FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[willierobin]

I am new to this message board, but, I have an observation. I'd love to get some reaction. R-MC and H-SC have six common oponents (the five other ODAC teams plus Johns Hopkins). I'll leave Johns Hopkins out of the discussion since Simpson was out for that game. (Including Johns Hopkins would actually favor R-MC since R-MC beat Hopkins and H-SC lost to them.) Let's look at head to head comparisons in the ODAC games.

First, R-MC is 5-0 while H-SC is 4-1. I realize that H-SC turned the ball over 7 times to E&H's 1 in the loss, but turnovers count.

On the offensive side of the ball, H-SC certainly looks stronger on the surface (41.4 points per game vs. 31.0 for R-MC). However, the H-SC point totals were bolstered by high scores against weaker defenses (i.e., 56 vs. Guilford and 49 vs. Catholic). Against the three teams with stronger defenses (W&L, E&H, and BC) H-SC's average points per game was 34.0 while R-MC's was 34.7, pretty much a dead heat. Clearly H-SC goes to the pass more than R-MC and therefore can score quickly and put up big numbers against weaker defenses. But, against more stout defenses, it isn't clear that there is that much difference.

On the defensive side of the ball. It isn't close. R-MC allowed only 17.4 points per game while H-SC allowed 38.0. Against, every ODAC oponent, R-MC allowed fewer points than H-SC and with the exception of E&H the difference was double digits in every game.

I know that this is R-MC vs. H-SC so you can throw out the record books and the statistics, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss R-MC's chances. They are disciplined and tough. I'm taking nothing away from H-SC. From everything I can see, they are a good team. I expect a hard fought game. Who knows what the outcome will be? But, don't count the Jackets out just yet.

GO JACKETS!

Macon's offense did very little against Catholic's "weak" defense. Despite being the beneficiary of 6 CU turnovers the Macon offense scored only 13 points and were outscored by their own defense(14). They also were outgained by Catholic by 150 yards. HSC put up 49 points and over 500 yards vs Catholic. Macon may win this game, but their offense is not remotely close to the Tiger offense.

[RMCDUDE]

Im new to the boards but i've seen a bunch of RMC games and decided since we are winning I should join the board. and talk some smack about the Game

[R-MC Guy]

I am new to this message board, but, I have an observation. I'd love to get some reaction. R-MC and H-SC have six common oponents (the five other ODAC teams plus Johns Hopkins). I'll leave Johns Hopkins out of the discussion since Simpson was out for that game. (Including Johns Hopkins would actually favor R-MC since R-MC beat Hopkins and H-SC lost to them.) Let's look at head to head comparisons in the ODAC games.

First, R-MC is 5-0 while H-SC is 4-1. I realize that H-SC turned the ball over 7 times to E&H's 1 in the loss, but turnovers count.

On the offensive side of the ball, H-SC certainly looks stronger on the surface (41.4 points per game vs. 31.0 for R-MC). However, the H-SC point totals were bolstered by high scores against weaker defenses (i.e., 56 vs. Guilford and 49 vs. Catholic). Against the three teams with stronger defenses (W&L, E&H, and BC) H-SC's average points per game was 34.0 while R-MC's was 34.7, pretty much a dead heat. Clearly H-SC goes to the pass more than R-MC and therefore can score quickly and put up big numbers against weaker defenses. But, against more stout defenses, it isn't clear that there is that much difference.

On the defensive side of the ball. It isn't close. R-MC allowed only 17.4 points per game while H-SC allowed 38.0. Against, every ODAC oponent, R-MC allowed fewer points than H-SC and with the exception of E&H the difference was double digits in every game.

I know that this is R-MC vs. H-SC so you can throw out the record books and the statistics, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss R-MC's chances. They are disciplined and tough. I'm taking nothing away from H-SC. From everything I can see, they are a good team. I expect a hard fought game. Who knows what the outcome will be? But, don't count the Jackets out just yet.

GO JACKETS!

     Welcome to the board.  Based on these numbers, should we make the jackets a .7 point favorite?  GO TIGERS!!

I think that .7 points is generous. It looks like an even money game to me.

[RMCDUDE]

I'm a big RMC fan but i can't understand how people can pick RMC to win this game. A majority of people have voted for Macon to win on the Poll but Macon hasn't beat Hampden Sydney in 7 years and the scores haven't been close since the Mudd bowl in 2002. Im a huge RMC fan but i can't pick them until they prove they can come close to beaten HSC. Even at home RMC has been Destoryed. 2003 and 2005 were both beat downs handed down to Macon from HSC. 2005 at Macon HSC won 50-17. 2006 HSC 46-21 these games haven't been close how much has changed since last year or the last 4 years for that matter? 

[NormC]

RMCDUDE,

It seems as if you might be an HSC fan in disguise. GO TIGERS!!!!

[Pat Coleman]

In fact, both RMCDUDE and NormC share an IP address with a poster identified as a Hampden-Sydney fan. Why is that necessary?

[marc]

Subterfuge! During BEAT MACON week. Im shocked!

Go Tigers!
BEAT MACON

[allsky7]

In fact, both RMCDUDE and NormC share an IP address with a poster identified as a Hampden-Sydney fan. Why is that necessary?

     The horror.....one might expect such from a Yellow Jacket but not from a Tiger!! 

     The sap is rising baby....can you feel it?!? GOOOO TIGERS!!

[R-MC Guy]

I'm a big RMC fan but i can't understand how people can pick RMC to win this game. A majority of people have voted for Macon to win on the Poll but Macon hasn't beat Hampden Sydney in 7 years and the scores haven't been close since the Mudd bowl in 2002. Im a huge RMC fan but i can't pick them until they prove they can come close to beaten HSC. Even at home RMC has been Destoryed. 2003 and 2005 were both beat downs handed down to Macon from HSC. 2005 at Macon HSC won 50-17. 2006 HSC 46-21 these games haven't been close how much has changed since last year or the last 4 years for that matter? 

