FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[usee]

I guess I'm a little confused by what I've been reading on the CCIW board.  When did NCC become such a feared national power?  I understand that the CCIW is a great conference but when did it become better than the OAC?  ONU and NCC have split the last two years and having been on the sidelines or in the press box for both, ONU outplayed them each time.  Now with ONU in the second year of new O/D systems and a senior dominated lineup, no one thinks they can repeat last years performance against a NCC team missing its preseason all american QB and RB from last season... I'm not sure how this happens...

I'm also pretty sick of hearing about the U being down this year on every other board... everyone here knows better than that, inexperienced/unable to "get up" for Marrietta and down on talent are two very different things

Ohno,

Help me understand who said NCC has become a national power? who said the CCIW is better than the OAC? What you have read is that CCIW folks see NCC is playing at a different level than years past. the difference this year is Coach Ponx. He is in his first year as D-Coordinator and they are playing defense at a level I have only seen in Alliance and Whitewater. You correctly point out their offense is down this year and I have said this could be their achilles heel. They have a very good Oline and some excellent skill players on offense but I don't see a lot of playmakers offensively. They don't have breakout speed at RB or WR so if a team matches up with them up front they may struggle to move the ball/score. Defensively they have at least 6 playmakers who can make a difference in a game. Lots of team speed and excellent tackling so far this season.

If the spread is less than 10pts in the result it will likely be because neither team scores more than 10, which I could easily see happening. So the speculation is that NCC appears to be ready to compete with the national powers (UMU/UWW). No one said they are there yet. This is definitely the best defense the CCIW has sent to the playoffs in at least 20 years. Offensively they have to pick up their pale and go to work each Saturday but their defense gives them great opportunities.

[seventiesraider]

And now for a little High School Action  

DVI Region 21: Mogadore 28, McDonald 14

[usee]

I think ONU has a real good chance this Saturday and Coach Paul will have them ready. NC has not played a real physical team yet. GO ONU!

Raider 68,

On what basis do you say NCC hasn't played a physical team yet? I would disagree with this. The CCIW is as physical a conference as any I have seen year in and year out. I have said on the CCIW board I think this Saturday NCC will face and offensive and defensive front that is as physical as any they have seen so far, but to say NCC hasn't faced a physical team yet is an exaggeration. I think ONU will face a defense that is as physical and fast as any they have seen as well. NCC hasn't fared as well in the playoffs in recent years as their performance in the regular season might dictate. It remains to be seen if this season will be different. It looks and feels different from my perspective but I also had Wittenberg in my top 25 so what do I know?

[reality check]

Just checking the National Rankings updated after 1st Round Playoff Games.

UMU Defense is now rated:

11.  Rushing Defense  74.09 ypg   (#1 UWW 42.18 ypg)
  1.  Pass Efficiency Defense  77.64 ypg
  1.  Total Defense  191.00 ypg
  1.  Scoring Defense  7.18 ppg

True!
The D numbers sure get helped out by playing a team in Week 11 that came into the game as the 206th rated offense out of 236 teams who then losses their starting QB early in the 1st quarter..........

Looks like we have another enrollment in the HSCoach Quoting class.  I thought for sure you already graduated from this program Kirasdad! 

[ohiofootball]

I guess I'm a little confused by what I've been reading on the CCIW board.  When did NCC become such a feared national power?  I understand that the CCIW is a great conference but when did it become better than the OAC?  ONU and NCC have split the last two years and having been on the sidelines or in the press box for both, ONU outplayed them each time.  Now with ONU in the second year of new O/D systems and a senior dominated lineup, no one thinks they can repeat last years performance against a NCC team missing its preseason all american QB and RB from last season... I'm not sure how this happens...

I'm also pretty sick of hearing about the U being down this year on every other board... everyone here knows better than that, inexperienced/unable to "get up" for Marrietta and down on talent are two very different things

Ohno,

Help me understand who said NCC has become a national power? who said the CCIW is better than the OAC? What you have read is that CCIW folks see NCC is playing at a different level than years past. the difference this year is Coach Ponx. He is in his first year as D-Coordinator and they are playing defense at a level I have only seen in Alliance and Whitewater. You correctly point out their offense is down this year and I have said this could be their achilles heel. They have a very good Oline and some excellent skill players on offense but I don't see a lot of playmakers offensively. They don't have breakout speed at RB or WR so if a team matches up with them up front they may struggle to move the ball/score. Defensively they have at least 6 playmakers who can make a difference in a game. Lots of team speed and excellent tackling so far this season.

If the spread is less than 10pts in the result it will likely be because neither team scores more than 10, which I could easily see happening. So the speculation is that NCC appears to be ready to compete with the national powers (UMU/UWW). No one said they are there yet. This is definitely the best defense the CCIW has sent to the playoffs in at least 20 years. Offensively they have to pick up their pale and go to work each Saturday but their defense gives them great opportunities.

The NCAA did by giving them the #1 seed in the region over the defending champions!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Just checking the National Rankings updated after 1st Round Playoff Games.

