FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[wesleydad]

In watching the game last week I noticed that Muhlenberg had receivers that seemed to be open more than usual against a Mount D and the QB was not able to deliver the pass for a completion.  If you allow the Hopkins QB to have time and the receivers to be open like last week Mount is in for a game.  Hopkins offense is much better than Muhlenberg's.  The Mules defense is probably better than Hopkins, but not by a ton.  I expect this to be a good game.

[HScoach]

In watching the game last week I noticed that Muhlenberg had receivers that seemed to be open more than usual against a Mount D and the QB was not able to deliver the pass for a completion.  If you allow the Hopkins QB to have time and the receivers to be open like last week Mount is in for a game.  Hopkins offense is much better than Muhlenberg's.  The Mules defense is probably better than Hopkins, but not by a ton.  I expect this to be a good game.

I disagree.  That was a very typical Mount secondary performance.  They're supremely athletic, but also maddeningly inconsistent.  Have been for years and this season is no difference.  They're just as likely to make a great INT as to blow a coverage.

I would expect JHU to move the ball thru the air without much trouble. 

I actually have many more questions about the Mount offense than I do about JHU.  If Jared Ruth is healthy then that will definitely help.  Fulford's ankle won't be healthy until the off season so it's just a matter of whether he can step up and play thru it as the performance of the last 2 weeks points to "no".  The overall roster is good enough to win the first 3 playoff games without a QB, but they won't win the next 2 without one.

[WRMUalum13]

My Prediction:

MTU:  31
JHU:  14


If Ruth is healthy, then MTU could score 45+

Try the Bison or Ostrich Burger at Dougs.  Or better yet, Hood Burger with Sriracha Sauce.

I'm with you on this, I'm thinking 31-14 or 42-21 type of game. One of the issues with our passing offense last game was a high number of drops due to rain. Played in dry conditions I think it would have been a lot different. Though I respect what the blue jays have done, If they expect a similar team to 2016 Mount they'll be in for a long afternoon.

Weirdly enough I think JHU may be over confident. The team they went toe to toe with in 2016 was not a good representation of a typical Mount Union squad let alone an above average team like I think we have this year.

How so?

Or what is the proper level of confidence a team should have when playing Mount Union in the national semifinal?

I'm sorry "over confidence" probably wasn't the right words.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't think any lessons learned or experience from playing Mount in 2016 will translate very well to tomorrows matchup. The 2016 squad featured a very young and overall soft defense along with poor QB play. It was one of the worst teams Mount has fielded in the last 20 years or so.

Tomorrows team is more of a typical Mount team and I think JHU will play more like a first time opponent than a team that played them two years ago.

Got it.  When the first timers against Mount Union narrative isn't available, say the last time didn't really count for whatever reason is convenient so this is actually the first time, then apply the first timers narrative.  Like 2016 Mount Union was a 6-4 disaster and not a national semifinalist. 

I think the poor QB play in 2016 doesn't really work at the moment.  UMU QB1 hasn't exactly been crushing it in these playoffs.  In fact, if he's not anywhere near 100%...

(⌐■_■)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(•_•)

...he might not even be the best QB on the field tomorrow.  I don't think that prohibits Mount Union from winning the game, but it is something to watch.

Exactly! Did you not receive your copy of the Mount Union narratives flow chart this year? 

[wesleydad]

In watching the game last week I noticed that Muhlenberg had receivers that seemed to be open more than usual against a Mount D and the QB was not able to deliver the pass for a completion.  If you allow the Hopkins QB to have time and the receivers to be open like last week Mount is in for a game.  Hopkins offense is much better than Muhlenberg's.  The Mules defense is probably better than Hopkins, but not by a ton.  I expect this to be a good game.

I disagree.  That was a very typical Mount secondary performance.  They're supremely athletic, but also maddeningly inconsistent.  Have been for years and this season is no difference.  They're just as likely to make a great INT as to blow a coverage.

I would expect JHU to move the ball thru the air without much trouble. 

I actually have many more questions about the Mount offense than I do about JHU.  If Jared Ruth is healthy then that will definitely help.  Fulford's ankle won't be healthy until the off season so it's just a matter of whether he can step up and play thru it as the performance of the last 2 weeks points to "no".  The overall roster is good enough to win the first 3 playoff games without a QB, but they won't win the next 2 without one.

Coach, hope all is well.  Always like your insight.  This is the best Hopkins team I have seen and Wesley has had to beat a few of them in the playoffs.  I forgot that the team 2 years ago gave Mount some trouble, this team is better than that one.  After last week Hopkins will not be caught off guard by Petrocelli running the wildcat.  If, and it is always a big if, Hopkins can avoid turnovers this is going to be a good game.

[MUC57]

My Prediction:

MTU:  31
JHU:  14


If Ruth is healthy, then MTU could score 45+

Try the Bison or Ostrich Burger at Dougs.  Or better yet, Hood Burger with Sriracha Sauce.

My guess, strictly a guess, was that Mount will win by 17 points. Looking at your prediction I feel better, go Raiders! 

And if Ruth plays and Fulford is healthy and on his game - blow out! Doesn't matter how good JHU is.
(Sure hope I don't have to eat those words). P

[MUC57]

Don't forget Mount and Hopkins fans

Rey's 62 at 8:00 tonight. Let's have some fun! 

[Desertraider]

Don't forget Mount and Hopkins fans

Rey's 62 at 8:00 tonight. Let's have some fun! 

Would like to but I can't make it. Sorry other obligations.

[gizzmo13]

Alliance, OH.....Saturday 12/08 10% / 0 in 
Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 29F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.     a little chilly. :-(

[hsbsballcoach7]

Alliance, OH.....Saturday 12/08 10% / 0 in 
Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 29F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.     a little chilly. :-(

That's a beautiful day in NEO!! Especially with what we've put up with the last couple of weeks!!

