FB: American Southwest Conference

[CNU85]

It's sad that the ncaa is so afraid of texas teams actually winning a nat. championship that they have to always give them the hardest road ever. I just think they enjoy sticking it to the Texas teams. Why? B/c they know we can play and we're for real. This is ridiculous and someone should call down the committee for changing how it does things on the day of selection. Cmon now, don't change it if you have used it all year. Oh and yah 500 miles vs. 900? That makes sense right? Well I'm just sad to see this again. B/c I know both umhb and hsu have the makings to be great teams, but are never truly given a chance to show it as they have to always win a state championship before playing the rest of the nation.

I agree. And I'm an "outsider" to the Texas and ASC. But, from what little I follow HSU and UMHB, both teams would have a very good chance of going past the first round in the playoffs. To know htat one team is done on Saturday, doesn't seem right....and in this case, I'm totally unbiased.

[minni]

CNU85,

ehhh, its something we put up with every single year.  This is nothing new to us.  They either leave us out completely, or make us play each other.  The fact that two texas teams could absolutely dominate d3 scares the hell out of the NCAA.  there is no doubt in my mind that these two could and should play for the national championship.  Put them at opposite ends of brackets and they would being playing in Salem.  The commitee is a bunch of nuts and screwballs.  Id be scared of Texas football too.

Bill,
As far as players being banged up, that is what scares me about this game.  These two teams I would say have a genuine dislike for each other.  They go out there and they beat the hell out of each other.  But that is Texas football.  We go out and we just knock the crap out of people. 

[billybaroo]

I think Ray Wylie Hubbard says it best "Screw you we're from Texas" The NCAA is just jelous that they don't get to live here.

[LA Crusader]

If someone has a fax or email to the NCAA, we could respectfully send them a complaint questioning their decision on pairing brackets.

[billybaroo]

I don't know if this has been brought up yet but as I was looking at the bracket and if UMHB go as far as I think they can go (which is all the way) everygame for them could be a rematch. 1. HSU 2. CNU or W&J (2004) 3. Welsey 4. Whitewater 5. Mount Union. All teams the Cru has and since 2004 they have a 4-3 record against them. Counted HSU twice. Like I said before not overlooking HSU just wishfull thinking.

[Ralph Turner]

I don't know if this has been brought up yet but as I was looking at the bracket and if UMHB go as far as I think they can go (which is all the way) everygame for them could be a rematch. 1. HSU 2. CNU or W&J (2004) 3. Welsey 4. Whitewater 5. Mount Union. All teams the Cru has and since 2004 they have a 4-3 record against them. Counted HSU twice. Like I said before not overlooking HSU just wishfull thinking.

That certainly saves time studying game videos.  You (and likewise they) already most of the players!

[Ron Boerger]

If someone has a fax or email to the NCAA, we could respectfully send them a complaint questioning their decision on pairing brackets.

Look over on the South Region Playoff board ... I posted a phone number and email link over there somewhere.

[proudmcmdad]

The most important thing in the ASC this week is the rematch between HSU and MHB (I am going with HSU), but McM just announced that Crousen has been reassigned to the Athletic Department and Coach Gray has been named interem head coach.
Coach Crousen did a very good job in his short tenure, especially installing a "toughness" on the team.  His first year when he was Defensive Coordinator during the opening minutes of practice, he got hit in the face by a helmet.  Blood was streaming everywhere but Crousen had the training staff put bandage over the most heavily damaged portion of his face and he stayed until the end of practice before going to the emergency room to get something like 30 stitches in his face.  The players quit complaining about minor injuries like broken bones and such after that.
McM didn't win many games over the last couple of years but Crousen did have them playing good football and McM was much more competitive over the last two years.  I know that Crousen earned the respect of all the players that played for him.
I think Gray deserves a shot at running the program, although that is the administrations final decision.  Gray is young, energetic and has also earned the respect of the players.  I think Gray with some recent McM graduates as assistant coaches will be able to recruit and also bring excitement into the program. Here is to better things to come for the McM Football Team (and heck yes, they will always still be the Indians, screw the NCAA).

[Josh Bowerman]

Proud, thanks for sharing this news.

Coach Gray is a personal friend of mine, so I'm not sure whether to be happy for his being tabbed for the Interim post or concerned--given his age (early 30s), the fact that there aren't many colleges willing to turn over the reins to someone in our age bracket, and the general turnover in coaching staffs when a new head coach is brought in.  It's been nice seeing him a couple of times a year now that I'm back in Texas, but given all this, I wonder if I'll see him next season or not....

[proudmcmdad]

Josh - I share your concerns about Coach Gray.

I know many of the ex-players that are now high school coaches think that it is important to recruit heavily the small schools in West Texas and I would agree that they are an important source of talent.  But I think to compete with HSU and MHB that more 4A and 5A high school athletes need to be targeted.  I think they can step in quicker to the higher quality of football that D3 football plays than most of the small high schools.

