FB: American Southwest Conference

[OzJohnnie]

bleedpurple is looking well past BU and SJU trying to set up his posts for this time next week.  Oh, the heartache will be extraordinary.  I can't wait to see it.

[WRMUalum13]

I agree that their path is often easier, but they back it up by bringing home the Walnut & Bronze.  Can't fault them for it.  It's not like they're shying away from stiffer playoff competition.

Of course they don't have to worry about shying away because the selection committee will make sure to set it up to allow them to slide right into the semi or championship game! IMHO

If anything shouldn't the committee have an anti-mount union bias? Isn't the championship more interesting if the participants were more varied?

[DuffMan]

Of course they don't have to worry about shying away because the selection committee will make sure to set it up to allow them to slide right into the semi or championship game! IMHO

...which they often win. 

[SaintsFAN]

Man I did a spit take reading this! Seems that way, but I still have to say UMU is a tier 1 program. Yeah one bracket seems a bit stiffer but I have to say that is not Mounts problem, let's see programs pick up the pace, quit with the "Lets win our conference and hope we move on" attitude and start working to become tier 1 programs themselves.

I agree that their path is often easier, but they back it up by bringing home the Walnut & Bronze.  Can't fault them for it.  It's not like they're shying away from stiffer playoff competition.

The lack of competition in the playoffs has really hurt Mount Union at times in the Stagg Bowl.  We know the other side of the bracket will be battle-tested in most years.

[DuffMan]

The lack of competition in the playoffs has really hurt Mount Union at times in the Stagg Bowl. 

If that's the case, should we be all for feeding them creampuffs? 

[HScoach]

Man I did a spit take reading this! Seems that way, but I still have to say UMU is a tier 1 program. Yeah one bracket seems a bit stiffer but I have to say that is not Mounts problem, let's see programs pick up the pace, quit with the "Lets win our conference and hope we move on" attitude and start working to become tier 1 programs themselves.

I agree that their path is often easier, but they back it up by bringing home the Walnut & Bronze.  Can't fault them for it.  It's not like they're shying away from stiffer playoff competition.

The lack of competition in the playoffs has really hurt Mount Union at times in the Stagg Bowl.  We know the other side of the bracket will be battle-tested in most years.

I agree.  Some of Mount's worst Stagg performances came right after drilling someone in the semifinals.

[SaintsFAN]

The lack of competition in the playoffs has really hurt Mount Union at times in the Stagg Bowl. 

If that's the case, should we be all for feeding them creampuffs?

Stuff that entire half of the bracket with 15 puffs and Mount Union. 

I think we'll see more evidence of this in a few weeks. 

[HScoach]

Not every Mount struggle or loss in the Stagg can fall at the feet of a weak playoff path , but I do think it's been a factor for a few of the Mount teams over the years.  Specifically thinking of the following teams:

2014:  solid Mount team that was only tested by JCU before the Stagg.  Regular season test was 31-24 win over JCU.  Other than that, the closes regular season game was 41 point win over Heidelberg.  Playoffs went 63-3 over Adrian, 67-0 over W&J, 36-28 over JCU again, hung 70 on Wesley in semi-final, lost to UWW 43-34.  I am NOT saying they lost the Stagg because of over confidence, but their deficiencies weren't exposed early enough for them to really have to work thru it to keep advancing.  I tougher path might have helped them not get overwhelmed by the speed and physical advantages that UWW presents.

2003:  poster child for a team not being tested before the Stagg.   Very average Mount team with rotating QB's and RB's, none of which were difference makers that had it way too easy and therefore their flaws weren't exposed until it was too late.   Playoffs went 39-14 over LaCrosse, 56-10 over Wheaton, 66-0 over Bridgewater in semi-finals and lost Stagg to St John's 24-6.  Team was lacking strong senior leadership and was coming off 3 consecutive undefeated championships and honestly felt entitled.  Didn't play with near the urgency throughout the season that the title teams before or after them did.  The easy path thru the regular season and playoffs just fed their inflated ego that they were untouchable.  SJU quickly proved that wasn't the case.

2000:  similar to 2003 where Mount wasn't legitimately tested until the Stagg, but with MUCH better leadership than '03.  No regular season game closer than 24 point win over ONU.  Playoffs included drilling ONU again by 59-28 score and hanging 70 on Widener in semi-finals.  Beat St John's 10-7 in Stagg in an absolute dogfight.  Had chances to blow the game open but SJU was always there to snuff it out.  Could have easily folded if not lead by a some real SOB's on defense.



Now, there are definitely plenty of cases where Mount steamrolled everyone, including the playoffs, and still won the Stagg such as 1997, 2007 and 2008 but those were by far their best and most talented teams.  In my less than humble opinion after following Mount since the 1980's and broadcasting for them for over a decade, the typical Mount team needs tested a few times before the Stagg in order to bring it home. 

[crufootball]

Not every Mount struggle or loss in the Stagg can fall at the feet of a weak playoff path , but I do think it's been a factor for a few of the Mount teams over the years.  Specifically thinking of the following teams:

2014:  solid Mount team that was only tested by JCU before the Stagg.  Regular season test was 31-24 win over JCU.  Other than that, the closes regular season game was 41 point win over Heidelberg.  Playoffs went 63-3 over Adrian, 67-0 over W&J, 36-28 over JCU again, hung 70 on Wesley in semi-final, lost to UWW 43-34.  I am NOT saying they lost the Stagg because of over confidence, but their deficiencies weren't exposed early enough for them to really have to work thru it to keep advancing.  I tougher path might have helped them not get overwhelmed by the speed and physical advantages that UWW presents.

