FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[frank_ezelle]

Wes,

Millsaps obviously has the "easiest" schedule from here on out in regards to the top 4 SCAC teams with the home game against Centre and the road trip to Sewanee.  Yes, they have the game with BSC but that game doesn't count in the standings and I don't think it factors into the SCAC tiebreaker for the AQ, plus Millsaps lost any NCAA at-large chance with the 2OT loss against MC.

Centre has a tougher schedule with the road trips to Millsaps and Trinity and the home game with Rhodes, but they also have a 1-game lead in the SCAC race.  That gives them a mulligan for the SCAC co-championship if they don't get a win this weekend.  

DePauw has a really tough group of games left and even if they finish 8-1, that's no guarantee of an at-large berth.  It looks like the most likely path for DePauw to get to the NCAA Playoffs is a 2-way tie at the top between DePauw and Millsaps.  Likewise, I would prefer that to be a 2-way tie between Millsaps and Trinity where the head-to-head would put Millsaps in the playoffs and probably travelling back to MS College.

As for Trinity, it is not going to surprise me if they do get wins over DePauw, Centre and Austin even though all of those are tough games.  Trinity opened up with 4 games on the road, the last being that awful looking game at Millsaps.  Since then they have been a home for a bye week and two big wins (41-14 over BSC and 40-0 over Sewanee).  I suspect they will be a much better team this weekend than what I saw of them in Jackson.

Finally Wes, congratulations on your 1,000th post which will be your next post.  Over the years I have greatly appreciated your insights into DePauw athletics, SCAC action, and D3 sports in general.  Thanks for all you have added to the conversation.

(PS--Now that I think about it, a Millsaps win Saturday coupled with a DePauw loss gives Millsaps the AQ if the Majors win at Sewanee.  DePauw would have 2 losses, Millsaps would have the head-to-head over both Centre and Trinity, the only other teams that would then be able to finish the year with only 1 loss.

OR, if Centre and DePauw win this week, then Centre will clinch the AQ with a win over Rhodes next weekend--Millsaps and Trinity would have two losses and even if Centre lost at Trinity, they would have the head-to-head over DePauw.)

[@d3jason]

Anyone on here ever notice that the "Around the South" Region is always last in the weekly column?

Yes, but I am glad that Pat Coleman was able to find someone to do the job, since Ron Boerger reliquinshed the mantle.

Sorry that I have been so late guys. It's been a busy Fall for me with travel and teaching at a new high school this year (grading papers, more planning,etc). My daughter also has soccer practice on Tuesday night. At any rate, I really enjoy doing did and appreciate your responses and feedback.

[exmajor]

Anyone on here ever notice that the "Around the South" Region is always last in the weekly column?

Yes, but I am glad that Pat Coleman was able to find someone to do the job, since Ron Boerger reliquinshed the mantle.

Sorry that I have been so late guys. It's been a busy Fall for me with travel and teaching at a new high school this year (grading papers, more planning,etc). My daughter also has soccer practice on Tuesday night. At any rate, I really enjoy doing did and appreciate your responses and feedback.

You do a great job Jason.  I think everyone enjoys your column each week.  With everything on your plate, we appreciate you still taking time to do it each week!  I guess some are just excited to have something else to read leading up to the weekend other than work!  Thanks!

[Patriot_Pride]

Anyone on here ever notice that the "Around the South" Region is always last in the weekly column?

Yes, but I am glad that Pat Coleman was able to find someone to do the job, since Ron Boerger reliquinshed the mantle.

Sorry that I have been so late guys. It's been a busy Fall for me with travel and teaching at a new high school this year (grading papers, more planning,etc). My daughter also has soccer practice on Tuesday night. At any rate, I really enjoy doing did and appreciate your responses and feedback.

I was just curious in why it had always been the last one posted the last few years. No big deal. I also appreciate you taking the time to do it and enjoy reading it each week. It gives me something to look forward to in regards to what's going on "Around the South."

[TigerDad]

I get my first live look at the 2009 DePauw team this Saturday and I'm pretty excited about it.  Those of you in attendance will be able to enjoy my sultry tones on the public address. 

Wes, my family and I will be there for our last "big" road trip ... I'll try to climb up to the pressbox to say hello when I check on Big Bob and the Trinity webcast team.

