FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

Sul Ross St 13,  McMurry 7.

[Toby Taff]

TLU slugged it out, but UMHB took advantage of mistakes and that's what good teams do.  TLU's kick off coverage was very unstable.  TLU took chances on defense and the plan was, for the most part, successful.  But UMHB hit a couple of big plays that were well executed.  The Cru executed well when they needed to.  I too believe this game was closer than the score indicates.  There were really 28 points off of special team breakdowns and an interception when TLU was backed up that was really the difference in the game.  If UMHB is genuinely one of the top 3 teams in the country, then TLU is a very capable team and would probably have a great chance to beat many, if not most, of the teams in the top 25.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure they will be considered for a playoff spot now with 2 losses, but you never know.

TLU is a good team, but color it however you want, they controlled the clock like they wanted and were aided by bad weather slowing down the passing game, and still lost by 28. On a dry day this game is uglier; not the beating TLU got last year ugly, but uglier. Then reality of football is that all three phases of the game matter and days like today are why. UMHBs defense this season maybe the best I've seen from the Cru. they're big, mean, fast, and most importantly, healthy. if you haven't looked Barrolle had 37 yards on 19 carries, and was under 80 total yards, for a back of his caliber that's pretty much shut down. Don't get me wrong, I want TLU to be up to the UMHB level, but right now they aren't. They could probably compete closely with every team in the bottom of the top 25, but my guess is everyone in the top ten would put double digit wins on them

[Coolrey]

Wasn't suggesting that TLU would have beat UMHB if circumstances were any different, weather or otherwise.  Did acknowledge that the Cru took advantage of TLU mistakes and some gambles that TLU took and that's what elite teams do.  UMHB's front is very powerful and TLU had a hard time blocking them.  Like UMHB's offensive line, TLU's starting five hasn't been the same throughout the season which certainly doesn't help against a dynamic front like UMHB's. I did mention and still believe that TLU could certainly compete and be in a position to win against many or even most of the top 25.  The HSU game could have, and probably should have, gone that other way.  Although a very good team, HSU did not dominate TLU.  Those two teams play 10 times, they probably split. Either one of those teams play a top 10 team (like UMHB)10 times, it's likely 10 times in favor of the top 10.  Take any team outside the top 10, which would be most of the top 25, and I believe HSU and TLU would be competitive in many and in a position to win a good number of them.  But that's all speculation and we will never know.  I do know that TLU has made incredible strides the past 4 years and Coach Padron and his staff have turned a laughing stock and a typical homecoming opponent into a team that has been nationally ranked and is vastly more respected.  We'll see how HSU fairs this week.  I think they will give them a game, but will not score much. HSU's defense is pretty good and could give UMHB's offense some trouble.  35-14 or 35-10...something like that.

[Kelly Boggs]

Well said, Toby, well said. +k

I wonder if any Cowboy fans will join the discussion this week. It's been quite a while since any HSUers have been on the board.

[GillCJ1]

Well said, Toby, well said. +k

I wonder if any Cowboy fans will join the discussion this week. It's been quite a while since any HSUers have been on the board.

Toby is the only one I've seen since I joined.  Apologies if there are others that I'm forgetting.

[Toby Taff]

Well said, Toby, well said. +k

I wonder if any Cowboy fans will join the discussion this week. It's been quite a while since any HSUers have been on the board.

Toby is the only one I've seen since I joined.  Apologies if there are others that I'm forgetting.

I'm not so much a HSU fan as an alumnus. there's a reason I use Crucowboy as a screen name, UMHB ALWAYS comes first. 

[GillCJ1]

Well said, Toby, well said. +k

I wonder if any Cowboy fans will join the discussion this week. It's been quite a while since any HSUers have been on the board.

Toby is the only one I've seen since I joined.  Apologies if there are others that I'm forgetting.

I'm not so much a HSU fan as an alumnus. there's a reason I use Crucowboy as a screen name, UMHB ALWAYS comes first. 

It is surprising that we don't have any HSU fans.  I hope that, win or lose, we see a few new faces after this week.

[umhb2001]

I'm not sure what to make of TLU's placement at 25, falling one spot from 24. Are the voters unsatisfied with UMHB's performance, or are they convinced TLU is better than they showed Saturday? With that ranking, I'd expect TLU to have a good regional ranking,perhaps as has as 3 or 4.

I believe UMHB's poor showing in the playoffs causes the voters to seem leery in giving the Cru a #1 vote and move TLU out of the top 25.

[Pat Coleman]

You're probably right about poor playoff showings by UMHB affecting UMHB's ranking but I'm not sure how that would affect TLU.

