FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[golden_dome]

Most people seem to disagree with how Millsaps played the game and I certainly understand that.  It was clear from the result of the first 3 quarters that Millsaps was the far superior team Thursday night.  I feel sure that the players and coaches on both sides recognize that fact.  I don't know about the fans, but it is interesting that no MC fans have posted so far (at 10 a.m.) about their big victory, making me think that they realize it was a fairly hollow victory.

Frank,
Since you mentioned no MC fans posting I should probably put up something so no one gets the wrong idea from MC people.
    I do not share the same opinion and don't feel hollow about the win at all. I know our players don't  either. I also would not agree one team was far superior through three quarters. I thought the difference was Millsaps was completing passes and MC was not.  MC was sloppy in every phase while Millsaps was sharp. In the first three quarters Millaps was 26-39 passing while MC was 10-31. Even with that huge difference, Millsaps had only outgained MC 329-257 and was averaging just 1.8 yards per rush. MC had also committed more penalities, had a punt blocked, fumbled three times, losing one, and thrown an int.
   I would 100% agree that Millsaps was very sharp and playing much better football. I thought Juan Joseph played a great game and is a heck of a player. Millsaps will win a lot of games this year, they have a solid team and I was very impressed with how they played. Joseph makes them that much better.
   I honestly was not paying close attention to Millsaps' personnel, but I did notice several skill position backups in the game for whatever reason, but I thought most of the starters up front were still playing.
   I think the MC players felt fortunate to still be in position to get the win considering how poorly they played and the caliber of team they were playing, but it's still a win.

[frank_ezelle]

Frank, with all due respect, that really is a stretch! 

Actually, it would only be a stretch if I had posted it prior to the game and suggested that it would be the Millsaps game plan.  Given the facts of how the game was played with the Millsaps starters resting most of the 2nd half, what I wrote seems to be one of the few feasible explanations.  

Let me once again say that this isn't the plan that I would have followed, but then again, I'm not a person who could take the same basic team that went 2-7 in 2005 and turn them into a SCAC champion in 2006.  Keep in mind that in 2006 DuBose did something similar by putting in a defense that the players couldn't really execute in the first several games of the season.  It probably didn't make a difference in the MC game of 2006, but it may have cost them a victory in the Louisiana College game (38-41) and the Huntingdon game (34-35).  And one could argue that this willingness to accept a couple of early season losses was key to winning the SCAC.  

I guess we'll see how it all plays out over the next few months.

[gordonmann]

Fascinating start to the season.

I've never heard of a coach at this level pulling starters and letting them rest to the point of losing a regular season game, not when the playoff margin is so incredibly thin and not in such a big rivalry.

But there's an interesting logic to Frank's points and I'm glad he's making them.  Very, very interesting -- I hope the host of the weekly coach's show pushes on this a little and finds out Coach Dubose's strategy.

[FerricMajor82]

DPU and Wally_Walbash,

Thanks guys for thinking clearly.  You play to win.  

Chris Brooks,

Again, let's all pow-wow and talk football.  Sadly, interceptions, dropped passes, fumbles, and blocked kicks are part of the game.  If a team looks more superior than another team it's typically because they capitalize on their opponents mistakes, or simply execute better than their opponent.  Millsaps did that while their starters were in.  MC did not.  That is pretty much the definition of "superiority."  I know this is an absurd arguement seeing as MC ended up winning, but let's all agree that there will be no complaining about the idiosyncrasies (e.g. penalties, turnovers, gale force winds, the shape of the ball?) of football.  

[frank_ezelle]

Chris, let me respond and then I'll probably have said all I can say on the subject.  The use of the word "hollow" was a poor choice.  MC played hard and they didn't quit and congratulations to them on the victory.  In a way, I think it was unfair to them that they didn't have the chance to regroup and come back on the Millsaps starters, but it will go into the books as a good win for MC and that helps the program.

I assume that MC had their first team in the entire game but I'm not familiar with their personel so I wouldn't have known if they put in the non-starters unless it had been the quarterback.  Naturally I'm more familiar with the Millsaps personel and most of the starters were standing with me on the sideline in the 4th quarter.  I kept hoping they would go back in but they didn't really look like guys who were expecting to play anymore.  

I'd like to add that I hope MC goes on to have a great season.  I'm a believer in pulling for the Mississippi teams and I'd like to see MC make some noise in the ASC.  I'd love to see a rematch of these two teams in the first round of the NCAA's.

[golden_dome]

Again, let's all pow-wow and talk football.  Sadly, interceptions, dropped passes, fumbles, and blocked kicks are part of the game.  If a team looks more superior than another team it's typically because they capitalize on their opponents mistakes, or simply execute better than their opponent.  Millsaps did that while their starters were in.  MC did not.  That is pretty much the definition of "superiority."

I would agree with all of that, it's part of being a good football team or a bad one. But I do think there is a difference in a team being "far superior" and a team playing superior on any given day, that is my only point. I did not think Millsaps physically dominated the game in the first three quarters. They made their own breaks and took advantage of MC mistakes, and the Choctaws did not. But I have nothing bad to say about Millsaps. You had to be impressed with them last night and I would chalk up a lot of wins for them this season.

I know this is an absurd arguement seeing as MC ended up winning, but let's all agree that there will be no complaining about the idiosyncrasies (e.g. penalties, turnovers, gale force winds, the shape of the ball?) of football.  

I think we would all also agree that you can't say you have a far superior team because you led through three quarters. But like I said, Millsaps has a solid team again this year and would be my pick to win the SCAC, particularly with Trinity coming to Jackson again. It will be hard for a team to travel here and get a win over the Majors from what I saw last night.

