Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[jknezek]

When was the last time a 7-3 team received a pool B?

It's not so much 7-3 as it is 5-2 in D3 (assuming the extra loss is a D3 game). Having 3 non D3 games would really hurt as the winning percentage would look bad. That is a real peril Wesley runs with their schedule, and there isn't much they can do about it as a tradition top 10 school existing as an Independent. It hasn't hurt recently, but at some point it might.

Can someone give me a Pool B breakdown? D3football shows only 5 independents, but something fuzzy in the back of mind says the SAA, SCAC and maybe UAA are also still wrapped up in that grouping? Clarity please!

[Pat Coleman]

Correct, all of those conferences, plus the MASCAC, contribute to Pool B's size this year.

[jknezek]

Correct, all of those conferences, plus the MASCAC, contribute to Pool B's size this year.

So 24 conferences (A), 5 second chance (C), and 3 independent (B)? Hopefully I didn't count the conferences wrong...

[Pat Coleman]

That's our calculation, yes. The NCAA has yet to release its championship handbook but this is how the numbers work out.

[jknezek]

Thanks Pat. On the ball as always. I guess it's not as bad as it could be. There are only 2 teams in the MASCAC without a loss right now, West Con and MMA, Chicago is the only UAA team without a loss, TLU is the only SCAC team without a loss, and the SAA all has to face each other. So while there are 3 without a loss now, only one can end that way. And if it is B-SC, they have to get over Wesley this weekend to go to the top of the pecking order.

And now that I've done that, it's way too early to go through hypotheticals and I'm really looking forward to seeing Wesley play B-SC this weekend. Any of the Wesley crowd coming down?

[D3MAFAN]

Thanks Pat. On the ball as always. I guess it's not as bad as it could be. There are only 2 teams in the MASCAC without a loss right now, West Con and MMA, Chicago is the only UAA team without a loss, TLU is the only SCAC team without a loss, and the SAA all has to face each other. So while there are 3 without a loss now, only one can end that way. And if it is B-SC, they have to get over Wesley this weekend to go to the top of the pecking order.

And now that I've done that, it's way too early to go through hypotheticals and I'm really looking forward to seeing Wesley play B-SC this weekend. Any of the Wesley crowd coming down?

That may be true, but those two teams, IMHO are not the best teams, we will have a clear picture in the next few weeks. I think their may be two 9-1 teams at the end of the year for the MASCAC, they may have a slight chance of two...However, with only three weeks into the season, it is very hypothetical, yet interesting to think about.

[Teamski]

Thanks Pat. On the ball as always. I guess it's not as bad as it could be. There are only 2 teams in the MASCAC without a loss right now, West Con and MMA, Chicago is the only UAA team without a loss, TLU is the only SCAC team without a loss, and the SAA all has to face each other. So while there are 3 without a loss now, only one can end that way. And if it is B-SC, they have to get over Wesley this weekend to go to the top of the pecking order.

And now that I've done that, it's way too early to go through hypotheticals and I'm really looking forward to seeing Wesley play B-SC this weekend. Any of the Wesley crowd coming down?

That may be true, but those two teams, IMHO are not the best teams, we will have a clear picture in the next few weeks. I think their may be two 9-1 teams at the end of the year for the MASCAC, they may have a slight chance of two...However, with only three weeks into the season, it is very hypothetical, yet interesting to think about.

No doubt that strength of schedule counts!  Wesley has already faced 3 pre-season ranked teams.

-Ski

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks Pat. On the ball as always. I guess it's not as bad as it could be. There are only 2 teams in the MASCAC without a loss right now, West Con and MMA, Chicago is the only UAA team without a loss, TLU is the only SCAC team without a loss, and the SAA all has to face each other. So while there are 3 without a loss now, only one can end that way. And if it is B-SC, they have to get over Wesley this weekend to go to the top of the pecking order.

And now that I've done that, it's way too early to go through hypotheticals and I'm really looking forward to seeing Wesley play B-SC this weekend. Any of the Wesley crowd coming down?

That may be true, but those two teams, IMHO are not the best teams, we will have a clear picture in the next few weeks. I think their may be two 9-1 teams at the end of the year for the MASCAC, they may have a slight chance of two...However, with only three weeks into the season, it is very hypothetical, yet interesting to think about.

No doubt that strength of schedule counts!  Wesley has already faced 3 pre-season ranked teams.

-Ski

For the newbies, D3football.com or AFCA Top 25 rankings are not considered in the Strength of schedule.  Usually those teams are found in other criteria tho'.

