University Athletic Association

[BDTartan]

Thanks cwru...........I was also trying to say that maybe CMU hasn't shown superiority but consistency.  I find it impressive that a program can consistently win half their games or more for 3 plus decades.  Under Lackner for at least 23 years.  I didn't expect them to get any recognition in the polls unless they got through the UAA schedule still perfect.

[ADL70]

For what it's worth, the Ursinus site posts starting lineups for CWRU same as at Wooster.  But then neither Whalen or Spring were listed as starters against Denison.

[BDTartan]

The Academic Bowl is looking like an excellent matchup according to team statistics on the UAA site. 

Scoring Offense - CMU #1, CWRU #2
Scoring Defense - CMU #1, CWRU #3
Pass Offense - CWRU #1, CMU #4
Pass Defense - CMU #1, CWRU #2
Turnover Margin - CMU #1, CWRU #4
Rush Offense - CMU #1, CWRU #4
Rush Defense - CMU #3, CWRU #4
First Downs - CMU #1, CWRU #2
Red Zone Off. - CMU #1, CWRU #3
Red Zone Def. - CMU #1, CWRU #3
Time of Possession - CMU #1, CWRU #2

Looks like a good match-up, but we know how rivalry games go.  As I said before, I hope CMU enjoys their week off and CWRU continues their winning ways.  I don't know just how down Chicago and Washington are but it seems to me that the UAA has pulled a flip-flop from last year.  I wish the best for all teams considering the lack of respect the UAA gets.

[ADL70]

BD

When there are only 4 teams #3 is second division.

Hold the thought, I'll get back to you after Sat.

Interesting stat from the CMU-CC game, each team only punted once.  How often has that happened?

[BDTartan]

Yeah, CMU was the only team who really played any defense at all.  Even CMU's 2nd team O had its way with CC's 1st team D.  CMU forced two turnovers and I am pretty sure that they forced two three and outs but I could be wrong.  It got a little boring in the middle two quarters because CC just looked dead and CMU basically did as they pleased.

I understand what you are saying about the stats, I just thought it was interesting how they stack up.  I didn't put the actual stats up, but if you go look, it seems to me that it will be a great Academic Bowl again.  I say same as last year.  Field goal wins this one.

[OldPhart]

Any thoughts as to CMUs chances for playoffs?  While 10-0 is a lock, I figure with the schedule this year a 9-1 record MAY get them in - but I think 8-2 will be a knockout here. There will be too many 8-2 with better SOS.  I know that a 9-1 Thomas More was denied in the past (lost to a very weak Thiel team) but I think 9-1 here should do the trick.   Any thoughts?

BTW - couldn't help but notice CMU has more PAC games this year than UAA games!

[ADL70]

OPh

Check out the Pool B discussion in General Football.  WUStL made the playoffs in 1999 w/2 losses (but "quality losses") and that was a 28 team field v 32 now.  Given CMU's relatively weak sched I think they will have to run the table to make the playoffs.  They might still make it w/a loss to Thiel if the Tomcats win out, but they might need the proverbial "help."

And CWRU has more NCAC games than UAA ones too.

[ADL70]

UC  16   CWRU  7   Final.  Turnovers gave the Bears 10 pts.  Impressive D.  Save for one drive the Spartan O was off balance all day.

[ADL70]

Disappointing game for Whalen; 9-27.  Most of those completions were screens and dump offs.  The scoring drive was 4-6 passing for 39 and 10 rushes (mostly Rosenbury) for 33.  The snap that was recovered by Ursinus for a TD was just bizarre.  Would have liked to see Mirando get in before it became desperation.

[Wizardman]

Wow, why are there so few posts on this conference?
Carnegie Mellon's starting to look scary. Granted, Colorado's the only team they've beaten that's probably deserving of note, as the other 4 aren't much.
What happened to Case? Granted, they were only stuffed by the teams that have been stuffing everyone points-wise. Chicago's in a similar situation, as they've beaten the teams they're supposed to beat and lost to the one's they're supposed to lose to.
Washington's been paying worse then their record indicated IMO. When the conference play begins things should pick up though. Carnegie-Case looks to be a good game to watch, especially if Case's offense can get going.

[Pat Coleman]

There's only four teams, which doesn't help.

Stick around, it can only help.

[BDTartan]

Yes, welcome Wizardman, and stick around.

CMU is looking scary, and I have been telling these guys this from about week two.  Not much change in the roster from last year, but different attitude and much better offensive play-calling which has allowed the D to be over-powering and take risks.  I can't figure what happened to Chicago and Washington this year.  They were the top two last year and now CWRU and CMU are sitting at the top halfway through.  We'll see if things shake out this weekend. 

Yes, the Academic Bowl looks to shape up as a good one.  I think whoever wins, does it by a field goal.  I would nothing more than to see CMU continue their run of solid double-digit wins if only that meant more people would take them seriously, but this is a rivalry and anything can happen.

[ADL70]

What’s the cliché here for CWRU...gut check?

Much as I hate to say it this year may be the reverse of the 2004 game, i.e. 24-14 CMU.  Turnovers and big plays have helped CWRU the past two years.  This year they are losing the turnover margin and haven’t had many big plays of late.  Whalen’s poor performance last week may be a matter of rushing throws when feeling pressure.  CWRU is giving up one sack every ten attempts.  CMU rushed for over 300 last year and seems to be stronger this year.

CMU’s numbers are scary, but need to be put in perspective; opponents wins: CMU-7, CWRU-15, UChi-11, WUStL-15.

WUStL seems to be down this year, especially on offense.  They seem better with McCarthy at QB.  As of the LaGrange game it seems they’re going to go with him.

UChi also didn’t start where it left off last year, but then they were 0-4 at this point and won their last 5.  Two of those teams from last year’s start were replaced with much weaker opponents.  They are having troubles in the PK department which could hurt in a close game.

I think the CMU-UChi winner takes the title, and I predict the kicking game gives CMU the win.

I just hope CWRU turns it around and wins a UAA game (they kept it close in Chicago last year) and beats Grove City to go 5-5. 

[BDTartan]

I see your point with CMU's opponents wins, but CMU has completely handled every one of those teams including CC.  The 2nd string has been sent in during every game by the start of the 4th quarter.  I know there will be some tougher opponents coming up and I hate to sound like a broken record, but CMU is a whole different team this year.  I'm not making any predictions, but I could see them running the table with only a few bumps on the way. 

I have no idea how the 2004 game went, but I thought CWRU looked like they had a good team last year and unless they lost a bunch of starters I expect them to give CMU a test.  Washington ran away with the game at CMU last year because CMU couldn't stop their receivers (one in particular, but I am lost on his name) so if they have a good receiving corps again then CMU could have their hands full. 

The Chicago game last year was a bad game as well, as it was at Chicago and my brother said CMU played like crap.

That may be the case this year in keeping CMU from running the table is that the only way they lose is by beating themselves.

[ADL70]

As I said I've picked CMU to win the UAA.

Duesing is probably the WUStL WR you remember and he has graduated.

Chicago lost two key players to graduation also.

The teams are close enough that the winner will be the one with the least mistakes.  But isn't that usually the case?

My point with CMU's schedule wa less to discredit their numbers than to say the other teams would have better numbers if they had played an easier schedule.  This could be a test of the theory that playing better teams makes you better.