FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[OU#25]

Come on who didn't vote for Trine.

I think Occidental will get beat.

[Desertraider]

I was reading in the ODAC room the other day and came across the comment "Mount Union winning on saturday is not predetermined..." and while it is correct I decided to think over some keys to winning for RMC.
The key to a RMC victory is NOT:
1. Stopping Kmic
2. Shutting down Shorts
3. Containing Micheli and forcing mistakes
4. Keeping Mount from playing on a short field
5. Contolling the ball on offense (eat the clock)
6. Avoiding TOs and penalties

The key to a RMC victory is ALL of those things - and none more than anyother. They have to do all of them and at the same time avoid penalties. In short RMC has to play the perfect game. I am not going to say that they can't do that - but since 1993 the only close to a guarantee (in the way death  and taxes are guaranteed) is a Mount Union victory on every Saturday (please visit www.mtunionfootball.com for supporting data). The problem for RMC is going to be acheiving 1 through 6 above for 4 quarters. Mount has shown that they can score from anywhere on the field at anytime (against OTT - 4 plays = 14 points). For RMC the main key to the game is going to be the first series. They have to drive downfield and score (if RMC gets the ball) or stop Mount (if RMC kicks off). After that the first 15 minutes will determine the outcome. If Mount puts 21 points on the board in the 1st qtr - start the bus because they will add another 21 before halftime.

Now having said that my prediction is:
Mount Union 49
RMC 3 (I'll give them 3 since they are in the playoffs)

If that score bothers some RMC people, well no offense is intended - but the only thing that keeps this Mount team off the scoreboard is LK deciding to take his foot off the gas.

I hate to modify posts but I forgot the biggest obstacle for RMC: LK. Mount has been successful because he treats every opponent as if they were the best team on the planet. He prepares Mount for a game against Marietta just as he would for UWW. That is why there is no let down. Don't expect Mount to come in flat - they will come in prepared to play the greatest team ever.......RMC.

[Desertraider]

Come on who didn't vote for Trine.

I think Occidental will get beat.

I voted for Trine as well. My bracket has OTT coming out of the North. I also have Mount meeting the Johnnies in Salem. Granted I am not sure if that is because I would like to get the sour taste out of my mouth after 2003, or if I really think the Johnnies will make it.

[OU#25]

OU25

You bring your press pass to get on the sidelines, or are you not coming?

Hi Hurf,

I scored a last minute ticket for the OSU/Michigan game so I'll be in Columbus...but I will be in Alliance on the 29th.

[Desertraider]

OU25

You bring your press pass to get on the sidelines, or are you not coming?

Hi Hurf,

I scored a last minute ticket for the OSU/Michigan game so I'll be in Columbus...but I will be in Alliance on the 29th.

Congrats on that ticket. I actually had my sister offer me a ticket - she is a huge OSU fan and has never offered one to me before because I am a Michigan fan. I truned the offer down because I can not bear to see the beating OSU is going to deliver.

[seventiesraider]

Thanks for the well wishes TooForRaider and look for to shaking your hand in Salem. Doubt there is anything beyond re-injuring my hip that would keep me away.

Since I don't drink anymore I can chaperone the all night tailgate.

I still feel an obligation to be there for Raider66.

[SaintsFAN]

OU25

You bring your press pass to get on the sidelines, or are you not coming?

Hi Hurf,

I scored a last minute ticket for the OSU/Michigan game so I'll be in Columbus...but I will be in Alliance on the 29th.

Congrats on that ticket. I actually had my sister offer me a ticket - she is a huge OSU fan and has never offered one to me before because I am a Michigan fan. I truned the offer down because I can not bear to see the beating OSU is going to deliver.

I just sold 4 of them (Section 3B Row 2) for $600 total.  The market is WAY DOWN on these this year, with good reason.  Vegas openned up at Michigan +19 yesterday.  When was the last time Ohio State beat them by more than 10 points?

