FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

Congrats to everyone who earned a playoff berth... Been reading for about six years but have yet to post... ONU alumn and former coach who's just happy to see the p bears in the playoffs

Mount should be cake walking to Salem and Northern got a brutal bracket

I don't think Witt will cause much trouble and I think everyone forgets that ONU handled an NCC team with three or four preseason all americans last year

As for the bears defense, not as much pass rush and attack as in previous years but more of a bend and not break attitude and an extremely deep, talented, experienced, opportunistic secondary

OhNo,

Welcome to the board. I look for ONU to handle Wittenberg this  Saturday, by how much not sure at this point. +k for you!

Raider68:

Just thought I'd chime in here on this one.  I don't know; I think that Wittenberg may give ONU a tougher game than expected.  Granted, when looking at the regular season schedule results for both of them, ONU has a more impressive record in both win margins and strength of teams played.  However, I would not count Wittenberg out.  While they have obviously not gone as far in the playoffs in the last decade or so, I think (at least from my superficial scanning standpoint, admittedly not knowing the details of strengths/disadvantages for them - or ONU), I think this year's Wittenberg team is a better team, one with determination.  They've seemed to play well the last couple of games, doing what it takes to win.  As some of their fans/supporters, former players have previously posted, perhaps there is that sense from their alumni and the current team that the Wittenberg "of old" just might be in the air this year.  I could be wrong, but I just have this sense that it might be a closer game than some think; as we all are aware, you sometimes never know about the playoffs. 

[skunks_sidekick]

In regards to Witt, it seems they play extremely well at home, and struggle somewhat on the road.  That does not bode well seeing as how they are traveling to Ada. 

This will be one of those eye-openers that will let us know if the NCAC was just an overall better conference this year, or........"they are what we THOUGHT they were!"   

[D O.C.]

Well, well, if we can both take care of the task at hand we might get to see the "what a defense" against a bonafide quarterback - in Ohio.

I was not able to post my traditional "what a defense" this year because of the 28's, 13's and 7's I saw.

[reality check]

ONU wins if they do any combination of the following:

a.  Shut down or limit WR McKee (very similar numbers to the Berg's Preston)
b.  Get a big game out of Donley on the ground
c.  Win the turnover battle
d.  Jump out to an early lead


If the opportunistic defensive backs from ONU pick a pass or two off, then look out.  If McKee is held in check and Donley goes big, it will be ugly for the Tigers.  If ONU can start off fast and not come out sluggish as they've done from time to time this year, then it's going to be a good day in Ada.  Witt has dominated the first quarter while ONU has had its biggest success in the third.  If ONU starts quick, and makes necessary second half adjustments, then WITT will have alot to think about in the off-season.  WITT might take away Donley but Simmons is still dynamic and tough to stop.  WITT will need someone besides McKee to play big to compete Saturday.  The Polar Bears can still win with a big game from McKee but the same can't be said if WITT manages to stop just one of the combo of Simmons and Donley.

[Stagg Again!!]

What the heck is a super region?   D2 guy seemed to like super regions.   Perhaps d3 should have super duper regions or something like that.   Good luck to da bears and go raiders!

Great question bushman.  My wife and kids sat down to watch the selection show with me, and we nearly missed the beginning of the DIII selection process because they kept asking about why DII has super regions and why DIII does not.  Maybe next year we should ask the NCAA for one of those fancy super regions for UWW and the Mount and have everyone else playoff in the regular not-so-super regions.

[bleedpurple]

What the heck is a super region?   D2 guy seemed to like super regions.   Perhaps d3 should have super duper regions or something like that.   Good luck to da bears and go raiders!

Great question bushman.  My wife and kids sat down to watch the selection show with me, and we nearly missed the beginning of the DIII selection process because they kept asking about why DII has super regions and why DIII does not.  Maybe next year we should ask the NCAA for one of those fancy super regions for UWW and the Mount and have everyone else playoff in the regular not-so-super regions.

Don't you mean Wesley and St. Thomas heading up the super-regions? 

[seventiesraider]

Anybody looking for a Head Coaching job, the Tiffin U job just came open.

I have got to say, watching a good match-up in Ada certainly sounds better than what may be a replay of the last Mount Union-Bridgewater game in Alliance. (Read: Kicking FG's on first down)

[OhNo]

Anybody looking for a Head Coaching job, the Tiffin U just came open

As did Findlay's...

http://www.ohiocollegefootball.com/members/ocf/blog/VIEW/00000033/00001820/BREAKING-NEWS-Findlays-Wauford-Released-As-Head-Coach.html#00001820

[hazzben]

Just some thoughts:  Mt. has a 99 game road winning streak, regular season.   St. thomas won't survive their region,  and I thought Pat did a fine job on the tube.  What the heck is a super region?   D2 guy seemed to like super regions.   Perhaps d3 should have super duper regions or something like that.   Good luck to da bears and go raiders!

1- That is just ridiculous! No other way to put it...just ridiculous.

2- UST will definitely be challenged.

But I'd also argue the 'West' is the toughest region top to bottom. You could make a reasonable argument for any of the top 7 seeds winning that bracket. The North is definitely the most top heavy with two of the top 5 teams (ala D3 poll), the East is Mount Union and the 7 dwarves, & I think the South will come down to Wesley and UMHB again.

In one sense UWW totally got jobbed with the #2 seed. But I'd take that over the #1 and staying in the West. Not that they couldn't and haven't won the West region in the past. But I think they'll have an easier road in the North. And it just guaranteed the UWW coaching staff doesn't have to worry about getting them fired up for the first 3 rounds!

[seventiesraider]

Saturday = Larry meets The Larrys

[seventiesraider]

And it just guaranteed the UWW coaching staff doesn't have to worry about getting them fired up for the first 3 rounds!

Now THAT's ridiculous.

[formerd3db]

Anybody looking for a Head Coaching job, the Tiffin U just came open

As did Findlay's...

http://www.ohiocollegefootball.com/members/ocf/blog/VIEW/00000033/00001820/BREAKING-NEWS-Findlays-Wauford-Released-As-Head-Coach.html#00001820

Tough going in DII.  Better produce or "you're gone",  Although, even at DIII in some places that holds true also.  Anyway, it will be interesting to see who takes over for those programs.  Probably less chance that a DIII coach will get a chance.  Most of the assistant coaches at those programs came from other DII, DI and/or FCS programs; although obviously some may be looking for a new job also unless they are being considered for either a) the head coach job that their boss just lost or b) a chance they might be retained by the new hc if an "outsider" is chosen.

[Stagg Again!!]

What the heck is a super region?   D2 guy seemed to like super regions.   Perhaps d3 should have super duper regions or something like that.   Good luck to da bears and go raiders!

Great question bushman.  My wife and kids sat down to watch the selection show with me, and we nearly missed the beginning of the DIII selection process because they kept asking about why DII has super regions and why DIII does not.  Maybe next year we should ask the NCAA for one of those fancy super regions for UWW and the Mount and have everyone else playoff in the regular not-so-super regions.

Don't you mean Wesley and St. Thomas heading up the super-regions? 

It is the witty comments, quick come-backs, and wealth of historic DIII knowledge that so many of the regulars on these DIII boards provide that keep me coming back for more. 

[HScoach]

The OAC Playoff Pick-Em contest is up and running.  Spreads for all 16 games have been posted.

[Stlarry]

Saturday = Larry meets The Larrys

We prefer the Larries