FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ron Boerger]

Posted on the WIAC board today!

Here is the top 25 according to Lindys preseason.


1. Raiders
2. Mary Hardin Baylor
3. Wisconsin Whitewater
4. Trinity (Texas)
5. Wesley
6. Hardin-Simmons
7. St Johns
[...]

Wow, I'd love to hear their rationale for elevating Trinity so far. 

[Ralph Turner]

Posted on the WIAC board today!

Here is the top 25 according to Lindys preseason.


1. Raiders
2. Mary Hardin Baylor
3. Wisconsin Whitewater
4. Trinity (Texas)
5. Wesley
6. Hardin-Simmons
7. St Johns
[...]

Wow, I'd love to hear their rationale for elevating Trinity so far. 

Magazine sales!

[Pat Coleman]

Ignorance!

[footballfan413]

How about the fact that Lindy's ranked UW-LC 25th despite the fact that they beat #10 Bethel   28-21 last year in the play-offs and played UWW very tight losing only by 3 points the next week.

[Josh Bowerman]

It's because they've got HSU on the schedule in week 1, footballfan413!   

Ralph, I think your picks are pretty good ones.  I'll vote to second those.

[Josh Bowerman]

Speaking of rankings magazines, when is the DIII Kickoff e-zine scheduled for release, Pat?

[Pat Coleman]

Aiming at third week of August, in line with previous weeks. Not ready to put a date "on paper" yet, however.

[footballfan413]

It's because they've got HSU on the schedule in week 1, footballfan413!   

Ralph, I think your picks are pretty good ones.  I'll vote to second those.

  Of course, that's it.  Why didn't I think of that.      But Mary Hardin Baylor has HSU in week 5 and it didn't seem to hurt their rankings!!   

[Josh Bowerman]

They have more starters back.   

[Ralph Turner]

2007 Football Rules and Interpretations has been released.

[fatboy]

They have more starters back.  

And because HSU has only beat UMHB once in the seven meeting and not a single time when it counted (The Big Game)

[headlinesman]

They have more starters back.  

And because HSU has only beat UMHB once in the seven meeting and not a single time when it counted (The Big Game)

Plus, the odds should be in our favor this year!

[KennethK]

Hardin Simmon's first two games could very likely have an impact on the D3 playoffs with La Crosse and Linfield obvious contenders.  Is this going to be one of the better HSU teams?  I thought they would be down a little with Neal gone.

[Josh Bowerman]

My "football new year's resolution" is to not get emotional or aggrivated this year, and to stay as journalistically detached and professional as I can--even when it comes to UMHB and their fans.  So, my response will hopefully reflect that.

I agree with you, Kenneth.  The Cowboys do have some reloading to do.  I'm not sure exactly who is in line to take over at the QB position, and that does give me cause for concern.  At any level in the college game, it's just so hard to replace experience at that position.  I think HSU is good, for the most part, along the o-line and other offensive skill positions. 

The d-line and LBs should be all right, too--especially if everybody is healthy heading into the season.  There are a few losses there that hurt, but HSU rotates so many players in on the front seven each game that there's always experience ready to step in.  There's significant reloading to do in the secondary, though--and since covering the pass is the most difficult thing in football to do, that's always an area of concern for every DIII team.

Rankings-wise, I definitely think Lindy's having HSU at #6 is too high, but I think that UWW, Wesley and Trinity are all rated too highly by the magazine, too.  Based on my multiple observations of teams in the ASC, SCAC, MAC, NJAC and WIAC, I think HSU is probably a top 10 to 15-ish program going into this season, so I expect the "real" rankings from this website to reflect that when they're released.

[Bill McCabe]

Josh,

I think QB is the key to HSU period.  Replacing one of the best QBs in the country is going to be a key to their success.  I believe the QB is the key to every team.  If you are weak at that position, you are in trouble.  It should be interesting to see who emerges as the starting QB.