FB: Centennial Conference

[Ralph Turner]

Now that the regional rankings are out, that should really help give people an idea of what the NCAA folks think about Muhlenberg. I will confess to not knowing the criteria inside and out like Pat & Co., but things are looking up that Muhlenberg could get a Pool C bid with a loss to Dickinson.

The team's two nonconference wins come against TCNJ and Union, two teams that are fifth and eight, respectively, in the East Region rankings. It's also a big perk that the the majority of the Centennial did well in nonconference play. We could see as many as, what, five CC teams end the season at 7-3 or better?

It is a concern, though, that one-loss teams Dickinson and Ursinus are not included on the South Region rankings. That means that there's something in the criteria that makes those teams less desirable than the other one-loss teams listed (Bridgewater, Trinity, etc.). My guess is that Ursinus is hurt by playing a non-D3 team, so they're short what could otherwise be an in-region win. And Dickinson might very well be the 11th team in the region, we just don't know for sure.

The question is whether their negative element of the criteria -- whatever it is -- would affect all the teams in the Centennial. It might, it might not.

Anyway, my gut tells me that a Muhlenberg team that goes 9-1 would have a great shot at getting in. The number of one-loss teams around the country are quickly dwindling, and conferences that frequently send two teams to the postseason (CCIW, OAC, ASC) aren't looking like they're going to have that this year. That makes Muhlenberg look all that much better.

For the new readers, the Pool C board under "General Football" will have most of the discussion about the Pool C bids.

Having only one loss may be the key. except in some very specific situations, e.g., the Ohio Athletic Conference members.
Thanks.

[BTEXPRESS]

Splik, I did notice the mis spelling on your post and had to laugh, I thought at first you did it on purpose. I will never give anyone a hard time about typos on this board because I can't type for**********(BEANS). I am a hunt and peck kind of guy. I was going through my drawer last night and what did I find? A JUNIATA t shirt. I forgot I even had it, so I wore it to bed in honor of you and Murphy!

FBFAN: You are a little late to the party in giving Murph a hard time. He said what he said in the beginning of the year, then removed all his posts and has kept a low profile the rest of the season. None of you Eagle fans can be happy without a win this season. I said this a few posts ago. No team at ANY LEVEL should go through a season without a win.

[Transplanted_Yankee]

BT you make a good observation that no team should go through a season without a win and rarely does it happen.  Even in Juniata's recently beleaguered football era post K.P.B (for those who played for the man know who I am talking about) the team has always pulled out at least one game, except for 2005 which was a very, very sad year.  In 2004 a 1-9 Juniata pulled off a very unexpected win against traditional MAC power Lycoming and even last year JC pulled off 2 relatively unexpected wins.  Looking at the rest of schedule for JC it would look improbable that they would pull one off but Dickinson and Hopkins may want to be on upset alert in the next two weeks because fate has to step in at some point and stop the madness and Dickinson will be coming off a big game with the Mules, win or loss they might have a little bit of a let down heading into a big game the following week with Ursinus.

[Murphy]

Hello

FWIW I thought long and hard yesterday before I logged on to the site to reply to a comment left by BTEXPRESS wondering where I was.  To be honest after my last episode at the end of September I hadn't looked at the site again until yesterday.  All I was going to do was post a hi I'm still here; honestly I wish I hadn't posted anything.

Having said that I think I need to reply to fbfan814

Fbfan I don't know if you read my last posting or not but it appears that you registered to the D-III just yesterday and I assume you did so to reply specifically to my posting.  It's almost as if you were waiting in the weeds to see if I would post something that could be considered derogatory to JC football.

Next as to your comment as to whether I'm man enough to contact the coaches and offer to help I haven't.  However, after my comments in September I did contact Coach Alt by e-mail and apologize for the statements I posted on this site. 

In fact, so that he knew specifically what I was apologizing for I sent him a copy of my comments and offered to apologize to him personally and to speak to the team if he thought it necessary.  Is that enough manhood for you?

For what it's worth, fbfan Coach Alt's reply follows "No problem with me.  I knew that criticism would be part of the job."

If you're interested in my comments and you want to reveal your e-mail address, I'll send you a copy.  If I'm guilty of anything, it's for airing my personal feelings in a public forum.  I didn't put anything in the September post that I haven't heard from various parents and fans in the stands.

In addition, Fbfan I'm curious is there a specific group of pre-requisites that exist before someone is able to comment about the Juniata football team.  Do I have to wait a specified number of years to qualify before I'm able to comment about the team?  If this is true, please explain the rules.

I'll be at this week's game if you would like to discuss this further; I'm not that hard to find especially after the September massacre, everyone knows I'm the fullback's father.  I'll be the guy standing in the street on Saturday applauding the team as they go by.

Regards

[ock7]

FbFan,  when were the Juniata football "glory days?" 

