I think you're right on the Columbus area schools having a huge HS football field*** of recruits, but there is a ton of schools recruiting the area too.  I'm guessing every D3 school in Ohio is spending umpteen days/weeks at the area high schools.  Its probably hard to get the top recruits.  I think if they could some how find a bit of success, maybe even in the transfer portal, they could convince some of the better local talent to sign on
 

I think best case...
BW goes 9-1
Mareitta goes 8-2 with losses obviously to Mount and BDub

BW gets in for sure and Marietta gets on SOS blah blah blah

So is your point that losing to a team that they beat last year by 12, shouldn't count because that school gives out scholarships?  And all this to say you don't like polls because their is more to each game than the final result? 

I'm not quite following. 

A 30 point lead is definitely a lot (enough as it turned out to be), and against ONU, Muskingum, Otterbein, absolutely pull the starters early.  However, this was not that game.  I think 1st year freshman QB needs to be in that game, until it becomes clockwork.  I think shuffling in #2's with #'1s in the skill positions, or O-line is good.  12 mins on the clock against a seasoned QB/Coach and top end defense... mistake. 

All that said, I agree with all of the other comments.  The team looked ready, and prepared.  They looked extremely fast.  I liked the play calling.  Beyond receivers, they're are to really goo tight ends out there, that are capable of making some noise. 

The defense looked fast.  I think the number 1 take away for me, which is to be expected in the 1st game, is tackling.  In the 4th quarter, with the foot off the gas and feeling a little tired, missed tackles were the key.  A few TFL's were missed and of course the QB scrambling for 22 yards for a score. 

Wheaton had some good receivers that made good catches in the 4th.  FWIW, wheaton scored 13 in the 4th qtr against NCC last year.  Onside kicks are soooo uncommon.  It's hard to prepare for and perform when given the chance.  Wheaton has a tremendous set of D-Lineman and line backers, and to hang 37 in 3 qtrs is pretty impressive. 


Moving on to GCC.  I watched about 2/3rds of that game.  GCC was disciplined and deliberate in their game plan.  Cortland had some explosiveness, but not enough consistency.  GCC will come out hard and jacked up.  I think the difference for GCC in this game is the in trenches.  Mount will prove to be superior in size and strength, and with speed they just displayed will be too much.  Defensively, GCC might be better than Wheaton, but not by much, and offensively, GCC will not be nearly as good.

A) I think we should table the criticism and wait for the season to start.  We were in the Stagg Bowl last year, and had a solid chance to win the game.

B)  110 Incoming freshman in this day and age is amazing.  He must be doing something right to get that amount of players. 

C)  I will be thoroughly let down if Mount is not in this years Canton Stagg Bowl.  Not by players or coaches, just in general.

D)  I skimmed through the roster and the QB and RB rooms are gonna be full.  Good to see Leibler on the list.  Also, looking forward to seeing what Jerry Copper Jr. can do this year.  I think he really started to turn it on last year at the end of the season

Totally get the hard read and the past playoff results.  I think though that we have an educated opinion about who is going to sit atop the leader board in November, and that team (LaCrosse) should be in the top 10, because they definitely will be in November.  And if there are two or more teams that have a chance to win that league playing in week 9, 10 or 11 its likely that all 3 will be top 10 teams. 

Definitely the points you are making 'hold water', but my opinion is that UW schools have a longer rep of reloading rather than re building.  Many of the schools in the top 10 currently have had great success in the recent and deserve consideration, however, they will likely begin to fade as their coaches have moved on their QB's have graduated etc... The UW schools, seem to show out year after year, and I think with the limited information that we have, if I were a voter, I would be likely to put UW schools in the top 10.

