FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

Over on the South Region Playoff board, I list my nine South Region Playoff teams!

Assuming TU wins this weekend, I don't know how to handle the fly-ins.

[Bill McCabe]

OK, I saw your list.  Which team to you send to another region?

[Ralph Turner]

OK, I saw your list.  Which team to you send to another region?

Dickinson to the East.

See the South Region Playoff Board...just a wild guess!  I have no idea!

[Bill McCabe]

I'm not sure if I like your scenario or Llamaguys.  It would be nice if HSU and UMHB were sent to different regions so we could see how well the ASC teams would do without meeting each other in the 2nd round.

However, I like the Texas sub-bracket also, as we can get to those games easier.  Oh well, I'm just glad they are in the playoffs.

[dsc]

Respectfully, Ralph.  Why do you have HSU going to Trinity?  Yes, I know about the Pool A and Pool C bids, etc., but don't the rankings (not standings) have any meaning at all?

HSU has been "ranked" way ahead of TU all season, why shouldn't they be hosts?  Is there a rule against a Pool C team being "host?"  (In the first round?)  If that's the case, it seems unfair!

BTW, congrats to HSU's Men's and Women's Soccer Teams...both ASC Champions...and also HSU's Women's Volleyball...ASC Champion. ( A good weekend!)

Go Cowboys...beat McM!!!

[Pat Coleman]

Did you look at the regional rankings? Those are the only ones the NCAA looks at.

[Pat Coleman]

HSU should be ranked higher......

Is that based on the big win against Linfield, whom you believe is not a Top 25 team?

[kickhoe]

Is that based on the big win against Linfield, whom you believe is not a Top 25 team?

Pat,
If you see what I wrote....."strictly on wins/losses...HSU should be ranked higher".....not based completely on who they play......

I understand, that ranking teams is not a perfect science.....all I am doing is asking.....I just find it confusing seeing 3 teams in the Top 25 with 2 losses and 1 team with 3 losses.....the teams with 2 losses probably deserve to be there, and Linfield may as well....just trying to understand!!!! 

[Ralph Turner]

Kickhoe, may I jump in here?

Please take off your HSU hat and look at what you are asking.

You are wanting to be ranked higher.

Already you are ranked #7 here (and in the South Region Fans' Poll you are ranked 3rd.)  How can you justify being ranked higher when everyone above you is undefeated or has beaten you (except Capital whose only loss is to MUC)?

1 Mount Union (22) 9-0 622 1 Def John Carroll 31-14 at Marietta
2 UW-Whitewater (3) 9-0 603 2 Def UW-Stout 49-0 at UW-River Falls
3 St. John's 9-0 573 3 Open Date vs. Bethel
4 Wesley 9-0 538 4 Def Chowan 37-3 vs. Morrisville State
5 Capital 8-1 486 5 Def Muskingum 52-14 at Baldwin-Wallace
6 Mary Hardin-Baylor 7-2 467 6 Def East Texas Baptist 33-28 vs. Howard Payne
7 Hardin-Simmons 7-1 448 7

You are only 19/25ths of a position behind UMHB.  UMHB is only 19/25ths behind Capital, but Capital is 52/25ths (2 and 2/25ths behind Wesley, a very large difference between the top 4 and the next level in the pack).  This poll is suggesting that you have 2 very hard games to get to the semis.  Look at the projected regional finals by the teams above you in the Poll.

MUC vs Capital
UWW vs SJU
UMHB-HSU winner vs Wesley.

Each of those games are intriguing. 

There is wide disparity amongst the teams in D3, and the conferences.  I think that Pat's pollsters do the best job of evaluating the teams, the conferences and the outcomes.

I think that you are very solidly ranked where you have demonstrated yourself to be.

[kickhoe]

Ralph,
I'm not saying that HSU should be ranked higher than anybody else.....I think they are probably where they should be.....they did lose to UMHB......

What I find interesting is that some losses don't really count as losses.....look at Linfield....I know they played a D2 school, that was their choice to play them...they lost....they played HSU, and HSU beat them 21-6.....fairly close game...still a loss......they play Whitworth this past weekend....and lose a close one....still a loss.....

That's all I'm asking....not trying to stir things up.....to me it looks like we are all giving Linfield the benefit of the doubt....

As for UMHB....very tough....they did beat HSU....pretty soundly.....but again, they did lose 2 close games...1 to a very good team and 1 to a mediocre team.....should they still be ranked higher than HSU???  Who only has 1 loss to a highly ranked team....I don't know.....

Like I said, just trying to understand all of the rankings.....when you look at the Regional Rankings that matter....UMHB is still ranked ahead of HSU....

[Kelly Boggs]

One of the reasons that I like D3 sports, besides the fact that they are all true scholar athletes,  is that all the discussion about poll rankings is moot. While being highly ranked might be prestigious, it is nothing but a number come playoff time.

All our talk on the boards might be fun and provide a nice diversion - and even a distraction from work - but all the talking that matters is done on the field.

The regional rankings are based on a formula that, while I do not completely understand, is an effort to be as objective as possible. There is always some grousing about playoff pairings, but in the end the cream will rise to the top.

So even if your team has a tough early draw or has to go on the road for every playoff game (see UMHB in 2004), it's put up or shut up. No ifs, ands, buts, or maybes, if you win you keep playing and your ranking doesn't mean squat.

[crualum75]

I agree with UMHBalum-n-Catland.  The rankings are fun things for us to look at and discuss.  By the way, I too agree that D3football.com's top 25 is definitely very well done and the most correct from the games that I have seen.  We may disagree at the pairings, but it is true, if you win out you win it all.  UMHB (#10) on the poll used on TV (AFCA I think not sure) and Linfield (#2) played for the National Championship.  What a great example of how no matter the rankings before the playoffs, if your team gets in you get a fresh start to show what you are made of (hopefully in December @ the Stagg  ).  Anyways D3 football is the purest scholar athletes and guys who really just want to play as long as they can, which is why I was a D3 player and will continue to be a huge D3 supporter (not just my team either which I hope all of you out their will continue to support D3 whether your team is playing in the Stagg Bowl or not).  Good luck to the Cru this week keep taking care of business.

[Kelly Boggs]

A standing "O" for you crualum75... well said. And it comes as no surprise since you are a proud graduate of UMHB! FWIW, I graduated December '85.

Up with the Purple!

[minni]

HSU is just going to have to do what UMHB did in 2004 and win every single game on the road and represent the south in the Stagg. 

[crualum75]

HSU is just going to have to do what UMHB did in 2004 and win every single game on the road and represent the south in the Stagg. 

That would definitely be an impressive feat.  I think that one of the biggest hiccups in that plan may be when they have to play UMHB again (but I do remember '04 and the playoff game so both teams better be ready to play).  I am looking forward to that game, because both teams have always hit me as high quality athletes and people.  Are fans may get rowdy, but both teams are made of quality athletes and men.  I want to see the ASC well represented again this year, and I hope that they can keep this game from being played real early in the playoffs.