FB: American Southwest Conference

CruAlum39 · September 22, 2006, 10:40:48 AM

I agree with tlcbdawg. I think it is still too early to say that there is a team in the conference that cannot be beaten for the following reasons---

--the rise of MC this year,
--TLU looking for some redemption,
--HSU playing very well against two good teams
--UMHB with their backs against the wall after loss to CNU
--ETBU and their athleticism deciding to show up and play one or two Saturdays
--HPU always in the mix

There is still also the trend that HSU/UMHB will beat each other on the road since 2002 --i believe-- (which I hope changes this year)

There is also the issue of overconfidence. This may or may not be the case with HSU but they could be at a disadvantage this year when the play teams like UMHB and maybe TLU and MC, because they have been very successful early against two very good teams. I say this because this was the case with UMHB the year we went to the Stagg Bowl. We were very overconfident playing HSU in Week 7 because we had handled previous teams well and won by large margins. Then HSU came to Tiger Staduim and beat the dog out of us to win the conference.

Im not saying this is the case at all, but it does happen to good football teams. Just my .02, let me know what you think.

I am excited to see the ASC competion rising and that we are getting more and more upsets. I just hope it happens to everyone but the CRU!

GO CRU!

tlcbdawg · September 22, 2006, 11:08:01 AM

baddog,

The point is well taken about how big early season victories are certainly diminshed if the opposing team faulters down the stretch. Perhaps in my language I should have used the phrase "have a legitimate chance" instead of "capable." I also think I should clarify that without doubt, HSU and UMHB are still the big dogs. My other four teams I feel "have a legitimate chance" to give the top two a run for their money in a ballgame. At the same time I think those four teams, TLU, MC, ETBU, HPU, all still are suseptable(sp?) to defeats at the hands of SRSU, LC, and McMurry.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

crualum75 · September 22, 2006, 01:29:00 PM

I would have to agree with crualum39. I think the competition is getting better within the conference, and many teams do get overconfident and lose a game they shouldn't. The trend of the home team losing in the HSU/UMHB game has been going for the last few meetings, and I too hope that changes this year. The most important thing is that the conference continue to get better and gain respect throughout the nation. This will help to make sure that more than one team continues to make it into the playoffs, and (cross your fingers) maybe one day we can get 2 teams from the state of texas past the first 2 rounds of the playoffs

You never know right? Good luck to all teams this week.

Go Cru! Win the home opener!

Bill McCabe · September 22, 2006, 01:56:27 PM

A couple more weeks of play should let us know for sure how competitive the conference has become. After 2 or 3 games, I still think HSU and UMHB are probably well ahead of the rest of the conference.

Indians · September 22, 2006, 02:12:35 PM

HSU is well ahead, the others still have to prove something.

tlugrad2000 · September 23, 2006, 02:35:58 AM

I am eating a HUGE humble pie. I really did not think the MC game would go the way it did. TLU did lose it by a TD but alas, it is still a loss. I have been very busy with my coaching schedule so I apologize for my absence in responding to my chest pounding earlier this month. We lost period to a very good MC team. This weekend with UHMB is ANYBODY's game to win or lose. I am very much looking forward to it.

Zmotion10 out on 2 · September 23, 2006, 09:15:33 AM

Quote from: tlugrad2000 on September 23, 2006, 02:35:58 AM
I am eating a HUGE humble pie. I really did not think the MC game would go the way it did. TLU did lose it by a TD but alas, it is still a loss. I have been very busy with my coaching schedule so I apologize for my absence in responding to my chest pounding earlier this month. We lost period to a very good MC team. This weekend with UHMB is ANYBODY's game to win or lose. I am very much looking forward to it.

Don't worry about the pie. I have eaten a lot of Crow in the past myself. (Yuck) I know the Cowboys ate some humble pie last year served up by TLU. I think they still have the taste in their mouth (which is good).

Glad you are back on the board discussing the games.

OLDCHOCTAWCOACH · September 23, 2006, 11:06:39 AM

Go Chocs!

Ralph Turner · September 23, 2006, 06:22:23 PM

I saw the HPU-PQC game. Neither team looked sharp. Both had trouble mounting sustained drives. If they did, they shot themselves in the foot with a penalty or busted assignment. PQC had too many penalties at critical times.

HPU's Tolbert is good and #6 running back Zachary Lee had a good day for a 5'7" RB. QB Adam Johnson did not look sharp! HPU's defense was better but the PQC offense was anemic.

The DISD facility is a good one. The HPU fans on the east side did a good job od supporting their team.

My assessment of HPU is still "out". I need a few more games! $:-\$

hpudad · September 23, 2006, 09:22:19 PM

Ralph

I was at the HPU / PQ game also. Was that you taking pictures at the game in the white shirt? HPU's offense has been getting better since the first game but when they came out after the half it seemed that HPU couldn't do anything right in the third quarter. HPU's defense played another tough game and I think did well. PQ O-line was huge. My son was telling me that one of their O-Linemen was 6'3" 340 lbs.

It was an ugly game for HPU but it was a win.

Ralph Turner · September 23, 2006, 09:25:14 PM

No, I mostly stood on the south concourse in the shade!

I thought that the PQC line was big but barely effective. The HPU defense did shut them down.

hpudad · September 23, 2006, 09:52:33 PM

Yea it was pretty warm in the stands. My knees are talking to me now because of it. I honestly thought HPU's defense was going to have a shutout. Then the first two series in the third happened. Then the defense had to play tough for HPU to win. PQ moved the ball following the blocks of their big line for 3 to 4 yards a pop but I think conditioning might have come into play.

CruAlum39 · September 23, 2006, 10:57:41 PM

Just wanted to say congrats to the CRU on a win over TLU. I know nothing about the game but the score, however it looks like the defense played well to give up only 9 pts. Hopefully we will continue to improve on the season and improve at a rapid rate for the upcoming ASC showdown btwn UMHB and HSU. Lets make sure to take care of McMurry first though.

Go CRU!

Ralph Turner · September 23, 2006, 11:33:25 PM

If the HSU game is canceled, then we are back to the incomplete season scenario, just like 2005!

$:-\$

Josh Bowerman · September 23, 2006, 11:42:53 PM

Why is it always a problem with LC games!?!?!?!?!?