FB: American Southwest Conference

[Josh Bowerman]

Hardin-Simmons is among teams discussed in this week's Around the Nation podcast. It's a wrapup of the interesting stories on the national scene, plus a chance to hear our opinions about teams:

http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/2007/09/04/around-the-nations-take/

Very nicely done.

[Ron Boerger]

UMHB needs to come out of the chute with its "A" game on Saturday. My observation is that the Cru has been a little lackluster in its season openers the past few years. I was on hand to witness of couple of these less than inspiring openers. In '04 and '06 I was living in Oregon and watched UMHB sort of sleepwalk its way through wins over Willamette (27-15 and 42-26). The Cru had way more talent than the Bearcats but the wins were on the  sloppy side (and I know a win is a win). It was like they could never put either game away. WU sort of hung around and the Cru scored late in both contests to finally secure the wins.

In '04 opener it took the Cru two overtimes and at least one blocked extra-point to upend WU. And last year the Cru played less than inspired in its opener, giving up some big plays. Even so, they had an opportunity to win it in the wanning seconds before turning the ball over inside CNU's five and losing by 5, 15-10.

All this is observation - not criticism. The Cru cannot afford to come out of the gate slow and uninspired this week. CNU is a solid team. Here is hoping the Cru flies out of the gate fast a furious and begins the year with a convincing "W".

I'm not disagreeing that UMHB needs to come out with all cylinders firing (especially against a CNU team that had a great win in week 1), but in fairness two of the games you mention above (2003 and 2006) were not only the first games of the respective season but entailed significant travel for UMHB.  The combination is deadly.    Anyone who doubts that need only speak with he coaches I talked to over the summer, nearly all of whom who said that long-distance travel makes winning a game all the more difficult.   This time the boys will be at home and the CNU folks will be further away from home than they ever have before.  Not only is this their first trip west of the Mississippi, but I think it's their first trip west of the Appalachians. 

It's a good chance for Coach Fred and his young charges to make a statement over a team that's getting a lot of love for their win at Rowan.  Best of luck!

[crufootball]

Maybe this has been discussed earlier, but what are everyones thoughts on the TLU and Sul Ross State game that was not an in conference game?
I know its hard to get games, but wasn't there anyone else for the teams to play? Perhaps Michigan?

[CNU85]

UMHB needs to come out of the chute with its "A" game on Saturday. My observation is that the Cru has been a little lackluster in its season openers the past few years. I was on hand to witness of couple of these less than inspiring openers. In '04 and '06 I was living in Oregon and watched UMHB sort of sleepwalk its way through wins over Willamette (27-15 and 42-26). The Cru had way more talent than the Bearcats but the wins were on the  sloppy side (and I know a win is a win). It was like they could never put either game away. WU sort of hung around and the Cru scored late in both contests to finally secure the wins.

In '04 opener it took the Cru two overtimes and at least one blocked extra-point to upend WU. And last year the Cru played less than inspired in its opener, giving up some big plays. Even so, they had an opportunity to win it in the wanning seconds before turning the ball over inside CNU's five and losing by 5, 15-10.

All this is observation - not criticism. The Cru cannot afford to come out of the gate slow and uninspired this week. CNU is a solid team. Here is hoping the Cru flies out of the gate fast a furious and begins the year with a convincing "W".

I'm not disagreeing that UMHB needs to come out with all cylinders firing (especially against a CNU team that had a great win in week 1), but in fairness two of the games you mention above (2003 and 2006) were not only the first games of the respective season but entailed significant travel for UMHB.  The combination is deadly.    Anyone who doubts that need only speak with he coaches I talked to over the summer, nearly all of whom who said that long-distance travel makes winning a game all the more difficult.   This time the boys will be at home and the CNU folks will be further away from home than they ever have before.  Not only is this their first trip west of the Mississippi, but I think it's their first trip west of the Appalachians. 

It's a good chance for Coach Fred and his young charges to make a statement over a team that's getting a lot of love for their win at Rowan.  Best of luck!

As usual, you make very good points! Nicely said! Yes, this is CNU's first trip west of the mighty Mississippi. I'm not sure about the Apalachians - not sure exactly where Maryville is located in Tenn.

I know the team will be pumped up after the win last Saturday. It is their first plane trip in program history.....plus playing a team from Texas always has special meaning. There'll be a lot of emotion. The key will be, is it controlled emotion or will it be "in awe"? The coaches have their work cut out keeping the team focused. The plane is just a big bus with wings!! I'm sure the UMHB players don't need to be focused. I think they've been focused for a year and can't wait to take the field. I hope, as fans, we see two fired up, extremely good football teams! This is gonna be fun!

[crufootball]

Former UMHB player Elex Reed Named af2 Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year. Reed playing for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings' lost in the conference championship to Tulsa Talons 67-47.

http://www.battlewings.com/news/homenews/index.html?article_id=96

[Ralph Turner]

Maybe this has been discussed earlier, but what are everyones thoughts on the TLU and Sul Ross State game that was not an in conference game?
I know its hard to get games, but wasn't there anyone else for the teams to play? Perhaps Michigan?

