FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[unionpalooza]

Interesting... Widener predicted to go 10-0 and here they sit at 0-2.

Widener coaching gets an F minus. The program has problems and Coach Kelly is on the verge of losing the locker room. Kelly is showing no leadership, no ownership, just arrogance and blames it all on the team. If Coach Kelly thinks the best way to win is with his QB running the ball then both him and his OC Brayniak are totally brainless. Everyone knows the QB never could, and won't, run the ball.  Widener has two strong running backs who barely touched the ball all game and it cost the team big time. Terrible play calling! The offensive is a mess and D is giving up way too many points. Kelly better come up with something quick.   

Phew -- tell us how you really feel!

Indeed.  Look, I got zero skin in this, but box score says those 2 RBs got 18 carries, averaging less than 3 yards a carry. (And didn't that "mess" of an offense put up 450 yards of O on Rowan last week?) I get the frustration about being 0-2, but seems like there is plenty of concerns all around.  These seem like odd conclusions to leap to.

[@d3jason]

Watched most of their first two games. They need to start by stopping the the run on D.

[tweisman5]

Tweis

Can you advise what  the breakdown of the top teams in each conference is vs the others?  DVU has had great success v Wesley, but if you take the other top MAC teams...say WU, Stevenson, Albright, Lyco (or the next best record in that time) and pair their records with Rowan, CNU, Salisbury and Frostburg, I'd be curious to see if there is a disparity in the records of the conferences in the top tier vs. all others.

My initial impression is that other than DVU, the NJAC has dominated at the top tier while the lower tier advantage has gone to the MAC...  I could be totally wrong.  If you don't have that detail, no worries.  I can look it up later.  I am heading out shortly to Albright to see the Albright/UHMB game.  It may be the only chance I get to see UMHB in person anytime soon...

If anyone else is going, hit me up.   I always wear a Nebraska hat to D3 games so I can easily be identified...

Bman

I went back and researched your theory and your correct. The "top 5" you named for both conferences have favored the NJAC. Below are the findings:

MAC "Top 5" vs. NJAC "Top 5" (2014-2017): 5-6 (.455)
2018: 0-4 (.000)
2017: 2-2 (.500)
2016: 1-3 (.250)
2015: 1-1 (.500)
2014: 1-0 (1.000)

When you factor in 2018, the results become more lopsided with a 5-10 (.333) W-L record. The team pulling the most weight in the MAC has been DVU with Widener and Albright sprinkling in victories.

[tweisman5]

Interesting... Widener predicted to go 10-0 and here they sit at 0-2.

Widener coaching gets an F minus. The program has problems and Coach Kelly is on the verge of losing the locker room. Kelly is showing no leadership, no ownership, just arrogance and blames it all on the team. If Coach Kelly thinks the best way to win is with his QB running the ball then both him and his OC Brayniak are totally brainless. Everyone knows the QB never could, and won't, run the ball.  Widener has two strong running backs who barely touched the ball all game and it cost the team big time. Terrible play calling! The offensive is a mess and D is giving up way too many points. Kelly better come up with something quick.   

LineCat

I'm not willing to write off Widener at the moment; however, their start to the season has been underwhelming to say the least. I believe the most surprising aspect of the team has been the defensive unit not performing anywhere as close to the 2017 level. The next two games provide redemption for them to right the ship. They need to go 2-0 these next two weeks if they want to be in contention for the MAC. A split will only further intensify a mockery of there 2018 squad.

[bman]

Thanks for your efforts Tweis!

That's in-line with what I was thinking, which is that without DVU, the NJAC has been better in the top tier of our series, but the MAC better in the lower tier...

Time to get better at the top!

Tweis

Can you advise what  the breakdown of the top teams in each conference is vs the others?  DVU has had great success v Wesley, but if you take the other top MAC teams...say WU, Stevenson, Albright, Lyco (or the next best record in that time) and pair their records with Rowan, CNU, Salisbury and Frostburg, I'd be curious to see if there is a disparity in the records of the conferences in the top tier vs. all others.

My initial impression is that other than DVU, the NJAC has dominated at the top tier while the lower tier advantage has gone to the MAC...  I could be totally wrong.  If you don't have that detail, no worries.  I can look it up later.  I am heading out shortly to Albright to see the Albright/UHMB game.  It may be the only chance I get to see UMHB in person anytime soon...

