FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

[SaintsFAN]

These are two evenly matched football teams; could be quite the matchup problem that TMC was not looking for in their 1st playoff game. If the defense can get by this first test, it will wake them up to a showdown with Mt. Union down the road. Given that, TMC will still be a 2 touchdown underdog against Mt. Union if they meet, but I think that Mt. Union's quickness can be matched up well with TMC athleticism.

Here's a note for both teams: DEP - never stop throwing the football because you will be unable to run. Put the ball in the hands of your QB, he may shine in an intermediate passing game with quality receivers. Stack the box and make TMC pass the football; if they shadow the QB and take him out of the game, then there will be a game. TMC- quit rotating DBs, RBs and WRs. This is not the time in the season to "play everyone" and keep everyone happy. Play the best of the best and let them earn their halos. There are 2 LBs that should never come off the field unless they insist. There are two RBs that should never come off the field unless they insist. There are two WRs that should never come off the field unless they insist. It would be a real tragedy if the Saints' season came down to the wrong personnel being on the field.

Homer,

I also think this is going to be a 4th Quarter game (I took DePauw +17.5 in Hscoach's pick ems).   I also 100% agree with you about the rotation... though, consider this --- only 52 players can dress on Saturday.  Collier and Owens should be the ball carriers--- and Gramke and Steinmetz will be busy on Saturday.  I just hope our DB's are ready.  You know Autenreib is... but the rest are in for a big test.  The only way to beat that Dick is to pressure him and hammer the receivers.   He's a 4 year starter like Trevor, so you know the guy is saavy.   TMC is gonna get their big plays on offense --- its very hard to stop the offense the first time you see it... but turnovers will tell how many points they score.  I like how Trevor was upset after the big win last week --- because he turned it over 3 times. 

They learned last year against NCC ---- by having the lead and the ball in 1st quarter and going in for the score when they turned it over and then NCC blew them out.  The margin for error is slim --- TMC has already experienced this last year and I think thats also a big advantage.  Everything DePauw is doing this week (except for the football part) is new to them.  We'll see if it affects them at all. 

RE:  any potential game with MUC this year.

They would be at least 17 point dogs up in Alliance.  I've had a chance to see that program up close and personal --- and even broadcasted a playoff game up there.  EVERYTHING is different up there from anything I've seen.   TMC or anyone from the South Region would have to play very well for it to be close... most teams don't beat them on their first try.  Wheaton College played 11 playoff games from 2002-2008... in each of the 5 years --- the road ended in Alliance for them.  Its a big mountain. 

Do I think TMC could match up physically with them?  Absolutely --- but there's alot more to it than that. 

Enough of that though, I have a feeling that DePauw is a more than worthy playoff opponent and TMC will need Stellman to be at his best -- quick decisions, accurate throws --- to loosen up the Tiger defense for Collier and Owens.  The option won't net much early on --- if he's connected on some passes, they'll be able to run the ball.  That Tiger defense has played against Millsaps, a spread team (but they throw) --- they have the athletes to defend a spread offense. 

27-20 is what I think the score is going to be --- with TMC defense winning the game in the final 2 minutes by getting off the field.


BTW -- homer, you are more than welcome to visit with the Blue Rebel alumni group.  We have spots 143-147 on Saturday and will be there by 9:30 for the most part.  We'll have the grill going, beverages, stories about playing our "home games" at Lockland HS and some "old guy shenanigans".

[HScoach]

Mentioned earlier that W&J would play Delaware Valley in the 2010 season.
PAC/MAC offices released the complete schedule earlier:


September 11, 2010 (MAC default home team unless switched by mutual agreement)
PAC #1 Washington & Jefferson (9-1, 5-1 PAC) at MAC #1 Delaware Valley (9-1, 7-0 MAC)
PAC #2 Geneva (7-3) at MAC #2 Albright (9-1, 6-1 MAC)
PAC #3 Grove City (5-5, 4-2 PAC) at MAC #3 Lebanon Valley (8-2, 5-2 MAC)
PAC #4 Waynesburg (5-5, 2-4 PAC) at MAC #4 Wilkes (6-4, 3-4 MAC)
PAC #5 Westminster (4-6, 2-4 PAC) at MAC #5 Lycoming (4-6, 3-4 MAC)
PAC #6 Bethany (3-7, 1-5 PAC) at MAC #6 King's (3-7, 2-5 MAC)
PAC #7 Thiel (3-7, 1-5 PAC) at MAC #7 Widener (3-7, 1-6 MAC)
PAC #8 Saint Vincent (0-10) at MAC #8 FDU-Florham (2-8, 1-6 MAC)

Bob
I believe you mentioned this previously but TMC was out of this due to travel correct?  

SaintFAN or PAChomer, do we know who the saints will have as the other OOC game besides MSJ?  Are we done with John Carroll?

We are done with John Carroll, I believe.  Not sure who next year will be the opener.  I'd like it to be Hanover or Defiance... one can wish.  

