FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Raider 68]

With July soon approaching and football camp coming in August:

- How far will the Raiders go in 2012?
- Will they win the OAC, or lose to a really good B-W team?
- If they go on to win the OAC, can they make it to the Stagg Bowl?
- If the opponent is UWW, can they win it ?
- And finally, who will be the QB to lead them?

[reality check]

I know I'm not a Mount guy but even with as slow as it is, how can anyone want to ask and answer the same opinion questions twenty different ways, all summer long?  We need September like doeder needs parole.

[Desertraider]

I love answering these questions. Gets me pumped up for the season that is still waaaay off in the distance. Before I do however, I would like to welcome the big boys of college football to the "playoff" ranks. While it is a step in the right direction....it is a teeny-weeny baby step. Not really a playoff at all. Can you imagine if D3 had a 4 team playoff? Mount, UWW, Wesley and a pick between Linfield, MHB, and North Central. D1 needs to have a legit playoff - only conference champions are admitted and 4 at-large bids (gotta give the Irish a shot). Instead of bowl games the corporations will sponsor a game starting at quarter-finals (the "Northeast quarterfinal brought to you by Ed's House of Horse Manure- we love this ****"). Keep the bowl games for teams that do not make the playoffs - but the conferences share all proceeds from the games their teams play in.
Anyway - the questions. Mount goes all the way and brings it home IF: The QB play improves dramatically and a RB steps up big time. Mount needs a RB that can take over a game - they win almost everytime when they have that (Moore, Pugh, Kmic)...They will win the OAC but the BW game will be a slugfest (if BW has anything to say maybe that will be literal ). The only way  Mount beats UWW is too overcome the mental game. I hate to say it but I think the "we can't beat these guys" has started to creep in...it took UWW a few times to overcome it and now the shoe is on the other foot.

[badgerwarhawk]

I think I can say with confidence that there is not a single soul assoiciated in any way with the WARHAWKS program who believes UMU can not beat us.  And I find it hard to believe that there is anyone associated with UMU's who thinks they can't beat us. 

[emma17]

I think I can say with confidence that there is not a single soul assoiciated in any way with the WARHAWKS program who believes UMU can not beat us.  And I find it hard to believe that there is anyone associated with UMU's who thinks they can't beat us.

BW I think Desertraiders's point is valid: Of course every Mt player, coach and fan will be confident they can beat UWW, but there are very few players on that roster that have ever seen it happen (2008- in a game uww was making a ferocious comeback in).  It takes the special players that have more than just talent to break through - IMO Mt will roll again when they get real leadership from some key positions.
No doubt special teams are important - but Mt hasn't been better than UWW at special teams in any game I've seen them play.

[Ric]

Raider 68 -

- National Champions
- Yes and No
- Yes
- Yes
- You will see a rotation mainly of two kids, but up to four will see varsity playing time. Seaman will be listed No. 1 on the depth chart.

[Raider 68]

Raider 68 -

- National Champions
- Yes and No
- Yes
- Yes
- You will see a rotation mainly of two kids, but up to four will see varsity playing time. Seaman will be listed No. 1 on the depth chart.

Ric,

Great to see you post again!

[Desertraider]

I think I can say with confidence that there is not a single soul assoiciated in any way with the WARHAWKS program who believes UMU can not beat us.  And I find it hard to believe that there is anyone associated with UMU's who thinks they can't beat us.

BW I think Desertraiders's point is valid: Of course every Mt player, coach and fan will be confident they can beat UWW, but there are very few players on that roster that have ever seen it happen (2008- in a game uww was making a ferocious comeback in).  It takes the special players that have more than just talent to break through - IMO Mt will roll again when they get real leadership from some key positions.
No doubt special teams are important - but Mt hasn't been better than UWW at special teams in any game I've seen them play.

That's what I was thinking a well. No Mount player would ever say we can't beat them - but no one on this Mount team has beaten UWW. I wonder if some of the Mount guys see UWW, the way UWW once saw Mount. I have nothing but faith in LK and the Mighty Raiders - but a win against UWW is needed at this point for a number of reasons (although mainly to stop UWW from getting 4 in a row).

[Raiders_Dad]

I think I can say with confidence that there is not a single soul assoiciated in any way with the WARHAWKS program who believes UMU can not beat us.  And I find it hard to believe that there is anyone associated with UMU's who thinks they can't beat us.

BW I think Desertraiders's point is valid: Of course every Mt player, coach and fan will be confident they can beat UWW, but there are very few players on that roster that have ever seen it happen (2008- in a game uww was making a ferocious comeback in).  It takes the special players that have more than just talent to break through - IMO Mt will roll again when they get real leadership from some key positions.
No doubt special teams are important - but Mt hasn't been better than UWW at special teams in any game I've seen them play.

I think that LK has been working diligently to put the pieces in place so the outcome is difference this year.   This is MU year.

