FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

It kind of reminds me of the Big Ten where everyone circled the one date late in the year and it's been dress rehearsals up until then.  Our scenario being even less competitive than the Big Ten though.  This is fun.  OAC title, #1 regional seed and the chance at a perfect season on the line this week!

[Pat Coleman]

Triple Take always has a "which top 25 team is most likely to lose" question.  I wonder if any of the guys this week will have the nerve to say 'Mount Union'?  Unless we have been totally led astray, John Carroll will be BY FAR their sternest test of the season, and they DO lose about one regular season game a decade, and don't yet have a loss this decade, so ...

We generally don't pick Top 25 vs. Top 25 games for the "most likely to be upset" question.

[wesleydad]

Hey Mount friends, long time no chat.  What is the early feel for this weeks game?  Mount and JCU have trounced most teams in similar fashion on the scoreboard at least.  Does JCU have a chance?  Has the Mount D improved that much from last years one that got lit up in the last 3 games?  No trip this year, I have to choose between and 6 hour ride to Mount or a 10 min ride to Widener this Saturday.  I have to save my crazy trip for the playoffs, but it looks like we may end up on opposite sides of the brackets if the seedings match the rankings.  Good luck this week.

[Toph]

Does JCU have a chance?

Yes.  They have a chance.  No doubt about it.

[Desertraider]

Does JCU have a chance?

Yes.  They have a chance.  No doubt about it.

They have more than a chance. The key for JCU is to start strong. If Mount gets out to 10, 14, 21 early then its over. The mental side will kick in at that point. They have to start strong - get a stop on Mounts first series and then put points on the board. In all honesty - I wish this game was at JCU. Kinda funny but Mount is actually better (statistically) on the road. They give up fewer points, yards passing & rushing. Two things I do not want to see: 1) weather to be a factor and 2) injuries to play a role. I want to see both teams at full strength and able to play their game. Good luck to all....BUT "The Autumn Wind Is A Raider!!"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzEYK_XjyLg

[ohiofan1954]

So what do you think? Is this going to be a high scoring shootout the way the stats show it to be or will we be disappointed by another pretender to the crown again?

[Toph]

So what do you think? Is this going to be a high scoring shootout the way the stats show it to be or will we be disappointed by another pretender to the crown again?

JCU gave Mount a pretty good shot last year...they were playing with a chance to tie at the end of the game.  I don't know if that could be considered a disappointment.  I think some folks forget just how close that game was because it started with Mount dominating, but Carroll nearly came all the way back.

The playoff loss, however, was a disappointment.

I think both offenses are too good to stop consistently.  Assuming weather isn't a factor, I expect a shootout.

[ohiofan1954]

So what do you think? Is this going to be a high scoring shootout the way the stats show it to be or will we be disappointed by another pretender to the crown again?

JCU gave Mount a pretty good shot last year...they were playing with a chance to tie at the end of the game.  I don't know if that could be considered a disappointment.  I think some folks forget just how close that game was because it started with Mount dominating, but Carroll nearly came all the way back.

The playoff loss, however, was a disappointment.

I think both offenses are too good to stop consistently.  Assuming weather isn't a factor, I expect a shootout.

Thanks for the correctin Toph. I did forget the ending. Oh well as for the weather remember the famous quote from Under Siege 2. "Assumption is the mother of al f### ups.

[mr_mom]

Congratulations to 02 Warhawk who managed to score 11 of 15 points in this week's contest to take medalist honors.  MasterJedi and
wesleydad were on his heels with 10 each.

Well, the fat-lady is clearing her throat as theaprof's closest three competitors managed a total of 4 points between them, leaving him 9 clear of FCGrizzliesGrad.  Even with a couple extra queries pertaining to the OAC Championship Game, I think it is too much for the prodigious pundit of prediction to overcome.

Final week spreads come out Monday night.

[Raider 68]

Does JCU have a chance?

