FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ralph Turner]

I think that we are looking at a Millsaps-UMHB first round game if both teams win their conferences.

I agree, Ralph.  I think the UMHB win today pretty much sealed that.  I'll be very surprised if the eventual SCAC champ, be it Trinity or Millsaps, isn't playing in Belton in the first round.  Maybe if Rhodes wins as the longshot, they'd do something different.  Or may be not.... even they might be traveling to see the Crusaders.

Wes, UMHB is playing for home field advantage for the playoffs at UWW next week.

If they don't win, then they might have to go north to either W&J and/or Wesley/Salisbury for second and third round games.

[HunterT]

playoff talks aside, there were some good games this weekend in the SCAC. First and foremost, DPU pulling off a 2 OT win at colorado. Not gonna lie, very surprised by that one.

In memphis, you all read the updates by Jekelish (thanks) and saw what happened. Rhodes pulled it out in the end. They were not playing well in the first half and gave up some bad scores, mainly the 85 yd fumble return for a TD. But you have to respond to that, and the Lynx did just that. Coming out strong in the 3rd and taking the drive down for a TD moving it to a one score game.

Then an Austin FG put it to an 8 pt difference. Rhodes held Austin to minimal offensive production and was able to drive down and get the score to pull within 2, but failed on the 2 pt conversion. Then another defensive stand and Rhodes got the ball back with just over 2 minutes left.

Finally it seemed as though Rhodes was awaken and started to play. A few good completions to the sidelines for first downs made rhodes able to move down and save clock time. I personally thought they were playing for the FG to win by 1, but after a run up the middle for a yard or so, another run by Charles Hoggard (a.k.a. the work horse - 130 yds and a score on the day) bounced out to the left side and took it in from 25 yds out with under a minute to play to take the lead. The 2 point conversion was almost a joke with a run up the middle, and then it was AC's turn to pull some magic.

AC got a first down was able to make a short scare, but then a fumbled snap from a shotgun formation left the Roos with a very long 3rd down. After an imcomplete pass it was hail mary time, and Rhodes was able to swat it down around the 15 yd line for the win.

A big win for the Lynx, which make it 3 straight and keep the hopes alive. They are playing good ball, but it seems to be late in the game. That's the frustrating part. If they played the rest of the game like it was the last 2 minutes, I have no doubt that we would be dominant, but we don't. simple as that.

Next week in Danville KY (my least favorite place). We need to pull it out there, and then I'll feel really good about things. But playing on the road is tough, especially with the field at Centre not being the best in the nation (understatement). But this week was a good win and a great game.

I give a lot of respect to the Austin College fans. Supportive and polite. I'm glad they came and they impressed me with their road support and enthusiasm. Tough loss for them, but they are much improved and I expect good things for AC in the future.

and also, VANDERBILT won!!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!

[DPU3619]

I think that we are looking at a Millsaps-UMHB first round game if both teams win their conferences.

I agree, Ralph.  I think the UMHB win today pretty much sealed that.  I'll be very surprised if the eventual SCAC champ, be it Trinity or Millsaps, isn't playing in Belton in the first round.  Maybe if Rhodes wins as the longshot, they'd do something different.  Or may be not.... even they might be traveling to see the Crusaders.

Wes, UMHB is playing for home field advantage for the playoffs at UWW next week.

If they don't win, then they might have to go north to either W&J and/or Wesley/Salisbury for second and third round games.

Well, yeah.  I was talking about the first round, too. 

[HunterT]

now as the playoffs are concerned, I think a Millsaps/MHB first round match up would be great. Two quality teams from the south really battling. The only problem is that I think both of these teams could go for a while in the playoffs. It's a shame that one has to be eliminated in the first round if they play eachother.

If Trinity wins next weekend then it shakes things up a lot. I'm assuming you guys have done the research and Trinity takes the tie breaker. It's a shame that in a 3 way tie Rhodes would be out of the mix, but i agree that a 2 loss Rhodes team won't make the Pool C bid. A 2 loss Millsaps team could earn the bid, but it'd be tough. I think it depends on what is going on around the rest of the South. I think the "best" situation would be a Millsaps win next week and they get the auto bid and there are no more questions.

that's my 2 cents. reactions are welcome as i'm sure they will come.

[Ralph Turner]

Remember that the other side of the South Bracket will be either Salisbury or Wesley.  We have seen Wesley the last two years, so they cannot be underestimated.  I am not sure how far the South half of the "South Region" can be assumed to go, de facto.

I always wonder how good W&J really is.  We Texas teams play them and seem to handle them nicely.

One of these seasons, that won't be the case.

[HunterT]

well if Millsaps is the SCAC team, I have faith that they'll beat Wesley or Salisbury. I think the Majors are playing well enough to go deep into the playoffs.

If it turns out to be Trinity, I think they can make a difference as well.

Same with Rhodes. I think if they show up, they'd win a first round game against Wesley or Salisbury.

The issue is who plays, and which teams shows up. That's why I said I honestly (painfully) think that Millsaps is the SCAC's best bet for a good playoff showing.

[HunterT]

and will all that said, I think Millsaps is the best bet to be MHB in the playoffs.

If anybody else plays them, it's MHB easily. With home field and a very strong team, it's MHB in a cake walk.

[Ralph Turner]

I understand the optimism of the SCAC faithful, but the SCAC has not won a post-season game since 2002.

[HunterT]

oh i agree that the SCAC has been a huge disappointment in post-season play.

i just have a good feeling. 

