FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[jaypeter]

Personally, if Mount Union makes it to the championship game, I would like to see them face and hopefully beat Whitewater.  A loss in the championship game, even when the other team plays better, is tougher to handle and hurts for longer.  I can hold a grudge a long time.  This past summer marked the first time that I had ever watched highlights from Super Bowl XXXV, when the Giants lost to the Ravens.  I couldn't bring myself to do it before this summer, and the sting was eased by time and a different championship.  I've watched replays and highlights from every other post-season loss the Giants have had since I've been watching football.  

UMHB hurt, but it wasn't the championship game.  That's why I vote for Whitewater.  But, I'll be happy either way, and looking for good food at the tailgate whomever Mount Union is facing if their fortunate to make it that far.  I'd be thrilled at the chance to even the record against UMHB, plus someone from there may be able to bring me some brisket!

[Small but Slow]

I'm just hoping for a chance to get back to Salem.  It's fun to watch on tv, but not the same as being there.  I wish it wasn't an 11 AM kickoff, but nobody asked my opinion. 

As I posted previously, Wheaton concerns me.  Their offensive balance and pass defense can keep them in the game.  We'll see if they can slow down Nate.

[raiderfan1983]

I'm just hoping for a chance to get back to Salem.  It's fun to watch on tv, but not the same as being there.  I wish it wasn't an 11 AM kickoff, but nobody asked my opinion. 

I too have been anxiously waiting by the phone for the NCAA to call me so we can settle this kickoff time once and for all.  Nonetheless, if it is to be at 11 a.m., and if Mount makes it, I will be in the parking lot by 7 or so to get the tailgate festivities started.  Maybe everyone will just have to Irish up their coffee a little bit this year?  

[Mugsy]

Now I know the players and coaches don't look past any opponent and Wheaton certainly is a formidable opponent but none of us have to worry about the politics and locker room material for jumping ahead so here's my question:

Mount Union fans and followers, who would you rather get in the Stagg; Mary Hardin Baylor or Whitewater?  Both games would be rematches of losses but which one do you want to avenge more? 

I'm certainly not going to get all in a twist over this question, after all in the 5 previous meetings Wheaton has not show itself to be at MUC's level.  They have competed well in 2 of those 5, but nothing that has most MUC faithful overly concerned for this weekend - obviously.  And yes, it is the players and coaches who determine the outcome on Saturday, not what is discussed on a chat board.

It is probably an interesting discussion from a MUC perspective, but quite honestly it would be a topic or question I would avoid holding in a public form.  I know these boards are open for "what if" discussions and speculation across a variety of topic.  But regardless of how gently you bring up the topic/question, no matter how much you qualify it with "you can't look past any opponent" and "anything can happen", or "Wheaton is a solid team", it still comes across as a bit smug.  Why not wait until after Saturday (provided MUC takes care of business as expected) and ask the question from a different perspective?  Which team would you have rather faced - UWW or UMHB?

Granted... the MUC nation has earned the ability to have that perspective based on what the MUC football team has accomplish over the past 15 years.  An absolute amazing run.  But to 99% of those in D3, it comes off as a bit disrespectful.

Again I must reiterate, I am not all offended and this post is not meant to have a tone of "how dare you..."  I would just say that the question you pose has you at odds with an overwhelming majority of those who come to the D3Football site.  It was posed to the MUC nation, but any one else who reads it
will interpret it in quite a different fashion.

I'll go back to my cave now...

[Knightstalker]

I just want MUC to make the finals.  This will be my first opportunity to make it to Salem since '93.  I don't want to do anything to jinx it.  Any time I've had my hopes up too high for anything something usually goes wrong and ruins my plans.  I haven't ordered tickets, booked a hotel, or even checked out events around the game out of fear of jinxing the Raiders.  

You probably did it right there.

[skunks_sidekick]

It is my belief (and many of us have discussed this over the past few years) that the 2004 team really wasn't one of Mount's best for one main reason.......NO PLAYMAKERS.

I think the recipe for great success at any level, but definitely at the D-III level is to have a very solid team in all facets, but have one, two, or even three "stars" that can get you over the hump in a big game. 

Mount has 2 to 2 1/2 this year, where in 2004 they had none (IMO).  Bruney was a good QB, who could on occasion make plays with his feet, but he never quite "wowed" me with his throwing ability.  Both 2004 RB's were solid, but nothing special (relatively speaking).  Receivers...the same.  Defense.....the same.  I am not disparaging that team in any way, as they did go undefeated until that semi-final game.  Just offerning my opinion/observation. 

And when thinking about it, you could really say that about the 2003 team as well.  No PLAYMAKERS compared to most other Mount championship teams.  Thoughts.....