Yes.  They have a chance.  No doubt about it.

They have more than a chance. The key for JCU is to start strong. If Mount gets out to 10, 14, 21 early then its over. The mental side will kick in at that point. They have to start strong - get a stop on Mounts first series and then put points on the board. In all honesty - I wish this game was at JCU. Kinda funny but Mount is actually better (statistically) on the road. They give up fewer points, yards passing & rushing. Two things I do not want to see: 1) weather to be a factor and 2) injuries to play a role. I want to see both teams at full strength and able to play their game. Good luck to all....BUT "The Autumn Wind Is A Raider!!"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzEYK_XjyLg

desertraider.

In last year's game, Mount led at halftime 28-10, but JCU came back. The Raiders were up 42-27 with 6+ minutes left in the game. 2014 vs. 2013, the Raider Defense leads all of D3, which was not nearly the case in 2013. For 2014, Mount has given up 54 points in 9 games vs. 2013 when they game up 99 points for 9 games. It will be a great game, but there is a greater difference in 2014. Luc Meachum was the about the only guy catching passes (175 yard game) in 2013. For this game, Burke has Namdar, Scott and Meachum. We'll see on Saturday!

[SaintsFAN]

desertraider.

In last year's game, Mount led at halftime 28-0, but JCU came back. The Raiders were up 42-17 with 6+ minutes left in the game. 2014 vs. 2013, the Raider Defense leads all of D3, which was not nearly the case in 2013. For 2014, Mount has given up 54 points in 9 games vs. 2013 when they game up 99 points for 9 games. It will be a great game, but there is a greater difference in 2014. Luc Meachum was the about the only guy catching passes (175 yard game) in 2013. For this game, Burke has Namdar, Scott and Meachum. We'll see on Saturday!

The PPG comparison as a way of telling how much better Mount's defense is in 2014 is just silly.   I don't think any of us have ANY idea what Mount's defense will be like vs a playoff opponent like JCU.  You can look at total number of points given up but you must remember the 8 OAC teams are joined by Bethany on 2014's schedule instead of a very good Franklin offense from 2013's non conference game. 

Plus, JCU's offense seems to be better in 2014 - not just statistically.  Myers and Co has another year under their belt together.  I'm as interested in how Mount's defense plays as I am interested in seeing how JCU performs as a team in Alliance.

[raiderpa]

Long range  forecast is for mid 30's and partly sunny for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday next week..so hopefully that will hold up and weather will not be a factor.  No advance tickets left..Standing room goes on sale at 10 AM on game day.

Looking ahead, If Mount wins they get a top seed in a quarters bracket, however, if the national rankings hold, if Mount wins out and gets to the national semifinal, they would have to travel to, most likely, Belton Texas...again if all goes according to the perfect plan and numbers 2 and 3 are in the bracket to meet in the semis. 

This would be the first road trip, other than the Stagg, for Mount for a long long time. 

If Mount loses they could go a number of places...but could be placed to meet JCU again, I hope not.

Should  be very interesting.   Not counting any chickens here, just like to look ahead at the possibilities.

[PurpleSuit]

Mount will not play a road playoff game if they beat JCU.  They would have the top regular season victory of anyone (maybe Williamette over Linfield) and the past season tiebreaker would favor Mount over UMHB.  A win over JCU probably puts Mount over UMHB in the polls as well.

[HScoach]

^  I disagree.    Last year's results put MHB ahead of Mount in seeding.  Assuming Mount wins on Saturday, my magic 8-ball says UWW and MHB are the top 2 seeds.

But we have a HUGE hurdle to get over before we worry about seedings.     MTU/JCU has all the makings of a great contest.  Shaking the 8-ball one more time reveals:
Mount 45
JCU 41

[02 Warhawk]

Considering Mount is only 1 point behind MHB in the Top 25, a win over JCU will probably get them to the #2 spot. However, that doesn't mean anything when the committee creates the playoff brackets.