FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[ExTartanPlayer]

Coach Arth will have the team ready to the best of their abilities.  I do not doubt that.  However, to think that they will be confident is a bit of stretch.  Playing a team to whom you have lost for decades and a team that has made a mockery of you more often than not in those games does not really lend it self to coming in confident.

Relevance of those "decades" to the guys playing in 2014?  Virtually zero.

The last few seasons are pretty much the only results that should have any effect on JCU's confidence.  Considering that JCU took Mount to the limit last year (also on the road, as this year's game will be), it's hard to figure out why Mount blowing out John Carroll from 2000-2010 would have anything to do with the teams' respective attitudes on 11/15.

Seriously.  I have no idea why fans think that results from 2005 would matter to college kids in 2014.

[jknezek]

Coach Arth will have the team ready to the best of their abilities.  I do not doubt that.  However, to think that they will be confident is a bit of stretch.  Playing a team to whom you have lost for decades and a team that has made a mockery of you more often than not in those games does not really lend it self to coming in confident.

Relevance of those "decades" to the guys playing in 2014?  Virtually zero.

The last few seasons are pretty much the only results that should have any effect on JCU's confidence.  Considering that JCU took Mount to the limit last year (also on the road, as this year's game will be), it's hard to figure out why Mount blowing out John Carroll from 2000-2010 would have anything to do with the teams' respective attitudes on 11/15.

Seriously.  I have no idea why fans think that results from 2005 would matter to college kids in 2014.

I'm not 100% in agreement on this. W&L lost for 18 straight years to E&H. Every year when that game came up, the boys knew about the history. If there was one game they wanted to win, it was that one. Sometimes it caused them to play tight, and some good W&L teams lost to some not as good E&H teams, but it mattered. That streak mattered.

This year I was at the W&L at Sewanee game where Sewanee snapped their 10 game losing streak. By and large Sewanee is not a campus that much worries about what their football team does, but by the time we left that campus was lit up big time. They knew the history, or at least it was explained as the game went on and the Tigers were looking to pull it out.

That kind of history matters. Sometimes in a good way, and sometimes it intimidates, but most teams know their history. I know the W&L, E&H, and Sewanee boys knew and some didn't want to be the ones to have the streak ended, and the others desperately wanted to be the ones to end the streak...

[SaintsFAN]

Coach Arth will have the team ready to the best of their abilities.  I do not doubt that.  However, to think that they will be confident is a bit of stretch.  Playing a team to whom you have lost for decades and a team that has made a mockery of you more often than not in those games does not really lend it self to coming in confident.

Relevance of those "decades" to the guys playing in 2014?  Virtually zero.

The last few seasons are pretty much the only results that should have any effect on JCU's confidence.  Considering that JCU took Mount to the limit last year (also on the road, as this year's game will be), it's hard to figure out why Mount blowing out John Carroll from 2000-2010 would have anything to do with the teams' respective attitudes on 11/15.

Seriously.  I have no idea why fans think that results from 2005 would matter to college kids in 2014.

Agree 110% -- very well said. +K

[SaintsFAN]

This year I was at the W&L at Sewanee game where Sewanee snapped their 10 game losing streak. By and large Sewanee is not a campus that much worries about what their football team does, but by the time we left that campus was lit up big time. They knew the history, or at least it was explained as the game went on and the Tigers were looking to pull it out.

Did they "Mountaineer" their couches? 

Was at the 5 OT Louisville/West Virginia thriller in 2005 (also known as Pat White's coming out party) -- they burned couches.  Crazy stuff.

[Dr. Acula]

On Mounts side of the ball they have to run. I saw some stuff I did not like in the pass game on Sat. It is ALL timing. Burke takes snap, half step back, turn and throw. Not too much second and third read. Problem is that OTT had good coverage, the wind (couldn't go deep) and the timing was off. I would love to see Mount throw in a wrinkle and use some WR motion across the set. Something to keep the LBs and DBs moving. A good defense (UWW and the like) has an advantage when they can just set the defense and go.  Those late adjustments, just before snap, by the D gives the O an advantage. IMHO. Previous games don't matter here - Mount will get JCUs best shot. I look for JCU to try to hit one real early and force the pace from the start. Having said that...Mount 613 JCU 3...no this has all the possibility of a 27-24.

