FB: American Southwest Conference

[proudmcmdad]

First off, I am really glad to see some active posters for TLU, MC and LC.  I am also glad to see some new posters in the Pick'em contest.

However, I do wonder about some of these posters thinking that TLU and MC can win the conference this season and that SRSU will beat MHB this weekend (6 people so far).  Top to bottom the ASC has gotten much stronger over the last couple of years, but HSU and MHB are still the top dogs in the conference until some others can consistently beat them.

I have been a big supporter of TLU, recogninzing the team as showing the greatest improvement over the last 4-5 years.  A great win last year against one of the top 2 teams in the conference and a good win against a down (for them) #37 ranked Trinity school that lost its starting QB.  You can start bragging about being one of the best in the conference when you post 8-10 wins over a couple of seasons.  Until you can do that, you are still just an up and comer.

MC, what have you done.  Beat solidly the #165 ranked team in D3, Millsap.  A lot of returning starters and I guess a lot of transfers per a poster, but a long way from being a contender.

SRSU made great strides last year and is putting a competitive team on the field.  This week will not be a good week to be SRSU.  MHB can only bring a limited number of players this week.  SRSU's only hope of surviving the game is if MHB's players are forced to run from Fort Stockton to Alpine to warmup for the game.

LC did a lot of good with their hire of a new head coach this year and hopefully in a couple of years they very well could be contenders not pretenders.

I am picking HSU to win the conference this year because I have a lot of respect for the returning QB and MHB is a little down this year.  Whoever finishes 2nd in the conference will beat Trinity handily in the Texas State championship game and it will be a great game the following week.  The winner of that game should make the ASC proud and advance at least to the semifinal game.

HSU and MHB are still the class of the league.  TLU and HPU follow up close behind and will keep improving (one or both could beat HSU or MHB but will probably still end up with 2 or 3 losses.  The rest of the bunch are all in there together and each one could finish 5th or 9th.

[tlcbdawg]

Amen mcdad. But I think everyone will agree that it should be a great year! Every team has reason to hope. Only time will tell if teams are contenders or pretenders.

[OLDCHOCTAWCOACH]

Where have yall moved the pick 'em contest?

[Ralph Turner]

Where have yall moved the pick 'em contest?

Go to Post Patterns/ General Football/ Pick'em/ ASC.

[HSUbacker]

I wonder if we will hear TLUgrad at all this week on this board? 

Sounds like even without their starting QB, that MC is still playing good football.

[baddog]

HSUbacker -- As usual, pride goeth before a fall. (That's not original with me ). We all need to remember that!

[kickhoe]

I wonder if we will hear TLUgrad at all this week on this board? 

Sounds like even without their starting QB, that MC is still playing good football.

I was thinking the same thing.....lots of posturing and bravado this week!!!   

[OLDCHOCTAWCOACH]

MC is for real guys.  Norman Joseph and Chris Fancher have got it going on in C-Town.  Ya'll better not take them Mississippi boys lightly this year.  The Johnny Mills days are long gone.  Great win over a good team today Chocs! 

[Ron Boerger]

I wonder if we will hear TLUgrad at all this week on this board? 

Sounds like even without their starting QB, that MC is still playing good football.

I guess TLU only wins when the other guys are down to their third string QB.    Congrats to MC on the big win on the road.  The ASC just gets more and more interesting!

[Toby Taff]

I hope this works.  This is video of the first play of HSU in the second half.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjLRG_VOh7A

[D O.C.]

Good one Josh.  I counted 4 HSU blockers downfield. That play was the dagger.

I enoyed watching the Ards v Linfield Euro 'football' clip on your same youtube page more than your clip.  I had less at stake. 

[Toby Taff]

DenSLA

First, that's not Josh's video, but maybe he has some better shots, I was sitting up in the stands.
2nd, Were you at here in Abilene?

[Bill McCabe]

Great wins by HSU and MC.  It also looks like UMHB has gotten their act together.  Congratulations.

[baddog]

DensLA -- That may have been "the dagger".  Seems that HSU's defensive 3rd quarter was more so. Maybe, it was really the 1-2 punch of that play and HSU's defense following up.
I was in sitting toward the north endzone. Both teams had pletny of mistakes. IMNSHO (In My Not So Humble Opinion), HSU made a few more and still has several areas on which to work. The 58 second Linfield TD drive to end the first half, for example. Then, again, that may have awakened the HSU defense and prepped them for the 3rd Q. Great adjustment!
Still, great game, HSU. Now, put it behind you, learn from it, and keep on kicking!

[Josh Bowerman]

Baddog--

I agree, and offer the three red zone turnovers to wit.  HSU looked a little rusty on a couple of these, but then again, the Linfield players deserve the credit for making the plays, too. 

Last night was a lot of fun, and I was impressed with the Linfield program, in general.  All the players really seem like good kids, and there was zero "quit" in their game.  The coaches were well spoken and friendly with me before the game.  Pretty good fan turnout, too.  I may be a new Linfield fan, actually, after seeing them play.  (Except when HSU goes to McMinnville next year, of course.  )

Very nice win over a very quality program for HSU, though.  Congrats to the Cowboys;  enjoy it today and go get ready for LC next week!