If anyone else is going, hit me up.   I always wear a Nebraska hat to D3 games so I can easily be identified...

Bman

I went back and researched your theory and your correct. The "top 5" you named for both conferences have favored the NJAC. Below are the findings:

MAC "Top 5" vs. NJAC "Top 5" (2014-2017): 5-6 (.455)
2018: 0-4 (.000)
2017: 2-2 (.500)
2016: 1-3 (.250)
2015: 1-1 (.500)
2014: 1-0 (1.000)

When you factor in 2018, the results become more lopsided with a 5-10 (.333) W-L record. The team pulling the most weight in the MAC has been DVU with Widener and Albright sprinkling in victories.

[bman]

I attended the Albright/UMHB game.  Frankly, I wanted to see the #2 team in the nation.    Besides the ugly score, some thoughts on the teams...

1.  UMHB is huge, but they don't play huge.  They wore down Albright and began pushing them around on the line, but frankly I was surprised they weren't more dominant in the run game early. That's not to say they can't, but they didn't...

2.  UMHB is fast.   Beyond fast... That was the real issue for Albright.  On defense, passes across the middle, went for long scores, and outside deep balls highlighted that Albright's defensive players had no answer for the speed of UMHB.  On offense, the QBs were under constant pressure and the WRs were (for the most part) unable to get a lot of space, which forced early, poor throws.

Having watched years of FCS(1AA football), there is no doubt that UMHB would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA...I'd love to see them schedule a mid tier FCS as an out of conference game...I'd go!

It is hard to tell much from the game from the Albright perspective, other than a few notes.
1.  The QBs are young and inexperienced and it showed, but they hung in there...
2. The D line hung in and made some plays against the much larger UMHB o-line...
3. The punter for Albright is incredible...not sure what he is doing in D3, but I'm pretty sure he will be the best punter UMHB sees all year (only partly tongue in cheek).
4. Albright's Number 11 (Kyle Dickerson) is a beast.  He left absolutely nothing on the field, taking shot after shot going for balls across the middle, and putting himself in harms way....he sure impressed me...
5. Lack of crowd.   They had the #2 team in the nation coming in, and there was hardly anyone there...At one point, I mentioned, that UMHB may have had a bigger crowd...sad.    And on that note, there were Alvernia billboards all over Reading...no one that I saw for Albright...

[RowanPhan]

JM

Good post with excellent analysis and explanation of why Del Val will struggle to repeat as MAC champs (something that hasn't been done since 2011). People need to dig deeper than the final box score to understand how everything unfolded to make an accurate forecast. The lost that Del Val lost will hurt this season, but I do still expect them to battle for position in the top 3 of the MAC. In regards to the MAC preseason poll, I see some similarity to what I predict with a few exceptions! I'll post my preseason conference prediction later this week.

MAC preseason poll: http://gomacsports.com/news/2018/8/20/aggies-picked-to-repeat-in-mac-football-coaches-preseason-poll.aspx

Clearly the coaches aren't peeling the onion either...

2018 MAC Football Coaches' Preseason Poll
Rank Team Points              (1st Place Votes)
1 Delaware Valley                 98 (8)
2 Stevenson                         88 (2)
3 Widener                            79 (1)
4 Albright                             73 
5 Lycoming                          64 
6 Lebanon Valley                  59 
7 King's                               48 
8 FDU-Florham                     30 
9 Wilkes                               29 
10 Misericordia                     25 
11 Alvernia                           12

Any insights on FDU-Florham after 2 weeks of play?

It appears they have used a pass heavy offense to knock off 2 NJAC schools to begin their season 2-0 including William Patterson [NJACs perennial doormat].

[bman]

Interesting... Widener predicted to go 10-0 and here they sit at 0-2.

Widener coaching gets an F minus. The program has problems and Coach Kelly is on the verge of losing the locker room. Kelly is showing no leadership, no ownership, just arrogance and blames it all on the team. If Coach Kelly thinks the best way to win is with his QB running the ball then both him and his OC Brayniak are totally brainless. Everyone knows the QB never could, and won't, run the ball.  Widener has two strong running backs who barely touched the ball all game and it cost the team big time. Terrible play calling! The offensive is a mess and D is giving up way too many points. Kelly better come up with something quick.   

