FB: American Southwest Conference

TC · September 02, 2008, 05:41:49 PM

Let me pile on in welcoming any ETBU fans that are planning on making the trip up for Saturday's game--it's not one you'll soon forget. The forecast calls for 65 and clear--perfect Johnnie Football weather.

Be sure to check out www.JohnnieFootball.com throughout the week for previews and perspective.

What kind of team do the Tigers bring back this season? It seems they've hit a little bit of a lull since their playoff season in 2003 (right?)--are expectations back up this year? If nothing else, testing themselves against a top program like the Johnnies can't hurt.

For St. John's, we graduate our Gagliardi Trophy-finalist quarterback, leading receiver, top two running backs, and much of the defensive secondary, but that's business as usual in Collegeville. Both the offensive and defensive lines look really tough--the Tigers will have to be able to compete in the trenchs to have any chance on Saturday--but the Johnnies are inexperienced elsewhere. ETBU may be able to take advantage as the coaches try to get the right players in the right spots.

OzJohnnie · September 02, 2008, 09:28:57 PM

Hello? Hellloooooo?

baddog · September 02, 2008, 10:02:57 PM

I would recommend the trip and especially the SJU fans to the ETBU faithful.
When the Johnnies played at HSU in the semi-finals about 8 years ago, I found the SJU fans -- students, alums, and parents alike -- to be as classy as they were rabid. Great bunch.
Of course, there was one tall skinny student with long, curly hair. Wore a cape as part of his costume/outfit. Very ugly (in the non-handsome sense) young man. I pray for him. If he dies I would become the ugliest man on earth!

(Seriously, just "calling him out" -- are you there?)

Also, whatever happened to "Touchdown Tommy"?

Ralph Turner · September 02, 2008, 10:13:37 PM

Just a quiet board this week... too much on the line to give bulletin board material.

ETBU ... big trip!

Miss College vs Millsaps -- "Backyard Brawl" with Pool C and seeding implications on the line.

HSU at UW Lax -- another "in-region game"...big for both teams!

Texas Lutheran at Sul Ross State in a "non-conference game". "Pay back may be heck!"

McMurry at Trinity -- second year of Coach Gray's efforts to build a strong program at McMurry. He will play lots of sophomores and a new QB.

Louisiana College plays a Bacone OK (NAIA) team that has already played a game!

roocru · September 02, 2008, 10:30:45 PM

To all who might be interested;

Lazindex is now up to date. http://www.lazindex.com/

roocru · September 02, 2008, 10:33:01 PM

So is the Born Index. http://www.bornpowerindex.com/

Ron Boerger · September 03, 2008, 12:16:34 AM

At this time of year the various indexes are only slightly better at predictions than hurricane models.

used2b · September 03, 2008, 08:39:42 AM

Johnnie Fans,
I would be very suprised to see many etbu fans there at all. The program just isn't rolling as it was in 2003. That year, you would have seen quite a few,, though not what I'd expect from umhb or other top flight schools. etbu fans just haven't yet caught on to the travel aspect, and especially the tailgating aspect. That said, I really hope etbu brings many fans who will represent the asc well. Also, I hope etbu puts up a good showing against the Johnnies. Good luck to the Tigers!

etbualum · September 03, 2008, 05:26:10 PM

I doubt it will be a thrashing. It very well could the upset of the year. I hope the Johnnies are as overconfident as their posters

I do know quite a few of our guys will be taking their first plane ride. So all in all it will be a great trip for the program. I wont be getting to make the trip up and it looks like I am going to be missing one of the best atmospheres in d3.

Almost forgot
Props to David Weaver the ETBU SID. The football media guide is online as well as an 11 pages of pregames notes including rosters and 2 deeps. Here is a link

http://www.etbu.edu/Current_Athletic_News/Football/?InPath=6

Josh Bowerman · September 03, 2008, 05:48:59 PM

Quote from: etbualum on September 03, 2008, 05:26:10 PMI doubt it will be a thrashing. It very well could the upset of the year. I hope the Johnnies are as overconfident as their posters

I have much ASC love for you , etbualum, and am squarely on your squad's side--especially for taking the plunge and scheduling such a great oppening week opponent.

But dude, it's gonna get ugly on Saturday. I hope I'm wrong, I really do. But I just don't see it happening. $:-\$

TC · September 03, 2008, 08:08:19 PM

I'm skeptical about the Johnnies blowing out the Tigers this weekend. I'm equally skeptical that, if the game is close, the reason will be the Johnnies' overconfidence.

Like a lot of teams, the Johnnies come into the year with some very real holes to be filled--especially at the quarterback position. When you go into a game planning on using three quarterbacks, the truth is you don't really have a quarterback. Opening day of 2004 the Johnnies, coming off of beating Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl the year before, looked like a lifeless corpse until their 4th quarterback of the day--a freshman--stepped in and started making the plays the his three predecessors that day couldn't. It was too little, too late, though, they still lost 30-28. When you consider that the 2004 team brought back a lot more talent than the 2008 team figures to, there's no reason why something similar couldn't happen this Saturday. Which is precisely the reason I expect the Johnnies to come into the game ready to play.

So far the best plan I've heard as to how ETBU is going to shock the Johnnies is that they'll rely on SJU to be overconfident. Um, ok... How are the Tigers going to take advantage of that? What kind of team do they bring back? What are they going to try to do on offense?

I think the Johnnies will put some points on the board in garbage time to win...

Johnnies 42,
Tigers 14

...in a game that's a lot closer than the score indicated.

DuffMan · September 04, 2008, 08:21:02 AM

I agree, TC. SJU has lots of holes to fill, but the experience they have on both the offensive and defensive lines will make this an ugly one for ETBU

used2b · September 04, 2008, 10:39:42 AM

etbualum,
I cant get the media guide to download or come up on my computer, and I have a good one. Do you know if David Weaver (SID) has completed the loading? Good to the Tigers this weekend!

DuffMan · September 04, 2008, 11:18:49 AM

Quote from: used2b on September 04, 2008, 10:39:42 AM
etbualum,
I cant get the media guide to download or come up on my computer, and I have a good one. Do you know if David Weaver (SID) has completed the loading? Good to the Tigers this weekend!

I had no problems with it.

roocru · September 04, 2008, 02:39:29 PM

Interesting news from the UMHB website:

They left out a word designating exactly how many players have been asked to blog.

FB's Quincy Daniels to write blog for NCAA.com
09/03/08
#24 Quincy Daniels - NCAA.com blogger

Belton, TX - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football player Quincy Daniels is one of just NCAA Division III football player selected to write a blog for NCAA.com. Daniels, a junior running back from Belton High School, ran for 1,566 yards and 19 touchdowns last season and also added a touchdown reception and a kickoff return for a score. Daniels blogged will be updated throughout the season and will eventually form a diary of the 2008 UMHB football season. To access Daniels' blog, click on the following link and be sure to check in throughout the 2008 football season.
http://www.umhb.edu/redirect/http://www.ncaa.com/sport/default.aspx?sid=911&id=312442.