FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[pg04]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

[D O.C.]

Hey Joe, good goin'.

[Teamski]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

[pg04]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

Maybe. I just always feel defeated by D3 by this point of the year. 

[Teamski]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

Maybe. I just always feel defeated by D3 by this point of the year. 

We can only hope for something different.  The seedings at least made that a possibility.......

-Ski

[Dr. Acula]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

And that's assuming either UMHB or Linfield get through UST.  The Tommies looked very good today.  They're no joke either. 

[Teamski]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

Maybe. I just always feel defeated by D3 by this point of the year. 

As a Wesley fan, this is especially true for me.  So friggin' close and yet so far every year......   

[Teamski]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

And that's assuming either UMHB or Linfield get through UST.  The Tommies looked very good today.  They're no joke either.

We'll see.  I don't see them matching up, but again, I haven't been watching the Tommies this year.

[pg04]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

And that's assuming either UMHB or Linfield get through UST.  The Tommies looked very good today.  They're no joke either.

I want to be clear that It's not a shot at the great teams like Mount, UWW, Linfield, MHB, St. Thomas when I say things like this. They deserve their spot. It just goes back to me wanting a tad bit more parity. But I get over it pretty quick and end up watching the last 3 games.

I was very impressed with St. Thomas, although I am wondering more about Wabash.

[pg04]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

Maybe. I just always feel defeated by D3 by this point of the year. 

As a Wesley fan, this is especially true for me.  So friggin' close and yet so far every year......   

Teams like Wesley, Wheaton, Wabash (and maybe now UWO?) seem so close. It does have to be frustrating to be these cusp teams.

[dlippiel]

Dlip has all the respect in the world for Mount and U dubba dub. They are model programs with incredible talent and coaching through and through. With that said Dlip would like to thank the committee for putting these two purple powers in the same bracket. Dlip is so desperately seeking some parity/diversity at the top of D3 that he is estatic that there will at least be one different team in the final. Dlip is pushing for Linfield all the way!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Dlip has all the respect in the world for Mount and U dubba dub. They are model programs with incredible talent and coaching through and through. With that said Dlip would like to thank the committee for putting these two purple powers in the same bracket. Dlip is so desperately seeking some parity/diversity at the top of D3 that he is estatic that there will at least be one different team in the final. Dlip is pushing for Linfield all the way!

I've been amused by the expressions of outrage or gratitude that UMU and UWW will meet before the Stagg - UWW was only (deservedly) the #3 seed in the Oshkosh quadrant, seeded behind undefeated Oshkosh and undefeated Wheaton.  What I find more potentially damning of the committee is that this never before happened in the previous decade.  While I haven't fine-combed the brackets to be sure, I suspect that EVERY other playoff team during that decade has sometimes been in the UMU side of the bracket and sometimes in the UWW side.  IF there has been any premeditation by the committee, it would seem that it has been to keep them separated, while no other teams have received that sort of consideration.

[wally_wabash]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

Maybe. I just always feel defeated by D3 by this point of the year. 

As a Wesley fan, this is especially true for me.  So friggin' close and yet so far every year......   

Teams like Wesley, Wheaton, Wabash (and maybe now UWO?) seem so close. It does have to be frustrating to be these cusp teams.

Days like today are frustrating, sure.  But having the chance to play for a semifinal and losing is 1000x less frustrating than checking out of D3 football after Week 11.  And that's the fate of most teams.  Can't ever lose that perspective. 

[pg04]

Seems like the purple powers all around will prevail, much to the dismay of most of us who wanted something different for a change. Sure, Mount and UWW are meeting in the Semis and not the finals, but meh, the winner of that will undoubtedly win the championship.

I wouldn't go that far.  I think both teams are most definitely mortal.  More so this year than any other year.  If Wesley can hang 35 points on UMU with a weak defense to stay in the game up to the last 6 minutes of the game, I think a UMHB or Linfield could stick with both teams.

-Ski

Maybe. I just always feel defeated by D3 by this point of the year. 

As a Wesley fan, this is especially true for me.  So friggin' close and yet so far every year......   

Teams like Wesley, Wheaton, Wabash (and maybe now UWO?) seem so close. It does have to be frustrating to be these cusp teams.

Days like today are frustrating, sure.  But having the chance to play for a semifinal and losing is 1000x less frustrating than checking out of D3 football after Week 11.  And that's the fate of most teams.  Can't ever lose that perspective.

This is true! Most teams don't make it to the playoffs let alone get past round 1.  Playing 3 more games against the upper echelon (playoff teams - note I didn't say elite,  ) is very special, especially when you continue it over a run of years.

[wesleydad]

12 hours of driving and 5.5 hours in Alliance.  What did I find out?  You can not turn the ball over against Mount.  They take advantage of every opportunity they are given.  This Wesley team despite it's defensive deficiencies is a pretty good team.  This time they did not quit and made the game in doubt with 2 chances to make it a 1 score game with 6 mins left in the 4th.  The offense was able to score more points in the game than the rest of the OAC did combined despite the 4 turnovers and 3 drives that ended inside the 20.  The last 6 mins of the second quarter was the game.  Down 28-14, Wesley had the ball and if they put a drive together and score before the half and then score on the first drive of the second half and the game is tied at 28.  At that point who knows what happens. Instead they give up 3 scores and are down by 35.  Nice adjustments by the defense to shut Mount out in the second half until Nemeth's run late in the 4th quarter to seal the game.  What I did not find out is how good Mount is.  The offensive numbers were what I expected with the play makers they have.  Nemeth is very good and Namdar is tough to cover.  That being said I am not sure how they will do against a stronger defensive line.  Wesley did not get much pressure but was able to make enough plays to make the game close in the second half.  The other concern I would have is will the d line be able to get pressure on the UWW QB.  The Wesley O line is average at best.  The UWW line is likely to be much better.  If they do not get pressure I think Mount could have trouble.  I expect UWW to try and run the ball and control the clock.  This was not the best Mount team I have seen and it was also not the best defense that I have seen them have.  I would also be concerned about Scott at QB.  He makes some really nice throws and then others are not very good.

Skunksidekick, as always good to see you.  Thanks again for the hospitality.  Enjoy the game next week, I will be watching it on the computer.

Thanks for all the concerns about my well being.  My son last played in 08 and I have been traveling all over since then to watch Wesley play.  Sometimes the results of the game suck and the ride home is longer, but I enjoy going and watching one of the top 8 teams in the country week in and week out.  Not many others get to do that.