FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[PurpleSuit]

Ah, Bethany.   The week that costs Mount one of the top two seeds in this year's playoff bracket.   When we're traveling to MHB or UWW in the semi-finals we can all lament how much we missed our dear friends at Franklin in week 1.

I doubt it.  UMU has more benefit of the doubt capital built up than anybody else.  The only thing that's going to cost the Raiders one of the top two seeds is if they lose a regular season game to somebody.  10-0 and they'll host all the way to Salem.

Not if MHB and UWW also go 10-0

Like last year?

Last Year UMU's Non-Conference Opponent was Franklin who has a MUCH better ranking, reputation and strength of schedule than Bethany.

They use prior year's playoff experience as well.

I understand and UMHB was also a Semi-Finalist last year.  Too many people have complained that UMU has never played an away playoff game during their run.

This year the committee has a valid reason to make them a #3 or 4 seed based on Strength of Schedule and the weakness of Bethany.

I think people are over-rating UMHB's schedule.  It was bad last year and will be bad again this year.  Great team, mediocre schedule.  JCU and Berg should be better than any team on UMHB's schedule.

[raiderpa]

I am as big a Raider fan as anyone, but planning playoff sites and Stagg Bowl match ups now, even though history is a good barometer, is really very egomaniacal.  No wonder many posters hate us.

If I supported JCU, BW, Berg, ONU, I would truly hate us Raiders and our attitudes.  That being said:  GO RAIDERS, HAVE A GREAT YEAR.  I'LL SEE YOU IN THE PRESSBOX.

[boobyhasgameyo]

I am as big a Raider fan as anyone, but planning playoff sites and Stagg Bowl match ups now, even though history is a good barometer, is really very egomaniacal. No wonder many posters hate us.

If I supported JCU, BW, Berg, ONU, I would truly hate us Raiders and our attitudes.  That being said:  GO RAIDERS, HAVE A GREAT YEAR.  I'LL SEE YOU IN THE PRESSBOX.

I don't hate you guys    And your team routinely dismantled my favorite team for years too! 

[02 Warhawk]

I am as big a Raider fan as anyone, but planning playoff sites and Stagg Bowl match ups now, even though history is a good barometer, is really very egomaniacal.  No wonder many posters hate us.

If I supported JCU, BW, Berg, ONU, I would truly hate us Raiders and our attitudes.  That being said:  GO RAIDERS, HAVE A GREAT YEAR.  I'LL SEE YOU IN THE PRESSBOX.

+K

[wildcat58]

Being a supporter of another team, I just sit back and read.

I like all the playoff talk from mu.

How do you see the picks for this weekend?

[ExTartanPlayer]

Taurice Scott is listed as starting at WR on the game notes for UMU-Bethany.  This may have been discussed before, and he certainly is athletic and exciting enough to warrant such a move, but I thought the boards had said Scott was likely to remain the backup QB and that was it.  I'm glad we'll get to see him in regular action, because he's certainly made some big plays in his mop-up duty.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I am as big a Raider fan as anyone, but planning playoff sites and Stagg Bowl match ups now, even though history is a good barometer, is really very egomaniacal. No wonder many posters hate us.

If I supported JCU, BW, Berg, ONU, I would truly hate us Raiders and our attitudes.  That being said:  GO RAIDERS, HAVE A GREAT YEAR.  I'LL SEE YOU IN THE PRESSBOX.

I don't hate you guys    And your team routinely dismantled my favorite team for years too!

I don't hate SJF, but Booby can get on my nerves!   

Gentlemen, it is a discussion board.  Betheny will be nothing more than a road bump this week.  We've got to talk about something.

If other posters have a problem with us talking about possibly playoff locations in September, then they don't have to read the OAC board.  Or their teams can do something about it on the field.

[Dr. Acula]

The 2 deep mirrors what they did in the scrimmage where Scott started at slot WR, but was also the next QB to take snaps after Burke.  Another poster mentioned that Namdar also played QB at W&J so they may have a couple WR/back up QB guys this year.  Basically, if anything happens to Burke one of those two is the QB I'm sure.  As I mentioned, Scott and Namdar both looked good at WR during the scrimmage.  Both guys showed big play ability with long TD catches. 

The thing that stuck out to me from the 2 deep is that the LT's are a sophomore and a freshmen. 

