I'm working with a private practice in fredericksburg, tx.  It's going to be strange being away from abilene this football season.  I'm going to try to make a few games, but it's a long drive.

Actually this is Derek, but good guess.  A lot of guys to choose from.  Glad to hear you're doing well!

what's up minni! long time no see.  where are you now? 

If you're not recognizing the username....i'm an old roomate.

I can't wait to see the homecoming game here at HSU next saturday.  I'm anxious to see what this new SRSU team is all about.  Hopefully the Cowboys can cut down on the penalties.

Bill, I agree for the most part with your #1-#9, but i would have McM over HPU.  Just a theory, but i think McM will win that matchup this year.  Especially if HPU is prone to giving up points. 

That is a pretty impressive stat.  HSU will have to get something going in the air to get the run going.  Watch out for Green (#7) at tailback.  He's made some nice runs the past few weeks.  He's another great option for the HSU offense to use to move the ball.

HSU vs. UMHB will be a shootout this year as some of you have already said.  HSU is going to have to be a little more solid up front deffensively to slow down UMHB, but i think they'll get the job done.

I actually think if the UMHB deffense puts as many guys in the box this year as they did last year they'll get burned.  HSU has too many weapons catching the ball and obviously a very experienced QB that will be able make a blitzing defense pay.

Also, hats off to a surprisingly potent MC offense.  I was impressed with how well they moved the ball through the air, but  HSU was just too strong in the end.

5hr30min to game time! GO COWBOYS!!!

Indians, you have forced me to do something i never thought i would do...argue on behalf of UMHB.

I've never known UMHB to have a huge problem defending speed.  After all, each time they beat us we brought plenty of speed to the table. 

strength will always beat speed.  UMHB 42, McM 12.

This may be a little late, but in response to the question about HSU's o-line.....

True, last year wasn't pretty and UMHB brought a great pass rush, but from all the HSU games and scrimmages i have seen this year (which is all but the canceled LC game) the o-line has improved quite a bit from last year.  I also think J. Neal is probably more comfortable with adjusting the call and hitting some hot routes with a blitz in his face than Jordy was last year (Jordy is still a good QB).  Hopefully, everyone stays healthy this year so we can see a great matchup.

I've often heard that many states up north (ohio & wisconsin for example) don't have DII football which is one reason their DIII football teams have so much size and always seem to be in middle of the path to the stagg bowl.  Any truth to this?  Just curious.

Thanks Ralph for giving a picture for how things may play out depending on who wins what. 

And i agree with Josh.  I'm always rooting for whoever plays UMHB.  Not out of hate or anything....well maybe a little.    Hopefully the visiting team winning steak continues this season.

I went up to the "track" at HSU to run the other day and saw Jordy doing kind of a 3/4 sprint down the straight.  He looked like he was in good condition.  I know that ACL rehab can be a little more lengthy than you would think.  The common rehab protocol is no running at all until 12 weeks post surgery.  After that an athlete will begin more sports specific rehab for his or her respective sport.  It's possible that Jordy could still be "fine tuning" some things as far as his knee goes.  However, I've seen players before at HSU get hurt and never get a chance to win back their spot.  (just a little personal bias) 

The scrimmage thursday went well.  The passing game looked great.  Neal made great decisions and spreaded the ball around well.  The running game was consistently getting 3 to 5 yards per play.  New Mexico Military basically ran a triple option pretty much the entire time.  For the one and a half hours i was there they only threw the ball twice.  Neither NMM nor HSU had a chance at catching those passes so it's probably safe to say our secondary wasn't really tested.  I take that back, one pass attempt went for a first down, but it would have been picked off had our corner not fallen down while breaking on the ball.  the defense gave up outside containment a few times against the run but looked good for the most part.  HSU really has some size on defense this year, especially with daniels towering over the middle at MLB.  All and all HSU did great.  It was great to get to see some football...finally.

Phife,

As sad as it is to admit, you're right about the lack of noise from current students.  I'm currently a graduate student here at HSU so I can remember the good old days of the noisy, up on their feet student section.  I'm not sure what the problem is.  I think that a lot of the students here just don't realize they have some of the best college football in the country being played right in their backyard.