FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[runyr]

It's only Wednesday and we already have 28 participants in the OAC Pick-Em's!  Hopefully we can top the 33 pickers we had last year.

At this point, the Toss-Up of the Week is clearly the Muskingum at Waynesburg game as it's split exactly 50/50.

They'll be at least 29 (me), but I'll wait to make sure there isn't an earthquake or something before pick'n.  Weather doesn't appear to be a factor this weekend in most places.  30% chance of rain in Texas could help the best ground game.  This special report is brought to you free of charge!

[kcreds]

The Pios are headed North by NorthWest! The wagontrain is leaving any minute. I will take this time to offer my perspective on the game. The Johnnies will be tough on offense and defense, based on their tradition of good teams. Are they beatable and can the Pios do it? I say yes. If an upset is in the making it will start with the defense. Catching the Johnnies early in the season should help the Pios D because their offensive timing may be off. The defense that showed up at ONU last year will have to show up again and keep this game close. The special teams will also have to step up and help with field position. If either of those 2 units fail, it will be a long day. With that said, the offense cannot put the defense in bad positions such as turnovers or a lot of three and outs. The offense has some special athletes and they will make plays but again the game has to stay close. If the play calling is anything like what I saw last year and so far this year, the Pios will have the D guessing a lot. The special weapon will be all the Kentucky Fried Chicken they have eaten recently. I hope it will make them greasy quick. What I have stated is probably an obvious recipe for any underdog to win but I believe the Pios can cook it up when that wagontrain pulls in. This is the year of the underdog, the movie that is. Goooooo Pios!

[reality check]

33-28 victors!  If I retire right now, I have a higher career winning percentage than LK.  My offensive line got 5 rushing scores and a rushing conversion.  I'm so proud of the kids tonight.  We lost one of our varsity coaches this week, passing away at the age of 60, and his son happens to be our JV coach; his grandson is one of our starting tailbacks.  We presented his grandson a signed game ball from all of our freshmen and played with heat lightning around us all night.  When the team gathered to present him with a football, the heavens parted and it started pouring down rain.  It was a special night for all of the kids. 

Thank God for this game!

[seventiesraider]

Kcreds - I agree Marietta has a very good chance of coming home a winner. The Pois are the best team The Johnnies will see all year and St Johns has lost a few season openers in recent years. It all depends on how successful they have been at filling spots like QB. Hey, bring home a winner.

[Genius Gone Bad]

RC

Congrats on the big win.   The football Gods have a funny way of showing remorse.  My deepest prayers go out to the coaching staff and also the young man affected by the passing of his gradnfather

[DuffMan]

The Pois are the best team The Johnnies will see all year...

Although I have not seen the Pioneers, I doubt that.

...and St Johns has lost a few season openers in recent years.

Can't argue with that.

Opening game is the best time to catch the Johnnies off guard, but I don't see it happening Saturday.

[raiderguy]

As a totally unbiased observer  I would be hard pressed to pick against St Johns even in the opening game. This is the first time the team is hitting an opponent but my feeling is Marietta is still at the middle of the pack in the OAC. With St Olaf, Bethel and St Thomas (Tommies Suck!) as three teams right off the top that I would hold in higher regard as far as strength of opponent.

St Johns has a good group of returning players including the QB who was rated an AA first team in a least one of those nonsensical polls. Their weakness on O may be running back due to a loss of the returning starter and inexperience at wide receiver. The defenese is solid with a monster on the line by the name of Nick Gunderson. Tough guy to stop and he is only a junior I believe.  All in all it will be a great day. Weather in the 80's, STIFTUNGFESTIVITIES before the game, great stadium setting, 8000 plus usually there, opening season, and maybe a visit to the "LA" to seal the deal.

Kcreds,
I got your back on the Crown Royal.

See ya'll Saturday

[raiderguy]

Dusty & Duff,

That was my poor attempt at humor.

Like the picture though. Any chance of an 8 X 10 glossy?

See ya Saturday.

Redeveloping.

[DuffMan]

Like the picture though. Any chance of an 8 X 10 glossy?

See ya Saturday.

I'll even autograph it for you
I'll be there in spirit on Saturday   We'll meet up at a later game.  Have fun!

[JK]

I know it is the first weekend of football and I should be talking about other stuff, but I couldn't resist this.

For RC, tdubs, and all the rest of you Bengals and Reds fans out there, here is a link to a guy who writes songs about them as well as UK and others.  I first heard him on the sports radio station here in Lexington a couple of days ago and just checked out his site.  They're all pretty good, some very funny, especially "My bullpen" about the Reds and "How many ways can you lose a game" about the Bengals.  On a better note, "This is next year" has become the unofficial song of Wildcat football for this season.  He has done youtube clips for most of his songs, so click on "watch" to hear the songs and watch the videos.

www.ryanparkersongs.com

Have fun...

RC,

Congrats on the first win and our condolences to your staff on the loss.

[TC]

Catching the Johnnies early in the season should help the Pios D because their offensive timing may be off.

Catching the Johnnies early is always a good idea.  Since 2001, 4 of their 7 regular season losses have come in either Week 1 or Week 2 following a Week 1 loss.  Three of the losses have come to UW-Eau Claire and one to St. Olaf--both teams could generally be described as solid teams, just below the upper echelon of strong conferences.  After Marietta's middle-of-the-OAC-pack showing the last few years, this is certainly a chance for them to make a statement on a national stage.

While the unknown opponent and Week 1 curse scare me a little bit, I think the Johnnies will return enough talent to put this one away in the second half and sort through some of their newcomers late in the game.

Be sure to check out  www.johnniefootball.com.  We've already posted our game preview, and we'll have game predictions up Satuday morning.


Also, for those Mariettas making the trip out, a little more information on the Stiftungsfestivities:  http://collegesportingnews.net/Sites/csn/article.asp?articleid=87005 .  Be sure to stop by and try a burger!

[NCC_alum62]

The Pois are the best team The Johnnies will see all year...

Although I have not seen the Pioneers, I doubt that.

Of course they'll be the best team they've seen all year...its Week 1  couldn't resist

[Pat Coleman]

And who are the Pois? Is that like University of Hawaii-Kahului?

[DuffMan]

The Pois are the best team The Johnnies will see all year...

Although I have not seen the Pioneers, I doubt that.

Of course they'll be the best team they've seen all year...its Week 1  couldn't resist

He said, "...the best team the Johnnies will see all year."   

[Toph]

I have a higher career winning percentage than LK

Time to retire as the greatest coach of all time.  Come on, RC...go out on top!   

Congrats on win #1.