FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[jaypeter]

BW is removing themselves from the postseason, where's the punishment?

They've disqualified themselves in ALL sports.  That has already led to forfeits in both OAC soccer tourneys.

Oh my gosh, "The Flaming Pile" has imploded or exploded .  Not good; also not sure how that situation could have happened.  Someone messed up for sure.

I have no insider info on whether there was an intention to cheat, or just a screw-up (I'll assume the latter unless proven otherwise).  Either way, not good for them, and potentially not good for players at other schools (they would presumably have been regionally ranked; if they still are, it is bad for whoever would otherwise have been #10, and their opponents; if not, it is bad for their opponents).

I think the effect on their own opponents is pretty minimal...was Bluffton really going to be anywhere remotely close to post-season conversation?  It could potentially affect Heidelberg, though.  However, the committee could be able to at least allow themselves to have BW in the back of their minds when considering Heidelberg (even if they wouldn't admit it).

As for an effect on the #10 team...yeah, it could make a difference, but maybe not a big one.  I'd be interested to see how many #10 regional teams make the tournament...prolly not many is my very uninformed, random, and uneducated guess.

[BUBeaverFan]

I hope if BW finds they have some extra aid money, that should go to non-athletes, they will consider throwing a few extra bucks into my daughter's aid package. 

[Dr. Acula]

Berg debuts at #6 in the regional rankings.  Slotted behind Elmhurst and ahead of Witt, both 7-1 also.  Their SOS is not helping them, obviously, at 208th (out of 239).  With 6-2 JCU and 7-1 BW the last 2 weeks hopefully that improves enough to leapfrog Elmhurst by selection time.  Elmhurst does have 6-2 IL Wesleyan left though. 

[Dr. Acula]

Looking at the regional rankings has me worried about the Berg/JCU game now.  Do I think JCU is as good as Berg?  No.  But here's my spin on JCU:  They're 6-2.  They lost on a last minute bomb on a blown assignment to BW.  They lost to Ott with no Mark Myers.  I think we can all agree they're not even close to the same team without Myers.   

My point is they could easily be 8-0 if a couple things had gone their way.  And I know, that's just football and injuries are part of the game.  But my point is they're dangerous.  Any time you are as proficient at passing as they are you're rarely out of a game.  Throw in the fact that they've been good against the run and it's enough to worry me if I'm a Berg fan.     

[Desertraider]

Looking at the regional rankings has me worried about the Berg/JCU game now.  Do I think JCU is as good as Berg?  No.  But here's my spin on JCU:  They're 6-2.  They lost on a last minute bomb on a blown assignment to BW.  They lost to Ott with no Mark Myers.  I think we can all agree they're not even close to the same team without Myers.   

My point is they could easily be 8-0 if a couple things had gone their way.  And I know, that's just football and injuries are part of the game.  But my point is they're dangerous.  Any time you are as proficient at passing as they are you're rarely out of a game.  Throw in the fact that they've been good against the run and it's enough to worry me if I'm a Berg fan.     

Having seen Cartel Brooks and the balance Berg has on offense - I wouldn't be worried (if I were a Berg fan). If healthy Brooks is an absolute beast and with a passing game that can keep a D honest they can't load the box on him. Now, if Brooks isn't healthy and is either limited or can't go - JCU has the talent to make it a game and maybe pull an upset. I know Brooks got banged up against Mount and have not heard anything beyond that. Has anyone else heard how his ankle is?

On the BW front: That has to sting. I had several students at Mount ask me what had happened. I basically compared it to LAX - given I do not know the ins and outs. Regardless, the football has NOTHING to play for except pride and being a spoiler. BW has a good team and plays Mount tough (almost always). Saturday could be alot like last week for the Raiders - close early and closer than expected. Not saying BW pulls an upset or anything - but pride can be an excellent motivator.

[raiderguy]

Looking at the regional rankings has me worried about the Berg/JCU game now.  Do I think JCU is as good as Berg?  No.  But here's my spin on JCU:  They're 6-2.  They lost on a last minute bomb on a blown assignment to BW.  They lost to Ott with no Mark Myers.  I think we can all agree they're not even close to the same team without Myers.   

My point is they could easily be 8-0 if a couple things had gone their way.  And I know, that's just football and injuries are part of the game.  But my point is they're dangerous.  Any time you are as proficient at passing as they are you're rarely out of a game.  Throw in the fact that they've been good against the run and it's enough to worry me if I'm a Berg fan.     

Having seen Cartel Brooks and the balance Berg has on offense - I wouldn't be worried (if I were a Berg fan). If healthy Brooks is an absolute beast and with a passing game that can keep a D honest they can't load the box on him. Now, if Brooks isn't healthy and is either limited or can't go - JCU has the talent to make it a game and maybe pull an upset. I know Brooks got banged up against Mount and have not heard anything beyond that. Has anyone else heard how his ankle is?

On the BW front: That has to sting. I had several students at Mount ask me what had happened. I basically compared it to LAX - given I do not know the ins and outs. Regardless, the football has NOTHING to play for except pride and being a spoiler. BW has a good team and plays Mount tough (almost always). Saturday could be alot like last week for the Raiders - close early and closer than expected. Not saying BW pulls an upset or anything - but pride can be an excellent motivator.

[/b]

I have to agree DR. BW now has their "National Championship Game" this Saturday. Plenty of motivation before this mess and now their only motivation. If they were to beat Mount they would not make the playoffs but I would assume Mount still would be there somewhere. If Mount were to go on and win it all which is clearly still a possiblity, The Flaming Pile would have a certain amount of braggin' rights to see them through the off season. Nice way to start your week of preparation!

