Well, we survived another Selection Sunday, though the day has barely ended as I write this portion of the site. Four hours of sleep, up at 7:15, off to ESPNU, analyze the bracket, check graphics and pronunciations, go over highlights, write a script, go through a dress rehearsal and do the show. Then tape a segment for ESPNews (did anyone ever see that?) and another for online.
Thankfully, the podcast was pretty simple, too, only requiring one edit to piece two parts together.
It’s our look at the bracket, the key points in each game, etc. How many points can Capital give up and still win? Do Keith McMillan and I both like the way this was put together? Why Eau Claire instead of Whitworth?
It wasn’t quite a record day trafficwise but with the brackets being revealed so early in the morning, we didn’t expect it. But it was a great day in Division III football, both Saturday and Sunday. Hear the highlights in our ATN podcast.
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First – I think it is great to see a match up of Ithaca and MUC. Outside of MUC I am not aware of too many other programs that have the history to it that IC does.
Second – MUC’s avg score per game is 54-2. Outside of a scud missile hitting the IC campus there is no way that MUC will hang that on IC, or any playoff team from E8 for that matter. Unlike the Purple Patsies Conference (OAC) that tends to just grab ankles and let MUC have their way – East Region teams (E8 and Liberty League) come to the field to win. It is going to be a fight every step of the way.
Third – The two highest seeds in the east have the toughest first round draws. Hobart is on a 7 game winning streak at Fisher, and Ithaca has been smoking every team it has faced since its loss at Fisher. Two hot teams, its the playoffs – you never know.
Fourth – I have long wondered how MUC would do if it had to face teams on a weekly basis from the East. Now, after MUC’s scout team like schedule of ’07, I get a chance to find out.
Fifth and final – Curry will rarely have a better chance to get out of the first round than its match up vs. Hartwick.
Go Fisher . . . .
Yeah. You may be singing a different tune about Mount Union in a few weeks. And I’m not sure that your allusions are appropriate.
The only way my tune about MUC will change is if they lose. I think MUC is the best and at the same question the level of comp they play week in and week out. – especially in 2007. By playing in the East for potentially the next 3 weeks we will all have a better idea of what the OAC is all about.
I respect IC, RPI, and Hobart. I don’t know much about Jersey and I am biased toward Fisher. The only two teams in the East that I think are questionable is Curry and Hartwick until proven otherwise.
As I said, there is no way MUC walks through the East as if its the OAC – that’s my emotion, my gut, and my prediction. Obviously we’ll know for sure very, very soon. If I’m wrong, which I doubt right now, then I”ll admit it.
When are you willing to admit you don’t care for Fisher?
“Purple Patsies Conference (OAC)” ???? Are you kidding me. Okay so my screename gives it away, but have you ever SEEN Mount Union. I see them twice a year. Once when they wipe the table with us during the regular season, then in the playoffs when they give us a run.
I would not be so harsh on the OAC. I will say, admittedly, that Cap is not the Capital of the past (ie – Rocky Pentello and company), plus this year they are playing all 2nd and 3rd stringers on Offense…but I would argue with a clear conscience that the OAC’s top 3 or 4 would finish #1 in nearly every other conference. Mount Union, Capital, Ohio Northern, and John Carrol (or BW) would do it The competition is unruly, and every single team in the OAC is scarred with an automatic 1 loss to Mount Union. Last 2 years…who did it come down to in the Semi’s….OAC (Cap vs. MUC). I’ll give respect anywhere it is due, and to watch OAC football for nearly 7 years, the OAC has earned some.
SJF Fan,
So if Mount cleans the clock of the East, your tune about the MUC and the OAC won’t change? As someone born and raised in Alliance and a student at Ohio Northern (until I ran out of money!) this OAC bashing is really getting tedious. While Mount Union had a seemingly easy year in the OAC, it doesn’t make the conference a bunch of pushovers that wouldn’t stand up elsewhere. Maybe the OAC is full of comparable teams with one great team? I guess if the only chink in Mount’s armor you can ascertain is an allegedly “weak” conference you must feel you have to run with it.
