Week 4 Rankings

[GMACFB]

1. Findlay - Beat Lake Erie 42-6. The Oilers strength of schedule is terrible and they may have the easiest schedule in the country. The combined record for their opponents this year is 1-8. In comes 0-3 Hillsdale this weekend for another scrimmage for Findlay. These blowout wins should build some depth for the Oilers while keeping them healthy.
2. Tiffin - Beat Northwood 31-23. Game was not this close as the Dragons led this game 31-10 with 5 minutes to go in the game. The Wood did play well but Tiffin has the best RB in the league in Ronald Blackman. This is a very good team and the conference is definitely a two team race. Next at Ashland.
3. Northwood - Lost to Tiffin 31-23. The Timberwolves defense just couldn’t get off the field as the Dragons possessed the ball for 13 more minutes and it did seem to wear down the Woods defense. This was a 10-10 game with less than 5:00 to go in the 3rd quarter. Then it seemed Northwoods defense got a little tired and Tiffin took advantage scoring 21 straight points. Next at Lake Erie.
4. Walsh - Beat Kentucky Wesleyan 54-10. Is it possible to have a 54-10 game and it wasn’t even that close? This game felt like that as it was never a contest as the Cavaliers took a 23-0 lead after the 1st quarter and this game was over. Walsh does have some good talent with a top 3 offense in the league and the reigning league defense player of the year roaming at LB this is a team to watch. Huge game next week at Thomas More.
5. Thomas More - Beat Ohio Dominican 6-0. Wow. Not sure what to say other than the Saints defense dominated the game. Thomas More held ODU to 0-12 on 3rd down conversions and 0-1 on 4th down. Game was evenly played but the Saints will need an offensive weapon to make the next step. With a good Walsh offense coming into town next week TM will need more than 6 points.
6. Ashland - Beat Hillsdale 24-21. I just can’t get over how fast Ashland has fallen. They look so small and not the usually Ashland athletes running all over the field. They might still finish with a winning record but I am just surprised when watching them. Offense ran the ball better this week but the QB threw a pick six interception and threw another near pick six in the 4th quarter that let Hillsdale tie the game. Defense played the run decent but they were playing against one of the worse running teams in the country. Maybe the Eagles use this win and build off of it but with Tiffin next week they better improve dramatically.
7. Ohio Dominican - Lost to Thomas More 6-0. Looks like a repeat of last season as the Panthers have a top notch defense and no offense. Not scoring at home against a team that is playing their 2nd year in DII football is concerning. The defense will win them a couple of games but this could be another long year. No worries though Panther fans as you play Kentucky Wesleyan next.
8. Hillsdale - Lost to Ashland 24-21. Hillsdale needs to work on the start of the games as they fall behind 14-0 faster than any team I have watched this year. Hillsdale still has zero run game and struggle to protect the QB. On defense they played much better, even the corners played well, but the back end of that defense is killing them. Just watch the drive that Ashland has when Hillsdale ties the score 21-21. Defense works hard and forces a quick 3rd down and then a simple drag route turns into a 40 yard play. Then another big gain on a simple deep out. There are a couple of weak spots in the secondary and teams are starting to take advantage. Next up at Findlay.
9. Lake Erie - Lost to Findlay 42-6. The Storm played well in the 1st half and I am seeing improvement in this team. Not saying they are gonna win a few games but I will say they are gonna be in a few games with a chance to win and that is an improvement. Next home versus Northwood.
10. Kentucky Wesleyan - Lost to Walsh 54-10. I have to put KWC at the 10 spot after the ugliest loss of the season. Walsh has improved but to lose like this to them is not a good sign for the rest of the season. A lot needs to change at Kentucky Wesleyan and quick or this is going to be a very long season. Next up Ohio Dominican.

[Bballfan]

I know the records are what they are now, but Hlllsdale is at least better than Ohio Dominican. I think Ashland is a tad too low but I think in the end it will be Findlay and then Ashland or Tiffin for second place.

[SVSUAlum]

Wow is KWC that bad? Walsh beat up on them? Oh my. I can easily see Ashland being in the bottom half of the GMAC even though it is not a particular strong conference the Eagles look rough. In fact I am surprised at how far the conference has dropped as Ohio Dominican and Hillsdale were decent teams not to long ago. If Ashland talent level drops off this conference is in trouble!

[GMACFB]

I know the records are what they are now, but Hlllsdale is at least better than Ohio Dominican. I think Ashland is a tad too low but I think in the end it will be Findlay and then Ashland or Tiffin for second place.

