FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

sorry dude, jeez. "a lot of people" is that better than "everybody"

It's not really better. People that think out loud that Mount Union runs up scores on people or ought to be in a different division usually catch a wrist slap for such nonsense. People that follow D3 and know even the slightest bit about it have nothing but respect for the Raiders and want to figure out how to be that good and beat them rather than have them up and leave the division.  Just don't let what a a few (unknowledgeable) people say about UMU's success translate into a some deeply rooted ethos for everybody who exists outside of Alliance.

[wrdad]

sorry dude, jeez. "a lot of people" is that better than "everybody"

It's not really better. People that think out loud that Mount Union runs up scores on people or ought to be in a different division usually catch a wrist slap for such nonsense. People that follow D3 and know even the slightest bit about it have nothing but respect for the Raiders and want to figure out how to be that good and beat them rather than have them up and leave the division.  Just don't let what a a few (unknowledgeable) people say about UMU's success translate into a some deeply rooted ethos for everybody who exists outside of Alliance.

Exactly!! When I was talking about "people" thinking mount runs up scores or should move up. Those people are usually non d3 fans, news guys- Gregg easterbrook etc.... now I have no idea what other d3 fans think of the whitewater,mount dominance but I would assume that all you guys on these d3 boards are a lot more smarter than these non d3 fans and that news guy Gregg easterbrook!!!

[wally_wabash]

You said it all right there, brother.  We are a lot more smarter.  A lot more.

[Pat Coleman]

Les Vulnerables:

-Neal Seaman sans Matt Piloto.
-Two defensive lineman starting on the offensive line.
-A Running-back playing in his first game as a starter.

But you're right, the calendar doesn't say December. So everything's gravy. They'll cruise.

Look forward to seeing your postgame reaction if Keith is proven right. None of what you have cited here above is anything Mount Union hasn't done before in this decades-long run.

[panthersfan]

Look forward to seeing your postgame reaction if Keith is proven right. None of what you have cited here above is anything Mount Union hasn't done before in this decades-long run.

It's not like Keith was going out on a limb on this one...  Let him put forth some points and get himself in the beverage serving bet like a real man.   

BTW,  BashDad likes his beer poured slowly so it has time to breath.

[skunks_sidekick]

 Bash Dad,

After meeting you last year in Alliance, you are basically a good dude.  A little too much of that "I am Wabash" hokey dokey, but an intelligent guy who knows football.

But seriously....you have GOT to get over the UMU obsession.  From talking to your brethren I know THAT GAME still sticks in your craw like nothing else, but really....it's ok. 

Mount will lose (meaning the regular season or the play-offs before the Stagg) when they lose.  You keep trying to put all this "logic mumbo jumbo" into the equation, but Mount will find a way to win in the regular season almost all the time.  It just IS. 

You make some great points, but in the end it doesn't matter until they actually lose.

[SaintsFAN]

You said it all right there, brother.  We are a lot more smarter.  A lot more.

Wally -- its not really a close contest when it comes to Easterbrook.  He's a half-wit with a keyboard. 


BTW -- guys, I'm pretty sure Keith isn't able to bet on d3 games.  I'm sure he'll share beers with you'all come playoff time though.  Bashdad brought up some points that made this fan think twice about just penciling in UMU as the winner tomorrow.  It will be interesting to see what happens, especially when you consider the weather situation.  I'm out of town but weather reports in Cincy was 40% chance of rain.  Sounds like there'll be pockets of rain, maybe not a total soaker?

Good luck to the boys in Franklin tomorrow... and everyone else except for the MSJ Fightin' Sayers.. they really won't need it against that Division V High School squad they are playing tomorrow. 

[dc_has_been]

Here's to a great and healthy 2012 season!  Good luck to all and go Jackets!

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Good luck to all and hopefully the weather (and results) won't be too nasty today.

