FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[doctor_t]

seventies, you should have started as a teenager, too.  Ah, youth.

[PurpleSuit]

Really interesting part of that first bracket prediction was the line about what would happen if Averett wins their conference.  The DIII website folks would put Averett at #8 in the Mount Union bracket, which would send Averett up to Alliance in round 1.  Given what happened in the first 15 minutes of the last game the two played, it almost makes you wonder if winning the conference would be worth it.

Well, I know that Averett's program has improved since the last time they played in Alliance so I doubt you would see a repeat of that, but I suspect five touchdowns would still be a safe bet.

I would never expect a repeat of that game, especially in the playoffs.  I think that year Averett didn't win a single game, then up to 4 wins and now already have 7 this year.  Now to be challenging for a conference championship, that's a great turnaround for that group of freshman and sophomores who lost to Mount a couple of years back.  Still, it's hard to imagine any team pulling off a 68 turnaround in terms of point differential in that amount of time. 

the improvement is impressive, Averertt seems to be on the right track....add that with the progression of UWW after playing Mount in non-conference play...makes you wonder why it is so tough for Mount to schedule that week one game

[jaypeter]

As a Rochester native, I'd like to see the same happen with St. John Fisher.  While they do seem to have taken a step back this year, maybe it will take them a couple of seasons to "beat the drum" for some new recruits and get back on the right track.

[bleedpurple]

As a Rochester native, I'd like to see the same happen with St. John Fisher.  While they do seem to have taken a step back this year, maybe it will take them a couple of seasons to "beat the drum" for some new recruits and get back on the right track.

I hope SJF gets better, too. Coach V. has done an impressive job with that program. However, it takes more than playing Mount. LEARNING from playing Mount is part of it. Also, I know in the case of UWW, Coach Berezowitz has a great relationship with LK.  LK was very generous in giving Coach B a look into the Mount program. All those things helped UWW know "what to do". But it's one thing to know what to do, it's another to be able to do it. Coach Vosburgh seems like a good leader. Whether this happens to be a down year or not, SJF will likely benefit from playing Mount.

[jaypeter]

BleedPurple...Obviously Whitewater was able to learn a good lesson after their early experienes with Mount Union.  But, are you now beginning to see some of the same benefits for teams that play UWW?  Are they beginning to improve a few years after an encounter with UWW's own machine?  Or is this an overblown belief that seeing a highly successful program up close can make this kind of difference?

Plus, related to this same type of conversation, why does this same sort of "learning" not seem to happen with the conference teams?  The coaching and administration issues with some of the OAC teams have been well documented on this board recently.  Is there something about a team being willing to play Mount Union (or possibly UWW) when they don't need to that is an indicator of wanting to get better and move to the next level?  By playing a team like Mount Union so often, do you try to learn, and then simply get discouraged?  I know that a run like Mount Union's is more than just unique, it's basically unprecedented in college football...and really, UWW is entering into rarely or even uncharted territory as well.  Win or lose, it's hard to make the National Championship 4 or more years in a row.  Even Mount Union has only done that twice in this nearly 20 year run of success.  Crap, now I've gone and opened up the "Mount Union is bad for the OAC can of worms."

I'll stop now before I suggest they move up to D-I and challenge Alabama, Florida, and Texas for the championship.

[raiderpa]

I believe that Sid Gilman also coached at Miami of Ohio and deserves mention...

[Raider 68]

BleedPurple...Obviously Whitewater was able to learn a good lesson after their early experienes with Mount Union.  But, are you now beginning to see some of the same benefits for teams that play UWW?  Are they beginning to improve a few years after an encounter with UWW's own machine?  Or is this an overblown belief that seeing a highly successful program up close can make this kind of difference?

Plus, related to this same type of conversation, why does this same sort of "learning" not seem to happen with the conference teams?  The coaching and administration issues with some of the OAC teams have been well documented on this board recently.  Is there something about a team being willing to play Mount Union (or possibly UWW) when they don't need to that is an indicator of wanting to get better and move to the next level?  By playing a team like Mount Union so often, do you try to learn, and then simply get discouraged?  I know that a run like Mount Union's is more than just unique, it's basically unprecedented in college football...and really, UWW is entering into rarely or even uncharted territory as well.  Win or lose, it's hard to make the National Championship 4 or more years in a row.  Even Mount Union has only done that twice in this nearly 20 year run of success.  Crap, now I've gone and opened up the "Mount Union is bad for the OAC can of worms."

I'll stop now before I suggest they move up to D-I and challenge Alabama, Florida, and Texas for the championship.

It is very possible that another OAC team gets a shot at UWW, that being
ONU. If they make the playoffs and are seeded #8 against #1 in the North
Bracket.

ONU has played very well since their home loss to the Raiders and could
deeper into the playoffs if they are not seeded against UWW.

We will see on Sunday!

