FB: American Southwest Conference

[emma17]

HS Coach's post does show that Mt has had some tougher games in the OAC.
It's also fair and contextual to point out the playoff draws Mt has had in recent years.  Not taking anything away from Mt because you can only play the teams the committee sends your way-and I know it's a geography issue, but it is the reality.
Take a look at the playoff teams that many from the west/south (or those not named Mt) have had to play in order to get a shot at the Stagg, and compare them to the teams Mt has played.  For the most part, Mt's toughest playoff opponent comes only in the semis. 
Compare that to what many top teams have faced in the last few years.  Linfield already has played two of the toughest teams in the playoffs and has their third coming up. 
Remember, when you're playing tough teams, the starters don't get the rest.  When the starters are in the entire game, there simply is a greater chance for injury and fatigue.   

Either way, Mount Union has always had the chops to deal with teams going to Alliance and you cannot take that away from them.  They are just tough on both sides of the ball.  It could be a disadvantage for them to deal with powder-puff opponents prior to a real test, but I haven't seen it yet.   It is up to the other teams to knock them off that semifinal pedestal they stand on. 

-Ski

I agree entirely that it could be a disadvantage that Mt plays a less challenging playoff schedule. Heck I'm sure the players and fans would love tougher competition.
The point remains the same though in that due to the geography issue and Mt's high regard, they don't get tested the same as many other programs have.  As such, there is some truth that supports the feeling that "Mt doesn't play anybody"- at least in the first 2-3 rounds of the playoffs.

Linfield definitely has had the toughest road of the top seeds, but this is a pretty huge exaggeration: "Linfield already has played two of the toughest teams in the playoffs." Eh, No. 20 and 14 (who beat 8, but still ... eight of the toughest teams in the playoffs are still playing this week).

The West has always been the region with the most second-tier teams knocking each other off. The North has the CCIW and Mount/OAC2 and the South is usually pretty good.

These East teams this year might not win Saturday, but I think they are two of the best they've sent forth in a while. St. Thomas seems vulnerable, and Widener is dynamic and might win if they were matched up with someone besides mighty Mount.

UMU often gets the easiest road, but same time, they make it look easy, and I'm not so sure in the North or South they wouldn't have 2-3 rounds of blowouts as well.

Anyway, with UMHB/Wesley next week, their road to Salem will have a serious roadblock.

Would be interesting to see what would happen if Mount Union ever got sent on the road. The years there's an opening, the other team stumbles.

Actually, calling my statement that "Linfield has alrady faced two of the toughest teams in the playoffs" a huge exaggeration is in fact a huge exaggeration.
Pacific Lutheran and NCC are/were two of the toughest teams in the playoffs. They'd put up a good game against any of the remaining 8 teams. Not an exaggeration in the least bit.

[desertcat1]

HS Coach's post does show that Mt has had some tougher games in the OAC.
It's also fair and contextual to point out the playoff draws Mt has had in recent years.  Not taking anything away from Mt because you can only play the teams the committee sends your way-and I know it's a geography issue, but it is the reality.
Take a look at the playoff teams that many from the west/south (or those not named Mt) have had to play in order to get a shot at the Stagg, and compare them to the teams Mt has played.  For the most part, Mt's toughest playoff opponent comes only in the semis. 
Compare that to what many top teams have faced in the last few years.  Linfield already has played two of the toughest teams in the playoffs and has their third coming up. 
Remember, when you're playing tough teams, the starters don't get the rest.  When the starters are in the entire game, there simply is a greater chance for injury and fatigue.   

Either way, Mount Union has always had the chops to deal with teams going to Alliance and you cannot take that away from them.  They are just tough on both sides of the ball.  It could be a disadvantage for them to deal with powder-puff opponents prior to a real test, but I haven't seen it yet.   It is up to the other teams to knock them off that semifinal pedestal they stand on. 

-Ski

I agree entirely that it could be a disadvantage that Mt plays a less challenging playoff schedule. Heck I'm sure the players and fans would love tougher competition.
The point remains the same though in that due to the geography issue and Mt's high regard, they don't get tested the same as many other programs have.  As such, there is some truth that supports the feeling that "Mt doesn't play anybody"- at least in the first 2-3 rounds of the playoffs.

Linfield definitely has had the toughest road of the top seeds, but this is a pretty huge exaggeration: "Linfield already has played two of the toughest teams in the playoffs." Eh, No. 20 and 14 (who beat 8, but still ... eight of the toughest teams in the playoffs are still playing this week).

The West has always been the region with the most second-tier teams knocking each other off. The North has the CCIW and Mount/OAC2 and the South is usually pretty good.

These East teams this year might not win Saturday, but I think they are two of the best they've sent forth in a while. St. Thomas seems vulnerable, and Widener is dynamic and might win if they were matched up with someone besides mighty Mount.

UMU often gets the easiest road, but same time, they make it look easy, and I'm not so sure in the North or South they wouldn't have 2-3 rounds of blowouts as well.

Anyway, with UMHB/Wesley next week, their road to Salem will have a serious roadblock.

Would be interesting to see what would happen if Mount Union ever got sent on the road. The years there's an opening, the other team stumbles.

Actually, calling my statement that "Linfield has alrady faced two of the toughest teams in the playoffs" a huge exaggeration is in fact a huge exaggeration.
Pacific Lutheran and NCC are/were two of the toughest teams in the playoffs. They'd put up a good game against any of the remaining 8 teams. Not an exaggeration in the least bit.

[/b]


That's what i have been saying all along..   they are tough period.   Not like some of the CUP-CAKES.

[umhb2001]

Any predictions for tomorrow's grudge match?

[SUADC]

Any predictions for tomorrow's grudge match?

There will be four winners and four losers. 

[umhbalum]

Prediction

UMHB 31 Wesley 27

[desertcat1]

Prediction

UMHB 38 Wesley 24



Have a safe injury free game  to everyone.. 

[bman]

Sure...why not

Wesley 27
UMHB 21

[DE Wesley Fan]

Wesley 24
UMHB 21

Would be surprised to see too many points on the board given the quality of these defenses.  Hoping for a good clean game, with good officiating.  May the best team win!

[emma17]

Best of luck to both teams tomorrow.  They are both excellent teams and programs.  As a fan, I greatly appreciate the entertainment they provide.

[wesleydad]

32 - 25 in week 3.  UMHB plays almost a perfect game and still has to hold on to win.  wesley has something to prove, especially the o line.  think the score reverses and wesley wins 31 - 27.  dont see a plus 50% 3 down conversion happening again.  wesley gets off the field on d enough to win the game.  wish i could be there.  glued to the computer to watch it tomorrow.

[D O.C.]

A safe game for both teams tomorrow.
It's not that I begrudge Wesley for coming back on us 0-24 last year, it's just that I have a UMHB shirt one of you traded me a couple years ago so I'm going CRUsing.

This game would actually be a great Stagg Bowl game and in a way it is.

[umhbalum]

Game day!

[echelontx]

CRU 38-Wesley 17 I'm so excited!! 

[Kelly Boggs]

The word of the day = PURPLE!

[Kelly Boggs]

Just arrived at BHS stadium. Very windy in Belton today.