FB: American Southwest Conference

Pat Coleman · October 08, 2005, 10:49:33 PM

Well, I have to point out, the SID's job is by default self-serving. They are the PR person for the athletic department. Some SIDs are worse than others (I can think of one not in this conference who writes every game story thinking he's Grantland Rice, never remembering that Grantland Rice is dead).

If someone had written a release saying they had beaten No. 7 Otterbein because the Cardinals are seventh in the Massey Ratings, I would say that's over the line. But unfortunately, Football Gazette exists, it even predates D3football.com, and some people consider it a legitimate ranking.

We don't, obviously. We used to go with the AFCA poll but its shortcomings were too much for us, so much that I committed myself to doing hours of work each week to create our own poll.

Zmotion10 out on 2 · October 08, 2005, 11:02:55 PM

Everything I have read from HSU states Tri-Champions. I have to agree with baddog.

(Recruiting letters and such)

Toby Taff · October 08, 2005, 11:38:50 PM

Congrats to HPU. I hate having to say that, but if you let a team stay around until the end, these things happen. Think UMHB vs MT Union. (PREIMPTIVE REFUTATION OF MISUNDERSTANDING---I'm not suggesting UMHB LET HPU win, HPU gets all the props; my point is if UMHB didn't want to lose they needed to play well enough for the last second throw to not be a possibility and HPU didn't let that happen)

So, now we have different scenarios to consider: TLU is probably out of contention but...

A three way tie is possible btwn MHB-HSU-ETBU: w 1 loss each (MHB wins out, HSU beats ETBU)

AN MHB/ ETBU or MHB/HSU tie is possible w 1 loss each (MHB wins out + winner of next wks game wins out -MHB)

Or it could get ugly and we have 2 loss teams tied

How does all this shake out w MHB having one less game?

etbualum · October 08, 2005, 11:45:01 PM

Pat beat me to it but if it is written by our SID its probably going to be a little self serving. You not going to get me to apologize for our team only winning by a few points, no matter who the opponent is. Do I think we are as good as 03...no I do not. At the same time I was not at all shocked by our win today. The fact that we played some of the weaker teams in the conference early cant do anything but help us against HSU.

Also if you meant does etbualum's post sound defensive like he was of his team in 2003 your right. I am defending the team for winning, and the SID for doing his job. Continue to criticize if you would like, but I will continue to defend.

Pat
I appreciate the effort that you put into your site, and I think it is the absolute best place for d3 football information.

As far as the one less game I think winning percentage plays into it somewhere but I am not 100% sure. So not having that game against LC could be bad.

Zmotion10 out on 2 · October 09, 2005, 12:22:01 AM

Should be an exciting game next week (HSU - ETBU). There are still a lot of games to be played. Who knows how this thing will end up. Of course I'll be hoping for HSU to win out! But there are still very tough games ahead for the Cowboys.

Ron Boerger · October 09, 2005, 12:44:09 AM

Quote from: mhb8904 on October 08, 2005, 11:38:50 PM
How does all this shake out w MHB having one less game?

Covered this in my column. MHB loses any "tie" because its winning percentage would be less.

Toby Taff · October 09, 2005, 08:33:15 AM

Ron,

If MHB ends up in a two way tie that they won the head to head match up on do they also lose out?
I know they they lose the three way.

Bill McCabe · October 09, 2005, 09:46:34 AM

Congratulations to HPU. It sounds like they played a very good game. That last drive reminded me too much of the ETBU drive 2 years ago in Belton. Also, hats off to ETBU. Everyone seems to have overlooked them so far this year. Should be an interesting game against HSU.

Looks like UMHB needs to win out. Hopefully they will respond like they did last year after the HSU loss.

It seems to me that a lot of teams have gotten better in the ASC.

Ron Boerger · October 09, 2005, 10:34:44 AM

Quote from: mhb8904 on October 09, 2005, 08:33:15 AM
Ron,

If MHB ends up in a two way tie that they won the head to head match up on do they also lose out?
I know they they lose the three way.

Yes, the first thing the conference looks at is winning percentage, not number of losses. They can't get in a tie based on winning percentage (well, except against LC, ha ha) because they will play one less conference game. They would be 1/2 game behind any team with the same number of losses. Let's say they beat HSU, unlikely though that may seem after yesterday's results:

1. Hardin-Simmons 8-1 .889 --
2. Mary Hardin-Baylor 7-1 .875 1/2

The good news for Crusader fans is that MHB still gets a pool C bid in this scenario. They lose to HSU and they will sit at home along with TLU.

ETBU is still a huge wildcard. They have done just enough to win all their games so far. I may have to make the drive to Abilene next weekend to see them in person.

Bill McCabe · October 09, 2005, 12:26:25 PM

Ron, I think your right, UMHB has to win out to get in the playoffs. Still a lot of key games to be played in the ASC. Who knows what might happen. Should be fun to watch.

Toby Taff · October 09, 2005, 02:20:18 PM

Oh how it would suck to sit home b/c you're a half game back due to hurricane. That would hurt more than missing out on the tie-breaker 2 years ago b/c you opted to try to win instead of securing the birth with a closer margin of victory to the team that beat you.

Bill McCabe · October 09, 2005, 02:28:31 PM

MHB8904, If UMHB wins out, they will get a Pool C bid. That means they will have beaten HSU, even if HSU were to get the automatic. Of course, I thought we were in 2 years ago......

Toby Taff · October 09, 2005, 02:56:51 PM

Yeah, I know the likelihood is pool c, but i can tell you remember the feeling from two years ago also.

Bill McCabe · October 09, 2005, 03:04:53 PM

I will never forget that feeling either. That was black Sunday for sure. I think HSU felt bad that year, also.

Ron Boerger · October 09, 2005, 03:38:52 PM

Quote from: mhb8904 on October 09, 2005, 02:20:18 PM
Oh how it would suck to sit home b/c you're a half game back due to hurricane. That would hurt more than missing out on the tie-breaker 2 years ago b/c you opted to try to win instead of securing the birth with a closer margin of victory to the team that beat you.

Well, the only way MHB doesn't go (IMO) is if they lose again. With two losses they don't deserve a playoff spot, hurricane or no. There are too many good one-loss teams to allow that.

Question: if HSU goes undefeated and ETBU loses only to HSU, do the Tigers end up getting a bid? They too will have one less D3 game than most. Should have a pretty good QoW index.