FB: American Southwest Conference

[Jerry Bawcom]

Congrats to La Coll.  What a great win at the end of a great year.  Hope to see you next week in the playoffs!

[DE Wesley Fan]

Congrats to LC on a good win today.  For what it's worth, I thought you guys were pretty even with Salisbury as being the 2nd best DIII team Wesley played this year (UMHB of course being the toughest).  Hope you get in tomorrow!

[umhb2001]

Congrats to La Coll.  What a great win at the end of a great year.  Hope to see you next week in the playoffs!

Agreed! This was their BIG WIN game. Now watch out!

[roocru]

Looks like we could we have a new version of the South Region First Round sub-bracket with UMHB and LC!

[Kelly Boggs]

While Pat has LC possibly flying to Cali or Oregon, I think most longtime observers of this process believe LC will drive over to Belton to face UMHB. Persnally (and selfishly) I hope the NCAA holds true to past form so I can be present for the game. I also believe LC would welcome a re-match. The consensus sentiment after the earlier loss to UMHB was a desire to have another shot at The Cru. Wherever the Cats wind up, they will be ready to take full advantage of their first playoff appearance and be very competive.

Linfield should be the top seed with UMHB securing the number two spot. A re-match of the 04 Stagg Bowl would be interesting. I know it's way too premature to predict that scenario, just musing.

[wesleydad]

While Pat has LC possibly flying to Cali or Oregon, I think most longtime observers of this process believe LC will drive over to Belton to face UMHB. Persnally (and selfishly) I hope the NCAA holds true to past form so I can be present for the game. I also believe LC would welcome a re-match. The consensus sentiment after the earlier loss to UMHB was a desire to have another shot at The Cru. Wherever the Cats wind up, they will be ready to take full advantage of their first playoff appearance and be very competive.

Linfield should be the top seed with UMHB securing the number two spot. A re-match of the 04 Stagg Bowl would be interesting. I know it's way too premature to predict that scenario, just musing.

i agree, linfields resume looks really good for the top seed, umhb second, mount 3 and st thomas 4.  umhb/wesley winner vs mount in semis would be a good one.

[Pat Coleman]

While Pat has LC possibly flying to Cali or Oregon, I think most longtime observers of this process believe LC will drive over to Belton to face UMHB. Persnally (and selfishly) I hope the NCAA holds true to past form so I can be present for the game. I also believe LC would welcome a re-match. The consensus sentiment after the earlier loss to UMHB was a desire to have another shot at The Cru. Wherever the Cats wind up, they will be ready to take full advantage of their first playoff appearance and be very competive.

Linfield should be the top seed with UMHB securing the number two spot. A re-match of the 04 Stagg Bowl would be interesting. I know it's way too premature to predict that scenario, just musing.

I believe the NCAA will likely do that as well, too. That doesn't make it right, though.

[crufootball]

While I love D3 football and the fact that we have a playoff system, the Texas ASC sub-bracket and the West Coast sub-bracket are what convince me that D1 football doesn't really want/need a playoff system, unless they make it a big playoff with at least 16 to 32 teams.

Obviously I know that cost would be thrown out the window for a D1 playoff so they wouldn't have to deal with these issues but in no way would I believe that the NCAA could get it right. Unless they had somewhere between 16 and 32 teams there is no way that they could, in my opinion, settle things fairly. Even with the new rules next year there is no way the issues will be settled because of the manner in which they pick the teams will be argued about for hours and hours every year.

Anyway, now that I have complained, I will move on and wait until 5 when I will be glued to the computer waiting and hoping that Pat is right.

[Kelly Boggs]

Pat, you know better than anyone what the NCAA is likely to do. That said, I think your playoff projections, including where teams should be placed, are spot on. You are very fair and apply the criteria properly. However, we know that money is the bottom line when it comes to the NCAA.

My son played at LC and is still friends with many current players.  I say that to say the Wildcats would relish another opportunity to play UMHB this season. I don't think they will mind at all being matched up with The Cru in the first round.  Additionally, the six hour trip (one way) to Belton will allow many more LC fans and students to attend the game than would be possible with a game on the West Coast. My daughter, her friends and many others are already anticipating a road trip to Belton.

Since I am a graduate of UMHB, a first round matchup in Belton would be fun. My in-laws live in Salado (about 10 minutes from Belton) and my mom lives in Florence (about 30 minutes away), so my family - along with quite a few caravaning students - would have a great weekend. On top of all that, I think it would be a great game.

[fatboy]

I am sure LC would not mind a rematch 1st round. But both UMHB, LC and the ASC deserve the chance to showcase the talent we have against other playoff team. It is only right, ASC team already play the toughest non conference games.

[Kelly Boggs]

I agree that in a perfect world two ASC teams should not be matched up in the first round. But it is what it is, so I am looking for the positives in an LC vs UMHB first round matchup. For me, personally, there is a significant silver lining.

[LaCollegeFan]

HERE WE GO! Congrats to LC, first LC team to reach the playoffs!

[Kelly Boggs]

Road trip! Congrats to the Cats! If any of you LC fans need the best rout to Belton, let me know. I know the way well. Looking forward to a great weekend in Central Texas.

[UMHB03]

Wow, UMHB got hosed.

A good La College team in the 1st round, and they are on the same side of the bracket with Mount Union. So basically, the NCAA wants to make sure the # 1 and # 2 teams in the country meet BEFORE the Stagg Bowl.

I wonder what the Crusaders did to tick off the selection committee.

[Jerry Bawcom]

Guess my post didn't make it:  Go, Cru; tighten up you chinstraps and get ready for another barn burner with LaCol !!!  We need a strong game for the three games to follow; since we will keep up with our win streak !!!