FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

Checking in on Beaudrie.  Adrian blasted Calvin 48-17.  Up 35-0 at half.  Noah was 25-33 for 322, 3 TD.  He also had 36 yds rushing and another 3 TD.  Bulldogs are 6-0.  Happy for Noah.  He seems like a great kid.

[D3fanboy]

I hate to harp on Marietta, but this fall from grace (top 25 team, sniffing playoffs) has been something else to witness. 

Ott game (W):

Otterbein scores to cut it to 33-31 with 9 mins in the 4th.  Etta puts up 2 late TD's

Cap game (W):

outscored 21-10 in the 2nd half, kick a FG with no time left to win 24-21. 

Berg game (L):

outscored 16-6 in the 2nd half, including 13-0 in the 4th quarter

Muskie game (L):

up by 10 with 9 mins to go, outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter.  gave up 17 play 80 yard and 8 play 99 yard drives for the 4th quarter TD's.  ouch.

with Mount and BW still on the schedule, barring a big time upset, it looks like 5-5 is the best case scenario and they are one major slip up from a losing season.  It seemed like the Pios were building something down on the river and with JCU running away scared, they were primed to take the next step.

[JCUStreaks70]

I hate to harp on Marietta, but this fall from grace (top 25 team, sniffing playoffs) has been something else to witness. 

Ott game (W):

Otterbein scores to cut it to 33-31 with 9 mins in the 4th.  Etta puts up 2 late TD's

Cap game (W):

outscored 21-10 in the 2nd half, kick a FG with no time left to win 24-21. 

Berg game (L):

outscored 16-6 in the 2nd half, including 13-0 in the 4th quarter

Muskie game (L):

up by 10 with 9 mins to go, outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter.  gave up 17 play 80 yard and 8 play 99 yard drives for the 4th quarter TD's.  ouch.

with Mount and BW still on the schedule, barring a big time upset, it looks like 5-5 is the best case scenario and they are one major slip up from a losing season.  It seemed like the Pios were building something down on the river and with JCU running away scared, they were primed to take the next step.

D3Fanboy making a JCU running away scared joke again? I'd suggest we make it a drinking game, but we'd all be blacked out by the end of the day.

[D3fanboy]

I hate to harp on Marietta, but this fall from grace (top 25 team, sniffing playoffs) has been something else to witness. 

Ott game (W):

Otterbein scores to cut it to 33-31 with 9 mins in the 4th.  Etta puts up 2 late TD's

Cap game (W):

outscored 21-10 in the 2nd half, kick a FG with no time left to win 24-21. 

Berg game (L):

outscored 16-6 in the 2nd half, including 13-0 in the 4th quarter

Muskie game (L):

up by 10 with 9 mins to go, outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter.  gave up 17 play 80 yard and 8 play 99 yard drives for the 4th quarter TD's.  ouch.

with Mount and BW still on the schedule, barring a big time upset, it looks like 5-5 is the best case scenario and they are one major slip up from a losing season.  It seemed like the Pios were building something down on the river and with JCU running away scared, they were primed to take the next step.

D3Fanboy making a JCU running away scared joke again? I'd suggest we make it a drinking game, but we'd all be blacked out by the end of the day.

I guess you could call it a joke.  Great win over big time powerhouse...umm...DePaw?

[JCUStreaks70]

It could be, but jokes are not usually over played... I won't call DePauw a powerhouse, but I believe the consensus would consider them a Top 20 program. But at the same time, with the exception of NCC, and VERY few others, all programs are "inferior" to Mount. It's the reality of D3 Football. Tier One, NCC, Mount and MAYBE SJU, and #1 WIAC; Tier 2, JHU, Bethel, Hardin Simmons, another WIAC pick-em. Tier 3, JCU, DePauw, Wheaton, 3 more WIAC schools, and a dozen others. Am I ranking ourselves too high? Maybe?

I do know this, playing you all year and year out prepared us to set ourselves up for the Pool A this year, and with Wabash steadily getting better, and Wash U joining next year, the NCAC will become a VERY entertaining conference to watch. Having those games prepares teams to eventually unseat the kings. Looks at NCC for example. It took years of getting the playoffs, getting the tough losses to Mount and Whitewater, coupled with a few years where IWU also competed to make the three schools perform their best, for NCC to get that first Championship.

