FB: Empire 8

[superman57]

If we're being honest, they didn't want to put Whitewater & MUC in the same region. They want that game for later.

That's not really true. Mount has always been in the North region and Whitewater has been in the West and if they left things alone, they still could have met in the Stagg Bowl. I actually think the NCAA would not want the same teams 3 years in row in the Stagg. As a Mount fan I am excited to see new teams from the East. I've read about many of the programs in the East but have not seen many play in person. I was impressed by the perfomance of SJF last year.

Safe travels to all Bomber fans heading to Alliance!
[/quote]
I feel like they punished MUC by putting them in the east because I think overall the east is deeper than the North, but I could be terribly wrong

[SJFF82]

I feel like I have to go to this game.  I mean, its a fricken longshot, and a 10 hour drive (if I dont fly). But it seems like something every d3football fan should do in their life.....


_{We're on a mission from God....}

JU, if you can...you definately gotta go....I went last year for the Final four tilt and it was awesome...the atmosphere was great and of course it helped that SJF stayed in the game...

It's easy for me, as an SJF fan, to say, but if I were an IC fan I would be pumped right now...you guys were turning down the ECAC's 2 days ago and now you are traveling to play for the 'National Championship' in 6 days!!!!

I mean, even if you thought IC was in when you woke up this am, did you have ANY aspirations of running the table in the EAST and facing MUC in the final four or the finals?   So here IC is, with a guaranteed opportunity to go after MUC in 6 days...and then the rest is all downhill!!!!!!!

Good luck and GO IC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ExTartanPlayer]

If IC gives MUC any sort of game....and I believe they will, SJF and co. will have immediate confidence.  MUC, at a minimum, is going to have a mental and physical challenge every rd, that they don't get every week.  If the brackets stay true, MUC will have to go through IC, RPI and SJF...not exactly the substantially overrated OAC is it MUC? ?  ? ?

First of all, I agree with the bulk of what you said in this post, and I think your attitude as a fan of all D-3 and schools in the East is commendable.  I also think that the competition between the E-8 and LL schools is underrated in D-3.  The schools are pretty evenly matched and it leads to some terrific games.

That said - I'm sorry, SJFF82, but I think your statement that the road MUC will have to travel is much more difficult than the "substantially overrated OAC" is very naive.  Check out the playoff records of the "OAC #2" since the playoff field expanded:

2006 - Capital easily defeates Wittenberg and North Central before falling by a FG at Mount

2005 - Capital beats North Central and Wabash before falling by a FG at Mount

In 2004 the OAC did not have a second playoff rep.

2003 - Baldwin-Wallace wins their first round game before losing to Wheaton

2002 - John Carroll moved to East Region and wins three games before falling in semifinals to Mount

In 2001 the OAC did not have a second playoff rep.

2000 - Ohio Northern wins their first two playoff games before losing to Mount

1999 - Ohio Northern wins their first two playoff games before losing to Mount

See a pattern here?  Over the last eight years, the OAC runner-up has earned a playoff bid six times.  ONCE they were defeated by an opponent other than Mt. Union.  Five times, they won multiple playoff games against other quality opponents before losing to Mount.  One other point worth noting - it's not always the same team as the OAC #2.  It's actually been 4 different OAC runner-ups that have acheived this, which to me is evidence of terrific depth of quality teams.

This evidence makes a pretty compelling case for the OAC as an unbelievably strong conference, not a substantially overrated one.  The OAC runner-up is 12-6 in the playoffs since 1999.  Discount the losses to Mount Union and they are 12-1.

Please tell me how you can regard this conference as "substantially overrated" given the outstanding playoff success of their teams other than Mount Union.

[SJFF82]

Well, I've finally gotten the courage up to come back to Post Patterns.  You can call me Ichabod because "The glory has departed from Israel Mayberry, for the ark of God Empire 8 Championship has been captured."