McM has 2 choices, in my opinion, to get the football program to a more competitive level in the ASC.
1) An experienced high school coach from West Texas that has a solid reputation and a winning program,
2) Someone like Gray that is young, enthusiastic, and can relate to the football players.

[CNU85]

Josh - I share your concerns about Coach Gray.

I know many of the ex-players that are now high school coaches think that it is important to recruit heavily the small schools in West Texas and I would agree that they are an important source of talent.  But I think to compete with HSU and MHB that more 4A and 5A high school athletes need to be targeted.  I think they can step in quicker to the higher quality of football that D3 football plays than most of the small high schools.

McM has 2 choices, in my opinion, to get the football program to a more competitive level in the ASC.
1) An experienced high school coach from West Texas that has a solid reputation and a winning program,
2) Someone like Gray that is young, enthusiastic, and can relate to the football players.

Not sure what Gray's background is, but another option si to get a college coach with recruiting experince in the area where the HS talent is located in talent. That's what worked for CNU (not saying it would work in Texas). CNU hired Kelchner who was Assistant Head Coach at 1-AA William & Mary for 16 years and he was responsible for recruiting at W&M which included the 757 area code - a hotbed of talent like certain parts of Texas.

Gray may have that background, I don't know. Just some thoughts to ponder (or disregard).

[minni]

Just wondering what everyone is thinking about the game this weekend.  Forget the fact that we are playing each other in the first round, I know it sucks but oh well.  

Since the loss, or win whoever is your team, HSU is averaging 46.2 ppg and allowing 14.8 ppg.  UMHB is averaging 37.6 ppg and allowing 12.6 ppg.  I think both teams have improved on their weaknesses from the previous game.  I think the HSU defense has improved more than people are giving them credit for.  THe interior for HSU is much improved led by senior chris jones.  People have began to learn about reggie at the d-end and have started to double and i have even seen a triple team several times on film.  The defense is excited to get another shot at this.  I pray that Jordan can get this monkey off his back. (side note: congrats J Neal on the engagement this weekend after the game)  UMHB has been the thorn in his side.  I dont know if it is a mental thing with this team for us or what but i seriously hope we can turn it around on Saturday.  

Two amazing head coaches going at it twice a year (Keeling and Fredenburg), I love what sul ross has done this year but i dont think the coach Wright is deserving of coach of the year.  It is either Keeling or Fredenburg every year until a coach proves his program can do it year in and year out like these coaches can.  With all the other teams that think they have THAT year or two years just goes to prove how tough it really is to get on top and stay on top, and these two coaches have done it for many years now.  

[Toby Taff]

. . . which included the 757 area code - a hotbed of talent like certain parts of Texas.

Certain parts of Texas

That's every part of Texas

[Zmotion10 out on 2]

Minni:

I think you really mentioned something worthy of note.  HSU's defensive line has looked much improved over the past several games.  And Jones for sure is having a super year.  

Three things won the first game for the Cru (in my opinion).  First was the pressure that the front 7 put on not only the offensive line but on Neal.  HSU's line has got to do better blocking.  Like the defense they have also looked much improved.  Naturally they haven't played the caliber of the Cru front 7 over the past weeks but nonetheless they have done a much better job protecting Neal.  Against McM he had all day to pass which will not be the case Saturday.

Secondly the short field syndrome.  HSU has to put themselves in better field position.  Looking at the NCAA stats the special teams play of UMHB seems to be getting the kickoffs out of the endzone (more touchbacks) more often than HSU as well as their returners are getting the ball out further.  HSU has two really good returners yet neither (that I can recall) has returned a kickoff or punt for a TD this year.  They are very capable and maybe this will be the breakout game.  Galusha can score from anywhere on the field, now it is time for him to do that on special teams.  Finally HSU has got to protect on punts, extra points, and field goals.  The blocked field goal was the turning point in the first game.  The blocked punt also hurt us.  HSU has changed back to the normal punt formation which I was glad to see.  I'm sure that the film of those blocks has been looked over extensively and I'm betting that the Cowboys will take care of that.

As far as the Cowboys go I think that is what they need to do to win the game.
1. Protect Neal - limit pressure and sacks
2. Don't give up field position, gain it.
3. Protect on special teams

I think all other things being the same the Cowboys win this re-match.  Oh and for the UMHB radio crew (I was one that picked the Cowboys to win in double digits last time).  After losing in double digits I think this game will be as close as they come.  Both teams are very deserving of being in the playoffs and I think the winner stands a great chance of going all the way.


Go Cowboys!

[CNU85]

. . . which included the 757 area code - a hotbed of talent like certain parts of Texas.

Certain parts of Texas

That's every part of Texas

I've been in Texas....Certain parts are hotbeds of talent.......Certains parts ain't nothing but nothing....not even people.