[wally_wabash]

I'm not sure what to make of TLU's placement at 25, falling one spot from 24. Are the voters unsatisfied with UMHB's performance, or are they convinced TLU is better than they showed Saturday? With that ranking, I'd expect TLU to have a good regional ranking,perhaps as has as 3 or 4.

I believe UMHB's poor showing in the playoffs causes the voters to seem leery in giving the Cru a #1 vote and move TLU out of the top 25.

Still a week away from regional rankings, but I don't see how TLU could possibly be ranked higher than UMHB or HSU regardless of next weekend's result, Hopkins, or Thomas More.  So I would think 5th at best and that's if the RAC doesn't want to give any real credit to W&L for being undefeated (which we'll call the Centre Situation). 

[jknezek]

Still a week away from regional rankings, but I don't see how TLU could possibly be ranked higher than UMHB or HSU regardless of next weekend's result, Hopkins, or Thomas More. So I would think 5th at best and that's if the RAC doesn't want to give any real credit to W&L for being undefeated (which we'll call the Centre Situation).

This concerns me. I'm hoping Guilford wins out and sits at 9-1 with a 3 point away loss to W&L. That might get them regionally ranked and help W&L out if the Generals manage to run the table (still a big IF with 2 away games ahead). I can't see anyone else getting regionally ranked on W&L's schedule as a 9-1 Guilford would mean a 7-3 H-SC, and a 10-0 W&L/9-1 Guilford would mean a 6-4 E&H. I suppose 8-2 Guilford, 8-2 H-SC is possible to get two teams ranked, but I'd rather a 9-1 Guilford be closer to a sure bet.

Either way, it will be interesting as the season grinds along. Making the trip to E&H this weekend to lay eyes on my Generals live for the first time this season. Hoping for a good win and that being there doesn't bring bad luck!

[Ray Finkles]

You're probably right about poor playoff showings by UMHB affecting UMHB's ranking but I'm not sure how that would affect TLU.

UMHB lost in the Second Round last season (a bit of a disappointment, granted). But the Cru fell in the Semifinals in 2013 and 2012 and lost in the Quarterfinals in 2011 and 2010. Poor playoff performances? Based on what criteria? Compared to Whitewater and Mount Union maybe, but not compared to the rest of Division III. Three Second Round losses in the last 12 seasons. Every other year in that span has been Quarterfinals or beyond.

[jknezek]

Ray -- I think the problem is 3 of the 4 most recent playoff endings have come at home. That means UMHB is losing games the committees expected them to win. While I 100% agree UMHB is a power program and one of the 4 or 5 second tier teams in DIII (UWW and UMU are the ONLY top tier teams recently in my opinion), those losses at home are not good when it comes to giving UMHB a seeding that will let them stay home in the third or fourth round of the playoffs.

And yes, 220 DIII teams would consider being in contention for a home game in the third or fourth round a really, really, really good season so it's all relative what is being called "poor playoff showings". For a program with UMHB's aspirations, those home losses could be considered poor. For most teams it would be the culmination of a dream season.

[umhb2001]

Ray -- I think the problem is 3 of the 4 most recent playoff endings have come at home. That means UMHB is losing games the committees expected them to win. While I 100% agree UMHB is a power program and one of the 4 or 5 second tier teams in DIII (UWW and UMU are the ONLY top tier teams recently in my opinion), those losses at home are not good when it comes to giving UMHB a seeding that will let them stay home in the third or fourth round of the playoffs.

And yes, 220 DIII teams would consider being in contention for a home game in the third or fourth round a really, really, really good season so it's all relative what is being called "poor playoff showings". For a program with UMHB's aspirations, those home losses could be considered poor. For most teams it would be the culmination of a dream season.

Thank you for saying this. I have been lambasted for saying such things in the past. Yes, making the playoffs is good. Going to the quarterfinals and semis are great, but that is not the goal each off-season with the talent we are getting. Anything less than a Stagg Bowl loss or win is a season that was not where we expected. This is the entitlement issue and not the drive issue I am talking about. People new to the program, who don't know that we've been to a Stagg, beat MU in the snow in Aliance, and have made such amazing strides in a relatively short amount of time just don't get it. Fans are satisfied with "easy" wins and have come to expect it, and, I've heard long time fans say that we do great in the regular season, why go when we blow everyone away? I've heard fans say we'll just lose again in the playoffs. I hate that. I don't expect that. I expect to win and win a championship. I think that is the expectation Coach Fred wants and wanted to create when he came here. 

The voters have come to expect UMHB wins also, that is why we get the home games. But when we lose, we shoot ourselves in the foot, and this is why you may still see UWW with some home games and MU with home games throughout, and Linfield home games throughout. They simply win. So can we, and I expect it! Up With the Purple, Gold and White!

[DFWCrufan]

This is why we love DIII - so many programs, so much to change.