FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Captainred81]

A)  I think Mount Dartt/OC has called much better games the past 2 weeks.  There are a few times when the team(offense) seems confused or something, but they have limited that this year.  Last year, they seemed to have whole quarters of football that were mistake laden.  Think 4th quarter against Muhlenberg last year.  I think Mount is the fastest team in the game right now, and can use their change of tempo to their advantage.  Call plays at the line and then do that thing where line up and then turn to the sideline and slow it down.  That draw play still king irks me cuz it takes so long to develop.  Also, someone mentioned the 2 back set, and the frosh tight end, I agree with those opinions.  2 RB's brings line backers into the middle.  It opens passing lanes at the hashes.  Also, a tight can force safeties to come up.  maybe not every play, but it's nice to see a wrinkle in there. 
B)  Plunk has made some poor decisions, he's tried to force some throws he shouldn't, but the dude can put the ball in a dime.   Those throws to Ruby in the front of the of the end zone right at the pile line... Those are uncoverable.  I like that he limits his running, but when he chooses to run, he needs to make the decision a smidge faster. 
C)  The defensive line seems to really be meshing right now.  I know that some of their more experienced starters like Lilja and Beers are injured, but these young guys mixed with some of the vets...are playing good football right now. A little sloppy play at the end of last game by the DB's but hopefully that gets addressed this week in practice. 

I think Del. Val. definitely has the athletes to compete.  Their D line will be reminiscent of old school UWW.  I think experience, execution and composure will be key.  Each team is gonna make plays, but it's the team that keeps focused and stays that consistent that wins this game.  If DV loses their head and gets 10 penalties and 100 yards... I can see Mount putting up 55. 

[D3fanboy]

DV "losing their head" would be 15-20 penalties, they give every opponent 10/100 yards.  Not a good recipe to beat a "cheesed off" Mount Union.  Mount took their foot off of the gas up by 3 scores in the fourth against JCU and BW, I really hope that this travel situation keeps the pedal to the metal until the Del Val personal fouls start piling up late

[Raider 68]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After attending the last two Raider playoff Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

[D3fanboy]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After watching the last two Raider Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

oh of course, it all comes down to Strength of Schedule.  Those Middle Atlantic teams play such a harder schedule than the OAC, dont get me started on Wartburg.  Those Iowa teams are so much better than the Ohio teams, just check the numbers!

[HScoach]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After watching the last two Raider Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

oh of course, it all comes down to Strength of Schedule.  Those Middle Atlantic teams play such a harder schedule than the OAC, dont get me started on Wartburg.  Those Iowa teams are so much better than the Ohio teams, just check the numbers!

I can't comment on the average team from the Middle Atlantic, but the OAC has sucked as whole for quite a while now.  The heyday that we all remember of the Tom Arth JCU teams, Dan Larlham BW teams, Jamal Robertson/Jason Vagedas led ONU teams or the decade of Rocky Pentello at Capital are a distant memory.  It's been a long, long time since the OAC provided a team that was of Final 8 caliber other than Mount.  And that fact hasn't helped their preparation.

[HScoach]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After attending the last two Raider playoff Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

Mount is faster than most, but that moniker belongs to MHB.

[Raider 68]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After attending the last two Raider playoff Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

Mount is faster than most, but that moniker belongs to MHB.

HScoach,

It is indeed great that you came on here and posted. We all hope you will again!

[D3fanboy]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After watching the last two Raider Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

oh of course, it all comes down to Strength of Schedule.  Those Middle Atlantic teams play such a harder schedule than the OAC, dont get me started on Wartburg.  Those Iowa teams are so much better than the Ohio teams, just check the numbers!

