FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Desertraider]

Dr. Acula,

Good post +k, Next week will be a good one, long practices this week to correct some mental errors and get ready for another
passing QB. Not sure what to make of the 72-14 JCU win, does it mean that JCU has started to jell or was it about time for
the offense to regain some form. IMHO, Heidelberg is ahead of them regardless of next week against Mount.

Or because they played Wilimngton?

[mr_mom]

I'm not sure how to quantify this week's OAC Pick-Em.  Scores ranged from 1 to 13 hitting every nunmber in between.

reality check led the way with 13 points, leap-frogging Raider 68 and Kira & Jason's Dad into first place.

Spreads for Week # 6 come out Monday night.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I'm not sure how to quantify this week's OAC Pick-Em.  Scores ranged from 1 to 13 hitting every nunmber in between.

reality check led the way with 13 points, leap-frogging Raider 68 and Kira & Jason's Dad into first place.

Spreads for Week # 6 come out Monday night.

I had a terrible week.

[JCUStreaks70]

Dr. Acula,

Good post +k, Next week will be a good one, long practices this week to correct some mental errors and get ready for another
passing QB. Not sure what to make of the 72-14 JCU win, does it mean that JCU has started to jell or was it about time for
the offense to regain some form. IMHO, Heidelberg is ahead of them regardless of next week against Mount.

Or because they played Wilimngton?

That is a distinct possibility, but maybe this helped jump start the offense?? Only time will tell I guess, right?

[merlecanlas]

Pat buried the UWW dynasty effective 9/30, but I'd argue Mount killed them in 2015 and JCU put the nail in the coffin in 2016.  Mount started their dynasty and the OAC ended it, 2017 is just the result.

[Pat Coleman]

Mount started their dynasty and the OAC ended it, 2017 is just the result.

Hmm ... you have to give them credit for starting their own dynasty. Mount Union 2002-03 just showed them up close and personal how it could be done, but Bob Berezowitz, Brian Borland and players actually did the work.

[merlecanlas]

Mount started their dynasty and the OAC ended it, 2017 is just the result.

Hmm ... you have to give them credit for starting their own dynasty. Mount Union 2002-03 just showed them up close and personal how it could be done, but Bob Berezowitz, Brian Borland and players actually did the work.

you're right, Mount showed them what to be and UWW did it.  Mount gets ripped yearly for their lone non-conference game, but would UWW have become the 2nd purple power had they not played Mount?  Did UWO pick up the same aspects by playing Mount in non-conference and UWW in conference?  who knows

[emma17]

Pat buried the UWW dynasty effective 9/30, but I'd argue Mount killed them in 2015 and JCU put the nail in the coffin in 2016.  Mount started their dynasty and the OAC ended it, 2017 is just the result.

I give great credit to Mt for helping start it, but I don't think they ended it. I think more likely the University of Buffalo ended it.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Pat buried the UWW dynasty effective 9/30, but I'd argue Mount killed them in 2015 and JCU put the nail in the coffin in 2016.  Mount started their dynasty and the OAC ended it, 2017 is just the result.

I give great credit to Mt for helping start it, but I don't think they ended it. I think more likely the University of Buffalo ended it.

When I first read your post, I flashed to Buffalo State's win; then realized you were referring to U. Buff's hiring of LL - I think you've nailed it!  Bullis seems to be a good coach, but no LL or LK.  WW may still occasionally make the semi's or even the Stagg; but I think the "Reign of Terror" (as all the rest of us would see it ) is over.

[Desertraider]

I wondered if UWWs run was done and am on the fence a bit. However, I am losing my balance and leaning towards the "run is done camp". It isn't because of the 1-3 start, rather the start is the result of the failures. A team can start 1-3 when it is reinventing itself with new staff, new approach, new coordinators, etc. But Bullis and staff are in year 3. My concern is that he took over a great program and system and didn't change much - if anything in years 1 and 2. They had a great run game, timely passing, a big o-line and the always stellar LB and DBs. But they were guys that LL and staff brought in. What I noticed was the play calling was different. The 36-6 loss to Mount left a lot of UWW fans scratching their heads in Alliance (I talked to 2 after the game and 1 during the 4th qtr) and heard the cursing of many. UWW went out to a 6-0 lead and Mount responded with 15. It was 15-6 at half and then - panic. They abandoned the run. The play calling was  like they were 6 scores down. The dfensive play calling was suspect as well - no pressure, LBs weren't active, DBs out of position - dline was nonexistent. I kept waiting for UWW to what UWW does - and it never happened. The sidelines looked defeated  and so did the coaches. It was midway through the 3rd qtr.

I haven't seen a new offensive or defensive approach this year - the formations the plays all look the UWW fotball. What I see now mostly Bullis guys. Some of the straters were brought in when LL was still there (the QB Wilbur is now a 2nd year starter, they still have Hudson and Ware) but the bulk are Bullis guys and I don't see the same level of intensity or talent - UWW stonewalled at the 1 with the game on the line?? Fumbling in the red zone with the game on the line? UWW doesn't have a line that get a yard when it has to? I still believe Hudson and Ware could play anywhere and that Wilbur is one the better (I would argue maybe top 5%) QBs in DIII. I see a few holdovers from LL with little around them in terms of talent - and m not sure the coaches are developing the players the way the previous legends have. This leads me toward the side of the fence that The Titans are the new WIAC giant. I just wonder how far UWW falls - LAX fell to the basement after their run.

I don't know if any of the above makes any sense to anyone but me - but Mount fans have asked over the years "how long can this run continue?". Every year Mount doesn't win a title (and I do this too) "oh the season was bad" or "the talent", or "the youth" - "OMG Mount lost to jcu, can it get worse?" Yes it can. Right now UWW is showing what it looks like when it crashes and I don't want to see Mount go through this. My .02 cents.

[Desertraider]

I just re-read my previous post. Good god I need to follow the same instructions I have been giving students for years: edit! Wow.

[emma17]

Your post was spot on.
Mt- you are truly fortunate.

[emma17]

I'm on the fence yet, mostly because I have to be an optimist and hold out hope. I'm thinking UWW can still win conference (ha). 

In the bigger picture, I'm very curious to see how UWW administration approaches this subject. I get the feeling most of the posters on the boards feel D3 shouldn't resemble FBS when it comes to athletic performance and employment.
UWW has had significant enrollment increases that correspond with recent years of athletic success (in all sports, but let's face it, football drives it). In recent remarks the chancellor stated

Kopper then said that while the campus has seen record enrollment in recent years, this year the university is predicting a decline of about 200 students, meaning the new class has about 2,200 matriculates.
"You can't hit a home run every time you're at bat," she jested.

Will pressure be brought to bear to prevent a UW Lax scenario or does the administration allow it to just play out?

[joelmama]

I don't know if any of the above makes any sense to anyone but me - but Mount fans have asked over the years "how long can this run continue?". Every year Mount doesn't win a title (and I do this too) "oh the season was bad" or "the talent", or "the youth" - "OMG Mount lost to jcu, can it get worse?" Yes it can. Right now UWW is showing what it looks like when it crashes and I don't want to see Mount go through this. My .02 cents.

It just makes the run that Mount has put together that much more amazing.  Other schools come up and challenge and then they have down years or they actually fall all the way to the pack or worse.  Mount's bad years include a loss in the semis and once in a decade a regular season loss.  Just talking major sports of Football and Basketball and this run is about as strong and long lasting as any that school has ever put together, ever.

[Raider 68]

After 31 plus years, Mount Union has won 391 times out of 422 games. No college football team has matched that.