FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[USee]

Hey, the last four teams. The top of the D3.com poll. No more sugar coating, only truth telling.

This isn't meant to be arrogant, plenty of that from the fans of these last 4 teams. My post is meant to highlight who North Central is. This is a different team than 2019 when Broc Rutter ran the show and they had multiple avenues to beat you. He could read the field and they could run the ball. This team, with their young QB is a running team with an explosive pass game. Definitely not one dimensional, but with a clear focus on running. They call their freshman RT "iHop" because of all the pancakes he gets. Come on man. If that doesn't fire you up, nothing will.

North Central has faced 2 teams that could beat them and both lost by 2 scores. The remaining teams are the elite of the elite. Mt Union is no slouch and they have some absolute beasts. But I see 190 yds rushing vs ONU and 130 v BW and I think "Uh oh".

I appreciate your analysis and insight into NCC.  The ONU game was Mount's COVID game with a dozen or so players out, a majority on the defensive side of the ball.  A lot of dudes that typically play in the 4th quarter of blowouts had to step into significant playing time. Shouldn't have been as close of a game, not an excuse but just the background of that game.    BW was the top rushing team in the OAC, Mount held them 100 yards under their average.  Definitely not saying that Mount will shut down the NCC rushing attack, but just giving some background for the "uh oh" numbers

This is interesting because according to the game stats from ONU the following defensive starters made tackles:

Eli Beers, Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jesse Vale, Kordell Ford, Carson Kovath, Mason McMillen, Jalen Griffin, Derrick Bradley, Ian Seton, Malik Britt.

That's 10 of the 11 starters listed in the notes for this Saturday's game. Josh Jones didn't appear in the stats for ONU

[robertgoulet]

NCC has released their preview for those interested:

https://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2021/12/7/football-national-semifinal-preview.aspx

https://northcentralcardinals.com/documents/2021/12/6/fb_media_notes_121121.pdf

[MUC57]

I appreciate all the insights to this game Saturday, well done all.

Only commentary I'd like to add is the HOF involvement on Mount's behalf is laughable. That group is so inept, it's sad. Even if the NCAA would entertain the thought, the HOF would find some hilarious way to mess it up and Rocky Pentello would lead the Wilmington Quakers into the game, coached by Dean Paul.

pradierguy

Now that's funny!   

[WRMUalum13]

Hey, the last four teams. The top of the D3.com poll. No more sugar coating, only truth telling.

This isn't meant to be arrogant, plenty of that from the fans of these last 4 teams. My post is meant to highlight who North Central is. This is a different team than 2019 when Broc Rutter ran the show and they had multiple avenues to beat you. He could read the field and they could run the ball. This team, with their young QB is a running team with an explosive pass game. Definitely not one dimensional, but with a clear focus on running. They call their freshman RT "iHop" because of all the pancakes he gets. Come on man. If that doesn't fire you up, nothing will.

North Central has faced 2 teams that could beat them and both lost by 2 scores. The remaining teams are the elite of the elite. Mt Union is no slouch and they have some absolute beasts. But I see 190 yds rushing vs ONU and 130 v BW and I think "Uh oh".

I appreciate your analysis and insight into NCC.  The ONU game was Mount's COVID game with a dozen or so players out, a majority on the defensive side of the ball.  A lot of dudes that typically play in the 4th quarter of blowouts had to step into significant playing time. Shouldn't have been as close of a game, not an excuse but just the background of that game.    BW was the top rushing team in the OAC, Mount held them 100 yards under their average.  Definitely not saying that Mount will shut down the NCC rushing attack, but just giving some background for the "uh oh" numbers

This is interesting because according to the game stats from ONU the following defensive starters made tackles:

Eli Beers, Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jesse Vale, Kordell Ford, Carson Kovath, Mason McMillen, Jalen Griffin, Derrick Bradley, Ian Seton, Malik Britt.

That's 10 of the 11 starters listed in the notes for this Saturday's game. Josh Jones didn't appear in the stats for ONU

Yeah, I was also confused by this, I looked into the stats and It looked like any other game this season. The guys who were out may have been on the two-deep but very few starters were out for that game.

The ONU game was just an inexplicably poor performance by the Raiders, but I don't think it had much to do with a limited personnel. 

[D3fanboy]

Hey, the last four teams. The top of the D3.com poll. No more sugar coating, only truth telling.

