The national championship - harding vs ferris.

[BisonOL]

How about some honest score predictions??? No one on either side give me we’re gonna win by 30+ because both sides know that’s not gonna happen. Although both offenses are strong I don’t think either team is going to have an off explosion . I see this being game of the yr. Gotta go with my Bisons and say 27-24. But if went the other way wouldn’t be shocked. I believe these are the best two teams in the nation both at the top of their game right now and is pretty much a coin flip.

[BisonOL]

GV did have issues stopping those 3rd and long conversions. But you can't tell me that Harding likes getting into those situations. Kudos for those long 3rd down conversions.
And yes, that is a GV crew on the Bcast.

Think it’s fair to say no one wants to be in 3rd and long 😊

[Redwing]

The first few years Harding ran the flex, we messed with the tempo. I think a lot depends on the game of chess that DC's play as well as how good the opponent's offense is. If you are gaining 5 YPC, and your opponent can score at the drop of a hat, why give them more possessions?

Which now brings me to the annoying announcers on ESPN+. I got so sick last week of how they bragged on HU's offense as the most "prolific" offense in the nation. Leading in yards per play. But every time we got in 3rd and medium to long, they talked about how hard it is for Harding to overcome that. Really pretty funny - yet annoying.

GV did have issues stopping those 3rd and long conversions. But you can't tell me that Harding likes getting into those situations. Kudos for those long 3rd down conversions.
And yes, that is a GV crew on the Bcast.

[FSUBulldogs]

The first few years Harding ran the flex, we messed with the tempo. I think a lot depends on the game of chess that DC's play as well as how good the opponent's offense is. If you are gaining 5 YPC, and your opponent can score at the drop of a hat, why give them more possessions?

Which now brings me to the annoying announcers on ESPN+. I got so sick last week of how they bragged on HU's offense as the most "prolific" offense in the nation. Leading in yards per play. But every time we got in 3rd and medium to long, they talked about how hard it is for Harding to overcome that. Really pretty funny - yet annoying.

I think that was the GVSU announcers. I don't think ESPN is using their own guys when covering events on ESPN+ for the rounds before the semis and finals. If you thought the video guys were "good," you should listen to the radio color commentator. He's the dad of a freak athlete on the GVSU team, but he's one of the worst color commentators out there.

[FoothillBison]

The first few years Harding ran the flex, we messed with the tempo. I think a lot depends on the game of chess that DC's play as well as how good the opponent's offense is. If you are gaining 5 YPC, and your opponent can score at the drop of a hat, why give them more possessions?

Which now brings me to the annoying announcers on ESPN+. I got so sick last week of how they bragged on HU's offense as the most "prolific" offense in the nation. Leading in yards per play. But every time we got in 3rd and medium to long, they talked about how hard it is for Harding to overcome that. Really pretty funny - yet annoying.

[Predatory Primates]

With all that said. I definitely wish there was at least one option team in the MIAA. Then maybe the Pitt staff would know how to stop it or even slow it down.

Personally, I love the Harding offense. It is a blast to watch. I do wish they would play with tempo a little bit, because it kind of drags arse between plays. Would love to see them randomly shift gears and run hurry up for 2 or 3 plays once in a while just to watch defenses freak out.

[Predatory Primates]

Which 1 player would you say turned HU into a contender the last 2 years?

Their 2nd team (they just split carries) fullback is the leading rusher at 1100 yards. One of the slots also with over 1000.

I've only seen a couple of Harding games this year, but I think it's probably the QB. He is such a smart player and makes that thing run like a top. It could be the edge rusher being a true home run threat, but I think it's the QB.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying HU doesn't have a ton of great players. They definitely do. I'm just saying almost all of the great option teams I have seen in the past (even back when everyone ran it) were all one injury away from being good but not great.

It can be true to an extent with any scheme, but the option just seems to require that magnifier who makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

[Divisiontwo]

Those guys are important, but from what I see, it's the Oline and the way they block. Many a play it can get essentially an automatic 2-3 yards. Then the skills guys add on to that.

I’m with ya. I don’t think it’s one stand out player. Even though Jay is likely the best perimeter player we’ve ever had. I asked Pred that question because I disagreed with his take about 1 stand out player required to be a contender.

[Redwing]

Which 1 player would you say turned HU into a contender the last 2 years?

Their 2nd team (they just split carries) fullback is the leading rusher at 1100 yards. One of the slots also with over 1000.

Those guys are important, but from what I see, it's the Oline and the way they block. Many a play it can get essentially an automatic 2-3 yards. Then the skills guys add on to that.

