FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Bein_86]

Weather is going to stink tomorrow in the whole state. It could very well affect some of the games.

I hate wind and rain..Cold is fine, wind and rain are horrible....

[reality check]

Wow.  ONU loses a game and suddenly they're John Carroll.  I was hoping for the best this year but realized that ONU had two major losses at QB and RB simultaneously.  The backs they had behind Donley complimented his bowling ball running style but are not feature back types.  Losing Simmons, a 4-year starter and a gamer is nothing to overlook either.  I was pleasantly surprised that ONU won its first couple of games against some quality competition but I guess the pessimist (or maybe the realist) in me wasn't expecting a 9-1 season with the amount of reloading ONU had to do in 2011.  It's not like Donley and Simmons were the only losses ONU had to deal with.  The only OAC with less returning starters were Marietta and Wilmington and we all know that most Quakers and Pioneers don't really want to come back to those teams in the first place.  ONU had lots of holes to fill and is a younger team than normal.  I expected some bumps and bruises this year and thought anything from 7-3 to 9-1 would still be a pretty solid regular season given the changes. 

I guess that makes us John Carroll.  Great comments guys.  Really solid analysis.

[PurpleSuit]

Well....it was a 20 point loss to the Mighty Muskies.  You had to expect to take some ribbing for that.  All kidding aside, I still think that ONU is one of the better OAC teams.  I'd still put them 2nd or 3rd with BW. 

[reality check]

I am interested to hear what some of the long-time posters/followers think about Musky because in my opinion, New Concord has always been a tough place to play.  Musky isn't great and I'm not making excuses for the Polar Bears but I don't think anyone likes heading over to their place.  In spite of their records, the Muskies always play tough at home.  I expect an ONU win but I rarely expect a blowout versus the fightin' fish.  Consider this:

2010 - Musky overall record: 3-7 (2-3 at home) outscored 81-79 in their five home contests
2009 - Musky overall record: 4-6 (2-3 at home) outscored 129-101 in their five home contests

It goes on like that for the better part of a decade.  The point is that the Muskies do play tough at home.  They have for a long time; even in down years.  They don't get blown out much at home and play good teams pretty tightly.  Musky may end up with a Marietta-esque record every year but they've historically played much more closely than their 2-8/3-7/4-6 counterparts.

Has anyone else noticed this?

[SaintsFAN]

I am interested to hear what some of the long-time posters/followers think about Musky because in my opinion, New Concord has always been a tough place to play.  Musky isn't great and I'm not making excuses for the Polar Bears but I don't think anyone likes heading over to their place.  In spite of their records, the Muskies always play tough at home.  I expect an ONU win but I rarely expect a blowout versus the fightin' fish.  Consider this:

2010 - Musky overall record: 3-7 (2-3 at home) outscored 81-79 in their five home contests
2009 - Musky overall record: 4-6 (2-3 at home) outscored 129-101 in their five home contests

It goes on like that for the better part of a decade.  The point is that the Muskies do play tough at home.  They have for a long time; even in down years.  They don't get blown out much at home and play good teams pretty tightly.  Musky may end up with a Marietta-esque record every year but they've historically played much more closely than their 2-8/3-7/4-6 counterparts.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Agree completely even if I'm an OAC Outsider.  TMC had played a very inspired team in New Concord during the Dean Paul era.. I also know they've beaten some good Defiance teams (good compared to the rest of the HCAC) in New Concord... mostly because the Defiance guys are always pissing and moaning about it (which I must admit I kinda like hearing).

[108Vincent]

I am interested to hear what some of the long-time posters/followers think about Musky because in my opinion, New Concord has always been a tough place to play.  Musky isn't great and I'm not making excuses for the Polar Bears but I don't think anyone likes heading over to their place.  In spite of their records, the Muskies always play tough at home.  I expect an ONU win but I rarely expect a blowout versus the fightin' fish.  Consider this:

2010 - Musky overall record: 3-7 (2-3 at home) outscored 81-79 in their five home contests
2009 - Musky overall record: 4-6 (2-3 at home) outscored 129-101 in their five home contests

It goes on like that for the better part of a decade.  The point is that the Muskies do play tough at home.  They have for a long time; even in down years.  They don't get blown out much at home and play good teams pretty tightly.  Musky may end up with a Marietta-esque record every year but they've historically played much more closely than their 2-8/3-7/4-6 counterparts.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Agree - and they always seemed to play hard the through four quarters against Mount Union, which isn't always the case with some of the "lower-tier" OAC programs.  Interestingly, it wasn't until 2007 that UMU had a winning record in the series with Musky - the last program in the conference to switch to that side of the ledger.

[Kehresma]

They're predicting 48 degrees and windy in Ada tomorrow. Sure hope to see a few purple diehards there-- at least the #21 fans from Indy and other Westerners! Let's have a game!

[Raider 68]

They're predicting 48 degrees and windy in Ada tomorrow. Sure hope to see a few purple diehards there-- at least the #21 fans from Indy and other Westerners! Let's have a game!

Sounds like running the ball is what Saturday will be about, plus a few short passes!

[mr_mom]

Weekly nagging to get your picks in.

WARNING: The NJ/Kean game starts in 17 minutes.

[rscl70]

They're predicting 48 degrees and windy in Ada tomorrow. Sure hope to see a few purple diehards there-- at least the #21 fans from Indy and other Westerners! Let's have a game!

We'll be there.  Three Mount Alums with one ONU grad in tow.

[bushman]

coach Logan says he has between 80 to 100 on his team.  He can rotate players during the game and uses a strong defense to keep his offense on the field.  His team has a lot of upperclassmen and they have matured and honed their skills. His offense is well balanced and uses the run and pass to move the ball.  They prepare for one team at a time and are not awed by anyone.  They respect who they play and expect to win each game.    Wow, damn good formula for winning.   

[Kehresma]

They're predicting 48 degrees and windy in Ada tomorrow. Sure hope to see a few purple diehards there-- at least the #21 fans from Indy and other Westerners! Let's have a game!

Sounds like running the ball is what Saturday will be about, plus a few short passes!

Looking better, by game time in Ada 50 degrees, partly cloudy, winds @ 18 MPH with 10% chance of precipitation and humidity falling. Git on scenic Rt. 30 and ride, y'all!

[HScoach]

SaintsFAN:  Decent chance your Defiance friends might get regularly scheduled trips to New Concord if Wilma follows thru with their whining.

[seventiesraider]

Remember when Mount - Northern would have made this board roll on endlessly, now not even undefeated Fishies are making a dent

Seventies,

Agree, but maybe a storm is coming somehow! IMHO, your other team (Berg) is the one to keep on eye on!

Mike is working hard and like Larry 20 years ago the Heidelberg admin is behind sports as a way to increase visibility and enrollment

[Desertraider]

They're predicting 48 degrees and windy in Ada tomorrow. Sure hope to see a few purple diehards there-- at least the #21 fans from Indy and other Westerners! Let's have a game!

Sounds like running the ball is what Saturday will be about, plus a few short passes!

Looking better, by game time in Ada 50 degrees, partly cloudy, winds @ 18 MPH with 10% chance of precipitation and humidity falling. Git on scenic Rt. 30 and ride, y'all!

While on scenic Rt. 30 go through Bucyrus - not around it (an extra 5 minutes) and stop at Carle's Bratwurst. Best damn Brats around - 100x better than the garbage you find in the stores (or at the west side market!). It's right on Rt.30 by the golf course. Go Raiders!!