[bleedpurple]

I think I can say with confidence that there is not a single soul assoiciated in any way with the WARHAWKS program who believes UMU can not beat us.  And I find it hard to believe that there is anyone associated with UMU's who thinks they can't beat us.

BW I think Desertraiders's point is valid: Of course every Mt player, coach and fan will be confident they can beat UWW, but there are very few players on that roster that have ever seen it happen (2008- in a game uww was making a ferocious comeback in).  It takes the special players that have more than just talent to break through - IMO Mt will roll again when they get real leadership from some key positions.
No doubt special teams are important - but Mt hasn't been better than UWW at special teams in any game I've seen them play.

That's what I was thinking a well. No Mount player would ever say we can't beat them - but no one on this Mount team has beaten UWW. I wonder if some of the Mount guys see UWW, the way UWW everyone once saw Mount. I have nothing but faith in LK and the Mighty Raiders - but a win against UWW is needed at this point for a number of reasons (although mainly to stop UWW from getting 4 in a row).

Ok, Fixed.... 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!

I have been thinking about this since I first saw it posted.  Here is where I've landed. 

If the "we can't beat them" thought is a factor at all, it will only be a subtlety. Even in their thoughts, I doubt any Raiders will think "We can't beat them".  The subtlety will come in if the players start thinking "I hope we can beat them" instead of "I KNOW we can beat them", especially if it comes down to making plays in the fourth quarter.  However, having said all of that, I think the LK factor negates any of it.  IF there is an 8th straight Stagg Bowl match-up, I fully expect both teams to come into the game expecting to win and displaying incredible heart and will.  Then it will come down to execution, most likely in the 4th quarter. 

Wow, I could see this post being incredibly irritating to ANYONE who follows a program other than Mount or UW-W.  It's the 4th of July, camps don't open for another month, and we are already talking about a possible Mount/UW-W Stagg Bowl.  My apologies, but we all know nothing is a given, it was just an interesting dynamic between the teams worth discussing.

[Raider 68]

Bleedpurple,

Good observation! I agree that many other programs want to see a change in Salem, sooner rather than later, but those schools need to put a championship run together to get there. In 2012, there may be a few others that rise to the challenge, so will will see if that happens. While the Warhawks and Raiders always seem to have the edge this
early in the year, there are no guarantees that they could meet again this December. The odds of both of them doing for an eighth time are hard to predict. IMHO. The question does remain however, it could happen again!

[Raiders_Dad]

Good observation. However, both teams are so evenly matched that special teams have seemed to be the deciding factor for the outcome. And IMHO I think special teams and field position will be what decides the final outcome.
Should be another great one tho.

[NCF]

I think I can say with confidence that there is not a single soul assoiciated in any way with the WARHAWKS program who believes UMU can not beat us.  And I find it hard to believe that there is anyone associated with UMU's who thinks they can't beat us.

BW I think Desertraiders's point is valid: Of course every Mt player, coach and fan will be confident they can beat UWW, but there are very few players on that roster that have ever seen it happen (2008- in a game uww was making a ferocious comeback in).  It takes the special players that have more than just talent to break through - IMO Mt will roll again when they get real leadership from some key positions.
No doubt special teams are important - but Mt hasn't been better than UWW at special teams in any game I've seen them play.

That's what I was thinking a well. No Mount player would ever say we can't beat them - but no one on this Mount team has beaten UWW. I wonder if some of the Mount guys see UWW, the way UWW everyone once saw Mount. I have nothing but faith in LK and the Mighty Raiders - but a win against UWW is needed at this point for a number of reasons (although mainly to stop UWW from getting 4 in a row).

Ok, Fixed.... 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!

I have been thinking about this since I first saw it posted.  Here is where I've landed. 

If the "we can't beat them" thought is a factor at all, it will only be a subtlety. Even in their thoughts, I doubt any Raiders will think "We can't beat them".  The subtlety will come in if the players start thinking "I hope we can beat them" instead of "I KNOW we can beat them", especially if it comes down to making plays in the fourth quarter.  However, having said all of that, I think the LK factor negates any of it.  IF there is an 8th straight Stagg Bowl match-up, I fully expect both teams to come into the game expecting to win and displaying incredible heart and will.  Then it will come down to execution, most likely in the 4th quarter. 

Wow, I could see this post being incredibly irritating to ANYONE who follows a program other than Mount or UW-W.  It's the 4th of July, camps don't open for another month, and we are already talking about a possible Mount/UW-W Stagg Bowl.  My apologies, but we all know nothing is a given, it was just an interesting dynamic between the teams worth discussing.

You can say that again , however, Raider 68 makes some valid observations. Until another team can win it all, the pre season talk will always be about MU/UWW.

[raiderpa]

I think Wesley could be a real factor this season.

[Raider 68]

I think Wesley could be a real factor this season.

raiderpa,

Agree, they bring alot back including an experienced QB who played several
games when McSweeney was injured.