[FSUBulldogs]

Which 1 player would you say turned HU into a contender the last 2 years?

Their 2nd team (they just split carries) fullback is the leading rusher at 1100 yards. One of the slots also with over 1000.

Harding has built a program where they don't just have 1 or 2 players performing at a high level. They built a program where they can have multiple weapons on offense. I think the thing that gets lost. It took them multiple years to get to a point where they have athletes at multiple offensive positions. You got to start a program from a low point and build it up, doesn't matter on the offense of scheme that you are running.

[FSUBulldogs]

The one thing that TA is going to have to be on the bulldogs this week is that they can not give Harding any free yards at all. Disciplined football. No jumping off sides, no stupid boneheaded penalties, and most likely keep the jawing down to a minimum. They clean that up and not turning the ball over, they've got a punchers chance in the game.

I couldn't agree more. The talking is okay in my mind, but it can't affect the game in terms of getting penalties for it. If they can play a clean game, they match up well against this Harding team.

[Divisiontwo]

Kearney had some success running a version of the option in the MIAA for several years. Southern ran it not that long ago,.and Pitt mixed it in during Tim Becks last year as hc. The problem I have always had with it is that it is so limited when playing from behind. It also tends to be an offense where one player can be the difference between being a 6 to 8 win team and a contender. Not that it isn't designed to spread the ball around, but it's not very effective at anything but playing keep away without a true stand out player

That said, it gives a recruiting advantage and allows teams to get the O players they need and still focus on Defense.

One thing I have always felt is that option quarterbacks get way too little love. They are often called running backs, and never get mentioned among the best QBs. They have to have a rare skillset that often requires more reads and on field calls than most traditional QBs, but also requires them to (gasp) lower their head and run for hard yards, and (shriek) block for their backs on a lot of plays.

Which 1 player would you say turned HU into a contender the last 2 years?

Their 2nd team (they just split carries) fullback is the leading rusher at 1100 yards. One of the slots also with over 1000.

[Predatory Primates]

I was the one who said that Northern should take a look at running the option. They've got issues there at Northern getting guys to come, and to stay. Winning helps, winning because of the system might help them get better guys and keep them longer as well. The Wildcats getting good enough to at least challenge the top of the league would just help us out more when having to face a Harding, or if some other program decides to go all in on running an option offense and become dang good at it. Some normally also ran from the MIAA, an RMAC, or NSIC team, heck, maybe an Ohio team perhaps? Kle could be onto something with the idea of more D2's adopting the Option and putting their own spin on it.

Kearney had some success running a version of the option in the MIAA for several years. Southern ran it not that long ago,.and Pitt mixed it in during Tim Becks last year as hc. The problem I have always had with it is that it is so limited when playing from behind. It also tends to be an offense where one player can be the difference between being a 6 to 8 win team and a contender. Not that it isn't designed to spread the ball around, but it's not very effective at anything but playing keep away without a true stand out player

That said, it gives a recruiting advantage and allows teams to get the O players they need and still focus on Defense.

One thing I have always felt is that option quarterbacks get way too little love. They are often called running backs, and never get mentioned among the best QBs. They have to have a rare skillset that often requires more reads and on field calls than most traditional QBs, but also requires them to (gasp) lower their head and run for hard yards, and (shriek) block for their backs on a lot of plays.

[BisonOL]

But the offense your DL was going against doesn't necessarily require you to do the same kind of things as it does for the defensive line that has to dodge guys diving at their knees.

True Kle but back to my original point snow effects the def more than the off. Def has to read and react. Off knows where they are going

[bigmrg74]

It will be interesting because we do have 2 pretty good defensive tackles. I assignment football at its finest. It’s interesting what defense fronts team put up to contain the option plays. Some teams like a 3 -4 front with the NT half yard off the ball. More time to pick and crash gap. Then all all LBs and Safety’s have assigned player. So hard for defenses to stay disciplined and not chase the ball but stay with the player. Their goal is to out number you on any position on the field.

we will need long drives as well to keep their D on the field as well. Both times played it’s been close - our 2021, 2022 teams were beasts not sure where would pit this 2024 team. Throwing teams like Shepherd, Mines and UCU we can handle but Harding you have to get some turn overs, not turn over the ball and win coin toss to defer to 2nd half.

I know I have talked smack to amp this game up but we respect all and fear none.

The one thing that TA is going to have to be on the bulldogs this week is that they can not give Harding any free yards at all. Disciplined football. No jumping off sides, no stupid boneheaded penalties, and most likely keep the jawing down to a minimum. They clean that up and not turning the ball over, they've got a punchers chance in the game.