[70_dc_alum]

Just my Opinion but i think for Franklin to have a legit chance they need to turn the game into a track meet.  I know on any given Sat anything is possible but that does not apply to being more smashmouth up front, Franklin will not keep up with UMU if it is based on a battle upfront.  Skill players and scheme is were Franklin can win and hope the Lines can hold up.  this does not mean good things with the weather report.  i think the weather provides a big advantage to UMU but

current weather reportShowers and thundershowers during the morning will give way to a steadier rain this afternoon - a rumble of thunder still possible. Humid. High near 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a half an inch.

the only positive is the wind will not be too bad, wind would screw with this game even more. but i think the rain will cause some issues and will turn this into a pound it out session which heavily favors UMU

i hate to say it but i think D3Keith will be right (i hope to be proved wrong).  Love the good debate on here but BashDad you are starting to sound like a Michigan fan...make all of the points you want but you seem to forget one critical one, its still Bama (or UMU) and they are likely going to abuse you by 35pts.  Yes that analogy was 100% for you DC_Has_Been

[Dr. Acula]

Ahh good morning!  It's football season!  Best of luck to everyone's team.

I'm actually going to have to disagree with you, 70.  In general the bad weather, lower scoring, less possessions approach has proven more successful against Mount.  I'm too lazy to look it up, but I don't believe any of their losses (and maybe not even close wins) were track meets.  The reason is that historically Mount's D is normally too good to allow a track meet to happen.  Teams will certainly score, but teams wanting a track meet often end up turning it over and putting themselves in the unenviable position of having to throw.  End up there and it's bad news.  Running a 4-2-5 w/ smaller, quicker DE the D is designed to get to the QB and force turnovers.   

Safe travels to everyone hitting the road this morning. 

[BashDad]

First of all, way to go everyone on signing on the day of the game to argue. That's lame.

Second of all, I'm not sure what Keith being proven right will look like. He didn't say anything.

Third, I'm not "obsessed" w UMU. No more than the next guy. In the past, I've been as detailed and opinionated when I thought they'd win handily (go back and see my Wesley/UMU posts). If I've been loud and testy here it's because I haven't read a single argument for why today's game could be a close one. Not a single post. And you know what? It definitely could be close. That seems clear to me. If it's not, whatever, it's not. But The lack of conversation around what, to me, could be the most interesting game on opening weekend is, as a fan, deflating. Not fun. And kind of an oversight.

[BashDad]

Les Vulnerables:

-Neal Seaman sans Matt Piloto.
-Two defensive lineman starting on the offensive line.
-A Running-back playing in his first game as a starter.

But you're right, the calendar doesn't say December. So everything's gravy. They'll cruise.

Look forward to seeing your postgame reaction if Keith is proven right. None of what you have cited here above is anything Mount Union hasn't done before in this decades-long run.

They've beaten the 13th ranked team, on the road, on opening day after their two best offensive players left the team a month before camp opened? Oh. I missed that year.

[PurpleSuit]

Maybe its only a big game to those who obsess over Mount's next potential loss, maybe to everyone else its just a typical opening game .  Arguing about whether team A wins by 20 points or more is, as you would say, lame.

[HScoach]

Les Vulnerables:

-Neal Seaman sans Matt Piloto.
-Two defensive lineman starting on the offensive line.
-A Running-back playing in his first game as a starter.

But you're right, the calendar doesn't say December. So everything's gravy. They'll cruise.

Look forward to seeing your postgame reaction if Keith is proven right. None of what you have cited here above is anything Mount Union hasn't done before in this decades-long run.

They've beaten the 13th ranked team, on the road, on opening day after their two best offensive players left the team a month before camp opened? Oh. I missed that year.

Hate to be picky, but Piloto and Murray were not Mount's best 2 offensive players.  QB Matt Piloto was BACK-UP to Neal Seaman the last 2 years.  And RB Jeremy Murray, while the starter and productive (1700+ yds / 5.5 ypc / 20 TD's), is not a difference maker at RB.  He is NOT anywhere near the level of Nate Kmic, or Chuck Moore or Dan Pugh.  I wouldn't even put him in the same category as Ryan Gorius or Jim Gresko of yesteryear.  As you'll likely see later today, Mount has quite a few RB's that are identical to Murray.  Unfortunately we don't have another Kmic/Moore/Pugh on the roster.

WR Jasper Collins is easily the best O player.  Who's the 2nd guy is open for debate, but it's probably one of the other receivers.  Not Piloto or Murra, nor is it starting QB Neal Seaman.   It's not a popular or obvious choice, but their 2nd best offensive player could very well be G Matt Mattox.