FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

Mr. Ypsi · November 03, 2008, 07:40:58 PM

As far as I could find, there are 5 pickems sites with spreads and the MUC/Ott game this week. HCAC and SCAC both spot Ott 14.5, and so far have no takers. hscoach spots 17.5, and very early returns are 7-1 for MUC. I put it at 23.5 on the CCIW, and so far it is 2-1 for MUC. wally_wabash (NCAC) listed it at 30.5, and is running 2-1 for Ott.

Since the goal of an oddsmaker is getting an even split on picks (as opposed to predicting the margin - though hscoach has been doing pretty darned good on both!), the early returns suggest that a spread somewhere in the mid-twenties is how pickers see it. I'll be curious to track the picks by Saturday, and will report here.

[Personally, I plan to take Ott on both the CCIW and NCAC, but haven't made up my mind on the OAC (I don't play either HCAC or SCAC).]

purple · November 03, 2008, 08:07:09 PM

Last year I traveled up to JCU and was shocked at the decline in the program. Where were the tough,nasty football players totally fired up about playing Mount Union? Actually I thought it was a good move on the QB's part to start some trouble. It got Millings out of the game for awhile and seemed to inspire the Streaks. What was apparent was the JCU players felt they could hang with the Raiders. They fought hard and they hit. It sure looks like visiting Otter Stadium means listening to the game in the parking lot.

CNU85 · November 03, 2008, 08:18:10 PM

Quote from: purple on November 03, 2008, 08:07:09 PM
Last year I traveled up to JCU and was shocked at the decline in the program. Where were the tough,nasty football players totally fired up about playing Mount Union? Actually I thought it was a good move on the QB's part to start some trouble. It got Millings out of the game for awhile and seemed to inspire the Streaks. What was apparent was the JCU players felt they could hang with the Raiders. They fought hard and they hit. It sure looks like visiting Otter Stadium means listening to the game in the parking lot.

Maybe the $14,000 Frank Ross just won on Deal or No Deal will help!

Toph · November 03, 2008, 08:55:49 PM

Quote from: purple on November 03, 2008, 08:07:09 PM
Last year I traveled up to JCU and was shocked at the decline in the program. Where were the tough,nasty football players totally fired up about playing Mount Union? Actually I thought it was a good move on the QB's part to start some trouble. It got Millings out of the game for awhile and seemed to inspire the Streaks. What was apparent was the JCU players felt they could hang with the Raiders. They fought hard and they hit. It sure looks like visiting Otter Stadium means listening to the game in the parking lot.

Every program not named Mount Union goes through rebuilding phases. JCU may not be as great as they were in the Tom Arth era, but they still compete.

We can't all be a dynasty.

bushman · November 03, 2008, 09:41:20 PM

I thought JCU made the raiders work for their victory. If they had a running game, Mt. would have worked a lot harder. They were ready to play for the entire game. Line play will be the difference in the OTT game. Playoff caliber team.

HScoach · November 03, 2008, 09:45:58 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on November 03, 2008, 07:40:58 PM
As far as I could find, there are 5 pickems sites with spreads and the MUC/Ott game this week. HCAC and SCAC both spot Ott 14.5, and so far have no takers. hscoach spots 17.5, and very early returns are 7-1 for MUC. I put it at 23.5 on the CCIW, and so far it is 2-1 for MUC. wally_wabash (NCAC) listed it at 30.5, and is running 2-1 for Ott.

Since the goal of an oddsmaker is getting an even split on picks (as opposed to predicting the margin - though hscoach has been doing pretty darned good on both!), the early returns suggest that a spread somewhere in the mid-twenties is how pickers see it. I'll be curious to track the picks by Saturday, and will report here.

[Personally, I plan to take Ott on both the CCIW and NCAC, but haven't made up my mind on the OAC (I don't play either HCAC or SCAC).]

Interesting to see where the other guys have it. Honestly, I really struggled with setting this spread. Most weeks the Mount spreads just "appear" to me, but this week was different.

I believe the Mount D-line is absolutely dominant, especially against a spread-type team, but I'm still not sold on the Mount O-line being good enough to run it when they need one of those 12 play drives to end a game as Kmic has been getting an awful lot of his yards after contact this season. But I'm also equally unsure exactly how good Otterbein is too.

I could see scenarios where the game is a real dog fight if the Otterbein front 4 controls the line of scrimmage against the young O-line. I can also see a scenario where Mount makes Otterbein look like.....well.....Otterbein.

So in the end, I went with something in the middle. Figuring a score around Mount 38 / Otter 20.

reality check · November 03, 2008, 11:02:02 PM

Quote from: hscoach on November 03, 2008, 09:45:58 PM

Interesting to see where the other guys have it. Honestly, I really struggled with setting this spread. Most weeks the Mount spreads just "appear" to me, but this week was different.

If five or six random numbers appear to you regarding lottery tickets PM me hscoach. I need a little help right about now.

pradierguy · November 04, 2008, 08:03:53 AM

Regardless of political affiliation... get out there and vote today. If you can't decide, write in LK

seventiesraider · November 04, 2008, 08:15:55 AM

I tried to compile a little tale of the tape , ala Ric's website and pretty much consistantly Mount is one or two and Otterbein is in the thirties or the forties. The only number that continues to amaze is Micheli's QB effciency rating: 120 of 151 with a rating of 232.0, the second place guy is at 187.3. Obsolutely sick. (NCAA stats are still a week old)

BTW It gave me a little gratitude for the volume of Ric's time that has gone into MtUnionFootball.com over the years. Let's never take for granted one of the greatest things to spring out of Mount's success, the class of Unofficial D3 football websites. If it's not on Ric's site, you probably don't need to know it.

Quote from: pradierguy on November 04, 2008, 08:03:53 AM
Regardless of political affiliation... get out there and vote today. If you can't decide, write in LK

Or NK. I want a president that actually runs at people and tries to knock them down.

Run for President Nate

What this country needs is good open field blocker

JK · November 04, 2008, 10:12:13 AM

Absolutely... GO VOTE TODAY!

There are a lot of veterans on this site who served to protect that right. It's an absolute affront to them if you do not go out and vote. And, if you don't like either candidate, exercise your right to not vote for either of them, but still go vote for the issues, etc...

OldRaiderGuy · November 04, 2008, 12:26:53 PM

Quote from: hscoach on November 03, 2008, 09:45:58 PM

I could see scenarios where the game is a real dog fight if the Otterbein front 4 controls the line of scrimmage against the young O-line. I can also see a scenario where Mount makes Otterbein look like.....well.....Otterbein.

As long as they don't fumble more than 8 times, Mount should do fine with this one

(Sorry, JK, just having a little fun)

SaintsFAN · November 04, 2008, 01:32:56 PM

Quote from: JK on November 04, 2008, 10:12:13 AM
Absolutely... GO VOTE TODAY!

There are a lot of veterans on this site who served to protect that right. It's an absolute affront to them if you do not go out and vote. And, if you don't like either candidate, exercise your right to not vote for either of them, but still go vote for the issues, etc...

What do you guys think about that Issue 6 or whatever?? Its the one about the Casino being built near Wilmington..... could make the trips to Wilma a little more interesting..

JK · November 04, 2008, 02:35:14 PM

I voted yes on my absentee ballot...

When you look at how much money the states with casinos bring in, it's stupid if you don't do it... especially when Ohioans take millions into Indiana.

I'm not a big Casino goer or gambler, no big proponent or opponent, but I think Ohio ought to do it and give people the choice.

seventiesraider · November 04, 2008, 02:38:55 PM

Can't imagine why we need to admend the state constitution and give ONE GUY permission to build and operate a casino and block everyone else. A constitutional amendment???

My middle school kids voted overwhelming against the Casino bill, and to limit or regulate check cashing stores and by a 20% margin for John McCain.

SaintsFAN · November 04, 2008, 02:40:51 PM

I agree, JK... but the commercials for that issue were indicative of a big fight.. Its going to be interesting to see if it made it.

seventies,

I agree with that.. but I wonder how much of that line of rhetoric was planted by Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN.. they stand to lose alot of money to the new resort near Wilmington.