[Ron Boerger]

The ASC thanks the SCAC for the Quality win! 

Yeah, maybe that's what upset me the most - it cost me in both the ASC and SCAC Pick'ems!   

[Just_that_kid]

It would seem that the common idea as to why coach Dubose made this move was to rest his starters. Perhaps he just wanted to give his bench a chance to play a "real" game. Playing in a game where something is on the line is FAR different than getting in the game when your team is up by 40, and you're playing against another teams backups. We got to see, at this point, what the second and third teams are capable of, and as the game progressed (although it did end in a loss), the reserves were gaining steam and momentum against STARTERS.

Brooks: MC was dominated in ALL phases, not just one. No Millsaps starters returned to the field after they were pulled with the exception of a few receivers who played out of position (simply out of need). The offensive line actually went to it's third team.
Hypothetically (let's just pretend), let's figure that Millsaps had a comparable second half. They would have had 40+ points and 500+ yards of offense, while keeping MC under two scores. It's not very difficult to imagine. (As bases for my implications, refer to Millsaps' offensive and defensive statistics from last season, then consider returning players.)
Not to mention the blitz happy, man press MC played in the second half. I can only speculate, but Millsaps had freshman receivers getting open. I don't want to imagine what faster, more experienced veterans would have done against it. Blitzing against the style of offense Millsaps plays is a gamble, and they had been taking advantage of mistakes all night.
Another point... I'm pretty sure Millsaps' defense didn't blitz often either. Dubose usually has his defense blitzing the moment they get off the bus. It's his style. I could have gotten ugly.
All that said, Mississippi College is an excellent team, and I nod my head for their poise, and the way they played to the end. I take nothing away from them or what they accomplished.

Pat: I do understand what you're saying, but no one said Millsaps wasn't playing to win. Coach Dubose simply elected to play to win the game with his reserves. If he has that confidence in his team, and his leaders support him, then perhaps it's a winning nucleolus. I don't entirely understand the choice, but coach Dubose could very well have forgotten more football than every member of this blog will ever know. Knowing how players will respond to adversity, and pressure is a key to success.
Here's my take, and you can chose to hear it, or simply write it off. The attitude in Jackson is simple--the SCAC crown comes through Jackson. I just don't believe coach Dubose or any of the player believe they won't defend their title. That being said, perhaps coach Dubose felt his reserves could defend the lead, and if lost, re-capture it. Millsaps' 2nd and 3rd team offense DID start to drive the ball against MC starters.

Turner: Mississippi Junior colleges are some of the best in the nation. some are practically division 1 teams. I think if Millsaps played JV games, it would likely be against NAIA and D3 schools. Millsaps does have plans for fielding a JV squad this year.

Ex Major: Thank you for hitting on the point. If the team buys into why things are being done, and believes in themselves and the coaching staff, great things can be done.

Gordonman: no matter how hard the weekly show host pry's, I'm positive the coach Dubose won't tip his hat. Let's remember, he's fairly acquainted with the media.

The haters will hate, and the doubters will doubt. I just hope the SCAC come ready to play because Millsaps' defense in ice cold, and the offense can light up the sky like it's Baghdad. It's going to be another awesome season! Again, good luck to MC, and the SCAC. I wish them all success, and hope they bring their "A" game week in and week out.

[Just_that_kid]

Sorry for all the typing mistakes. I will try to edit next time! haha.

[Just_that_kid]

Big C, it couldn't have been said better! I entirely agree! Regardless of what any of us think, both teams accomplised a great deal, and will continue to get better. Both teams still have 9 games (and hopefully more) to play. Both programs and coaching staff's are top notch!

[Tex]

Hmm... I am new to D-3, but not new to football.  I used to coach HS ball in Houston many moons ago.

I'm all for putting in my backups when the game is in hand, but I'm not sure I sacrifice the W for getting those guys more playing time.  I'd bet the guys on the the third string would agree with that as well.  This is a team game with a team goal of wining. 

This ain't daddy-ball, "let's not keep score so no one feels like a loser."

Good lord, will DuBose start serving Hi-C and orange slices at halftime now as well?  An entire new class of soccer moms is born. 

[evacuee]

I just came in on this one and I find it totally bizarre.  Absurd is another word that comes to mind.  There's nothing like a zero in the loss column and why you would take a loss as long as you can play your backups is like junior high philosophy.  I can't believe they did it on purpose.  Could it have been cramps?  It is awfully hot right now.

[Tom33]

I mean you need the the W. That is what everyone is working for all season long. Playing time for the second team should come when the game is in hand, not at the expense of a loss.

[Just_that_kid]

Fair enough. The goal is to get a W, but I for one won't question Dubose. I'm sure he had his reasons, and he's got something in mind. Like I said.. he's probably forgotten more about football than we will probably ever know. There are still quiet a few games, and as long as Millsaps wins the ones that count the most.. well, that's all that matters!

There are 9 more games, folks. Millsaps has proven that they can NO DOUBT play quality  ball. Let the season unfold. May the best team be standing when the dust clears.

[Jawbreaker]

I would agree with Frank.  I do not think that DuBose was playing to lose.  Putting the reserves in to garner experience in true game situations (read not a blow out) when their effort and performance means something will pay huge dividends down the road.  I truely doubt the Coach intended it to wind up getting as close as it did, but when presented with the situation as it was  he elected to allow his second and third squads to show their mettle and possibly salvage a win or get a big goal line stop on their own rather than being rescued by the "cavalry".  I think that that would have been priceless to the team as a whole and the downside risk ( a non-conference loss to a pseudorival) was noiminal.