FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[PurpleSuit]

I was going to come on here and mention that I am impressed by what JCU has done, offense and defense. I was going to talk about JCUs QB and how he worries me a bit with his size, big-arm, accuracy, and ability to read defenses. I was going to mention that I think JCU has a LEGITIMATE shot to win this game. Was going to mention that Mounts pass D has been questionable against average QBs, and the D has not been consistent with pressuring the QB.

However, I will instead focus on the fact that Mount is Mount - and Mount will win. I will put my faith in Big Ted Rosalva, Matt Fechko (No stupid penalties!), and Tom Lally. They will dial it up. All the stats are great (they really are - I love them) but they are also misleading and we all know that (HSCoach you even have the "statistics/bikini reference"!). I notice the rushing yards are not listed (for offense). Mount has 2649 yards on the season (average of 294 a game). JCU has 1348 (avg. 149). Against Heidi Mount geared up on the run - I counted 8 in the box all afternoon - and Heidi got a lot of passing yards. But JCU can't run the ball. Would not suprise me to see Mount drop 7 or 8 in coverage and force JCU to try and run. The more I look at it the more I see that Mount is a team with weapons (not as many as last year), while JCU is a team with a stud QB. But one more statistic is not mentioned in that impressive list: Mount Union has won 22 in a row against JCU.

Remember: The Autumn Wind is a Raider! http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/index

BTW: Mount has beaten D1 transfer QBs before - Gus Ornstein, who unlike JCUs guy actually PLAYED D1 and was all-Big 10 2 years in a row.

This bio doesn't seem to support All Big 10.

http://www.jewsinsports.org/profile.asp?sport=football&ID=298

Mt Union also beat another MSU transfer BW's Dan Larlham.

but how many Pitt transfers have they beat??? well I guess last year when they beat the current JCU QB...but its a whole new JCU offense and coach and their players have confidence now!!!!  JCU has stats!!!

[skunks_sidekick]

Well...well...well.....

UWW looks to be back on the national scene..and what do we have here?  UWW fans commenting on arrogance, the game, etc...

WELCOME BACK MEN......WE MISSED YOU!   

PS usually goes a bit hyperbolic to the negative when he talks about Mount's opponents.  Suit....easy there big fella!  I think we need to give JCU all the credit in the world.  They have made DRAMATIC improvement over last year, and I think they are definitely a top 10 team in the nation for sure.  That's an AMAZING turnaround!

Now..on to the game.  This is not quite the typical "Mount is Mount" team this year.  They've shown some glitches (not sure I would call them weaknesses), but it's all relative.  At the end of the day, to BE the man, you gotta BEAT the man, and I would make Mount a solid 7 point favorite due to the home field advantage, and due to the fact that they have been there before and before and before.

If JCU does win tomorrow, then they are definitely deserving all that goes with that.  They will be the new BULL in the woods.

I for one am looking forward to a great game, which will do nothing but get both teams even more ready for a lengthy play-off run.

See some of you at Pancho's tomorrow!   

[02 Warhawk]

Well...well...well.....

UWW looks to be back on the national scene..and what do we have here?  UWW fans commenting on arrogance, the game, etc...
WELCOME BACK MEN......WE MISSED YOU!   

Ha!! Unrelated events. In fact I could see UWW fans being a little more testy towards Mount when our team was losing...not the other way around.

I was just curious what the board thought of the upcoming game, and was surprised by the lack of respect some fan(s) have for their opposition. I'm glad most Mount fans are backing me up on this.

Personally, I think Mount wins this one tomorrow. But this might be the OAC's best chance to beat Mount since the computer was invented ***sarcasm***.

[wesleydad]

Well...well...well.....

UWW looks to be back on the national scene..and what do we have here?  UWW fans commenting on arrogance, the game, etc...

WELCOME BACK MEN......WE MISSED YOU!   

PS usually goes a bit hyperbolic to the negative when he talks about Mount's opponents.  Suit....easy there big fella!  I think we need to give JCU all the credit in the world.  They have made DRAMATIC improvement over last year, and I think they are definitely a top 10 team in the nation for sure.  That's an AMAZING turnaround!

Now..on to the game.  This is not quite the typical "Mount is Mount" team this year.  They've shown some glitches (not sure I would call them weaknesses), but it's all relative.  At the end of the day, to BE the man, you gotta BEAT the man, and I would make Mount a solid 7 point favorite due to the home field advantage, and due to the fact that they have been there before and before and before.

If JCU does win tomorrow, then they are definitely deserving all that goes with that.  They will be the new BULL in the woods.