[OU#25]

Alliance is a 4 hour drive for me from the Northern suburbs of Cincinnati.  I'm going to leave work a bit early on Friday. 

SaintsFAN:
Where do you live? I live in Wyoming and work downtown.

I live in Hyde Park and work in Eastgate at Total Quality Logistics. 

Did you go to school in the area?

[reality check]

Mugsy

It certainly could be viewed as a smug question if it weren't for the fact that it was asked by a non-MUC guy.  Sure I'm an OAC fan and at this point I want my conference to do well but I asked it as someone that has grown to both respect MUC and expect MUC to make a run each and every year and as history would have it, that's not exactly a stretch.

I still say it makes more sense to ask now than after Saturday.  After Saturday, it's no longer a hypothetical  scenario.  We can't discuss potential rematches because the potential isn't there.  It's a reality by then.

Now, if Wheaton wins.  Then the question was still valid.  The difference being that MUC wouldn't have a chance to act on that question because they didn't handle business.

[reality check]

Alliance is a 4 hour drive for me from the Northern suburbs of Cincinnati.  I'm going to leave work a bit early on Friday. 

SaintsFAN:
Where do you live? I live in Wyoming and work downtown.

I live in Hyde Park and work in Eastgate at Total Quality Logistics. 

Did you go to school in the area?

I got your back Saintsfan.


He went to a hillbilly Catholic school in Hamilton. 

[Mugsy]

Mugsy

It certainly could be viewed as a smug question if it weren't for the fact that it was asked by a non-MUC guy.  Sure I'm an OAC fan and at this point I want my conference to do well but I asked it as someone that has grown to both respect MUC and expect MUC to make a run each and every year and as history would have it, that's not exactly a stretch.

I still say it makes more sense to ask now than after Saturday.  After Saturday, it's no longer a hypothetical  scenario.  We can't discuss potential rematches because the potential isn't there.  It's a reality by then.

Now, if Wheaton wins.  Then the question was still valid.  The difference being that MUC wouldn't have a chance to act on that question because they didn't handle business.

My mistake... still a question I would have waited to ask next week and re-phrased it such that you still get the desired input.  I guess then who ever wins the UWW/UMHB game would ask why you are talking about the other team when you are playing us?  Like I said... not a big issue in my mind, just a thought.  I'll leave it alone.

[OU#25]

Alliance is a 4 hour drive for me from the Northern suburbs of Cincinnati.  I'm going to leave work a bit early on Friday. 

SaintsFAN:
Where do you live? I live in Wyoming and work downtown.

I live in Hyde Park and work in Eastgate at Total Quality Logistics. 

Did you go to school in the area?

I got your back Saintsfan.


He went to a hillbilly Catholic school in Hamilton. 

Hamilton Badin?
In college I warmed the bench with the son of a very famous pizza chain owner from the Hamilton area who played at Badin.  I attended HS with RIC in Alliance.

[HScoach]

In college I warmed the bench with the son of a very famous pizza chain owner from the Hamilton area who played at Badin.  I attended HS with RIC in Alliance.

You went to school with The Ric-ster?  Really?  I always knew there was something wrong with you.........




On the topic of who I'd rather see in Salem, I'd rather see Mary Hardin Baylor.   

The temptation to play Whitewater again and prove that last season was a "fluke" is there, but I hate the thought of making the entire nation sit thru MUC/WWW Part 4.   That isn't interesting on any front to anyone outside of Whitewater or Alliance.  This is just a repeat of '07 with the "been there, done that" attitude leading up to the game.

Facing MHB would be a much more interesting contest for the simple fact that it's a new team and I think D3 fans around the nation would get curious about seeing what MHB could do against The Machine.  I also think the team speed and option offense that MHB brings would make for a very competitive battle on the field.

[seventiesraider]

Mount Union fans and followers, who would you rather get in the Stagg; Mary Hardin Baylor or Whitewater?  Both games would be rematches of losses but which one do you want to avenge more? 

Mary Hardin, Mary Hardin

and I would have said that in August. The question is about fans and revenge for a last second loss.

[bushman]

Wasn't Wheaton a 7th seed?    Is  this their best team to face Mt.?   On the other hand  sometimes it is not good to get what you wish for.     If we make it,  I'll take either one.  However the MHB loss still leaves a sore taste.

[OU#25]

In college I warmed the bench with the son of a very famous pizza chain owner from the Hamilton area who played at Badin.  I attended HS with RIC in Alliance.

You went to school with The Ric-ster?  Really?  I always knew there was something wrong with you.........

We also worked at Doug's Classic 57... hanging trays on card windows back in the day.