FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[GRIZ_BACKER]

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.

MSJ brought in 3-4 D1 transfers this year (current QB, both RBs and an OL).  However they squeaked by a bad to medicore Hanover team and lost to middle of the pack Augustana.  They did put up some numbers on Bluffton but also gave up 28.  Still they will need to get better in the next two weeks or the GRIZ will pound them.  Also MSJ finishes with Thomas More and not likely to win that one either.  I still look for MSJ to get to 7-3.

[D3MAFAN]

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.

However, they do take history in the playoffs into account. They have not performed well against #1 seeds recently in the playoffs, but other than that the GRIZ has been competitive against other teams. I think a #3 would be worthy.

[Pat Coleman]

However, they do take history in the playoffs into account.

Actually, history in the playoffs is only used to differentiate among unbeaten teams.

[dc_has_been]

I like how things are looking for DC.  They are playing great defense so far and the offense is doing well too.  If they continue to improve I like how things look for the future in Defiance. 

RHIT is shaping up to be better than I expected.  I figured they would play better than .500 ball, but I think they'll probably the #2 team in the HCAC. 

MSJ is the team that I am still curious about.  Their offense has put up two strong offensive performances the last two weeks.  They'll face Franklin this week and we'll see how good the offense really is.

Overall, I think Franklin and MSJ is the highlight for the HCAC this week, but obviously I am looking forward to DC/Manchester game.  DC is playing better than expected and as their defense is carrying the team, the offense is getting better each week. 

[GrizFan]

I am still very worried about the GRIZ in this Saturday's game versus MSJ.  The off-week may help or it may prove costly.  MSJ's  Div I transfers are scary.  RB Fulcher (son of Bengals HoF safety and Ohio U transfer) is a total stud, RB Banks (IU/SIU) started for IU as a true freshman, WR/KR Riston (ISU) was the Sycamores' leading returner, and QB Watkins (BGSU) is improving each each week.  All are very good.  It will all come down to the play in the trenches!  GO GRIZ! 

[SaintsFAN]

I am still very worried about the GRIZ in this Saturday's game versus MSJ.  The off-week may help or it may prove costly.  MSJ's  Div I transfers are scary.  RB Fulcher (son of Bengals HoF safety and Ohio U transfer) is a total stud, RB Banks (IU/SIU) started for IU as a true freshman, WR/KR Riston (ISU) was the Sycamores' leading returner, and QB Watkins (BGSU) is improving each each week.  All are very good.  It will all come down to the play in the trenches!  GO GRIZ!

if it comes down to the play in the trenches, MSJ is still growing in those spots.  I think you'll be ok.. but you're right.  This is a scary game for the Franklin.  Really, its an elimination game for the tournament.  The winner will be in the driver seat for the HCAC berth.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I am still very worried about the GRIZ in this Saturday's game versus MSJ.  The off-week may help or it may prove costly.  MSJ's  Div I transfers are scary.  RB Fulcher (son of Bengals HoF safety and Ohio U transfer) is a total stud, RB Banks (IU/SIU) started for IU as a true freshman, WR/KR Riston (ISU) was the Sycamores' leading returner, and QB Watkins (BGSU) is improving each each week.  All are very good.  It will all come down to the play in the trenches!  GO GRIZ!

if it comes down to the play in the trenches, MSJ is still growing in those spots.  I think you'll be ok.. but you're right.  This is a scary game for the Franklin.  Really, its an elimination game for the tournament.  The winner will be in the driver seat for the HCAC berth.

While this could certainly be considered a "trap" game, I am sure Coach Leonard has stressed all week the importance of playing this game at the same high level as every game.  While the thought of D1 transfers can look scary on paper, the GRIZ are loaded at virtually every spot and have depth.  I still think the GRIZ score north of 40 and MSJ will be hard pressed to break 20 points.  The GRIZ will hear all week about the transfers and have something to prove is my take.  GRIZ 48 MSJ 17.