Lastly, and not related, with next year being the big "drop" that we all knew was coming from the 08-09 crisis and the plummeting birth rate those years, there will unfortunately be a few more schools that'll close, and the OAC probably won't be susceptible to a couple of closures

[D3fanboy]

It could be, but jokes are not usually over played... I won't call DePauw a powerhouse, but I believe the consensus would consider them a Top 20 program. But at the same time, with the exception of NCC, and VERY few others, all programs are "inferior" to Mount. It's the reality of D3 Football. Tier One, NCC, Mount and MAYBE SJU, and #1 WIAC; Tier 2, JHU, Bethel, Hardin Simmons, another WIAC pick-em. Tier 3, JCU, DePauw, Wheaton, 3 more WIAC schools, and a dozen others. Am I ranking ourselves too high? Maybe?

I do know this, playing you all year and year out prepared us to set ourselves up for the Pool A this year, and with Wabash steadily getting better, and Wash U joining next year, the NCAC will become a VERY entertaining conference to watch. Having those games prepares teams to eventually unseat the kings. Looks at NCC for example. It took years of getting the playoffs, getting the tough losses to Mount and Whitewater, coupled with a few years where IWU also competed to make the three schools perform their best, for NCC to get that first Championship.

Lastly, and not related, with next year being the big "drop" that we all knew was coming from the 08-09 crisis and the plummeting birth rate those years, there will unfortunately be a few more schools that'll close, and the OAC probably won't be susceptible to a couple of closures

hey, I hope that JCU wins whatever intramural conference that they are in now.  A BW-JCU playoff game would be nice to see...although BW will probably blow that chance at some point in the next couple of weeks.  That being said, I think a lot of Purple Raiders would like to see the Blue Streaks come to Alliance in the weeks around Thanksgiving.  Good luck to JCU the rest of the way, hopefully the rest of the teams on their schedule have enough players to finish the season.

[mc1983]

I hate to harp on Marietta, but this fall from grace (top 25 team, sniffing playoffs) has been something else to witness. 

Ott game (W):

Otterbein scores to cut it to 33-31 with 9 mins in the 4th.  Etta puts up 2 late TD's

Cap game (W):

outscored 21-10 in the 2nd half, kick a FG with no time left to win 24-21. 

Berg game (L):

outscored 16-6 in the 2nd half, including 13-0 in the 4th quarter

Muskie game (L):

up by 10 with 9 mins to go, outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter.  gave up 17 play 80 yard and 8 play 99 yard drives for the 4th quarter TD's.  ouch.

with Mount and BW still on the schedule, barring a big time upset, it looks like 5-5 is the best case scenario and they are one major slip up from a losing season.  It seemed like the Pios were building something down on the river and with JCU running away scared, they were primed to take the next step.

Lots of graduation losses + a new coaching staff has been too much change to overcome. The new QB (Tenta) has shown promise and I think is the QB of the future. Biggest issue at the moment is defense - which is a bit astonishing, given two All-American linebackers. But the line isn't getting a push up front and the secondary is very young. Recruiting will be crucial this offseason for the new staff. Would like to see them make more of a play in the portal than the prior regime. I wouldn't write the Marietta obituary just yet, but there's no doubt the season has been disappointing.

[JCUStreaks70]

Not sure I am liking your wishing us luck, or making a joke at BW... because making fun of them NEVER gets old!

[Captainred81]

I often try to defend some of the things the team and coach do, but this week....the team that came out in the 2nd half was ready and prepared and played well.  The team in the 1st quarter was lights out.  The team in the 2nd quarter and especially at the end of the 2nd quarter... I dont know them.  It seems that many times that they have these points in a game where they just dont execute.  Offense, defense, special teams.  They get penalties, and blocked punts, dropped balls, missed tackles.  Then they snap out of it.  It sometimes feels like its on purpose.  I get very frustrated. 
Moving on... 
I really like Minner. He looks fast and strong.  I think we have a nice headed monster in the backfield. 
I like the receiving corps very much.  I think we could help ourselves by throwing to the TE a few more times..  It may open things up a bit for those slants and deep routes
The defense really needs to tighten up.  Against a good run team, they could find themselves in a tough spot.  Linebackers especially need to fill gaps and be more aggressive.  Also, they need to complete the tackle.  To many missed TFL, and short gains. 

[Pat Coleman]

Can't imagine why you favor throwing to the TE!

But I get it. Sometimes it is a learning curve for a young quarterback ... but also, yes, play calling is a big part.

