FB: American Southwest Conference

[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.

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.

In addition to what's been said since, I have to mention, we are talking about a No. 1 vote, and a spot in the top two in the nation. Very high standards.

[umhb2001]

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's inability to win games they are seen as "should be" wins by the voters, in my mind, causes the voters to be hesitant in rating them too high (giving them #1 votes). I know, I'm not complaining of their place at 3rd, I'm simply talking about TLU's drop from 24 to 25 when other programs lost and dropped completely out when they were ranked higher than TLU to begin with. To me, this says that perhaps TLU played "surprisingly close" to UMHB on Saturday and thus, they shouldn't fall out, especially since they lost very closely to HSU. IF UMHB plays close to HSU and wins, then TLU moves up in the poll. If UMHB pounds them, TLU drops out even with a win. These are the things I'm saying. I think TLU's position reflects the voters' thought that they are better than they showed on Saturday, not the might of UMHB.

[Ray Finkles]

And I misinterpreted Pat's response as well. I was not implying that UMHB should be getting votes for #1. I was taking exception to what I saw as a slight to past playoff successes. I apologize for misinterpreting and taking this off on a different tangent. I agree that the program's expectations are higher than most and what the ultimate goal for all of the coaches, players and staff is and it is NOT a second round exit.

[jknezek]

In my fan poll I didn't move TLU at all. The game went about how I expected it to go, even if it was a TD wider than I thought it might be. I think part of that was TLU spotting UMHB 20 points. I also don't believe anyone below TLU in my SRFP would do substantially better than TLU against UMHB. I feel like the Top 25 voters probably felt the same way.

It wasn't a positive surprise as it would have been if TLU was within a score, but it wasn't a negative surprise as it would have been if UMHB kept going the way the first quarter was going. If it's what you expect to happen, there is no reason to move them up or down.

[crufootball]

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.

To me this shows that the game went how most people thought it would, a UMHB victory that really was never in doubt but voters still think TLU would most likely beat most of the bottom of the Top 25. As for UMHB rankings, I am not sure what some people expect, UMHB has no reason to be higher than 3rd at this point. Now if we go into HSU and blow their doors off and Linfield struggles than maybe but probably not.

As for the playoffs seeds and if UMHB deserves the right to host until the 3rd or 4th round, first to clear the sports gods I must say none of this matter if we don't go and handle business against HSU and then everyone other opponent until then. With that said, to me it is a tad unfair to UMHB to say since we lost some games deep in the playoffs than we may not deserve to host them in the future against teams not named UW-W and Mount Union. While we may have lost those home playoffs, we earned the right to host those games while other teams didn't either because they didn't perform as well in the season or lost earlier in the playoffs.

[DFWCrufan]

Some press coverage on the UMHB/TLU game
http://www.kwtx.com/sports/home/headlines/UMHB-Football--336711291.html

[bradly91]

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

[minni]

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

Wanted to post from this account!!! 

[GillCJ1]

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

Wanted to post from this account!!!

Hey, a wild HSU fan appears!  Excellent.  I don't agree with the prediction, of course, but it's good to see a Cowboy fan show up nevertheless.

[minni]

Wild?  Maybe a stretch, remember I am Baptist!!!

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

Wanted to post from this account!!!

Hey, a wild HSU fan appears!  Excellent.  I don't agree with the prediction, of course, but it's good to see a Cowboy fan show up nevertheless.

[GillCJ1]

Wild?  Maybe a stretch, remember I am Baptist!!!

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

Wanted to post from this account!!!

Hey, a wild HSU fan appears!  Excellent.  I don't agree with the prediction, of course, but it's good to see a Cowboy fan show up nevertheless.

Ha, touché.  I was raised a Methodist.  We don't have issues with things like dancing and drinking.   

[Jack Parkman]

Is there expected to be a big crowd?  Any tailgating?  I went to a game at UMHB last year and met a lot of very nice people and am going to head out to Abiline for this one.

[minni]

Wild?  Maybe a stretch, remember I am Baptist!!!

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

Wanted to post from this account!!!

Hey, a wild HSU fan appears!  Excellent.  I don't agree with the prediction, of course, but it's good to see a Cowboy fan show up nevertheless.

Ha, touché.  I was raised a Methodist.  We don't have issues with things like dancing and drinking.   

Ha, shhhhh I'm one of those back row baptist!!

[minni]

Is there expected to be a big crowd?  Any tailgating?  I went to a game at UMHB last year and met a lot of very nice people and am going to head out to Abiline for this one.

I know several of the exes for HSU have talked of getting together in Abilene this weekend, as far as crowd I am not sure what to expect.  I have been planning to make a quick trip from Waco for the game. 

[umhb2001]

HSU 31 UMHB 27 - in the rain Saturday!!!

We just beat handily a team you barely beat, you gave up 126 to Barrolle who we just stymied, and to top it off, TLU had 14 on you before the half while they didn't cross the 50 before the half on us. I'd say our D is ready to come in and put a stop to your RB, and our D line will be surrounding Garner. Ramos will have to catch some quick outs and get some blocks if he is going to put up the same numbers on us. Granted, we give up some yardage, but our DB's are good. My guess would be 42-21 Cru!