FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[tigerfanalso]

Well Jk, you have a point but you must understand that I have seen the Generals for the past three seasons and I'm reflecting back onto those teams. I've read about the 2014 Generals and I see their record BUT my mind will not allow me to believe they are as bad as advertised until I have an opportunity to see it for myself; I'll keep my money in my pocket if you are looking for 21 points. We turn the ball over way too often to give away that many points.

[GC2005]

Hasa,

I'm going to try and make the game on the 18th, I won't be around for the November 1st game though.  I got roped up into getting married on the 25th of October and I will be coming back from the honeymoon on the 1st.  We are thinking about checking out both of the last two games of the season.  We'll meet up eventually. 

TigerFan,

W&L is better than their record suggests, but that is just my opinion.  I think your Tigers will be better on Saturday though if they stick to their game plan.  Sounds like rain could hamper the "Marty Ball" though.   

[sigma one]

I've been closely following H-SC since a couple of weeks before the Wabash game.  Last week on the road, the Tigers came away with a 62-14 win (and those 60+ points came early), in a setting that the game summary describes the wind as "brisk."  This week, even with the rain, depending on whether it's a monsoon or a downpour or just a rain--and depending on the wind or lack of it--I take Nash's arm strength and his receivers abilities to create a 3 TD, or more, result even with wet conditions.
     W&L has suffered two close losses, and are, as pointed out, probably better than their record, but they have given up points.   I'll predict the Tigers by 24 or more. 

[tigerfanalso]

Sigma One

You just make sure Wabash keeps winning. Our mutual success for the remainder of the season will help both schools come playoff time seedings, etc. Nov. 8th is looking like a real big date for both our schools assuming we both take care of business each week prior to the 8th and certainly for a big rival games the following week.

[HSCTiger fan]

...Sounds like rain could hamper the "Marty Ball" though.   

I'm surprised as a Quaker fan you don't remember the 2009 HSC GC game that was played in a monsoon.  I know HSC and RMC fans will remember later that year "The Game" being played in the slop RMC called a field. Last season HSC beat BC in the rain. This season HSC scored 35 on CNU with a wet field and occasional rain.

"Marty Ball" is about scoring lots points and winning - rain or shine.

[odacsuperfan]

I've noticed HSC individuals are not putting up as big of numbers like in years past ? I know that last 2 games the starters were out in 2nd half . Is that because Favret is keeping players from possible  injury with big leads ? Is Walker  and Nance injured or having bad years ? They were both on Pre Season All American lists? Even Defense guy Dogget is on a slower tackling pace this year.
Or is Favret doing his normal "you will never figure me out no matter how hard you try because I will turn these boys loose when it counts "  I guess as long as they win it really doesn't matter ?

[tigerfanalso]

odacsuperfan

Good questions but I think you answered. The last two games the starters on both sides of the ball have sat the bench in the 2nd half. Pretty hard to gather stats when you are sitting. Walker/Nance/Doggett and company are just as good or possible better than last year and neither suffering from injury. So whatever stats you are looking at through 4 games, they only represent 3 games of actual playing time. And if the Tigers keep winning, you are right in saying individual stats don't matter.
Hopefully the starters will only play the first half the remainder of the season !!!!!

[HSCTiger fan]

I've noticed HSC individuals are not putting up as big of numbers like in years past ? I know that last 2 games the starters were out in 2nd half . Is that because Favret is keeping players from possible  injury with big leads ? Is Walker  and Nance injured or having bad years ? They were both on Pre Season All American lists? Even Defense guy Dogget is on a slower tackling pace this year.
Or is Favret doing his normal "you will never figure me out no matter how hard you try because I will turn these boys loose when it counts "  I guess as long as they win it really doesn't matter ?

Nance is not far off his pace from last season. In the first 4 games last season he had completed 104 passes for a total of 1042 yards or 10.2 per catch. This season having played sparingly in 2 halves he's completed 83 passes for 948 yards or 11.4 per catch.

Walker is off pace 43 catches 561 last year compared to 26 for 390 this year. But last season thru 4 games HSC had 3 players with 8 or more catches. This season thru 4 games there are 6 guys with 8 or more receptions.   I think Nance is distributing the ball around better this year than ever before.

Doggett has also had playing time limited due to 2 blowout victories.

[tigerfanalso]

And we might want to add that HSC opened up on the road against the best defense in the country; that too has something to do with the stats. The Wabash defense did a great job exposing HSC's young, inexperienced OL and made things very difficult for Nance and company. Since that game the OL has improved and the offense is beginning to click. I think the offense only gets better each and every week. Defense has been very good and should continue to improve as well. Special teams also getting better with each and every game. Special teams play almost cost HSC the CNU game but the guys were able to overcome four major special teams mistakes; special teams have played very well past two games.

[Pat Coleman]

And we might want to add that HSC opened up on the road against the best defense in the country.

Mount Union and UW-Whitewater have the best defenses in the country:

Rank   Team   G   W-L   Plays   YDS   Yds/Play   Off TDs   Opp TDs   YPG
1   Mount Union   4   4-0   236   556   2.36   32   3   139.0
2   Wis.-Whitewater   4   4-0   225   722   3.21   27   4   180.5

[HSCTiger fan]

Best, one of the best, whatever. I think anyone reading the post got his point.

[Pat Coleman]

Best, one of the best, whatever. I think anyone reading the post got his point.

Statistically one of the best, yes. But it's really a good idea to use 2014 stats to measure 2014 teams at this point. Can't keep making the same claim in October.

It'd be like calling someone ranked because they were in Sporting News' preseason poll. No longer relevant at this point.

[hscathletics]

A run-oriented team can most certainly be a good play from behind team if they have the offensive line and the athletes to break big plays, and of course a defense that can get a stop when you need it. Sure it's harder for a run-oriented team, but it's possible.

[GC2005]

HSCTiger,

Trust me, I know Marty Ball is about scoring lots of points regardless of the weather.  I don't recall the 2009 game, but I recall some of the games I played against HSC.  I think sometimes I left the field going "what just happened?"     I think guys like Ricca, Singh, and Clemmons gave me nightmares...it's my way of saying they were good players in a good system.  In fact, I think sometimes HSC has an underrated defense because the offenses are usually so good.  I recall the HSC/GC game last year.  I went to the game thinking, "wow, this might be a fun game to watch this year", only to quickly have my hopes dashed.  I think the HSC defense did a great job last year of flying around and putting pressure of Pawlowski and the rest of the offense.  It was certainly the best defensive effort I saw all year against GC. 

[tigerfanalso]

Pat

Good point but going into the first game of the season Wabash had the best D in 2013 with most (10) starters returning. My point is, they are pretty good on that side of the ball, certainly better than most.