[Desertraider]

OU25

You bring your press pass to get on the sidelines, or are you not coming?

Hi Hurf,

I scored a last minute ticket for the OSU/Michigan game so I'll be in Columbus...but I will be in Alliance on the 29th.

Congrats on that ticket. I actually had my sister offer me a ticket - she is a huge OSU fan and has never offered one to me before because I am a Michigan fan. I truned the offer down because I can not bear to see the beating OSU is going to deliver.

I just sold 4 of them (Section 3B Row 2) for $600 total.  The market is WAY DOWN on these this year, with good reason.  Vegas openned up at Michigan +19 yesterday.  When was the last time Ohio State beat them by more than 10 points?

It was 2004. OSU won 37-21

Scratch that it was 2007 OSU won 14-3

[SaintsFAN]

ok, that last time they won by 19!!   

[OU#25]

I was reading in the ODAC room the other day and came across the comment "Mount Union winning on saturday is not predetermined..." and while it is correct I decided to think over some keys to winning for RMC.
The key to a RMC victory is NOT:
1. Stopping Kmic
2. Shutting down Shorts
3. Containing Micheli and forcing mistakes
4. Keeping Mount from playing on a short field
5. Contolling the ball on offense (eat the clock)
6. Avoiding TOs and penalties

The key to a RMC victory is ALL of those things - and none more than anyother. They have to do all of them and at the same time avoid penalties. In short RMC has to play the perfect game. I am not going to say that they can't do that - but since 1993 the only close to a guarantee (in the way death  and taxes are guaranteed) is a Mount Union victory on every Saturday (please visit www.mtunionfootball.com for supporting data). The problem for RMC is going to be acheiving 1 through 6 above for 4 quarters. Mount has shown that they can score from anywhere on the field at anytime (against OTT - 4 plays = 14 points). For RMC the main key to the game is going to be the first series. They have to drive downfield and score (if RMC gets the ball) or stop Mount (if RMC kicks off). After that the first 15 minutes will determine the outcome. If Mount puts 21 points on the board in the 1st qtr - start the bus because they will add another 21 before halftime.

Now having said that my prediction is:
Mount Union 49
RMC 3 (I'll give them 3 since they are in the playoffs)

If that score bothers some RMC people, well no offense is intended - but the only thing that keeps this Mount team off the scoreboard is LK deciding to take his foot off the gas.

Nice post... but I'll even concede point #5 Contolling the ball on offense (eat the clock) to RMC.  I think it's a "nice to have" but not a "gotta have" proposition for them.  MUC has been historically explosive on offense and this year is no exception.  I can remember a few years back MUC winning by 30+ in the playoffs (Augie?) but losing the time of posession battle to them 48m to 12m!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Desertraider]

ok, that last time they won by 19!!   

In 1968 OSU won 50-14. But UM still has the most lopsided win (at least until Saturday). They beat OSU 86-0 in 1902.

[New Tradition]

Nice post... but I'll even concede point #5 Contolling the ball on offense (eat the clock) to RMC.  I think it's a "nice to have" but not a "gotta have" proposition for them.  MUC has been historically explosive on offense and this year is no exception.  I can remember a few years back MUC winning by 30+ in the playoffs (Augie?) but losing the time of posession battle to them 48m to 12m!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

This game was actually just discussed in the CCIW chat:

This is really a good question because from what I've seen just watching the last three national championships and game film (of other teams in the OAC) they seem to be extremely balanced on offense with a stingy/opportunistic defense. 

I would think that the best defense for this type of an opponent would be the ole ball control scheme and try to shorten the game.  This does not mean that a team wouldn't have to run, run and run some more--even though I personally wouldn't have any problem with that--because the same can be accomplished by short, timing route passing as well.  This way you tire out the defense while keeping the offense on the sidelines.

I think this would be better than going in to the game with the game plan of meeting at the O.K. Carral just doesn't seem like a great idea against them. 