[dc_has_been]

I don't think the four dI transfers are something to worry about.  Considering Franklin has played against a team full of them this year, they should be fine.  Don't get me wrong, all four's stats show they are special players, but it takes 11 on each side to win a game. 
Franklin has built a great program and I would like to see other HCAC schools follow in their footsteps.  Hopefully in a two to three years there can be 3-4 teams being competitive for the HCAC crown. 

[dc_has_been]

Well, I guess MSJ was no match for Franklin.  Hopefully MSJ will be able to win their nonconf. game against TMC at the end of the season to give some strength to Franklin's regional ranking. 
RHIT will show us next week how good they really are.  I do not expect them to give Franklin much trouble, but they could try to make it a bit interesting. 
MSJ will have a tough task against my Jackets this upcoming Saturday.  I believe DC's defense is going to give MSJ a lot of trouble, and the Yellow Jacket's offense will move the ball up and down the field burning up the clock and coming out victorious.
Overall, Franklin is going to win he conference as expected, so I am going to focus on the two spot and hope my DC is good as they look on paper (except for the many turnovers) and be tied with someone at the end of the year at number two.

[GrizFan]

The GRIZ offense looked very good, starters only played 2.5 quarters.  They could have scored 20-30 more points.  The defense looked very good against the run and gave up only 9 yards rushing.  It helped that Fulcher was hurt during pre-game warmups.  The GRIZ pass defense got burned early by Riston, he is very good.  They made adjustments and the pass rush really picked it up.  We will crush the Ravens this week, it will be another name your score game.  The big game will be at RHIT in a couple of weeks!  GO GRIZ!

[dc_has_been]

I do not want to overlook this week for Franklin, but next week with both teams at 4-0, it makes for an exciting game.

For this week, I am looking forward to my DC traveling to Cincy to try to keep their win streak alive.  As I have mentioned before, their defense has been doing a great job all year but have a tough task against MSJ's offense this week.  I will be looking for DC's offense to control the clock and play turnover free to help and win this game. 

[ohiofan1954]

Hello everyone, this is my first time in this forum. First for Mt. fans I saw Thomas More the first week of the season and they didn't impress me too much. True the defense shut out cap but cap is trying too play a triple option and they have a long way to go.  I will give More credit they showed how to shut the triple option down so they have good coaching. My main point is that I am thinking about attending this weeks game between Defiance and Mt. St. Joseph. It is my goal to attend at least one game at every school in Ohio that plays varsity football at least once. 27 of 41 down right now. Mt. is one I haven't been too. Is there any info that you can give me about the respective teams and what to watch for? Also any info about Mt. , parking , the stadium, traditions, good places to eat around the college. I love to take pictures of every campus I go too so I am very much looking forward to this weekend.

david

[GRIZ_BACKER]

35-0 Griz up after 1. 

[SaintsFAN]

Hello everyone, this is my first time in this forum. First for Mt. fans I saw Thomas More the first week of the season and they didn't impress me too much. True the defense shut out cap but cap is trying too play a triple option and they have a long way to go.  I will give More credit they showed how to shut the triple option down so they have good coaching. My main point is that I am thinking about attending this weeks game between Defiance and Mt. St. Joseph. It is my goal to attend at least one game at every school in Ohio that plays varsity football at least once. 27 of 41 down right now. Mt. is one I haven't been too. Is there any info that you can give me about the respective teams and what to watch for? Also any info about Mt. , parking , the stadium, traditions, good places to eat around the college. I love to take pictures of every campus I go too so I am very much looking forward to this weekend.

david

Very hard to get reads on teams in the first week of the season. I was really surprised to see that Thomas More lost to W&J last Saturday night. The Bridge Bowl may very well be TMC's "postseason game" for the 2nd straight year.

I think MSJ knows what to expect from TMC as the Head Coach and some of the TM staff used to coach at MSJ.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

51-0 at half. Griz over Ravens.