Hope TU can continue their run over the Indiana Tigers ... I'm sure it will be a tough game for both teams.  As was earlier noted, Trinity did have a brutal 4-game stretch of road trips to start the season and had several injuries at QB that slowed their offensive learning curve.  The situation seems to be stabilized now and the young O-line has been moving some bodies lately.  Of course, we hope that will continue.  It will be interesting to see how the Black Flag handles DPU's high-powered and experienced offense on Saturday. 

Either way,  I will guarantee a Tiger win this week.  Hope it's the guys in maroon & white!

[Pat Coleman]

I was just curious in why it had always been the last one posted the last few years. No big deal. I also appreciate you taking the time to do it and enjoy reading it each week. It gives me something to look forward to in regards to what's going on "Around the South."

Well, of course, it isn't always the last one posted. East is just as often the last one in. Two weeks ago there wasn't even a West column filed.

[frank_ezelle]

Looks like there may be a wet field and cool weather for the game in Greencastle:

http://weather.yahoo.com/Greencastle-Indiana-United-States/USIN0251/forecast.html

The forecast for Jackson is sunny with a high in the mid-60's--should be a great day for Homecoming and the big showdown with Centre.

[rooski]

Ralph,  Thanks for the feedback. I enjoyed the "Reflections" and like Tigerdad said, I would have never run across that.

Tigerdad, I will send you a PM the week of our AC/TU matchup {or is it TU/AC???} to suggest a postgame allergy session location. I hope to get to meet Chris as well.

FBCleatus, We appreciate your kind words about our boy. It really is an honor to be around these Kangaroos - and their families.

Last weekend I sat with Zach Swirczynski's dad at the game. {Most of you know Zach died suddenly one February evening on the AC campus and was a member of the football team.} He and his family are attending the games that Zach would have been a part of until his class graduates. They are close to many of the boys and appreciate the support they have received from the team and the school. What a mighty example of how much these "games" can come to mean to us. And a reminder of what a blessing it is to be able to traverse a season or career with our sons and their teammates.  -  I love this game and these young men. That is why I try to speak with players and parents of the opponents afterward so that they know we are really all in this together - raising sons into quality men.

[Ron Boerger]

I've put a poll up for the two games this weekend.  Here's an observation from K-Mack, from the week's Triple Take:

Keith's take: Trinity (Texas) at DePauw. Are we dissing teams now? It's not that the shine is completely off the ol' Tiger-Tiger matchup, because it isn't. But it has competition for biggest SCAC game of the day, which was unanticipated earlier in the year. It's hard to believe that if the results break right, with Centre beating Millsaps and DePauw winning, that the Colonels could have the conference virtually won in Week 8.

For those who like to look at such things, here are the NCAA stats for the SCAC.

[frank_ezelle]

I've put a poll up for the two games this weekend.  Here's an observation from K-Mack, from the week's Triple Take:

Keith's take: Trinity (Texas) at DePauw. Are we dissing teams now? It's not that the shine is completely off the ol' Tiger-Tiger matchup, because it isn't. But it has competition for biggest SCAC game of the day, which was unanticipated earlier in the year. It's hard to believe that if the results break right, with Centre beating Millsaps and DePauw winning, that the Colonels could have the conference virtually won in Week 8.

For those who like to look at such things, here are the NCAA stats for the SCAC.

--------------------------------

OR, with Millsaps and Trinity winning, Millsaps could have the conference virtually won in Week 8 (I assume this discussion is about the AQ since Centre couldn't lock up sole possession of the SCAC title without later winning at Trinity--no easy task).  DePauw would have 2 losses, Millsaps would only have one loss if they beat Sewanee next week, and the winner between Trinity and Centre would lose the head-to-head with Millsaps.  

So it makes an interesting question.  Barring a tie, there are 4 possible outcomes of the Millsaps-Centre and Trinity-DePauw combo.  Of the two that would basically decide the AQ for the SCAC this year, which is the more likely:

A)  Millsaps wins at home over Centre, Trinity wins on the road at DePauw (Millsaps wins the AQ if they beat Sewanee)

B) DePauw wins at home over Trinity, Centre wins on the road at Millsaps (Centre wins AQ if they then beat either Rhodes or Trinity)

[frank_ezelle]

When looking at the Triple Take this week (http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/2009/10/23/triple-take-week-8-clashes-among-top-25s/), I was actually surprised that no one had Centre as the "Most Likely Top 25 Team to Get Upset". 