I doubt LK and Mount have been thinking that there would be any cakewalks through the playoffs for them. Only a fool would take an opponent for granted – or believe that one conference is that much better than another without any direct comparison by multiple teams playing each other.
Be very careful assuming that Fisher will be playing against anyone other than their first round opponent… Having said that, I hope that SJF gets to visit Alliance again for that aforementioned clock cleaning.
Have I seen MUC? – Yes. – National Semi’s in ’06. SB on ESPN 11 times.
Last year the Semi featured an E8 team and MUC.
Cap – on the level of comp for ’07, we’ll find out over the next three weeks.
Your reply to me, further proves my point. You say you and the rest of the PPC’s enter each year conceding a loss. In the East, nothing is conceded. Every team shows up to win week in and week out, and every win is hard fought. That is what I am counting on (hoping for) for this year’s East bracket. When MUC is faced with a team, for consecutive weeks that is willing to hit back, what will happen? How will they respond?
Ithaca, Hobart, RPI, Fisher – is no joke. The only way we can know for sure about Capital and the rest of the PPC’s is if your respective school man’s up and schedules us. MUC did (home and home with Fisher for ’08 and ’09). Why not the others?
Oh boy … yeah, this is gonna get ugly.
“Purple Patsies League”?????
Yikes.
Obviously the Easterners’ attempts at talking trash are about as skilled as their teams are at reaching the Stagg.
Paging Ric ….
Interesting … all these folks say they don’t know much about d3 outside of the East and then they expound endlessly on how powerful it is.
Yeah, other than Ithaca and its peer, Mount Union, the rest of d3 is traditionless dogmeat.
Right … paging Augie fans …
Repete:
Please don’t assume all people east of the Ohio share the same sentiments as certain posters on this page.
Repete – the numbers back it up. Until the PPC shows it can put a fight, it is a fact until proven otherwise..
For you to say that Ithaca and MUC are the only D3 schools that have tradition is a tad on the insulting side. 17 Stagg’s between the two is pretty tough to beat though, that’s why I’m looking forward to the match up.
Well, after reading these comments, I guess I need to get some points if I want to bet on Mt U. Nice job on the podcast, guys. Gonna be an interesting tourney.
GM,
You’re right. I’m presently east of Ohio (despite an allegiance elsewhere).
And the RPI crowd is quite creative … 🙂
But this East Region chest-puffing kind of reminds me of the old New Yorker cover.
http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/newyorker2.JPG
“Repete – the numbers back it up. Until the PPC shows it can put a fight, it is a fact until proven otherwise..”
Didn’t John Carroll win the East a few years back?
“For you to say that Ithaca and MUC are the only D3 schools that have tradition is a tad on the insulting side.”
That was clearly sarcastic — as the “yeah” and “right” comment indicated. It was a response to your post on the playoff threat: “Outside of MUC is there another program with as much of a winning tradition to it than IC?”
That’s — frankly — a fairly dumb question.
Augustana had a pretty good run.
1983 Augustana (Ill.) 21-17 Union (N.Y.)
1984 Augustana (Ill.) 21-12 Central
1985 Augustana (Ill.) 20-7 Ithaca
1986 Augustana (Ill.) 31-3 Salisbury State
St. John’s has two d3 and two other small college (NAIA) titles. It’s 546-220-24 (.706) over 97 seasons. It’s 38-16 in postseason. It has a coach you might have heard of.
Linfield hasn’t had a losing season since the 1950s.
ithaca is going to get blown out….do you here me …..blown out
repete – clearly you know more than me about Augustana Ill. Saying that I was not aware of, versus your interpretation of that there aren’t any, programs with as much tradition shows you have a flare for the dramatic side.
Any indication as to how the perenial #2 in the PPC that is worth a #2 will do vs. UWW?
mt union 42 ithaca 0
Mille125 – thanks for the amazing analysis. Did we here you? or did we hear you?