UMU Defense is now rated:

11.  Rushing Defense  74.09 ypg   (#1 UWW 42.18 ypg)
  1.  Pass Efficiency Defense  77.64 ypg
  1.  Total Defense  191.00 ypg
  1.  Scoring Defense  7.18 ppg

True!
The D numbers sure get helped out by playing a team in Week 11 that came into the game as the 206th rated offense out of 236 teams who then losses their starting QB early in the 1st quarter..........

Looks like we have another enrollment in the HSCoach Quoting class.  I thought for sure you already graduated from this program Kirasdad! 

Hmm...

You have to give me a break though, it is the last day before turkey day break at school and I was watching Friday Night Lights via Netflix on my other computer during that time.  LOL

[Raider 68]

I think ONU has a real good chance this Saturday and Coach Paul will have them ready. NC has not played a real physical team yet. GO ONU!

Raider 68,

On what basis do you say NCC hasn't played a physical team yet? I would disagree with this. The CCIW is as physical a conference as any I have seen year in and year out. I have said on the CCIW board I think this Saturday NCC will face and offensive and defensive front that is as physical as any they have seen so far, but to say NCC hasn't faced a physical team yet is an exaggeration. I think ONU will face a defense that is as physical and fast as any they have seen as well. NCC hasn't fared as well in the playoffs in recent years as their performance in the regular season might dictate. It remains to be seen if this season will be different. It looks and feels different from my perspective but I also had Wittenberg in my top 25 so what do I know?

USee,

Point taken! Of the top 3 conferences according to D3 Football, the OAC and CCIW still have two teams in the playoffs. While that could change on Saturday, that is something out of 236 teams! 

[usee]

The NCAA did by giving them the #1 seed in the region over the defending champions!

Yes, but that has nothing to do with what is being said on the CCIW board. You'll have to take that up with the NCAA! 

[theaprof]

Exams at UMU are the week after the National Semi-finals.  If we make it to the Stagg Bowl, all participants-football players, trainers, cheerleaders, dance team, WRMU staff, etc.--must complete their exams before leaving for Salem--we tried letting people take their exams after the Stagg Bowl once--it didn't work out too well for them.  They were a little distracted at being National Champs.  Some faculty even come in on Sunday so the participants don't have to cram five or six exams into three days.

Here is the official policy:

Final Exam Policy for Athletes

Although the University discourages scheduling athletic competitions during final exam week, such events
may occur due to tournaments, playoffs, or other unforeseeable reasons. The University supports student-
athlete involvement in these events, and seeks to facilitate a cooperative process for administering final
exams when conflicts occur. The following policy describes the conditions and procedures for arranging for
alternate scheduling for final exams without requiring a formal petition to the Academic Policies
Committee.

Students assume the primary responsibility for notifying their instructors of the conflict, and for making
appropriate arrangements to take all exams before the end of the final exam period.  

If a conflict is likely to occur, the following procedures will be followed:

The Athletic Department shall notify the Office of Academic Affairs of potential conflicts during final
exam week at least one week before the competition. As soon as possible, the Athletic Department
will provide a list of all students participating in the event, including athletes, trainers, assistants,
managers, reporters, etc.

The Office of Academic Affairs will notify the Faculty of the potential conflict, including the list of all
student participants. This policy shall apply only to students whose names appear on this list. The
notification will include the specific dates and times when the students will be departing (and when
they will be returning, if known).  

Once a potential conflict has been determined, students will contact their instructors to discuss
alternate arrangements for their finals in affected courses. The student and instructor will work
together to find a mutually agreeable date and time for the exam. (Note that it is always acceptable,
with instructor approval, for a student to take a final exam with another section of the same
course.) If the instructor prefers, the Academic Support staff will administer exams during scheduled
times; faculty will be notified of the specific details of this option.  

Alternative arrangements should generally adhere to the following:  
o Final exams should not be taken before Reading Day (though exams may be taken on
Reading Day, if both parties agree), and  
o Must be completed no later than the last regularly scheduled day of exams.  

Alternative examination arrangements are contingent upon participation in the athletic
competition. In the event that Mount Union does not participate in the event, all alternative
arrangements become void, and students will revert to the regular final exam schedule published by
the Registrar. Likewise, if an individual student is not participating, he or she will revert to the
regular final exam schedule.

02/2010

[Mugsy]

Exams at UMU are the week after the National Semi-finals.  If we make it to the Stagg Bowl, all participants-football players, trainers, cheerleaders, dance team, WRMU staff, etc.--must complete their exams before leaving for Salem--we tried letting people take their exams after the Stagg Bowl once--it didn't work out too well for them.  They were a little distracted at being National Champs.  Some faculty even come in on Sunday so the participants don't have to cram five or six exams into three days.

Here is the official policy:

Final Exam Policy for Athletes

Although the University discourages scheduling athletic competitions during final exam week, such events
may occur due to tournaments, playoffs, or other unforeseeable reasons. The University supports student-
athlete involvement in these events, and seeks to facilitate a cooperative process for administering final
exams when conflicts occur. The following policy describes the conditions and procedures for arranging for
alternate scheduling for final exams without requiring a formal petition to the Academic Policies
Committee.

Students assume the primary responsibility for notifying their instructors of the conflict, and for making
appropriate arrangements to take all exams before the end of the final exam period.  

