FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[reality check]

The issue of Mount playing "high school teams in the OAC" is the reflection of those schools that need to raise their programs to others at the top. JCU for example, has yet to recognize that the current HC should have been removed a few years back as in the case for B-W.

Until those things happen, the Raiders have no choice but to complete in a conference of have and have nots. Fortunately, the playoffs provide diversity of competition.

Despite the fact they've fallen off from what we all believe they should be, I think you should be careful to complain about JCU and BW as forcing the OAC to be considered full of have-nots.  It is a fairly common belief that the OAC is a better-than-most conference from top to bottom.  And as far as the playoffs providing diversity and a better challenge than OAC contests for the Raiders, I wouldn't say that beating their first three playoff opponents by an average of 52 points per game in 2009 was any more challenging than their final four OAC wins over Marietta, Otterbein, JCU and Wilmington which they won by an average of  53 points.  You could even argue (although it's not a great point) that games between OTT/W&J, JCU/Albright would be pretty evenly matched based on common opponents and scores.

[TooForRaider]

The issue of Mount playing "high school teams in the OAC" is the reflection of those schools that need to raise their programs to others at the top. JCU for example, has yet to recognize that the current HC should have been removed a few years back as in the case for B-W.

Until those things happen, the Raiders have no choice but to complete in a conference of have and have nots. Fortunately, the playoffs provide diversity of competition.

Despite the fact they've fallen off from what we all believe they should be, I think you should be careful to complain about JCU and BW as forcing the OAC to be considered full of have-nots.  It is a fairly common belief that the OAC is a better-than-most conference from top to bottom.  And as far as the playoffs providing diversity and a better challenge than OAC contests for the Raiders, I wouldn't say that beating their first three playoff opponents by an average of 52 points per game in 2009 was any more challenging than their final four OAC wins over Marietta, Otterbein, JCU and Wilmington which they won by an average of  53 points.  You could even argue (although it's not a great point) that games between OTT/W&J, JCU/Albright would be pretty evenly matched based on common opponents and scores.

Completely agree. The past few years we've seen a dramatic drop in the quality of JCU and BW and I think that clouds some people's minds. I still can't believe those two HC's are still there-especially Snell at BW.

[Raider 68]

The issue of Mount playing "high school teams in the OAC" is the reflection of those schools that need to raise their programs to others at the top. JCU for example, has yet to recognize that the current HC should have been removed a few years back as in the case for B-W.

Until those things happen, the Raiders have no choice but to complete in a conference of have and have nots. Fortunately, the playoffs provide diversity of competition.

Despite the fact they've fallen off from what we all believe they should be, I think you should be careful to complain about JCU and BW as forcing the OAC to be considered full of have-nots.  It is a fairly common belief that the OAC is a better-than-most conference from top to bottom.  And as far as the playoffs providing diversity and a better challenge than OAC contests for the Raiders, I wouldn't say that beating their first three playoff opponents by an average of 52 points per game in 2009 was any more challenging than their final four OAC wins over Marietta, Otterbein, JCU and Wilmington which they won by an average of  53 points.  You could even argue (although it's not a great point) that games between OTT/W&J, JCU/Albright would be pretty evenly matched based on common opponents and scores.

I agree that many of the playoff teams did not provide challenges to the Raiders particularly from the east region. I do think JCU and B-W are great schools with strong traditions. They along with the Wilmington (s) need to look at the direction they are going or need to go in D3 football.

[Dr. Acula]

Looks like Rocco had a good workout...Browns and Saints showing some interest.

Rocco Workout

[Small but Slow]

I hear stories of former players who are being recruited by OAC schools this year.  ONU, Cap, Otter, and Heidi, use the opportunity to play Mount Union every year as a recruiting tool and focuses on the individual attention players will receive from the coaching staff.  B-W, supposedly relies heavily on its former glory and the fact that they were the OAC powerhouse in the pre-MUC era.  According to a devout Catholic parent, JCU focuses on the spiritual development their coaching staff will foster in their student-athletes.  My favorite is a boy who is more the surfer / beach bum type than good ol' boy who is not impressed by the excellent hunting opportunities availed in the locale near Musky. 

[cufan]

Great article about Assmann in the weekender section of the Dispatch.  He is teaching FT and hitting over 400 for Caps baseball team while carrying close to a 4.00.  He says he hasn't decided if he will play football this year.

Here are my 2 cents...don't realize when you're 40, married with kids that damn I should of played my 5th year.  There is such a short time to play college sports and plenty of time to be an adult.

[snoop dawg]

Is it not true that most conferences have one or two teams that are the HAVES and the balance of the conference is the HAVE NOTS?  I understand that occasionally one of the HAVE NOTS  will have a great season and rise to the top but that is not the norm.

I think you you did the research over the past 5 to 10 years one or two teams would have the vast majority of conference titles with a few spread between the other teams.

[seventiesraider]

And Wittenberg recruiters still drag out that King of D3 Football line and their record since the beginning of Division 3. They all have a trump card they play although I don't know what Wilmington's is??

At least we don't have to go through the formality of playing Hiram anymore. And at least there was a pretty view from the stands, much like Muskingum.

And for the record, anybody that has the chance to fill out all the years of their college eligibility would be fool not to. I would have taken a fifth year of track if I wasn't previously occupied running for my life in the US Army

[seventiesraider]

Mount Union lost a dedicated fan with the passing of former Akron Public Schools Superintendent Conrad Ott. Conrad's only connection with Mount was a grand-daughter who was a cheerleader for Mount in the 90's but like many others he got caught up with Mount football and became a season ticket holder and attended most of the Stagg Bowls. His obit suggests the Mount Union Athletic Department for memorials.  I substitute taught for Akron but we knew each other on a first name basis. He was an example of what a school administrator should be.

[Raider 68]

Great article about Assmann in the weekender section of the Dispatch.  He is teaching FT and hitting over 400 for Caps baseball team while carrying close to a 4.00.  He says he hasn't decided if he will play football this year.

Here are my 2 cents...don't realize when you're 40, married with kids that damn I should of played my 5th year.  There is such a short time to play college sports and plenty of time to be an adult.

I am hoping that  all of the Raider seniors who have that one year of eligibility left decide to come back this fall!

[HScoach]

^  It's a nice list of returnees.

[seventiesraider]

I'm confused Snoop Dawg, if we like something you say should we give you positive or negative karma. You seem to have put some effort at getting your karma down there. Haven't had too much of a problem since I vowed to stay off the NCAC board

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm confused Snoop Dawg, if we like something you say should we give you positive or negative karma. You seem to have put some effort at getting you karma down there. Haven't had too much of a problem since I vowed to stay off the NCAC board

The only poster I know of who actively courts negative karma is Touchdown Tommie (mainly MIAC football).  Snoop Dawg ran afoul of Oxybob and his minions on the SCIAC board.  While I'll let him speak for himself, I'd assume he would prefer positive karma, but to his credit he doesn't seem to complain either way.

[Raider 68]

Looks like Rocco had a good workout...Browns and Saints showing some interest.

Rocco Workout

All the best for Kurt Rocco, it would be great if he gets an opportunity from one of the NFL teams!

[Raider 68]

^  It's a nice list of returnees.

2010 could be another good year for the Raiders if they can fill in the many openings on defense due to graduation!