FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Tex]

One more observation about my trip to SAT...

you know when you have crossed the cultural boundary when the big flashing mall marquis proclaims

"Super MERCA2",

and the message makes sense when you read that as "MERCADOS".

San Antone is the 10th largest city in the US, but is definitely a place where a working knowledge of conversational spanish is a huge plus. 

[Ron Boerger]

San Antone is the 10th largest city in the US, but is definitely a place where a working knowledge of conversational spanish is a huge plus. 

Seventh according to 2005 estimates.    

[Major_Fan]

New Top 25 Poll has Trinity at #22 and Millsaps at #24.

Strong showing by both teams over the weekend on the scoreboard.

http://www.d3football.com/top25/2008/week-1

[Major Rev]

Strange to see Trinity drop two spots after a strong showing ... and I'm sure MC will be back in the hunt after they work a couple of kinks out ...
I also think we'll see Millsaps move up, though for now, I'd just as soon see them "under the radar" ...

How is Depauw looking this time around?  Anybody want to weigh in?

[Ralph Turner]

Strange to see Trinity drop two spots after a strong showing ... and I'm sure MC will be back in the hunt after they work a couple of kinks out ...
I also think we'll see Millsaps move up, though for now, I'd just as soon see them "under the radar" ...

How is Depauw looking this time around?  Anybody want to weigh in?

Actually Trinity lost 6 votes, total, which would have not changed their ordinal ranking.

[Major Rev]

More a matter of others moving up more strongly ... got it ... I think ...

Always takes a few weeks for it to shake out, doesn't it?

I actually think the poll looks good at this stage.  Sometimes it's kind of hard to tell with teams playing some lesser known cross-divisional opponents.

Ralph, do you think that can actually hurt some teams who are playing out of D-3?  How is that usually considered?

[Ralph Turner]

More a matter of others moving up more strongly ... got it ... I think ...

Always takes a few weeks for it to shake out, doesn't it?

I actually think the poll looks good at this stage.  Sometimes it's kind of hard to tell with teams playing some lesser known cross-divisional opponents.

Ralph, do you think that can actually hurt some teams who are playing out of D-3?  How is that usually considered?

I think it is on a case-by-case basis.

Personally, I think that a strong D-II program or a very well-respected NAIA doesn't hurt.

[MACCENTRE43]

Hello fellow SCAC fans.  I am a recent graduate of Centre College where I played football for Coach Andy Frye.  Since I'm missing playing the sport I figured this posting board could help satisfy my D3 Football fix!

I was impressed with Centre's opening win over Hanover.  Although the Panthers have not been great lately it's still always nice to get that opening win, especially since the SCAC has become such a demanding conference what with the travel and 8 league games.

Looking forward to the rest of the season!

[D3_DPUFan]

How is Depauw looking this time around?  Anybody want to weigh in?

I think folks in Greencastle are fairly optimistic...lots of experience and talent back on offense and experienced, physical fronts on both sides of the ball. The Tigers will obviously really miss the school's all time leading rusher Jerimiah Marks and talented offensive lineman Kerry Pappas; will also need to fill some holes in the secondary...but all in all the potential for a great season is there...

[D3_DPUFan]

I was impressed with Centre's opening win over Hanover.  Although the Panthers have not been great lately it's still always nice to get that opening win, especially since the SCAC has become such a demanding conference what with the travel and 8 league games.

What's your read on Centre's strengths/weaknesses?

[Tex]

San Antone is the 10th largest city in the US, but is definitely a place where a working knowledge of conversational spanish is a huge plus. 

Seventh according to 2005 estimates.    

Is this a case where your ranking goes up even when you have an open date?

[MACCENTRE43]

I was impressed with Centre's opening win over Hanover.  Although the Panthers have not been great lately it's still always nice to get that opening win, especially since the SCAC has become such a demanding conference what with the travel and 8 league games.

What's your read on Centre's strengths/weaknesses?

From what I've gathered defense will be their strength this season.  Adam Hay, middle linebacker, was honorable mention all-american last year, and a pre-season all-american in most publications this year.  A couple guys to replace in the defensive backfield, so that could be a potential weakness, but Centre usually plays pretty sound defensive football.

For the last few seasons the offense has been the x-factor and I think that will again be the case this year.  A new offensive coordinator has a lot of us excited, but how well the O-Line comes together will be huge.  Also, Grant Conliffe, the QB, still has a lot to prove.

One other thing, and I wonder if this applies to most of the teams in the SCAC, but Centre is usually very tough to beat at home.  I know when I played our home record was usually significantly better than on the road.  You can chalk that up to pure chance, but I tend to believe the travel schedule in the SCAC has a major affect on some of these schools.  It's no excuse, you have to be ready to play, but there's a big difference between sleeping in your own bed and having to saddle up a 13 hour bus ride to Millsaps.  Glad their coming to Danville this year!

I know Depauw was always a game I circled on our schedule.  Was it, or is it, considered a big game by Depauw standards?

[Ron Boerger]

Welcome MacCentre43!  Been too long since we've had a knowledgeable Centre poster on the boards.

One of the things I would like to see someone do is compare SCAC home/away records against the rest of D3, and you could factor in distance travelled, too.  Going to be interesting to see how Colorado College's home-field advantage develops as they become accustomed to the SCAC, same goes for Birmingham-Southern as they re-establish their program. 

[D3_DPUFan]

I know Depauw was always a game I circled on our schedule.  Was it, or is it, considered a big game by Depauw standards?

I think so. We lost a tough one at your place two years ago, but were ready when you came to Greencastle last year. I'm sure it will be a good game in Danville September 20!

[TigerDad]

SCAC Week One Players of the Week are up:
http://www.scac-online.org/football/player_of_the_week.shtml

Congratulations to all the fine players mentioned ... good start, guys!