LineCat

I'm not willing to write off Widener at the moment; however, their start to the season has been underwhelming to say the least. I believe the most surprising aspect of the team has been the defensive unit not performing anywhere as close to the 2017 level. The next two games provide redemption for them to right the ship. They need to go 2-0 these next two weeks if they want to be in contention for the MAC. A split will only further intensify a mockery of there 2018 squad.

There is so much more to this than I want to comment on.   I certainly don't have any answers, and there is debate among former players where the real issue lies.   This certainly goes deeper than on-field decisions...why is coach Kelly the OC?  $$s...  Why are we losing recruits to other teams in our conference and region?  $$s...
In one sense, coach Kelly's hands are tied (and I had this conversation directly with him in April)... So it's not just play calling, it's talent.   The new administration simply isn't willing to commit dollars to grow the program.  In reality they aren't even willing to commit $$s necessary to keep the program running at all.  It's band aids and duct tape...It's at the point where the brotherhood are donating the funds to cover basics...So if you think that the on field coaching is an issue, (which it may be), don't expect to be able to attract a top tier talent in with the budget as it currently stands...
Also, before everyone jumps off the bandwagon, last I checked, WU is 0-0 in conference and still holds its destiny in its own hands...

[MRMIKESMITH]

I attended the Albright/UMHB game.  Frankly, I wanted to see the #2 team in the nation.    Besides the ugly score, some thoughts on the teams...

1.  UMHB is huge, but they don't play huge.  They wore down Albright and began pushing them around on the line, but frankly I was surprised they weren't more dominant in the run game early. That's not to say they can't, but they didn't...

2.  UMHB is fast.   Beyond fast... That was the real issue for Albright.  On defense, passes across the middle, went for long scores, and outside deep balls highlighted that Albright's defensive players had no answer for the speed of UMHB.  On offense, the QBs were under constant pressure and the WRs were (for the most part) unable to get a lot of space, which forced early, poor throws.

Having watched years of FCS(1AA football), there is no doubt that UMHB would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA...I'd love to see them schedule a mid tier FCS as an out of conference game...I'd go!

It is hard to tell much from the game from the Albright perspective, other than a few notes.
1.  The QBs are young and inexperienced and it showed, but they hung in there...
2. The D line hung in and made some plays against the much larger UMHB o-line...
3. The punter for Albright is incredible...not sure what he is doing in D3, but I'm pretty sure he will be the best punter UMHB sees all year (only partly tongue in cheek).
4. Albright's Number 11 (Kyle Dickerson) is a beast.  He left absolutely nothing on the field, taking shot after shot going for balls across the middle, and putting himself in harms way....he sure impressed me...
5. Lack of crowd.   They had the #2 team in the nation coming in, and there was hardly anyone there...At one point, I mentioned, that UMHB may have had a bigger crowd...sad.    And on that note, there were Alvernia billboards all over Reading...no one that I saw for Albright...

I had a chance to watch UMHB and Mount last year in the Stagg. I would say that their team speed is amazing. After seeing Albright play Salisbury earlier and seeing the explosive plays from the in the 2nd half from Salisbury. UMHB exceeded this and were flying on all cylinders this past Saturday. The RPO allowed for their athletes to take advantage of space. Nevertheless, we all know that Albright will be better in the upcoming years due to their youth.

[Pat Coleman]

Having watched years of FCS(1AA football), there is no doubt that UMHB would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA...I'd love to see them schedule a mid tier FCS as an out of conference game...I'd go!

If MHB "would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA," why aren't they in 1AA instead of leaving a trail of devastation in D3? Your thoughts?

Let's start with the incredible amount of scholarship money they'd have to lay out in order to do so. C'mon, Warren -- you know better!

[jamtod]

Having watched years of FCS(1AA football), there is no doubt that UMHB would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA...I'd love to see them schedule a mid tier FCS as an out of conference game...I'd go!

If MHB "would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA," why aren't they in 1AA instead of leaving a trail of devastation in D3? Your thoughts?

Because American football does not have promotion and relegation?

[LineCat]

Tweisman I have not written Widener off at all they just did not play well Saturday. And importantly Coach Kelly needs to lead now, not resort to old ways, and they will be good the next few games and more. @d3jason is right that the D needs to stop the run much better. Unionpalooza I believe you make my point in that Widener did have 212 rushing yards last week but why only 34 yards this week? The run game is a strength and they need to give the RBs the ball more often, stay with them and they will get their chunks.  My frustration was in Saturdays game plan, or how it played out, that's all. Bman I understand budget issues but can you educate me some on this ...Why are we losing recruits to other teams in our conference and region?  ... How do you think we are losing out. And for the record I'm not jumping the bandwagon. 

