FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[crazylegs33]

Anybody, catch Obama's comment about D-1 football needing a playoff system? In my opinion, a playoff system would make even more money than the bowl games. Plus they can still have the sponsors for each game. I think its only a matter of time until the pressure gets too much for the D-1 reps. I just hope I'm still alive to see it happen.

I know I always felt like a kid on christmas morning the day the brackets came out. Not knowing who we were going to be matched up against was always a thrill.

[Allen C]

I think that it will take a playoff win by Ferrum to crack the top 25 this year.   

I was not even considering the top 25, I am just dissapointed they have not been voted for. I agree that the USA South is not the most strong conference, but does that not apply to all teams in the conference? If that was the reason, I think CNU would be voteless also. That takes me back to strength of schedule....plus probably reputation, which the Captains have a well deserved one.

[Pat Coleman]

I think Ferrum needs to stop scheduling teams like Southern Virginia, and schedule a team like Salisbury.

Or get Wesley back on the schedule. I think they're still struggling to get games and Ferrum dumped them a couple years ago, fairly late in the summer in fact.

Ferrum hasn't played the best two teams on a fairly ordinary schedule so far.

Massey Ratings have Ferrum at No. 61. Seems reasonable.

[Allen C]

I will have to plead ignorance about the Massey Ratings. I am not familiar with that rating. I will be soon. Thanks for that.

I really want to see Ferrum set their sights on the playoffs,  (As an approach to a season) CNU has done their program a world of good by scheduling teams like Wesley, Salisbury etc., and even last year when Averett took it on the chin from  (was it MHB?) they took a positive step. You cannot really improve unless you raise the bar.

I would love to see their non conference games be something like:

E&H
Hampden Sydney
Wesley

Or maybe even more challenging.The point is they have to turn it up a notch...or two. Getting beat by a stronger school, is no disgrace, and it makes you stronger in the long run.

[PA_wesleyfan]

I will have to plead ignorance about the Massey Ratings. I am not familiar with that rating. I will be soon. Thanks for that.

I really want to see Ferrum set their sights on the playoffs,  (As an approach to a season) CNU has done their program a world of good by scheduling teams like Wesley, Salisbury etc., and even last year when Averett took it on the chin from  (was it MHB?) they took a positive step. You cannot really improve unless you raise the bar.

I would love to see their non conference games be something like:

E&H
Hampden Sydney
Wesley

Or maybe even more challenging.The point is they have to turn it up a notch...or two. Getting beat by a stronger school, is no disgrace, and it makes you stronger in the long run.

Wesley was on the schedule as far back as the two teams jr college days but the  decison was made by Ferrum that they didn't want to play Wesley any more..And as Pat stated late in the summer leaving Wesley in another scheduling mess that year.

[Allen C]

I am not sure of the circumstances that led to that, but I think that was short sighted on the part of the Panthers.

They really need to push themselves through improved non conference competition.

[Ryan Tipps]

CNU has recieved some votes. Look at Ryan Tipps ATR column for the mid-atlantic. His foggy glasses have Ferrum as a top 5 in this "mini" region,  but not CNU.

Hmmm, coming from you, I can take this with a grain of salt. 

However, I did pore through a few of my person qualms and whatnot when it came to putting Ferrum on my Top 5 list back on Oct. 7. It wasn't an easy choice, and I tried to explain it so that it would seem to be at least a reasonable decision -- even if some thought it wasn't 100 percent objective.

Since then, though, I just haven't punished the Panthers for their continued win streak. Honestly, Ferrum, CNU, Catholic and H-SC are all pretty even in my mind.

But, just for funzies, CNU and FC have lined up pretty evenly when you compare them via common opponents.
Against Shenandoah: CNU won by 10, FC by 2
Against Methodist: CNU won by 14, FC by 18
Against Maryville: CNU won by 7, FC by 14
Against Greensboro: CNU won by 33, FC by 25

All in all, I think that it'll be a great game when the Panthers and Captains take the field against each other next week! 

[Ryan Tipps]

I would love to see their non conference games be something like:
E&H
Hampden Sydney
Wesley

Looks like a good nonconference sked to me, too!

I don't see Ferrum beating Wesley in the near future, but I could've said that about the first time I saw CNU play UMHB, or CNU play Rowan. It would happen. Tougher opponents will make your team tougher over time.

I'd like to see Ferrum dump SoVa for the simple fact that that game doesn't count for anything.

[kickerdad]

Can I ask a question? I am wondering, in the D3 top 25, why Ferrum has not gotten one vote. OK Ferrum's loss was to E&H, but they have been pretty strong since then. Statistically, they are showing well in the conference and nationally in some categories.

I think Ferrum needs to stop scheduling teams like Southern Virginia, and schedule a team like Salisbury. If you want to be ranked with the big dogs, you need to beat a few. Or at least play them to get better. So the best I can come up with is strength of schedule. Are there other factors? Should Ferrum get a little more respect? They did beat Bridgewater, and I thought they usually have a good program.

My own analysis is that they don't compete with strong enough out of conference opponents.
Maybe if they end 9-1, they will be looked at more closely.

