Ohio Athletic Conference

[Blutarsky]

Reported in the Columbus Dispatch this morning (Tuesday):  

"Actually, disaster struck the Cardinals.  They lost quarterback Austin Schlosser (high ankle sprain), left tackle Kenny Collmar (knee and foot), left guard Arnold Spikes (foot sprain), receiver Dan Gendron (broken collarbone), and center Sam Watson (knee) on successive possessions in the first half.  Only Watson is expected to return this season."

However, the Otter two-deep on the Preview Notes lists Collmar at tackle, and Watson as center.

I smell a "Willis Reed" scenario coming to Alliance........Schlosser comes out of the locker room, unexpectedly, to lead an emotional Otter team on the field to face the Raiders.  

I doubt that Coach Loth was totally honest with the Dispatch  

All I got from this was the shock that came with reading that it was in the Dispatch.  Must not have been a slow day for OSU and the CBJ to actually allow lowly DIII news into the Disgrace.

To make you feel better, the print was so small I had to put on my "cheaters" to read it.....you'll understand someday.

[OldOtter]

What loss would be a fluke?

By fluke loss, I was referring to Cap losing to OC in '05 and OC losing to Marietta this season. My point was that everyone is saying OC is out off the playoff picture when the same type of thing happend to Capital in '05

I appreciate filibustering for your team but CAP in 2005 lost to an OTT team that finished 7-3.  The game took place in week two and the final was 17-14 at OTT.  This year's OTT team lost to a Marietta team that will finish 4-6 at best but possibly 3-7.

That CAP team outscored opponents in the regular season 34.6 to 11.5 despite two OAC losses.  This year's OTT team is outscoring opponents 32.4 to 22.5. 

 The same type of thing didn't happen to CAP in 2005. 

I know how that game went in '05. I played in it.

My point was, going into that game, Cap was Top 5 in the country and got beat by a team they shouldn't have. I know it was game two and we ended up that year 7-3, but no one would have picked OC in that game. I'm not saying that Otterbein should be a shoe-in in the playoffs. All i'm stating is that a similar situation happend in '05 where there were two 8-2 teams at the end of the year. One of which, ONU, had a big win on their resume (Mount, just as this year with NCC) and the other, Cap, which lost a game they weren't supposed to but still won the head to head match up against ONU and got into the playoffs.

[jam40jeff]

Technically speaking, Mount Union isn't a part of the Plain Dealer's coverage/delivery area. 

I like the new logo, Streaks.  That JCU lightning bolt logo has always looked so 80s and ugly to me.

[MUCheats]

The PD wastes all their print on the Browns!

That's one step below Division III.

Well now wouldn't that be an insult to a former Polar Bear who's now sporting the Brown and Orange? 

[MUCheats]

Just curious, since we're talking about the reputation of the OAC in regards to potential Pool C candidates, is there any source or ratings systems that ranks all Division III conferences on their strength?  I've always assumed that the OAC was one of the toughest all-sports conferences (football included) around, but that's based on my bias.  Is there anything that objectively ranks the conferences for football?

[TooForRaider]

What loss would be a fluke?

By fluke loss, I was referring to Cap losing to OC in '05 and OC losing to Marietta this season. My point was that everyone is saying OC is out off the playoff picture when the same type of thing happend to Capital in '05

I don't see the two losses as comparable. I'd rather see ONU and Cap in the playoffs this year over OTT.  For one, the injuries and secondly, OAC respect....that many yards to Etta will be more than the 650+ they gave up last year in the first round.

[reality check]

OldOtter

I appreciate that noone thought CAP's 2005 team would lose to your Cardinals.  You guys had a great year in your own right.  The problem, even if you overlook that a 2009 loss to a BAD Marietta team is defintely worse than a 2005 loss to a very solid 7-3 OTT team in a rivalry game, you can't also overlook that CAP was outscoring opponents 35-11 in 2005.  ONU was outscoring opponents 40-15.  This year OTT is outscoring opponents by less than 10 and if something miraculous doesn't happen, they'll be outscoring opponents by even less after MUC gets done with them. 

And if they are indeed dinged up, then the committee will factor that in as well.  A bubble team, with so many question marks, is not good Pool C material.  Hell, I think the OAC is out of luck altogether with last week's results.  ONU's win over NCC looks less spectacular.  W&J should get a spot in Pool C.  I think the odds are stacked even greater against the OAC now and we might have only been looking at a 50/50 before all this.

ONU handled NCC in their non-conf.  OTT was tied 7-7 in the 4th with Bethany (currently 2-6 in the PAC).  Advantage has to go to ONU there.

ONU wasn't doomed in 2005 by their loss to CAP.  That was a game that went to the wire like your OTT/CAP game this year.  CAP took the lead on a Matt Spitz FG with 30 seconds left.  ONU's can look at the "Fluke" loss to JCU early in the season as to why it really missed the playoffs.

I just don't think an OTT team at 8-2, unless they play MUC to the wire, gets any serious consideration. 

Of course, OTT can shock the world by winning against MUC this weekend and then we guarantee two OAC teams in the playoffs.  OTT gets the AQ and certainly MUC gets a pool C.  Now I'm going to go out and watch for flying pigs...

