FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[ExTartanPlayer]

I'm surprised Mount is still #1 in this week's poll.

I am, but at the same time...think about the way the Division I poll typically works.  The #1 team generally starts on top and stays there until they lose, regardless of quality of competition or margin of victory.  Mount did win against a top-20 team.  The only other highly ranked team to post a win against another ranked team was Wesley, and I find it hard to move someone else above Mount based on a win over a lesser opponent.  I just don't know who else I'm putting #1 over Mount right now.  Ugly win though it was...as we've said, it was two bonehead plays by Mount from being a laugher in the third quarter, before that monstrous Franklin rally, and a team coming off three straight playoff appearances that has faced UWW, UMHB, and Mount over the last few seasons is about as tough a nonconference opponent as you can get, right?  Even if they play in a lesser conference, that's still a darned tough team to play out of the gate.

[Desertraider]

Just a day at the office for the Big Bad Berg!

Nice win for the 'Burg'. I am sure Alma gave it all they had. Forgive my laughter though. I mean on the one hand you have Alma. 1-9 last year, 2-8, 3-7...basically they are what 'Burg' was like 3 years ago - pretty sad. And then considering 2 years ago the 'big, bad, berg' had a handful of fans, ya know cuz they were so big and bad. Find it funny that one good season in the last 40 suddenly makes you a dynasty. Enjoy the ride.

Show a little class and don't intentionally refer to Berg as Burg. I am a Mount grad and find that extremely tacky.

Get over it. Is it any different than referring to Wilmington as "Wilma" or Marietta as "Etta" or BW as "The Flaming Pile"? I did not create these nicknames - nor am I the one who referred to Burg as the "Student Princesses" in years past. Find it tacky if you wish - that is your right - but seriously? Get over it. I also refer to Purdue as "Perdue - I feel like chicken tonite!"

[badgerwarhawk]

Just a day at the office for the Big Bad Berg!

Nice win for the 'Burg'. I am sure Alma gave it all they had. Forgive my laughter though. I mean on the one hand you have Alma. 1-9 last year, 2-8, 3-7...basically they are what 'Burg' was like 3 years ago - pretty sad. And then considering 2 years ago the 'big, bad, berg' had a handful of fans, ya know cuz they were so big and bad. Find it funny that one good season in the last 40 suddenly makes you a dynasty. Enjoy the ride.

Show a little class and don't intentionally refer to Berg as Burg. I am a Mount grad and find that extremely tacky.

Get over it. Is it any different than referring to Wilmington as "Wilma" or Marietta as "Etta" or BW as "The Flaming Pile"? I did not create these nicknames - nor am I the one who referred to Burg as the "Student Princesses" in years past. Find it tacky if you wish - that is your right - but seriously? Get over it. I also refer to Purdue as "Perdue - I feel like chicken tonite!"

Arrogance, what arrogance?  I don't see any arrogance.  There must be some sort of mistake.

[Pat Coleman]

I'm surprised Mount is still #1 in this week's poll.

I am, but at the same time...think about the way the Division I poll typically works.  The #1 team generally starts on top and stays there until they lose, regardless of quality of competition or margin of victory.  Mount did win against a top-20 team.  The only other highly ranked team to post a win against another ranked team was Wesley, and I find it hard to move someone else above Mount based on a win over a lesser opponent.

Our poll doesn't work that way, though -- witness Franklin's movement this week.

I just don't know who else I'm putting #1 over Mount right now. 

That's the key component, I'm sure. It's hard to elevate St. Thomas over Mount if you remember the Stagg Bowl from last year. Linfield, on the other hand, has never played Mount Union, and in fact, nobody in the Northwest Conference has played Mount Union in the D-III era. It's a little more plausible to picture them, perhaps.

[wally_wabash]

I'm surprised Mount is still #1 in this week's poll.

I am, but at the same time...think about the way the Division I poll typically works.  The #1 team generally starts on top and stays there until they lose, regardless of quality of competition or margin of victory.  Mount did win against a top-20 team.  The only other highly ranked team to post a win against another ranked team was Wesley, and I find it hard to move someone else above Mount based on a win over a lesser opponent.

Our poll doesn't work that way, though -- witness Franklin's movement this week.

I just don't know who else I'm putting #1 over Mount right now. 

That's the key component, I'm sure. It's hard to elevate St. Thomas over Mount if you remember the Stagg Bowl from last year. Linfield, on the other hand, has never played Mount Union, and in fact, nobody in the Northwest Conference has played Mount Union in the D-III era. It's a little more plausible to picture them, perhaps.

I think it's fair to move St. Thomas there.  I had actually thought they would be preseason #1 based on last year's run, the relative youth of their team, and the severe graduation losses (not to mention a retirement) from Mount Union.  The poll is going to be fun to watch this season...I think we might see #1 swing back and forth a few times this year because it's that close. 

[badgerwarhawk]

It's unlikely that you'll see Mount move unless they lose.

[Pat Coleman]

They practically moved this week. I don't think that it's unlikely at all.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I agree, Pat, I think your D3 poll generally works a little better (less "media bias" perhaps) in terms of moving teams up/down appropriately based on performances rather than strictly asking "did they win or did they lose?"

I guess my point is that a home win over another ranked team, regardless of how close or ugly it was, doesn't seem like reason to drop #1 from its perch (especially considering that #1 has a new coach and a bunch of new starters and thus would be at its most vulnerable, presumably, in its first game).

I agree that the harder piece for me, were I a voter, would be choosing a team that I can definitely say "Yup, I like them better than Mount Union on a neutral field today."  Arguments can be made for other teams, to be sure (see the distribution of votes, it's not like Mount was a unanimous choice, in fact they barely still occupy the #1 spot)...but nobody else clearly shows enough steam to overtake the Purple Raiders.  For now.

