FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[joelmama]

CBS Sports Article on Mount

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/bruce-feldman/20673494/meet-the-most-dominant-program-in-college-football

If Ric were still doing his updates on his website they could have just copied most of it from there.

[Kehresma]

Dang, Joel Mama, you beat me!  The only way I can hold my head up on the D-3 Boards is to scoop it with the news my Mt Union alum sports-columnist brother passes along to me.  Oh well, back to my corner in silence...

...but before I slink away... It is a fun  read-- if you happen to be a UMU football fan

[Dr. Acula]

Seems kinda quiet in here with probably the biggest regular season game on deck this week.

I'll echo what HScoach said as far as predicted score.  My knee jerk reaction was something like 42-17.  I think the issue for the Berg is going to be the Raiders keying on Brooks.  That combined with potentially being down multiple scores shifts more burden to Mees and the passing game.  While Mees has played well all year he also has 6 INT in 7 games (and not even 7 full games) against less than stellar defenses.  I think UMU forces him into a couple mistakes.  Berg has been ball hawking on D so Burke will need to be sharp.  That being said I think he steps up and that's the main difference.  The depth of the WR corps also proves to be too much for Berg.  I've already got the DVR ready to go because this is going to be a fun one I hope.
 

[Raider 68]

Seems kinda quiet in here with probably the biggest regular season game on deck this week.

I'll echo what HScoach said as far as predicted score.  My knee jerk reaction was something like 42-17.  I think the issue for the Berg is going to be the Raiders keying on Brooks.  That combined with potentially being down multiple scores shifts more burden to Mees and the passing game.  While Mees has played well all year he also has 6 INT in 7 games (and not even 7 full games) against less than stellar defenses.  I think UMU forces him into a couple mistakes.  Berg has been ball hawking on D so Burke will need to be sharp.  That being said I think he steps up and that's the main difference.  The depth of the WR corps also proves to be too much for Berg.  I've already got the DVR ready to go because this is going to be a fun one I hope.

 

Dr. Acula,

The score could be what you and HSCoach indicates, but I do not think Heidelberg scores more than 14 against Mount's defense. Special teams will also be a big factor. Another punt return for yardage or TD is possible. Stopping the running game is a must, conversely the raider running game needs to produce. Should be a good game. Last weather forecast in 50's and maybe some showers.

[PurpleSuit]

52-0

[RaiderBacker]

Seems kinda quiet in here with probably the biggest regular season game on deck this week.

I'll echo what HScoach said as far as predicted score.  My knee jerk reaction was something like 42-17.  I think the issue for the Berg is going to be the Raiders keying on Brooks.  That combined with potentially being down multiple scores shifts more burden to Mees and the passing game.  While Mees has played well all year he also has 6 INT in 7 games (and not even 7 full games) against less than stellar defenses.  I think UMU forces him into a couple mistakes.  Berg has been ball hawking on D so Burke will need to be sharp.  That being said I think he steps up and that's the main difference.  The depth of the WR corps also proves to be too much for Berg.  I've already got the DVR ready to go because this is going to be a fun one I hope.

 

Dr. Acula,

The score could be what you and HSCoach indicates, but I do not think Heidelberg scores more than 14 against Mount's defense. Special teams will also be a big factor. Another punt return for yardage or TD is possible. Stopping the running game is a must, conversely the raider running game needs to produce. Should be a good game. Last weather forecast in 50's and maybe some showers.

I believe Mount will roll over Heidleberg. Eventhough Mount has made a statement all year long, this is their opportunity to send a statement to the league. I would imagine Mount will play a vanilla game plan since other teams will see this game along with the next two for scouting in the playoffs.

Heidleberg looks good on paper but then again who have they played. Their young o-line with very little depth will be their down fall.  I expect a physical game with alot of flags. I would imagine Berg will try to slow the game down by taking their time running the clock in hopes of keeping Mount's Offense off the field.

[rscl70]

Seems kinda quiet in here with probably the biggest regular season game on deck this week.

I'll echo what HScoach said as far as predicted score.  My knee jerk reaction was something like 42-17.  I think the issue for the Berg is going to be the Raiders keying on Brooks.  That combined with potentially being down multiple scores shifts more burden to Mees and the passing game.  While Mees has played well all year he also has 6 INT in 7 games (and not even 7 full games) against less than stellar defenses.  I think UMU forces him into a couple mistakes.  Berg has been ball hawking on D so Burke will need to be sharp.  That being said I think he steps up and that's the main difference.  The depth of the WR corps also proves to be too much for Berg.  I've already got the DVR ready to go because this is going to be a fun one I hope.

 

Dr. Acula,

The score could be what you and HSCoach indicates, but I do not think Heidelberg scores more than 14 against Mount's defense. Special teams will also be a big factor. Another punt return for yardage or TD is possible. Stopping the running game is a must, conversely the raider running game needs to produce. Should be a good game. Last weather forecast in 50's and maybe some showers.

I believe Mount will roll over Heidleberg. Eventhough Mount has made a statement all year long, this is their opportunity to send a statement to the league. I would imagine Mount will play a vanilla game plan since other teams will see this game along with the next two for scouting in the playoffs.

Heidleberg looks good on paper but then again who have they played. Their young o-line with very little depth will be their down fall.  I expect a physical game with alot of flags. I would imagine Berg will try to slow the game down by taking their time running the clock in hopes of keeping Mount's Offense off the field.