[Teamski]

Well, here's looking at Saturday...... I think if Wesley can regroup, then they should be able to handle Birmingham Southern, considering their close victories so far this year.  It will be a test, but Wesley has shown some serious resilience through the years in face of adversity and come out on top.  I see this as another opportunity to prove that.  If the offensive line can fire off the line quicker, that will go a long way in getting Callahan the time he needs to execute.  If the defense can mitigate the big plays, they will be just fine.

-Ski

[thewaterboy]

Looking at the BSC-Stetson game, Stetson turned the ball over 6 times to BSC's 4. BSC fumbled 4 times, and Beachem threw two picks. I dont think Wesley will be giving the ball up that much (knock on wood). Wesley should come into Alabama with a little fire under them after last week. They are no stranger to resilience and adversity. I do not think UMHB is 28 points better than Wesley (as I said before, 05 Brockport wasnt 47 points better than 05 Wesley). Not saying Brockport and UMHB are close to the same level or anything, BUT the 05 Wesley team did come out and monkey stomp a nationally ranked Salisbury 63-19 the following week. New game, new week.

Also not that this stat holds too much bearing but I will share anyway just for fun  : After regular season losses since 2003, Wesley's record for the week after is 9-1. The sole loss coming against Rowan 30-0 in 2003. In games after losses, Wesley has shut out their opponent 6 of the 9 times. Wesley averages 39.9 pts per game, the defense gives up an average 7.2 pts per game.

[wesleydad]

O line, O line, O line.  In the end that will be the whole game.  Birm South will be athletic and present problems to the O lline.  If the O line struggles Wesley will have a tough time.  The offense needs to be able to put drives together and take time off the clock.  Also, the defense seems to be behind at the beginning of the game.  Wesley has played from behind in all 3 games.  The adjustments are nice but they need to take the game over from the start.  There is something missing from this team this year from what I have seen in the 2 games.  Calling on past history will not get them this win.  This team has to step it up and gain an identity of it's own.  This game is worrisome in that the team is flying on back to back weeks and the routine is thrown off.  Seems like Wesley should win the game, but they are going to have to work for it.

Waterboy, after watching Wesley play Salisbury and UMHB, I would have to disagree with you about one thing.  At this time, UMHB is more than 28 points better than Wesley.  That game could have been real ugly had UMHB not turned the ball over.  We will see as the season plays out, but Wesley needs to really improve to challenge UMHB.

[umhb2001]

Looking at the BSC-Stetson game, Stetson turned the ball over 6 times to BSC's 4. BSC fumbled 4 times, and Beachem threw two picks. I dont think Wesley will be giving the ball up that much (knock on wood). Wesley should come into Alabama with a little fire under them after last week. They are no stranger to resilience and adversity. I do not think UMHB is 28 points better than Wesley (as I said before, 05 Brockport wasnt 47 points better than 05 Wesley). Not saying Brockport and UMHB are close to the same level or anything, BUT the 05 Wesley team did come out and monkey stomp a nationally ranked Salisbury 63-19 the following week. New game, new week.

I'm not so sure about this. Looking at it as objectively as possible, UMHB really suprised me with their defense--watching on the internet really doesn't do them justice--as their DLine seemed like ravenous wolves on Saturday. The word I hear is that this D could be one of the best we've had. If we had LB this year, I think the score would have been a lot worse. With a sophomore QB in there, Wesley really took advantage of his indecisiveness at times. There were several plays where he had guys wide open and ran when he shouldn't have, and other times where he should have run and didn't. Anderson could be a great quarterback, and if he can get it together even more, this COULD be UMHB's year to go back to the Stagg.

Our D will definitely be tested in the ASC as scoring has been prolific at times. We shall see. Good luck the rest of the way out.

[DE Wesley Fan]

O line, O line, O line.  In the end that will be the whole game.

Couldn't agree more.  Callahan has potential to do some good things but has to get some time back there to do them.  Coach has to help out the offense a little by calling plays that protect some of their weaknesses and give him a fighting chance to make something happen.  The one big positive though is that the offensive line is very young and should only get better with time and experience.  Watching them mature along with Callahan could be a beautiful thing over the next couple years.  Not counting this season out just yet, but I think it will continue to be a tough one.  We're headed out bright and early Saturday morning for the game - hope it's a good one!

[wesleydad]

purchased the video.  nice first drive.  o line looked ok opening some wholes.  nice running game so far.  bad snap and wesley takes 9 - 0.  lead.

[wesleydad]

total domination early.  wesley looks huge compared to bsc.  defense is attacking and the offense is balanced with plenty of time for callahan.  keep it up.