FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

I think if I'm NCC, I'm doubling Justin Hill all day and making Fulford either find a different security blanket or throw into that coverage.  Hill might still beat that coverage, but at least you give yourself a shot by not letting their best guy beat you.  However, as USee has pointed out, North Central pretty famously doesn't do this really ever and it generally shows up and bites them in games like this. 

All eyes will be on the QBs, but I think the key players in this game will turn out to be Greenfield and Petrucelli.  If either of those guys can get established and keep the other offense waiting their turn, then huge advantage to their team. 

[MUC57]

wesleydad

Good comments. You guys know more in-depth stuff than I.

I'll go half way with ya. I hope Wesley wins resoundingly, leaving no doubt as to who was better.
On the other half, Go Raiders! I know you are rooting for NCC which is understandable.
However; oh you know, Go Mount Union. And, Go Wesley! 🏈 

[MUC57]

My prediction is Mount 42 - NCC 20. Tight game at half, but DA and Hill put it out of reach in the 3rd Q on a couple big plays.

Now that's a prediction I can live with! 🏈 🍺 👍 😃

[archgemini24]

I think if I'm NCC, I'm doubling Justin Hill all day and making Fulford either find a different security blanket or throw into that coverage.  Hill might still beat that coverage, but at least you give yourself a shot by not letting their best guy beat you.  However, as USee has pointed out, North Central pretty famously doesn't do this really ever and it generally shows up and bites them in games like this. 

All eyes will be on the QBs, but I think the key players in this game will turn out to be Greenfield and Petrucelli.  If either of those guys can get established and keep the other offense waiting their turn, then huge advantage to their team. 

Completely agree with all of your points, especially if the weather is as sour as potentially expected. The weather forecast I see on my phone for Alliance on Saturday is 40 degrees with a 70% chance of rain.

Mentioning it because I feel like a fair question to ask is: if the weather is trash, who benefits more? Mount Union because it could mask* the "weakness" of their secondary (using the Heidelberg game for reference) or NCC because bad weather could help slow down Mount Union enough to keep the game from being a full-on track meet? Because I do not care how good a team's offense is, trying to win a game like that against Hill, Harvey, and Ruby is not just courting disaster, but already having taken it out to eat and leaving you nervous about the bill.

[MUC57]

I think if I'm NCC, I'm doubling Justin Hill all day and making Fulford either find a different security blanket or throw into that coverage.  Hill might still beat that coverage, but at least you give yourself a shot by not letting their best guy beat you.  However, as USee has pointed out, North Central pretty famously doesn't do this really ever and it generally shows up and bites them in games like this. 

All eyes will be on the QBs, but I think the key players in this game will turn out to be Greenfield and Petrucelli.  If either of those guys can get established and keep the other offense waiting their turn, then huge advantage to their team.

Wally

Hanover double-teamed Hill. It WAS Hanover, but still. And Mount DOES have other excellent receivers. And Petro loves to run.
This is Mount Union! I like our chances. ☠ 🏈

[Dr. Acula]

All-OAC Teams and Special Awards Winners released: https://tinyurl.com/uol9nhq


Edit: If on mobile, this link tends to display better: https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/i/5/yj6vo0h5wem954/Football_2019_Spec._Awards-All-OAC.pdf

Congrats to all especially Coach Doup.  Very classy move by his peers to acknowledge the value of his leadership extending far beyond the wins and losses this year.


p.s. There are going to be some heads exploding on here when they see that Bradley was voted 1st team DB.  Evidently the coaches don't read this board.

[skunks_sidekick]

No one is shutting down J. Hill.  However, DA hasn't been running lately (relative to earlier in the year) and NCC is going to have to pick its poison.  My thoughts are that unless Mount has a uncharacteristic turnover laden game, they score in the 40's.

NCC is not running against Mount (no one has to date).  It will be a throw-a-thon for them & they have a great QB.  I think it will come down to what pressure Mount can put on the QB & how opportunistic the DB's can be.

42-20 something if it goes how I predict.

