FB: American Southwest Conference

[CowboyAlum261]

I understand the frustration regarding the Texas Island.  But it is what it is. I don't see it as all that unfair, however. Serious question. When is the last time Hardin Simmons beat a top 25 team?  I know people consistently vote for them as a Top 25 team. I know they beat TLU. They are what? Top 50? And I see they beat up on teams that aren't very good.  I guess I am wondering what Hardin Simmons has accomplished to be indignant about a first round match-up with UMHB?

I understand what you are saying, but this isn't FBS where it's really easy to get marquee non-conference matchups, all HSU can do is play their 10 games and do everything they can to win each one, just like everybody else in D3. Nobody wants a conference rematch in the first round, and I'm assuming Mount has no chance of playing John Carrol in the first round. I think most of us have made peace with the way things are, it's just a bummer that geography locks up our matchups so tightly. *yes I recognize and appreciate that there is no practical way for this to change, and that's fine, if you want to win it all, you've got to beat them all*

[crufootball]

I understand the frustration regarding the Texas Island.  But it is what it is. I don't see it as all that unfair, however. Serious question. When is the last time Hardin Simmons beat a top 25 team?  I know people consistently vote for them as a Top 25 team. I know they beat TLU. They are what? Top 50? And I see they beat up on teams that aren't very good.  I guess I am wondering what Hardin Simmons has accomplished to be indignant about a first round match-up with UMHB?

A valid question but it does point right back to the Island brackets as they beat UMHB in 2015. Going into the game UMHB was #3 and HSU was #13 and they beat us 29-26. Their reward? Being the #2 seed and playing us the #3 seed at home in the first round.

It is absolutely fair to say that HSU has squandered some opportunities to change the narrative on them and win some playoff games. With that said, since 2004 I believe they have had 5 playoff games with 2 being against Linfield (1 home, 1 away) and 3 against UMHB (2 home, 1 away) . I think we can all agree that if they were in most other parts of the country they probably wouldn't have had to play a purple power in the first round all of those times.

But like others have said and I will also say, it is what it is and HSU most likely will have a chance to change the story this year.

[jamtod]

So Hammack started again on Saturday?

Didn't Poorman basically take the reins in the previous week? I guess y'all just have a 2-QB situation on your hands. After what I saw from UST on Saturday, I'd happily take either of them off your hands to solve this problem for you.

[Toby Taff]

So Hammack started again on Saturday?

Didn't Poorman basically take the reins in the previous week? I guess y'all just have a 2-QB situation on your hands. After what I saw from UST on Saturday, I'd happily take either of them off your hands to solve this problem for you.

Coach said in his interview for last tuesday he wanted to shake it up a bit so he started Luke, but that Jase was starting this past weekend. It appears it doesn't matter who is at the helm

[wally_wabash]

So Hammack started again on Saturday?

Didn't Poorman basically take the reins in the previous week? I guess y'all just have a 2-QB situation on your hands. After what I saw from UST on Saturday, I'd happily take either of them off your hands to solve this problem for you.

Coach said in his interview for last tuesday he wanted to shake it up a bit so he started Luke, but that Jase was starting this past weekend. It appears it doesn't matter who is at the helm

Bingo

[bleedpurple]

I understand the frustration regarding the Texas Island.  But it is what it is. I don't see it as all that unfair, however. Serious question. When is the last time Hardin Simmons beat a top 25 team?  I know people consistently vote for them as a Top 25 team. I know they beat TLU. They are what? Top 50? And I see they beat up on teams that aren't very good.  I guess I am wondering what Hardin Simmons has accomplished to be indignant about a first round match-up with UMHB?

A valid question but it does point right back to the Island brackets as they beat UMHB in 2015. Going into the game UMHB was #3 and HSU was #13 and they beat us 29-26. Their reward? Being the #2 seed and playing us the #3 seed at home in the first round.

It is absolutely fair to say that HSU has squandered some opportunities to change the narrative on them and win some playoff games. With that said, since 2004 I believe they have had 5 playoff games with 2 being against Linfield (1 home, 1 away) and 3 against UMHB (2 home, 1 away) . I think we can all agree that if they were in most other parts of the country they probably wouldn't have had to play a purple power in the first round all of those times.

But like others have said and I will also say, it is what it is and HSU most likely will have a chance to change the story this year.

That makes sense and what you say is likely true about not having to play a purple power all of those times.  And beating UMHB in 2015 answers the question I asked.  Thank you.  That year, I'm guessing the match-up with UMHB had more to do with their loss to East Texas Baptist that their win over the CRU. 