I mean no disrespect Pat, but I would like to hear yours, and other opinions.

Thanks!

From reading the news from the region that Mount Union is in, they (Mount Union) are begging for out of conference opponents. I know they beat the crap out of Averett, but in 2006 that was a huge learning experience for Averett. They played Wesley the very next week and managed to hang with them for a half or more but after that, they ran the conference with exception of CNU which was a good game and really came down to the final 5 or 6 minutes of the game. I know CNU85 was on the edge of his seat for a while - haha.

Bottom line USA-South teams need to schedule more out of conference games with teams like Wesley, Mount Union, etc. I know CNU has been doing this now for a couple of years. That is the only way our conference is going to grow and get more attention as well as experience at playing at a higher level. Averett took the plunge 3 years ago with Mount Union, Wesley, and this year they took on Bridgewater. Bridgewater may be having a so-so season but they have been to the top of the mountain.

Oh well, that's my two cents worth. It may get me a moon pie and RC Cola, I will have to work a little harder to get the BBQ to go with it.

[kickerdad]

Kickerdad,

A CNU guy told me you wil be ok getting tix at the gate before game time. Let's meet somewhere just before the game.

Where are you going to be. I am going to try to get in the "N" lot again. That worked good for us year before last.

[CNU85]

I will be wandering around with my son....eating the world famous Long Family Bubba Burgers (without the special sauce!)

Tell me what to look for and I will find you.

[CNU85]

CNU has played 81 games since they started football. When they played Salisbury this year, that was the 24th ranked team they have played. 24 out of 81. If the Wesley game had been played, make it 25/82. That's how you schedule! Gotta love it!

[kickerdad]

Can I ask a question? I am wondering, in the D3 top 25, why Ferrum has not gotten one vote. OK Ferrum's loss was to E&H, but they have been pretty strong since then. Statistically, they are showing well in the conference and nationally in some categories.

I think Ferrum needs to stop scheduling teams like Southern Virginia, and schedule a team like Salisbury. If you want to be ranked with the big dogs, you need to beat a few. Or at least play them to get better. So the best I can come up with is strength of schedule. Are there other factors? Should Ferrum get a little more respect? They did beat Bridgewater, and I thought they usually have a good program.

My own analysis is that they don't compete with strong enough out of conference opponents.
Maybe if they end 9-1, they will be looked at more closely.

I mean no disrespect Pat, but I would like to hear yours, and other opinions.

Thanks!

From reading the news from the region that Mount Union is in, they (Mount Union) are begging for out of conference opponents. I know they beat the crap out of Averett, but in 2006 that was a huge learning experience for Averett. They played Wesley the very next week and managed to hang with them for a half or more but after that, they ran the conference with exception of CNU which was a good game and really came down to the final 5 or 6 minutes of the game. I know CNU85 was on the edge of his seat for a while - haha.

Bottom line USA-South teams need to schedule more out of conference games with teams like Wesley, Mount Union, etc. I know CNU has been doing this now for a couple of years. That is the only way our conference is going to grow and get more attention as well as experience at playing at a higher level. Averett took the plunge 3 years ago with Mount Union, Wesley, and this year they took on Bridgewater. Bridgewater may be having a so-so season but they have been to the top of the mountain.

Oh well, that's my two cents worth. It may get me a moon pie and RC Cola, I will have to work a little harder to get the BBQ to go with it.

Playing teams at a higher level has got to improve recruiting as well. Speaking of recruiting another issue that I am sure all teams is troubled with (with exception of the big dogs) is attempting to make sure you have balance in your numbers. By that I mean Averett lost 26 Seniors 2 years ago but didn't have the numbers to step in and take over. Look at Mount Union - they lose large numbers every year, but with the recruiting process they have, they don't blink an eye. They have back-ups after back-ups that are waiting to jump in and take over. These back-ups are normally just as good as the ones that left by the time training camp is over and the first game is played. Averett for example lost the 26 seniors in 06 and in 07 they had less than 10 seniors. I know, I know, players drop out of the program for various reasons, but you have to be prepared for that.

Hell, I need to get off this soap box. Good luck to everyone this weekend, drive safely and behave yourselves.

[narch]

scheduling is such a tough thing because there is so much more than "let's play the best/worst teams we can"...there are budgetary concerns, coaching relationships, traditional games, regional rivalries, etc.

while i would like to know how mu really stacks up with some of the other teams in the region in most years (it's pretty obvious this year ), i don't want to lose any of the games on the mu slate right now - gcq and mu have played in every season mu has had football and it makes sense from a budget/regional standpoint to play them, ehc vs. mu has been a very competitive series and the campbell vs. mu series seems like it could be a GREAT regional rivalry game with lots of fan interest (as long as cu remains d1aa non-scholarship) - i could see that game drawing 2,500+ every year for a long time...of course, crazydude is probably going to point out that mu doesn't have a good enough qb to worry about who is on the schedule

[crazylegs33]

Yeah, maybe methodist could find some NC high schools to schedule. That would satisfy the budgetary needs and pad those stats! 

Just yanking your chain Narch, don't get all huffy and puffy again.