FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[joelmama]

Taking an easier route to the postseason and recruiting as a "perennial playoff program" or "yearly competing for a national championship" probably brings in a lot more freshman football players and their tuition checks  more than being "sometimes the 2nd best team in the OAC" or "hey, we beat Mount that one time!"

Last year JCU football rostered 141 student-athletes-they're doing just fine.  The totality of institutions do not boil down to their win-loss record in football.  How strong is an educational institution if its entire identity is wrapped up in football?  I think framing JCU's move as a football-only or even a football-dominant decision is really missing the forest for the trees. 

but just as you have suggested for the other side of the argument Wally that is speculation also.

[sigma one]

Could we think of it this way:  JCU has won the last eight OAC all-sports championships on the men's side.  I don't know about the women.  So, they come into the NCAC where they align themselves with similar schools--an upgrade for them, they believe.  The one sport that they have not been able to dominate is football, with Mt Union frequently keeping them out of the playoffs.  I'm certain that JCU will compete for, and probably win, the all-sports championship in the NCAC, and that they will receive the extra benefit of winning the conference in football and receiving an automatic bid to the playoffs instead of waiting to see if the are chosen as an at-large team.  Even with the playoffs being expanded to 40 teams the change makes it all but certain they will be in the football playoffs most, if not every, year.   I do know that they are better now than the top football teams in the NCAC.  I'd like to think that their entry will stimulate the other schools that care about football to upgrade their rosters--but  I  doubt if they can/will do that.

     So, they receive multiple benefits, and I have little doubt that one important reason (though not the only one) for the conference change is football.

[mc1983]

If my memory of the video JCU put out was correct, the move was based more on aligning with schools they viewed as a better fit academically and to consistently draw students from a wider geographic area in the future.  JCU probably already consistently draws from the largest geographic area of the OAC schools due to the parochial pipeline so they must have ambitions to extend that even wider.

Having worked in academia for decades, the last thing you'd ever want to take at face value is a university press release. Sure, that is the "official" reason. However, if you don't believe football is a significant factor, I've got some oceanfront property in University Heights for you.

Strong chance to go to the football playoffs every year + Improved academic peers = Win/Win

[D3fanboy]

The reason JCU ran to the NCAC is the same reason that Mount will never grace the regular season schedule in Univ Heights.  But I'd imagine the guys in Alliance would love nothing more than JCU in the 2nd round

[mc1983]

I have to challenge the insinuation that JCU is dodging competition. As they did last year, the Streaks are opening the season with Wisconsin Whitewater. If JCU was trying to protect 9-1 and an at-large playoff berth, that would not be the way to do it.

Worth mentioning that the Wisconsin Whitewater series was put in place before the introduction of NPI as the selection criteria. With SOS significantly deemphasized, I'd expect their future schedules to not be seeking opponents of that caliber.

[Dr. Acula]

If my memory of the video JCU put out was correct, the move was based more on aligning with schools they viewed as a better fit academically and to consistently draw students from a wider geographic area in the future.  JCU probably already consistently draws from the largest geographic area of the OAC schools due to the parochial pipeline so they must have ambitions to extend that even wider.

Having worked in academia for decades, the last thing you'd ever want to take at face value is a university press release. Sure, that is the "official" reason. However, if you don't believe football is a significant factor, I've got some oceanfront property in University Heights for you.

Strong chance to go to the football playoffs every year + Improved academic peers = Win/Win

Very true.  I view a university release roughly akin to a politician issuing a statement.  My main point was that while athletics and football specifically may have been a factor I don't feel it was the primary factor for the move.  The athletics benefits are surely a positive impact though.

[Raider 68]

Does anyone have any insight for upcoming Raider position battles other than the QB?
Not sure what RB's will look like for 2024.  Camp has to be starting in a few weeks.

[Dr. Acula]

I would think Echeverry is going to get the bulk of the carries, especially early on while some less experienced guys get their feet wet.  There definitely seems to be a lot of touches offensively up for grabs this fall which is actually kind of exciting to have the fun of seeing who steps up and grabs their chance. 