I haven't read any posts since Friday afternoon, but before I catch up I want to point out that this is the second year in a row that Alfred's 3 loses came to teams that all made the NCAAs.  At least this year the Saxons beat a team that made the tourney

Having seen half of the East playoff teams play this season I think that Fisher, Hobart and Ithaca are all equally talented teams with Hartwick a notch below.  I think that the Saxons have the same talent level as those first three, but were unable to execute (mostly on offense) these past three weeks.  To me that does not bode well for Fisher since I thought Alfred was just as good as Hobart and Springfield last year, but that Fisher was definitively superior.

I think there should be 3 really close games next week and hopefully Ithaca can keep it close with Mt. Union.  Remember Bombers, they have to mentally travel to the East Region bracket, so that negates any home field advantage!  Fisher, Wick and Ithaca represent the E8 proudly and move on to the regional semis.

+k Kaz00

[SJFF82]

If IC gives MUC any sort of game....and I believe they will, SJF and co. will have immediate confidence.  MUC, at a minimum, is going to have a mental and physical challenge every rd, that they don't get every week.  If the brackets stay true, MUC will have to go through IC, RPI and SJF...not exactly the substantially overrated OAC is it MUC? ?  ? ?

First of all, I agree with the bulk of what you said in this post, and I think your attitude as a fan of all D-3 and schools in the East is commendable.  I also think that the competition between the E-8 and LL schools is underrated in D-3.  The schools are pretty evenly matched and it leads to some terrific games.

That said - I'm sorry, SJFF82, but I think your statement that the road MUC will have to travel is much more difficult than the "substantially overrated OAC" is very naive.  Check out the playoff records of the "OAC #2" since the playoff field expanded:

2006 - Capital easily defeates Wittenberg and North Central before falling by a FG at Mount

2005 - Capital beats North Central and Wabash before falling by a FG at Mount

In 2004 the OAC did not have a second playoff rep.

2003 - Baldwin-Wallace wins their first round game before losing to Wheaton

2002 - John Carroll moved to East Region and wins three games before falling in semifinals to Mount

In 2001 the OAC did not have a second playoff rep.

2000 - Ohio Northern wins their first two playoff games before losing to Mount

1999 - Ohio Northern wins their first two playoff games before losing to Mount

See a pattern here?  Over the last eight years, the OAC runner-up has earned a playoff bid six times.  ONCE they were defeated by an opponent other than Mt. Union.  Five times, they won multiple playoff games against other quality opponents before losing to Mount.  One other point worth noting - it's not always the same team as the OAC #2.  It's actually been 4 different OAC runner-ups that have acheived this, which to me is evidence of terrific depth of quality teams.

This evidence makes a pretty compelling case for the OAC as an unbelievably strong conference, not a substantially overrated one.  The OAC runner-up is 12-6 in the playoffs since 1999.  Discount the losses to Mount Union and they are 12-1.

Please tell me how you can regard this conference as "substantially overrated" given the outstanding playoff success of their teams other than Mount Union.

very good homework Tartan...I was primarily referring to MUC's trouncing of the OAC's 'other' best teams THIS year.

[raiderpa]

Congrats to Ithaca and fans, have a safe trip to Alliance  I hope the Bombers put their best foot forward....D3 playoffs are the best...
Some area information:

Alliance has a Comfort Inn, and a Holiday Inn Express that are both good....Super 8 a bit seedy...Restaurants are a bit thin in Alliance..but not bad

North Canton (Belden Village Area) has all the major hotel chains and all major eating establishments with very nice shopping mall, if that is your thing.  Plus, Pro Football Hall of Fame is 5 minutes south of Belden Village area, and hope you take time to visit...a great football fan spot...

Alliance is pretty easy drive,  20-30 minutes from North Canton....

Someone asked about flying to Cleveland...if you can fly to Akron Canton, do it,  it is a great regional mini airport and easy to get into out of...security usually 10 minutes...It is also five minutes north of Belden Village (North Canton)  Cleveland airport is  at least an hour and 15 minutes from Alliance..

Tailgaters are welcome, but must be very early...main area is west lot, adjacent to stadium...
Most fans are wonderfully friendly, but we all have our "over the toppers"
There is also a buffet open to all fans in the campus center pregame...6 or eight bucks and the spread is unbeatable...plus a good place to meet and greet....bookstore is in same facility...

