FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Desertraider]

I keep forgetting to ask this but how is the Mount JV doing this year? I see the Mount site has the dates for the games but I never see any scores. I have said this before - and I will say it again: I miss Rics site when it comes to Mount information! Ric- any desire to pick the site up again?

New to the OAC...as I have a freshman playing at BW.  BW jv beat the MU jv on Sunday, 17-14.  The "2nd hand" word I heard was that it was the first time a BW jv team had beat a MU jv team since 1994.  I also heard that MU has 3 jv teams?  Again, "2nd hand" info said the MU jv team that lost to BW on Sunday was the "A" jv team.

It was a pretty good game.  Most of the scoring for both teams came from mistakes from the other side.  Neither team could get much going offensively.  Lot's of good hitting going on.  A fair amount of 'chatting' going on, on the field.  It was clear that they didn't like each other.   

Welcome, AlmaFan!  Best of luck to your son.

As someone whose work study required them to watch every minute of every JV home game for years I can tell you that while BW may not have beaten Mount in JV ball they almost always played close games.  Those games were battles.  You definitely weren't confusing them for Malone.

What?? - Moses could really bring it. BW almost always plays Mount tough - even on Varsity. I remember some of the games with Moore and then Pugh were brutal. Even the 24-0 (2003) game was "close" since Mount blew everyone out and looked superhuman that year until...well I aint going there.

On the OTT and Mount game someone had indicated that OTT always plays Mount tough at home (OTTs home). I can really only recall the 2010 game (ugly win for Mount but had more to do with Mount playing a poor game) and 2008 (when OTT seemed on the way up. Other than that I see a bunch of monkey stomps - the 2006 71-14 was a good one. I just think OTT is too one dimensional to do anything against Mount. The D should be able to pin the ears back and fly without the threat of the run. I smell a shutout and a super-monkey-stomp. Final tune-up before Berg.

[rscl70]

    As of what is out there Mount will not be on video vs Otterbein or Heidelberg.  They will be on video for BW and John Carroll as of information from today.

I watched the replay on STO Saturday night and I have one comment: I hate the white pants w/ purple stripe thing down the leg. I miss the older style uniforms (4 years ago) and the purple jersey w/ purple pants. I know - many teams have much more serious issues than uniform styles, however it's just my 2 cents.

Was stated on the replay by Joe Tait that origionally the MUC colors were actually turquoise and lavender. Anybody want a throwback jersey to wear to the playoffs?   Thankfully, this predated color photography so nobody really knows how they looked. Will have to ask my wifes great uncle who is 92 and a MUC grad from wayback. Maybe the PURPLESUITS will pick up on this old design and surprise us ( Is great uncle 1 word or 2)?

As for Namdars accuracy, what a luxury for the playoffs when the weather gets testy or Burke gets banged up. Not much of a falloff is it?

According to Wake the Echoes by Dr. John E. Saffell (a very fine Professor of History at Mount Union) the colors changed from turquoise and lavender to Purple and White in 1901. Wake the Echoes and A Select School by Newell Yost Osborne should be required reading for every Mount Union freshman.

[HScoach]

AlmaFan's post got me thinking while I was checking out the preview this week.  Minnich moved up to #2 RB.  Lane Clark the big freshman TE moved onto the 2 deep a couple weeks ago.  The defense has Spencer, Lally, Kochoff and Tre Jones all on the 2 deep.  Is it just me or is that A LOT of freshmen on the varsity depth chart for an LK team?  I'd have to imagine when you start cherry picking that many freshmen for the varsity you're going to have some effect on the JV teams.  I don't feel like that's been the case historically.   

This season does have more freshmen on the 2-deep than normal.  I know they're very high on LB Spencer, DE Lally and CB Jones, but I'm not sure whether to think this freshmen class is that stellar or the soph/junior classes ahead of them are a little thin?   

[AlmaFan27]

AlmaFan's post got me thinking while I was checking out the preview this week.  Minnich moved up to #2 RB.  Lane Clark the big freshman TE moved onto the 2 deep a couple weeks ago.  The defense has Spencer, Lally, Kochoff and Tre Jones all on the 2 deep.  Is it just me or is that A LOT of freshmen on the varsity depth chart for an LK team?  I'd have to imagine when you start cherry picking that many freshmen for the varsity you're going to have some effect on the JV teams.  I don't feel like that's been the case historically.   

This season does have more freshmen on the 2-deep than normal.  I know they're very high on LB Spencer, DE Lally and CB Jones, but I'm not sure whether to think this freshmen class is that stellar or the soph/junior classes ahead of them are a little thin?

