Around the Nation board

[Ron Boerger]

Good joint column, guys ... and while UMHB-Trinity would (sigh) be the usual first-round matchup, holding the game in Belton would be a first.  Each of the previous playoff matchups have been in San Antonio. 

[K-Mack]

No one from D3Football coming to the MUC vs. CU game on 10/28/06?

It was certainly a tough choice between that and UMHB-UWW.

Capital probably deserves the pub, but I know I've been let down by too many games in Alliance that look like big games and become blowouts.

[Pat Coleman]

Same here.

[K-Mack]

A couple of quick things ...

There are other people who "volunteer" for the site, but not too many who are paid employees. And among those, I don't know that Pat takes a salary and I take enough to buy me a laptop and let my wife go shopping so she can forget about all those Saturdays that I stick her with the kids.

I'm not sure we have anyone who could be at the MUC-Capital game ... although based on last year's games, it should be "a game." But you really never know, especially with Mount Union playing as well as they have been playing.

I have seen the ASC in Wisconsin, Ohio, Virginia and again in Va. at the Stagg Bowl, but I have never been to Texas. Not knowing that La Crosse-Whitewater would be a game worth going to, I got all lathered up for Whitewater going to Texas.

It's safe to say that Mount Union and Capital will get covered down the line, but you could make that argument for most of the teams on the trip, so that doesn't quite apply.

Basically we/I can only be in one place each weekend (unless there are 7 p.m. kickoffs within about 100 miles of a 1 p.m. game), so we had to pick one.

Doesn't mean the OAC doesn't deserve it.

[dabein22]

When I questioned the decision to skip the game in Alliance on Oct. 28 it was more for some national recognition for CU.  Mount gets and deserves the national spotlight all the time, but the CU players, especially the upperclassmen who have helped turn this program around, deserve some recognition as well.  Besides, that is a good opportunity to show the rest of the country how tough the OAC is, EVERY YEAR.  I hope the game lives up to the hype (maybe even as exciting as last year's playoff game), but I have my doubts.  REALLY, I just hope this game still means something when the two teams meet (ie. no CU slip-ups to ONU and OTT).  Enjoy your game in Texas and hopefully there will be a rematch you can attend!!!!!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Thanks for your replies Kieth.  They were informative, and gave the information that was originally requested.  I wasn't meaning to "hog" the spotlight for the Raiders or demean the game you are going to on the 28th, just thought that 1 vs 4 deserved some consideration.  I guess that if it was any other team besides MUC, it would be a different story.  Have a great time in TX and we hope to see you in Alliance later this year, if not Salem.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I take it back.  No need to come to Alliance on Oct. 28th.  Won't be a game. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I take it back.  No need to come to Alliance on Oct. 28th.  Won't be a game. 

Since I will take MUC (unless hscoach puts an absurd spread on the game - and with MUC, who knows what number is absurd!), I sure hope LK and his troops aren't reading (or at least believing!) this stuff!  Cap IS good enough to beat an overconfident, lackadaisical Mount (though not an even 'average' Mount).

[K-Mack]

If Baldwin-Wallace or Capital can't push Mount Union, I'm afraid some really good teams are going to get embarassed in the playoffs' early rounds, as usual.

Another reason I wanted to go to UMHB-UWW, and also Linfield-HSU, which I couldn't attend earlier in the year ... We want to encourage that kind of aggressive scheduling by saying "yes, we'll cover you if you schedule games people want to see."

Sounds basic, but not every coach/program feels the same way ... but with the AQ in place, we all win when teams schedule other teams at their level of competitiveness, high or low.

It's definitely improved over the years. Most teams can get 10 D3 games if they try, at least.

[CNULifer]

K-mack,

You need to come look at the south region fan poll.  We got three texas guys and two BC guys trying tell us that 3 of the 4 south teams are from texas.  CNU is 5th.  I just read what you said about UMHB and CNU game.  I was there as well and agree with you.  The season may prove both of us wrong but not yet.  set those guys straight, they don't take differing opinions lightly over there.  Big fish in little pond syndrome.  from a guppy that is tired of being repressed by the sharks that be.

[Pat Coleman]

Yawn.

[Toby Taff]

CNULifer,
How bout a widdle kiss to make it all better....

Get over yourself and allow opinion to be opinion.

[K-Mack]

K-mack,

You need to come look at the south region fan poll.  We got three texas guys and two BC guys trying tell us that 3 of the 4 south teams are from texas.  CNU is 5th.  I just read what you said about UMHB and CNU game.  I was there as well and agree with you.  The season may prove both of us wrong but not yet.  set those guys straight, they don't take differing opinions lightly over there.  Big fish in little pond syndrome.  from a guppy that is tired of being repressed by the sharks that be.

Way I see it CNU,
You've got the thing that really matters -- the W. If I don't make it over there to help you out, keep that in mind

[K-Mack]

As promised in this week's ATN ... Draddy Trophy semifinalists:

(Wilhelm Leinemann ... great football name!)

School, Nominee
Allegheny (Pa.), James Savage
Bates (Maine), James Walker
Bethel (Minn.), Kirby Carr
Carnegie Mellon (Pa.), Aaron Lewis
Case Western Reserve (Ohio), Thomas Brew
Centre (Ky.), Kevin Phelps
Chicago, Benjamin Potts
Defiance (Ohio), Tyler Haines
Gettysburg (Pa.), Dain Alaia
Greensboro (N.C.), Christopher Palme
Illinois College, Brandon Rhea
Ithaca (N.Y.), Justin Brunell
Johns Hopkins (Md.), Brian Nickel
Kenyon (Ohio), Ryan Lacy
Middlebury (Vt.), Scott Secor
Millsaps (Miss.), Josh Hanna
The College of New Jersey, Ryan Ross
Pomona (Calif.), Matthew Barbour
Redlands (Calif.), Jeffrey Gazaille
Rowan (N.J.), Mike Orihel
Saint John's (Minn.), Jamie Steffensmeier
Salisbury (Md.), Wilhelm Leinemann
Shenandoah (Va.), Justin Mosser
St. Thomas (Minn.), P.J. Theisen
Texas Lutheran, Jake Robbins
Trinity (Conn.), Kevin Swiniarski
Utica (N.Y.), Michael Sanchez
Wartburg (Iowa), Nick Noble
Washington U. in St. Louis, Drew Wethington
Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Matthew Evensen
Wisconsin - Stevens Pt., Michael Hayes
Wittenberg (Ohio), Tristan Murray
Wooster (Ohio), Rick Drushal

[Ryan Coleman]

Great column, Keith.

A couple of things I'd like to point out:
While MN does border Iowa, and we are known for our forests and lakes...

Iowa crept into MN a long time ago.... South of the Twin Cities is nothing but farmland. It makes for a vastly boring drive... in under 4 hours.

Yeah.

When do I get the +1 Karma?

It was great to see you again, next time.... Stagg?