FB: American Southwest Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

IMO, JCU will definitely be ranked above Wesley (and perhaps Wheaton as well, since they were 11-0 until losing by 2 to JCU).

[roocru]

Well, after looking at the two games this last weekend, UMHB has a long way to go. As good as we've been, as GREAT as we've been, we have a long row to hoe, and I wonder if it can be done. I hope it can, I believe, somewhere, that it can, but seeing those scores and the way the games were won, I don't know.

I believe that one of the hidden issues I've seen is heart. Just being around campus and hearing a handful of players talk about not wanting to be in the TLU game because of how crazy it was, guys pawning their rings for money, and guys in the weight room side shuffling some of the coaches as they have come through the building when asked about working out, and not to mention losing two defensive starters in two playoff losses due to team rules is CRAZY! I know this isn't all of the players, but to see the veins of a disheartened attitude running through a great program scares me, and I wonder who the vocal leaders are? Do they see these things, do they lead off season workouts, are they striving to be a UWW or UMU? I'm sure there are some, but for this team to get to another, win one, or have a streak like these two teams, the culture will have to change.

I hope they watched the UMU game or UWW game this weekend and will watch the Stagg this weekend because something needs to change, and I hope their eyes are opened to the needs that we have.

Maybe you should change your signature to "Woe is me!" and wait until we make the finals to get back on the bandwagon.

[jaypeter]

IMO, JCU will definitely be ranked above Wesley (and perhaps Wheaton as well, since they were 11-0 until losing by 2 to JCU).

Agreed...Granted Mount Union is in no way 49 points better than Wesley, the Wolverines were not as good a team as John Carroll who pushed Mount Union in both games this year. 

I think it'll be Mount Union and Whitewater, Linfield, Wartburg or JCU (may depend on who wins the Stagg but probably Wartburg),  and either Wheaton or Wesley.  I suspect Wesley gets the nod there based on the full season of work and not the last impression. 

[umhb2001]

Well, after looking at the two games this last weekend, UMHB has a long way to go. As good as we've been, as GREAT as we've been, we have a long row to hoe, and I wonder if it can be done. I hope it can, I believe, somewhere, that it can, but seeing those scores and the way the games were won, I don't know.

I believe that one of the hidden issues I've seen is heart. Just being around campus and hearing a handful of players talk about not wanting to be in the TLU game because of how crazy it was, guys pawning their rings for money, and guys in the weight room side shuffling some of the coaches as they have come through the building when asked about working out, and not to mention losing two defensive starters in two playoff losses due to team rules is CRAZY! I know this isn't all of the players, but to see the veins of a disheartened attitude running through a great program scares me, and I wonder who the vocal leaders are? Do they see these things, do they lead off season workouts, are they striving to be a UWW or UMU? I'm sure there are some, but for this team to get to another, win one, or have a streak like these two teams, the culture will have to change.

I hope they watched the UMU game or UWW game this weekend and will watch the Stagg this weekend because something needs to change, and I hope their eyes are opened to the needs that we have.

Maybe you should change your signature to "Woe is me!" and wait until we make the finals to get back on the bandwagon.

Sorry, I thought this was where we could come and talk about our teams.

[umhb2001]

Well, after looking at the two games this last weekend, UMHB has a long way to go. As good as we've been, as GREAT as we've been, we have a long row to hoe, and I wonder if it can be done. I hope it can, I believe, somewhere, that it can, but seeing those scores and the way the games were won, I don't know.

I believe that one of the hidden issues I've seen is heart. Just being around campus and hearing a handful of players talk about not wanting to be in the TLU game because of how crazy it was, guys pawning their rings for money, and guys in the weight room side shuffling some of the coaches as they have come through the building when asked about working out, and not to mention losing two defensive starters in two playoff losses due to team rules is CRAZY! I know this isn't all of the players, but to see the veins of a disheartened attitude running through a great program scares me, and I wonder who the vocal leaders are? Do they see these things, do they lead off season workouts, are they striving to be a UWW or UMU? I'm sure there are some, but for this team to get to another, win one, or have a streak like these two teams, the culture will have to change.

I hope they watched the UMU game or UWW game this weekend and will watch the Stagg this weekend because something needs to change, and I hope their eyes are opened to the needs that we have.

Respectfully,

"Long row to hoe?"  A FG loss to Linfield which was driving for the tying score against UWW?

Why, Darrell Royal could not match that understatement!   LOL

If UWW wins it all, I project that UMHB will be ranked no lower than 6th in the country, and maybe 4th.

UWW, UMU, Linfield, Wartburg, Wesley (with a big question mark coming out of the "northeast" bracket)...
Anyone else?

With the examples I posted down below, I think it speaks to the distance we have yet to come.

[umhb2001]

Well, after looking at the two games this last weekend, UMHB has a long way to go. As good as we've been, as GREAT as we've been, we have a long row to hoe, and I wonder if it can be done. I hope it can, I believe, somewhere, that it can, but seeing those scores and the way the games were won, I don't know.