With the exception of the non-league season opener, they have played exactly the same teams as Mount Union.

[Desertraider]

I know pre-game and game week speeches only go so far....but if you were Mike Hallett what do you say to your team this week as they prepare? And what do you say before they take the field?

[raiderpa]

If I were Mike Hallett, I would just ask my team a question.....Are you ready to make the step into the elite of Division III football??  Today's game will be your statement...

How do we get Pat or Keith on the D3 football tournament committee?  is is possible? Who do we lobby?  Is there a process to seek membership?  Maybe we should ask if they are interested first...however, I cannot imagine anyone more qualified than these two...

[Desertraider]

In case you missed on the ATN regional rankings from the front:
"There are 15 teams in Division III who haven't lost yet, 26 who've lost just once and 45 who have two losses. If you adjust to subtract the NESCAC teams, move teams like Rowan and Franklin with non-D-III losses from the two-loss to one-loss group, we're still looking at 36 unbeatens or one-loss teams for 32 playoff spots, not including the teams with two or more losses that will win automatic bids. That means if your team has two losses already, you need to root for good teams to lose, bottom line."

I think that means UWW needs do have a serious come to Jesus moment. Here is hoping that Mount rolls and goes 10-0 and Berg gets in with a 9-1. Berg getting the playoffs would be HUGE for that program. Roll Student Princes (just do it next week)!

[bleedpurple]

In case you missed on the ATN regional rankings from the front:
"There are 15 teams in Division III who haven't lost yet, 26 who've lost just once and 45 who have two losses. If you adjust to subtract the NESCAC teams, move teams like Rowan and Franklin with non-D-III losses from the two-loss to one-loss group, we're still looking at 36 unbeatens or one-loss teams for 32 playoff spots, not including the teams with two or more losses that will win automatic bids. That means if your team has two losses already, you need to root for good teams to lose, bottom line."

I think that means UWW needs do have a serious come to Jesus moment. Here is hoping that Mount rolls and goes 10-0 and Berg gets in with a 9-1. Berg getting the playoffs would be HUGE for that program. Roll Student Princes (just do it next week)!

We also need to root for the undefeateds (Linfield, St. Thomas, etc.).  It seems too complicated to me. The bottom line is if you don't win your conference you can't expect anything.  All UW-W can do now is win the final three and finish 8-2. If that's not good enough (and it most often is not), then so be it.

[Dr. Acula]

Well said BP.  And I agree, it's far too complicated for me too.  The CCIW seems to be crazy with Wheaton already having 2 losses, but pinning a loss on IWU and IWU still has to play NCC.  Maybe Elmhurst runs the table and grabs a pool C?  The NCAC was broken down by Wally Wabash I believe and it seems crazy right now as well because of the potential ties and whatnot thanks to not playing the entire conference.  The bottom line is exactly what you said...if you don't get the AQ you're leaving it to chance.  All UWW can do is win out and hope the chips fall the right way.

As for what Hallett should say....well one thing I'd do is have Matt Palm talk to the team this week at some point.  For those that don't know he's Berg's baseball coach, AD and a fiery guy.  He climbed the mountain by finally slaying Etta in baseball and making it to the World Series.  There are a lot of similarities between UMU football and Etta baseball as far as how they're viewed by the rest of the OAC.  Let him talk about that experience.  Then Hallett can tell his boys that they get 60 minutes a year to make history and change the course of Berg football and this is their 60 minutes.  Those kids bought into his plan to change everything about that program.  He won't let them forget that Saturday.

[pradierguy]

I am predicting another shutout, but Mount scoring 45 or so. They will be up big but LK will call off the dogs.

[HScoach]

If I was Hallett, I wouldn't put extra pressure or emphasis on Mount than I do any other game.  They players already know it's a huge game and they won't need the coach giving them some rah-rah speech to get them going.  I think just the opposite.  I'd be calm, very workmen-like, with a quiet confidence telling my guys they've come a long way already, but the journey isn't over.  To get where we want to go, we simply need to play our game.  No one has to play above themselves.  Just play hard, play smart and play with confidence and composure.  Mount is going to make big plays, they're good and that's what they do.  But we're good too and we're going to make our share of big plays too.  The deciding factor won't be what happens after we make a play, it's what happens after THEY make a play.  Learn from it, correct the mental mistake and forget about it.  Don't let the last play affect the next one.   They haven't been tested and think every week is going to be a cake walk because they're Mount.  Well if we play our game for 60 minutes, they're going to be a lot more than just "tested".  They're going to be pushed to edge.  We've been to the edge and made the plays to win the game.  Will they?  Or will they blink?  If we play our game for 60 minutes, we'll be in a position to find out.  And knowing what I know about guys in this room, where you've come from and where I see us going, I have complete confidence that we'll do what the rest of the nation thinks is impossible.   


Now, I honestly think Heidelberg has very little chance of beating Mount.  Which means the most important talk isn't before the game.  It's AFTER the game.  If they put too much pressure and emphasis on this game, then their season will be ruined because Mount will have beaten them again in Week 9 too.  Play this one hard, and move onto to JCU.   

[Blutarsky]

Being somewhat experienced in these things, I could offer myself to Heidelberg for the pre-game talk.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE