FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[fredsdriveinn]

Check out the poll on the D3 homepage...I found it interesting that nearly 1 out of 3 think Mount will not win the National Championship this season.

[4u]

Regarding John Carroll:  As many of you know there used to be many of us who posted on here frequently as John Carroll alums-- sometimes positive and other times negative.  As the past couple of seasons began, and then unfolded, I never really could come up with anything relevant to post.  It reminds me of an old saying that went something along these lines...
"It is far better to have critics than people who don't care."
A disinterested,
4u

[reality check]

Check out the poll on the D3 homepage...I found it interesting that nearly 1 out of 3 think Mount will not win the National Championship this season.

That 33% are what we call "fans" and they're probably hoping their school wins.  Crazy but true is the fact that there are a significant number of people out there that DON'T WANT Mount to win another one.  Shocking I know...

[HScoach]

Even a disinterested 4u is better than no 4u at all

[D3 Poster]

I haven't seen db Nick Barren listed as a starter recently.  Still on the squad, injured or just batttling for pt?

[Toph]

If there is anyone who voted that Mount will lose a game at some point during this season (and I'm including playoffs), please post who, exactly, you think will beat them.  I'm curious to know what people think.  If Mount continues to play like this there isn't a team that can come close.  This team is unlike all the other teams in the past, they are completely dominating both sides of the ball, and have more offensive weapons than the black market.

Ironically enough, I was talking to some Whitewater fans at the Stagg Bowl last year and the subject of how many national titles MUC had won came up and my response at the time was "10."  They responded, "10?"  "That's counting this year and next year."

So, for the 30% who say that Mount will lose...who is beating them?

Before I get bashed by someone for being a Mount honk...I'm a JCU grad.  I just call 'em like I see 'em.

[DII/DIIIFan]

I'm not an MUC alum or fan, but just an honest observer who has watched MUC play this season, as well as for many previous years.

I've been watching DIII football faithfully for 25 years since graduating from college myself. This year's MUC team is the best I have witnessed during the past quarter century - by far.

The only DIII team that can beat them in 2007 is nicknamed the Purple Raiders. MUC would have to have a turnover trainwreck and run into a team that played perfectly. I simply don't see that happening - anyone posting otherwise surely has not seen MUC play in person.

[4u]

hscoach,
Thanks!  I am disinterested, but still enjoy reading what the group here debates, believes, and (sometimes) imagines.
4u

[mount513]

Mount ?,   Barren was jnjured several weeks ago, a cracked fibula I believe.  May be back for the playoffs.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just a warning to Mount fans of how crazy things can get.  Two Michigan high school teams this fall: week 7, Muskegon 56, Hudsonville, 0; round two of playoffs, Hudsonville 41, Muskegon 7!  (And no, no significant players were missing for either team in either game.)  Can anyone top that for a turnaround?

And no, I'm not predicting anything like that for MUC (I voted "14-20", and even then have no idea who will come that close).  But it is indeed a funny game with funny bounces. 

[HScoach]

In regards to all the "MUC will win it again" talk, I agree that it sure appears like that's the case.  But very few (if any) teams are good enough to just simply show up to win.  Even the 1997 MUC team that was the best I've ever seen needed a huge defensive stop in the final seconds to survive against Allegheny in the 1st Round. 

With the lopsided scores and the OAC's offenses being down, coupled with the supposed lack of quality inthe North Region, this season is looking a lot like the 2003 season.  And if this team approaches the Stagg like the 2003 team did, the result will be the same too.

No doubt they're damn good.  Potentially one of the best ever.  But Title #10 will only happen if they play hard and approach each opponent the way LK preaches.   

That said, I don't have any inclination to believe that this group will fall into the same "we're untouchable" trap that the '03 group did.  This team has better leadership (Kostelnik, Micheli, DeRiggi, etc) than '03 did.  They have a much better QB both physically and mentally.  The starting RB's on the '03 team would be sitting behind Kmic, Wray and Morring for carries on this team.  A gimpy Garcon is better than any WR the '03 team had.  The defense is faster, deeper and more aggresive than any in MUC's history.   And everyone remembers what happened in '03.

I'd be very shocked if they don't win it all this year.  But I thought the same thing driving to Salem in '03.  It's fun for us to speculate about what's lies ahead in a few weeks, but as long as the team isn't thinking that way they'll be fine.

For what it's worth, I voted for the 14-20 point range

[HScoach]

Any bets on how long it takes Ric to post that I need to relax?

The "over & under" is 15 minutes......................

[Mr. Ypsi]

Any bets on how long it takes Ric to post that I need to relax?

The "over & under" is 15 minutes......................

I just checked the 'members list', and Ric is not online - I'll take the over!

[purpled]

I guess there's plenty who are tired of us winning the title as they showed themselves in the poll. That's ok though...you're allowed to dream. 

I think Mount will win by 28-34 points/game and not because of our offense but because of the smothering, attacking defense. This D does not allow a team to breathe and now the obvious...D wins titles!  


RUN NATE RUN!!  ROLL RAIDERS ROLL!!

[Ric]

The "this is the best team ever" talk is little premature.  This team has won nine games.  The last time I heard this kind of talk was '03 and we all know what happened.  And lets give our opponent that day a bit of credit.  They had the best player, played the better game and were the better team. I'm sorry folks, yes what Mount Union has done thus far this year is very, very impressive.  And they may go on and win it all without being challenged.  Although I doubt that will happen.  There will be a challenge(s) along the way and this team, as all, can be beat.  Although I wouldn't bet that way and certainly hope not.  I just think this kind of talk disrespects the rest of Division III football.