FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[MUC57]

Seems we're the underdog this Saturday. I remember Larry Kehres never minded that. Puts pressure on the other team. Ya gotta luv it!

On why the game is at UMU and not NCC. The NCAA had 5 criteria for hosting. Mount satisfied all 5, NCC satisfied only 3. Mount had a tougher SOS. NCC suffered because of the non-first round game. Comparing the situation to what happened to UWW some years back doesn't work. The NCAA made that ruling ONLY in case of a TIE with the criteria. Address all complaints to the NCAA.   

For what it's worth, I personally think the game should be at NCC. However, I'm also very happy it's in Alliance. (On your way in to the stadium, notice the 13
pennants flying from the 2 poles in front. Each one represents a National Championship. Don't want you to miss them) 

Had to put that in about the pennants. I'm so proud of these guys. The 4 years I was here, they won a total of 10 games. (that's a regular season now) Throw in the previous 2 years, 6 year total, and they only won 14 games. (they do that now in one good year).

Enough for now. More later. Go Raiders!

[MUC57]

D3fanboy

Good post. Right on.
I'll just mention that Mount held Muhlenberg to 5 (five) yards rushing. That's for the game. I don't care if you're playing Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Men, you've got a rushing defense.
So NCC beat 2 schools that could have beaten them. Don't know how that's known but, are you ready?  Here it comes - "They haven't played a team like Mount Union". There, I had to say it!

Go Raiders!   

[WRMUalum13]

I'm fascinated by Massey ratings. IMO it's the gold standard for football computer rankings. That being said Massey does not give me much comfort for Saturday's game as a Mount Union Fan.

These ratings are the ALL of college football ratings, not just d3, Massey doesn't archive the D3 only filtered listed

NCC 2019 Final Ratings - 253 OVRLL 195 OFF 348 DEF
NCC 2021 current ratings- 246 OVRLL 200 OFF 344 DEF

So according to Massey, this year's version of the Cardinals are actually slightly better than the 2019 team... which is a pretty scary prospect, since I think 2019 was one of the best D3 offenses I've seen (Besides Mount Union 2014-2015 of course)

Mount Union 2019 Final Ratings 289 OVRLL 204 OFF 372 DEF
Mount Union 2021 current ratings 271 OVRLL 237 OFF 328 DEF

On the Brightside the analysis shows a slightly better Mount Union team on defense but a worse team on offense.

Just for fun I looked up the Best Mount Union team of the last 10 years IMO, the 2015 Raiders.

Mount Union 2015 Final Ratings 164 OVRLL 125 OFF 234 DEF

[D3fanboy]

D3fanboy

Good post. Right on.
I'll just mention that Mount held Muhlenberg to 5 (five) yards rushing. That's for the game. I don't care if you're playing Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Men, you've got a rushing defense.
So NCC beat 2 schools that could have beaten them. Don't know how that's known but, are you ready?  Here it comes - "They haven't played a team like Mount Union". There, I had to say it!

Go Raiders!   

Mount's past two playoff opponents didn't even try to run the ball, Saturday will be much different.  I'm sure the Raiders will be prepared and lets hope for better execution than we have seen recently.

[crufootball]

Seems we're the underdog this Saturday. I remember Larry Kehres never minded that. Puts pressure on the other team. Ya gotta luv it!

On why the game is at UMU and not NCC. The NCAA had 5 criteria for hosting. Mount satisfied all 5, NCC satisfied only 3. Mount had a tougher SOS. NCC suffered because of the non-first round game. Comparing the situation to what happened to UWW some years back doesn't work. The NCAA made that ruling ONLY in case of a TIE with the criteria. Address all complaints to the NCAA.   

For what it's worth, I personally think the game should be at NCC. However, I'm also very happy it's in Alliance. (On your way in to the stadium, notice the 13
pennants flying from the 2 poles in front. Each one represents a National Championship. Don't want you to miss them) 

Had to put that in about the pennants. I'm so proud of these guys. The 4 years I was here, they won a total of 10 games. (that's a regular season now) Throw in the previous 2 years, 6 year total, and they only won 14 games. (they do that now in one good year).

Enough for now. More later. Go Raiders!

2 questions.

How often was Larry Kehres a true underdog?

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Seems we're the underdog this Saturday. I remember Larry Kehres never minded that. Puts pressure on the other team. Ya gotta luv it!

