FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

ejw · November 21, 2005, 12:03:44 PM

Quote from: desertraider on November 20, 2005, 10:23:55 PM
Congrats to MUC and goodluck with Augustana. Nothing against MSJ but they just seemed out of their league. Also congrats to Capital. Now take care of Wabash and let's have an all-OAC final.

Question: how much of a shot does Augustana have with such a onesided offense?

Quote from: Pat Coleman on November 20, 2005, 10:38:10 PM
How much of a shot did they have in 1999? Or when they won those titles in the '80s?

Having been a member of those teams (on offense) I can tell you that defense is definitely what won those championships. We had a decent offense, but against the best playoff teams we usually scored around 20 ppg while shutting down the other side. (case in point - victories vs. MUC were 21-14 and 16-7)

A championship caliber defense will limit what the wing-t can do on the ground alone. If Augie is to win on Saturday they will do it with their defense.

pios · November 21, 2005, 01:22:09 PM

Congrats on the win and good luck this weekend to both Capital and MUC.

matblake · November 21, 2005, 01:41:30 PM

I agree with hscoach. Mount Union must explode on offense at some point to diffuse the grind it out style of Augie. If the defense keeps it close, but the offense does not convert, it will remain anyone's game.

matblake · November 21, 2005, 01:52:01 PM

Looks like the 3rd quarter might be the difference in the game. Will be interesting to see if this game conforms.

SCORE BY QUARTERS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total
-------------------- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Augustana........... 109 115 63 109 7 - 403
Opponents........... 17 46 31 72 8 - 174

SCORE BY QUARTERS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
-------------------- --- --- --- --- ---
Mount Union......... 114 159 108 107 - 488
Opponents........... 27 17 17 20 - 81

reality check · November 21, 2005, 01:58:28 PM

Running the risk of winning any Mr. Obvious awards, the team that scores first has a huge advantage in Alliance this weekend. I don't mean that in the typical sense either. If MUC jumps out early then the job becomes enormously tougher for Augustana. If Augustana jumps out early they can dominate through ball control. So in my mind, the team that puts six on the scoreboard first will win this game.

usee · November 21, 2005, 02:14:46 PM

reality check- i agree to a point. this really depends on how well augie is moving the ball. muc can come out and score 2x on bombs and be up 14-0 and augie might have no cause for concern if they are getting the 2nd and6, 3rd and 2 hscoach described. they simply adjust on defense and grind their way back into the game. i have seen it many times. the bigger issue is if muc scores early and often. augie can't afford a shootout (ala 1999) to win.

i think augies defense is very good, but its not at a level muc has seen already. anthony can cover anybody but i have my questions about how good the rest of the augie secondary is. they will play mostly zone and blitz only occasionally.

in my mind, hscoach nailed it. if augie is getting 4-6 yds on first down, muc is in trouble. and if muc is moving the ball at will v augie d, then augie is in trouble.

vikes35 · November 21, 2005, 02:30:06 PM

usee,

Excellent point. Anthony can cover anyone (13 INTs in 11 games). Shea is a very good saftey and after that the rest of the DBs are good but not great. Losing Kyle Simpsen in the NCC game hurt as well, as he was a great DB also. I think zones will be the bulk of the call, but Augie's blitz has worked well and I hope they stay with it to a degree.

tdubs · November 21, 2005, 02:51:02 PM

Just wanted to say good luck to MUC and Cap. I guess my assessment of MSJ was correct. What is everyone's thought on the CAP v. Wabash game?

JK · November 21, 2005, 03:15:17 PM

Where are all the Wabash guys at? In the past, when they have played MUC, they have been all over our board. I guess we (Capital) don't warrant them getting excited enough about to come over and talk about the "keys to the game" with us???

wally_wabash · November 21, 2005, 03:25:06 PM

We're plenty excited. Don't worry about that.

Keys to the game...I think we're in for a very, very good game on Saturday. My knee-jerk thoughts on the keys....first for Cap:

- pressure Harbaugh without blitzing LBs
- stuff the Wabash run (a very underappreciated part of Wabash's offense)
- eliminate turnovers....Capital won't be able to get away with 5 TOs this week
- minimize Wabash's yardage after the catch
- pick up the Wabash blitz

For Wabash:
- protect Harbaugh from the front four
- force Capital turnovers
- stuff Cap's run
- keep Cap's receivers in front of the secondary

My honest opinion is that while the two quarterback's in this game get a lot of run, the defenses are what butters both teams' bread. Both teams will have to earn every point they get. I see this being a tight back-and-forth game between two outstanding, athletic teams.

Cap99Fan · November 21, 2005, 03:52:32 PM

I agree with Wally. I think this will be an outstanding game. Our defense did a great job keeping us in the game at NCC. I also agree turnovers will be the key. I think the team that does not turn it over or turns it over the least will win this one. I am not sure of the weather but I hope its as nice as it turned out in Naperville.

Go Crusaders

wally_wabash · November 21, 2005, 03:58:08 PM

Early weather forecasts are calling for cold (mid 30s) and a chance of snow. We'll keep monitoring the forecast all week...but right now it looks like we could be in for some good late season football weather.

purpled · November 21, 2005, 06:18:18 PM

Do you thin LK learned something last year with MHB? They may not be the same but MHB had a great running game which was the key to them beating MUC last year.

What about 8 in the box? Would that difuse a running game like Augie's?

mucraiders · November 21, 2005, 07:09:02 PM

Quote from: hscoach on November 21, 2005, 11:56:57 AM
Hopefully LK takes back the reigns from Campbell and Candle. This isn't the week to let the young guys get some experience calling the O.

He may start out like he did against MSJ. Giving those guys a chance, but then quickly start calling plays. But this is definitely the game you need to score often and quickly. Starting out with two 3 and outs will not be a great way to begin against Augustana.

Cap99Fan · November 21, 2005, 07:37:16 PM

Wally,

I was born and raised in Florida and dread "good late season football weather". I hope we can hold on to the football this week in the cold. I'm sure the coach has helped our guys learn to hold on to the ole pigskin. If you go to the game you will know me, I will be bundled up like the kid in A Christmas story unable to move because of all the layers. I'm sure win or lose it will be a great time in Crawfordsville.

Go Crusaders!!!!!!!!