The challenge for me, not being on the Island, is that watching Hardin Simmons is like watching this loop that never stops. Almost always loses to UMHB and almost always beats the other teams they play. Then losing to a Linfield by a couple of touchdowns each time. Nothing personal at all here, just noting the lack of information. But, it's really hard for me to tell whether Hardin Simmons is unfortunate  to play UMHB so often in the first round OR fortunate to be in a great position for a Pool C every year because they don't play anyone else who is very strong OR both.  John Carroll is in a somewhat similar position.  They scheduled UW-Oshkosh for a couple years to open the season.  I'm not saying Hardin Simmons needs to do this. I'm just saying it provides more information. I'm pretty sure no part of Hardin Simmons' mission statement is to  provide me more information! 

[txtiger1]

It makes no difference for us in the end, but it would be a silver lining in a pretty blah season for ETBU to pull out an upset over the CRU....

[HSUCowboy2015]

I understand the frustration regarding the Texas Island.  But it is what it is. I don't see it as all that unfair, however. Serious question. When is the last time Hardin Simmons beat a top 25 team?  I know people consistently vote for them as a Top 25 team. I know they beat TLU. They are what? Top 50? And I see they beat up on teams that aren't very good.  I guess I am wondering what Hardin Simmons has accomplished to be indignant about a first round match-up with UMHB?

A valid question but it does point right back to the Island brackets as they beat UMHB in 2015. Going into the game UMHB was #3 and HSU was #13 and they beat us 29-26. Their reward? Being the #2 seed and playing us the #3 seed at home in the first round.

It is absolutely fair to say that HSU has squandered some opportunities to change the narrative on them and win some playoff games. With that said, since 2004 I believe they have had 5 playoff games with 2 being against Linfield (1 home, 1 away) and 3 against UMHB (2 home, 1 away) . I think we can all agree that if they were in most other parts of the country they probably wouldn't have had to play a purple power in the first round all of those times.

But like others have said and I will also say, it is what it is and HSU most likely will have a chance to change the story this year.

That makes sense and what you say is likely true about not having to play a purple power all of those times.  And beating UMHB in 2015 answers the question I asked.  Thank you.  That year, I'm guessing the match-up with UMHB had more to do with their loss to East Texas Baptist that their win over the CRU. 

The challenge for me, not being on the Island, is that watching Hardin Simmons is like watching this loop that never stops. Almost always loses to UMHB and almost always beats the other teams they play. Then losing to a Linfield by a couple of touchdowns each time. Nothing personal at all here, just noting the lack of information. But, it's really hard for me to tell whether Hardin Simmons is unfortunate  to play UMHB so often in the first round OR fortunate to be in a great position for a Pool C every year because they don't play anyone else who is very strong OR both.  John Carroll is in a somewhat similar position.  They scheduled UW-Oshkosh for a couple years to open the season.  I'm not saying Hardin Simmons needs to do this. I'm just saying it provides more information. I'm pretty sure no part of Hardin Simmons' mission statement is to  provide me more information! 

I'm with you, we usually have a pretty good football team. It's just we've run into some pretty dang good football teams in UMHB and Linfield. If you look back at UMHB's two runs to the Stagg, HSU has played them just as close Mount and Oshkosh, and the year before that we actually beat them. We definitely need to schedule someone else rather than a NAIA school, we tried to do that with Trinity this year (they're decent). A big problem is that I don't know if we could make a big trip on the schools expense right now for the football team. The university just had to make staff cuts and though athletics is big here, it's difficult to justify a trip like that. I wish that we would schedule someone with a more national presence, preferably a team that isn't a purple power haha. 

[SaintsFAN]

So Hammack started again on Saturday?

Didn't Poorman basically take the reins in the previous week? I guess y'all just have a 2-QB situation on your hands. After what I saw from UST on Saturday, I'd happily take either of them off your hands to solve this problem for you.

Coach said in his interview for last tuesday he wanted to shake it up a bit so he started Luke, but that Jase was starting this past weekend. It appears it doesn't matter who is at the helm

Bingo

Stay tuned, folks!

[Toby Taff]

I understand the frustration regarding the Texas Island.  But it is what it is. I don't see it as all that unfair, however. Serious question. When is the last time Hardin Simmons beat a top 25 team?  I know people consistently vote for them as a Top 25 team. I know they beat TLU. They are what? Top 50? And I see they beat up on teams that aren't very good.  I guess I am wondering what Hardin Simmons has accomplished to be indignant about a first round match-up with UMHB?

A valid question but it does point right back to the Island brackets as they beat UMHB in 2015. Going into the game UMHB was #3 and HSU was #13 and they beat us 29-26. Their reward? Being the #2 seed and playing us the #3 seed at home in the first round.