[frank_ezelle]

Any SCAC team facing UMHB in the playoffs would be a heavy underdog.  The same could be said about most playoff hopeful teams if they were matched with UMHB.  Going back to the gist of Big C's post about yesterday's game, my feeling is that he was saying UMHB is a very talented team, but not one that is hopelessly unbeatable.  Chris Brooks, the excellent SID at MC, wrote a post that somewhat echos the point made by Big C and here is a cut and paste of the bulk of his post:

"Congratulations to the Cru. Can't say I was surprised by the team they brought to Clinton, same team they always have with plenty of athletes. I hope they are able to get back to the Stagg Bowl, would be great for the conference and they certainly have the team to do it. Here are a few numbers from the game you might not see in the boxscore.

I have never seen a team with that many long runs. UMHB put up 543 yards of offense on seven runs, six of which looked like the same play,  and 107 yards on the other 41 plays. Even with the big runs, I thought the difference was six turnovers from MC. The Choctaws played with the Cru through two quarters and put up 250 yards of offense before half, but couldn't sustain it.

MC trailed 28-17 with 1:27 before halftime. Over the next nine minutes, UMHB needed five drives to score five touchdowns on an amazing nine plays. MC had four interceptions and a fumble during the same time and the score became 62-17 before you knew it. You just can't make mistakes against those guys because they make you pay for all of them.

I know the defense and the backs get a lot of press, but the offensive line has to be the strength of the team. Maybe not as big as some of the lines I have seen them have, but very athletic and physical. On most of the long runs the backs went untouched.

The defense isn't much different than all the others I have seen from UMHB, very fast. But if I tried to look for a weakness or was an opposing coach, it would certainly catch my attention that MC put up 550 yards with 523 through the air. But I'm not sure there are very many teams with the offensive weapons MC has to hurt them through the air."  (End of Chris Brooks post.)

As one of the MC announcers said during the game yesterday when he was pointing out much of the above, it is a lot like saying "This baseball game was close if you just take away the other team's two 3-run homers."  To beat UMHB, a team will have to have outstanding players, an excellent game plan, and flawless execution.  I think Millsaps is capable of such a tall order if they get into the playoffs, but I would rather find out the reality about such a matchup somewhere deeper in the playoffs, not necessarily in the first round.

And while mention of Millsaps and the playoffs is most certainly premature until after Saturday's game, Millsaps does have one huge advantage over the 2006 playoff team if the team qualifies this year.  Last year's team had 7 days between clinching a bid and kick off of the NCAA game.  It wasn't enough time to regroup from the excitement, make all the plans required for the playoff trip, and also get fully prepared to play a game.  IF Millsaps wins this Saturday, they'll have 21 days to get refocused on the playoffs, maybe even gearing game plans and schemes towards an anticipated matchup with UMHB.  These 14 extra days will make Millsaps a much better playoff team this year if they can get the big win this Saturday.

[evacuee]

I see that everyone is conceding the winner of next week's game in Jackson as the SCAC champion.  Does no one agree with my presumption that the final two weeks will be tough for both teams?  I think either one could go down hard for either being flat or looking ahead to playoffs. 

[DPU3619]

I see that everyone is conceding the winner of next week's game in Jackson as the SCAC champion.  Does no one agree with my presumption that the final two weeks will be tough for both teams?  I think either one could go down hard for either being flat or looking ahead to playoffs. 

That's certainly plausible.  They could indeed struggle.  But it would need to be a mighty one for Rhodes or a team with two conference losses to win the AQ.

Trinity would have to beat Millsaps, Millsaps would have to lose again, and Rhodes would have to win out.  Rhodes has to at least tie with just Trinity.  If Rhodes ties with Millsaps, Millsaps still wins the bid.  Plus, Rhodes doesn't exactly that easy of a schedule left.  They have to go to Centre and see DePauw at home.

[Ralph Turner]

I have missed this one...

What is the tie-breaker for the SCAC in the event of a three-way tie between TU, Millsaps and Rhodes?

Is it the "Rose Bowl" rule,  Rhodes would go because, TU and Millsaps have been there recently?  Or Trinity because they have the higher in-region record?  Is it a point differential?

Thanks 

[frank_ezelle]

I see that everyone is conceding the winner of next week's game in Jackson as the SCAC champion.  Does no one agree with my presumption that the final two weeks will be tough for both teams?  I think either one could go down hard for either being flat or looking ahead to playoffs. 

I think all the Millsaps folks are trying hard to use "if" in regards to Millsaps winning the SCAC and going to the playoffs.  I doubt that anyone in Jackson is counting on the playoffs as a given at this point in time. 

However, IF Millsaps wins against Trinity, then wouldn't that give them the AQ outright.  Millsaps has remaining games with CC and BSC, so a win this weekend would guarantee a 6-1 SCAC record at the worst.  In the case of a 3-way tie or a 2-way tie, Millsaps would have the advantage on head-to-head consideration.  IF Trinity wins this weekend, then I agree that there is still some football to be played before the AQ is determined. 

[DPU3619]

I have missed this one...

What is the tie-breaker for the SCAC in the event of a three-way tie between TU, Millsaps and Rhodes?

Is it the "Rose Bowl" rule,  Rhodes would go because, TU and Millsaps have been there recently?  Or Trinity because they have the higher in-region record?  Is it a point differential?

Thanks 

Ralph, this is from the South Region Playoffs page a few days ago. 

In the event of a 3 way tie between Rhodes, Milsaps, and Trinity, the tiebreak would be number of losses.  So Trinity would win the AQ at 9-1 while MC and RC are out at 8-2.

The home office tells me to keep in mind this isn't the tiebreak for all 3 way ties.  Something about non-conference games or something.