FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

The thing that would worry me as a Berg fan is that the D has always been bad.  In the past the offense covered up for that.  But was it a "lightning in a bottle" class that made that happen?  When I watched them last year I didn't see the star power at the skill spots anymore.  Maybe they were really young last year though. 

[HansenRatings]

The thing that would worry me as a Berg fan is that the D has always been bad.  In the past the offense covered up for that.  But was it a "lightning in a bottle" class that made that happen?  When I watched them last year I didn't see the star power at the skill spots anymore.  Maybe they were really young last year though. 

I didn't see them play, but my model would argue against the defense "holding on" in 2012. Last year though, their AdjO & AdjD ratings were both the worst they had been since 2011:





Reference: https://loghan.shinyapps.io/Ratings_History/

[hsbsballcoach7]

As for Mount, I think their offense will be fine. QB will be solid with options Peyakov, Klaver, Lowry, Poorman among a couple of other talented freshmen. I'll pick Poorman to start by meaningful games.  RB will be solid with Mitchell, Johnson and Evans-Morris. I think it will be a relatively equal split with lots of carries to go around to take the pressure off of a new starter at QB. Oline will be a strength with 3 returners and many talented waiting in the wings. Receivers will be solid, but after Kennedy and Hargrove. I want to see some younger guys step up. I know there are juniors to be that contributed last year,  just not convinced they are all championship quality.

Defense is the main thing that I'm most interested to watch this season. I think we will see MANY young guys step up into starting roles by mid-OAC games. As others mentioned, I like Vidal, Berry, Grant and Breyer on the Dline (which is most important). Linebackers will be very young, I'm thinking they plug sophomores in here and ride them through some bumps with Dear and Deerr being the experienced guys keeping them straight. Backfield looks like Berry for sure with other CB spot open. White at one safety spot and other open.

I'm not as worried as I would've been the past couple of seasons because I've gained confidence in this coaching staff as a whole now in developing players and making adjustments in a game plan. I see many upperclassmen getting the first shot at starting spots, but leashes won't be very long by week 4 at ONU.

Let's talk OAC!
Is it going to be UMU, JCU, ONU, then everyone else again? I think there will be many closer games this year for UMU, but JCU and ONU graduated some key starters as well. I'm excited to see what the Purple Raiders will be putting on the field this year!

[Dr. Acula]

I would add Groves as a likely starter in the secondary with Berry and White.  He played a lot as a soph.

[Desertraider]

Hank needs some help-

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20160712gucvao

Cast your vote for Hank Spencer!

[hsbsballcoach7]

A couple of more thoughts while I'm at it for UMU, each year that they've won, they've had that explosive WR with Garçon, Shorts, Collins, and Namdar. We need someone to fill that spot. Maybe that's the transfer Pressley or maybe it's Hargrove or a young guy, but they need someone.

I also forgot about Octavion Wilson at WR. He was coming on strong at the end of the season and got injured. Personally, I hope they find time for Skyler Scott as well, big body, good hands and tough. I wonder if he would fill the TE spot that we began to use at the end of the season. We didn't use the TE to block a ton (in my untrained eye), but more for misdirection and receiving.

Two other transfers I noticed were Max Williams (redshirt from Kent and former St Eds) has some size at 6-1 240 on the Dline. Another one is Adam Mihoci (California, PA) at 6-1, 280 played and had 24 tackles and 2 sacks. Whether they start or not, they'll add competition and/or depth.

[Dr. Acula]

A little Monday morning food for thought...

BJ Mitchell is less than 200 yds from moving into 4th place on the career rushing list behind Kmic, Moore and Pugh.  I forgot that he rushed for over 1300 yds as a freshman.  He's got a good chance to end his career in top 5 in career rushing yds and ypc. 

[HScoach]

^  proof that statistics can hide the truth.   

Mitchell is stellar against the lesser teams and disappears against the top.   Which is the opposite of the 1st three guys on that list.

Nemeth's tough between the tackles running is a large reason Mount won the title last year.   That hole must be filled by someone this fall.

[raiderguy]

^  proof that statistics can hide the truth.   

Mitchell is stellar against the lesser teams and disappears against the top.   Which is the opposite of the 1st three guys on that list.

Nemeth's tough between the tackles running is a large reason Mount won the title last year.   That hole must be filled by someone this fall.

Amen.... the only bad part is it took them three years to finally utilize his skills. We should have been in at least one additional Stagg Bowl win if he had been used like last year. IMO.

[hsbsballcoach7]

^  proof that statistics can hide the truth.   

Mitchell is stellar against the lesser teams and disappears against the top.   Which is the opposite of the 1st three guys on that list.

Nemeth's tough between the tackles running is a large reason Mount won the title last year.   That hole must be filled by someone this fall.

Amen.... the only bad part is it took them three years to finally utilize his skills. We should have been in at least one additional Stagg Bowl win if he had been used like last year. IMO.

This is one of my main points why I will no longer worry about the offense under this coaching staff. They've grown immensely and have made adjustments in their offensive scheme when needed. I feel we were best when we went to a 2 running back tandem with misdirection. The thing that makes it successful is having someone that can run tough between the tackles well. I'm not sure that would be Johnson, but maybe more Evans-Morris type of running. In order to stay healthy, I hope each gets a split, which I imagine will happen often against some lesser teams anyway.