I understand that Centre is 6-0 and Millsaps is 4-3, but Millsaps is the home team and Centre just squeeked by BSC 14-13 the last time they went on the road.  The Millsaps losses have all been on the road to very good teams--a 2OT game at MS College (didn't they just beat then #3 UMHB), a 2-point loss at DePauw, and the loss at Huntingdon when the loss of the top 2 QBs was a factor.  And with Millsaps being a 3-time defending SCAC champion, it seems like this would be a game where maybe the idea of a Millsaps victory shouldn't be view as an upset.

Not that it matters one way or another, but it's just seems like someone would have picked this game as the most likely upset.

[D3_DPUFan]

OR, with Millsaps and Trinity winning, Millsaps could have the conference virtually won in Week 8 (I assume this discussion is about the AQ since Centre couldn't lock up sole possession of the SCAC title without later winning at Trinity--no easy task).  DePauw would have 2 losses, Millsaps would only have one loss if they beat Sewanee next week, and the winner between Trinity and Centre would lose the head-to-head with Millsaps.  

So it makes an interesting question.  Barring a tie, there are 4 possible outcomes of the Millsaps-Centre and Trinity-DePauw combo.  Of the two that would basically decide the AQ for the SCAC this year, which is the more likely:

A)  Millsaps wins at home over Centre, Trinity wins on the road at DePauw (Millsaps wins the AQ if they beat Sewanee)

B) DePauw wins at home over Trinity, Centre wins on the road at Millsaps (Centre wins AQ if they then beat either Rhodes or Trinity)

OR...

Avoid the mind numbing headaches and wait to see which teams show up to play football tomorrow. We will have a much better (though not complete) picture tomorrow evening. Those who make plays will be smiling when the day is done.  

[Ron Boerger]

Geez - only four votes so far??  

I guess the key for Trinity to defeat DPU this weekend is to control Spud and the DePauw passing attack, no easy matter.  TU struggled to contain the throw early in the season but has improved as of late; the question is the improvement real or is it a factor of who they've played.  A little of both, probably.  Alex Koors will be a tough cover.  Trinity will also have to run the ball at least somewhat effectively, again something the young OL seems to be doing better with more repetition.    One place Trinity has a solid advantage is on special teams, with the kicking game a strong point.   That can turn the tide in a close game, but you have to stay close for it to be a factor ...  

I can see Trinity winning but only if they play their best game of the season.  The road, the weather, and the quality of the opponent make them a decided underdog tomorrow.

[D3_DPUFan]

I

guess the key for Trinity to defeat DPU this weekend is to control Spud and the DePauw passing attack, no easy matter.  TU struggled to contain the throw early in the season but has improved as of late; the question is the improvement real or is it a factor of who they've played.  A little of both, probably.  Alex Koors will be a tough cover.  Trinity will also have to run the ball at least somewhat effectively, again something the young OL seems to be doing better with more repetition.    One place Trinity has a solid advantage is on special teams, with the kicking game a strong point.   That can turn the tide in a close game, but you have to stay close for it to be a factor ... 

I can see Trinity winning but only if they play their best game of the season.  The road, the weather, and the quality of the opponent make them a decided underdog tomorrow.

Ron,
I think it is shaping up to be a very good college football game...not taking anything away from Trinity's special teams play, I would says DePauw has a really good kicking game as well; Havercamp had 3 FG's in the Millsaps game, including a 41 yarder that proved to be the difference...and Hill has been punting very well...just sayin'...

[Ron Boerger]

TU P Trella is ranked #3 nationally with a 43.5 yd average (Hill, 37.4, 53rd); TU net punting is ninth nationally (DPU, 86th); PK Biel is tied for the lead in FGs/game (11-13, nearly two per game) and has a 48, a 47, and a 43 yarder to his credit.   In terms of returns, both TU's punt returns (tops in conference) and kick returns (third in conference) lead DPU (fifth in conference in both categories).    DePauw does a better job on kick and punt return coverage.