[SaintsFAN]

BleedPurple...Obviously Whitewater was able to learn a good lesson after their early experienes with Mount Union.  But, are you now beginning to see some of the same benefits for teams that play UWW?  Are they beginning to improve a few years after an encounter with UWW's own machine?  Or is this an overblown belief that seeing a highly successful program up close can make this kind of difference?

Plus, related to this same type of conversation, why does this same sort of "learning" not seem to happen with the conference teams?  The coaching and administration issues with some of the OAC teams have been well documented on this board recently.  Is there something about a team being willing to play Mount Union (or possibly UWW) when they don't need to that is an indicator of wanting to get better and move to the next level?  By playing a team like Mount Union so often, do you try to learn, and then simply get discouraged?  I know that a run like Mount Union's is more than just unique, it's basically unprecedented in college football...and really, UWW is entering into rarely or even uncharted territory as well.  Win or lose, it's hard to make the National Championship 4 or more years in a row.  Even Mount Union has only done that twice in this nearly 20 year run of success.  Crap, now I've gone and opened up the "Mount Union is bad for the OAC can of worms."

I'll stop now before I suggest they move up to D-I and challenge Alabama, Florida, and Texas for the championship.

Two challenges I know of at Ohio Northern:

1.  acceptance rates
2.  cost of tuition etc

[reality check]

Interesting fact I hadn't realized previously...

If MUC makes it to the Stagg this year, they'll do something they've never done before: play in five consecutive championships.  That would tie them with Augustana who appeared in five straight (of course winning four in a row) from 82-86.

Jaypeter


"Is there something about playing Mount Union that means you want to get better and move to the next level?"

YEAH.  Why else play Mount Union if you're not in the OAC?

[MUCheats]

Or is this an overblown belief that seeing a highly successful program up close can make this kind of difference?

Plus, related to this same type of conversation, why does this same sort of "learning" not seem to happen with the conference teams? 

Sounds like you've answered your own question.

Crap, now I've gone and opened up the "Mount Union is bad for the OAC can of worms."

I won't go so far as to say that they're bad for the OAC, but at this point one has to wonder if it's the best situation for all parties involved.   Especially in a year like this when you have, in theory, more than one legitimate team contending for second place in the conference and they're all beating each other up making it difficult for any of them to get a look for a Pool C bid.  At least these programs haven't been penalized too much for losing to the Purple Raiders, but ONU players and coaches are still probably going to be biting their finger nails on Selection Sunday wondering if they're getting invited to the dance. 

[TooForRaider]

Or is this an overblown belief that seeing a highly successful program up close can make this kind of difference?

Plus, related to this same type of conversation, why does this same sort of "learning" not seem to happen with the conference teams? 

Sounds like you've answered your own question.

Crap, now I've gone and opened up the "Mount Union is bad for the OAC can of worms."

I won't go so far as to say that they're bad for the OAC, but at this point one has to wonder if it's the best situation for all parties involved.   Especially in a year like this when you have, in theory, more than one legitimate team contending for second place in the conference and they're all beating each other up making it difficult for any of them to get a look for a Pool C bid.  At least these programs haven't been penalized too much for losing to the Purple Raiders, but ONU players and coaches are still probably going to be biting their finger nails on Selection Sunday wondering if they're getting invited to the dance. 

I'd say there are only 2 legitimate teams contending for second place (which is in line with what you said I guess).  I'm not sure what everyone is getting at with this.....probably because it is 4:00 on a Friday.

[jaypeter]

If I wasn't trying to procrastinate writing comments for my report cards, I may have just stuck with my original intent of the post.

Do the fans of UWW see that the teams they play improve after playing the Warhawks.  People often credit UWW playing Mount Union in the non-conference games a few years back with improving the UWW program.  Now that UWW has seen so much success, I was wondering if they have begun to see the same improvement in some of their opponents.

Then I started rambling because I have waaaaaay too much work to do this weekend.

[mr_mom]

Heck, I'm trying to catch the thirteen year old.

The 13-year old will have to rush his picks tonight as he is in football playoffs tomorrow morning.  [Sorry, too small to be MUC material, unless he learns to kick!]

He wants to know if you went to UMUC in the 70s, or your age is in the 70s?   

[HScoach]

Heck, I'm trying to catch the thirteen year old.

The 13-year old will have to rush his picks tonight as he is in football playoffs tomorrow morning.  [Sorry, too small to be MUC material, unless he learns to kick!]

He wants to know if you went to UMUC in the 70s, or your age is in the 70s?   

One thing I am sure of though, it's not his IQ.

[theaprof]

Heck, I'm trying to catch the thirteen year old.

The 13-year old will have to rush his picks tonight as he is in football playoffs tomorrow morning.  [Sorry, too small to be MUC material, unless he learns to kick!]

He wants to know if you went to UMUC in the 70s, or your age is in the 70s?   

One thing I am sure of though, it's not his IQ.

Are you implying that it is higher?  or lower?