It's football playoff time in Oscoda!

And 'dem Owls are opening the MHSAA state playoffs at home tonight for the first time ever with the game starting at 7pm. Here now is a tale of the tape and a few thoughts and links to check out.

First off, the weather. Mother Nature dropped an inch or two of snow on the trick-or-treaters last night which will slowly melt today making the field mushy in parts. This can be an advantage to the underdog, in this case McBain, as weather is a great equalizer. Oscoda relies on a quicker tempo, with a smart passing attack all which can be limited if the offensive line is getting pushed in the mud or receivers can't make good cuts on routes. The weather could play a factor.

The first game jitters. They're a thing. How many good teams are upset in the first playoff game? Oscoda went through this last year and really seemed to play harder for some home playoff football. Many teams play better their second playoff game. You must survive the first to get a second.

When one compares the quarterly scoring of both Oscoda and McBain, Oscoda does far more scoring in the first half. Something to watch for. If the Owls are having trouble early on it could mean trouble later. Oscoda did outscore McBain this season by a wide margin, (340-201) Johnny really thinks Oscoda will need that defense tonight to stand tall and maybe have a bigger hand in the win than the offense. Remember the Tawas game? The defense won that game by the time the offense got going late.

Info from around the Web:

MHSAA has the teams playoff points listed thusly:
Oscoda:  295 8-1 70.556
McBain:  308 5-4 43.667

Would you just look at this prediction disrespect from the Detroit Free Press?
McBain (5-4) at Oscoda (8-1). McPain 21, Air Force Base 18.
Pshaw, cancel that paper. LOL

Here's MLive's take, no better for Oscoda fans:
D7: McBAIN (5-4) at OSCODA (8-1)
Oscoda is enjoying a renaissance for its athletic program, with quarterback Brayden Mallak and wingback Owen Franklin standing at the heart of the success. The Owls would love nothing better than to add a postseason chapter to the history they are making. But it won’t come easy against perennial playoff program McBain. They have one common opponent in Houghton Lake, with Oscoda winning 14-12 and McBain losing 8-6. Expect a battle. McBain 22, Oscoda 20

The Detroit News didn't cover or really discuss any games not related to SE Michigan, big shock. Fuck them.

Here is Oscoda's bracket, win tonight and they will host Traverse City St. Francis or a rematch from week one with Houghton Lake. IF and that's a big IF, the Owls were to win that game too they could host a regional final provided Iron Mountain were to lose in their first two games.


The game can be heard locally on 100.7 FM beginning at 6:45pm

So, nobody outside Oscoda is giving the Owls a chance. That's fine. Oscoda vs The World and those Owls are going to go out tonight and make us proud.

Fearless Forecast:
Oscoda 20
McBain 16