[reality check]

Just curious, since we're talking about the reputation of the OAC in regards to potential Pool C candidates, is there any source or ratings systems that ranks all Division III conferences on their strength?  I've always assumed that the OAC was one of the toughest all-sports conferences (football included) around, but that's based on my bias.  Is there anything that objectively ranks the conferences for football?

They're ranked by the experts at d3football.com every year in the Kickoff Preview which you can secure for a low one-time fee every pre-season.  It's a great read nad has lots of features that go beyond simple conference or team previews.  They rank conferences and all participating teams.  The guy that writes for the SCIAC is a stud too.

[TooForRaider]

OldOtter

I appreciate that noone thought CAP's 2005 team would lose to your Cardinals.  You guys had a great year in your own right.  The problem, even if you overlook that a 2009 loss to a BAD Marietta team is defintely worse than a 2005 loss to a very solid 7-3 OTT team in a rivalry game, you can't also overlook that CAP was outscoring opponents 35-11 in 2005.  ONU was outscoring opponents 40-15.  This year OTT is outscoring opponents by less than 10 and if something miraculous doesn't happen, they'll be outscoring opponents by even less after MUC gets done with them. 

And if they are indeed dinged up, then the committee will factor that in as well.  A bubble team, with so many question marks, is not good Pool C material.  Hell, I think the OAC is out of luck altogether with last week's results.  ONU's win over NCC looks less spectacular.  W&J should get a spot in Pool C.  I think the odds are stacked even greater against the OAC now and we might have only been looking at a 50/50 before all this.

ONU handled NCC in their non-conf.  OTT was tied 7-7 in the 4th with Bethany (currently 2-6 in the PAC).  Advantage has to go to ONU there.

ONU wasn't doomed in 2005 by their loss to CAP.  That was a game that went to the wire like your OTT/CAP game this year.  CAP took the lead on a Matt Spitz FG with 30 seconds left.  ONU's can look at the "Fluke" loss to JCU early in the season as to why it really missed the playoffs.

I just don't think an OTT team at 8-2, unless they play MUC to the wire, gets any serious consideration. 

Of course, OTT can shock the world by winning against MUC this weekend and then we guarantee two OAC teams in the playoffs.  OTT gets the AQ and certainly MUC gets a pool C.  Now I'm going to go out and watch for flying pigs...

Unless Ott gives up 700 yards to JCU in week 10!

[MUCheats]

Well, if Otterbein can beat Mount Union this weekend, they can end this debate.  However unlikely that outcome may be, that's what I'm rooting for, because I think that would give the OAC an almost certain Pool C bid.  Dare the committee to leave out a 9-1 Raiders squad. 

[OldOtter]

Well, if Otterbein can beat Mount Union this weekend, they can end this debate.  However unlikely that outcome may be, that's what I'm rooting for, because I think that would give the OAC an almost certain Pool C bid.  Dare the committee to leave out a 9-1 Raiders squad. 

If, let's just say, I noticed pigs flying outside my office this afternoon and some how MUC was to lose their next two games, would they get a Pool C bid at 8-2 over an 8-2 ONU team?!?! Man, this message board would blow up!!!

[Raider 68]

Well, if Otterbein can beat Mount Union this weekend, they can end this debate.  However unlikely that outcome may be, that's what I'm rooting for, because I think that would give the OAC an almost certain Pool C bid.  Dare the committee to leave out a 9-1 Raiders squad.

If, let's just say, I noticed pigs flying outside my office this afternoon and some how MUC was to lose their next two games, would they get a Pool C bid at 8-2 over an 8-2 ONU team?!?! Man, this message board would blow up!!!

Mount has only lost 4 games since 2000, or less than 2 quarters of a game (24 minutes) a year for the last 10 years! This board should have blown up over that!

[seventiesraider]

BTW, Otterbein has the longest losing streak to Mount Union at 30 games. (That's of current foes, not sure what the streak was with Hiram before they ran and hide) No, not Hiram, only 24 in row. Otterbein has the LONGEST losing streak of all Mount Union opponents

You'd have to be inside Larry's head and know who he has been grooming for the Trophy committee. Given his body of work, I'd to go with Shorts, although as has been said, I don't have a handle on his academics and community service stuff

WesleyDad- You still coming. Be sure to stop in the Campus Center for the Breakfast Buffet and then hit the tailgates.

[mtfan]

Well, if Otterbein can beat Mount Union this weekend, they can end this debate.  However unlikely that outcome may be, that's what I'm rooting for, because I think that would give the OAC an almost certain Pool C bid.  Dare the committee to leave out a 9-1 Raiders squad. 

If, let's just say, I noticed pigs flying outside my office this afternoon and some how MUC was to lose their next two games, would they get a Pool C bid at 8-2 over an 8-2 ONU team?!?! Man, this message board would blow up!!!

holy moly! not only are the pigs flying outside the your window, but Ohio State  just won the National Championship , the Cleveland Browns won the super bowl , and we all got paid back double on the stimulus bale out! ...............NOT

[Sho-nuff]

Old Otter-

The people voicing opinoins on this board don't have a personal problem with Otterbein.. They just feel ONU would be a better representative of the OAC.  Its not personal..