University Athletic Association

blue4now · November 04, 2009, 12:14:26 PM

i agree. it starts w line play and we need to be healthy across the board. the o has been running on high gear for 3 yrs now. this d can be as good as those past but 2 key performers were out last week which hurt.

the o line must continue to pound the ground game and block better for whalen. he has been on the run more than usual (although thats part of his game) and hasnt had the time to read the d as he would like. this must improve as the weather gets worse.

illness and injury are part of the game and every team has those type of loses. they are only magnified against better teams. chicago is vastly improved team and should not be taken lightly by anyone. why it took them till week 9 to find a solid passing game (the brezzolara and wolf combo) is puzzling.

this may not come across the way it should but inspite of the points the spartans o has produced the last 3 weeks this team is not playing up to their capabilities. not complaining when you avg 50+ a game but the passing game and offensive flow overall hasnt been as sharp. it does tell you how far this team has come talent wise to make an assessment as this.

ideally, 2 home games and then a huge road game. it is quite possible, but so could a first round loss against a talented opp who matches up well if they are careful.

DagarmanSpartan · November 04, 2009, 05:24:03 PM

Raider 68,

I'm hoping that this season is the year that we finally break our "Wabash Curse."

They've ended our playoff runs each of the last two seasons.

ADL70 · November 04, 2009, 09:57:03 PM

The Spartans remained ranked for in region as they were jumped by Mount St. Joseph which has a higher OWP. Only one in region team CWRU has played won last week. MSJ has a challenge yet in Thomas More so there is still a good chance to finish as one of only three unbeaten teams in the North, which would keep a matchup with #1 seed in the third playoff game not the second.

Raider 68 · November 04, 2009, 10:18:34 PM

Quote from: MajorSpartan on November 04, 2009, 05:24:03 PM
Raider 68,

I'm hoping that this season is the year that we finally break our "Wabash Curse."

They've ended our playoff runs each of the last two season.

This year, I think the Spartans could not face Wabash at least for the first game. It could depend how the pool bids go given the number
of 1-loss teams.

Spartan 81 · November 05, 2009, 07:58:06 AM

Looking at the Regional Ranking compared to the D3 Top-25, you notice that the #1 team in the East region (Alfred) is ranked 25th. The only other East region team ranked in the top 25 is #3 Delaware Valley at 20th. This would lead me to think there will be some cross region shuffling again this year with a North or South Region team heading East, and possibly a West region team heading to the North. Currently the West reion has 6 of the top 10 teams in the D3 poll. So that is a strong possiblilty.

Also congrats to Whalen for tallying his 100th career TD (81 passing, 19 rushing).

ExTartanPlayer · November 05, 2009, 10:55:28 AM

Think you're right, Spartan 81. I'd expect to see a North Region team sent to the East as the #1 seed. I think that Del Val is probably the best team in the 'true' East region, but they won't get the top seed because of their loss to Wesley (which counts as an in-region loss because Wesley is within 200 miles, although Wesley is not in the East).

MUC to the East as #1 seed makes sense. There are probably six or seven teams in the North that would be threats to win the East (it wasn't always like this, but the East is a bit down recently, and the North has a bunch of very strong teams). A West team may also nose their way into the North bracket.

I personally love the idea of MUC as #1 in the East, St. John's or UWW as #1 in the North, STJ/UWW #1 in the West, and Wesley #1 in the South. We'll see.

ADL70 · November 06, 2009, 09:07:49 PM

In honor of Ian Hunter and WMMS:

CLEVELAND ROCKS!!! PITTSBURGH SUCKS!!!

DagarmanSpartan · November 07, 2009, 05:44:54 PM

Case won the "Academic Bowl" today 34-17 over CMU.

Dan Whalen rebounded today, having a MONSTER game:

He 31-of-41 for 386 yds and three passing TDs, with zero interceptions. He also added a rushing touchdown. He has thrown for 2,810 yards and 31 TDs this season. His QB rating should shoot through the roof after today!

There's no doubt in my mind that he deserves to be this season's Gagliardi Award winner.

One can only hope that justice will be done!

ADL70 · November 07, 2009, 07:48:23 PM

In fact Whalen's efficiency dropped ever so slightly from 184.9 to 184.0. Mt Union's Kurt Rocco continues to lead with a 203 rating. He had 4 TD pases this week on only 24 attempts.

pxs155 · November 09, 2009, 09:44:12 AM

In preparing for their all-but obvious playoff appearance, what kind of offense should CWRU work most on in this last regular season game? Could any new approaches be used on special teams or defense if the Spartans take a strong early lead?

blue4now · November 09, 2009, 11:19:30 AM

the O is fine. why change anything that's been working so well?? more concerned about stopping the run.

ADL70 · November 12, 2009, 09:05:48 PM

I wouldn't worry about the O. With the good weather forecast expect 5 TDs. D has given up over 400 yds each of the last two weeks, that would be the only concern. I'm wondering if Bott and Brown have been 100%?

Win to host--lose and bus.

Root for TMC to win the Bridge Bowl over MSJ to set up a #3 seed, unless TMC ends up in the same bracket.

I would love to see the bracket the gurus have posted:

UW-Whitewater Bracket (seeded No. 2)
1. UW-Whitewater
2. Wittenberg
3. Case Western Reserve (Pool B)
4. Illinois Wesleyan
5. Wabash (Pool C)
6. Trine
7. Ohio Northern (Pool C)
8. DePauw

Round 1, host another rebuilt program, Trine (also my step-brother's alma mater). Then a potential game in my old hometown against the team I grew up with, Wittenberg (can they find the Bill Edwards Trophy?) And where, in 1969, I saw the first Stagg Bowl between Wittenberg and William Jewell. It was then a regional colege-division game. Only drawback the week 3 game wouldn't be in Alliance.

wab64 · November 12, 2009, 10:08:52 PM

Quote from: MajorSpartan on November 04, 2009, 05:24:03 PM
Raider 68,

I'm hoping that this season is the year that we finally break our "Wabash Curse."

They've ended our playoff runs each of the last two seasons.

Major: as the "Boy Emperor" said, "bring em on!" of course Wabash has some serious business to take care of before they are in the mix and even have to worry about it. If it doesn't happen, best of fortune to the Spartans. Beat the hell out of DePauw, if it comes to that.
I hope everything is well with you in the ROK and your transporting hand over fist. I was only an artillery forward observer in a light infantry brigade so I walked! Wab1964- 1LT. FA USAR

ADL70 · November 13, 2009, 08:09:17 PM

It has been confirmed that in addition to Bott and Brown, English and Mey have been playing less than 10%.

BetterRed · November 14, 2009, 02:14:42 PM

I'm watching the Washu - Case game. Case looks good no doubt. I have a question regarding their schedule. Why don't they play Wabash or Wittenburg during the regular season? Their schedule seems a little light given the fact that there are more talented teams to play in the NCAC-UAA. If they are this good, why don't they take on the challenge? Are they worried about the playoff berth if they don't go undefeated?

I understand this may be a provocative set of questions, but I mean no disrespect. I'd like to hear some of your thoughts