Our oldest has played in the MIAA for almost four years now, with his career winding down.  I've had a chance to watch a fair amount of D3 ball, with this fall being a little busy.  Round trips to Cleveland area (from west Michigan) on Sunday, after watching Friday night and Saturday ball has been fun.  Clearly the OAC is a different league than the MIAA.  Many of the jv players I've watched over the past several weeks wouldn't be on the 2-deep in the MIAA.  They would be seeing a lot of time already.

[Desertraider]

I just heard from a friend that Cecil is getting the start this week opposite Blackmon and then found a story (below) on it. Maybe its old news that I just missed - but ya never know. Not too bad since he started the year as the #5 or 6 and was almost deactivated for Week 1 against the Vikings, or was it for the Colts game? Regardless nice to see Cecil getting some press.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2012/10/12/3493820/jaguars-depth-chart-cecil-shorts-wide-receiver

[motorman]

I'm much more looking forward to Heidelberg because of their running game with Cartel Brooks and the future potential they seem to possess.  They were a very young 8-2 team last year and look to have the capabilities to match that or maybe even better it this season.   And if I remember their roster correctly, 2013 looks to be an even better year.  The last 3 weeks of the Berg schedule is brutal, but win 2 of the last 3 and they'll be in the playoffs.   I don't think their defense will be good enough to hold Mount under 30, but they definitely have the offense to make it very interesting.

I was at the Berg-Mount game last year and the Berg defense held Mount in check in the first half. It all fell apart in the 2nd half because the Berg offense couldn't keep their defense off the field. If Berg offense can move the ball this year it could be a game.

[Desertraider]

Okay I can't resist. According to the guys over at Atomic Football - Mount will win this weekend against OTT 34-6. They have it listed as 99.3% win. Mount is also predicted to beat Berg, BW and JCU. So I guess that makes it playoff time? Of course these guys also have Mount ranked #77 in the Win-Loss Based Ranking behind OTT (74), Berg (67) and of course the DIII power at 2-4 Gustavus Adolphus. Mount is ranked at #26 in the Hybrid.

At least they are giving Mount a 93% chance of finishing 10-0.

http://www.knology.net/jashburn/football/archive/teams/tm_590.html

[motorman]

Okay I can't resist. According to the guys over at Atomic Football - Mount will win this weekend against OTT 34-6. They have it listed as 99.3% win. Mount is also predicted to beat Berg, BW and JCU. So I guess that makes it playoff time? Of course these guys also have Mount ranked #77 in the Win-Loss Based Ranking behind OTT (74), Berg (67) and of course the DIII power at 2-4 Gustavus Adolphus. Mount is ranked at #26 in the Hybrid.

At least they are giving Mount a 93% chance of finishing 10-0.

http://www.knology.net/jashburn/football/archive/teams/tm_590.html

I was amazed that nobody commented on it last week when I mentioned the Atomic and Sports Theory computer rankings. I think the Sport Theory has 1 loss (to Berg) Ott ahead of undefeated Berg and Mount. Those computer rankings are very strength of schedule biased and both Mount and Berg played the bottom of the conference first. When 9 of your 10 games are conference games, strength of schedule is dependent on the way your schedule falls.

[mr_mom]

I was amazed that nobody commented on it last week when I mentioned the Atomic and Sports Theory computer rankings.

Hey Motor ... the reason I didn't comment is that I thought their numbers were totally out the Window! 

I currently use four other rankings to come up with my spreads.  Yours were just too four sigma.

But UMUC's SOS can definitely be seen as a problem.

[motorman]

I was amazed that nobody commented on it last week when I mentioned the Atomic and Sports Theory computer rankings.

Hey Motor ... the reason I didn't comment is that I thought their numbers were totally out the Window! 

I currently use four other rankings to come up with my spreads.  Yours were just too four sigma.

But UMUC's SOS can definitely be seen as a problem.

I agree they were totally out the window, but I thought that would generate a reaction.

I may be crazy, but much as I am looking forward to the Berg-Mount game, I am also fascinated by this week's match up to escape the winless season. Would love to see Wilmington rise up and smack Marietta. Got to be motive for one of those teams to avoid the ignomy. Look what it did for the Browns last week.

Hope the weather holds up this week, may get to my first Berg game this week. Got to pick my son up for fall break. He has been spotting for the SID at the games and thus has to work or he would be home sooner. A somewhat cushier job than he had last year as ball boy for the visitors.

[HScoach]

I was amazed that nobody commented on it last week when I mentioned the Atomic and Sports Theory computer rankings.

