FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[D3Newbie]

The trailing comma is not necessary. Some stylebooks might insist on them (in fact, my third grader's teacher does) but in the real world, it's not necessary.

That's also my understanding.  Personally, I choose to not use the comma in this type of sentence.  In this example, of course, the purpose was to illustrate how the comma affects the meaning of the word "shoots."    Can't you just see a panda eating dinner in a restaurant, then firing a .44 at the waiter before leaving the building?  lol

I was thinking the panda ate (probably a Power Bar - or HF sundae), then shot the basketball and made it . . . . . since this IS a sports forum.    A panda with a gun is a scary thought . . .jmo   

[hasanova]

The trailing comma is not necessary. Some stylebooks might insist on them (in fact, my third grader's teacher does) but in the real world, it's not necessary.

That's also my understanding.  Personally, I choose to not use the comma in this type of sentence.  In this example, of course, the purpose was to illustrate how the comma affects the meaning of the word "shoots."    Can't you just see a panda eating dinner in a restaurant, then firing a .44 at the waiter before leaving the building?  lol

I was thinking the panda ate (probably a Power Bar - or HF sundae), then shot the basketball and made it . . . . . since this IS a sports forum.    A panda with a gun is a scary thought . . .jmo   

Good point!  Actually, that's two points.  I agree, a panda with a gun is a thought too hard to bear. 

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I have thought.  (Promise it is a good one.)  USA South Football as a conference is a balanced leauge because of the preseason poll.  If it was dead on every year then it would be very easy to predict who will finish where.  It hasn't been dead on and the games reflect that.

(My karma being knocked down.  Makes no sense because with my new rules, I can't say anything to really warrant it.)

[CNU85]

The trailing comma is not necessary. Some stylebooks might insist on them (in fact, my third grader's teacher does) but in the real world, it's not necessary.

Pat - Thanks for the BEAR facts!!!! I'll still use a trailing comma......I'm old and set in my ways!! Maybe your  third grader's teacher is a friend of mine!! Is she cute?

[CNU85]

I have thought. 

You make it too easy....I can't pick on you anymore...no challenge!

[CNU85]

Narch....when does the team leave for CNU? Do they travel up the morning of the game or the night before?

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

Keys to Victory GC vs AU

Greensboro

Pass the football- AU has a very suspect pass defense.  Being able to pass the ball should get them down the field, and put points on the board.

Eliminate TO's-  GC went from the top of the league in TO margin to one of the worst in the past two weeks. GC needs to score to win.

Execute on special teams- Special teams have led to some points for GC opponents.  That can't happen this week if they are looking to win.


Averett- (Yellow have you seen the women's soccer jerseys)

Run the Football-They are among the top in the league in passing.  GC pass defense is tops in forcing TO's and efficiency.  Running the ball takes pass defense out.

Control the clock-They are last in the league.  GC has done a decent job of controling the clock.  Keeping games close early.

Keep the field long- AU needs the special teams to keep the field long.  GC is near the top in kick returns and punt returns.

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

GC 27 AU 24- It was my upset special in the pick'em.  I am sticking to it.

CNU 35 MC 17-  CNU won't take MC lightly after allowing Maryville to come back.  Plus they are playing at home.

NCWC 24 SU 14- They put up some points but NCWC is just too much for SU.

[hasanova]

GC needs to score to win. .... GC has done a decent job of controling the clock.  Keeping games close early.

pridebball guy - Every team needs to score to win!  If you don't, you get a tie at best.  Perhaps you're saying the Pride will have to score a lot of points to win because you know the Cougars will score very often.  How many minutes can you keep "it close early"?  All games are 0-0 when the clock starts.  If you're saying GC needs to be within a couple of scores at halftime to stay in the game, then I agree.  Every coach in America can say these are "keys" to the game.

[Ryan Tipps]

Keep the field long- AU needs the special teams to keep the field long.  GC is near the top in kick returns and punt returns.

One thing that's worth mentioning if you're going to point out special teams: Averett is No. 2 in the conference in punt distance, and the team is No. 1 in net distance (which means the total after the return).

And Averett is No. 2 in the conference in KO return yards, averaging just over 22 yards per return.

Though I'm not really making an effort to pick on GC here (honest!), I notice a couple of other stats that work in Averett's favor. Gboro is 7th and 8th in third- and fourth-down conversions, respectively.

And finally, the Pride has the worst Red Zone offense in the USAC, but then Averett has the worst Red Zone defense. Eeenteresting....

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

GC has the tendecy to allow teams to put up some points on them in the first quarter (Over the past few years.)  GC this year has had some leads on teams and blew them in the second half.

Plus GC's defense is near the middle to top in preventing 3rd and 4th down conversions.   AU is near the bottom in both.  Special Teams will be an important factor in this game.

[kickerdad]

Another major key will be for Averett to play a complete game. They have struggled all year to play 4 quarters. They will go full boar in the 1st quarter and then get flat as a pancake until the pressure is on in the 4th.

If their running game is on, GC needs to tighten up the chin straps, as Averett will turn Wilson loose and run until GC starts ignoring the receivers then Averett will look to J. Hugley. GC knows they will have to double and triple cover Jeff and that will free up someone.

Finally home field advantgage will help. Mudd and Knats from the rain will get on everyone's nerves. That field is terrible to kick on when its wet. Both ends are cow pastures and the kickers will be all over the place.

[narch]

I have thought.  (Promise it is a good one.)  USA South Football as a conference is a balanced leauge because of the preseason poll.

the usasac pre-season poll has nothing to do with the balance in the league - the league is balanced because there is solid coaching and talent at virtually every school and no one school really has so much more of either that they are head and shoulders above the rest - the usasac is also balanced because cnu really forced the other schools in the conference to get out of the pattern of mediocrity and evaluate what they were doing on and off the field if they wanted to win...i think the other schools in this conference have really done a good job of rising to the challenge and not accepting the role of also ran every year - the pre-season poll has absolutely ZERO bearing on on-field performance

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I have thought.  (Promise it is a good one.)  USA South Football as a conference is a balanced leauge because of the preseason poll.

the usasac pre-season poll has nothing to do with the balance in the league - the league is balanced because there is solid coaching and talent at virtually every school and no one school really has so much more of either that they are head and shoulders above the rest - the usasac is also balanced because cnu really forced the other schools in the conference to get out of the pattern of mediocrity and evaluate what they were doing on and off the field if they wanted to win...i think the other schools in this conference have really done a good job of rising to the challenge and not accepting the role of also ran every year - the pre-season poll has absolutely ZERO bearing on on-field performance

An unbalanced league would lead to a more predictable preseason poll.  It hasn't been all that predictable these past few years.

[CNU85]

I'm unbalanced...does that mean anything?