[D3fanboy]

I often try to defend some of the things the team and coach do, but this week....the team that came out in the 2nd half was ready and prepared and played well.  The team in the 1st quarter was lights out.  The team in the 2nd quarter and especially at the end of the 2nd quarter... I dont know them.  It seems that many times that they have these points in a game where they just dont execute.  Offense, defense, special teams.  They get penalties, and blocked punts, dropped balls, missed tackles.  Then they snap out of it.  It sometimes feels like its on purpose.  I get very frustrated. 
Moving on... 
I really like Minner. He looks fast and strong.  I think we have a nice headed monster in the backfield. 
I like the receiving corps very much.  I think we could help ourselves by throwing to the TE a few more times..  It may open things up a bit for those slants and deep routes
The defense really needs to tighten up.  Against a good run team, they could find themselves in a tough spot.  Linebackers especially need to fill gaps and be more aggressive.  Also, they need to complete the tackle.  To many missed TFL, and short gains. 

I'm hoping to write off the 2nd quarter against Berg as a young team getting a little too full of themselves and the playcalling getting a little conservative. 

IMO, the offense will be fine when healthy.  Maloney is a special QB, they have 3 solid RB, and the WR room is loaded.  The TE's will be there when needed, i.e. playoffs. The OL injuries seem to be piling up, but we have a lot of season to go.  They look to have some solid depth developing on the OL. 

My biggest concern is the defense, specifically the run defense.  After the past few seasons, I never thought that I'd be happy with the secondary. But Kosta T and Liebler are probably the best pair of CB that the Raiders have had in a few years.  But Mount is currently ranked 111th against the run.  That is not acceptable in Alliance.  We are getting to the point in the season where teams are who they are, but this week against ONU will be very telling.  ONU can run the damn ball and if Ely and the mini LB's at Mount can't figure it out, we might be in a little trouble with what is coming down the pike.  Hopefully Mount coaches are reiterating the 130+ yards a game on the ground and the horrible national ranking daily at practice this week.

[D3 Poster]

Marietta's not meeting expectations and record is a disappointment. Potential excuses for them: no returning experience at QB (8 passes last year, Mount overcomes , only two '24 starters on defense (LBs) and no Chance Knight.

ONU exceeding expectations and all others 'are what we thought they are'.

Ott tried a shake 'em up move at QB on Saturday.  Started a fr and moved the previous QB to WR.

[Dr. Acula]

Otterbein is clearly in play the kids territory.  They'll be lucky to win a game this yr.  Play the kids and build for 2026.  Absolutely no reason not to.

[D3fanboy]

you hate to see it, but Ott is going 0-10 unless they get Cap this weekend.

ONU has really slid into the spot where most expected Marietta to be.  That close Franklin loss in the opener might come back to bite the Polar Bears unless they can beat Mount.  Even at 8-2 with a win over BW might not be enough to get a playoff spot. 

I expect to see a fired up ONU squad on Saturday in Alliance.  I hope that the Raiders assistant coaches can get the team up and ready to go from the kick, they might need it

[Fido0650]

It could be, but jokes are not usually over played... I won't call DePauw a powerhouse, but I believe the consensus would consider them a Top 20 program. But at the same time, with the exception of NCC, and VERY few others, all programs are "inferior" to Mount. It's the reality of D3 Football. Tier One, NCC, Mount and MAYBE SJU, and #1 WIAC; Tier 2, JHU, Bethel, Hardin Simmons, another WIAC pick-em. Tier 3, JCU, DePauw, Wheaton, 3 more WIAC schools, and a dozen others. Am I ranking ourselves too high? Maybe?

I do know this, playing you all year and year out prepared us to set ourselves up for the Pool A this year, and with Wabash steadily getting better, and Wash U joining next year, the NCAC will become a VERY entertaining conference to watch. Having those games prepares teams to eventually unseat the kings. Looks at NCC for example. It took years of getting the playoffs, getting the tough losses to Mount and Whitewater, coupled with a few years where IWU also competed to make the three schools perform their best, for NCC to get that first Championship.

Lastly, and not related, with next year being the big "drop" that we all knew was coming from the 08-09 crisis and the plummeting birth rate those years, there will unfortunately be a few more schools that'll close, and the OAC probably won't be susceptible to a couple of closures

hey, I hope that JCU wins whatever intramural conference that they are in now.  A BW-JCU playoff game would be nice to see...although BW will probably blow that chance at some point in the next couple of weeks.  That being said, I think a lot of Purple Raiders would like to see the Blue Streaks come to Alliance in the weeks around Thanksgiving.  Good luck to JCU the rest of the way, hopefully the rest of the teams on their schedule have enough players to finish the season.

Since others are congratulating JC on their season, I would like to congratulate them on their victory over powerhouse Oberlin from a few weeks back.
Oberlin, the only school in DIII football that considers it a victory when the can score a single point.
Honestly, I think JC will remain in the playoffs as long as they don't start to do JC things to themselves, like forgetting this rule.

Under NCAA, a minimum of three seconds must be on the clock for a spike play; otherwise, any spike after will result in the rest of the clock being run off.