This isn't meant to be arrogant, plenty of that from the fans of these last 4 teams. My post is meant to highlight who North Central is. This is a different team than 2019 when Broc Rutter ran the show and they had multiple avenues to beat you. He could read the field and they could run the ball. This team, with their young QB is a running team with an explosive pass game. Definitely not one dimensional, but with a clear focus on running. They call their freshman RT "iHop" because of all the pancakes he gets. Come on man. If that doesn't fire you up, nothing will.

North Central has faced 2 teams that could beat them and both lost by 2 scores. The remaining teams are the elite of the elite. Mt Union is no slouch and they have some absolute beasts. But I see 190 yds rushing vs ONU and 130 v BW and I think "Uh oh".

I appreciate your analysis and insight into NCC.  The ONU game was Mount's COVID game with a dozen or so players out, a majority on the defensive side of the ball.  A lot of dudes that typically play in the 4th quarter of blowouts had to step into significant playing time. Shouldn't have been as close of a game, not an excuse but just the background of that game.    BW was the top rushing team in the OAC, Mount held them 100 yards under their average.  Definitely not saying that Mount will shut down the NCC rushing attack, but just giving some background for the "uh oh" numbers

This is interesting because according to the game stats from ONU the following defensive starters made tackles:

Eli Beers, Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jesse Vale, Kordell Ford, Carson Kovath, Mason McMillen, Jalen Griffin, Derrick Bradley, Ian Seton, Malik Britt.

That's 10 of the 11 starters listed in the notes for this Saturday's game. Josh Jones didn't appear in the stats for ONU

Yeah, I was also confused by this, I looked into the stats and It looked like any other game this season. The guys who were out may have been on the two-deep but very few starters were out for that game.

The ONU game was just an inexplicably poor performance by the Raiders, but I don't think it had much to do with a limited personnel.

Didn't say starters.  Griffin is now a starter, but he wasn't then.  Two secondary starters out, the DL and LB depth was affected.  For sure a poor performance.  But there were multiple houses of players players affected where roommate A tested positive, with no symptoms but his three or four other roommates can't practice until getting two negative tests 24 hours apart.

Just saying that it was a mess of a week.  Had the team vaccination numbers not been what they were, Mount would have been rolling out an unrecognizable team vs ONU.

[USee]

Jalen Griffen was listed in the stats vs ONU as a starter. I didn't see the ONU game and can't vouch for any of this. But from the participation report vs ONU the only 3 defensive players not listed from the 22 player two deep are Josh Jones (starter) and Luke Lukowski, Kalem Detellem (both backups). So 19 of the 22 from the two deep played vs ONU. Doesn't seem like a Covid game to me.

My original point was that ONU, who battled Mt Union to the end in losing 35-42, ran for 160 yds in a game in Alliance for an offense that is 60% pass for the year. It's just one data point (along with BW rushing for 130, which is well below their average). Mt Union hasn't faced really any elite offenses at this point in the year. They have faced 2 "good" offenses in ONU and JHU and both those teams put up 35 pts. 

Mt Union is going to have to score in the 40's or 50's similar to 2019 to win in my opinion.

On the flip side, NCC hasn't really faced an elite offense yet either. They faced 3 "good offenses": Wheaton and Aurora  put up 7pts each and Wisc Lacrosse scored 20.

[WRMUalum13]

Jalen Griffen was listed in the stats vs ONU as a starter. I didn't see the ONU game and can't vouch for any of this. But from the participation report vs ONU the only 3 defensive players not listed from the 22 player two deep are Josh Jones (starter) and Luke Lukowski, Kalem Detellem (both backups). So 19 of the 22 from the two deep played vs ONU. Doesn't seem like a Covid game to me.

My original point was that ONU, who battled Mt Union to the end in losing 35-42, ran for 160 yds in a game in Alliance for an offense that is 60% pass for the year. It's just one data point (along with BW rushing for 130, which is well below their average). Mt Union hasn't faced really any elite offenses at this point in the year. They have faced 2 "good" offenses in ONU and JHU and both those teams put up 35 pts. 

Mt Union is going to have to score in the 40's or 50's similar to 2019 to win in my opinion.

On the flip side, NCC hasn't really faced an elite offense yet either. They faced 3 "good offenses": Wheaton and Aurora  put up 7pts each and Wisc Lacrosse scored 20.

