FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[hsbsballcoach7]

My favorite parts, other than the defense continuing their trend of making plays (turnovers, sacks and TDs) was Dartt using both Parker and Echeverry in 2 back sets creating tough matchups and seeing some quicker pace on offense. In the first half they went quick at the goal line and under 1 minute to get a field goal before half time. Those are things that must be practiced under game like conditions to prep the team down the road in bigger games. I have to say the surprise of the year so far to me is Kaleb Brown.... he just creates  havoc! Of course it helps to have Hill, Factor and Moore taking up blockers,  but he's done a great job so far stepping up this year!

Go Ders!

[theaprof]

I was happy to see a woman as one of the line judges at Mount's game.  It seemed to me that she did an excellent job (as I would expect). And as head line judge!   Here's to more inclusive attitudes in our world! Interesting article about Van Voorhis.  If the women can keep up with the men, more power to them!

[D3fanboy]

with JCU beating up on Berg, it certainly looks like we are headed for a top 10 matchup for the OAC title in University Heights in early November

[bluestreak66]

with JCU beating up on Berg, it certainly looks like we are headed for a top 10 matchup for the OAC title in University Heights in early November

I think this is absolutely true. Not to knock the rest of the conference, but I truly don't see anyone John Carroll plays before that giving them a game, and Heidelberg is the only team with any credible (albeit very small) threat that Mount plays before then.

[JCUStreaks70]

In a separate, but somewhat related topic, will this be the year that 2 loss teams might still get At Large bids? In my natural "2nd Team in the OAC" mind, after losing to Whitewater I was like "whelp, now we have to beat Mount".. But as the season has progressed, I'm sitting here wondering and thinking that maybe, just maybe, the Comittee will recognize and reward the teams that actually schedule the tough non-cons.

Now, we've been helped by Whitewater beating up on SJU, and even though it was close against UMHB, they got the W all the same. Now you have Hardin Simmons who just got beat up by Endicott, which very possibly eliminated them from Pool C, assuming they don't beat UMHB. That also effects LaCrosse, since they beat up on them..

I mean, does an 8-2 JCU, have a legitimate chance at Pool C? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

Edit: I know 2 loss has gotten Pool C before, I'm calling out the fact of there only being 4 Pool C's this year..

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

In a separate, but somewhat related topic, will this be the year that 2 loss teams might still get At Large bids? In my natural "2nd Team in the OAC" mind, after losing to Whitewater I was like "whelp, now we have to beat Mount".. But as the season has progressed, I'm sitting here wondering and thinking that maybe, just maybe, the Comittee will recognize and reward the teams that actually schedule the tough non-cons.

Now, we've been helped by Whitewater beating up on SJU, and even though it was close against UMHB, they got the W all the same. Now you have Hardin Simmons who just got beat up by Endicott, which very possibly eliminated them from Pool C, assuming they don't beat UMHB. That also effects LaCrosse, since they beat up on them..

I mean, does an 8-2 JCU, have a legitimate chance at Pool C? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

Edit: I know 2 loss has gotten Pool C before, I'm calling out the fact of there only being 4 Pool C's this year..

I don't think so.  With the limited amount of Pool C bids, I don't see the committee putting in a two loss team.

[D3fanboy]

In a separate, but somewhat related topic, will this be the year that 2 loss teams might still get At Large bids? In my natural "2nd Team in the OAC" mind, after losing to Whitewater I was like "whelp, now we have to beat Mount".. But as the season has progressed, I'm sitting here wondering and thinking that maybe, just maybe, the Comittee will recognize and reward the teams that actually schedule the tough non-cons.

Now, we've been helped by Whitewater beating up on SJU, and even though it was close against UMHB, they got the W all the same. Now you have Hardin Simmons who just got beat up by Endicott, which very possibly eliminated them from Pool C, assuming they don't beat UMHB. That also effects LaCrosse, since they beat up on them..

I mean, does an 8-2 JCU, have a legitimate chance at Pool C? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

Edit: I know 2 loss has gotten Pool C before, I'm calling out the fact of there only being 4 Pool C's this year..

If you assume Mount beating JCU and Alma winning the MIAA title (likely at 10-0).  Once you remove the autobids, JCU could be sitting at the top of Region 4 for the playoff committee, gotta get regionally ranked above the MIAA runner-up to have a prayer.  The NCAC seems to be a little bottled up in the middle, so they could be knocking each other off as the season goes.  JCU's SOS will be pretty high for an OAC with UWW continuing to win.  A big key for JCU (and Mount) will be Berg (or Marietta) getting to 8-2 and being a RRO.  I'm not sure a #3-5 in the OAC sharing wins gets either Mount or JCU a RRO or two.  A perfect world would be Berg at 8-2 (loses to only Mount and JCU) and 7-3 Marietta (loses to only Mount, JCU and Berg), both could be RRO at that point.  Not sure if 7-3 Berg and 7-3 BW get it done for the OAC

8-2 JCU with losses to two "#1 seeds" would be a heck of an arguement.  But those extra playoff committee points would really be beneficial

[D3fanboy]

In a separate, but somewhat related topic, will this be the year that 2 loss teams might still get At Large bids? In my natural "2nd Team in the OAC" mind, after losing to Whitewater I was like "whelp, now we have to beat Mount".. But as the season has progressed, I'm sitting here wondering and thinking that maybe, just maybe, the Comittee will recognize and reward the teams that actually schedule the tough non-cons.

