FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Raider 68]

I will give you Linfield and MAYBE Wheaton. I am not saying Mount would have wiped the field with any of them - but I would not have been worried either.

Mount would have struggled with any team in the field that plays great defense and has a good offense. Obviously JCU is one of those teams as are most of the teams Dr Acula listed. Mount, despite the tradition, is going to struggle against MHB this week. The Cru has a Purple Power type defense and an explosive offense.

Everyone agrees that the Mount team is very young this year and aren't as dominate as they have been in past years, but other than the UWO game Mount Union gave JCU the most difficult time.  In that game After JCU was up 13-0 Mount's defenses forced JCU to go 3 and out a total of 8 times before JCU scored  a touchdown on a strip sack.  The game end with both teams going back and forth in driving for TDs with JCU scoring last.  From about 2 minutes before end of the first half and the strip sack TD in the fourth quarter Mount dominated the game.  Like a true champion JCU capitalized on turnovers and was strong at the end.

JCU is a strong contender to win it all because they have a strong defense and strong offense.  Mount Union on the other hand isn't showing the level of consistency expected from Mount football, but when they are on they can be hard to beat.  Ask JCU. 

Craft_Beermeister,

Agree, If you look at the Stats for both Mary Hardin Baylor and the Raiders, they are close in many areas, point scored per game 52 to 48.2, defensive points allowed per 14.5 to 14.2, 3rd down conversions 48% to 50%. UMHB, however has been
consistent whereas the Raiders have not as you point out. Despite the porous defense against a top QB (T. Johnson),
I look for a big improvement against UMHB. Not sure it will be enough to get it done, but to reach the semi's with a young team bodes well for 2017. They a have a shot to reach the Stagg again, even though it may be a small one. vs. UMHB. 

[mr_mom]

Spreads for Round #4 of the 2016 OAC Postseason Pick-Em have been posted.

Please get your picks in by 1:00 Saturday.  Good Luck, OAC!

[raiderpa]

Like the All Region team selections.
I believe that Tom Arth deserves the National D3 award. 
Good luck to both OAC squads this week.  Would love to see an all-OAC Stagg, but believe the mountain is just a little too big for the young Raiders.  IMO they have achieved at the highest level possible for their inexperience and talent. Great credit to their coaches and players.  JCU, on the other hand, I think will make the Stagg.  They are peaking and confident. Beating WWW at Perkins had to boost their confidence to play anyone, anywhere.

[Craft_Beermeister]

I assume Mount is flying to Texas.  What about John Carroll?  Flights to Whitewater and Oshkosh?

Airfare CAK to Killeen Regional Airport start at $380. Oh my.
Sherb

Also look for fares to DFW and the easy 2 hour drive to Belton or to Austin and the 60 minute drive north.

easy ralph? with the I35 construction? hit or miss at best between waco and temple

I agree with Toby on construction delays on I35.  I've been doing engineering consulting work in Temple TX area for years and on every trip to the area there is always concrete being poured on road projects somewhere along my trip.  I typically prefer to fly into Austin instead of DFW.  As far as places to stay I would suggest one of the Hilton or Marriott brand hotels in Temple the drive to Belton is relatively short.  I've stayed away from the Best Western since the bed bug infestation some years back.

There is a great place to eat in Belton that is called the Dead Fish Grill and it is located right on Lake Belton.  They have a great selection and they have a tradition of shooting of a cannon at sunset everyday.

[GillCJ1]

There is a great place to eat in Belton that is called the Dead Fish Grill and it is located right on Lake Belton.  They have a great selection and they have a tradition of shooting of a cannon at sunset everyday.

One more recommendation is Miller's Smokehouse in Belton.  It's the best BBQ in the area.  I always tell visiting fans to check it out.

Safe travels to those of you who are making the trip.

[Kelly Boggs]

Killeen also has several nice hotel options and is a short 15/20 minute drive to the stadium.

[SpisakComingThrough]

I was in Belton about 3 years ago and stumbled upon a hole in the wall bar called "Standford's & Ben's" I believe it was 25 mins south of Belton near Round Rock, best beer and porridge selection I've ever seen. Not  sure if they are still in business but worth the drive.