After watching some Malik Pressley video, I'm encouraged with his athleticism, runs well, and ability to use his hands. He won't be given anything, but looks like he could be a contributor. How much he contributes is up to him and how quickly our new qb acclimates.

[Dr. Acula]

^  proof that statistics can hide the truth.   

Mitchell is stellar against the lesser teams and disappears against the top.   Which is the opposite of the 1st three guys on that list.

Nemeth's tough between the tackles running is a large reason Mount won the title last year.   That hole must be filled by someone this fall.

I believe he is passing Murray for #4 so it's clearly a Big 3 and then the rest.  In the case of Mount Union running backs the Mount Rushmore may only have 3 faces on it. 

[Dr. Acula]

^  proof that statistics can hide the truth.   

Mitchell is stellar against the lesser teams and disappears against the top.   Which is the opposite of the 1st three guys on that list.

Nemeth's tough between the tackles running is a large reason Mount won the title last year.   That hole must be filled by someone this fall.

Amen.... the only bad part is it took them three years to finally utilize his skills. We should have been in at least one additional Stagg Bowl win if he had been used like last year. IMO.

This is one of my main points why I will no longer worry about the offense under this coaching staff. They've grown immensely and have made adjustments in their offensive scheme when needed. I feel we were best when we went to a 2 running back tandem with misdirection. The thing that makes it successful is having someone that can run tough between the tackles well. I'm not sure that would be Johnson, but maybe more Evans-Morris type of running. In order to stay healthy, I hope each gets a split, which I imagine will happen often against some lesser teams anyway.

After watching some Malik Pressley video, I'm encouraged with his athleticism, runs well, and ability to use his hands. He won't be given anything, but looks like he could be a contributor. How much he contributes is up to him and how quickly our new qb acclimates.

The thing I worry about is that Nemeth was 195, but ran like he was 215.  Do they have anyone with that power?  The biggest back coming back that had varsity carries is Nero at 190.  Mitchell and Johnson are both 170.  They're both good and they're going to run all over the OAC teams.  Past the 2nd round of the playoffs may be a different story.  But like you said, this staff has earned the trust so I won't worry.

[Desertraider]

^  proof that statistics can hide the truth.   

Mitchell is stellar against the lesser teams and disappears against the top.   Which is the opposite of the 1st three guys on that list.

Nemeth's tough between the tackles running is a large reason Mount won the title last year.   That hole must be filled by someone this fall.

Amen.... the only bad part is it took them three years to finally utilize his skills. We should have been in at least one additional Stagg Bowl win if he had been used like last year. IMO.

This is one of my main points why I will no longer worry about the offense under this coaching staff. They've grown immensely and have made adjustments in their offensive scheme when needed. I feel we were best when we went to a 2 running back tandem with misdirection. The thing that makes it successful is having someone that can run tough between the tackles well. I'm not sure that would be Johnson, but maybe more Evans-Morris type of running. In order to stay healthy, I hope each gets a split, which I imagine will happen often against some lesser teams anyway.

After watching some Malik Pressley video, I'm encouraged with his athleticism, runs well, and ability to use his hands. He won't be given anything, but looks like he could be a contributor. How much he contributes is up to him and how quickly our new qb acclimates.

The thing I worry about is that Nemeth was 195, but ran like he was 215.  Do they have anyone with that power?  The biggest back coming back that had varsity carries is Nero at 190.  Mitchell and Johnson are both 170.  They're both good and they're going to run all over the OAC teams.  Past the 2nd round of the playoffs may be a different story.  But like you said, this staff has earned the trust so I won't worry.

RB does concern me a bit. I like Nero - hard worker on and off the field - but Nemeth was a beast last season. I don't see a Nemeth on this roster yet. BJ and Johnson will be tough but they both have the same, or at least similar, skill set. BJ is wicked quick but he dances too much for my liking. Plus, in case you haven't heard before, I am not a fan of how he carries the ball. Nuff said on that. Now previously I stated that I don't see a Nemeth "yet". Mount has a way of springing a kid on to the set, 3 or 4 games in, that no one expected much from. Who knows? In the end Mount will adjust and re-load. The coaches I am sure have a plan.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Nemeth was listed at only 5' 9" 170.  Played much bigger than his size.

Hopefully the next good downhill runner is somewhere on the roster

Dwane Aaron - Sr -  5' 7" 185
Braxton Alexander - So - 5' 9" 180
Jawanza Evans-Morris - So - 5' 8" 180
Dalton Hartshorn - So - 5' 9" 170 (Interesting Last Name RE Mount Union)
Jamal Johnson - Jr - 5' 7" 170
Austin Lockett - Jr - 5' 9" 190
Bailey Minholer-Wortinger - So - 5' 8" 185
Bradley Mitchell - Sr - 5' 6" 170
Elliot Nero - Jr - 5' 11" - 190

[Dr. Acula]

I'm curious where you found that height/weight for Nemeth?  He was listed at 5'10" 195 on the 2015 roster.

My concern with the RB's (and with all of the skill positions really) is that I just don't know how much they'll be pushed before the playoffs.  I think JCU will be a solid test, but outside of that?  My hopes aren't overly high for the OAC again this year.