[@d3jason]

Don't forget Mount and Hopkins fans

Rey's 62 at 8:00 tonight. Let's have some fun! 

Would like to but I can't make it. Sorry other obligations.

Awe, Great Lakes Christmas Ale....Glad I was able to pick a couple of cases when Wesley played Westminster a couple weeks ago. Ending your season in or near Ohio has its bonuses.

[Dr. Acula]

My Prediction:

MTU:  31
JHU:  14


If Ruth is healthy, then MTU could score 45+

Try the Bison or Ostrich Burger at Dougs.  Or better yet, Hood Burger with Sriracha Sauce.

I'm with you on this, I'm thinking 31-14 or 42-21 type of game. One of the issues with our passing offense last game was a high number of drops due to rain. Played in dry conditions I think it would have been a lot different. Though I respect what the blue jays have done, If they expect a similar team to 2016 Mount they'll be in for a long afternoon.

Weirdly enough I think JHU may be over confident. The team they went toe to toe with in 2016 was not a good representation of a typical Mount Union squad let alone an above average team like I think we have this year.

How so?

Or what is the proper level of confidence a team should have when playing Mount Union in the national semifinal?

I'm sorry "over confidence" probably wasn't the right words.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't think any lessons learned or experience from playing Mount in 2016 will translate very well to tomorrows matchup. The 2016 squad featured a very young and overall soft defense along with poor QB play. It was one of the worst teams Mount has fielded in the last 20 years or so.

Tomorrows team is more of a typical Mount team and I think JHU will play more like a first time opponent than a team that played them two years ago.

Got it.  When the first timers against Mount Union narrative isn't available, say the last time didn't really count for whatever reason is convenient so this is actually the first time, then apply the first timers narrative.  Like 2016 Mount Union was a 6-4 disaster and not a national semifinalist. 

I think the poor QB play in 2016 doesn't really work at the moment.  UMU QB1 hasn't exactly been crushing it in these playoffs.  In fact, if he's not anywhere near 100%...

(⌐■_■)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(•_•)

...he might not even be the best QB on the field tomorrow.  I don't think that prohibits Mount Union from winning the game, but it is something to watch.

By Mount standards 2016 was a disaster.  Arguably the worst Mount team in 25 years if we're being honest.  Definitely the worst defense I've seen in that time.  And down to the 3rd freshmen QB it was not much better on offense.  I truthfully thought the semifinal streak was ending that season.  Luckily they got shipped to the east region which allowed it to survive.  And that's the only reason it did IMO.

[Ice Bear]

I think Mount can hold them to 21 or less, question is can we score more than 21. This pass offense has seemed really shaky in the last month or so , even tho sometimes the stats don't show it.. I am a little worried. I do think Mount can at least put 35 on the board tho. Anyone know if Ruth is playing , if hes 50%-100% Anyone going to try the king kong challenge at Dougs? haha

dlip says yes. As a matter of fact they'll hit 21 points before half and before Mach starts screaming for his mother's meatloaf from the basement (again Pat, dlip apologizes for the previous post).

[archgemini24]

By Mount standards 2016 was a disaster.  Arguably the worst Mount team in 25 years if we're being honest.  Definitely the worst defense I've seen in that time.  And down to the 3rd freshmen QB it was not much better on offense.  I truthfully thought the semifinal streak was ending that season.  Luckily they got shipped to the east region which allowed it to survive.  And that's the only reason it did IMO.

I agree that 2016 was probably the worst group fielded during this run, but in that case, does that that make 2016 a disaster or simply a disappointment (if even that?)? Results wise, they were still a semifinal team with losses to another semifinal team and the champ. There are other Mount teams that did not make the Stagg Bowl in that window ('94, '95, '99, '04), so are those teams equally disastrous for not making the Stagg Bowl, less disastrous because they at least won the OAC, or more disastrous because they were better teams, yet only progressed as far as the 2016 squad?

And now I understand a little better when folks say that they feel less joy about winning as much as they feel relief. Those are incredibly high standards when we throw the term disaster at anything less.

[Ohsaa13]

Well said!  As bad as everyone likes to say the 2016 was they still could have won the Natl Championship.  Defense was probably the best in D3 in 2016, but lack of experience at the quarterback position finally caught up with us against a very good MHB defense. So maybe the better response is all D3 was down in 2016?

This years offense is very inconsistent, and will need to rely on the defense to win the Natl Championship and that will happen as this defense is that good

[WRMUalum13]

By Mount standards 2016 was a disaster.  Arguably the worst Mount team in 25 years if we're being honest.  Definitely the worst defense I've seen in that time.  And down to the 3rd freshmen QB it was not much better on offense.  I truthfully thought the semifinal streak was ending that season.  Luckily they got shipped to the east region which allowed it to survive.  And that's the only reason it did IMO.

I agree that 2016 was probably the worst group fielded during this run, but in that case, does that that make 2016 a disaster or simply a disappointment (if even that?)? Results wise, they were still a semifinal team with losses to another semifinal team and the champ. There are other Mount teams that did not make the Stagg Bowl in that window ('94, '95, '99, '04), so are those teams equally disastrous for not making the Stagg Bowl, less disastrous because they at least won the OAC, or more disastrous because they were better teams, yet only progressed as far as the 2016 squad?

And now I understand a little better when folks say that they feel less joy about winning as much as they feel relief. Those are incredibly high standards when we throw the term disaster at anything less.

I for one feel joy not relief. Since I've been following mount in 2009 theyve lost more Stagg bowls than they won.