[emma17]

I'm surprised Mount is still #1 in this week's poll.

I am, but at the same time...think about the way the Division I poll typically works.  The #1 team generally starts on top and stays there until they lose, regardless of quality of competition or margin of victory.  Mount did win against a top-20 team.  The only other highly ranked team to post a win against another ranked team was Wesley, and I find it hard to move someone else above Mount based on a win over a lesser opponent.

Our poll doesn't work that way, though -- witness Franklin's movement this week.

I just don't know who else I'm putting #1 over Mount right now. 

That's the key component, I'm sure. It's hard to elevate St. Thomas over Mount if you remember the Stagg Bowl from last year. Linfield, on the other hand, has never played Mount Union, and in fact, nobody in the Northwest Conference has played Mount Union in the D-III era. It's a little more plausible to picture them, perhaps.

I think it's fair to move St. Thomas there.  I had actually thought they would be preseason #1 based on last year's run, the relative youth of their team, and the severe graduation losses (not to mention a retirement) from Mount Union.  The poll is going to be fun to watch this season...I think we might see #1 swing back and forth a few times this year because it's that close.

IF a team were to replace Mt for #1 I agree w your post here Wally- St T.
As has been discussed before so much is perspective. If the Mt and St T rematched today I'd pick St T. But I don't find that to be reason to make them #1 if I'm looking at this from an end of season perspective.
I'm fine w Mt at #1 both because of their history and because they did what a championship team does when facing adversity. Once they prove on the field that they will actually lose a game in which they play poorly, then #1 is up for grabs to several teams IMO.

[ADL70]

Mt Union lost three first place votes, one each went to St Thomas, Linfield, and UMHB.  Its lead over St Thomas, one point.

[raiderpa]

this poll, that poll, everybody has a poll...Aren't you happy that we get to settle it on the field!

Mount did not play like a No.1 on Saturday, but neither did Alabama week one.  At least we "spoiled uppity" Mount fans admit we would not have been surprised to see the Raiders drop out of the top spot after this past Saturday.  However, do not take away a great effort and some really good adjustments from Franklin.  They are good and I would bet a buck that they finish no worse than 8-2 (this week's game at Butler will be very difficult for them), and probably 9-1 if they get by Butler.   

[Bishopleftiesdad]

I am going to watch the Franklin/Butler game with interest. It will be interesting to see how it comes out. Then compare that to the Witt/Butler game to see where Witt stands.

[HScoach]

Honestly, I thought St Thomas would have been the pre-season #1 with their relative youth last year and Mount being so young this year when coupled with LK's retirement.   Not saying Mount is all of a sudden chopped liver, but I could easily see how they could/should have started the year in the #2 or #3 slot.  Only team in my mind that "should" be ranked above them is UST.   Only other teams that "could" be ranked above them is Linfield and MHB.   Everyone else is in the rear view mirror until proven otherwise.

I said it on the air in the post game and still believe it today, but that tough win over Franklin could be the perfect teaching/growing moment a young team and coaching staff needs.    Sure, they made some stupid mistakes in the first half that kept it from being a blowout and then an even bigger one in the 3rd quarter to let Franklin back in the game, but they played with great composure late in the 4th quarter and made the plays that were needed to win the game.   And that composure and belief in themselves is going to be crucial to this OAC season and hopefully the deep playoff run that we're all used to.   

I'm much more confident in this team moving forward mentally given how the Franklin game played out than I would be if blocked punt had counted and Minnich not dropped the handoff on the 2 yard line.   The game is OVER at halftime if it's 34-0 like it should have been.   And what does Mount learn by that except that they're really, really good and it's business as usual?   And the next 5 weeks aren't going to tell us anything either against Musky, Wilma, Etta, etc.   The problem then becomes a severely elevated opinion of your capabilities that could bite them against Berg, B-W or JCU.    Physically they didn't dominate the full 60 minutes like we're accustomed to, but Burke was cool under pressure and the defense (Rosalva) made the play they needed.   We know they have talent on the roster, albeit young, but at least they know now after a WIN what they need to work on and have the luxury of time get it fixed before the meat grinder at the end of the OAC season.   

That game could very well end up being the same teaching/focusing moment the '05 loss to ONU was, but this time without the opponent Christmas cards.

[TheBerg40]

Just a day at the office for the Big Bad Berg!

Nice win for the 'Burg'. I am sure Alma gave it all they had. Forgive my laughter though. I mean on the one hand you have Alma. 1-9 last year, 2-8, 3-7...basically they are what 'Burg' was like 3 years ago - pretty sad. And then considering 2 years ago the 'big, bad, berg' had a handful of fans, ya know cuz they were so big and bad. Find it funny that one good season in the last 40 suddenly makes you a dynasty. Enjoy the ride.

Show a little class and don't intentionally refer to Berg as Burg. I am a Mount grad and find that extremely tacky.

Get over it. Is it any different than referring to Wilmington as "Wilma" or Marietta as "Etta" or BW as "The Flaming Pile"? I did not create these nicknames - nor am I the one who referred to Burg as the "Student Princesses" in years past. Find it tacky if you wish - that is your right - but seriously? Get over it. I also refer to Purdue as "Perdue - I feel like chicken tonite!"

dessertraider, we would all appreciate a little better sportsmanship from you on these boards. I'm not 100% sure, but I understand sportsmanship was invented at Heidelberg back in the 50's as courteous and graceful way of conducting ourselves in the presence of our rivals. Many D3 fans and teams have adopted this philosophy over the years. 

[reality check]

Remember when seventiesraider was the closest thing to an obnoxious Heidelberg poster?