We’ll obviously know in a few days. My position is that MUC is in store for more than they’ve been accustomed to thus far in’07. There’s no way we’ll be seeing a continuation of the 53 pt. diff. in the games for MUC (in the East Region anyway)
you are right sjf. i did not give ithaca enough respect
mt union 35 ithaca 0
then later mt union 49 sjf 0
there is nothing to analyze in a blowout…..move on to more interesting games like in the south region….all will be competitive
Yeah, it might be more like when Rowan “the Beast of the East” went out to see Linfield not long ago. ….
If Capital was healthy, it would be a great game against UWW, which has not been as dominating this year in the WIAC (which is the only league better than the OAC).
As for drama, go over to the OAC board and mention the PPC … and you’ll find plenty.
repete –
man you are one big disappointment. already you are back peddling. first you’re all about the greatness of PPC (ex-MUC) then you start making excuses for why Capital is going to get the snot kicked out of it. have some courage of your convictions!
As for the board for the PPC – most of the people there appear to be more level headed when it comes to sports (Mid West Sensibilities perhaps) than elsewhere. I am fairly certain if they are willing to look at the reality of the situation that they would have to agree . . OAC = PPC.
No worries Pat, at least from me, on this getting ugly.
My apologies SJF for coming across harsh. I am OAC crazy, there is no doubt. I’d give them 3 bids a year, auto…honestly.
But listen, I HATE Mount Union. It takes a beating on one’s spirit to get rip-smacked every year. In Capital’s defense, the past 2 years they only beat us by a FG (although the “only beat us by…” is a TERRIBLE mentality).
Furthermore, while I preach OAC to my death…I think Cap just squeaked in this year. They are good. But they are O is truly in shambles. Great D…but, I’m not sure I’d pick them against UWW this year. So there is my “OAC is the best…oh yeah, Cap might lose.” Moronic. Oh well, they ARE a program. Just unfortunate injuries this year. I’ll root for ’em still. Go Cap!
Mille125:
Last year there was another turkey from MUC making wild predictions about the MUC and SJF game and the score. I took him on based on his terms, and although Fisher did not win, he lost in his double prediction.
The worst part of it was that he didn’t even have the honor to take his lumps and hang the SJFC sticker on his vehicle as agreed on.
I suggest you not be so dam arrogant.
Through this whole season, I was looking for MUC to play someone who can compete with them. The teams MUC played had a combined win/lost record of 41 and 59 with only 4 of the 10 teams with a winning record. There were four teams with at least 7 losses for the season.
MUC may be good, but their competition for the most part weren’t.
You have laid your line in the sand (35-0) lets see just how good you are…..
Cap –
Frankly, I have no first hand knowledge of how the OAC did in years prior to ’04. The team I root for started its playoff run in ’03 in a Regional Bowl, then NCAA in ’04, ’06, and now ’07. Prior to that, because my team was not in the mix, I did not follow it. Maybe it was home to the top 3 teams in all of D3 in the past – I don’t know.
What I do know, is that when a team hasn’t lost in conference in years, and that the margin of victory during those years appears to be swelling – something is up (especially in ’07) no??
I guess I am surprised at how lowly the East is thought of. Knowing the teams within the Region, I just can’t see them getting steam rolled like everyone else.
So, let’s see how Capital does vs. UWW, and let’s see how the East shakes out. Then I”ll either be eating much crow, or perhaps a little I told you so.
Time will tell – Good luck.
92
Watch out for SJU in the Central bracket.
SJF —
I’m not back pedaling on the OAC — I’m a West Region guy. WIAC is better.
D3 Fan – for what its worth – I agree.
I think SJU and Wash/Jeff are two teams that should have high expectations heading into the tourn.
Please vote on the poll on the Empire 8 Message board in the East Region.
The Poll is about the margin of victory of the MUC-Ithaca game.