On why the game is at UMU and not NCC. The NCAA had 5 criteria for hosting. Mount satisfied all 5, NCC satisfied only 3. Mount had a tougher SOS. NCC suffered because of the non-first round game. Comparing the situation to what happened to UWW some years back doesn't work. The NCAA made that ruling ONLY in case of a TIE with the criteria. Address all complaints to the NCAA.   

For what it's worth, I personally think the game should be at NCC. However, I'm also very happy it's in Alliance. (On your way in to the stadium, notice the 13
pennants flying from the 2 poles in front. Each one represents a National Championship. Don't want you to miss them) 

Had to put that in about the pennants. I'm so proud of these guys. The 4 years I was here, they won a total of 10 games. (that's a regular season now) Throw in the previous 2 years, 6 year total, and they only won 14 games. (they do that now in one good year).

Enough for now. More later. Go Raiders!

2 questions.

How often was Larry Kehres a true underdog?

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

I think MTU was the underdog a few times vs UWW and UMHB and maybe St. Johns a time or two.  Definitely in the 1990s MTU was the underdog.

[robertgoulet]

I'm fascinated by Massey ratings. IMO it's the gold standard for football computer rankings. That being said Massey does not give me much comfort for Saturday's game as a Mount Union Fan.

These ratings are the ALL of college football ratings, not just d3, Massey doesn't archive the D3 only filtered listed

NCC 2019 Final Ratings - 253 OVRLL 195 OFF 348 DEF
NCC 2021 current ratings- 246 OVRLL 200 OFF 344 DEF

So according to Massey, this year's version of the Cardinals are actually slightly better than the 2019 team... which is a pretty scary prospect, since I think 2019 was one of the best D3 offenses I've seen (Besides Mount Union 2014-2015 of course)

Mount Union 2019 Final Ratings 289 OVRLL 204 OFF 372 DEF
Mount Union 2021 current ratings 271 OVRLL 237 OFF 328 DEF

On the Brightside the analysis shows a slightly better Mount Union team on defense but a worse team on offense.

Just for fun I looked up the Best Mount Union team of the last 10 years IMO, the 2015 Raiders.

Mount Union 2015 Final Ratings 164 OVRLL 125 OFF 234 DEF

I don't think NCC fans will find any comfort in them either, tbh. Those rankings are close enough that I think the game could be decided by 1 mistake on either side.

[wally_wabash]

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

It's hard to imagine it has anything to do with facilities or broadcast suitability.  NCC's broadcasts are among the best in the division- multi camera from good angles, replays, good sideline work.  If ESPN was able to make it work at Muhlenberg in 2019, they'd have no problem at North Central.  The only nit I have to pick with NCC's broadcast is the lack of down and distance on screen.  Otherwise, no notes.   

[USee]

If Mount holds NCC to 5 yards rushing, they will definitely win the game. Again, my post wasn't meant to incite anyone, just trying to give you a sense of who NCC is from my seat and what the teams that had a chance this season had done. And I am not a fan of North Central.

And this team actually has seen a team like Mt Union. These guys, except for about 4-5 of them, were all in Alliance in 2019. And that phrase, is for earlier rounds in the playoffs, not the semis. I am pretty sure UMHB, UWW, NCC and Mt Union are all worthy teams that understand what each of the others bring to the table and won't be surprised by anything on Saturday.

[WRMUalum13]

Seems we're the underdog this Saturday. I remember Larry Kehres never minded that. Puts pressure on the other team. Ya gotta luv it!

On why the game is at UMU and not NCC. The NCAA had 5 criteria for hosting. Mount satisfied all 5, NCC satisfied only 3. Mount had a tougher SOS. NCC suffered because of the non-first round game. Comparing the situation to what happened to UWW some years back doesn't work. The NCAA made that ruling ONLY in case of a TIE with the criteria. Address all complaints to the NCAA.   

For what it's worth, I personally think the game should be at NCC. However, I'm also very happy it's in Alliance. (On your way in to the stadium, notice the 13
pennants flying from the 2 poles in front. Each one represents a National Championship. Don't want you to miss them) 

Had to put that in about the pennants. I'm so proud of these guys. The 4 years I was here, they won a total of 10 games. (that's a regular season now) Throw in the previous 2 years, 6 year total, and they only won 14 games. (they do that now in one good year).

Enough for now. More later. Go Raiders!

2 questions.

How often was Larry Kehres a true underdog?