2003:  poster child for a team not being tested before the Stagg.   Very average Mount team with rotating QB's and RB's, none of which were difference makers that had it way too easy and therefore their flaws weren't exposed until it was too late.   Playoffs went 39-14 over LaCrosse, 56-10 over Wheaton, 66-0 over Bridgewater in semi-finals and lost Stagg to St John's 24-6.  Team was lacking strong senior leadership and was coming off 3 consecutive undefeated championships and honestly felt entitled.  Didn't play with near the urgency throughout the season that the title teams before or after them did.  The easy path thru the regular season and playoffs just fed their inflated ego that they were untouchable.  SJU quickly proved that wasn't the case.

2000:  similar to 2003 where Mount wasn't legitimately tested until the Stagg, but with MUCH better leadership than '03.  No regular season game closer than 24 point win over ONU.  Playoffs included drilling ONU again by 59-28 score and hanging 70 on Widener in semi-finals.  Beat St John's 10-7 in Stagg in an absolute dogfight.  Had chances to blow the game open but SJU was always there to snuff it out.  Could have easily folded if not lead by a some real SOB's on defense.



Now, there are definitely plenty of cases where Mount steamrolled everyone, including the playoffs, and still won the Stagg such as 1997, 2007 and 2008 but those were by far their best and most talented teams.  In my less than humble opinion after following Mount since the 1980's and broadcasting for them for over a decade, the typical Mount team needs tested a few times before the Stagg in order to bring it home.

And would you say they have been tested so far... or think they will be in the next 2 rounds?

[HScoach]

The short answer:  No, they haven't been tested and won't likely be really pushed to the edge or beyond until the Stagg.

The long answer:  They've only had 1 close game and that was JCU clear back in Week 3.  Which is so long ago that it doesn't even resonate any more.  Plus with JCU pissing down their leg in Round 1 that really puts that test in question.  JCU has a really good defense and TB, but a horribly inconsistent QB that makes playing them a crap shoot.

Since the JCU game it's been a cake walk including the first 2 rounds of the playoffs.  I expect this week against Muhlenberg to be the same.  The semi's against Johns Hopkins could be a good game as we played them back in 2016 and found them to be a very good, fundamentally sound team with good size and strength.  They lack the killer speed of a MHB or UWW, but that's a  good team that could compete nationally on the level of someone like Bethel or the CCIW champs.  Their talent probably equates more to a Regional Final more so than a Semi-Final, but their a very solid team with a very good QB. I would expect Mount's speed at WR to be something they can't handle making the score more lopsided than the game actually looks on the field.  So in the end it's a reasonable "no, they won't be pushed to the edge until whoever they see in the Stagg".

[D O.C.]

HScoach... Since this is the ASC board please break down the 2004 UMHB game.

[HScoach]

Mount's very athletic,  but inconsistent QB couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in the 4th quarter,  thereby giving the ball back to MHB over and over again.  The defense was on it's heals and needed the offense to help them out a bit.  With a couple first downs in the 4th, Mount could have run out the clock and kept MHB from coming back.  Great poise shown by MHB to not fold when Mount had them down late.

[DFWCrufan]

Mount's very athletic,  but inconsistent QB couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in the 4th quarter,  thereby giving the ball back to MHB over and over again.  The defense was on it's heals and needed the offense to help them out a bit.  With a couple first downs in the 4th, Mount could have run out the clock and kept MHB from coming back.  Great poise shown by MHB to not fold when Mount had them down late.

Yeah.... What he said!

[02 Warhawk]

Dominating performance for The Cru, today. I thought they showed some things that were taking a step, or two, forward from last week. Things I needed to see: 1. Taking shots across the middle, 2. Challenging deep, 3. 2nd and 3rd string QB's getting in.

In previous games, we hadn't seen much attack across the middle. First drive of the game, TJ across the middle. We also took some shots deep. I know St. John's and possibly UWW will have more secondary speed, but I doubt they have Aaron Sims and KJ Miller speed. Denarian looked pretty good throwing the ball. I think he showed some indecisiveness, but he did do a good job when the decisions were made quickly. And the 3rd string QB, wow. I really liked his decision making on the RPO. Great legs, and he threw a nice ball too.

Big matchup this next week. Watched much of the SJU game. They look good. Team speed will be the difference. Looking forward to it.

Finally, great job, Berry. Congrats on a great season. See you down the road.

Southern teams claiming their superior speed will lead them to victory; a tale as old as time.  Probably took 3 beatdowns from NDSU before Sam Houston State fans cooled their speedy jets.

Thank you for singing to us, Angela Lansbury!

It's a great flick.

Come on man!  We have heard that "team speed" quote a lot too.  However any team that has been in the semis, in the finals, or won the Stagg six times in the last six years doesn't need to hear that condescending remark from anyone.   

Condescending remarks bother you? It's Johnnies week.  You ain't seen nothin' yet.

You hit this on the nose. The MHB faithful are drowning in it on the MIAC board.

[DuffMan]

2003:  poster child for a team not being tested before the Stagg.   Very average Mount team with rotating QB's and RB's, none of which were difference makers that had it way too easy and therefore their flaws weren't exposed until it was too late.   Playoffs went 39-14 over LaCrosse, 56-10 over Wheaton, 66-0 over Bridgewater in semi-finals and lost Stagg to St John's 24-6.  Team was lacking strong senior leadership and was coming off 3 consecutive undefeated championships and honestly felt entitled.  Didn't play with near the urgency throughout the season that the title teams before or after them did.  The easy path thru the regular season and playoffs just fed their inflated ego that they were untouchable.  SJU quickly proved that wasn't the case.

I recall a lot of chest-thumping, "best Mount team ever" comments prior to the 2003 Stagg.  Hindsight is 20/20!