FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[D3 Poster]

Here's what I found by looking at each school's football site:

# of football coaches currently listed:

1. JCU 16
2. BW  14
3/4. MU & ONU  12
5/6 Cap & Wilm 10
7 Heidi 8
8 Ott 7
9 Musk 6
10 Etta 4

Margin for error...schools may not have updated sites.  For example, I did look at the '06 media guides for the Pios & Muskies and both had twelve coaches listed.

Can't tell how many are full-time vs part-time vs volunteer.

But do think the number of coaches has to impact recruiting and wonder if it may reflect each school's admin's relative commitment to football

[kcreds]

I wanted to post the Capital preview but I must have missed it. I also missed the Pios preview.

As an amateur DIII and OAC fan, I wanted to give my own preview of this year's season. I'm curious how far off I may be after the season and how it differs from the opinions of other posters on here. I think it is no surprise that Mount Union is the team to beat. I thought the last couple of years, looking in from the NCAC, that Capital and Ohio Northern had a legitimate chance to dethrone them. Sorry purple lovers but I dearly wanted it to happen because I do not like dynasties and it would give teams, like the Pios, hope. The problem is that I think the opportunity has passed by very good Capital and ONU teams and this year's teams don't appear to be as strong. IMHO all the other teams besides Mt. Union will be battling for second. There will be some upsets and surprises. I can't honestly say who will finish where because after the top team there is a lot of parity. I hope Marietta will contend but they have a lot of hard work ahead of them. I do like the fact they have a progressive head coach and a lot of transfers that have experienced championships in high school. Those players bring a winning attitude to the team. I have spoken to a very special transfer, not Jr., and his outlook and attitude is great. The Pios will have some very athletic players but the keys to their season, as I see it, is as follows:
1.   The new QB minimizes his mistakes.
2.   The men in the trenches really step it up.
3.   The defense plays to their potential and keeps the games close.
4.   The potential standout players actually play to their ability.
5.   The special teams make big plays and not allow the opponents to do the same.
6.   The leaders don't allow the team to get down during adversity.
I know I am vague about who these players are but I don't want to potentially let the proverbial cat out of the bag, everyone will know soon enough. I will refer to these keys in my posts throughout the season. I am excited to get this party started and this post allowed me to relieve some of my anxiety. Go Pios!

[HScoach]

kcreds:  I love your enthusiasm, and I'm glad that someone is excited and talking about the Etta Express.

The hole at QB is well documented, but I'd be more concerned with the Pio defense in '07 if they really want to be competitive.  I know going against MUC isn't always the best indication of an opponent's real capability, but they were very poor defensively against Mount.  Not very physical and didn't display an abundance of speed either, as evidenced by their OAC 9th ranking in total and rush defense.  If that continues for '07, then they're in trouble.  If some the key transfers you hint about are defensive help, then I can see them improving more than I expect.

I'd judge the success level of this season on the simple basis of whether Etta beats all the teams that they physically have a chance to do so against.  I'd be very impressed by the new coaching staff if they could guide Marietta to a 5-5 record this year.  IMHO, a .500 record will likely require an upset win over John Carroll and a tough win over Otterbein.  Reason being that St John's, Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace, Ohio Northern and Capital are clearly more talented than the Pios and almost guaranteed losses.  Which makes not losing to the likes of Musky, Wilma and Berg an absolute necessity.  The Otterbein contest on paper should be a good one as the Otters return a healthy amount of starters from a disappointing '06 team, including one of the few senior QB's in the conference.  I could see Marietta finishing anywhere between 3-7 and 5-5.  Anything better than .500 would be a huge shock to me.

[kcreds]

hscoach: Thanks for your honest insight. I agree with a lot of what you stated. Being physical on defense has a lot to do with the line and I see potential. Linebackers should be good but the jury will be out on the DB's due to the losses. Please don't get me wrong, the transfers will not be the saviors of this program. However they will play an important role, either by earning a starting spot or pushing the incumbents more. The Pios beat ONU at ONU by not allowing a TD last year. They beat a highly regarded BW team at home last year. If the Etta Express has truly turned the corner of improvement, then they should surprise some teams this year. I agree, they must beat the teams they match up evenly with. I will be disappointed with a sub .500 season. I love rooting for a team capable of the shock factor and the Pios could be that team. Go Pios!