I for one am looking forward to a great game, which will do nothing but get both teams even more ready for a lengthy play-off run.

See some of you at Pancho's tomorrow!   

Sidekick, I will be there no later than 1130.  Plans are to be on the road by 5 for the 6 hour drive, with a stop included to take care of business it should be 1100 ish.

As far as the game goes, on paper it should be a good one.  on the field we shall find out.  I am looking forward to a really good game, if not, why would I take the drive if I thought it was going to be Mount as usual.

I heard that it is Ohio High School playoff time.  Are there any Saturday evening games in the Alliance area?

[HScoach]

......  Mount dominated 'berg and so did JCU.....

Hmmm, so Mount winning 44-34 is just as dominating as JCU winning 48-7?

I thought you were a football expert, final score is everything? I know you were at the Mount-Berg game, tell me it was an evenly played game. 

It will be interesting to see the radio wonder make his pick for tomorrow.  Do you follow all the amazing JCU stats or pick Mount to win as always?  I mean JCU looks tremendously better in the punt and kick return coverage game, maybe I'll change my pick.  Does anyone think that in the first year of JCU being decent since the first Bush administration, maybe they are playing their starters a little bit longer into the second half of blow outs, thus changing the oh so influential stats? 

It will be business as usual for Mount Who tomorrow at 1:30

For the record, my suggestion on the spread to Mr Mom was Mount as a 6.5 favorite.

I can easily see scenarios where either team can win.    And expect a really competitive game.   My apologies for not being an arrogant ass towards a lleague opponent coached by a former OAC legend that has real talent and is having a great season.   Jeesz.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

Alright, I have watched this unfold long enough . . .

(1) This is not John Carroll's first good team since the first Bush administration.  While we were very good between 1988 and 1992, JCU was also, arguably, Mount's stiffest league competition from 1989 to 2002.  I would also argue that no other OAC member, Mount Union excluded has put together as many consecutive seasons of good football as John Carroll did between 1989 and 2002 in the past 25 years.  JCU has been down or in decent for much of the last decade but we are not a one team wonder without some history to be proud of.

(2) As a longtime fan, I have suffered with the rest of the league while MUC has run over anyone and everyone for the past 25 years.  It is almost unfathomable to me and most JCU fans that we have a chance tomorrow, let alone the fact that some non-JCU posters are actually predicting a win.  I am just happy that there is a thought we can play a football game and not looked overmatched. JCU may be overmatched, they may lose by 4 scores but that would be unexpected, not expected.  That is a good sign for the program.

(3) Should JCU win, you can bet many new posters will find their way here to gloat, savor the win, whatever you want to call it.  That said, it would pale in comparison to the number of Mount fans that will more than happy to put everyone in their place should they dominate tomorrow afternoon.

The game was deemed a sell out on MONDAY!!  SRO tickets will be sold until the last person willing to pay $8, has paid Mount $8.  There is a battle of unbeatens for a league crown.  National commentators are claiming that both teams may be top seeds.  This is good for Mount, good for John Carroll, good for the OAC and good for football fans.

John Carroll may not be back . . . but this opportunity tomorrow, win or lose, still beats the hell out of 5-5, losses to Case Western and constant state of disbelief at the state of the program.  There is hope in University Heights that good times are ahead for the program . . . time will tell.  What we do know . . . . tomorrow should be memorable if nothing else.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Welcome back to the boards Michael.  Haven't seen you around since March of 2011.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

Similar to sports talk radio where I am a listener but not a caller . . . with the boards, I am a reader but not so much a poster.

[amonachino]

why is everybody placing so much on the berg getting blasted by JC.  they went in to the game with a limp ----.  they were not the same club.  or you believe they were the same club and JC destroyed them because their as tony the tiger said GREATTTTTTTTT.  JC beat Otterbein 28-0 mount 48-0.  what does that mean?  JC beat nothern 47-0 mount 54-7.  what does that mean?  it means nothing.  Most of the stats are wothless, like kick return def.  1.7 yds. between the two clubs over 9 games.  who cares? how about tradition, pride, coaching, and most of all been there done that.  the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.  mount is flat out very difficult to beat, just ask umhb with 5 turnovers in their favor.  All i'm saying is that both teams are very good.  stats. are not going to win this game, players are.  mount has faced many teams better then them.  just look back at their history.  if JC wins good for them.  it does not take a perfect record to win a nat'l. championship.  who knows they might meet again regardless as to who wins.  my money is on the home team.  a one pt. win is as good as 100pts.  I also like the fact that JC is back and look forward to them putting the oac back to the top conf.  competition makes teams better.  note to H. S. coach,  like you dude.     

