FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[HScoach]

Other Mount teams were almost QB proof based on the Oline and RB's,  however this team is built around the wealth of receivers.   Without a QB to get them the ball accurately and vertically,  this offense becomes very average.

And the list of former Mount QB's playing elsewhere makes my point.  Mount might recruit really well, but you don't get to your 5th or 6th option at QB without a HUGE dropoff.   Even at Mount.

[raiderpa]

I believe that Mount can win the first two without Fulford.  JCU, very doubtful.  We had to score two defensive touchdowns to beat them the first time and the odds of that happening again are slim to none.
Fulford, after two inactive weeks, coming back a bit gimpy makes JCU a slight favorite as well, in the minds of many.

I think that Mount's defense has gotten a sight better since game one with the Blue Streaks, and the offensive line is significantly improved.  Improved enough for JCU?  Coin flip here.

I will sleep better not worrying about this until we win the first two.  Even is Fulford is semi-healthy enough to go week one or two, we probably would not see him at all game one, and only if needed game two.

[MUC57]

Other Mount teams were almost QB proof based on the Oline and RB's,  however this team is built around the wealth of receivers.   Without a QB to get them the ball accurately and vertically,  this offense becomes very average.

And the list of former Mount QB's playing elsewhere makes my point.  Mount might recruit really well, but you don't get to your 5th or 6th option at QB without a HUGE dropoff.   Even at Mount.

You stated it very well, better than I probably did!

[HScoach]

And the bubble screen game works because fearing Hill or Ruth going over the top of the defense.   Remove that component and the screens don't work.

We've seen many opponents come to Mount trying to make a living on bubble screens and misdirection to negate a great defense.   It works for a bit, but cannot be the basis of your offense for 60 minutes.   Not against a defense like JCU.  Against Denison or Marietta, yes.  But not a legit team.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

They're not competitive against JCU without a legit QB.

Outlandish . . .Mount has been gathering an embarrassment of riches in the talent department for two decades plus.  I have little doubt as to their ability to be competitive. 

That said, I must say that if the current back-up stays in the saddle, that is potentially a good thing for JCU as he is a run-first QB with limited passing abilities.  While it is a good thing, it hardly means Mount will not be competitive.

I agree with Onward On (Great Screen name by the way!). I think you guys are being a little doom and gloom. Will it be potentially difficult to win without Fulford? Yes. But let's remember that a backup coming in during the game is often cold. A backup who has a week to prepare in practice is often much more efficient.

It may be my favorite song.  Many Saturdays, I cue up the Roku for the jcusports.com broadcast, pour a drink and listen to this after each TD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INfpO2Mb4D0

[JCUStreaks70]

They're not competitive against JCU without a legit QB.

Outlandish . . .Mount has been gathering an embarrassment of riches in the talent department for two decades plus.  I have little doubt as to their ability to be competitive. 

That said, I must say that if the current back-up stays in the saddle, that is potentially a good thing for JCU as he is a run-first QB with limited passing abilities.  While it is a good thing, it hardly means Mount will not be competitive.

I agree with Onward On (Great Screen name by the way!). I think you guys are being a little doom and gloom. Will it be potentially difficult to win without Fulford? Yes. But let's remember that a backup coming in during the game is often cold. A backup who has a week to prepare in practice is often much more efficient.

It may be my favorite song.  Many Saturdays, I cue up the Roku for the jcusports.com broadcast, pour a drink and listen to this after each TD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INfpO2Mb4D0

Last year when BlueStreak66 and I drove out to Rock Island from Chicago for the Sweet 16 game, we had this cued up on his phone to blast as we rolled into the parking lot, windows open!

To make up for that loss, we did again for when we drove up for the Stevens Point game! lol

[Dr. Acula]

I'm not going to panic about the QB situation yet.  First, we don't even know anything about the injury.  Second, Mount made it to Belton and went toe to toe with UMHB with a 3rd string freshman QB and a not great (by their standards) D.  It's certainly not ideal, but even if they played Moore I think they win the first two rounds.  He's been playing JV QB all year.  If a rematch with JCU comes so be it.  JCU is average offensively, especially in the passing game.  We saw that already.  We aren't BW.  They can't just hand it off to Cangenelli all day and bank on him running for 250+ like last week.  A JCU rematch would be a dog fight between two very good defenses.  I don't know who would be favored, but I certainly don't think that's an insurmountable task for either team to win that game because it'd probably be low scoring.   

[MUC57]

My earlier comments were based on a worst case scenario. Knowing what I know, I suspect Mr. Fulford will be OK. Still don't particularly want to play JCU again. We'll see!

[Onward on, John Carroll]

I'm not going to panic about the QB situation yet.  First, we don't even know anything about the injury.  Second, Mount made it to Belton and went toe to toe with UMHB with a 3rd string freshman QB and a not great (by their standards) D.  It's certainly not ideal, but even if they played Moore I think they win the first two rounds.  He's been playing JV QB all year.  If a rematch with JCU comes so be it.  JCU is average offensively, especially in the passing game.  We saw that already.  We aren't BW.  They can't just hand it off to Cangenelli all day and bank on him running for 250+ like last week.  A JCU rematch would be a dog fight between two very good defenses.  I don't know who would be favored, but I certainly don't think that's an insurmountable task for either team to win that game because it'd probably be low scoring.

Well, I do know who would be favored. Mount Union. By 10+.

