FB: Empire 8

[realistic]

JQV:  The MUC return teams are very good.  The FG kicking is OK, but not real consistent over 35 yds.  The punting has been inconsistent.   The one special teams weakness that I've seen this year is in KO coverage.  Way too many returns past the 35 yard line for my liking.

hscoach, I'd say thats pretty consistent for most D-III teams.  I think it is rare for a team to have a really consistent kicking game.  IC was very lucky for a number of years, and I think thats why the kicking game lately has been so hard to stomach for us.

[fisheralum91]

kh- I in no way agree that wick beats fisher on ANY field.
ANY
fluke win-
had to be there!

hell UC PUT UP 70 ON THEM

[theoriginalupstate]

Wick doesnt look impressive on the road, they are a HORRIBLE road team. 

I think the trip to Curry takes a toll on them, how much isnt known.  But I wouldnt be all too suprised if Wick loses.  Even though they should win this game....

[fisheralum91]

yeah- id say wicks d is suspect

[ICBomber]

I believe the kicker for Ithaca is a freshman.  Kills me seeing missed EP's but all you can do is prepare more and get the kid as much experience as possible.  I hope the kicking game is not the deciding factor.

[Tags]

Does anyone know Mount's Defense without getting an answer like: "Only the best Defense ever!"  Over, Under, Okie, 3-3 stack?

I'd take the '07 Purple Raiders over the '85 Bears.

[fisheralum91]

pfffffffffffffffffft.
spat out soda--thanks tags!

[Knightstalker]

Does anyone know Mount's Defense without getting an answer like: "Only the best Defense ever!"  Over, Under, Okie, 3-3 stack?

I'd take the '07 Purple Raiders over the '85 Bears.

Ditka 225 MUC 10, Ditka is getting a little old.

[Tags]

Does anyone know Mount's Defense without getting an answer like: "Only the best Defense ever!"  Over, Under, Okie, 3-3 stack?

I'd take the '07 Purple Raiders over the '85 Bears.

Ditka 225 MUC 10, Ditka is getting a little old.

KS, if we're going to discuss this, let's keep it realistic. Ditka is aging, and MUC's first team D has only given up 3 points all year.

I say Ditka has trouble scoring half that!

Ditka 110 MUC 10

[ICBomber]

Maybe the mini-bears playing Mount.  but then again the mini-bears might have a mini-Ditka.

[HScoach]

hscoach - thanks for the analysis, good stuff.  

A few questions for you:

What kind of offenses does MUC normally play against in the OAC?  It doesn't appear that many of them are putting together a whole lot of points.  Only 2 average over 25 points per game.  And even if you took out the MUC games, they still wouldn't have a good average over 9 games.

Have MUCs opponents been more run oriented?  Pass oriented?  With IC being very balanced, just wondering how the Bombers match up vs MUC's opponents this year.

Running a 4-2-5, you'd THINK that they play a lot of passing teams, but I guess a lot of teams don't really have time to run the ball when they are down 42-0 at the half.

Historically, the OAC has been a passing conference, hence the 4-2-5 defense as you noted.  MUC, Ohio Northern and BW are really the only teams which make a concerted effort to run the ball.  Which in my opinion is a big part of why those 3 are usually near the top of the conference each year.

There is no doubt the MUC defense is very, very good, but they've been feasting on the worst offensive season I can ever remember in the OAC (at least for the last 20 years that I've seen).  Most teams lost a ton to graduation last year and are really young this season.  The 2nd best team (Capital) was young and then lost their QB and 2 best WR's early in the season and doesn't have the depth to overcome those injuries. 

The OAC historically has had some great offenses:
ONU in late 90' led by Jamal Robertson at TB who's been bouncing around the NFL and NFL Europe
JCU in early 00's led by QB Tom Arth - Colts practice squad for a few years
Capital the last few years with QB Rocky Pentello who transfered in from D1 Toldeo.

But this year, there isn't another team out there with a stud RB or QB.  The closest one is the TB at Ohio Northern, but he isn't any better than either of MUC's RB's and is running behind only a decent O-line with no athletic threats at WR to soften the D up. 

The QB play is not good overall as the 2nd and 3rd best QB's in the league are a couple of freshmen at ONU and Otterbein.  Not a good situation for this season.  Now the next year or 2 should be a different story.

The best offense the MUC defense has seen this season is the MUC scout team.  Seriously. 

Defensively, the OAC is still strong at the top with Capital, Baldwin Wallace and Ohio Northern all having very good defenses, but the offenses this season are really down compared to the normal OAC year.


I have no doubt the Ithaca offense will be the best that MUC has seen in '07.  But I doubt the Ithaca D is any better than what MUC saw against Capital or Baldwin Wallace. 

[ICBomber]

Obviously Mount Union's defense and team are amazing and impressive.  But honestly, when u say 3 points all year, it does make Mount look awesome, but at the same time it makes every other team they play look miserable and terribly uncoached.  If one of those teams were competitive they should have at leats put up one or two touchdowns.  A good offensive coordinator can find something to exploit.  As much as that amazing stat reflects how talented and sick Mount's D must be.  I believe it also reflects on the lack of competition in the OAC this year.

[theicdubbz]

I hear that most of MUC's oponents in the OAC are equivalent to the E8's Norwich & Utica.

[Tags]

I hear that most of MUC's oponents in the OAC are equivalent to the E8's Norwich & Utica.

OMG!!! ... apparently you didn't get the memo.

no teams in the OAC have ever lost to anyone else except MUC.

talk about lack of respect!

[theicdubbz]

If Juvon beats MUC and takes us further into the playoffs would that make him worthy of being in comparison to Felicetti?  the ole #3 had a magic year ending at RPI and the infamous 03 [size=06pt](or 04)[/size] team that fell just short and still makes Tecmo and Jose cringe at the thoughts of what could have been.