Now, we've been helped by Whitewater beating up on SJU, and even though it was close against UMHB, they got the W all the same. Now you have Hardin Simmons who just got beat up by Endicott, which very possibly eliminated them from Pool C, assuming they don't beat UMHB. That also effects LaCrosse, since they beat up on them..

I mean, does an 8-2 JCU, have a legitimate chance at Pool C? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

Edit: I know 2 loss has gotten Pool C before, I'm calling out the fact of there only being 4 Pool C's this year..

I don't think so.  With the limited amount of Pool C bids, I don't see the committee putting in a two loss team.

with the Texas schools getting smacked around in OOC play and the WIAC having a dozen teams ranked in the top 25, I don't know if you'll have a 9-1 Pool C team coming from either of those likely spots.  Even in the MIAC the conference runner-up is very likely to have at least 2 loses.  I'm sure there will be some east coast runner-ups at 9-1, but the usual suspects of two-team conferences don't seem like they have as clear of path as usual.  JCU needs to get a seat at the region vs region table early to have a shot.

[Dr. Acula]

I hate to point this out since Coach Paul is a Mount guy, but ONU looks like they are probably heading for a 3rd straight losing season.  The last time that happened at ONU was 1987-89 early in Kaz's run.  In Paul's defense the OAC is more competitive these days with Berg and Etta stepping it up and Wilm not being a pushover, but it's still not good.   

[bluestreak66]

I hate to point this out since Coach Paul is a Mount guy, but ONU looks like they are probably heading for a 3rd straight losing season.  The last time that happened at ONU was 1987-89 early in Kaz's run.  In Paul's defense the OAC is more competitive these days with Berg and Etta stepping it up and Wilm not being a pushover, but it's still not good.   

It's still weird to consider them true middle-lower of the pack, but that does seem the way they're headed. In my mind I still see them as the team that was constantly pushing for the 2nd team in the conference position, but they really haven't been there in almost 10 years. I do expect that eventually they will find their way again. They have a longer track record of success, so I suspect this is just a bad run.

[purple]

 An Ohio Northern alumni and I were talking football and I asked him about Coach Paul? He's a heavyweight donor.
Another ONU alum opined he was tired of getting killed and wanted a change.  I asked if this feeling was held in Toledo and Ada?
Donor said, "No, absolutely not, his kids graduate and are great alumni. The brass respect him."

[Dr. Acula]

I hate to point this out since Coach Paul is a Mount guy, but ONU looks like they are probably heading for a 3rd straight losing season.  The last time that happened at ONU was 1987-89 early in Kaz's run.  In Paul's defense the OAC is more competitive these days with Berg and Etta stepping it up and Wilm not being a pushover, but it's still not good.   

It's still weird to consider them true middle-lower of the pack, but that does seem the way they're headed. In my mind I still see them as the team that was constantly pushing for the 2nd team in the conference position, but they really haven't been there in almost 10 years. I do expect that eventually they will find their way again. They have a longer track record of success, so I suspect this is just a bad run.

I'm the same way.  It's surely a product of when I was at Mount and the quality of those old ONU squads with Jamal Robertson terrorizing everyone from the RB spot.  Those teams were loaded with talent.  I went back yesterday and looked at their records and playoff performances of recent years.  They made the playoffs after this I believe, but their last legitimately good team was probably the 2010 team with Kyle Simmons at QB.  I watched their games against Alma and Berg and they just aren't very good right now.  If this game in Alliance is remotely close it's a bad day for the Raiders.

[Dr. Acula]

An Ohio Northern alumni and I were talking football and I asked him about Coach Paul? He's a heavyweight donor.
Another ONU alum opined he was tired of getting killed and wanted a change.  I asked if this feeling was held in Toledo and Ada?
Donor said, "No, absolutely not, his kids graduate and are great alumni. The brass respect him."

That's always the balancing act in D3.  You want to win championships, but you also need to bring in and retain student athletes.  I know all schools prioritize those differently and ONU seems to have a track record of long-time HC in multiple sports over the decades.  Sounds like ONU is pleased with Paul recruiting and graduating quality kids.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Coach Paul is a Mt Grad and his wife is fighting cancer.  I doubt the Raiders run it up on ONU.

[Fido0650]

So far the Mount offense is just spinning their wheels.  One first down in first quarter.  Half way through 2nd qtr they are starting to move a little then a penalty. 
One step forward and 2 steps back.