Am I imagining it or didn't one of the TE's transfer too? 

[D3fanboy]

between Echeverry and Williams, the Raiders have 1300+ rushing yards returning.  The offense will likely look a lot different with a much more mobile QB taking snaps.  With a significant amount of the OL returning, I would imagine the running game will be leaned on a bit while the passing game finds its stride. 

[hsbsballcoach7]

between Echeverry and Williams, the Raiders have 1300+ rushing yards returning.  The offense will likely look a lot different with a much more mobile QB taking snaps.  With a significant amount of the OL returning, I would imagine the running game will be leaned on a bit while the passing game finds its stride. 

I would agree with this statement. I could see Echeverry, Williams and whichever QB gets the most snaps with 700-800 yards rushing each if the offensive line is what we think it will be with the returners.

I'm sure Mount will have some other RBs step up as well. 

WR will be many talented guys who have been waiting in the wings or young guys looking to prove themselves.

IMO, the defensive line will be fine, but let's see who returns at LB, CB, and Safety, to judge that area.

I think Mount got a transfer kicker from Notre Dame College when they closed this summer. He should be competing to replace Deaglon who transfered out.

Wyatt Stiehl (2 year TE at UMU) transferred to USF. They're listing him at 6-2, 180 lbs. It'll be tough to play at that level of he only weighs 180.

[D3fanboy]

Mount at preseason #5 has to be an all-time low.  I get it, but hopefully that's something that Dartt and the new S&C coach can utilize.  Top 5 gets blasted out on social media, team website, etc at 99.9% of D3FB, but it is not acceptable in Alliance.

[Raider 68]

Based upon the 2023 finish, I am not surprised by the #5 Mount Rating. Do I think they should be higher, No? Is this unacceptable, Yes. If there is a hot seat for the Raiders, it should be this year. Coach Day at OSU is on it, based upon his 3 losses to the school up North. Coach Dartt should be if the Raiders flounder again this year. At some point the powers at be have to recognize the Raider standard transcends any attempt to retain coaching insiders, OMHO,

[Dr. Acula]

between Echeverry and Williams, the Raiders have 1300+ rushing yards returning.  The offense will likely look a lot different with a much more mobile QB taking snaps.  With a significant amount of the OL returning, I would imagine the running game will be leaned on a bit while the passing game finds its stride. 

I would agree with this statement. I could see Echeverry, Williams and whichever QB gets the most snaps with 700-800 yards rushing each if the offensive line is what we think it will be with the returners.

I'm sure Mount will have some other RBs step up as well. 

WR will be many talented guys who have been waiting in the wings or young guys looking to prove themselves.

IMO, the defensive line will be fine, but let's see who returns at LB, CB, and Safety, to judge that area.

I think Mount got a transfer kicker from Notre Dame College when they closed this summer. He should be competing to replace Deaglon who transfered out.

Wyatt Stiehl (2 year TE at UMU) transferred to USF. They're listing him at 6-2, 180 lbs. It'll be tough to play at that level of he only weighs 180.

I spaced out and mixed up which Williams transferred.  Good catch, fanboy.  Darnell and Echeverry should feast against the regular season schedule behind an OL that looks like it's returning all 5 starters.

FWIW, it looks like Roland and Sexton are back at safety spots along with Yanssens.

[raiderpa]

Regarding the QB at Mount Union, I think Beaudrie's return spells improvement in the offense.  I thought he could have started in 2022 but was behind a three year starter, the competition seemed that close. When given the opportunity, he showed excellent passing skills and superior scrambling and running skills compared to the last QB. I think his return has many Raider fans excited to see what he can produce. 

[Raider 68]

Regarding the QB at Mount Union, I think Beaudrie's return spells improvement in the offense.  I thought he could have started in 2022 but was behind a three year starter, the competition seemed that close. When given the opportunity, he showed excellent passing skills and superior scrambling and running skills compared to the last QB. I think his return has many Raider fans excited to see what he can produce. 

Beaudrie's return may make calling the plays easier if he has the latitude to change the calls when needed. Mount needs to dominate teams this year to return to their standard.
We will see!