In a 10-team conference, playing 9 conference games, simple arithmetic analysis will predict that 4 teams will have at least 6 losses in conference in a simple season.
That will occur without any ties at the bottom.
Let’s assume that Team Z comes in last in the 10-team conference at 0-9 in the conference.
Teams W, X, and Y all split 1-1 and beat Team Z. They lose the rest of the games in conference. That means that they will have a conference record of 2-7. It is impossible to have fewer losses at the bottom of the standings, unless MUC goes 9-0 and everyone else goes 4-5, all losing seasons.
Voila! That is why you have so many teams with poor records in the big conferences. It is simple arithmetic.
I also maintain that that is a fatal flaw in the OWP and OOWP in a sport such as football, where the “n” in these calculations is 10 or less.
The seven-team conferences can pad their OWP’s and OOWP’s with teams from other conferences that will have better records than OAC members. OAC members, who are mathematically doomed to conference losses greater than 6 or 7, will unfortunately drag down the MUC’s and the Capital’s, who must play all 9 conference games, (and the SJU’s and the UMHB’s and the Trinity’s and the IIAC’s who must play 8 conference games to a lesser degree.)
It is simple arithmetic!
fair enough wjbtms….what is your prediction of the score….i didnt see one in your post….and for what it is worth, I am neither a Mt Union nor an OAC fan …I am however a realist……lets hear your projected score…to be honest I am rooting for Ithaca ….but that is all a fair tale land….in the real world they will be flattened……….
interestingly enough, MUC and SJF have a home and home series starting next year…..
repete – don’t forget, ‘if’ Capital was healthy, they probably wouldn’t be seeded so low and probably wouldn’t be playing Whitewater in the first round; also, how much more dominating do the Warhawks have to be for you to gain a little more of your respect? Afterall, they just ran the table for the 3rd straight year -haven’t lost a conference game since the last game of the ’04 season to La Crosse. The WIAC is more than just tough – in any given year, including this year, a middle of the road WIAC team would arguably contend for many of the conference titles across the country. UWW has had 1 close conference game (La Crosse in ’05) in the last three seasons.
I think this year’s La Crosse game was fairly close as well — close to being a blowout loss, even.
Pat – after Capital gets smoked by UWW, and the East gets done with MUC – why not let me author a Dose article?
nathanshin,
Get a little thicker skin. How did I disrespect them?
UWW has plenty of respect from me. I’ve stuck up for the WIAC as the best conference (which is easy) and I’ve speculated about the prospects of two West teams in the semis.
All I said was was that they weren’t as dominating as they have been. Not having Kleppe or Stanley is a huge part of that. Winning without them us a testament to the strength of the program, but those two players were special. Last year UWW put up 40 points on 4 conference foes, how many times has that happened this year? Didn’t UWLX give them a pretty good tussle this year?
UWW could get even more respect if they could beat Mount Union. It doesn’t even have to be 24-6 ….
Will there be any TV coverage for any of the games??
Hey SJF Fan the scud missile is on its way coming from Alliance…
oh the big scud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is nice to finally see someone from the east standing up and defending our football teams in this manner. We here in the east tend to take a beating from others. With our last Stagg bowl coming in 91′ we are hungry! I hope that Ithaca can make a good showing. SJF did last year giving MUC a soild game and we are due here for a big showing from an eastern region that is truly competitive… with itself. Honestly I think SJF is way off base and has not made much sense throughout this entire discussion. Yet somewhere deep down in my heart I hope he is right, I hope he can come back to this board on Sunday and let his thoughts rip with actual results to support them. All I have to say is: SJF take baby steps you have your hands full with a tough Hobart team this is on fire! Second, Sorry man MUC 45-IC 3
dlippiel – I am well aware that SJF will be in for a fight vs. Hobart. In my initial post, I made mention that Hobart and IC are the two hottest teams right now in the East, and oddly enough, the top two seeds, have the two toughest draws.
I think that the winner of the SJF/Hobart game is for the East Region crown, because the next round will be Curry or Wick.