Matilda,

That's a great strategy against Mt. Union, but sometimes even that's not good enough. I know I've covered this before (so bear with me), but it's so amazing I'll mention it again.
In 1999:

• Augie ran 91 plays to MUC's 33
• Augie had a 48:08 to 11:52 advantage in TOP
• Augie outgained MUC 447-293 (including 398-189 on the ground)
• Each team had just one turnover

Mt. Union won the game 42-33.

That's just sickening.  I can't think of any other way to describe that...

Preposterous is close, but doesn't quite cut it.

[Desertraider]

I was reading in the ODAC room the other day and came across the comment "Mount Union winning on saturday is not predetermined..." and while it is correct I decided to think over some keys to winning for RMC.
The key to a RMC victory is NOT:
1. Stopping Kmic
2. Shutting down Shorts
3. Containing Micheli and forcing mistakes
4. Keeping Mount from playing on a short field
5. Contolling the ball on offense (eat the clock)
6. Avoiding TOs and penalties

The key to a RMC victory is ALL of those things - and none more than anyother. They have to do all of them and at the same time avoid penalties. In short RMC has to play the perfect game. I am not going to say that they can't do that - but since 1993 the only close to a guarantee (in the way death  and taxes are guaranteed) is a Mount Union victory on every Saturday (please visit www.mtunionfootball.com for supporting data). The problem for RMC is going to be acheiving 1 through 6 above for 4 quarters. Mount has shown that they can score from anywhere on the field at anytime (against OTT - 4 plays = 14 points). For RMC the main key to the game is going to be the first series. They have to drive downfield and score (if RMC gets the ball) or stop Mount (if RMC kicks off). After that the first 15 minutes will determine the outcome. If Mount puts 21 points on the board in the 1st qtr - start the bus because they will add another 21 before halftime.

Now having said that my prediction is:
Mount Union 49
RMC 3 (I'll give them 3 since they are in the playoffs)

If that score bothers some RMC people, well no offense is intended - but the only thing that keeps this Mount team off the scoreboard is LK deciding to take his foot off the gas.

Nice post... but I'll even concede point #5 Contolling the ball on offense (eat the clock) to RMC.  I think it's a "nice to have" but not a "gotta have" proposition for them.  MUC has been historically explosive on offense and this year is no exception.  I can remember a few years back MUC winning by 30+ in the playoffs (Augie?) but losing the time of posession battle to them 48m to 12m!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

True. That is why I said they have to them all. Mount can score in a heartbeat - and often does lose the time of possession battle (if there is such a thing). But if RMC can eat the clock, stop Kmic, etc...then they can (at least in theory) pull an upset. The bottom line is they have to keep Mount's O on the sideline as much as possible, and be successful in items 1, 2, 3 and 4 when Mount has the ball. Thats the dilemma for RMC. Stop Kmic with 8 in the box and Shorts will make you pay. Shutdown Shorts with double coverage or safety over the top and they will be short on Claycomb, Petruziello, or Reynolds. How do you control Micheli? Blitz....but you risk exposing the middle if you use LBs (kmic slips the blitz and he is gone) or the outside if you use Corners.

[raiderguy]

I couldn't help but notice a certain freshman running back in the second half of the Marietta game gained 108 yards. Name Tyler Harris 5' 11" and 190 from New Metomoras/Frontier. Is that like Delta/Delta? Do we have a new Nate in waiting coming from a small school?

Ric, can you help with this since I assume you saw him play JV games?

[Desertraider]

I couldn't help but notice a certain freshman running back in the second half of the Marietta game gained 108 yards. Name Tyler Harris 5' 11" and 190 from New Metomoras/Frontier. Is that like Delta/Delta? Do we have a new Nate in waiting coming from a small school?

Ric, can you help with this since I assume you saw him play JV games?

I meant to ask about him as well. The WRMU guys kept calling him one name, and the Live Stats were showing a different name. Was it Harris that was actually getting the ball, or some other back?