[SaintsFAN]

Like the All Region team selections.
I believe that Tom Arth deserves the National D3 award. 

No way.  Who has John Carroll beaten this year?  And they lost to Oshkosh in week 1?  Pffftt....

[Pat Coleman]

Like the All Region team selections.
I believe that Tom Arth deserves the National D3 award. 

No way.  Who has John Carroll beaten this year?  And they lost to Oshkosh in week 1?  Pffftt....

LOL.

Regardless, there are three games left to the season, and all of them will have bearing on that award.

[SaintsFAN]

I will give you Linfield and MAYBE Wheaton. I am not saying Mount would have wiped the field with any of them - but I would not have been worried either.

Mount would have struggled with any team in the field that plays great defense and has a good offense. Obviously JCU is one of those teams as are most of the teams Dr Acula listed. Mount, despite the tradition, is going to struggle against MHB this week. The Cru has a Purple Power type defense and an explosive offense.

Everyone agrees that the Mount team is very young this year and aren't as dominate as they have been in past years, but other than the UWO game Mount Union gave JCU the most difficult time.  In that game After JCU was up 13-0 Mount's defenses forced JCU to go 3 and out a total of 8 times before JCU scored  a touchdown on a strip sack.  The game end with both teams going back and forth in driving for TDs with JCU scoring last.  From about 2 minutes before end of the first half and the strip sack TD in the fourth quarter Mount dominated the game.  Like a true champion JCU capitalized on turnovers and was strong at the end.

JCU is a strong contender to win it all because they have a strong defense and strong offense.  Mount Union on the other hand isn't showing the level of consistency expected from Mount football, but when they are on they can be hard to beat.  Ask JCU. 

Craft_Beermeister,

Agree, If you look at the Stats for both Mary Hardin Baylor and the Raiders, they are close in many areas, point scored per game 52 to 48.2, defensive points allowed per 14.5 to 14.2, 3rd down conversions 48% to 50%. UMHB, however has been
consistent whereas the Raiders have not as you point out. Despite the porous defense against a top QB (T. Johnson),
I look for a big improvement against UMHB. Not sure it will be enough to get it done, but to reach the semi's with a young team bodes well for 2017. They a have a shot to reach the Stagg again, even though it may be a small one. vs. UMHB. 

They also played Linfield.  Twice.  And Wheaton.  Plus Hardin-Simmons.  Those are 4 of their 13 games against top notch competition. 

I don't think stat comparisons tell much for this game. 

[SaintsFAN]

Like the All Region team selections.
I believe that Tom Arth deserves the National D3 award. 

No way.  Who has John Carroll beaten this year?  And they lost to Oshkosh in week 1?  Pffftt....

LOL.

Regardless, there are three games left to the season, and all of them will have bearing on that award.

Do you think if JCU can win two more, they'll be in better position to maybe get some hardware? 

[gizzmo13]

SPISAK, WHO EATS porridge?

[badgerwarhawk]

SPISAK, WHO EATS porridge?

The three bears.

[badgerwarhawk]

Like the All Region team selections.
I believe that Tom Arth deserves the National D3 award. 

No way.  Who has John Carroll beaten this year?  And they lost to Oshkosh in week 1?  Pffftt....

LOL.

Regardless, there are three games left to the season, and all of them will have bearing on that award.

Do you think if JCU can win two more, they'll be in better position to maybe get some hardware? 

They would be in a pretty good position to get the National Championship trophy.  That's some hardware. 

[JCUStreaks70]

In case you guys missed the latest from CBS Sports Ben Kercheval...

Winner -- John Carroll (again): You're darn right I'm dipping back down into the Division III ranks. As you may (or may not) recall earlier this year, John Carroll upset Mount Union 31-28. As far as lower level football is concerned, that's like beating Alabama. Well, John Carroll did it again in the DIII playoffs by upending Wisconsin-Whitewater 31-14. Again. that's like beating Ohio State. What I'm saying is John Carroll actually wants Bama.