Further, as I have said all along – my comments are conjecture until we know for show. And when we do know, I’ll see how my comments faired against reality.
I have known several people that have been through the IC program. They all had one thing in common – serious gamers, with no quit in them – ever. And in ’07, that’s just not something MUC has seen thus far.
I am a huge East fan… I mean, come on… We’re talking about Mt. Union here… They deserve more respect than what they are getting now… I’ll be rooting for Ithaca, but being a realist you’d have to anticipate the Bombers gettin’ Bombed…
Go Hobart!!!
Like I said SJF I hope you are right I am rooting for Ithaca all the way. I just don’t believe MUC deserves anything but the utmost respect period. Anyway I will be in Cortland rooting on my young Dutchmen. Anyone going out there?
I sure wish all the winners the best in the play off but I hate to say this but the scoring that shows on Mounts stats are not anyway reflective of their scoring power.
I wish I would have kept count of how may times they kicked a field goal to keep the score down or during the fourth quarter when the ball carrier stepped out of bounds or risk getting his butt kicked by the coach. I know their stats don’t show it but the coach just doesn’t run up scores.
Honestly I don’t think that the first team O unit ever played in the fourth quarter.
They are a great team and I swear I’ve watched them for many, many years and I still can’t believe how they score and put the game out of reach so easily.
When I watch football I try to defense the teams and this year I gave up trying to figure out the Raiders. Most teams would give anything for Mounts first quarter scoring.
Wait until you people see the up coming JVs, Mount is gaining a lot of press and finding players from out of state to complement the Ohio and Pennsylvania players.
Sometimes I wonder how those big schools that passed over these guys feel.
“I have known several people that have been through the IC program. They all had one thing in common – serious gamers, with no quit in them – ever. And in ‘07, that’s just not something MUC has seen thus far.” — SJF Fan
That last statement is a slap in the face of every OAC player, at the very least.
dlippiel has already suggested a 42-point loss. According to the WikiLLPPedia, that is a “Double Monkey-Stomp”. Thru the first 102 votes on the E8 Poll, 30 voters think that it will be a “Double Monkey-Stomp”. Twenty-six think that Ithaca will win the game.
Being a “gamer” and being a “gamer in a ‘Double Monkey-Stomp'” are not mutually exclusive. However, we may get to see it on Saturday, tho’.
The intrigue builds. 😉
How is what I say any more of a slap in the face than what MUC has been slapping every PPC player in the face with?
PPC’s have already admitted they concede the game prior to the start of every season – does that sound like heart to you?
I am sick of all the apoligist for losing mentality – losing is not an acceptable expectation!
We’ll find out for sure on Saturday. Capital vs. UWW, and MUC vs. the East.
You are all acting like W**res for MUC. – Pathetic
SJF fan, are you done yet? and can we please have the board back…Pat, Keith, is this the kind of board it going to be for the next few weeks? Name calling and abusive posts? SJF Fan…right back at ya…the only thing pathetic is your over sized ego …there is no way Fisher beats Mount Union if they should meet…and if they do, we’ll all gather back here to induct Fisher in as an honorary member of your so called PPC…the best part will be when SJF does get beat, the East does get run over, and we have to listen to more of your excuses…and of course UWW is expected to take Cap…Cap isnt the same team from last year, and UWW has shown they are ready for another deep run….please either start posting something intelligent or stop wasting space on the site…
There is no doubt that MUC is the best team in D3. However, I think the one weakness MUC has is game conditioning. The starters are not accustomed to having to play a full 4 quarters. I know last season against SJF, the defense looked really tired by the end of the game. They were still able to get the job done, but I believe that if Ithaca is able to keep the game close on Saturday, they will have a great chance of winning the game. How many games this year did the MUC starters play beyond the 2nd quarter??
Just until Mount Union treats an East Region playoff opponent the way it treated the OAC.
But that having been said, I don’t think we need the rabble rouser posting comments here anymore. Let’s move on.