FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[runyr]

If it's Whitewater on the other side, at least Jim Zebrowski won't be over there

Oh, we'll manage. 

Oh, we will see

Of course to read your posts last week, you already had UW-W eliminated didn't you?  You might want to see if a team can actually score a fourth quarter point against UW-W before continuing to pick against them. 

You'll note I picked Wesley as well 

I see that! And less than 10 minutes after the spread was posted no less! Either you are picking with your heart or your memory is getting shorter! 

That's funny. +k to both of you for amusing banter.

[hazzben]

From my observations on Saturday, it appeared that Alfred blitzed almost every play.  It was almost like a run blitz (mind you I don't know the difference between a run vs. pass blitz), and they were continually able to stuff the run.  It did leave a HUGE gap in the middle of the field, and once Neal re-calibrated the sight on his rifle (arm), it was an easy pitch and catch most of the day. 

I may be looking at the game with Bethel too simplistically, but I can't see them holding Mount to less than mid-20's in points (and I am being generous).  That being the case, I don't think the Bethel offense scores enough to make this a two touchdown game.  And, if the wind isn't howling, and Seaman plays solid, I think the score could easily be something like 35-7.

I know "on any given day" team B can beat team A, but it just doesn't compute.  I think Mount's defense is playing its best football, and in my opinion the offense needs to be just "ok". 

Oh...and 8 PM on Friday night works for me.  I was thinking about putting together a little friendly betting pool (purely for FUN of course).     You pick the winner, and the score.  We use differential to pick a winner.  Anyone interested?

Skunks,

IMHO, Your score is probably correct. Bethel is a true running team and does not rely on the passing game or kicking game for that matter. Since the Raiders's run defense only give up 68 yards per game, I am not seeing how Bethel stays in this game, especially if they are playing from behind. Hopefully, the Raiders come out it healthy and with a win.

What the game does for Mount in terms of preparation is that it focuses them to face another team (maybe) from up North that has a top notch running game and another top RB!

Everyone keeps talking about Bethel's kicking game but when has any team relied on their kicking game opposed to running or passing? I know that is probably out of context of what you meant '68 and I know this is more of a general statement but Bethel's kicking seems to be most peoples dig on this team and to me it just seems trite.

I don't know how trite it will feel if you are running the ball well but we consistently manage to stop you on the 15 or 20 and you can't get any points because you can't kick the field goal.  Mount's running D, while tough all the time, really tightens up in the red zone.

Does any really think Bethel has a chance to win this game even if they make four 50 yard field goals? Ummm no. My point is the kicking game keeps getting highlighted as why this Bethel team can't win but that hasn't stopped them vs UST, Wheaton, Wartburg, St Johns, etc.

It did in the first meeting.

I thought that loss goes off the books since Bethel won the rematch? 

No, no, no Freebird. Pat has already spoken Ex Cathedra on this. UST won the first matchup as the better team. They outplayed Bethel in all aspects and it really should have never been that close. More importantly, Bethel didn't win the rematch, UST lost it.  ::)They were the only team with injuries before and during the game, they didn't play up to their potential and Bethel got very lucky. If the Tommies hadn't tripped on so many runs (Tobin never actually got tackled on Saturday) or dropped so many wide open passes or been so royally screwed by the refs, Mount would be traveling to St. Paul on Saturday. 

[runyr]

Something got UMUplayerdad's panties all up in a bunch.

I couldn't understand his posts either...

I still don't know if I understand them.   

UMU uses "coach speak" when posting on the board.  Well......."coach speak" if he is a disciple of Bobby Bouche's defensive coordinator in that great movie The Waterboy.   

Bingo, that's it he's talking about foozeball. 

[hazzben]

FWIW, Coach J has a ton of respect for LK. Not just because of how well he's done at Mount. He genuinely really enjoys LK as a guy. They've gotten to know one another a bit at AFCA events, etc. and Johnson has just enjoyed him as a peer. Says a lot about LK. With all his success, he could easily be a total jerkoff to other coaches, but he isn't.  We talked with him as a staff a bit before the '07 game and he was very complimentary and cordial, in a genuine sort of way, not like he was just going through the motions of "sportsmanship".

[reality check]

And in today's sign of the apocalypse.....

I lost karma making a joke about Doeder. 

Queue R.E.M. - "It's the end of the world as we know it!!!"

[Pat Coleman]

No, no, no Freebird. Pat has already spoken Ex Cathedra on this. UST won the first matchup as the better team. They outplayed Bethel in all aspects and it really should have never been that close. More importantly, Bethel didn't win the rematch, UST lost it.  ::)They were the only team with injuries before and during the game, they didn't play up to their potential and Bethel got very lucky. If the Tommies hadn't tripped on so many runs (Tobin never actually got tackled on Saturday) or dropped so many wide open passes or been so royally screwed by the refs, Mount would be traveling to St. Paul on Saturday. 

I just sprained my eyes rolling them. Give me a break -- I get that you're not happy with the level of Bethel coverage here (and on road games in the Star Tribune) but it takes two parties to make that work. We're not omnipresent with our three-person staff.

[seventiesraider]

hazzben-Having the team in St Paul would have solved a lot scheduling problems for me this weekend and I think Larry was kind of looking forward to it. Leave us out of this.

[hazzben]

I just sprained my eyes rolling them. Give me a break -- I get that you're not happy with the level of Bethel coverage here (and on road games in the Star Tribune) but it takes two parties to make that work. We're not omnipresent with our three-person staff.

that's impressive eye rolling. I was annoyed at first, but to be honest, it's now just good natured ribbing. I really do appreciate the coverage you guys give us, but some of the comments were just too sweet to pass up. All in good fun Pat. Fwiw, OAS was at the game and could have given you a good unbiased assessment. But on to Saturday...here's to hoping we do the impossible and you guys have a week to give Bethel plenty of airtime! 

[PurpleSuit]

apparently we've found the annual "Mount has never seen a ______ like this" for 2010...the Bethel kicking game.

whats with all the bethel-MUC venom going on?  just a few days ago, we were all BU fans here

[seventiesraider]

With the 199th ranked passing attack, I still love 'em

[PurpleSuit]

a nice quick, "smash mouth" football 35-0 semi final win would be nice on a cold december day...bring on purple bowl 6, sorry wesleydad just dont see it

[Freebird]

If you guys were traveling to play UST this week what would your feelings about the game would be? Same level of confidence or would you be expecting a closer game?

[Pat Coleman]

Fwiw, OAS was at the game and could have given you a good unbiased assessment.

Adam doesn't really work for us anymore, you know -- and I'm not really interested in discussing this in public. I'm sure you can find my email if you want to have a real discussion.

[seventiesraider]

If you guys were traveling to play UST this week what would your feelings about the game would be? Same level of confidence or would you be expecting a closer game?

I personally would be very apprehensive about giving my wife three hours at the Mall of America and maybe a little worried about a semi of the road

[skunks_sidekick]

If you guys were traveling to play UST this week what would your feelings about the game would be? Same level of confidence or would you be expecting a closer game?

Interesting question....

I would guess I would be a tad bit more aprehensive due to the travel aspect, but assuming St. Thomas squeaked out a win against Bethel, my thoughts would be that Mount would be a firm 14.5-17 point favorite.  Caruso seems more like a chance-taker, so there would be some trepidation as to what tricks he would pull out for this game.