My opinion is that these UW schools have more pedigree year over than some of the schools that are in this top 10.  I think Hardin Simmons finishing the season with 2 wins over UMHB and then losing the one that matters in the playoffs takes them out for me.  Maybe UMHB should be in, but I'm not sure.  If some these matchups were to happen today, I'd bet on Lacrosse and Platteville to beat Cortland or Wartburg, or even Susquehanna

I haven't decided if I'm gonna pay or not.  I feel like I want to because it must benefit the college in someway, and  if I don't pay well, it detracts.  Plus, I do pay for Hulu live to watch other football, so I suppose its not insane that I would pay for this, also, I like this better.  Maybe, I've just decided.

I like the top 25 this year, however, my biggest question marks are the lack UW schools in the top 10, and the inclusion of the Texas schools. 

I don't know if should have won the Stagg bowl, is correct, maybe could have won.  They played a great game and had some costly errors, but I'm not sure any one moment or one error is why they lost.  Anyway..

I think we'll know what kind of team we have right from the get go this year.  I'm excited to see who steps up this year and shows out. 

I'm anxious to see if the second place finished in the OAC can make the playoffs. 

We'll certainly have a younger offense this year, and some new faces on defense, but we've done it in the past. 

I'd like to see some better game/time management.  More efficiency and better execution.  At times there were flashes of greatness, other time some bad mistakes.  I think we clean those up, and keep everything else the same.

Quote from: Dr. Acula on December 09, 2024, 10:09:57 PMNo JCU and a Waddle-less Etta next year.  I really hope someone else in the OAC improves quickly because on paper this isn't promising.

We only beat Muskingum by TD late in the game...maybe they're the next to rise.  New stadium often means new recruits and new success follows

To be honest, this should be a coaches dream.  Mount has 2 weeks to prepare and heal and learn and sharpen up before the playoffs.  Their likely first opponent is a familiar one.  They have an opportunity to watch them live, and on film.  They have a chance to correct mistakes from the first meeting.  Meanwhile which ever opponent they face, will be coming off a hard fought first round, then have to begin preparation for this game.  It's a huge advantage.  Meanwhile, all other first round bye teams (not 1 and 2 seeds) they have 2 weeks but so does their opponent.  In some cases, lets says Randolph Macon and W&J where talent is very similar, coaching will play a huge role. 

I think Mount can win this thing, they need to buckle down their defense.  Create some turnovers, and big plays.  Come out swinging...

I'm jacked for this whole tournament

Next Mount will line up against Wheaton and Grove City.  Also an improved O North and BW could be competitive. 

A)  Mount Union will not fire a coach who hasn't lost a conference game in his tenure.  Also, in 5 years, he had Covid year, Stagg Bowl year, Semi final year early out year and this year.  All of that said, he has had success.  Not the same as we're all used to, but success nonetheless.

B)  I'm not a big fan of the likely rematch, but Mount has fared well against conference opponents in the past, and I don't expect anything different.  There were a lot of mistakes in the first game that could be corrected, mostly on defense. 

C)  I think the biggest issues with this team is execution and game plan.  The players and coaches need to stick to their assignments as drawn up.  Then if that is not working, adjustments need to be made.  I think sometimes the correct defense might be called, but missed tackles or missed coverages make it look worse than it is.  So, either simplify the coverage, or change completely it to make it smoother.  An overhaul is not needed, just some more consistency. 

D)  The Otterbein game stands out to me as an anomaly more than this game against Muskingum.  Muskingum has been a solid offense for several years now.  I think Mount was a little to high on the horse and got caught. 

It does seem way more competitive in this years bracket.  I expect LAX to beat Northwestern by a lot, and Endicott will win by 2-3 scores, JCU should win by 2-3 scores.  After those games, and with out projecting any winners, I don't see any obvious blowout games.  Probably the winner of Bethel and Coe will beat Lake Forest by a few scores.  If Berry advances, I don' see them losing by the same margin a 2nd time.  Maybe NCC will put a hurt on who ever comes over from left coast. 

I don't see a clear cut winner for any of the quads. 

These brackets are gonna be tough