Ashland and Tiffin play this week and if Ashland keeps it within one score they would definitely move up the rankings but I just don’t see it. Their size and athleticism is not the same but maybe there is someone on the bench just waiting for their opportunity to be a star so never say never. ODU has a great defense and Hillsdale hasn’t shown to be great at anything in the 1st three weeks. Just hard for me to rank the Chargers higher right now as their strongest unit coming into the season was their offensive line and they are currently dead last, yes 159th ranked out of 159 DII teams in rushing yards per attempt. They are averaging 1.2 yards per rush and have lost a QB from scrambling for his life and getting a concussion. That puts the game on the Hillsdale defense and yeah not gonna win a lot of games that way. Would it shock me to see the Chargers figure it out and find some players on their bench, not at all but it looks rough right now.

[Bballfan]

Must be a Michigan thing. One team up there can't run. Another team up there can't pass.

[unc4life]

Ashland and Tiffin play this week and if Ashland keeps it within one score they would definitely move up the rankings but I just don’t see it. Their size and athleticism is not the same but maybe there is someone on the bench just waiting for their opportunity to be a star so never say never. ODU has a great defense and Hillsdale hasn’t shown to be great at anything in the 1st three weeks. Just hard for me to rank the Chargers higher right now as their strongest unit coming into the season was their offensive line and they are currently dead last, yes 159th ranked out of 159 DII teams in rushing yards per attempt. They are averaging 1.2 yards per rush and have lost a QB from scrambling for his life and getting a concussion. That puts the game on the Hillsdale defense and yeah not gonna win a lot of games that way. Would it shock me to see the Chargers figure it out and find some players on their bench, not at all but it looks rough right now.

Ashland has zero chance against Tiffin. I'm really struggling to understand why this coaching staff didn't go out and try to get a few transfers in the offseason to shore up some spots on this team. Their group of wide receivers are as bad as I have ever seen at Ashland. It sad when you have a veteran Qb and you don't give him anything to work with. Unfortunately this is only the beginning for Ashland. After Owens left they had a chance to find new leadership and they decided to stick with what they had. AU has no excuse not being a top 25 team in the country. They have invested millions to have one of the best football facilities in D2. They have a huge donor base that helps the program. If they had any kind of competent coaching staff they would be great.

[DaleDude]

GMACFB - Pretty much nailed it this week. I do, however, feel that this conference will get it together and be competitive in the future. The question is, of course, when will that actually happen? Have to stay positive. By the way, whatever happened to DRAGONBREATH? Last season he loved to pi$$ off everybody else who posted on this site. Guess he moved on to who knows where. I do enjoy you folks from other conferences making comments.

[SVSUAlum]

GMACFB - Pretty much nailed it this week. I do, however, feel that this conference will get it together and be competitive in the future. The question is, of course, when will that actually happen? Have to stay positive. By the way, whatever happened to DRAGONBREATH? Last season he loved to pi$$ off everybody else who posted on this site. Guess he moved on to who knows where. I do enjoy you folks from other conferences making comments.

I agree, where are the Dragon fans? Team is actually pretty good someone get on here and talk some smack!

[Bballfan]

I do, however, feel that this conference will get it together and be competitive in the future..

I have zero confidence in about half the football teams in this conference ever being anything. I don't even have confidence in a few of the schools being around in a few years. Ursuline (I know no men's sports but still), Ohio Dominican, Lake Erie, and Kentucky Wesleyan I wouldn't bet on. All those schools are in significant financial difficulty and I don't see a good future for them. Football is a VERY expensive sport to maintain. Malone recognized that years ago and made a difficult decision, but should have never started football in the first place.

What the conference needs to do is get UIndy (if staying D2) and Gannon. Both solid schools that would immediately boost the conference profile. Only the strong survive.

[SVSUAlum]

Ashland has zero chance against Tiffin. I'm really struggling to understand why this coaching staff didn't go out and try to get a few transfers in the offseason to shore up some spots on this team. Their group of wide receivers are as bad as I have ever seen at Ashland. It sad when you have a veteran Qb and you don't give him anything to work with. Unfortunately this is only the beginning for Ashland. After Owens left they had a chance to find new leadership and they decided to stick with what they had. AU has no excuse not being a top 25 team in the country. They have invested millions to have one of the best football facilities in D2. They have a huge donor base that helps the program. If they had any kind of competent coaching staff they would be great.

I would agree with you on all of this. Ashland is a sleeping giant with their facilities and their media team is actually awesome. If they end the year at 6-5 will they stay with the current staff? They might get some interesting application with those facilities and being in a football hotbed like Ohio.

[GMACFB]

Unfortunately this is only the beginning for Ashland. After Owens left they had a chance to find new leadership and they decided to stick with what they had. AU has no excuse not being a top 25 team in the country. They have invested millions to have one of the best football facilities in D2. They have a huge donor base that helps the program. If they had any kind of competent coaching staff they would be great.

