FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[hsbsballcoach7]

I think Wesleys passing game was very good and their run game was average, now Whitewaters offense is very good at running the ball and average passing game. I think we're going to have to see Mount Union play more of a 4-3 defense as opposed to the 3-4 that it looked like they were playing today. I also liked the new use of Lane Clark and was he faster than I expected!

[BoBo]

ESPN's Gameday is officially going to Philly for Army/Navy next Saturday. I've been to about 20 of them, and there's nothing like it in the world - even a UWW/UMU matchup doesn't compare. Just received the alert on my phone.

[emma17]

Congrats Mt on the victory.  As discussed, games that provide a challenge are highly beneficial.  Granted, Wesley provided a much different looking challenge than UWW will, nevertheless the Raider players and coaches at least had to face some adversity.
I guess the previous statement that UWW's passing game is average is accurate in comparison to what you just saw, but there is more to a passing game than a nimble, strong armed QB and talented receivers like Wesley has. 

Rest assured you aren't the only fans worried about a weakness you've seen in your team.  UWW has some struggles in important areas as well, which really makes this game interesting. 

Very funny comments regarding smiting.

Btw, by any chance do any Mt folks have experience with the Amtrak between Alliance and Chicago?


   

[mr_mom]

ESPN's Gameday is officially going to Philly for Army/Navy next Saturday. I've been to about 20 of them, and there's nothing like it in the world - even a UWW/UMU matchup doesn't compare. Just received the alert on my phone.

Thank them for us, Bo-Bo!

[SaintsFAN]

If I hear another one of our Mount faithful trumpeting how GREAT the defense is, I am going to puke!  When are you people going to learn that until Mount plays in the quarters or semis, they don't play anyone that is any good.  It's been that way for the last forever (for the most part).  If the defense plays like this (which I think they will), we are going to get shoved around next week just like we always do against the WIAC. 

And then it will be can our offense line hold up against a strong, athletic defensive line?  Who knows at this point.

POTY. +K

Talking to my wife in the morning about changing my flight from Boston this Friday to Cleveland.  I'd love to be at this game so I can see the ultimate indicator in the UMU/Whitewater "series", the play of the Oline and Dline. 

The Wesley passing attack is very good, but it's my belief the Linfield aerial show is better and when healthy, Riddle is the D3football.com 1st team guy at QB.  Knect was filthy today for Linfield in his first career start! 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Btw, by any chance do any Mt folks have experience with the Amtrak between Alliance and Chicago?

I took it A LONG time ago (early 90s).  It's not too bad, just lots of stops.  Hard to sleep.  The Alliance to Chicago run was overnight.

[Pat Coleman]

In all the playoff talk I missed this:

http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/12/04/mike-hallett-toledo-rockets-coaching-staff

Could mean the Berg falls off the map again.

Psst ... his picture is on the front page of D3football.com.

[Desertraider]

In all the playoff talk I missed this:

http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/12/04/mike-hallett-toledo-rockets-coaching-staff

Could mean the Berg falls off the map again.

Psst ... his picture is on the front page of D3football.com.

Well now I see it. Sorry but I haven't been to the front page all week - the boards are where the action is!

[bleedpurple]

Congrats Mt on the victory.  As discussed, games that provide a challenge are highly beneficial.  Granted, Wesley provided a much different looking challenge than UWW will, nevertheless the Raider players and coaches at least had to face some adversity.
I guess the previous statement that UWW's passing game is average is accurate in comparison to what you just saw, but there is more to a passing game than a nimble, strong armed QB and talented receivers like Wesley has. 

Rest assured you aren't the only fans worried about a weakness you've seen in your team.  UWW has some struggles in important areas as well, which really makes this game interesting. 

Very funny comments regarding smiting.

Btw, by any chance do any Mt folks have experience with the Amtrak between Alliance and Chicago?

Thank you Holtzie.

