might affect the team's season record. Playing up in competition can help your program improve as you learn how to play the tougher teams. Hopefully, that is what CMU will experience this year as they tackle tougher competition and, if Case has a great season in spite of the lesser schedule, perhaps that will propel the program to a better year next year against better competition.

Regardless, BD, though CMU has alot back from last year, I wouldn't say it is "practically the same team". Most of the offense returned save for an o-lineman here and there and its wide receivers. And, the QB had the experience of filling in for the last few games after the injury to last year's starter wno won seven straight. But, the defense lost all of its ILBs and DBs except for one. And, even more importantly, the kicker graduated, too. Though his stats last year weren't the greatest, he was dependable in crucial situations and won a game in OT against Wash U.

The unmeasurable variable for any football team is the impact the graduating seniors had in terms of leadership. One can put on paper all the returners and look great, but usually, if not always, senior leadership can carry a team a long way, or impair its progress, too. The verdict is still out on the leadership qualities of this year's crop of UAA seniors. That will better be evaluated at the end of the season.

[BDTartan]

Not a single open date through 09' huh?  Well, that doesn't leave anything to the imagination as far as trying to get better competition.  Rochester should be a tougher game for the Spartans, but unless Hiram shows significant improvement by next year then that's no different then most of the teams you've played.

I'll tell you this much, we will all find out in three weeks.  Academic Bowl will be a doozy if CWRU comes in undefeated.  I guarantee the Tartans will be dying to hand the Spartans their first loss.

UAA Follower........I don't know what to say to you because it sounds like there is an echo on this board......in your post you stated things I have posted many times over the last months.  I've talked about all they have lost on defense, including the senior leadership last year of Lewis and Ploetzner and also the fact that graduating their 4 time All-UAA PK has hurt them.    Those losses hurt bad enough, but mistakes will kill you.  But in case you didn't know, CMU runs the Wing-T.....QB experience is almost a non-factor in Erdelyi's Wing-T.  Two years ago I saw him play many different QBs just because in his offense he is running the ball 85-95% of the time.  In fact, Facemeyer has been utilized more as a RB playing QB.  What I was getting at is the fact that they only lost ONE O-lineman and once again the passing game is so little used that a rushing team returning four linemen and all of its backs shouldn't even have missed a beat, but alas you are right about one thing.  Scheduling doesn't always play to your hand.  I am sure CMU felt confident in scheduling Hobart even though they were a team who made the playoffs 5 of the last 6years.  A missed XP and a bobbled two-point conversion are two plays in that game that I point to.  A missed FG and an errant throw by Facemeyer that got picked and the 4 fumbles in the second half really put the clamps on the Allegheny game.  Lastly, I believe there is plenty of senior leadership on the CMU team.  In fact, watching Gimson play leads me to believe that he is one of those leaders for sure.  I'll break it down to you like this, the leadership is not a question.  Making mistakes, certain play-calling, and yes, some inexperience on D has been the downfall of the Tartans this year.  Oh, and also, what does Wash U. get out of playing those teams??  The UAA has no AQ so unless Wash U knocks a Mount, Trinity, or Wheaton off and runs the table then that competition can only help them in the regular season.  I don't want to bicker with you about all of this, but it would be nice if you would read a little further back in the posts before you try to make a point so you don't go repeating everything people say.

[DagarmanSpartan]

cwru70,

I understand about the possibility of having to play Mt. Union if we run the table and make the playoffs.

But as Ric Flair would say:

To BE the man, you've got to BEAT the man.

Mt. Union is THE MAN.

[BDTartan]

Yes, Mt. Union is the man, but Ohio Northern proved a couple years ago that a solid gameplan and execution can knock off the man every once in a while. 

Sorry about yesterday, didn't mean to rant but man if it doesn't burn me when somebody tries to make a point to me while using points I've already made myself.

[ADL70]

That matchup would be Boyz against Men.  CWRU has a few players of Mt Union quality (They supposedly recruited Whalen for one), but Mount has them at every position (and in backups too).

Look at the love for CWRU in The Dose!

http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/2007/09/28/triple-take-who-needs-it-more

I wish Wooster had been more of a test to help prepare for CMU.  But given history who thought they wouldn't be?  As Follower suggests.  At least the first units played the whole game.  

Could be a close game.  In which case the kicking game could be the difference.  Edge to CMU at P and CWRU @ PK.

BDT NBD, but you kinda did the same to me re CWRU's weak sched.

[DagarmanSpartan]

cwru70,

You mentioned how our points record could be at stake this coming weekend againt Gallaudet.

Well, even if we do break it, I bet we set a new record against St. Vincent's, a BRAND NEW winless program that Gallaudet already defeated.

[ADL70]

Well St Vincent is at home so there will be more players to see action which might keep the score down.  I wonder if there will more than 50-60 going to DC.  Since it's a brand new team, I suspect that they will have improved over week one.  If they played Gallaudet this week I think they might pull off a win. 

All the UAA teams in action should be faves.

GO Spartans, Bears, and Maroons!!!

[BDTartan]

Yes, cwru70, I did step on your toes a bit with that but I felt like I did it in a fashion where I was re-iterating it and adding my own thoughts to it.  Granted, UAA-Follower made some points of his own, but his points about CMU were all concerns I had expressed before the season even started.  I guess it was more that I felt I was being treated like I didn't know these things when I myself made them clear before.  I jumped the gun, but hey we're all human.  Anyways, good luck to your Spartans this weekend.  What are your plans for the Academic Bowl this year??  I was going to hook up with you at Gesling in 05' and I was even at CWRU last year.  I believe you couldn't make either game.  Just wondering.  I'll be going to the Academic Bowl for sure.

[ADL70]

No prob  NBD as I said.

I'm trying to get to the game.  Will advise.

[BDTartan]

You'll have to do that.  I would suggest getting there early if you come.  There has been some unusually larger crowds compared to the last two years I've been going to CMU games.  I remember you saying something about tailgating at Gesling in 05' so if you planned the same I would get there and get your spot on top of the parking garage.

[ADL70]

CWRU 52-13  No TDs for D

Chicago wins   57-27    WUStL wins  24-3

[DagarmanSpartan]

Good.

Now we have two weeks to prepare for the "Academic Bowl."