FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[WRMUalum13]

I like the draw.  NCC and Mount being on the same side of the bracket sucks, but that was inevitable once JHU took the loss on Saturday.

Mount should be able to survive Union or Muhlenberg with even a decent performance in the 2nd round and then they'll be likely facing JCU.  I can't imagine a scenario where Mount doesn't get up for a game against their "rivals".  When trying to think of Dartt's best coaching performances, last year in the playoffs against JCU has to be high on the list. 

Get past JCU and you're probably looking at someone from TX or GA coming up to tropical Alliance in mid-December.  Survive that and it's most likely the defending champs.  In order to win a title, Mount was most likely going to have to beat NCC at some point. There won't be hardly any fans in attendance, but you'd still rather play them at home than on the road I guess.  Find a way to win that one and you have a de facto home game for the Stagg Bowl. 

It's not an easy run by any means, but none of them ever are. 

Use the bye week to heal up a bit and get ready to make a run

Eh the semi-finals usually get the best attendance for our playoff runs, and I think NCC is a much more known quantity to the fans, I'd be surprised if it got under 3,000.

most of those were with school still in session before the playoff expansion.  5 days prior to Christmas?  and now you can pay a small one-month fee to stream from your living room?  nah, it'll be dead.  The NCAA knows what is best for the student athlete experience

Mount can't even get more students than old, drunk townies in the student section on a 55 degree day in November, 3000 total is a pipe dream

It was the same weekend last year and attendance was 2500, and the prior two home semis years it was around 2200, I don't know I think if weather isn't miserable it gets 3,000 plus.... IF both teams actually advance that far, which is certainly a big IF

I'm actually not entirely sure what attendance was for 2021 Mount vs NCC game in Alliance, the box score lists attendance as 2251 and weather as sunny (it was raining). The box score for 2022 against Wartburg also lists attendance as 2251 and weather as sunny, so I feel like one of those is wrong.

[purple]

 I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

Bethel used to be a pretty bruising team also.  Tough Bracket for NCC.

[D3fanboy]

I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

Bethel used to be a pretty bruising team also.  Tough Bracket for NCC.

UW-L has no QB.  NCC would beat them by 100.  Hope has a better chance, so maybe they only lose by 50 or so

[WRMUalum13]

I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

Bethel used to be a pretty bruising team also.  Tough Bracket for NCC.

UW-L has no QB.  NCC would beat them by 100.  Hope has a better chance, so maybe they only lose by 50 or so

Did UWL's QB get hurt?

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

Bethel used to be a pretty bruising team also.  Tough Bracket for NCC.

UW-L has no QB.  NCC would beat them by 100.  Hope has a better chance, so maybe they only lose by 50 or so

Did UWL's QB get hurt?

It looks like their starting QB, Kyle Haas, didn't play their last two games.

https://uwlathletics.com/sports/football/roster/kyle-haas/11421

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

Bethel used to be a pretty bruising team also.  Tough Bracket for NCC.

UW-L has no QB.  NCC would beat them by 100.  Hope has a better chance, so maybe they only lose by 50 or so

Yeah, keep underestimating the MIAA- that worked well for you a couple years ago, and last year Hope lost @ NC in the playoffs 41-21 - essentially the same score from the Stagg Bowl last year

[D3fanboy]

I'm assuming that the All-OAC teams and awards will be announced this week.  Somebody that I hope gets recognition is Brandon Bowden, DL from Mount.  He has been pretty much unblockable in the 2nd half of the season.  6.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks in the last 5 games.  Kaleb Brown gets most of the attention (deservedly) but Bowden has been playing at a very high level lately. 

[D3fanboy]

I like the fact NC may have to play two CheeseEater teams before facing the Purples. Those big heavy teams sure gave us a hard time.They wear a body out and facing two of them back to back is quite a task.I predict one of them will beat NC.

Bethel used to be a pretty bruising team also.  Tough Bracket for NCC.