It is absolutely fair to say that HSU has squandered some opportunities to change the narrative on them and win some playoff games. With that said, since 2004 I believe they have had 5 playoff games with 2 being against Linfield (1 home, 1 away) and 3 against UMHB (2 home, 1 away) . I think we can all agree that if they were in most other parts of the country they probably wouldn't have had to play a purple power in the first round all of those times.

But like others have said and I will also say, it is what it is and HSU most likely will have a chance to change the story this year.

That makes sense and what you say is likely true about not having to play a purple power all of those times.  And beating UMHB in 2015 answers the question I asked.  Thank you.  That year, I'm guessing the match-up with UMHB had more to do with their loss to East Texas Baptist that their win over the CRU. 

The challenge for me, not being on the Island, is that watching Hardin Simmons is like watching this loop that never stops. Almost always loses to UMHB and almost always beats the other teams they play. Then losing to a Linfield by a couple of touchdowns each time. Nothing personal at all here, just noting the lack of information. But, it's really hard for me to tell whether Hardin Simmons is unfortunate  to play UMHB so often in the first round OR fortunate to be in a great position for a Pool C every year because they don't play anyone else who is very strong OR both.  John Carroll is in a somewhat similar position.  They scheduled UW-Oshkosh for a couple years to open the season.  I'm not saying Hardin Simmons needs to do this. I'm just saying it provides more information. I'm pretty sure no part of Hardin Simmons' mission statement is to  provide me more information! 

I'm with you, we usually have a pretty good football team. It's just we've run into some pretty dang good football teams in UMHB and Linfield. If you look back at UMHB's two runs to the Stagg, HSU has played them just as close Mount and Oshkosh, and the year before that we actually beat them. We definitely need to schedule someone else rather than a NAIA school, we tried to do that with Trinity this year (they're decent). A big problem is that I don't know if we could make a big trip on the schools expense right now for the football team. The university just had to make staff cuts and though athletics is big here, it's difficult to justify a trip like that. I wish that we would schedule someone with a more national presence, preferably a team that isn't a purple power haha.

This is all of HSU non-conference games (No Playoffs) since 2004. They have shown a willingness to go wherever, but money is an issue.

2005 & 2006 - UW SP  2x W
2007 UWLX & Linfield   2x L
2008 UWLx & Linfield   2x win
2009 Whitworth W  Linfield L
2010 Whitworth & Willamette 2x W
2011 Willamette & Coe 2x W
2012 Wilammette & Linfield 2x L
2013 Willamette & Linfield 2xL
2014 SU, TLU, Trinity (TX), 2 NAIA schools - SU cancelled TLU - L Trinity - W
2015 SU, TLU, Trinity, McM 1 NAIA school - all wins
2016  SU, TLU SAGU all wins
2017 NAIA school - W

[HSUCowboy2015]

I understand the frustration regarding the Texas Island.  But it is what it is. I don't see it as all that unfair, however. Serious question. When is the last time Hardin Simmons beat a top 25 team?  I know people consistently vote for them as a Top 25 team. I know they beat TLU. They are what? Top 50? And I see they beat up on teams that aren't very good.  I guess I am wondering what Hardin Simmons has accomplished to be indignant about a first round match-up with UMHB?

A valid question but it does point right back to the Island brackets as they beat UMHB in 2015. Going into the game UMHB was #3 and HSU was #13 and they beat us 29-26. Their reward? Being the #2 seed and playing us the #3 seed at home in the first round.

It is absolutely fair to say that HSU has squandered some opportunities to change the narrative on them and win some playoff games. With that said, since 2004 I believe they have had 5 playoff games with 2 being against Linfield (1 home, 1 away) and 3 against UMHB (2 home, 1 away) . I think we can all agree that if they were in most other parts of the country they probably wouldn't have had to play a purple power in the first round all of those times.

But like others have said and I will also say, it is what it is and HSU most likely will have a chance to change the story this year.

That makes sense and what you say is likely true about not having to play a purple power all of those times.  And beating UMHB in 2015 answers the question I asked.  Thank you.  That year, I'm guessing the match-up with UMHB had more to do with their loss to East Texas Baptist that their win over the CRU. 

The challenge for me, not being on the Island, is that watching Hardin Simmons is like watching this loop that never stops. Almost always loses to UMHB and almost always beats the other teams they play. Then losing to a Linfield by a couple of touchdowns each time. Nothing personal at all here, just noting the lack of information. But, it's really hard for me to tell whether Hardin Simmons is unfortunate  to play UMHB so often in the first round OR fortunate to be in a great position for a Pool C every year because they don't play anyone else who is very strong OR both.  John Carroll is in a somewhat similar position.  They scheduled UW-Oshkosh for a couple years to open the season.  I'm not saying Hardin Simmons needs to do this. I'm just saying it provides more information. I'm pretty sure no part of Hardin Simmons' mission statement is to  provide me more information! 

