FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Bombers798891]

I would have to agree that watching a great team and great players at the D3 level executing at a high level is still entertaining. .

I have gone to one non-Ithaca football game in my life as a fan, and it was to see Mount Union play at Fisher. I went with my dad because we agreed that we'd never get another chance to see Mount in action. Fisher got absolutely obliterated (52-10, and it wasn't that close). Shorts caught 5-155-3, and I remain convinced that Mount absolutely held back in using him (not in the pull the starters sense, but in the "Well, that will be there when we need it, let's work on this instead" sense).

Totally worth it.

[section13raiderfan]

I recall an away game at  Otterbein once back when Smeck was just getting used to college football Qbing. The radio guy was broadcasting from the stands ( not sure for who ) and was trying to be heard by the station but not those seated around him. His view of the game was no better than mine but he probably got in free. I paid full price. 😉 He didnt look like he was really into that game even though interceptions kept it close for awhile. My sons thought he was nuts sitting alone and chattering all game. They didnt beiieve he was a radio guy.😀  It was probably a wasted day for him but good family time for me. I woulda broadcasted that game for free.

[bluestreak66]

JCU vs. Oshkosh week 1?!?! 

[Pat Coleman]

JCU vs. Oshkosh week 1?!?! 

Pretty cool, right?

[JCUStreaks70]

JCU vs. Oshkosh week 1?!?! 

Pretty cool, right?

Well it depends.. A win versus Oshkosh gives the entire conference credibility, and can really help playoff credentials, if for instance JCU goes 8-2, with losses to Mount Union, and let's say Ohio Northern. However, a loss to Oshkosh, means that JCU will almost have to win out to reach the playoffs.. Now with that said, if it is another year where we see a few 8-2 teams get in the playoffs, then an 8-2 JCU team with losses to Mount and Oshkosh (assuming Oshkosh has the same season they had last year) than yes, it will be great.

Either way, if JCU wins this game, then this really does a lot to settle the OAC vs. WIAC debate.

[raiderpa]

i don't think a JCU win at OshKosh necessarily gives the conference any leg up.  The teams are not the 2015 versions, and it has yet to be seen what they will bring to the table.  However, if JCU wins and Oshkosh goes 8-2 / 9-1, that does give some credence.
Whatever, I will be rooting like crazy for the OAC out of conference and will enjoy this one on e live stream, I am sure.

[HScoach]

I wouldn't hold my breath for a JCU win.   Hope I'm wrong though.

[badgerwarhawk]

i don't think a JCU win at OshKosh necessarily gives the conference any leg up.  The teams are not the 2015 versions, and it has yet to be seen what they will bring to the table.  However, if JCU wins and Oshkosh goes 8-2 / 9-1, that does give some credence.
Whatever, I will be rooting like crazy for the OAC out of conference and will enjoy this one on e live stream, I am sure.

Oshkosh is going to be good and they'll contend for the WIAC championship. 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Since it's the first week of spring ball, I took a look at the spring roster. I didn't see many LBers. I thought the sophomore class had lots of them. Does anyone know if it's incorrect or if that many players truly aren't coming back? I remember some very good hs players in that class.

Looking at the Roster, it appears that they have updated their 'Year' to the Fall 2016 Year.

Fr. - 1 (Luke Poorman, QB from FL)
So. - 10 (No names stick out to me)
Jr. - 49 (Biggest Class)
Sr. - 28

I wonder if they restrict the # of underclassmen invited to participate in Spring Practice?

As far as LB, only 6 that I found on the Spring Roster.  They do run a 4-2-5 (Sometimes 4-3) Defense so maybe some of the OLB types are listed as DBs?

Updated #s on the Spring Roster:

Fr - 1 (Poorman)
So - 43
Jr - 48
Sr - 26

[Dr. Acula]

Still no Matt Lowry though?

Also noticed that the sophomores-to-be from Massillon are absent as well.  Bushman was on and off the varsity two deep at OL as a freshman.

[rscl70]

I don't know what was done in previous years re: incoming freshman, but I believe Poorman enrolled early, which may explain why he is on the roster and others are not.

[wally_wabash]

JCU vs. Oshkosh week 1?!?! 

Pretty cool, right?

Well it depends.. A win versus Oshkosh gives the entire conference credibility, and can really help playoff credentials, if for instance JCU goes 8-2, with losses to Mount Union, and let's say Ohio Northern. However, a loss to Oshkosh, means that JCU will almost have to win out to reach the playoffs.. Now with that said, if it is another year where we see a few 8-2 teams get in the playoffs, then an 8-2 JCU team with losses to Mount and Oshkosh (assuming Oshkosh has the same season they had last year) than yes, it will be great.

Either way, if JCU wins this game, then this really does a lot to settle the OAC vs. WIAC debate.

I know the wide-angle view is unavoidable, but the result of this game really only tells us about John Carroll and UW-Oshkosh and not anything about OAC and WIAC.  You'd need a full spectrum of interconference results to get to anything close to a reasonable assessment of the relative strength of these two leagues. 

Interesting thoughts regarding the potential of a JCU that beats Oshkosh and goes 8-2.  Ohio Northern benefitted in a significant way last season by 1) beating JCU h2h, 2) being the first at-large team available for selection from the North region, and 3) Platteville getting blocked by Whitworth for no real good reason at all.  There were a ton of dominoes that had to fall just right for ONU to get selected in 2015.  I definitely wouldn't want to be in a scenario where you're a 3rd place team trying to be selected at-large.  Those chances are extremely slim. 

[HScoach]

I'll be shocked if JCU competes for 60 minutes with Oshkosh.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I don't know what was done in previous years re: incoming freshman, but I believe Poorman enrolled early, which may explain why he is on the roster and others are not.

Yep.  I think he is the only early enrollee this year.  Last one I can remember previous to Poorman was Hank Spencer.

[emma17]

Wally
With the UWO- JCU game this year and the UWO- ONU game last year and all the games between UWW and Mt, it seems we could draw some reasonable conclusions as to the comparative strength of the leagues. A UWO convincing victory would tell me that the WIAC is probably much deeper, even without any other inter-league play.