[emma17]

I am as big a Raider fan as anyone, but planning playoff sites and Stagg Bowl match ups now, even though history is a good barometer, is really very egomaniacal.  No wonder many posters hate us.

If I supported JCU, BW, Berg, ONU, I would truly hate us Raiders and our attitudes.  That being said:  GO RAIDERS, HAVE A GREAT YEAR.  I'LL SEE YOU IN THE PRESSBOX.

Raiderpa- although I certainly appreciate your desire to show respect to all other teams by not discussing post season seedings- I don't think other teams or readers should take offense.
IMO- the topic is a bit similar to profiling (not to get political).  If a purple uniformed team with the nickname "Purple Raiders" has been sighted in Salem, VA 9 consecutive years and on the road to Salem for xteen number of years, it is probably a bit silly to discuss red, blue, green or black uniformed teams.
It's highly likely Mt will make a deep run; should they or should they not be given home field throughout the playoffs if other usual suspects finish their seasons w undefeated records?

[wally_wabash]

When you make the semifinals for two decades straight, you can talk about whatever the heck you want. 

[HScoach]

When you make the semifinals for two decades straight, you can talk about whatever the heck you want.

^   What he said.

[emma17]

So I'll weigh in w my opinion.
If MT goes undefeated they should have home field as long as they aren't on the same side of bracket as a team that went undefeated and won the national championship.
The responsibility fell to NCC last year to dislodge the home field advantage from MT- and they dropped the ball (or didn't cover a simple sideline go route).

Somebody needs to beat MT at home in playoffs - otherwise they get benefit of the doubt. 

[Raider 68]

So I'll weigh in w my opinion.
If MT goes undefeated they should have home field as long as they aren't on the same side of bracket as a team that went undefeated and won the national championship.
The responsibility fell to NCC last year to dislodge the home field advantage from MT- and they dropped the ball (or didn't cover a simple sideline go route).

Somebody needs to beat MT at home in playoffs - otherwise they get benefit of the doubt. 

emma17,

I agree, but I just want to see a good against against Bethany, great offense, a greater defensive effort and no injuries!

With the season just beginning, I do not want to rush anything, but we always talk playoffs, but maybe it is just earlier than
normal!

[emma17]

So I'll weigh in w my opinion.
If MT goes undefeated they should have home field as long as they aren't on the same side of bracket as a team that went undefeated and won the national championship.
The responsibility fell to NCC last year to dislodge the home field advantage from MT- and they dropped the ball (or didn't cover a simple sideline go route).

Somebody needs to beat MT at home in playoffs - otherwise they get benefit of the doubt. 

emma17,

I agree, but I just want to see a good against against Bethany, great offense, a greater defensive effort and no injuries!

With the season just beginning, I do not want to rush anything, but we always talk playoffs, but maybe it is just earlier than
normal!

I hope the same for your team Raider.
Once game one is in the books we can talk week to week specifics and table the playoff talk until later in the season.
Let's all remember to relish these times.

[bceagle80]

So I'll weigh in w my opinion.
If MT goes undefeated they should have home field as long as they aren't on the same side of bracket as a team that went undefeated and won the national championship.
The responsibility fell to NCC last year to dislodge the home field advantage from MT- and they dropped the ball (or didn't cover a simple sideline go route).

Somebody needs to beat MT at home in playoffs - otherwise they get benefit of the doubt. 

emma17,

I agree, but I just want to see a good against against Bethany, great offense, a greater defensive effort and no injuries!

With the season just beginning, I do not want to rush anything, but we always talk playoffs, but maybe it is just earlier than
normal!

Mount Union will continue to do what Mount Union does and so will UW-W. It is likely to be another another meeting in the final. However, nothing is cast in stone. That is why every team suits up. What will be interesting both on the field and in the discussion boards will be the individual play of gifted athletes and to see how they will take their game to the next level as individuals. It the individual effort made be each player on every snap to contribute to the betterment of their team that ultimately will make the difference. True greatness happens when, despite the odds against a team winning a particular game, individuals on the team shoulder the responsibility for the team and play with such focus, intensity, desire and with relentless enthusiasm, the rest of the team catches on fire and the team will not be denied. It is a privilege to attend a game like that and it is one for the ages.

For Mount Union and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to be unseated at the top of the heap in D3 football, it will take a team with such "fire in their belly" they will not be denied. Great individual play can win games if teams are playing as a unit well. Great teams win championships because they maintain and elevate individual play and focus to make their team just that much better on every play.