If a conflict is likely to occur, the following procedures will be followed:

The Athletic Department shall notify the Office of Academic Affairs of potential conflicts during final
exam week at least one week before the competition. As soon as possible, the Athletic Department
will provide a list of all students participating in the event, including athletes, trainers, assistants,
managers, reporters, etc.

The Office of Academic Affairs will notify the Faculty of the potential conflict, including the list of all
student participants. This policy shall apply only to students whose names appear on this list. The
notification will include the specific dates and times when the students will be departing (and when
they will be returning, if known).  

Once a potential conflict has been determined, students will contact their instructors to discuss
alternate arrangements for their finals in affected courses. The student and instructor will work
together to find a mutually agreeable date and time for the exam. (Note that it is always acceptable,
with instructor approval, for a student to take a final exam with another section of the same
course.) If the instructor prefers, the Academic Support staff will administer exams during scheduled
times; faculty will be notified of the specific details of this option.  

Alternative arrangements should generally adhere to the following:  
o Final exams should not be taken before Reading Day (though exams may be taken on
Reading Day, if both parties agree), and  
o Must be completed no later than the last regularly scheduled day of exams.  

Alternative examination arrangements are contingent upon participation in the athletic
competition. In the event that Mount Union does not participate in the event, all alternative
arrangements become void, and students will revert to the regular final exam schedule published by
the Registrar. Likewise, if an individual student is not participating, he or she will revert to the
regular final exam schedule.

02/2010

Oh that my alma mater would require such a well defined policy due to a yearly occurrence.   

[theaprof]

^^Yup, we're pretty lucky to be in the situation we are in--and we realize that it may not last much longer, so we will revel in it as long as we can!

[bleedpurple]

Exams at UMU are the week after the National Semi-finals.  If we make it to the Stagg Bowl, all participants-football players, trainers, cheerleaders, dance team, WRMU staff, etc.--must complete their exams before leaving for Salem--we tried letting people take their exams after the Stagg Bowl once--it didn't work out too well for them.  They were a little distracted at being National Champs.  Some faculty even come in on Sunday so the participants don't have to cram five or six exams into three days.

Awww...let the kids take the exams a little later. We'll try to do our part to limit Mount's celebration after the Stagg Bowl! 

[HScoach]

Just checking the National Rankings updated after 1st Round Playoff Games.

UMU Defense is now rated:

11.  Rushing Defense  74.09 ypg   (#1 UWW 42.18 ypg)
  1.  Pass Efficiency Defense  77.64 ypg
  1.  Total Defense  191.00 ypg
  1.  Scoring Defense  7.18 ppg

The D numbers sure get helped out by playing a team in Week 11 that came into the game as the 206th rated offense out of 236 teams who then losses their starting QB early in the 1st quarter..........

HScoach,

I know you are the expert here, but are you ever going to give this year's  Raider team any credit at all? St. Lawrence's starting QB was not lighting it up in the prior 10 games, so why would it made much difference!

OK.  Scratch the "losses their starting QB" part and it still stands.  Shutting down SLU doesn't garner any praise from me.  Their offense would have been the worst in the OAC by quite a large margin.  Their defense was an average one (Etta?).  Sorry that I can't get all pumped up about beating Muskingum in the playoffs by 49-0.  

And honestly, it's not the score I'm worried about.  It's about playing with intensity and executing to their fullest capabilities.  Whether that's a Stagg Bowl win or a loss this week.    

[emma17]

USee-
You asked on what basis Raider thinks NCC hasn't played a physical team yet.

From my view, maybe a more accurate question is whether NCC is a physical team or not?  I did see them vs Carthage and I have seen some video.  Maybe from the perspective of OAC guys, and a WIAC guy like me, we equate physical with "power" and a "pound the rock" ability.  I know NCC can run the ball pretty well, but they don't do it in the traditional "power" formations and plays.   If I had to describe the NCC offense, power would not be a term I'd use.  I'd use the terms mis-direction and play fakes, not physical or power.

Just my two cents in this.  I did pick NCC to win the game (no offense ONU)- I blame my decision on Mount piching a shut out against you.       

[usee]

Well I have seen Mt Union 6 times in person and on video countless others. They run the ball out of a shotgun set mostly and spread the field. Most of the time they have a tight end (certainly 2 backs and 2 TE's on the goal line from what I remember). I don't know how you define traditional "power" formation and plays but NCC runs inside and outside zone almost exclusively. They use their starting TE, Grunwald, as and Hback and run power O scheme and against Wheaton they ran speed and load option pretty effectively for a half. I haven't seen Mt get in an I backfield much and frankly I don't remember UWW in the I backfield much either although they line up their single back 7 yds deep w 2 TE and come at you. I don't think NCC's offense is any different than either of those in that they are all using predominantly inside and outside zone running plays with zone blocking schemes. Maybe I dont' understand your point but I don't see a difference in scheme. When you run the ball as a primary mode of attack and have success in a top conference as well as in the playoffs, I think you have to be a physical team. I know UWW and Mt Union fit that description. by next Saturday we will know whether to add NCC to that group.