FB: American Southwest Conference

[DFWCrufan]

Sorry Seniors....Lol (inside joke fr those at the game in Marshall....

[cover2]

Agreed.  However, I'm sure UMHB would prefer to host that semifinal game if they were to get there!

[roocru]

New to the board here.  Big Cru fan.  Watched them since they started football from the beginning.  Read the board for years and finally decided to join.  Noticed some of the Cru faithful on here drive from a good distance off to watch home games.  I'm fortunate enough to live about 15 minutes away and also have close ties to UMHB.  Wife works there and have two students there currently and a third will be there in a couple years.

Welcome to the board, Cowbell!

I have been following the Cru since my son played from 2001-2004.  +k

[GillCJ1]

New to the board here.  Big Cru fan.  Watched them since they started football from the beginning.  Read the board for years and finally decided to join.  Noticed some of the Cru faithful on here drive from a good distance off to watch home games.  I'm fortunate enough to live about 15 minutes away and also have close ties to UMHB.  Wife works there and have two students there currently and a third will be there in a couple years.

Welcome!  I'm fairly new here as well.  Also, I live about 15 min away AND my wife works for UMHB, too!  We're still young, though.  Mid 30s and have a 2.5 year old son.

[couchcru11]

Sorry Seniors....Lol (inside joke fr those at the game in Marshall....

Where is that picture?! haha.

Basically, unless something changes, UMHB/ Wesley have been playing to see who play Mount Union in my understanding. If Rowan would've been upset by TCNJ, it would've helped our cause to be #1 in the south, but it doesnt matter as long as those 2 purple powers are still unbeaten. We'll see what happens tomorrow night during the selection.

The CRU played like a championship caliber team today. Almost scored in every facet minus a kickoff return, but it was still a sweet victory.

[DFWCrufan]

Couchcru it was great meeting ya I ad a blast...

[cowbell]

Thanks for the welcome.  Just want to put in my two cents worth.  I think it is important that UMHB ends up at least second in rankings so they can host through the semis.  Saw after last weeks game and will probably see today after yesterday's blowout that UMHB is trying to pad stats or look more impressive to secure that spot.  If you do not watch the Cru whether in person or view it live streamed, second and third stringers account for most of these points in this type of game.  You can't tell them to go to the ground when they get their opportunity in open field.  Also if you look at defensive stats, they may not seem that impressive.  But once again actually a lot of that is gained against back-ups.  Also another reason I feel defensive stats are not as good, are the number of plays opposing offenses run against them.  Over the past few years, the CRU were a more time-consuming ground attack with Hudson carrying the load.  Normally 6 to 12 yards an attempt.  This season has been more of a quick-strike attack.  Maybe not planned that way but with the talent of the wideouts and tight ends, once a completion is made, they make things happen.  This forces the defense to return to the field quicker than in years past.  Nothing wrong with that, score when you can.  But I think I saw where ETBU ran 113 offensive plays yesterday.  WOW.  And to hold them 140 yards under their season average, plus letting backups getting some reps in the process.  All around team win.  I look forward to talking CRU football with the rest of you for years to come.  Sorry for the long first post.  Wife and kids say I am long-winded.  Go CRU.

[GillCJ1]

At the very least we should be hosting through the quarterfinals.  I have a feeling that d3football's mock bracket is correct in regard to the Cru and UWW being on the same side.  If this is the case, and assuming both teams win out until the semis, we would most likely travel up north.  Of course I'd rather see us host all the way up until the Stagg (purely for selfish reasons... I want to see as many games in person as I can).

Whatever happens, we just need to take it one game at a time.  Hopefully this is our year.  Go Cru!

[umhb2001]

The strength given to Wesley's SOS because of Rowan is mind boggling. The talk all the time is about past playoff performance should automatically negate the SOS discussion as UMHB DISMANTLED Whithler Marcelin and Rowan last year in the playoffs. That should show that we still belong in the #1 spot.

[Kelly Boggs]

My problem with Wesley's strength of schedule, as I understand it, is that it only utilizes the five D3 teams the Wolverine's played. If Wesley had scheduled more D3 competition, who knows, its SOS might be lower. I understand the reason for WC's scheduling woes this year, but that should not "penalize" other D3 schools when it comes to playoff seedings. Just my 25 cents worth.

[umhb2001]

My problem with Wesley's strength of schedule, as I understand it, is that it only utilizes the five D3 teams the Wolverine's played. If Wesley had scheduled more D3 competition, who knows, its SOS might be lower. I understand the reason for WC's scheduling woes this year, but that should not "penalize" other D3 schools when it comes to playoff seedings. Just my 25 cents worth.

Agreed! Major flaw in the system.

[couchcru11]

The whole regional rankings is screwy, especially since they keep the last one secret. The East really only has 1 dominant team, and their considered in the South right now. Wesley just couldn't get anyone to play them outside of the 5 that did. It makes it tough for UMHB, but until we can clear the semi's I don't think the committee will give us a top spot over Mount Union or UWW. There has been what seems like a change in the wind in the WIAC with UWW being held to some tight games a few times, but I think Pat said that the committee will basically give the top 2 seeds to UMU & UWW til they are beat by someone other than each other.

Should be interesting to see what happens in 40 minutes!

[bleedpurple]

My problem with Wesley's strength of schedule, as I understand it, is that it only utilizes the five D3 teams the Wolverine's played. If Wesley had scheduled more D3 competition, who knows, its SOS might be lower. I understand the reason for WC's scheduling woes this year, but that should not "penalize" other D3 schools when it comes to playoff seedings. Just my 25 cents worth.

Yeah but...

I really don't think it matters, to be honest.  Being the 3rd or 4th number one nationally are the same.   All the SOS stuff is probably helpful when you get past the first and second seeds, but at the top of the brackets the committee will be taking a macro view. All these flawed numbers are all they have to try to separate teams who have a loss or two from each other. But at the top, where the CRU resides, it will be about playoff performance.  They "earned" home field last year because the other best team on their side of the bracket (UW-W) did not make the playoffs the previous year.  UW-W gets it this year because they beat the CRU last year. If UMHB visits UW-W this year, the reality is they will play for a berth in the Stagg, but they will also be playing for home field advantage in the semis in 2015 (if both are undefeated and both make it that far). From here until the cows come home, an undefeated defending National Champion and runner up will have home field until the Stagg Bowl.

To me, the less appealing part is that UMHB may be sent to UW-W due to Wesley being drivable to Mount. Finances driving the first round is one thing. If it drives even the alignment of the semi's, that is unfortunate in my mind.

[UMHB03]

Wow, a potential SECOND ROUND match up with Linfield for UMHB.

The selection committee hosed the Crusaders again.

[MonroviaCat]

Wow, a potential SECOND ROUND match up with Linfield for UMHB.

The selection committee hosed the Crusaders again.

I agree--Linfield got hosed