I'm with you, we usually have a pretty good football team. It's just we've run into some pretty dang good football teams in UMHB and Linfield. If you look back at UMHB's two runs to the Stagg, HSU has played them just as close Mount and Oshkosh, and the year before that we actually beat them. We definitely need to schedule someone else rather than a NAIA school, we tried to do that with Trinity this year (they're decent). A big problem is that I don't know if we could make a big trip on the schools expense right now for the football team. The university just had to make staff cuts and though athletics is big here, it's difficult to justify a trip like that. I wish that we would schedule someone with a more national presence, preferably a team that isn't a purple power haha.

This is all of HSU non-conference games (No Playoffs) since 2004. They have shown a willingness to go wherever, but money is an issue.

2005 & 2006 - UW SP  2x W
2007 UWLX & Linfield   2x L
2008 UWLx & Linfield   2x win
2009 Whitworth W  Linfield L
2010 Whitworth & Willamette 2x W
2011 Willamette & Coe 2x W
2012 Wilammette & Linfield 2x L
2013 Willamette & Linfield 2xL
2014 SU, TLU, Trinity (TX), 2 NAIA schools - SU cancelled TLU - L Trinity - W
2015 SU, TLU, Trinity, McM 1 NAIA school - all wins
2016  SU, TLU SAGU all wins
2017 NAIA school - W

Right. We haven't played an out of state non-conference opponent since 2013, and that is when the program was close to it's all time low since bringing football back. I would be open to doing that, maybe with a WIAC team, but I would prefer to be very picky on that team, but to start getting better on a national stage we need to play other top tier teams other than UMHB and Linfield.

[Toby Taff]

Right. We haven't played an out of state non-conference opponent since 2013, and that is when the program was close to it's all time low since bringing football back. I would be open to doing that, maybe with a WIAC team, but I would prefer to be very picky on that team, but to start getting better on a national stage we need to play other top tier teams other than UMHB and Linfield.

I was told the WIAC Home and Homes stopped because of spending limits put on the WIAC schools that made it difficult for them to travel. THEn Coach keeling left and there were a few down years, and then the ASC lost TLU, MC, McM and Austin, but TLU and McM were already on the schedule as former conference foes, and just kept the dates. Of course the money thing was swirling in the background at HSU. They were already trying to buy out contracts and limiting hiring, so there's really not much to do except play Texas schools who suddenly need games.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Right. We haven't played an out of state non-conference opponent since 2013, and that is when the program was close to it's all time low since bringing football back. I would be open to doing that, maybe with a WIAC team, but I would prefer to be very picky on that team, but to start getting better on a national stage we need to play other top tier teams other than UMHB and Linfield.

I was told the WIAC Home and Homes stopped because of spending limits put on the WIAC schools that made it difficult for them to travel. THEn Coach keeling left and there were a few down years, and then the ASC lost TLU, MC, McM and Austin, but TLU and McM were already on the schedule as former conference foes, and just kept the dates. Of course the money thing was swirling in the background at HSU. They were already trying to buy out contracts and limiting hiring, so there's really not much to do except play Texas schools who suddenly need games.

NJAC teams are in need of a game or two.

[Toby Taff]

Right. We haven't played an out of state non-conference opponent since 2013, and that is when the program was close to it's all time low since bringing football back. I would be open to doing that, maybe with a WIAC team, but I would prefer to be very picky on that team, but to start getting better on a national stage we need to play other top tier teams other than UMHB and Linfield.

I was told the WIAC Home and Homes stopped because of spending limits put on the WIAC schools that made it difficult for them to travel. THEn Coach keeling left and there were a few down years, and then the ASC lost TLU, MC, McM and Austin, but TLU and McM were already on the schedule as former conference foes, and just kept the dates. Of course the money thing was swirling in the background at HSU. They were already trying to buy out contracts and limiting hiring, so there's really not much to do except play Texas schools who suddenly need games.

NJAC teams are in need of a game or two.

I think the issue is money. HSU just cut a number of programs, is letting faculty go or buying them out, closed 4 off site campuses of the seminary, has put every dept on notice that your budget is X. Find a way to get to it. The money to fly the team to the NJAC might not be there

[Ron Boerger]

I think the issue is money. HSU just cut a number of programs, is letting faculty go or buying them out, closed 4 off site campuses of the seminary, has put every dept on notice that your budget is X. Find a way to get to it. The money to fly the team to the NJAC might not be there

Wow, I'm sorry to hear this.  It's a tough time for small colleges right now and HSU can be a tough sell just because of its location.  I hope the leadership can turn things around for such a fine school.