[Desertraider]

If the weather is as predicted I think the advantage goes to NCC. The Berg game showed DA's limitations- he couldn't throw deep, couldn't throw beyond 10 yards of scrimmage. And before you knock me on this remember A) I am a Mount fan that bleeds purple and B) DA was 7 of 13 for 60 yards - NO TDs and an INT. DA is an outstanding QB but if he can't throw - and I mean specifically the 15-20 routes and deep balls - the field is compressed and NCC has an advantage because the safety's can play closer and cover run support. Literally if JHill isn't a deep threat due to weather that is something NCC doesn't have to worry about. I had a coach who always said if you can't go throw more than 20 yards - you turn the entire field into the red zone.

Wally - on the double team making Fulford find someone else. True - but the weather may be the "double team". If Hill can't go over top and DA is limited to a shorter field - he may have to hold the ball (which he already does) to find Hill. DA will run - but he takes way too many sacks while searching. I would put my best corner (I understand NCC has a pretty good one) on him to start and make DA throw a wet ball.

Last weeks game was a head scratcher for me. I know the score but Mount had 4 - FOUR - 4 TO's and fumbled the ball 5 times. FIVE fumbles and no rain or snow in sight. With a forecast of 70% chance rain - Raiders better watch some tape of Nate Kmic and learn quick how to secure the ball.

[Craft_Beermeister]

In the playoffs in the past one advantage Mount Union has had in the past is that opposing coaches often feel the need to dial up something different for Mount.  Not always but often the opposing coaches try to make significant changes causing difficulties for their teams to execute trying to play out of character. I'm not saying NCC will be one of these teams, but it will be interesting to see which team makes the best adjustments.

[WRMUalum13]

In the playoffs in the past one advantage Mount Union has had in the past is that opposing coaches often feel the need to dial up something different for Mount.  Not always but often the opposing coaches try to make significant changes causing difficulties for their teams to execute trying to play out of character. I'm not saying NCC will be one of these teams, but it will be interesting to see which team makes the best adjustments.

I think it's not so much trying something different but panicking and abandoning the run early. I've seen a lot of teams come into alliance with a normally balanced attack that becomes one dimensional because they start throwing the ball around after falling behind early. The better teams commit to the run and stay balanced throughout.

[raiderpa]

How many times has the Mount QB "thrown" the ball backwards?  He has a bad habit of losing the ball during his throwing motion.  Will this be a bigger worry in bad weather?  Is is his grip or are his hands just small?  It amazes me the number of times this has happened.  The fans are just, "oh here we go again".  I hope this never is a determining factor in the outcome of a game.

[Raider 68]

How many times has the Mount QB "thrown" the ball backwards?  He has a bad habit of losing the ball during his throwing motion.  Will this be a bigger worry in bad weather?  Is is his grip or are his hands just small?  It amazes me the number of times this has happened.  The fans are just, "oh here we go again".  I hope this never is a determining factor in the outcome of a game.

Agree,  It has happened 4 times, (twice in one game), he did recover all 4.

Regarding the game and weather. Good points made by all. This year's team has been able to hold the ball with sustained
drives in addition to quick strikes. If the weather is a factor, both teams will be limited. If it comes down to who runs the
ball well, the Raiders run defense has an advantage.

[gizzmo13]

so far looks like u couldn't ask for crappier weather. rain , sleet , snow to start the day then possible heavy rains all day long.. Vince better be soaking them balls in a 5 gallon bucket of ice cold water b4 each play at practice..

[MUC57]

so far looks like u couldn't ask for crappier weather. rain , sleet , snow to start the day then possible heavy rains all day long.. Vince better be soaking them balls in a 5 gallon bucket of ice cold water b4 each play at practice..

I've watched the coaches soak the balls in practice. They'll be ready.

[mr_mom]

My prediction is Mount 42 - NCC 20. Tight game at half, but DA and Hill put it out of reach in the 3rd Q on a couple big plays.

I hope all you prognosticators are correct, although if you are, I just gave everybody a free 2 points on the Pick-Em as I only set the spread at 7.5.