[TC]

kcreds--

Will you be making the Sep. 1 trip to scenic Collegeville to see your Pioneers taken out behind the pines?  If you do, be sure to stop by the pregame tailgate (many details to follow on the MIAC board)--visitors more than welcome!

For what it's worth, the first game of the year has historically been the time to catch the Johnnies.  This is usually attributed to John Gagliardi's no hitting/minimal contact rule in practice.  Over the years:

2006--15-11 W against UW-Eau Claire
2005--35-28 W at UW-Eau Claire
2004--28-30 L against UW-Eau Claire coming off the Stagg Bowl win against MUC
2003--74-7 W at Hamline, exception that proves the rule, I guess
2002--21-28 L at UW-Eau Claire
2001--10-25 L against UW-Eau Claire, 28-31 L against St. Olaf in week 2

During the vast majority of the era, UWEC was an upper-middle class team from a top conference which, I gather, Marietta aspires to be.  I'm sure the familiarity UWEC had with SJU helped them be competitive the last couple years. 

I think Marietta will struggle against SJU with a new QB but with their whole O-Line back and what sounds like a pretty decent D-Tackle it should be a fun game. 

[kcreds]

TC-you give me hope. If Jr. makes the traveling team, I will definitely be there. I will look forward to any suggestions on where to stay and where the free Crown Royal will be. My wife says the Mall of America is a must. What truly will be a must is visiting your tailgate party and having one of our own. It will be my first trip to the state of Minnesota and again I hope to have the opportunity to go.

[kcreds]

Hey TC, I forgot one thing on my last post, Lets Goooooooooooo Pioneers!

[Pat Coleman]

The preseason Top 25 is posted.
http://www.d3football.com/top25.php

[D3 Poster]

I'd love to see a 15-11 score....hopefully, Glaser has some tips to give Wiese on keeping it close.

For non-UWEC & non-Marietta followers....Glaser was HC at Marietta '03-'05 with Wiese (OC).  Glaser then headed back to his alma mater for the '06 season and Wiese took over the reins at MC.

[HScoach]

Just a random thought to pass the time:  The picture of Garcon flying into the endzone would be the perfect picture if it wasn't for the guy standing in the background.

[HScoach]

I'd love to see a 15-11 score....

I think you have the correct "digits" in the score, you just have the "hyphen" in the wrong place.

[reality check]

The preseason Top 25 is posted.
http://www.d3football.com/top25.php

And that post from Pat just hit something home for me:

IT'S ALMOST FOOTBALL TIME!!!

Just a random thought to pass the time:  The picture of Garcon flying into the endzone would be the perfect picture if it wasn't for the guy standing in the background.

But thanks to that guy, someone has a recording of what it sounds like when Pierre Garcon takes flight.  Keep an eye out for a feature on Discovery Channel or something.

[reality check]

So the pre-season poll has three OAC representatives and one sitting just outside the top 25 in Baldwin Wallace.  For some reason, MUC is ranked first (what a crock!?!).  CAP and ONU sit at 12 and 17 respectively.  I think CAP's ranking makes sense: They were so successful last season and represented the OAC so well in the playoffs but they lose so much.  I think 12 is a good "respect" and "recognition" ranking.

ONU sitting at 17 is pleasantly surprising.  I feel they're a top 25 program but am a little surprised to see them in the top 20 after a 6-4 season.  I hope they play as well as the respect that is being shown to them in the pre-season poll. 

I'm willing to bet that B-W will be sitting in that top 25 after the first week of play when someone inevitably falls asleep in the top 25 first week.

I can't wait for some OAC football!!!

[kcreds]

hscoach:  

Poke your fun at the Pios expense but Marietta has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The experience will be invaluable. Even though I prefer to have a patsy the first game, gotta love the guts, no not stupidity, but guts. No guts no glory! Go Pios!

[runyr]

As I'm searching for as much info on the Pios team this year I come across this article. I know Mt. Union fans don't need any extra fuel to get hyped but here it is anyway.

http://www.mariettatimes.com/sports/story/spt43_724200781254.asp

By the way, Go Pios!

Thanks for the link, kcreds.
Death, taxes, and Mount Union, the only things you can count on! (Crossing fingers on the last one.)