However - first it is BW...then the JCU banter can begin!

One minor thing I've noticed repeatedly this year is high snaps screwing with the timing too.  Not high enough to blow up the play, but high enough that Burke has to make the extra movement to reach/jump to get the snap instead of just catching it and setting to throw those quick passes.  It also causes the RB to kind of studder step if it's a run. 

I wish BW week meant we had other things to talk about, but alas it doesn't.  Again. 

[Spurrier]

Polar bears could easily be 7 and 1 right now with a shoot-out loss to Heidelberg and a late touchdown  loss against jcu...(don't really see mount having any trouble there)...discuss...where all my polar bears at?

Aww for crying out loud! Would someone please tell Spurrier where all the dang Polar Bears are hiding. The poor guy has been looking for them all season.

. No poop...u would think someone in Ada has a computer and an internet connection...i understand wireless may not have made it there yet

[formerd3db]

Coach Arth will have the team ready to the best of their abilities.  I do not doubt that.  However, to think that they will be confident is a bit of stretch.  Playing a team to whom you have lost for decades and a team that has made a mockery of you more often than not in those games does not really lend it self to coming in confident.

Relevance of those "decades" to the guys playing in 2014?  Virtually zero.

The last few seasons are pretty much the only results that should have any effect on JCU's confidence.  Considering that JCU took Mount to the limit last year (also on the road, as this year's game will be), it's hard to figure out why Mount blowing out John Carroll from 2000-2010 would have anything to do with the teams' respective attitudes on 11/15.

Seriously.  I have no idea why fans think that results from 2005 would matter to college kids in 2014.

I'm not 100% in agreement on this. W&L lost for 18 straight years to E&H. Every year when that game came up, the boys knew about the history. If there was one game they wanted to win, it was that one. Sometimes it caused them to play tight, and some good W&L teams lost to some not as good E&H teams, but it mattered. That streak mattered.

This year I was at the W&L at Sewanee game where Sewanee snapped their 10 game losing streak. By and large Sewanee is not a campus that much worries about what their football team does, but by the time we left that campus was lit up big time. They knew the history, or at least it was explained as the game went on and the Tigers were looking to pull it out.

That kind of history matters. Sometimes in a good way, and sometimes it intimidates, but most teams know their history. I know the W&L, E&H, and Sewanee boys knew and some didn't want to be the ones to have the streak ended, and the others desperately wanted to be the ones to end the streak...

Coach Arth will have the team ready to the best of their abilities.  I do not doubt that.  However, to think that they will be confident is a bit of stretch.  Playing a team to whom you have lost for decades and a team that has made a mockery of you more often than not in those games does not really lend it self to coming in confident.

Relevance of those "decades" to the guys playing in 2014?  Virtually zero.

The last few seasons are pretty much the only results that should have any effect on JCU's confidence.  Considering that JCU took Mount to the limit last year (also on the road, as this year's game will be), it's hard to figure out why Mount blowing out John Carroll from 2000-2010 would have anything to do with the teams' respective attitudes on 11/15.

Seriously.  I have no idea why fans think that results from 2005 would matter to college kids in 2014.

I'd like to jump in here and share my thoughts on this in general, if I may.

Excellent posts both of you even though your opinions are somewhat divergent, so +k for each.  In reality, I think you are both correct-it just depends on the program.  I believe that ETP is correct for many programs that today's young players have no idea nor do they care about past history of their programs.  Which, IMO, is a shame.  Not everyone appreciates the tradition and history of their college's football program, some of which have storied histories and in some cases, even paved the way for today's current players to even have the opportunity to be there.  When I played at Hope, this tradition was of high important-one particular example that I can share relates to the fact of that time in which Hope had won 20 Homecoming games in a row.  Thus, just as jknezek commented, we certainly did not want to be the ones who broke that streak (and luckily, we did not).