[raiderpa]

Regardless of the outcome, Tom Arth has made JCU football relevant again, and as a loyal Mountie, I am thrilled to have them back in a place where the game is this meaningful.  Mount has so dominated the OAC, it is good to see the teams rise to the challenge and build toward national prominence for their fans and the OAC. Northern looked like they were on the rise and they have fallen back.  Otterbein looked good for a couple seasons and have fallen back.Heidelberg looks to be on the right path, lets hope they continue to grow, and now JCU is back and I hope they are not one or two years and done
THe fact that both teams are a lock for the playoffs and perhaps a one seed in a region and a one or two seed in a different region is fantastic.
I hope both teams play their best game of the year, so the loser can say they were beaten by a better team, not themselves.
I have the faith that Mount will be ready, as I believe that LK has instilled the process into VK's psyche.

I saw the JCU-Berg game and came away thinking that the Streaks indeed have the ability and talent to pull it off, we will see ....
GO Raiders!

[section13raiderfan]

Substitute the word delerious for the word arrogant in these converstions because in fact both teams are inspiring that reaction in their fans. And why not? JCU is undefeated after taking it on the chin for so long that their fans HAVE to see them as Rocky like ( Balboa.....not Pentello).  Delerium reigns, as it should. However, UMU fans dont identify their team as Mr. T like. We are just SO enthused that this inexperienced offense has risen to the occasion to compete for conference and postseason championship possibilities. I say everybody revel in the euphoria.....just be nice about it. There can be only one winner Saturday. but beware of playoff rematches! If the loser of the regular season game wins in the playoffs then delerium will reign againl.     

[bleedpurple]

Substitute the word delerious for the word arrogant in these converstions because in fact both teams are inspiring that reaction in their fans. And why not? JCU is undefeated after taking it on the chin for so long that their fans HAVE to see them as Rocky like ( Balboa.....not Pentello).  Delerium reigns, as it should. However, UMU fans dont identify their team as Mr. T like. We are just SO enthused that this inexperienced offense has risen to the occasion to compete for conference and postseason championship possibilities. I say everybody revel in the euphoria.....just be nice about it. There can be only one winner Saturday. but beware of playoff rematches! If the loser of the regular season game wins in the playoffs then delerium will reign againl.     

Can you provide the definition please?

"Delerious: Fans so excited about their team that they forget how to spell.  Delerious" 

[Dr. Acula]

There's no down side to this.  This is essentially a Regional Final level game.  Seeing that level of talent, OAC title on the line in the biggest game so far...that can only be a good thing heading into the playoffs.  I love when there is a legit challenger to the crown.  It always makes Mount better.  Winning games like this is why those kids chose to come to Alliance.   

I like that they faced an AA caliber RB 2 weeks ago and now an AA caliber QB this week.  Great preparation for the postseason to really push your defense against top talent. 

Should be a fun one and great weather too.  Safe travels to wesleydad and anyone else hitting the road to Atown. 

[emma17]

I've seen many good posts that provide support for one opinion or another.

Rather than pick the winner of the game, I'm going to pick what I feel is the best explanation of why a team will win.
Desertraider I'm going with your post- specifically I like your thought that Mt will load up on pass defense and force JCU to beat them via the rush.

I hope it's a great game. I'm excited for it.

[Toph]

its not arrogance if your team backs it up, arrogance would be the couple 'berg fans two weeks ago or the lone JCU fan.   Its easy to call names but I would like to see somebody predict a JCU win using numbers.  Any chance they had of coming out and grabbing an early lead has been erased by their own "arrogance" on social media.  Discuss....

First, pal...I've been around here far longer than you have, and secondly, I'm fairly certain I've seen more Mount Union games than you have.  I saw games at Mount Union before the purple suits even existed.  I watched Bill Borchert carve up defenses in person. 

I also find it funny that you ask people to back up a prediction for a JCU win "using numbers" and then later mock that use of numbers...here:

but how many Pitt transfers have they beat??? well I guess last year when they beat the current JCU QB...but its a whole new JCU offense and coach and their players have confidence now!!!!  JCU has stats!!!

You're projecting.  I actually haven't seen anyone actually outright predicting a JCU win (myself included).  If I had to pick a winner, I'd pick Mount close.  I'll stick to what I said earlier.  This is JCU's best shot in years. 

Stick to what you do best.  Get outrageously drunk, put on a suit you bought at the thrift store and dyed purple.  The adults are talking.