[jackblack]

Hey guys

I just wanted to see everyone's votes on the best players at each position in the conference and maybe an offensive and defensive player of the year

Here's mine

QB- Ian Mitchell, Dickinson
RB-Tom Sturges, Gettysburg
WR- Lance Tippett, Juniata/George Eager, F&M
OL- Mike Nolan, Muhlenberg
TE- Matt Johnson, Muhlenberg

DL- Chris Musselman, Muhlenberg
LB- Eric Dube, Dickinson
DB-Chris Frank, Ursinus/Ryan Heinig, Dickinson

Offensive Player of the Year- Ian Mitchell, Dickinson (over Sturges based on last week's game)
Defensive Player of the Year- Chris Musselman, Muhlenberg (could be Dube but has to go to a Muhlenber guy right now)

what do you guys think

[Pat Coleman]

If you're interested in my comments and you want to reveal your e-mail address, I'll send you a copy. 

Click on his name. Easily done.

[Transplanted_Yankee]

A little banter is fun, sure we don't want anyone to have their feelings hurt and criticizing student athletes for their play on the field is not a practice I would subscribe to but in the words of the now infamous Mike Grundy, coach at Oklahoma State "I AM A MAN,  I'M 40, YOU WANT TO PICK ON A KID, NO PICK ON ME, I'M A MAN"  As crazy as he sounded in his rant he is right, coaches at any level go into the position knowing they are going to get criticized for whatever their team does and maybe in D-III it doesn't seem right because there are no sports talk radio stations talking about the Mules chances to run the table and win the Centennial or the bonehead calls made by one coach or another but there are still fans out there who have a beef and want to be heard.  So if someone unleashes a rant about coaches and the direction of a program so be it, just let the players out of it.

Muph, welcome back, I believe when you say Coach Alt emailed you back no hard feelings I believe it, he is a MAN and knew going in the job was not going to be easy.  He was on that staff before becoming the head coach and saw the direction the school was forcing the program down and thought he could do something to turn it around.

As for the person who asked about the glory days of JC Football, you would have to go back to the 1960's and 1970's to find glory days.  During the 80's, 90's, and into this decade glory has equaled 5 and 6 win seasons.   

[morGhounds]

ok i know i'm a bit biased...but i think marc braxmeier should def. be before mitchell for QB in the conference....mitchell does a lot of running but i think brax is an all around better QB.....just look at his numbers, as for reciever, i don't see how a player from juniata or F&M can be chosen.....when you have a team that isn't doing too well, you need to move the ball, which means you resort to passing the ball....if every team threw the ball as much as those 2 teams did, you would see many more break out recievers....let me know what you think about this, cause i just lost my train of thought and would like to continue this players list

[BITMAT.24CB]

Muhlenberg (stays unbeaten for another week)
Ursinus (Homecoming, Home field spells win for the Bears)
F&M (Just because someone has to win)
John Hopkins

[splik]

mor- you can't punish those guys for being real good players on teams that are less than stellar.  I don't know that you came make the case that they are good because of the system because at least, from your comment, it seems they need to pass and therefore the defense should have an easier time defending the pass since the D know its coming.  
Yankee - I'M 40, YOU WANT TO PICK ON A KID, NO PICK ON ME, I'M A MAN is my new favorite exclamation having just beat out SHOVE A RED HOT POKER UP THEIR A--!!  I know you would appreciate that.  Players at schools this siize, as opposed to the football factories in the  higher divisions, do not deserve to be harshly criticized for their play (possibly their behavior) on the field by people on an internet message board.
BT - please never tell me you're wearing something to bed in my honor again.  It's like when Rocky and Apollo Creed were hugging in the ocean in Rocky III, a little too homoerotic for my tastes.  

[Murphy]

For once I agree with Splik.

I've seen all but 2 Centennial conference teams and I think that Tippit is as good a receiver as you'll find in the conference and should not be punished for his teams overall record.

[old ends]

jackblack:

You do bring up an interesting subject with many for and against at each position.

QB-- Turner from F & M leads in total offense, but Mitchell is not a bad choice either
RB-- Sturges leads in yardage
WR-- do not over look Hill from Moravian, most yards per catch
OL There is another returning First Team All-Conference lineman at Ursinus Rinkus
TE falls into the OL side

DL Hettrich leads in tackles
LB Dube Returning all conference and DPY from last year
DB-- Robinson Moravian leads in INT.. Butler from Ursinus another returning ALL Conference from last year

Offense Player-- Deluca of Muhlenburg and Sturges at Getterysburg also good choices
Defense Player--Dube won last year--Roy of Juniata very good player that should be considered

And I am sure that there are quite a few that I missed, but I looked at the Stats for this one

[old ends]

Next week Muhlennberg at Ursinus.. A must see game.. A Ursinus win and then at Dickinson would have co champs.. But Muhlenberg most also get past Moravian... Things could be fun over the next two weeks..

[BITMAT.24CB]

Results after week 9
Out of a total possible 45
PLAYER                                    Wins         
BTEXPRESS                                32                     
BITMAT.CB24                             30
OLD ENDS                                 29
WR#1                                       28                                 
RESERVED SEAT                        24                                  
RED DEVILS                              14
BULLDOG                                  13 
MURPHY                                    12     

Week 10 Schedule   
Muhlenberg @ Ursinus  (Game of the Season)
Juniata @ Dickinson
Franklin & Marshall @ John Hopkins
McDaniel @ Gettysburg