FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[reality check]

And the whole bowling discussion was quite funny.   Purple is truly a fashion statement.  And all of those that know me realize I'm all about fashion

hscoach, I know your "fashion sense" doesn't look as bad as when I showed up in jeans and a long-sleeved tshirt... only to have my broadcast partner show up in a freaking suit. 

I'm a little surprised you didn't go "Ron Burgundy" in the booth and skip the pants altogether.  Surprised but thankful nonetheless.

[SaintsFAN]

RC,

You're right... but it was my first time in the booth and I was a little anxious and thus forgot the whole Ron Burgundy costume.  Next time, perhaps!! 

[skunks_sidekick]

bleedpurple......yes I think you are right.  It's more "fun" (in a sickening kind of tense, you have no control over what happens way) then if you go in as a heavy favorite, or thinking you will win handily. 

I think we Mount fans (generalizing here) DO take it for granted somewhat that Mount will be in the Stagg Bowl every year, but, I don't really think any fan with a minimal amount of knowledge takes for granted that Mount will always win. 

[labart96]

good luck to both teams.  this year i'll be rooting for MUC to win since they beat my team in the 2nd round (always sounds better to lose the eventual NC than the runner up, i guess).

either way, should be a great re-match, but i think MUC takes it by 2 TDs.  micheli and kmic are on a mission.

[Small but Slow]

good luck to both teams.  this year i'll be rooting for MUC to win since they beat my team in the 2nd round (always sounds better to lose the eventual NC than the runner up, i guess).

either way, should be a great re-match, but i think MUC takes it by 2 TDs.  micheli and kmic are on a mission.

I'll stick to my standard phrase about winning championship level games.  Skill people can put up nice numbers and make nifty plays, but the game is won in the trenches.  Last year UWW's D-line moved the line of scrimmage into the MUC backfield, allowing them to send one LB at a time with wide open lanes to the QB.  Mount held Beaver in check early, but Jones' escapability took the focus off him which opened up running lanes.  The team that wins Saturday will be the one that controls the line of scrimmage.

[HScoach]

Yup.  What he said^

[SaintsFAN]

JCU and OAC Fans:

File this one under  He watches SOAPS??!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3776324

[Small but Slow]

hs coach - I realize the tale of the tape shows UWW having an advantage up front on both sides of the ball.  You've watched Mount all season and have seen the lines develop as the season progressed.  How do you think Mount's smaller line matches up against the larger UWW couterparts?

[seventiesraider]

Forget the coveralls and bring your rain gear for Saturday. 50 and "some" showers.

[rscl70]

Forget the coveralls and bring your rain gear for Saturday. 50 and "some" showers.

From the National Weather Service : "Saturday: A chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 30%."

[reality check]

JCU and OAC Fans:

File this one under  He watches SOAPS??!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3776324

And according the headline that runs across the top of the Internet Explorer window (which ESPN.com is responsible for writing), his name is "Landon Fletcher".  They can't get out of their own way when it comes to Division III-anything.  Perhaps they should hire HURFMUC for some technical programming guidance. 

I do like the following quote (although screwed up their use of quotation marks as well (no close quotes):

"I don't know if it was because I wasn't a first-round draft pick, I don't do some kind of dance when I make a 10-yard tackle, I don't go out and get arrested," Fletcher said. "I believe in playing the game the way it's supposed to be played. You line up each and every week, each and every play, and you go out and get the job done.


Sounds like a D-III mentality to me.  Good to see he's kept a level head as a pro.

[HScoach]

hs coach - I realize the tale of the tape shows UWW having an advantage up front on both sides of the ball.  You've watched Mount all season and have seen the lines develop as the season progressed.  How do you think Mount's smaller line matches up against the larger UWW couterparts?

NOT WELL.

I'm marginally worried about the Mount O-line, but I think the quickness of Micheli/Kmic and creative play calling will mitigate this a bit.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and allow the entire Raider offense to come into play.

However I'm very worried about the Mount D-line and LB's handling the running game.  Whitewater O-line's had the advantage in all 3 Staggs, but it took until the 3rd time (and a new coaching staff) for them to realize they just needed to pound the ball straight at Mount.    The first 2 times the WWW offensive coordinator had a serious brain fart and kept trying to throw the ball deep.

I think it's EXTREMELY important for Mount to not fall behind by more than a TD at any point.  Not because our offense isn't capable of coming back, but because it takes the pressure off of Whitewater and allows them to control the clock by running without the fear of having to punt.  Likewise it allows them to take more chances on defense without the innate fear of given up the 1 big play that swings the game.

Conversely, if Mount can get a decent lead and/or put Whitewater consistently into 3rd and longs, then I think the advantage shifts to the Mount defense because of their ability to rush the QB.   But they have to either guess right or get WWW in obvious passsing situtations to turn Millings and Herbert loose.

I don't know if this is just my normal paranoia, but I'm worried about this game much like I was back in '05.   The only thing that settles my nerves is knowing Kehres is on the sidelines and he has Micheli and Kmic to make plays in crunch time.

[Welcome to the Machine]

hs coach - I realize the tale of the tape shows UWW having an advantage up front on both sides of the ball.  You've watched Mount all season and have seen the lines develop as the season progressed.  How do you think Mount's smaller line matches up against the larger UWW couterparts?

NOT WELL.

I'm marginally worried about the Mount O-line, but I think the quickness of Micheli/Kmic and creative play calling will mitigate this a bit.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and allow the entire Raider offense to come into play.

However I'm very worried about the Mount D-line and LB's handling the running game.  Whitewater O-line's had the advantage in all 3 Staggs, but it took until the 3rd time (and a new coaching staff) for them to realize they just needed to pound the ball straight at Mount.    The first 2 times the WWW offensive coordinator had a serious brain fart and kept trying to throw the ball deep.

I think it's EXTREMELY important for Mount to not fall behind by more than a TD at any point.  Not because our offense isn't capable of coming back, but because it takes the pressure off of Whitewater and allows them to control the clock by running without the fear of having to punt.  Likewise it allows them to take more chances on defense without the innate fear of given up the 1 big play that swings the game.

Conversely, if Mount can get a decent lead and/or put Whitewater consistently into 3rd and longs, then I think the advantage shifts to the Mount defense because of their ability to rush the QB.   But they have to either guess right or get WWW in obvious passsing situtations to turn Millings and Herbert loose.

I don't know if this is just my normal paranoia, but I'm worried about this game much like I was back in '05.   The only thing that settles my nerves is knowing Kehres is on the sidelines and he has Micheli and Kmic to make plays in crunch time.


HSCoach

A little fear is OK.  I hope the results are the same results as '05.
This championship game is interesting.

'05  Whitewater (according to many from Wisconsin, Whitewater had the superior team.) Mount won!
'06  I don't know who was the favorite prior to the game.  Mount won!
'07  Mount was rated the better team.  Whitewater won.
'08  ??     

[Welcome to the Machine]

Sorry for the messed up quote on my last post.  I hope HURFMUC won't make a copy to show others my mistake. I was not trying to steal his fame.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm definitely leaning towards picking MUC.  On the other hand, I'm currently 0-3 on MUC-UWW picks!

Do you wish to buy me off as the kiss of death, or rely on the law of averages?

(I've pretty consistently finished in the top third of pickems contests, and even won a couple, so I shouldn't always be wrong on the Stagg. )