UW-L has no QB.  NCC would beat them by 100.  Hope has a better chance, so maybe they only lose by 50 or so

Yeah, keep underestimating the MIAA- that worked well for you a couple years ago, and last year Hope lost @ NC in the playoffs 41-21 - essentially the same score from the Stagg Bowl last year

I was laying it on a little thick.  But yes, the MIAA will always have that one special Saturday where we witnessed the biggest Dartt in Mount football history.  Congrats. 

[JCUStreaks70]

Hello Raiders my old friends
I've come to play your team again

Because a committee uses geography
Made a bracket while I was sleeping
And the nightmares of the Empire
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

[Captainred81]

I'm not sure anyone is underestimating the MIAA, although, they are not to be feared as the WIAC schools or NCC.  Hope did score with 15 seconds left last year to make it make a 3 score game, but mostly they were manhandled by NCC just like every other team.  That is not to say that Mount was ever going to win the Stagg bowl, although, they had their opportunities.  I'm not sure Hope ever had the same opportunities. 

Moving on, I think Hope has a great shot a getting past a very inconsistent LAX team.  With or without their #1 QB.  However, they have size and speed that is probably a step up from Olivet.  Assuming that happens, I give them a very real shot against NCC.  I think watching this years Wheaton game is imperative. 

On the other side of that bracket, I think Platteville will be there. 

[MUC 2008]

Hello Raiders my old friends
I've come to play your team again

Because a committee uses geography
Made a bracket while I was sleeping
And the nightmares of the Empire
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

Underrated comment.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I'm not sure anyone is underestimating the MIAA, although, they are not to be feared as the WIAC schools or NCC.  Hope did score with 15 seconds left last year to make it make a 3 score game, but mostly they were manhandled by NCC just like every other team.  That is not to say that Mount was ever going to win the Stagg bowl, although, they had their opportunities.  I'm not sure Hope ever had the same opportunities. 

Moving on, I think Hope has a great shot a getting past a very inconsistent LAX team.  With or without their #1 QB.  However, they have size and speed that is probably a step up from Olivet.  Assuming that happens, I give them a very real shot against NCC.  I think watching this years Wheaton game is imperative. 

On the other side of that bracket, I think Platteville will be there. 

I'd say someone saying Hope is a 50 point dog to NCC is underestimating the MIAA.  Look, Hope was soundly beaten by NCC in that game, but Hope v NCC was 24-14 1/2 way through the 3rd - in comparison MU v NCC was 21-10 1/2 way through the 3rd. 

I do agree with your prognostications for this years playoffs.

[D3fanboy]

I'm not sure anyone is underestimating the MIAA, although, they are not to be feared as the WIAC schools or NCC.  Hope did score with 15 seconds left last year to make it make a 3 score game, but mostly they were manhandled by NCC just like every other team.  That is not to say that Mount was ever going to win the Stagg bowl, although, they had their opportunities.  I'm not sure Hope ever had the same opportunities. 

Moving on, I think Hope has a great shot a getting past a very inconsistent LAX team.  With or without their #1 QB.  However, they have size and speed that is probably a step up from Olivet.  Assuming that happens, I give them a very real shot against NCC.  I think watching this years Wheaton game is imperative. 

On the other side of that bracket, I think Platteville will be there. 

I'd say someone saying Hope is a 50 point dog to NCC is underestimating the MIAA.  Look, Hope was soundly beaten by NCC in that game, but Hope v NCC was 24-14 1/2 way through the 3rd - in comparison MU v NCC was 21-10 1/2 way through the 3rd. 

I do agree with your prognostications for this years playoffs.

is nitpicking losses a MIAA thing?  Hope getting blown out or Mount blowing their chances with a backup QB vs NCC, what's the difference?  regarding the 50 point thing, I was just making a playful comment on NCC being the greatest team ever known to man.  Obviously Hope wouldn't be a 50 point underdog, its more likely 28.5 to 30.5

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Fine - I'll stop replying  - hell hath no furry like a PMSing MU fan!

Relax, it's just a playful comment