[Dr. Acula]

I have to admit that a scenario like this is where I miss Suit posting.  He'd be entertaining to say the least.  You know he'd be on here riling things up telling us that Mount could start their entire JV offense and still win the first two playoff games and then start Neal Seaman with a torn ACL against JCU.   

[SaintsFAN]

I have to admit that a scenario like this is where I miss Suit posting.  He'd be entertaining to say the least.  You know he'd be on here riling things up telling us that Mount could start their entire JV offense and still win the first two playoff games and then start Neal Seaman with a torn ACL against JCU.

Merle has been noticeably missing all season long and I believe his absence is to blame for TMU not being 9-1 and the Pool B Representative, as he said he would be rooting for them in 2018. 

[jamtod]

I have to admit that a scenario like this is where I miss Suit posting.  He'd be entertaining to say the least.  You know he'd be on here riling things up telling us that Mount could start their entire JV offense and still win the first two playoff games and then start Neal Seaman with a torn ACL against JCU.

Merle has been noticeably missing all season long and I believe his absence is to blame for TMU not being 9-1 and the Pool B Representative, as he said he would be rooting for them in 2018.

I believe Pat confirmed recently that Merle is no longer with us (in a d3boards.com sense)

[SaintsFAN]

I have to admit that a scenario like this is where I miss Suit posting.  He'd be entertaining to say the least.  You know he'd be on here riling things up telling us that Mount could start their entire JV offense and still win the first two playoff games and then start Neal Seaman with a torn ACL against JCU.

Merle has been noticeably missing all season long and I believe his absence is to blame for TMU not being 9-1 and the Pool B Representative, as he said he would be rooting for them in 2018.

I believe Pat confirmed recently that Merle is no longer with us (in a d3boards.com sense)

Exactly.  I was just saying I place some blame in his lap for 2 of the Saints losses.

[USee]

I'm not going to panic about the QB situation yet.  First, we don't even know anything about the injury.  Second, Mount made it to Belton and went toe to toe with UMHB with a 3rd string freshman QB and a not great (by their standards) D.  It's certainly not ideal, but even if they played Moore I think they win the first two rounds.  He's been playing JV QB all year.  If a rematch with JCU comes so be it.  JCU is average offensively, especially in the passing game.  We saw that already.  We aren't BW.  They can't just hand it off to Cangenelli all day and bank on him running for 250+ like last week.  A JCU rematch would be a dog fight between two very good defenses.  I don't know who would be favored, but I certainly don't think that's an insurmountable task for either team to win that game because it'd probably be low scoring.

I have a very different perspective on a JCU/UMU rematch. Fulford basically didn't play in the first game (15-38, 153 yds 1 TD) and Mount still won by 13. JCU's defense can be had. Marietta scored 24 and BW 35. Is Mt's offense worse than those? Thing is, Marietta/BW QB's played better than Fulford did and JCU is the best in the OAC agains the run. Marietta and BW are both 55/45 run vs pass so very balanced. Etta and BW had the ability to use the pass game and their QB's played well. Mt is 60/40 run vs pass, which plays a bit into JCU's strength if the QB doesn't play well.

On the other side, Mt Union's defense is the best in the league and just as good against the run. Moeglin has proven he is not a guy who is gonna win a game. Cangelini and that OLine can beat you. Mt Union is the best matchup in the conference against JCU's offensive strength.

From what I have seen, you saw what Mt looks like without Fulford in the first game against JCU and the Raiders defense was stifling as JCU is really one dimensional on offense against good teams. If Fulford plays I would wager he will play better than he did in the first game and Mt wins a rematch by a lot. If he doesn't play, Mt wins comfortably if QB2 doesn't turn it over.

[bluestreak66]

I'm not going to panic about the QB situation yet.  First, we don't even know anything about the injury.  Second, Mount made it to Belton and went toe to toe with UMHB with a 3rd string freshman QB and a not great (by their standards) D.  It's certainly not ideal, but even if they played Moore I think they win the first two rounds.  He's been playing JV QB all year.  If a rematch with JCU comes so be it.  JCU is average offensively, especially in the passing game.  We saw that already.  We aren't BW.  They can't just hand it off to Cangenelli all day and bank on him running for 250+ like last week.  A JCU rematch would be a dog fight between two very good defenses.  I don't know who would be favored, but I certainly don't think that's an insurmountable task for either team to win that game because it'd probably be low scoring.

I have a very different perspective on a JCU/UMU rematch. Fulford basically didn't play in the first game (15-38, 153 yds 1 TD) and Mount still won by 13. JCU's defense can be had. Marietta scored 24 and BW 35. Is Mt's offense worse than those? Thing is, Marietta/BW QB's played better than Fulford did and JCU is the best in the OAC agains the run. Marietta and BW are both 55/45 run vs pass so very balanced. Etta and BW had the ability to use the pass game and their QB's played well. Mt is 60/40 run vs pass, which plays a bit into JCU's strength if the QB doesn't play well.

On the other side, Mt Union's defense is the best in the league and just as good against the run. Moeglin has proven he is not a guy who is gonna win a game. Cangelini and that OLine can beat you. Mt Union is the best matchup in the conference against JCU's offensive strength.

From what I have seen, you saw what Mt looks like without Fulford in the first game against JCU and the Raiders defense was stifling as JCU is really one dimensional on offense against good teams. If Fulford plays I would wager he will play better than he did in the first game and Mt wins a rematch by a lot. If he doesn't play, Mt wins comfortably if QB2 doesn't turn it over.

Except, you know, all those times he has won a game. By my count, about 27 times in his college career.