Ummm. Yeah. Mount was up 35 at half. Adversity.  UW-W just beat the WIAC Champ on their home field. Perfect team? Of course not. But the front seven is lights out. The offensive line is beast-like. And I wouldn't trade Jordan Ratliffe for any running back in the country. That's not an awful formula.

[HScoach]

^ that's the perfect recipe for beating Mount.  Not saying who will win, but there have been tons of all-world QB's to play Mount and all have lost.  Dominant line play has a much better success rate, especially when they are Wisconsin corn fed. 

Should be a good one.  Hopefully the weather won't be a factor.

[edward de vere]

Based on the current forecast, I'm hoping the Wisconsin Corn-Fedders suffer from heat exhaustion on Saturday.

[Raider 68]

A few thoughts on yesterday.

The facts are that the Raiders won by 3 TD's, held Wesley 140 yards below their average, and 18 points below their average
score. This result against a team who led the nation in yards per game 602 and forced 4 turn overs. This against one of the best QB's in D3,
a three year starter and twice nominated for the Gagliardi award. So the defense gave up 35 points but
the question going forward, what will the results this Saturday and the potential Stagg tell us? So, by leading the nation on defense
for the entire year against teams that are not any good, is bad then I take it any day. The Raider title teams all had good
balance, and some years the offense was better and made the difference, but we will not know how this team will be
measured until the next few weeks. The year's team has a "Top" defense when you compare the other 3 teams in the playoffs,
good or great does not matter as yet, they deserve some respect for their efforts through 13 games, IMHO.

- UWW has a different style than Wesley, strong running game, strong oline and a better defense than Wesley.

- Wesley has a much better passing game and big play capability.

- HSCoach is correct, in that the line play will make a difference.

- The Raiders have something to prove this time and they have the opportunity to do it before a potential Stagg.

- All four semi-finalists can win it all, the games will be close, hard fought, with the winner's victory margin 10 points or less.

[wesleydad]

After yesterday's game, I think the puzzling term for me is GREAT.  Mount has a very GOOD defense.  As far as #21 replacing #5 and what affect it will have on this week's game, I think it will be negative if UWW has a receiver who can take advantage of the height difference.  #21 is short, guessing about 5-10 at best and Wesley did target him with Okike who is about 6-4.  I don't expect UWW to come out slinging the ball all over because it looks like Mount has trouble dealing with a strong passing offense.  They will do what they do and dare you to stop it.  There will be a large dose of Ratliff and the big boys up front.  If Mount can deal with it they have a chance, if not they don't.  I think it is pretty safe to say that UWW has a better defense than Wesley does so Nemeth and Namdar are not likely to get the yards they got today.  The wild card here to me is Scott.  He makes some great throws, but then he is all over the place with others.  When he scrambles around he looks helter skelter and does not throw the ball away enough.  He took several bad sacks when it would have been easy to just toss it out of bounds.  I have not seen UWW play except for on the computer so I am not sure exactly how they will do this week.  They gave up points yesterday to Oshkosh who also had some turnovers so this looks like it will be a game of who doesn't turn it over and can do what they do best.  Good luck to both teams.

[rscl70]

My concerns are not with Mount's defense.  They will be fine if the offense does their job and keeps the "D" rested.  My concern is the offense which I think has been inconsistent all year, especially in the passing game.  When Scott goes back to throw you just don't know what will happen.  The run game with Nemeth has looked good, but really hasn't had to perform against a strong defensive front.  Yesterday the offense was outstanding in the first half, then just took the second half off, losing their focus and intensity.  That put the defense on the field for much too long and gave Wesley the opportunity they needed to make a game of it.  If the offense can do its job next Saturday the defense will be just fine, but this is where my discomfort lies.

Here's to a great game by both teams and (finally) a Raider victory.  Should be a great afternoon of football.

[reality check]

- The Raiders have something to prove this time and they have the opportunity to do it before a potential Stagg.

They didn't have something to prove all the other times?  Great analysis...