FB: American Southwest Conference

[roocru]

From the D3Football front page:

Why are the Texas teams playing each other in the first round? The NCAA says that although their approved mapping software for determining regional games (MSN Mappoint) spits out a 491.7 mile distance for Millsaps to get to Mary Hardin-Baylor, their mileage charts say the distance is over 500 miles. Therefore they're not allowed to bus Millsaps to UMHB. I think the discrepancy is something they are going to look into.  (next year)


Why the NCAA is using a different map than the one it tells its schools to use is not readily apparent.  ($$$$$$$)

[HSUPosse]

According to my research on MSN Mappoint, the distance from Jackson, MS to Belton, TX (using the shortest distant button) is 491.6 miles.  This distance changes, however, when the shortest time button is selected (530.3 miles).  I think this may be how Pat and the committee received two different results (supposedly using the same program).  Still, does 30 miles over the sacred 500 mile limit make that big of a deal?  I don't think so when the option that the committee decided on was to send Millsaps 963.2 miles (using the shortest distance) to Carnegie Mellon.  Just some food for thought.

[crufootball]

I know it won't make any difference, now or in the future, but does anybody know who I can at least write a letter to expressing my feelings about UMHB and HSU being forced to play in the first round. Like I said I know it won't make any difference, but I have to do something to make myself feel a little better about getting screwed by the NCAA....AGAIN.

[Zmotion10 out on 2]

I know it won't make any difference, now or in the future, but does anybody know who I can at least write a letter to expressing my feelings about UMHB and HSU being forced to play in the first round. Like I said I know it won't make any difference, but I have to do something to make myself feel a little better about getting screwed by the NCAA....AGAIN.

It would have made for even a bigger matchup to see UMHB and HSU meeting up 2 or even 3 deep in the playoffs.  But I'm just happy we are in.  I really wanted to get another shot at UMHB too.  I know it will be a tough game but I wanted the rematch.

[billybaroo]

I know it has been said before but this game has all the makings of a classic. I think since the first meeting the UMHB offense has picked it up a great deal and is playing like they were supposed to all year. Rollins ran like the back that got the cover story in the preseason paper. With Hardin Simmons you know what you are gonna get a well coached team with playmakers everywhere. Really when you think about it Hardin Simmons and UMHB are reflections of each other. The one thing I am happy about though is this. UMHB could get another rematch with Christopher Newport, we have some a score to settle with them. Not over looking HSU just throwing that out there.

[mcmfan]

You don't have to be a HSU or UMHB fan to have to agree that both schools got screwed by the NACC.  If you make the playoffs, you should get at least one round playing some other school; otherwise, your reward for making the playoffs is to play what feels like just another conference game.  Our women's basketball team got the same treatment last year, when our "playoff" was basically a rematch of the regular season.  I wish there was something we could do about this, for neither HSU nor UMHB deserve this kind of "reward" for their hard efforts during the season.

[Josh Bowerman]

Whoever wins the HSU/UMHB will get a home game in the second round, as both are seeded higher than either CNU or W&J.

[crufootball]

Does anyone else find it funny that everyone in D1 football complains about the BCS and wants a playoff and everyone in D3 complains about the playoff system. I know that some things that we as D3 fans complain about would not occur in a D1 playoff system, but I really don't think many D1 fans think about all the problems that come with a playoff.

[BVHawk]

Interesting thought...

Not sure how else D3 could do it, Bowl Games wouldn't be the answer. 

[Kelly Boggs]

I've been traveling all day and I just finished reading all the posts. A good friend called me while I was on the road and gave me the sobering news of the UMHB vs HSU first round pairing.

Well, the powers that be have spoken. And it has already been observed that it is hard to defeat a good team twice in the same season - at any level. I think HSU has lots of motivation going back to 2004, so strap it on tight CRU and let the fur fly! One thing is for sure... a purple and gold team from the ASC will be moving on to the second round. I only wish I could be there to yell my head off in support of UMHB.

Someone asked why I am not taking my Oregon friend to the game. I live 6 hours from Belton. He arrives on Friday and leaves early Sunday. There is no way I would subject him to a 12 hour round trip just so I could enjoy a football game.

Toby, if you make it to the game, let me know. I might need to call you for updates.

GO CRU! The second season begins on Saturday.

[Ralph Turner]

Does anyone else find it funny that everyone in D1 football complains about the BCS and wants a playoff and everyone in D3 complains about the playoff system. I know that some things that we as D3 fans complain about would not occur in a D1 playoff system, but I really don't think many D1 fans think about all the problems that come with a playoff.

Cru, the only complaint that I have is when the NCAA cannot justify the reasoning behind their selections, when it is not relatively apparent the committee got down to a judgment call between the last 2-3 teams.  The wailing that we got from Cortland St is just belly-aching because the ball bounced the "wrong way" this year.  The eighth and ninth Pool C's and an occasional Pool B will always clamor.

This year, there was a clear deviation from the published criteria, re: the deviation from the stated "msn.mappoint.com shortest distance" criteria.  That is worth a good scream!  I have applauded the transparency that has gone into the new Pool System.  The 32-team field with 7 at-large means that it is the 8th best runner-up that is staying home, and not the 4th, as it was in 2004.

This is the list of the Pool C teams and when they might meet their "Pool A" conference mate.   There is separation for the other conferences.

Conference	Pool A bid	Pool C bid	Round
ASC	UMHB	HSU	1st Round
CCIW	North Central	Wheaton	Regional Finals
Empire 8	Springfield	St John Fisher	2nd Round
Liberty	Union	Hobart	Regional Finals
MIAC	Bethel	St John's	Regional Finals
OAC	Mount Union	Capital	Regional Finals
WIAC	UW-W	UW-LC	2nd Round

[crufootball]

BVHawk, you are right about that there is no other way to find out who is the champion.

I would also like to say that I did not mean that us complaining is a bad thing. From what I have seen most of the people on this site are educated fans that voice their opinions because they care about D3 football.

Go CRU

[dsc]

RT, thanks for keeping us informed on all the "good" information you dig out for our consumption.

Go Cowboys...beat the Crusaders!!!
And despite who wins...I hope they go all the way!!!

Go ASC!!!

[Toby Taff]

Toby, if you make it to the game, let me know. I might need to call you for updates.

GO CRU! The second season begins on Saturday.

I will make it one way or the other!  I've already arranged for the day off, now I'll just have to hope for big tips on friday.

[Josh Bowerman]

Toby, roocru, Bill, et. al.:  Ron and I--and possibly Ralph will be there Saturday.  Maybe we can all do Schoepfs' after the game again...

Early shameless plug:  I'll be at Saturday's game shooting photos for the site.  As always, please say "hi" if you can, and please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any special requests.

PS:  To the HSU guys who mugged for the camera yesterday during the fourth quarter, your shots WILL be up soon--Ryan is pretty busy right now getting ready for the playoffs, but I won't leave you hanging.  We aren't abilenesportz.com, you know!