Actually, quite a bit has changed since last year. If I recall correctly, H-SC had a significant number of senior starters, they are gone. Admittedly, in some cases replaced by players who are stronger. But, not in all cases and particularly not on defense.

R-MC's graduation losses were minimal. Last year R-MC had about eight starters that were injured and did not play (e.g., 3 offensive lineman, Shonekan - safety, Thornton - tailback, Allen - wide receiver, etc.). Others (e.g., Nelson - wide receiver) played but were seriously injured and wern't able do much. This year R-MC has no starters sitting out. Last year R-MC's starting QB was a freshman starting just his forth game with spotty playing time. This year he is a sophomore and has been solidly in the job all year. Last year R-MC entered The Game 0-5, 2-7. This year they enter it 5-0, 8-1.

I would say quite a bit has changed. Will it be enough for R-MC to break the string? That is unclear. But, I am willing to say that it will be a very different game.

[Jacketlawyer]

[...] Wearing my R-M tie today, and when I see an H-S alum later today with whom I have a hearing, he's gonna get the business. [...]

That's great!

Will he be wearing a bow tie?

Not today he wasn't.  I gave it, he gave it back.  What a great feeling.

To quote Dalton from Roadhouse, "Be nice, until it's time to be not nice."

I'm starting to feel not nice!! 8)

[allsky7]

I'm a big RMC fan but i can't understand how people can pick RMC to win this game. A majority of people have voted for Macon to win on the Poll but Macon hasn't beat Hampden Sydney in 7 years and the scores haven't been close since the Mudd bowl in 2002. Im a huge RMC fan but i can't pick them until they prove they can come close to beaten HSC. Even at home RMC has been Destoryed. 2003 and 2005 were both beat downs handed down to Macon from HSC. 2005 at Macon HSC won 50-17. 2006 HSC 46-21 these games haven't been close how much has changed since last year or the last 4 years for that matter? 

Actually, quite a bit has changed since last year. If I recall correctly, H-SC had a significant number of senior starters, they are gone. Admittedly, in some cases replaced by players who are stronger. But, not in all cases and particularly not on defense.
R-MC's graduation losses were minimal. Last year R-MC had about eight starters that were injured and did not play (e.g., 3 offensive lineman, Shonekan - safety, Thornton - tailback, Allen - wide receiver, etc.). Others (e.g., Nelson - wide receiver) played but were seriously injured and wern't able do much. This year R-MC has no starters sitting out. Last year R-MC's starting QB was a freshman starting just his forth game with spotty playing time. This year he is a sophomore and has been solidly in the job all year. Last year R-MC entered The Game 0-5, 2-7. This year they enter it 5-0, 8-1.

I would say quite a bit has changed. Will it be enough for R-MC to break the string? That is unclear. But, I am willing to say that it will be a very different game.

     I have defended the Tiger D all year. No small task with the number of points they have allowed. I don't know if stats support it or not but IMO, this years Tiger D is improved from recent years. In the games I have seen in person or listened to online, they have made big plays when they had to. No question there is still much work to be done though. When you live in the "bend but don't break" world too long, it will eventually come back to bite you on the rear. Hopefully, it won't come down to the Tiger D (or O) having to make a play to win the game Saturday but my instincts tell me that it probably will come down to that.  8)

[Jacketlawyer]

     The horror.....one might expect such from a Yellow Jacket but not from a Tiger!! 

     The sap is rising baby....can you feel it?!? GOOOO TIGERS!!

Allsky, we should hang out at the Game for a bit, since I can't get you and Skoal to come to the Dahlia with me for a few cold chillies.

[skoaltrain]

     The horror.....one might expect such from a Yellow Jacket but not from a Tiger!! 

     The sap is rising baby....can you feel it?!? GOOOO TIGERS!!

Allsky, we should hang out at the Game for a bit, since I can't get you and Skoal to come to the Dahlia with me for a few cold chillies.

You could get me out there if I was ever invited?  I would love to attend the game but I've got a major tailgate planned at my home in Lynchburg.  Supporting the Local Lynchburg Kiwanis Club by doing a Lobster Boil.  They are coming in Saturday.  I'm surprised Jacketlawyer isn't invovled in this?

Good luck to both teams.  I'll be listening back and forth between this game and the BC/Catholic game.  Sounds like it's anyones game.  It will be interesting to see/hear the outcome.

Jacketlawyer? I guess we'll need to catch up soon.  The new Brewery downtown is not far off from being open.

[allsky7]

     The horror.....one might expect such from a Yellow Jacket but not from a Tiger!! 

     The sap is rising baby....can you feel it?!? GOOOO TIGERS!!

Allsky, we should hang out at the Game for a bit, since I can't get you and Skoal to come to the Dahlia with me for a few cold chillies.

     Heck yeah JL!! I am always game for a beverage or two. The only thing on my agenda Saturday is to get to Ashland early. I am suppose to meet a friend (Stokeley Fultons son) there but just found out he will not get there until just before kickoff. I will just be browsing around looking for old friends. I am sure I will know a ton of folks there. Even a few Jacket grads. You remember, I told you in a previous post about the few misguided former classmates of mine that went to Macon.  I'll PM you my cell number.
     As for Skoal....I think he is saving up his brownie points for the Stagg Bowl or something. 

[TheEHC52]

I've got a convoluted reasoning for this I won't get into, but....

Macon has the better D.  Defense wins ODAC Championships.  Good luck Yellow Jackets against Wesley.