Yes I wish Ashland and Hillsdale would have opened up their coaching search instead of handing it to an assistant. Ashland is more understandable maybe as they had some great last years with Owens. In Hillsdale’s case they were a .500 team over the last two years and hired within while making no staff changes. Very questionable pick. An unbiased coaching search and make some calls, my 1st calls would be to many of the DIII Wisconsin schools. LaCrosse just gave GVSU all they wanted with athletes very similar to Hillsdale. I think both of these jobs could have had some interesting candidates especially if the schools aggressively went after someone they liked. The Chargers new boss just took over so we will have to see what the rest of the year looks like but the Eagles fans should be very concerned if things don’t change quick. Both schools have a lot to offer.

[eagler927]

Ashland has no shot against Tiffin. I'm really struggling to understand why this coaching staff didn't go out and try to get a few transfers in the offseason to shore up some spots on this team. Their group of wide receivers are as bad as I have ever seen at Ashland. It sad when you have a veteran Qb and you don't give him anything to work with. Unfortunately this is only the beginning for Ashland. After Owens left they had a chance to find new leadership and they decided to stick with what they had. AU has no excuse not being a top 25 team in the country. They have invested millions to have one of the best football facilities in D2. They have a huge donor base that helps the program. If they had any kind of competent coaching staff they would be great.

It’s embarrassing what has happened to our program. You spend millions on an indoor facility, combined with the existing football complex it’s one of the top facilities in the country. And we are most likely going to lose to Tiffin again, and I don’t know if we can beat Walsh. Let that sink in. Put AU’s tradition and facilities up against Walsh. How do they have more talent?

That’s the issue at Ashland. It’s not like Geiser isn’t a good coach and doesn’t have a good staff. They just suck at recruiting. This staff needs at least one Assistant Coach that has ties to Ohio that can recruit the skilled positions. To have an immobile QB start for you for two years is inexcusable. The running back depth has gone in the toilet, and the WR talent is almost non existent.

This is at best a 7-4 team. In a weak conference, that’s unacceptable. To have Findlay take over the conference is inexcusable! It’s time for the heavy hitters and Gridiron Club to push for change. We didn’t leave the GLIAC to finish 3rd or 4th in the GMAC EVER!

[unc4life]

It’s embarrassing what has happened to our program. You spend millions on an indoor facility, combined with the existing football complex it’s one of the top facilities in the country. And we are most likely going to lose to Tiffin again, and I don’t know if we can beat Walsh. Let that sink in. Put AU’s tradition and facilities up against Walsh. How do they have more talent?

That’s the issue at Ashland. It’s not like Geiser isn’t a good coach and doesn’t have a good staff. They just suck at recruiting. This staff needs at least one Assistant Coach that has ties to Ohio that can recruit the skilled positions. To have an immobile QB start for you for two years is inexcusable. The running back depth has gone in the toilet, and the WR talent is almost non existent.

This is at best a 7-4 team. In a weak conference, that’s unacceptable. To have Findlay take over the conference is inexcusable! It’s time for the heavy hitters and Gridiron Club to push for change. We didn’t leave the GLIAC to finish 3rd or 4th in the GMAC EVER!

I agree with everything but 2 things.. 1. Geiser is not a good coach. He was a fine offensive line coach, but at no point was he ever or ever will be qualified to be a head coach at a D2 school. 2. The recruiting is a problem, but its not about the talent, its about the kind of kids they recruit. There coaching staff is old school, and there are kids they wont go after that maybe Owens and the guys before would. They could have gotten anyone they wanted when ND closed its doors, but they wouldn't do it.

[Bballfan]

They could have gotten anyone they wanted when ND closed its doors, but they wouldn't do it.

Still a mystery to me why they didn't. Notre Dame was a decent program, and had some good players that would have been upgrades for Ashland.

The boosters won't stand for losing multiple games in the GMAC. Coach will get one more year I am sure. After that, all bets are off.

[eagler927]

I agree with everything but 2 things.. 1. Geiser is not a good coach. He was a fine offensive line coach, but at no point was he ever or ever will be qualified to be a head coach at a D2 school. 2. The recruiting is a problem, it’s the kind of kids they recruit. There coaching staff is old school, and there are kids they wont go after that maybe Owens and the guys before would. They could have gotten anyone they wanted when ND closed its doors, but they wouldn't do it.

I get your point on Geiser. I wanted them to go younger and outside the program. I was speaking from an X’s and O’s perspective. He knows how to coach. But I too believe we are behind the times schematically on offense. I also agree we have to be more flexible when it comes to recruiting. Again, there’s no D2 program that should be in AU’s zip code when it comes to recruiting talent. What has happened the last few years is unacceptable