Hey Motor ... the reason I didn't comment is that I thought their numbers were totally out the Window! 

I currently use four other rankings to come up with my spreads.  Yours were just too four sigma.

But UMUC's SOS can definitely be seen as a problem.

Really?  You look at rankings and data?   No wonder your spreads are so poor. 

The dart board always worked much better for me.  And pre-game handshake with LK helped a little too

[Raider 68]

I just heard from a friend that Cecil is getting the start this week opposite Blackmon and then found a story (below) on it. Maybe its old news that I just missed - but ya never know. Not too bad since he started the year as the #5 or 6 and was almost deactivated for Week 1 against the Vikings, or was it for the Colts game? Regardless nice to see Cecil getting some press.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2012/10/12/3493820/jaguars-depth-chart-cecil-shorts-wide-receiver

desertraider.

Nice article on Cecil, hope he does well! Also, hope Pierre gets back in the line-up, the Redskins
really need him, IMHO

[Desertraider]

I just heard from a friend that Cecil is getting the start this week opposite Blackmon and then found a story (below) on it. Maybe its old news that I just missed - but ya never know. Not too bad since he started the year as the #5 or 6 and was almost deactivated for Week 1 against the Vikings, or was it for the Colts game? Regardless nice to see Cecil getting some press.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2012/10/12/3493820/jaguars-depth-chart-cecil-shorts-wide-receiver

desertraider.

Nice article on Cecil, hope he does well! Also, hope Pierre gets back in the line-up, the Redskins
really need him, IMHO

I just read an article on Garcon's injury. They said it is swelling in the "joint capsule under the second toe on his right foot". No clue what that means - I am not that kind of doctor. But from staying at a Holiday Inn Express a few months ago I think it means it hurts a lot .

Bottom line is he is expected to miss more time. That really sucks. I still love watching him play.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/10/15/pierre-garcon-suffering-from-inflammation-in-capsule-under-second-toe/

[mr_mom]

I currently use four other rankings to come up with my spreads.  Yours were just too four sigma.

Really?  You look at rankings and data?   No wonder your spreads are so poor. 

The dart board always worked much better for me.  And pre-game handshake with LK helped a little too

Sadly, I believe I did do a little better last year.  But obviously not poor enough this year for you to come out of retirement.   

And I knew Larry had to be watching your lines, as tight as you'd get on the MUC games!

[UMUplayerdad]

AlmaFan's post got me thinking while I was checking out the preview this week.  Minnich moved up to #2 RB.  Lane Clark the big freshman TE moved onto the 2 deep a couple weeks ago.  The defense has Spencer, Lally, Kochoff and Tre Jones all on the 2 deep.  Is it just me or is that A LOT of freshmen on the varsity depth chart for an LK team?  I'd have to imagine when you start cherry picking that many freshmen for the varsity you're going to have some effect on the JV teams.  I don't feel like that's been the case historically.   

This season does have more freshmen on the 2-deep than normal.  I know they're very high on LB Spencer, DE Lally and CB Jones, but I'm not sure whether to think this freshmen class is that stellar or the soph/junior classes ahead of them are a little thin?

I wondered that myself.... I think it's a little of both. I know said freshman have played well against weak teams and gotten a lot of playing time. and the little freshman running back is for sure a fast one. I watch most of the game with binoculars focused on line play and a a couple times he got through the line before either o line or d line were  out of their stances(playing with the starters) and he sure tears up the 2nd/3rd defenses. Being as this is a very senior dominated team it's not a bad thing to get the freshman involved this year. I bet next year's early practices will have some serious battles for position-I should prolly say MORE serious than usual. This year's team and revamped offense sure look good. Defense is as usual fast/fly to the ball. O-line looks solid, and  the two converted d-lineman are to be commended(i bet 75% of offensive lineman wanna play D-line, and favazzo sure knocked down a lotta passes last year) and are doing well. if you looked at depth charts on several of our early opponents, their d-lines seem to be senior dominated-maybe not great?  but experienced, MT has only allowed 2 sacks. I know tougher teams are ahead and no one should even be thinking at point this is one of "all time UMU teams".... but silly mistakes seem to be down. QBs and receivers seem to be on same page and there is good depth at skill positions. The kicker has been real consistent-I was holding my breath the one home game when I thought he got hurt on an extra point try-turns out it was cramps(he gets a lotta work in blow outs) as far as punting ? who can judge when you rarely punt? All in all I see a solid team and I don't think any one dimensional team is going to put real pressure on defense or offense