I can't comment on the average team from the Middle Atlantic, but the OAC has sucked as whole for quite a while now.  The heyday that we all remember of the Tom Arth JCU teams, Dan Larlham BW teams, Jamal Robertson/Jason Vagedas led ONU teams or the decade of Rocky Pentello at Capital are a distant memory.  It's been a long, long time since the OAC provided a team that was of Final 8 caliber other than Mount.  And that fact hasn't helped their preparation.

the OAC is down 100%, but JCU/BW/Berg would run through the MAC.  btw, JCU was in the final four in '16

[Pat Coleman]

I can't comment on the average team from the Middle Atlantic, but the OAC has sucked as whole for quite a while now.  The heyday that we all remember of the Tom Arth JCU teams, Dan Larlham BW teams, Jamal Robertson/Jason Vagedas led ONU teams or the decade of Rocky Pentello at Capital are a distant memory.  It's been a long, long time since the OAC provided a team that was of Final 8 caliber other than Mount.  And that fact hasn't helped their preparation.

I was hoping that this reference would be in here.

[edward de vere]

Re Mount Union sent on the road:  As we all know, SOS is always going to be around .500 in a ten-team league.

But when you schedule Defiance as your one at-large game in a year when there were several out-of-conference tilts featuring two heavy hitters - well, it's understandable that the committee says "Uh, I don't think so."

[WRMUalum13]

For all Mt. Union fans making the trip to Doylestown this weekend - i hope this link comes through "ONLYINYOURSTATE.com" - a write-up for Doylestown.   

After attending the last two Raider playoff Games, they were much sharper and executed better. The play calling and use
of personnel far exceeded the JCU and BW games. Agree, they may be the fastest team of the final 8. They
will need to play aggressive for all 4 quarters. If they play to their potential then a trip to Annapolis is very possible.
My worry is that of Aurora, that can win on Saturday. The question is will the NCAA allow a Mount host for the
semi-finals if the win on Saturday.

Mount is faster than most, but that moniker belongs to MHB.

I think we're going to find out a lot about the speed of MHB on Saturday. Bethel will be a good measuring stick.

[WRMUalum13]

Re Mount Union sent on the road:  As we all know, SOS is always going to be around .500 in a ten-team league.

But when you schedule Defiance as your one at-large game in a year when there were several out-of-conference tilts featuring two heavy hitters - well, it's understandable that the committee says "Uh, I don't think so."

Based on how the brackets are arranged it's logical that del valley is a #1 seed, but neither aurora or Wartburg were in a slot that makes sense for a 1 or 2 seed so I'd almost guarantee an alliance semi final if mount gets past del valley

[lmitzel]

Re Mount Union sent on the road:  As we all know, SOS is always going to be around .500 in a ten-team league.

But when you schedule Defiance as your one at-large game in a year when there were several out-of-conference tilts featuring two heavy hitters - well, it's understandable that the committee says "Uh, I don't think so."

Based on how the brackets are arranged it's logical that del valley is a #1 seed, but neither aurora or Wartburg were in a slot that makes sense for a 1 or 2 seed so I'd almost guarantee an alliance semi final if mount gets past del valley

Looking at the last Regional Rankings too, Wartburg and Aurora are 2 and 4, respectively, in Region 5. A 9-1 Aurora probably isn't going to get to host (especially not with a very slightly lower SOS) and I don't think Wartburg has any RRO wins, so Mount's 2 is probably the deciding factor to ship the Knights your way too.

[mr_mom]

OK, this may be a stupid question and I will accept the abuse, but how does the NCAA calculate SoS?  I don't see it anywhere on the NCAA website.  The various rating sites have their own methods such that, on the Massey, MUC has the 22th toughest SoS and DelVal is the 110th.  But via the LazIndex, DelVar is much tougher at 0.445 vs UMU at .510.

Pat?

[Pat Coleman]

OK, this may be a stupid question and I will accept the abuse, but how does the NCAA calculate SoS?  I don't see it anywhere on the NCAA website.  The various rating sites have their own methods such that, on the Massey, MUC has the 22th toughest SoS and DelVal is the 110th.  But via the LazIndex, DelVar is much tougher at 0.445 vs UMU at .510.

Pat?

This is in our FAQ. I wouldn't try to find it on the NCAA site.