FB: American Southwest Conference

[umhb2001]

I'd like to see BSC do well. However, they're a running team. I think UMHB will be too big and fast upfront for them to get the running game going.

#1 is a tall, very fast threat at WR. If they put someone (#2 SS)  over the top of him, and keep a spy on the QB, they should be able to bottle up #3 with the rest of UMHBs defense.

I think offensively they will do about as well as Trinity did, but flip passing and rushing statistics. BSC is a running team so they will be tough in the trenches. Wouldn't be surprised if they sprang a couple of nice runs if they get a block or two.

Defensively I think they will do pretty darn well too. I think they may break down late in the game, but it will depend how their secondary does against the pass. They have a strong box, but I think Trinity has a better secondary. UMHB doesn't do anything crazy. The will just line up and beat you down.  I bet #7 makes a play to pull them away.

With both teams running, it will be a quick game. Close and low scoring first half. Couple fireworks in 3rd qtr. Cru holds on with clock running second half.

UMHB 24 BSC 13 in a much closer game than expected again.

Good insight, my prediction is assuming UMHB opens it up a bit more than they did last week. Also I'd be suprised if BSC scores 13 but ya never know. They'll have to throw some gadgets at the Cru defense or get out of their comfort zone to do so, if they run run run they might not see the endzone.

UMHB on offense is an enigma. Who knows what they will do? Coach Fred has said he wants the offense more aggressive and then we fall flat last week. Now he is saying it again as quoted in the newspaper.

I don't understand why this is even a discussion. You don't see Bama or Georgia saying, you know, "we need to be more dynamic on offense. We need to refocus." Nor do you ever hear of Bama "being predictable" or "not showing much in film" for the next opponent.

The Cru spend more time in the playoffs trying not to lose than they do to win, it seems. This story has been told time and again. I wish they would just attack and make the opponent think about everything rather than holding something back.

Who knows what will happen. It could be another 17-6 type of game or the Cru could win 28-7. Who knows?

[Etchglow]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

I'm going to predict a low scoring game based upon weather forecasts for Saturday. Hope we don't get the rain that is called for...

[Ron Boerger]

Highs in the low 50s and off and on rain most of the day?   Sounds like fun 

[umhb2001]

Game notes are up.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/cruathletics.com/documents/2021/11/22/GAME_NOTES_11_27.pdf

[Riley Zayas]

We cover everything from storylines to personnel to opponent information in our playoff preview of tomorrow's game. It should be a solid second-round matchup. One thing to consider...rain is expected in Belton around kickoff time, which could put more pressure on both team's rushing attacks. A low-scoring contest is a realistic possibility if that occurs.

https://truetothecru.com/2021/11/26/playoff-preview-no-19-birmingham-southern-at-no-2-umhb/

[SW1]

 Same conservative offense UMHB runs every playoff game. Rely on defense as usual.

[Ralph Turner]

Congrats CRU, 42-7.

[crufootball]

Same conservative offense UMHB runs every playoff game. Rely on defense as usual.

I get the frustration but we won 42-7, had 450 yards of offense and limited a team that ran for an average of 294 to 101.

[MonroviaCat]

'Cats and Cru going at it again.  What's the deal with MHB's QB (different guy today than last week)?

[Ron Boerger]

Same conservative offense UMHB runs every playoff game. Rely on defense as usual.

The 'conservative offense' that put up nearly 500 yards on a team allowing less than half that?

[CruFrenzy]

Today was the exclamation point the Cru needed on its playoff resume. I've watched every game this year and this was the best our defensive front 7 has looked this season, the closest I've seen to the playoff caliber norm for the UMHB defense. Ryan Redding seems to be possibly a bit of an upgrade at QB (no slight to Kyle King intended). Redding is a little quicker to make decisions as a passer and definitely a little more fleet of foot. Either QB will give UMHB a chance to win but the biggest storyline shouldn't be the QB, imo. The biggest storyline should be the gameplan today, either QB would have thrived with today's playcalling.

UMHB's skill players are excellent, Brandan Jordan (21), KJ Miller (7) and Brenton Martin (1) are freakish athletes and game breakers and we saw that today because the gameplan was to utilize them (finally). I don't know if this was a geniune attempt to open it up and something that will stick moving forward or maybe it was an attempt to put a stamp on a bid for homefield advantage next week..? either way it was enjoyable and that is an approach we'll have to use in the coming weeks or it won't be pretty. Excited for next week!

[CruFrenzy]

I just read that we are in fact hosting Linfield, can't wait!

[BSCpanthers]

Congrats UMHB, never gave our offense a chance.  Other then the KO return for a TD, we never got going.  Enjoy hosing another round, I'll be rooting you guys on the next 3 weeks.  Go get that championship.

[Riley Zayas]

Despite the rain, Cru finds a way to win. BSC's rushing attack just could not get enough traction against the UMHB defensive front. Ryan Redding looked good at QB for UMHB as well. Linfield up next!

https://truetothecru.com/2021/11/27/rain-cannot-slow-umhb-football-in-42-7-playoff-win-over-birmingham-southern/

[D O.C.]

Going to be another great DIII football game.