[tweisman5]

Having watched years of FCS(1AA football), there is no doubt that UMHB would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA...I'd love to see them schedule a mid tier FCS as an out of conference game...I'd go!

If MHB "would be middle of the pack and competitive in 1AA," why aren't they in 1AA instead of leaving a trail of devastation in D3? Your thoughts?

Because American football does not have promotion and relegation?

JamtoTommie

I've always thought it was something that should be done! It's interesting to think that if you look at American sports in general they actually mimic more socialist countries; meanwhile, European Soccer seems to resemble more capitalistic characteristics. I've had long discussion about this belief with friends and family, but my explanation would require a much deeper post.

[tweisman5]

Interesting... Widener predicted to go 10-0 and here they sit at 0-2.

Widener coaching gets an F minus. The program has problems and Coach Kelly is on the verge of losing the locker room. Kelly is showing no leadership, no ownership, just arrogance and blames it all on the team. If Coach Kelly thinks the best way to win is with his QB running the ball then both him and his OC Brayniak are totally brainless. Everyone knows the QB never could, and won't, run the ball.  Widener has two strong running backs who barely touched the ball all game and it cost the team big time. Terrible play calling! The offensive is a mess and D is giving up way too many points. Kelly better come up with something quick.   

LineCat

I'm not willing to write off Widener at the moment; however, their start to the season has been underwhelming to say the least. I believe the most surprising aspect of the team has been the defensive unit not performing anywhere as close to the 2017 level. The next two games provide redemption for them to right the ship. They need to go 2-0 these next two weeks if they want to be in contention for the MAC. A split will only further intensify a mockery of there 2018 squad.

There is so much more to this than I want to comment on.   I certainly don't have any answers, and there is debate among former players where the real issue lies.   This certainly goes deeper than on-field decisions...why is coach Kelly the OC?  $$s...  Why are we losing recruits to other teams in our conference and region?  $$s...
In one sense, coach Kelly's hands are tied (and I had this conversation directly with him in April)... So it's not just play calling, it's talent.   The new administration simply isn't willing to commit dollars to grow the program.  In reality they aren't even willing to commit $$s necessary to keep the program running at all.  It's band aids and duct tape...It's at the point where the brotherhood are donating the funds to cover basics...So if you think that the on field coaching is an issue, (which it may be), don't expect to be able to attract a top tier talent in with the budget as it currently stands...
Also, before everyone jumps off the bandwagon, last I checked, WU is 0-0 in conference and still holds its destiny in its own hands...

I hate to hear that a competitor is not able to reach their maximum potential due to uncontrollable circumstances the coaching staff can't handle. I understand if money is tight and it comes down to a choice between more investment in academics or athletics, but if it's due to personal administration principles of downsizing athletics just because you don't agree with the values, that's when I'm disappointed.

The first priority should always be academics, but there are those who don't understand the value of athletics in a University community and seem to always target the budget of athletics just to make a point. We constantly see the issues many D1 programs have running a financially stable athletic department, but that doesn't rationalize stripping funding to the bare minimum if extra funds are available. I'm in the belief that everyone should strive to position themselves to be the best position to be competitive within financial limits.

I welcome competition and as the saying goes, "Iron sharpens iron," hopefully Widener can solve these issues to remain competitive within the MAC. I hope each peer can tap their potential to strengthen the MAC as a better conference makes a more enticing season!

[bman]

Tweisman I have not written Widener off at all they just did not play well Saturday. And importantly Coach Kelly needs to lead now, not resort to old ways, and they will be good the next few games and more. @d3jason is right that the D needs to stop the run much better. Unionpalooza I believe you make my point in that Widener did have 212 rushing yards last week but why only 34 yards this week? The run game is a strength and they need to give the RBs the ball more often, stay with them and they will get their chunks.  My frustration was in Saturdays game plan, or how it played out, that's all. Bman I understand budget issues but can you educate me some on this ...Why are we losing recruits to other teams in our conference and region?  ... How do you think we are losing out. And for the record I'm not jumping the bandwagon.

LineCat

Without going into specifics, (and this is firsthand knowledge, not something I was told), other MAC teams/schools are simply offering better financial packages for players....ones WU will not touch or make an attempt to match...