I believe that one of the hidden issues I've seen is heart. Just being around campus and hearing a handful of players talk about not wanting to be in the TLU game because of how crazy it was, guys pawning their rings for money, and guys in the weight room side shuffling some of the coaches as they have come through the building when asked about working out, and not to mention losing two defensive starters in two playoff losses due to team rules is CRAZY! I know this isn't all of the players, but to see the veins of a disheartened attitude running through a great program scares me, and I wonder who the vocal leaders are? Do they see these things, do they lead off season workouts, are they striving to be a UWW or UMU? I'm sure there are some, but for this team to get to another, win one, or have a streak like these two teams, the culture will have to change.

I hope they watched the UMU game or UWW game this weekend and will watch the Stagg this weekend because something needs to change, and I hope their eyes are opened to the needs that we have.

Maybe you should change your signature to "Woe is me!" and wait until we make the finals to get back on the bandwagon.

It's not "WOE IS ME". Come on, Man! I'm voicing my frustration. In all of sports history people have voiced frustration. And as far as bandwagon goes, I've been on that wagon for a LONG TIME and don't plan on getting off. Oregon Trail, baby!

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks for the response.

Those are factors that the team will need to handle.  I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

No one does the "winning culture" better than UMU.  UWW is currently on top, and we can see what happens with the next coaching change.  I think for the amount of "natural" talent that those teams possess, Hobart, Linfield, W&J, Wheaton, North Central, St Johns, St Thomas and Wartburg manage to do it year after year, too.  (I just think that no D-3 team has been blessed with more "natural" talent than UMHB.)

Perhaps this is the off-season when the "Culture/leadership" issues are addressed.  Is Jerrell Freeman the one who needs to get with the guys in the off-season to talk with them?  Who knows?

Maybe I rationalize these things too much, but I hope that this is the life lesson that those 2 guys learn, and they never let their "teammates" down ever again, even 30 years from now when I hope that they have real responsibilities.

[HScoach]

^  Having a QB that can actually throw would help a lot too.

[crufootball]

^  Having a QB that can actually throw would help a lot too.

Yes, yes and more yes.

We can sit here and fight over leadership, coaching decisions, and the addition of the pistol formation forever but at the end of the day if we could get an QB that could win us a game deep in the playoffs we would probably have a national championship or two.

I don't say this to downgrade any of our current or past QB's because in many cases we didn't really ask them to be that guy but if we ever had that guy I think we would have won a championship or two.

[02 Warhawk]

Thanks for the response.

Those are factors that the team will need to handle.  I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

No one does the "winning culture" better than UMU.  UWW is currently on top, and we can see what happens with the next coaching change.  I think for the amount of "natural" talent that those teams possess, Hobart, Linfield, W&J, Wheaton, North Central, St Johns, St Thomas and Wartburg manage to do it year after year, too.  (I just think that no D-3 team has been blessed with more "natural" talent than UMHB.)

Perhaps this is the off-season when the "Culture/leadership" issues are addressed.  Is Jerrell Freeman the one who needs to get with the guys in the off-season to talk with them?  Who knows?

Maybe I rationalize these things too much, but I hope that this is the life lesson that those 2 guys learn, and they never let their "teammates" down ever again, even 30 years from now when I hope that they have real responsibilities.

If this is true, then it comes down to coaching in my mind. Attention to detail and discipline.

I actually thought MHB had a QB that could take them to the S.B. this year. He put up some decent passing numbers this season, didn't he?

[DFWCrufan]

I listened to the D3 podcast and you know, while we are drowning our spirits in eggnogg over the end of the season, our Cru had the chance. Sure it's a UMU-UW-W match again but in all reality (except for Wesley...well) there were decent games and good chances to see a Linfield JCU or even a Warburg in their prospcetive next rounds and who knows, but it did not happen. So there is the long middle to wait until the 2015 season and we'll be back at this all again. like many I was hoping to see Linfield finish that last drive but hey they did a fine job. So while some may not like the Same Ol Same ol.. Linfield fought hard, Wartburg almost had it, there is more to the story than it appears.

And in my mind, Zach is talented, just not as consistant as he was in the beginnning of the 2013 season. and I would think UMHB appears at 6 or maybe 7

[GillCJ1]

A lot of my thoughts have already been echoed on here, but I would just like to reiterate the QB point.  We need a battle this spring for the starting position.  It's my sincerest hope that Blake (and even T.J. Josey) really compete for it.

[Ralph Turner]

Perhaps the battle for the starting QB job next year starts in the weight room and off-season programs this winter.

Who is the most effective leader in motivating the players to do the mundane stuff it takes to prepare for the season?

[GillCJ1]

Absolutely.  Blake has more experience than T.J., but I don't know much about his leadership capabilities.  I can't recall seeing Zach walk along the sidelines very often motivating his teammates.  Then again, the Cru average win margin was 40 some odd points during the regular season.  They didn't face a whole lot of adversity until they played Hardin-Simmons.

[umhb2001]

Anyone watching the game tonight?

After watching Mount last week, and seeing UWW struggle more, I think Mount wins 31-24. Of course, UWW had the tougher trip, but Mount just looks dominant. If UWW can contain the QB, they have a shot, but he is so dynamic, it's crazy to think he didn't play up a level.