On the other hand, as mentioned, I realize such is not of importance to many of today's players.  I'm not throwing judgement at them for that as I believe it is just a result of today's society in general.  However, IMO, it is a shame because to me and my teammates in our day, the history did mean something and was important.  Again, however, not everyone loves the old time history of college football like I and others of you do, but that is just the way it is and that's okay.

[Desertraider]

Polar bears could easily be 7 and 1 right now with a shoot-out loss to Heidelberg and a late touchdown  loss against jcu...(don't really see mount having any trouble there)...discuss...where all my polar bears at?

Aww for crying out loud! Would someone please tell Spurrier where all the dang Polar Bears are hiding. The poor guy has been looking for them all season.

. No poop...u would think someone in Ada has a computer and an internet connection...i understand wireless may not have made it there yet

Someone in Ada does have internet...they just have not met the other one with a computer. Two great tastes that go great together!

As far as Mount and JCU - no one at JCU gives a crap what happened over the last 10, 12, infinity years. Those players see what they have - and they have a shot. I remember what happened when a team from Middle-of-nowhere, WI decided they did not care what happened in previous years against Mount. The hardest thing to do against Mount (I think) is to beat them once. Ask UWW. Beat em once and you have gotten past the mystique, and once you do that its just two teams playing ball. 

[Onward on, John Carroll]

I'm not saying that the kids are going to roll over, I was merely stating that it is nearly impossible to think that JCU, or any other OAC school, for that matter, will be confident coming into this game. Mount is up 10 before the game starts most of the time based on reputation and immediate past dominance (which these kids have experienced for the most part). While this year's team may not be able to recite scores from years gone by, I find it hard to believe that Mount's dominance does not effect another program's culture and confidence. I hope I'm wrong and I hope we get that "first win".

However, as I stated above, I think our best hope is to outscore Mount and that is not a  great strategy. Unfortunately, it's the only option as JCU cannot physically manhandle the Raiders. Just my opinion. I do think JCU is better this year and we do have a chance.

[HCAlum86]

JCU 27 UMU 24

[mr_mom]

Week #10 Spreads have been posted. 

Some great national games this week.  Was kind and restricted myself to only five of them.

Please get your picks in before Noon Saturday.  Or at worst, before the games start.

[SaintsFAN]

JCU 27 UMU 24

Halftime score

[Desertraider]

JCU 27 UMU 24

Halftime score

Keep in mind that HCAlum has already given the title of "Best team in Ohio" to JCU and is on record as saying they have the best talent. I think JCU will get 10 in first quarter, they may even get 14-17 by halftime. But the final will be 45-17 Mount. JCU makes playoffs - but Mount wins the game and the rematch.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

JCU 27 UMU 24

Halftime score

Keep in mind that HCAlum has already given the title of "Best team in Ohio" to JCU and is on record as saying they have the best talent. I think JCU will get 10 in first quarter, they may even get 14-17 by halftime. But the final will be 45-17 Mount. JCU makes playoffs - but Mount wins the game and the rematch.

I would love for him to be right but I am not convinced.

[Raider 68]

Assuming both Mount Union and John Carroll win game #9 against B-W and Otterbein, what are factors affecting the game
on 11-15-14?

A few thoughts on regular season big games at Mount Union:

- Capital in the Rocky Pentello years ( ten I think) came to Alliance with high hopes (rightly so) and with a very good team, lead by a
  top notch QB (one of the OAC's best) IMHO

- JCU came with a very good team and a top notch QB Tom Arth

- ONU came to Alliance in 2005 with a very well balance team and won 21-14, the last regular season loss to date.
   The Raiders went on to win the conference and the National title that year.

Now it is 2014, and both Mount Union and JCU are in the top 3 (statistics) in all of D3. It will be a highly energized atmosphere with
two top notch teams.

What will be the factors: depth, improved defense, takeaways, and a very good running game.