[PurpleSuit]

Isn't Mount BW's national championship game every year?  The flaming pile better hope for rain and a super conservative Mount offense or this one gets ugly.  I dont think we'll see Mount running the ball with a 4:1 ratio like last week in that oh so close Berg game.  I guess I'm the only one who didn't think the MUC-Berg game was all that close.

[Raider 68]

Isn't Mount BW's national championship game every year?  The flaming pile better hope for rain and a super conservative Mount offense or this one gets ugly.  I dont think we'll see Mount running the ball with a 4:1 ratio like last week in that oh so close Berg game.  I guess I'm the only one who didn't think the MUC-Berg game was all that close.

I agree the game was close for the 1st quarter as the score indicated, but not after that.

Last year  B-W played the Raider very tough.

Regarding this year's B-W game, we know two factors for sure:

1. B-W is not as good as last year.

2. Mount is better than last year.


The weather should not be a factor this Saturday, so I would expect
Coach Kehres to use more of the play book.

[purple]

I didn't think the Berg came was close,either. I did admire very much the way Coach Hallett had his men prepared.  BW is usually not intimidated by Mount and played the Purples tough last year.This, however,is a vastly more explosive team and really can't be stopped by the athletes on BW's defense. It will be a massacre.

[HScoach]

^  If 12-7 at halftime isn't close, I'd hate to see your definition.

Now, I didn't say the game was "in doubt" until the final minutes, but that was a good, close game for 2-1/2 quarters or so.  It wasn't until Mount went up by 2 scores that I felt comfortable.   And that sure wasn't early 2nd quarter.

[RaiderBacker]

Isn't Mount BW's national championship game every year?  The flaming pile better hope for rain and a super conservative Mount offense or this one gets ugly.  I dont think we'll see Mount running the ball with a 4:1 ratio like last week in that oh so close Berg game.  I guess I'm the only one who didn't think the MUC-Berg game was all that close.

I agree the game was close for the 1st quarter as the score indicated, but not after that.

Last year  B-W played the Raider very tough.

Regarding this year's B-W game, we know two factors for sure:

1. B-W is not as good as last year.

2. Mount is better than last year.


The weather should not be a factor this Saturday, so I would expect
Coach Kehres to use more of the play book.

I agree with you up to the point that Coach Kehres will open the playbook. Remember the final three games (films) are given to the opposing teams during the playoffs. No other film can be used (Violation of NCAA rules). Therefore, you run a very basic game plan so you provide little details to other teams. If you watched STO video of the game last week you will see that Mount ran limited formations. Keeping it simple! If you look at BW stats you will see BW is about 60% across the board of output production compared to Mount.  BW has an undersize line compared to last years team. Missing 9 players from Defense from last year team and 5 on the Offense.  Defensively, they give up alot of yards rushing 5th in the conference soon to be 6th.

Mount will clinch title this weekend.

[Raider 68]

Isn't Mount BW's national championship game every year?  The flaming pile better hope for rain and a super conservative Mount offense or this one gets ugly.  I dont think we'll see Mount running the ball with a 4:1 ratio like last week in that oh so close Berg game.  I guess I'm the only one who didn't think the MUC-Berg game was all that close.

I agree the game was close for the 1st quarter as the score indicated, but not after that.

Last year  B-W played the Raider very tough.

Regarding this year's B-W game, we know two factors for sure:

1. B-W is not as good as last year.

2. Mount is better than last year.


The weather should not be a factor this Saturday, so I would expect
Coach Kehres to use more of the play book.

I agree with you up to the point that Coach Kehres will open the playbook. Remember the final three games (films) are given to the opposing teams during the playoffs. No other film can be used (Violation of NCAA rules). Therefore, you run a very basic game plan so you provide little details to other teams. If you watched STO video of the game last week you will see that Mount ran limited formations. Keeping it simple! If you look at BW stats you will see BW is about 60% across the board of output production compared to Mount.  BW has an undersize line compared to last years team. Missing 9 players from Defense from last year team and 5 on the Offense.  Defensively, they give up alot of yards rushing 5th in the conference soon to be 6th.

Mount will clinch title this weekend.

Good points! I forgot about the film situation, so Coach Kehres will give B-W a heavy dose of Burke's great faking and the Raiders will control the LOS.

[HScoach]

The final 3 game film exchange might have been more important years ago, but with the games on STO and everyone in the nation expecting to see Mount deep in the playoffs, any team with half a brain has a ton of film on Mount.   

I actually expect to see the playbook open up even more.   To show formations and plays that LK will never use in crunch time but wants to get on film to make future opponents prepare for.   

[raiderguy]

In my land of little known and questionable facts I happened to notice in this weeks game preview......Out of a possible 88  starters on defense Mount has had the same 87 starters in the first eight games. There is only one exception when Briggs started the first game at safety. He was then replaced with Riley. That really helps explain their success on the defensive side of the ball. That is amazing they have been able to keep the same guys on the field Ytd.

On offense they have been able to start 83 out of a possible 88 combinations.

That certainly shows the rewards of all the off season preparation if anyone had any doubts.

[raiderpa]

I also believe that LK shows different formations and plays to "load up" the preparation for opponents in the playoffs.  I have a hard time believing that there are many schools D3 that can match up to Mount's receiving corps.  With #1,  # 8, #16, and the tight end #11 showing skills of a wr it is a tall order to cover them.  QB pressure is key, and the mobility of Burke is a nice weapon to have. 
Any word on Tate and his injury/progress/availability?
BW will be a very physical game. They alway beat the snot out of Mount and win big or win little, a win is earned at Berea. 
It is a shame about the financial aid snafu,  liked desertraider saying it must have really "stung" .  was that intentional?   Seems to me that they took a to-be-respected but somewhat draconian path of denying all programs playoff appearances.  Although, I don't know what else they may have done.  I do respect their self policing however.