(12-01-2016 09:57 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:46 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Fleck's been successful in keeping the guys focused through the season, though we've had a few slow starts. But he'll really need to work his magic tomorrow, as this week's distractions - CFP rankings, Cotton, awards, media interviews, Fleck job rumors, etc. - would test any team. Ohio can play loose, no pressure.

1999 Marshall was ranked and undefeated going into the MACC with us, and they found themselves down 20-0 by halftime. And there have been a few ranked West teams upset since then.

Sure, I'd be surprised if we lost. But strange things have happened in the MACC.

Ohio's going to need to have all the breaks.

Some turnovers by WMU early and capitalize for points.

Ohio is 5th in the NCAA's in rushing defense. Does it translate against Western Michigan's offensive attack?

Solich said that WMU has no weakness and the key was tackling very well and being at the right spots at the right time. Basically either you play excellent football or you lose the FB game.

That might be true for the offense, but our defense can occasionally have lapses. And we'll be without Bailey (first half) and Ferguson (injured vs. Toledo).

So, the key will be tackling well, controlling the line of scrimmage and avoiding turnovers, said every coach ever. Got it.

Good preview talking about both Ohio and WMU.

Quote:“I posted a picture today of a sunken boat, and I put the date December 2nd, 2016," safety Javon Hagan said. "I’m proud of them because as far as being a MAC team, I feel the MAC as a conference is overlooked. As far as the whole ‘Row The Boat’ thing and them being undefeated, hats off to them, they’re a great team. I commend them, but on Friday, we have to win at the end of the day.”

Another factor impacting Friday night is what drives all of college athletics — money.

The payout for the Cotton Bowl, Western Michigan's likely landing spot if it beats Ohio, is $4 million. That money is conference shared. If Western Michigan loses, the payout for the Camellia Bowl, for example, is $100,000.

Essentially, the conference would be millions of dollars richer if the Broncos beat the Bobcats.


"I’ll risk any type of money for this win to be honest," Hagan said. "I don’t wanna lose for the conference. At the end of the day we’re playing for a ring and that’s money to us. Rings by themselves are money."

With a growing national fanbase, Western Michigan has all of the momentum in the world. A win, and Western Michigan will advance to its first New Year's Six bowl game in school history, likely against Penn State.

At the moment, Ohio is facing an uphill battle for its first MAC Championship since 1968. Seemingly every media outlet has selected Western Michigan to win, most by multiple touchdowns.

But don't tell that to the Bobcats. They expect to win.

“Only thing that’s picking up the intensity is the fact that it’s the MAC Championship, not the opponent that we’re playing," Tarell Basham said. "We’re going to size them up like we size everyone else up, and we’re gonna to try to knock ‘em out.”

http://www.thepostathens.com/article/201...-underdogs

My prediction is this: yesterday I was stopped behind an SUV. I immediately noticed the letters MU in the license plate.

After a better look I noticed the plate was WMU-6117. I tried to figure out if that means that someone graduated twice in 1961 and is graduating in 2017.

But no what it means is the MAC Championship score will be WMU 61-17. A perfectly reasonable prediction for this game, IMO.

True story.

(12-02-2016 07:10 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  But no what it means is the MAC Championship score will be WMU 61-17. A perfectly reasonable prediction for this game, IMO.

True story.

I could see that score.

CMU beat Ohio a couple weeks ago and we couldn't beat our way out of a wet paper bag right now... So if that's any indication of what kind of team WMU will be facing tonight, WMU will roll with ease.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/.../94755088/

As of Thursday morning, more than 46,000 tickets had been sold for the Mid-American championship game against Ohio, according to WMU athletic director Kathy Beauregard.

(12-01-2016 10:20 PM)HuronDave Wrote:  So, the key will be tackling well, controlling the line of scrimmage and avoiding turnovers, said every coach ever. Got it.

I think the key for Ohio is dealing with the noise.

Maybe I'm wrong (and someone correct me if I am):

Other than say the CMU/Purdue bowl game at Ford Field, this will be the largest indoor crowd a MAC team has had to face.

Ohio is looking at facing a crowd of say 40K+ WMU fans in an indoor stadium in a game which defies comparison for a MAC team.

What's louder? 50k indoor at Ford Field, or 101,000+ at Neyland Stadium outdoors? I honestly don't know, but it's got to help that the 'Cats have played in front of a large, hostile crowd earlier this season.

Central Michigan played in the Carrier Dome at Syracuse last year. They have an indoor seating capacity of 49k, so depending what the turnout was for that game, it might be the indoor record. That's the only one I can think of on the top of my head.

Edit: According to the Syracuse site, 27,949 attended the Orange-Chippewa game back in 2015; However, Central Michigan played there in 1999 in front of 45,563

As a fan this is the time you live for championship season.

When the games really count and everything is on the line. Its been a fun November for Ohio and WMU fans.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530AZ using CSNbbs mobile app

As pointed out, Ohio doesn't get stomped. Their D will hold you close. If there's any team that could pull an "undeserving" upset, it's them. I would not expect anyone to stomp them.

People (and even analysts) outside the close eye of the MAC may "not be impressed", thinking Ohio is just a whatever team, if WMU wins by 13 or something. Ohio will play ya tough. That should be no shocker. It's just -- can WMU at least keep them at least a shoulder's length away after the 1st Q?

(12-02-2016 02:02 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  As pointed out, Ohio doesn't get stomped. Their D will hold you close. If there's any team that could pull an "undeserving" upset, it's them. I would not expect anyone to stomp them.

People (and even analysts) outside the close eye of the MAC may "not be impressed", thinking Ohio is just a whatever team, if WMU wins by 13 or something. Ohio will play ya tough. That should be no shocker. It's just -- can WMU at least keep them at least a shoulder's length away after the 1st Q?

Its imperative for WMU to win big tonight, by 3+ TDs

(12-02-2016 02:08 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Its imperative for WMU to win big tonight, by 3+ TDs

Agree. If this is a close game, the selection committee will use it against WMU to keep them out of the Cotton bowl and let Navy slip in.

Agree..WMU needs at least a 3 TD margin of victory to feel pretty safe.

WHAT AN AWFUL TURNOVER!!!

So those actually in attendance, how is crowd?

I am stuck covering a HS game in Oklahoma. How does the crowd look?

3-0 Broncos

2nd turnover already for Ohio.... smh

6-0 Broncos