Edit:  These are some candidates for Week 1 (within travel distance):

Carthage
DePauw
Earlham
Rose-Hulman

Here are some candidates for Week 2:

Alfred
Frostburg State


I'd say they find someone for Week 1, as in the past two years and have an open date in week 2.

Mount Union is usually looking for openers.   

I know they're looking for 2012 and beyond.

Dude... you know how I feel about this.  Plus it would mean another trip to A-town for me.  If I could schedule this game, it would be an annual affair.    To make the next leap---  TMC needs to see either Whitewater or MUC up close.  They have the talent coming in,  greater Cincinnati is on lockdown by Coach Hilvert.   He's hit Elder, St. Xavier, Moeller, LaSalle etc very hard. 

I'm for anything that gets SaintsFAN into Alliance more often.

[BlueRebel94]

Saints roll 34-17.  D will generate INTs and Rushing O will carry the day not unlike 2008 W&J v TMC only with all due respect to Spud Dick, he is not Bobby Swallow (SaintsFAN, no laughing for me working in those two names).

[PAC Homer]

That is a perfect post. Classic.

[SaintsFAN]

Saints roll 34-17.  D will generate INTs and Rushing O will carry the day not unlike 2008 W&J v TMC only with all due respect to Spud Dick, he is not Bobby Swallow (SaintsFAN, no laughing for me working in those two names).

HA.. You outdid yourself on that one, Smokin' Joe...

[D3_DPUFan]

DePauw game notes posted for Saturday's game at Thomas More.


http://depauw.edu/ath/football/2009/notes/thomas%20more.pdf

[BlueRebel94]

Thanks DPUFan, here is the TMC preview

http://www.thomasmore.edu/athletics/PDFs/09fbdepauwnotes.pdf

[SaintsFAN]

Thanks DPUFan, here is the TMC preview

http://www.thomasmore.edu/athletics/PDFs/09fbdepauwnotes.pdf

Don't put that on here.... look at DePauw's.  The TMC one is inferior, as you learn just as much about TMC in DePauw's as you do in their own  

[BlueRebel94]

Triple Take, we shall see who is the disappointment on Saturday.

[SaintsFAN]

Looks like the predicted scores for this game mean there will be a dogfight in Crestview Hills tomorrow ---- though I don't think TMC will get held to 20 points.  The offense is hard to prepare for --- option, play-action pass from the spread. 

No doubt this is a good offensive team for DePauw --- but TMC will make them one-dimensional and then focus on harassing Dick.


We'll see tomorrow, I guess. 

[BlueRebel94]

Pat: Thomas More 20, DePauw 17
Ryan: DePauw 20, Thomas More 17
Keith: Thomas More 20, DePauw 9

Smarter people than me but still question their accuracy.

[DPU3619]

No doubt this is a good offensive team for DePauw --- but TMC will make them one-dimensional and then focus on harassing Dick.

We'll see tomorrow, I guess. 

Getting DePauw to ditch the run won't be particularly difficult, especially if that Saints D is as good as advertised.  But, I might be careful what I wish for.   Having Spud throw 50 times isn't something I'm entirely certain you want to do.  Also, getting pressure on him is harder than it sounds.  That's a really good pass blocking offensive line.  Spud has been sacked just FIVE times this year.  All year.  That's probably because a lot of their stuff is 3 and 5 step drops. If you start blitzing him, you're going to run into some trouble, I think.

[SaintsFAN]

No doubt this is a good offensive team for DePauw --- but TMC will make them one-dimensional and then focus on harassing Dick.

We'll see tomorrow, I guess.  

Getting DePauw to ditch the run won't be particularly difficult, especially if that Saints D is as good as advertised.  But, I might be careful what I wish for.  Having Spud throw 50 times isn't something I'm entirely certain you want to do.  Also, getting pressure on him is harder than it sounds.  That's a really good pass blocking offensive line.  Spud has been sacked just FIVE times this year.  All year.  That's probably because a lot of their stuff is 3 and 5 step drops. If you start blitzing him, you're going to run into some trouble, I think.

I agree with what you're saying --- I'm buying in on it.  TMC has gotten pressure from their 3 and 4 man fronts this season.  If the DePauw team likes throwing 3 step slants and other stuff over the middle, there might be trouble there as some of the d lineman will be standing up at certain points.  TMC likes to disguise who is coming this way.... their D-ends have INT's on the season also.

Thats the key to the game IMO --- how many people TMC needs to bring to get pressure.  I'm not entirely comfortable with leaving the DB's on an island, though they are very good.  I'm sure they have a plan for the main WR... hopefully it works 

*MSJ had a QB who was sacked only 5 times going into last week.  DePauw has played better competition than MSJ did --- but the Saints will challenge themselves to get to the QB rushing 4.

[HScoach]

Good luck to T More tomorrow and beyond.  Would love to see them in Alliance in Round 4.

[SaintsFAN]

14-0 TMC with 7 min left in 1st quarter. Saints have totally shutdown the run and making plays on Dicks passes. 70 yard TD pass to reception by Owens and 1 yard run by Collier. 539 left in 1st quarter and Tigers are now punting for 3rd time..