FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[SaintsFAN]

This MSJ team and the one that competed for the 1st 3 weeks are 2 different teams. The first 3 weeks, MSJ failed to score 30 combined points. Something clicked, or they found out who could/could not play and righted the ship. I'm happy for them as I feared they were heading towards a losing record which I don't think they've had since 2001 (0-10 season). Hopefully they can continue getting better and pull out a win against FC but history has shown me 2 things. 1 - the Cubs won't win the world series. 2 - MSJ will struggle on defense against FC and will have a hard time scoring at the same rate.

No dude, after the first three weeks they played 4 teams with 2 wins or fewer (including two wins against teams who haven't won a game since 2015).  Maybe they are clicking now, we'll find out this weekend.  They've truly played some horrible, horrible football teams.  I watched a bit last week.  Thomas More would put another 75 spot on the board to send the coaches voting to not play the Saints for a few more years.  Literally, I don't think MSJ could handle the speed on Defense and would get blown off the football when TMC had the ball.  4 of the 5 OL are over 300 and can move.

Crazy how TMC and FC are trending in opposite directions after their first game. 

[GrizFan]

The biggest problem with the Grizzlies is on the defensive side of the ball.  The D has looked bad all season.  They have also suffered a couple of recent key injuries on defense.  They simply could not get enough stops against Rose and they were herrible against Bluffton.  The OL looked OK but there were several uncharacteristic drops by the WRs against Rose.  The kicking game also sucked with a missed PAT and a bad snap leading to a blocked FG against Rose.

[Adam Sayer]

This MSJ team and the one that competed for the 1st 3 weeks are 2 different teams. The first 3 weeks, MSJ failed to score 30 combined points. Something clicked, or they found out who could/could not play and righted the ship. I'm happy for them as I feared they were heading towards a losing record which I don't think they've had since 2001 (0-10 season). Hopefully they can continue getting better and pull out a win against FC but history has shown me 2 things. 1 - the Cubs won't win the world series. 2 - MSJ will struggle on defense against FC and will have a hard time scoring at the same rate.

No dude, after the first three weeks they played 4 teams with 2 wins or fewer (including two wins against teams who haven't won a game since 2015).  Maybe they are clicking now, we'll find out this weekend.  They've truly played some horrible, horrible football teams.  I watched a bit last week.  Thomas More would put another 75 spot on the board to send the coaches voting to not play the Saints for a few more years.  Literally, I don't think MSJ could handle the speed on Defense and would get blown off the football when TMC had the ball.  4 of the 5 OL are over 300 and can move.

Crazy how TMC and FC are trending in opposite directions after their first game.

I'm not saying they are good. Playing the competition they have certainly helps, but being 0-3 and only scoring 29 total points to start the year wasn't because they were playing great teams. Augustana isn't any good, Bluffton is average, and DePauw is above average/good. Sitting at 0-3 I expected them to lose to Franklin and RHIT leaving the last game against Defiance as the decider of whether they had a losing season or not. I'm just happy at this point, they won't have a losing season. Whether or not they could compete against TMC is irrelevant.

[SaintsFAN]

This MSJ team and the one that competed for the 1st 3 weeks are 2 different teams. The first 3 weeks, MSJ failed to score 30 combined points. Something clicked, or they found out who could/could not play and righted the ship. I'm happy for them as I feared they were heading towards a losing record which I don't think they've had since 2001 (0-10 season). Hopefully they can continue getting better and pull out a win against FC but history has shown me 2 things. 1 - the Cubs won't win the world series. 2 - MSJ will struggle on defense against FC and will have a hard time scoring at the same rate.

No dude, after the first three weeks they played 4 teams with 2 wins or fewer (including two wins against teams who haven't won a game since 2015).  Maybe they are clicking now, we'll find out this weekend.  They've truly played some horrible, horrible football teams.  I watched a bit last week.  Thomas More would put another 75 spot on the board to send the coaches voting to not play the Saints for a few more years.  Literally, I don't think MSJ could handle the speed on Defense and would get blown off the football when TMC had the ball.  4 of the 5 OL are over 300 and can move.

Crazy how TMC and FC are trending in opposite directions after their first game.

I'm not saying they are good. Playing the competition they have certainly helps, but being 0-3 and only scoring 29 total points to start the year wasn't because they were playing great teams. Augustana isn't any good, Bluffton is average, and DePauw is above average/good. Sitting at 0-3 I expected them to lose to Franklin and RHIT leaving the last game against Defiance as the decider of whether they had a losing season or not. I'm just happy at this point, they won't have a losing season. Whether or not they could compete against TMC is irrelevant.

Yes, I'll agree BUT, they haven't played a team the caliber of their first three with the possible exception of Rose.  Those bad football teams has made a huge difference in the play of MSJ.  Not only have they won big, but they haven't been tested since their 3rd game. 

