FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[TLU02SA]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

[umhb2001]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

Great thoughts and welcome to the board! +k!

While I agree that TLU's offense is balanced and their D has been tough, I then have to argue, who have they played? They gave up 15 to SRS playing at home and 32 to LC on the Road. I would say their D is better at home, but the telling part is 21 to SAGU. These three teams are not near as potent as UMHB on both sides of the ball. The one great thing TLU has going for it is knowledge of the UMHB style. Now, while our offense has changed greatly over the last 3 seasons, the foundation of the power run is the same, so this gives the closely knit coaches of TLU some confidence of what we might do. I will say, though, that our style has changed significantly, and I believe our size and depth to be the ultimate factor.

But, games are played on the field, not on paper, and not on the sidelines.

[TLU02SA]

UMHB2001, you are right about TLU's schedule.  That is why Saturday is such a big measuring stick for TLU because, over the last season and 1/2, TLU has shown that it can beat everyone else in the area.  The next step is competing with UMHB.

By Saturday night, I think everyone will be surprised by TLU.  I completely understand outside perception of TLU football would be skeptical.  There is no doubt that TLU, since it reinstated its program , has been mediocre at best.  However, Coach Danny Padron has turned this program around and what I see (and I admit that my eyes are biased) is a really good football team.

I hope for both of our teams that Saturday is a close and hard fought game.  I also hope TLU can sustain this success.  It would be great to have multiple teams from Texas be relevant in the DIII national picture at the same time.

Thanks for welcoming me aboard.  I had no clue there was large and thriving DIII football community out there.  Of course, I have been watching and keeping up with TLU football but only recently stumbled upon these boards.  Look forward to some friendly banter.

[couchcru11]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

TLU may have won 15 of 16 but like crufootball2001 said, it hasn't been against a top contender. I think UMHB is up to 58 out of 59 regular season wins. So for us to talk about TLU's streak when there is the lack of a power schedule isn't a hot topic for us.

If TLU's D holds the CRU to around 30, I would be very surprised. I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB. There's a growing tension and we may have a new Texas rivalry coming. But TLU has to show up and play like everyone down there thinks. It will be fun to see all the purple in the stands.

[Pat Coleman]

I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB.

Probably a fair number of our voters thinking along the same lines there.

[couchcru11]

I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB.

Probably a fair number of our voters thinking along the same lines there.

What's your call on the game Pat? TLU or UMHB? Close or large point differential?

[jknezek]

Took a skim through the pick'em boards and didn't see anyone taking TLU. Not the most scientific, but it gives you an idea of how big an upset it would be. Then again, that goes for any of the big 5 teams during the regular season (UWW, UMU, UMHB, Wesley and Linfield). NCC loses a bit more in the regular season, and Wesley every now and then, but the other 3... well... it's a rare, rare event.

[TLU02SA]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

TLU may have won 15 of 16 but like crufootball2001 said, it hasn't been against a top contender. I think UMHB is up to 58 out of 59 regular season wins. So for us to talk about TLU's streak when there is the lack of a power schedule isn't a hot topic for us.

If TLU's D holds the CRU to around 30, I would be very surprised. I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB. There's a growing tension and we may have a new Texas rivalry coming. But TLU has to show up and play like everyone down there thinks. It will be fun to see all the purple in the stands.

Isn't that the point I am making.  That TLU has a good streak going on here and the next step is competing with UMHB.  The implication being UMHB is the best program in the area. 

Not sure about the scheduling shot there either.  TLU's schedule went unchanged last season except that Southwestern (a startup SCAC program that TLU had to schedule) was added in place of the UMHB.  It is my understanding that the TLU-UMHB game was dropped because they couldn't get their two schedules to work.  From a costs perspective, it would have made more sense for TLU to travel to Belton last year instead of Mississippi College. That said, TLU and UMHB worked quickly to get this two year deal on the schedule.  And this "growing tension"  Ok, you get tense. I will enjoy the game.

[umhb2001]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

TLU may have won 15 of 16 but like crufootball2001 said, it hasn't been against a top contender. I think UMHB is up to 58 out of 59 regular season wins. So for us to talk about TLU's streak when there is the lack of a power schedule isn't a hot topic for us.