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

The comitte revealed that they included playoff results as part of the hosting criteria. The criteria are the same as the at large bid process so it includes # of D3 wins, SOS and wins over RROs. With the added playoff results Mount had more wins over RRO and stronger SOS and more D3 wins... partially because of NCCs CMU no contest.

I think it's a really weird idea to continually update the ratings during the playoffs.... because it's not like we're re-bracketing or anything, but that's the criteria the committee is refering to from my understanding

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

It's hard to imagine it has anything to do with facilities or broadcast suitability.  NCC's broadcasts are among the best in the division- multi camera from good angles, replays, good sideline work.  If ESPN was able to make it work at Muhlenberg in 2019, they'd have no problem at North Central.  The only nit I have to pick with NCC's broadcast is the lack of down and distance on screen.  Otherwise, no notes.   

I think it came down to Mount Union had more D3 Wins than NCC (because NCC got the no-contest in the 1st Round).  Someone also said MTU had a slightly higher SOS rating.

IMO NCC should be hosting this weekend.

[robertgoulet]

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

It's hard to imagine it has anything to do with facilities or broadcast suitability.  NCC's broadcasts are among the best in the division- multi camera from good angles, replays, good sideline work.  If ESPN was able to make it work at Muhlenberg in 2019, they'd have no problem at North Central.  The only nit I have to pick with NCC's broadcast is the lack of down and distance on screen.  Otherwise, no notes.   

(and the formatting of the clock when it gets under 1 minute in the quarter)

[bleedpurple]

Seems we're the underdog this Saturday. I remember Larry Kehres never minded that. Puts pressure on the other team. Ya gotta luv it!

On why the game is at UMU and not NCC. The NCAA had 5 criteria for hosting. Mount satisfied all 5, NCC satisfied only 3. Mount had a tougher SOS. NCC suffered because of the non-first round game. Comparing the situation to what happened to UWW some years back doesn't work. The NCAA made that ruling ONLY in case of a TIE with the criteria. Address all complaints to the NCAA.   

For what it's worth, I personally think the game should be at NCC. However, I'm also very happy it's in Alliance. (On your way in to the stadium, notice the 13
pennants flying from the 2 poles in front. Each one represents a National Championship. Don't want you to miss them) 

Had to put that in about the pennants. I'm so proud of these guys. The 4 years I was here, they won a total of 10 games. (that's a regular season now) Throw in the previous 2 years, 6 year total, and they only won 14 games. (they do that now in one good year).

Enough for now. More later. Go Raiders!

2 questions.

How often was Larry Kehres a true underdog?

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

The committee revealed that they included playoff results as part of the hosting criteria.

OK, THIS drives me crazy!  The NCAA are the people who ASSIGNED the playoff opponents.  And then they turn around and use those teams' credentials in seeding teams later in the bracket?  No. That doesn't work. And then when something weird happens like a game getting cancelled, it's just, "Too bad NCC".

Some way to treat your defending national champion. They really need to clearly codify the "rule" they supposedly implemented in 2010. I understand why they want to leave some wiggle room, but for the most part a hard and fast "Undefeated defending National Champion gets home field until the Stagg Bowl" would be far better than this.

[New Tradition]

What criteria did NCC not satisfy? Are we talking selection criteria or like logistical things involving NCC facilities?

It's hard to imagine it has anything to do with facilities or broadcast suitability.  NCC's broadcasts are among the best in the division- multi camera from good angles, replays, good sideline work.  If ESPN was able to make it work at Muhlenberg in 2019, they'd have no problem at North Central.  The only nit I have to pick with NCC's broadcast is the lack of down and distance on screen.  Otherwise, no notes.   

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Mount Union Losses since 1999

By more than One Score:
2003 vs St. Johns 24-6
2007 vs UWW 31-21
2009 vs UWW 38-28
2010 vs UWW 31-21
2013 vs UWW 52-14
2014 vs UWW 43-34

The rest of their losses are:
1990 vs Rowan 24-17
2004 vs MHB 38-35
2005 vs UWW 35-28
2011 vs UWW 13-10
2016 vs JCU 31-28
2016 vs MHB 14-12
2018 vs MHB 24-16
2019 vs NCC 59-52 (EDIT: mistyped 56 instead of 52)

Only one IMO is truly a blowout (2013 vs UWW) but St. Johns handled the Raiders fairly well in 2003.

I don't know where I'm going with this, but I don't see NCC blowing MTU out this weekend.  But maybe I'm just wearing Purple Shaded Glasses.