FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Except for the one run which gave Earlham their only score, the Grizzlies have really taken care of business so far. 52-7 at halftime... 367 yards of offense and forced 5 turnovers. The one area that they've struggled a little bit is rushing the ball. I'd expect them to get some practice in the 2nd half

It looks like D3 wanted in on that blowout action that D1 had last week... Franklin, Wabash, Heidelberg all up by at least 45 at halftime

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Franklin has looked much better running the ball in the second half, even with all backups in. They've been doing their best to try to let the clock down, but Earlham just can't make a stop and Franklin has hit the 80 point mark with under 5 minutes left. Franklin has nearly 600 yards of offense and has forced 6 turnovers.

Looks like plenty of points in the other conference games too but not quite so one sided

[middlerelief]

FC putting up 80 just seems fairly lame

[GrizFan]

FC putting up 80 just seems fairly lame

I was at the game and FC extensively played all who traveled.  How do you tell a 4th or 5th stringer to stop playing hard?

[wally_wabash]

Looks like Franklin had their third and fourth qbs throw a few passes. Maybe- and I mean MAYBE- you can gripe and say they didn't need to be throwing. But it's the third and fourth guys on the depth chart and, honestly, we're men and this isn't peewee football. Compete.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Looks like Franklin had their third and fourth qbs throw a few passes. Maybe- and I mean MAYBE- you can gripe and say they didn't need to be throwing. But it's the third and fourth guys on the depth chart and, honestly, we're men and this isn't peewee football. Compete.

The only real passing was on a series in the fourth where the 3/4 string transfer from Wittenberg got in.  Have to see what he can do.  Leonard didn't try to run up the score.  No starters played after half time.  Wally summed it up nicely.  The Griz could have scored 100 and met the wrath of CNN or Rick Reilly for picking on the poor hapless Quakers but didn't.

[dc_has_been]

FC putting up 80 just seems fairly lame

Should they have fallen down after each snap on offense? 

Happy to see my DC get a W.  Hoping their defense continues to play strong and the offense limits their mistakes.  I would love to see someone else other then the qb get 100 yards rushing as well.  Overall, I believe they'll pick up a few more wins in conference play and be in the middle of the pack.

[panthersfan]

Can't blame The Griz for putting up 80.  It's like Bama playing a mediocre Div II team.  I think this conference as a whole is to blame.  I do believe there is conference leadership so I wonder what they're trying to do, with the members, to right the ship.

I know education comes first but dang...  Surely we can do better than this. 

Franklin enjoys a sizable advantage in the conference but it will not serve them well come the playoffs.  To jump into a game with the likes of Mary-Hardin Baylor, etc. after playing this conference schedule is too much.  I'm afraid Franklin's performance in the first two games may be a distant memory when it comes time to seed.

Sorry for the rant but it's just getting old.

[dc_has_been]

IMO about DC, the President there is working on strengthening the football program and the rest of the sports too.  By adding the turf to the field and a field house, and trying to raise enrollment, I am hoping DC will become competitive in year to come.   

[Dr. Acula]

Forgive an ignorant OAC'er, but what's the story with MSJ?  Have they ever been good?  I would think that based purely on their geographic location they should at least be able to field a competitive team.       

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Forgive an ignorant OAC'er, but what's the story with MSJ?  Have they ever been good?  I would think that based purely on their geographic location they should at least be able to field a competitive team.     

It depends on your definition of competitive. It wasn't that long ago they were very competitive by HCAC standards. They made the playoffs 5 out of 6 years from 2004-09. But if you go by national standards they weren't as they managed 0 playoff wins in that span.

[Dr. Acula]

Good point, I should have defined it.  I don't mean competitive like Franklin is now.  I guess I was thinking more like win 7-8 games, be able to beat middle of the pack teams from other conferences.  Something like that.  So it seems my answer is probably that they were that recently.  Thanks.

[GrizFan]

Can't blame The Griz for putting up 80.  It's like Bama playing a mediocre Div II team.  I think this conference as a whole is to blame.  I do believe there is conference leadership so I wonder what they're trying to do, with the members, to right the ship.

I know education comes first but dang...  Surely we can do better than this. 

Franklin enjoys a sizable advantage in the conference but it will not serve them well come the playoffs.  To jump into a game with the likes of Mary-Hardin Baylor, etc. after playing this conference schedule is too much.  I'm afraid Franklin's performance in the first two games may be a distant memory when it comes time to seed.

Sorry for the rant but it's just getting old.

I hope the Griz gains a little more respect based on their close losses to UMU and Butler.  Last season, they lost big to both teams and, even though they tore up the HCAC (including 3 straight shutouts), they were forced to play at Adrian in round 1.  They have enjoyed 4 playoff wins (3 on the road) in the past 5 years.  If they run the table this season, I hope they get at least one home playoff game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Can't blame The Griz for putting up 80.  It's like Bama playing a mediocre Div II team.  I think this conference as a whole is to blame.  I do believe there is conference leadership so I wonder what they're trying to do, with the members, to right the ship.

I know education comes first but dang...  Surely we can do better than this. 

Franklin enjoys a sizable advantage in the conference but it will not serve them well come the playoffs.  To jump into a game with the likes of Mary-Hardin Baylor, etc. after playing this conference schedule is too much.  I'm afraid Franklin's performance in the first two games may be a distant memory when it comes time to seed.

Sorry for the rant but it's just getting old.

I hope the Griz gains a little more respect based on their close losses to UMU and Butler.  Last season, they lost big to both teams and, even though they tore up the HCAC (including 3 straight shutouts), they were forced to play at Adrian in round 1.  They have enjoyed 4 playoff wins (3 on the road) in the past 5 years.  If they run the table this season, I hope they get at least one home playoff game.

Respect has virtually nothing to do with selection or seeding (nor does margin of victory or defeat).  In the eyes of the committee, the Griz will be 8-1 (Butler simply doesn't count), very good, but with a very weak SoS.  While it is way too early to make any intelligent speculation, a status like that is generally good for a 4 or 5 seed.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Can't blame The Griz for putting up 80.  It's like Bama playing a mediocre Div II team.  I think this conference as a whole is to blame.  I do believe there is conference leadership so I wonder what they're trying to do, with the members, to right the ship.

I know education comes first but dang...  Surely we can do better than this. 

Franklin enjoys a sizable advantage in the conference but it will not serve them well come the playoffs.  To jump into a game with the likes of Mary-Hardin Baylor, etc. after playing this conference schedule is too much.  I'm afraid Franklin's performance in the first two games may be a distant memory when it comes time to seed.

Sorry for the rant but it's just getting old.

I hope the Griz gains a little more respect based on their close losses to UMU and Butler.  Last season, they lost big to both teams and, even though they tore up the HCAC (including 3 straight shutouts), they were forced to play at Adrian in round 1.  They have enjoyed 4 playoff wins (3 on the road) in the past 5 years.  If they run the table this season, I hope they get at least one home playoff game.

Respect has virtually nothing to do with selection or seeding (nor does margin of victory or defeat).  In the eyes of the committee, the Griz will be 8-1 (Butler simply doesn't count), very good, but with a very weak SoS.  While it is way too early to make any intelligent speculation, a status like that is generally good for a 4 or 5 seed.

I think the GRIZ should get a 3 this year (and deserve one).  As has been noted FC could schedule themselves to 10-0.  As long as they can escape the second round road trip to the 1, seeding is a success.  It all depends on how bad Mount pounds every team on their schedule especially Heidelberg and if Witt can beat Wabash. Premature speculation at this point.