I'd argue Muhlenberg's offense was also at least "good" considering they had the All Region 2 OPOY.

[USee]

Fair enough. Add another 29 pts to the mix.

[D3fanboy]

Jalen Griffen was listed in the stats vs ONU as a starter. I didn't see the ONU game and can't vouch for any of this. But from the participation report vs ONU the only 3 defensive players not listed from the 22 player two deep are Josh Jones (starter) and Luke Lukowski, Kalem Detellem (both backups). So 19 of the 22 from the two deep played vs ONU. Doesn't seem like a Covid game to me.

I wonder if Griffin started the ONU game in place of someone else??  But like you said, you didn't watch.  Take approx 20% of any teams two-deep out and limit practice for another handful...recipe for an "uh oh" game. 

[USee]

Jalen Griffen was listed in the stats vs ONU as a starter. I didn't see the ONU game and can't vouch for any of this. But from the participation report vs ONU the only 3 defensive players not listed from the 22 player two deep are Josh Jones (starter) and Luke Lukowski, Kalem Detellem (both backups). So 19 of the 22 from the two deep played vs ONU. Doesn't seem like a Covid game to me.

I wonder if Griffin started the ONU game in place of someone else??  But like you said, you didn't watch.  Take approx 20% of any teams two-deep out and limit practice for another handful...recipe for an "uh oh" game.

Considering the only starter missing was a corner (Josh Jones) I don't think that's a viable reason they gave up 160 yds rushing to a team that averaged 130 a game. ONU is the highest rated offense besides Johns Hopkins that Mt Union has played. North Central's offense is at another level to either of those. But Mt Union's offense is also at another level to anything NCC has faced to date (but their defense did better against "good offenses"). All just data points.

I am thinking both teams score 32-40 and the team that gets to 42+ wins.

[Gregory Sager]

I am thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of USee employing his usual data-pounding (quite effectively, I might add) on behalf of his alma mater's mortal enemy.

[crufootball]

I appreciate all the insights to this game Saturday, well done all.

Only commentary I'd like to add is the HOF involvement on Mount's behalf is laughable. That group is so inept, it's sad. Even if the NCAA would entertain the thought, the HOF would find some hilarious way to mess it up and Rocky Pentello would lead the Wilmington Quakers into the game, coached by Dean Paul.

Seen a couple of mentions to the fact that the HOF stadium management might not be as good as one would hope. As a Texan I can't say the group that handled Shenandoah put their best foot forward but I can't say I truly noticed come game time. I was expecting the Canton experience to be pretty good for the players but I take it that might not be correct?

[robertgoulet]

I am thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of USee employing his usual data-pounding (quite effectively, I might add) on behalf of his alma mater's mortal enemy.

Makes me a little uneasy, tbh.

[D3fanboy]

Jalen Griffen was listed in the stats vs ONU as a starter. I didn't see the ONU game and can't vouch for any of this. But from the participation report vs ONU the only 3 defensive players not listed from the 22 player two deep are Josh Jones (starter) and Luke Lukowski, Kalem Detellem (both backups). So 19 of the 22 from the two deep played vs ONU. Doesn't seem like a Covid game to me.

I wonder if Griffin started the ONU game in place of someone else??  But like you said, you didn't watch.  Take approx 20% of any teams two-deep out and limit practice for another handful...recipe for an "uh oh" game.

Considering the only starter missing was a corner (Josh Jones) I don't think that's a viable reason they gave up 160 yds rushing to a team that averaged 130 a game. ONU is the highest rated offense besides Johns Hopkins that Mt Union has played. North Central's offense is at another level to either of those. But Mt Union's offense is also at another level to anything NCC has faced to date (but their defense did better against "good offenses"). All just data points.

I am thinking both teams score 32-40 and the team that gets to 42+ wins.

The other starter was at the position that Griffin starts at currently.  Your "data point" in this discussion is incorrect.  You could have used any of the previous seven starting lineups/participation reports as your guidelines as to who was missing.  But you use the starting lineups/participation reports from after the ONU game.  Excellent work by the data-pounder

[USee]

I am thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of USee employing his usual data-pounding (quite effectively, I might add) on behalf of his alma mater's mortal enemy.

I learned from the best.