FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[theaprof]

Talked to one of my freshman students today--he is second or third string on the JVs right now--he told me that LK is dressing everybody for the game tomorrow.  Somehow I think this might be a bit of a blowout.

Good luck HSCoach and Ric as you try to figure out who the fifth #5 is on the field late in the game!

[bushman]

So playing Mt. can make your team better if  you want your program to grow.  I guess that philosophy only works if you look at the glass as being half empty.  Just ask the Wooster coach he knows all about that way of thinking.

[Frank Rossi]

Sunday on a special "Selection Sunday" edition of "In the HuddLLe" at http://inthehuddlle.com, we will be joined by Joy Solomen, this year's NCAA Division III Football Championship Committee Chairwoman.  She will discuss the bracketing process -- from selection of the Field of 32 to the placement and seeding of those teams.

In order to make the interview more interactive, we would ask those with questions to post those questions between 3:30pm EST and 5:00pm EST to the "East Region Playoffs" message board on Sunday (following the release of the brackets).  We will not just focus on the Liberty League team in the mix or even just the East Region -- we will discuss any surprises and concerns that become evident once the brackets are released.

In addition to Chairwoman Solomen, we will interview Liberty League Commissioner Timothy Danehy, speak with the coach of the Liberty League team that wins tomorrow's League Championship Game and discuss the team the Liberty League participant will face.  Please join us starting at 7:30pm EST at http://inthehuddlle.com (or for the archive starting at around 10:00pm EST).

[seventiesraider]

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?   

I graduated from Mount in 2002. That should clear things up. 

[bleedpurple]

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.

The question of a program improving and why can really be a subjective one. Since 2005, the non-conference
D3 games UWW has played have been against. St. Norbert, Lakeland, UW-Eau Claire, Mary Hardin Baylor, and Puget Sound. St. Norbert and Lakeland have done well in their conference, but they had previously, too I believe. They are not hear the level of, say, a semi-final team.  UWEC is a conference opponent. They played UWW twice in 08 as an anomaly (or so we thought). UMHB was already on the national stage when they played UWW. It would be hard to point to measurable improvement, simply from having played UWW.

I still believe part of it goes to relationship with the coach/ad of the other school and access.  As far as other conference schools, I couldn't imagine a coach giving access to their program. Play us and see what you see, but don't expect us to hold your hand to get better. At least that's how I would treat a conference foe.

Certainly playing and learning from Mount Union was a great experience for UWW. But they had to have a willingness to set high standards, demonstrate accountability, staff talented people, and work work work.  As I said in my other posts. KNOWING what to do is one thing. DOING it is another. Mount has certainly provided an incredible model to help programs get their arms around the "knowing" part.

[raiderguy]

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?   

I graduated from Mount in 2002. That should clear things up. 

LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, 

The scenic route.

[rscl70]

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?   

I graduated from Mount in 2002. That should clear things up. 

So, 70 refers to the number of years you were in school?

[reality check]

If I name someone that I shouldn't I apologize because I'm doing this from memory.  I hope 2010 brings a few of the straggling programs into the 21st century regarding technology.  I expect ONU to win today but I'd like to follow the game as it's important to end things right for consideration to join the party.  If Marietta can utilize a live stat program (along with MUC, ONU, CAP, JCU) then why can't Musky, Wilma, BW, Heidi or OTT?

Is it crazy to think we should be able to check live stats for all OAC schools considering that one is showing live video of all home games?  I hope 2010 brings a couple schools out of the dark ages. 

[Kehresma]

Anyone know if the 6 pm Time Warner broadcast of MUC- Marietta game is limited to Alliance area? Hoping I could mooch off my  brother's Time Warner in Wadsworth. Can't wait til Mon to confirm my opinions of the officiating. Grateful that are Rik and Mark's podcast is up so promptly this year.

[reality check]

Just got the radio feed to link up in time to hear ONU block a Wilma punt and return it to the house.  Chad Coward with the block, recovery and TD for ONU.

21-0 with 6 minutes left in the FIRST quarter.

[seventiesraider]

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?   

I graduated from Mount in 2002. That should clear things up. 

So, 70 refers to the number of years you were in school?

Started during the term of the sixth college president and graduated during the term of the 11th. Picked up my education credits during the term of the 12th. I and I think most of Mount Union could have lived without the 11th. (Did I mention all the Acting Presidents)

[reality check]

ONU 28 first quarter points. 

Marietta and MUC scoreless so far???

BW up 10-0 on CAP.


Interesting beginnings.

[seventiesraider]

Rocco to Kyle Miller 52 yards to break the deadlock

[reality check]

JCU 13 OTT 10

CAP 14 BW 10

MUC 14 MAR 0

ONU 42 WIL 0

All in the second quarter...

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

MUC 35  MAR 0

1:00 left in 2Q