Cru, there are simply no football teams around to play the 18 non-conference games necessary for the ASC.

Look at where we have had to go for games.

Austin College wanted SAGU to warm-up with and play McMurry next week.  The addition of Colorado College and Birmingham-Southern to the SCAC took out non-conference games from Millsaps, Austin College and Trinity.

Trinity finished the back end of a 2-game series with ETBU.  They have a game with TLU just 40 miles up to the road next week.  I think that TLU-TU will be an annual game.  You cannot beat the logistics and the local fan appeal.

HPU is playing 2 NAIA schools, Southern Nazarene and Texas College. HPU has played SRSU twice in 2002.

McMurry was able to get a one-year deal at Huntingdon, 825 miles away.  They played SRSU twice in 1999.
HSU is not playing SRSU twice this year as they did in 2004, but is playing Linfield and UWL.

UMHB is hosting CNU and going to UWW.  I don't know whom they play next year.

SRSU catches SAGU, the NAIA independent, on the road.

ETBU plays D-2 Ouachita Baptist.

Louisiana College is playing LaGrange (GA), which is 60 miles southwest of Atlanta, and Millsaps.

Miss College is playing Huntingdon (Montgomery AL) and Millsaps.

If/when Concordia-Austin adds football, it will help some, but Millsaps times 2 games, and Trinity times 2 games and Austin College times 2 means 4 ASC teams still have to go somewhere for games.   Please go back to the schedules from 2000-2005 and look at those opponents, e.g., Colorado College, Menlo CA, Belhaven MS, etc.   

[fatboy]

Just to add: the Willamette and CNU games are UMHB's 1st and Willamette and CNU 2nd they already have a game under their belt that can make a big difference.

[Bill McCabe]

fatboy, great point.  A team that has already played a game has an advantage in my mind.  CNU is a good team, so that makes it even more difficult.

[Gray Fox]

Ralph,
If NWC members George Fox and Pacific add football, the SCIAC teams will be looking for games.

[Ralph Turner]

Ralph,
If NWC members George Fox and Pacific add football, the SCIAC teams will be looking for games.

Actually, the NWC will have 8 full and one affiliate member, Menlo.  That leaves two non-conference dates in a 10-game schedule.  The 9 NWC teams can fill 18 non-conference dates.

The SCIAC has seven football members and usually fills one of those dates with Chapman to give 7 Southern California dates.  On the 9-date SCIAC schedule, they just need 14 non-SCIAC/Chapman games.  It looks like the SCIAC teams can split home-and-home with a NWC and all West Coast teams get full schedules.  Throw in an Oxy-Colorado College game and Chapman's 3 extra games and there are enough teams around for everyone.     

[Gray Fox]

Ralph,
Many NWC teams play a nine game schedule now.  I hadn't considered they would expand to ten, but that makes sense.  I'm not sure what happens if Albertson (now NAIA) adds football.

[Ralph Turner]

Ralph,
Many NWC teams play a nine game schedule now.  I hadn't considered they would expand to ten, but that makes sense.  I'm not sure what happens if Albertson (now NAIA) adds football.

I see that the biggest losers in this will be WOU and SOU.

We might see some "D-IV's" play their SCIAC peers, if the "secession" came to pass.

[Kelly Boggs]

I understand possible explanations for UMHB's lackluster openings in recent years (however, the 2 OT win over WU was in Belton, so travel was not a factor). My point wasn't to dissect the whys and it was not to criticize, I was simply making an observation. And the fact that it was the 2nd game each year for WU and CNU is very valid - and will be again this year. All I was saying is that I hope the Cru comes out and performs up to its potential in this opener, and not like they have in the recent past.

CNU85 is right, I doubt UMHB will need any prodding to get up for the game given the outcome in Virginia  last year. I am hoping for a convincing win (though any kind of  win is a win) to get a championship season started off on the right foot.

I will take in at least part of the Millsaps vs LC game before settling in by the computer to listen to UMHB.

UP WITH THE PURPLE!

[biddaddy 57]

Ron,

Just a hunch, but you may want to attend the Sul Ross/Mary Hardin game. SR had over 600yds of offense against TL while holding TL to under 200yds.
Of course we all have our "ifs" but Sul Ross loses 3 fumbles, 1 int. and has 10 penalities "IF" not for 1/2 of that they woud've scored 60. TL didn't have a sustained drive of longer than 33 yds. I think it's going to be a good one. rw

[biddaddy 57]

Concerning MIKE FLYNT 59 yr old at Sul Ross.

There is no media ploy. Mike is there to play football. Like many other players, he was injured and did not attend the game.

To get a good luck at Mike go to:  http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3555527

Mike's there to play football. If he weren't able to do it, he wouldn't be there and if any of you know Coach Wright, he wouldn't have him there. Mike had to prove himself just to get to two-a-days, which he did. With the exception of the groin pull he has performed well. From what I noticed it won't be Mike Flynt other ASC teams need to worry about. They'll need to keep their eyes on Davidson, Brown and Barber. Go Lobos. rw