And I'm always going to compare them to TMC; the teams were started the same year and compete for kids in some cases.  The only difference being one is a top 15 program (not team) and the other is a two-time Bridge Bowl quitter. 

It will be awhile until TMC slips enough to encourage Hubie to make a call to Crestview Hills, inquiring about a future game.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Good to see some MSJ bashing again. It's been too long since you've gotten worked up about them

[SaintsFAN]

Good to see some MSJ bashing again. It's been too long since you've gotten worked up about them

Thanks.  Just wanted to remind the folks in Delhi they are still a distant second in the Cincy D3 rankings, despite their string of wins put together against the lower level teams in the HCAC.

And with 75-6 in 2012 followed by 59-13 in 2013, they were trending in the right direction when you look at scores.  I don't know why they halted the series again?  Oh wait, yeah I do. 

I'm still incredulous they stomped on TMC's logo at midfield prior to the 2012 "game".  TMC moved their BYE to week 11 to make it official after years of having unofficial BYE weeks there previously.

[Adam Sayer]

"It will be awhile until TMC slips enough to encourage Hubie to make a call to Crestview Hills, inquiring about a future game."

I think we both know the answer to that question....one way or the other. Just so everyone knows, there was 1 guy on staff who wanted to keep playing.....not saying who, but there was 1.

Anyway, I hope they can compete against Franklin and have a chance at the end.

[GrizFan]

Wow, why is MSJ always a bunch of thugs?  Four personal fouls and two ejections today.  Happens every year!

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Congrats to Rose-Hulman for making the playoffs... ok, they haven't officially clinched it yet but all they have to do is beat Earlham in 2 weeks and does anyone really think that won't happen?

Franklin is still in the Pool C mix, but will probably need a bit of help. Wheaton is likely first on the board. Then have to see how the NCAC cluster (Denison, Witt, Wabash) works out. Denison looks like they're about to lose to DePauw and faces Wabash next week. If Denison wins then they'd still be A and Witt would be ahead of Franklin in C... if Wabash wins then Witt would be A and Wabash is a closer call. I'll be interested to see how Wally's Mock Draft 2.0 looks.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Wow, why is MSJ always a bunch of thugs?  Four personal fouls and two ejections today.  Happens every year!

And SaintsFan will have something to say in 3...2...1...

[wally_wabash]

Congrats to Rose-Hulman for making the playoffs... ok, they haven't officially clinched it yet but all they have to do is beat Earlham in 2 weeks and does anyone really think that won't happen?

Franklin is still in the Pool C mix, but will probably need a bit of help. Wheaton is likely first on the board. Then have to see how the NCAC cluster (Denison, Witt, Wabash) works out. Denison looks like they're about to lose to DePauw and faces Wabash next week. If Denison wins then they'd still be A and Witt would be ahead of Franklin in C... if Wabash wins then Witt would be A and Wabash is a closer call. I'll be interested to see how Wally's Mock Draft 2.0 looks.

We get official regional rankings on Wednesday, so there won't be any guesswork on my part with respect to Franklin and Wabash.  The committee will sort that out for us.  I think it's close per the criteria and I wouldn't be surprised with either order. 

[SaintsFAN]

Wow, why is MSJ always a bunch of thugs?  Four personal fouls and two ejections today.  Happens every year!

And SaintsFan will have something to say in 3...2...1...

Yes.  That doesn't surprise me at all.  The ejection of the OL could've had their CB kicked out too for removing his helmet.  It's a lack of discipline and it's why they lose big in games against good teams.

This results from a lack of accountability- if you're good enough to start there, the team rules don't apply to you.

[formerd3db]

SaintsFAN:

Thanks for the PM.  I sent you one back-check your PMs again.

[Adam Sayer]

Wow, why is MSJ always a bunch of thugs?  Four personal fouls and two ejections today.  Happens every year!

And SaintsFan will have something to say in 3...2...1...

Yes.  That doesn't surprise me at all.  The ejection of the OL could've had their CB kicked out too for removing his helmet.  It's a lack of discipline and it's why they lose big in games against good teams.

This results from a lack of accountability- if you're good enough to start there, the team rules don't apply to you.

It's not only personal fouls. Vince's last year we played FC really close at their place (it was the year we should/could have beaten TMC). We had 4th and inches and had a false start. Our RB jumped the gun on a QB sneak. We ended up not getting it. FC scored the next possession which sealed the game. Until that false start, we were only down a score (I think it was 35-30) and were pretty deep into FC territory at the time. Making big time mistakes in big time moments wasn't case in the mid 2000's. Many FC fans will remember the 7+ minute drive we went on and the back of the endzone TD catch Wellendorf caught to win the game in 2004.

[GrizFan]

The thuggery seems to be linked to Coach Huber!