If you are coming down early, i would advise my friends to stay in North Canton, but you are 20-30 minutes away from Mount Union...

Local radio coverage is 1310 AM  Ric Brienza a great call, (a bit of a homer but a good guy)  College station is 91.1 FM and the kids do a good job...
Alliance Review is online and Canton Repository also covers Raiders...

Any more info can be requested on OAC board and I am sure there will be folks willing to help

Good Luck and travel safely

[Shark]

SJFF82

No doubt the OAC is down a little this year. Partly due to key season ending injuries to key performers (especially on Cap - QB, WR). The differential in scores this year, IMHO is partly due to this being one of the best Mount teams ever along with the OAC's other top teams, ONU, CAP, BW being down and injured. It still is a very potent conference with some quality teams. It would have been most interesting to see Cap play Whitewater at full strength.

[TecmoYellowHat]

After watching Ithaca absolutely own Cortland, I have no doubt that they will take care of Mt. Union.  I predict a 21-7 victory by Ithaca.

[JT]

Tailgaters are welcome, but must be very early...main area is west lot, adjacent to stadium...
Most fans are wonderfully friendly, but we all have our "over the toppers"
There is also a buffet open to all fans in the campus center pregame...6 or eight bucks and the spread is unbeatable...plus a good place to meet and greet....bookstore is in same facility...

I'd give the buffet two thumbs up.  All you can eat.  Great if its really cold outside.  Even if it isn't cold.  All kinds of food... a notch above your typical college grub.

[section13raiderfan]

Congrats to Ithica on making the playoffs and drawing MUC first round. Hey, SJF did it and they survived! Actually SJF impressed quite a few here. I hope you guys are of the same caliber. Maybe then our starters can get a full game in finally. Someone asked if MUC webcast thier games. NO, but WRMU radio does an audio webcast. If that helps. Good luck.

GO RAIDERS    WIN TITLE TEN[/color]

[JT]

Congrats to Ithica on making the playoffs and drawing MUC first round. Hey, SJF did it and they survived! Actually SJF impressed quite a few here. I hope you guys are of the same caliber. Maybe then our starters can get a full game in finally. Someone asked if MUC webcast thier games. NO, but WRMU radio does an audio webcast. If that helps. Good luck.

GO RAIDERS    WIN TITLE TEN[/color]

Maybe someone will webcast it.  I'd watch it.

[Ralph Turner]

I hope that it will be televised.

However, I think that the broadcasting organization will need to pay for the rights from the NCAA.

I hope that someone will pony-up.

[dewcrew88]

Congrats to Ithica on making the playoffs and drawing MUC first round. Hey, SJF did it and they survived! Actually SJF impressed quite a few here. I hope you guys are of the same caliber. Maybe then our starters can get a full game in finally. Someone asked if MUC webcast thier games. NO, but WRMU radio does an audio webcast. If that helps. Good luck.

GO RAIDERS    WIN TITLE TEN[/color]

Section 13: It's actually IthAca... an A, not an I.

[theicdubbz]

  At the post game festivites last night all MIYH and MIOH were talking about was how its great we finished the season with a win against our rival.  dubbz was not satisfied.  He felt something was missing. WE WERE TOO GOOD TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS!    but, today he receives the word that IC IS IN!  Dubbz' jaw slammed to  the floor... tears have soaked his shirt... he's so happy!  THEN HE SEES 'THE BRACKET!!' gulp.   Mount Union isnt that good, right?  I mean how many National Titles have they won?  What kind of tradion do they have?  EXACTLY!!  BOMBERS IN A MONKEY STOMP!!!


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH   L. M. B.!!!

Cortland Sucks!

[superman57]

ok actual conversation at work today

Person a) I want 3 tickets
me ok 36 dollars
a) no it can't be
me yes it's 12 dollars each
a)no it's wrong
me) 12 x 3=36
a) oh ya



GO BOMBERS.....

So I was thinking if Ithaca beats MUC and makes it to the regional finals I might just go  and buy an FDC shirt and wear it to the game....(maybe)