If TLU's D holds the CRU to around 30, I would be very surprised. I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB. There's a growing tension and we may have a new Texas rivalry coming. But TLU has to show up and play like everyone down there thinks. It will be fun to see all the purple in the stands.

Isn't that the point I am making.  That TLU has a good streak going on here and the next step is competing with UMHB.  The implication being UMHB is the best program in the area. 

Not sure about the scheduling shot there either.  TLU's schedule went unchanged last season except that Southwestern (a startup SCAC program that TLU had to schedule) was added in place of the UMHB.  It is my understanding that the TLU-UMHB game was dropped because they couldn't get their two schedules to work.  From a costs perspective, it would have made more sense for TLU to travel to Belton last year instead of Mississippi College. That said, TLU and UMHB worked quickly to get this two year deal on the schedule.  And this "growing tension"  Ok, you get tense. I will enjoy the game.

TLU02SA, I don't know where you are on the scene as far as freshman on campus or older gent coming new to the boards, but as I have been around since the inception of Cru football, knowing that we have handled the conference for a number of years now, to see McMurry, Mississippi College, and TLU leave after being handled for many years makes me think that they left because there was too much competition. Now, I know that there are fundamental positions that coincide with campus beliefs, but to me it also looks like a way to get out of Big Brother's shadow and create your own name which TLU has done. I believe the tension to be that of looking to prove that we are still the Big Brother. I believe/think/hope that we are. Should be fun!

[Ralph Turner]

I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB.

Probably a fair number of our voters thinking along the same lines there.

What's your call on the game Pat? TLU or UMHB? Close or large point differential?

We might get the answer in the Triple Take...   

[umhb2001]

Game notes for Saturday.

http://cruathletics.com/documents/2014/10/23//Game_Notes_TLU_2014.pdf?id=828

[TLU02SA]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

TLU may have won 15 of 16 but like crufootball2001 said, it hasn't been against a top contender. I think UMHB is up to 58 out of 59 regular season wins. So for us to talk about TLU's streak when there is the lack of a power schedule isn't a hot topic for us.

If TLU's D holds the CRU to around 30, I would be very surprised. I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB. There's a growing tension and we may have a new Texas rivalry coming. But TLU has to show up and play like everyone down there thinks. It will be fun to see all the purple in the stands.

Isn't that the point I am making.  That TLU has a good streak going on here and the next step is competing with UMHB.  The implication being UMHB is the best program in the area. 

Not sure about the scheduling shot there either.  TLU's schedule went unchanged last season except that Southwestern (a startup SCAC program that TLU had to schedule) was added in place of the UMHB.  It is my understanding that the TLU-UMHB game was dropped because they couldn't get their two schedules to work.  From a costs perspective, it would have made more sense for TLU to travel to Belton last year instead of Mississippi College. That said, TLU and UMHB worked quickly to get this two year deal on the schedule.  And this "growing tension"  Ok, you get tense. I will enjoy the game.

TLU02SA, I don't know where you are on the scene as far as freshman on campus or older gent coming new to the boards, but as I have been around since the inception of Cru football, knowing that we have handled the conference for a number of years now, to see McMurry, Mississippi College, and TLU leave after being handled for many years makes me think that they left because there was too much competition. Now, I know that there are fundamental positions that coincide with campus beliefs, but to me it also looks like a way to get out of Big Brother's shadow and create your own name which TLU has done. I believe the tension to be that of looking to prove that we are still the Big Brother. I believe/think/hope that we are. Should be fun!

I can't believe that McMurry, MC, and TLU changed conferences (divisions) because of UMHB football.  TLU plays 15 sports (men and women) besides football.  The needs and interest for those programs were certainly taken into account.  Further, if TLU was dead set on making the DIII football playoffs, then wouldn't it make more sense to stay in a conference with an AQ?  When TLU agreed to join the SCAC, they knew there would only be four teams and no AQ.  The theological alignment TLU has is closer to Trinity, Austin College, Southwestern, UD, Schreiner, and Centenary than to the Baptist schools in the ASC (I know there are 3 or 4 non-baptist schools in the ASC).

My comment on "growing tension" was made in jest.  Just trying to get the discussion going for the build up to Saturday. Anyways, I am looking forward to Saturday's game.  It is going to be a great game and TLU is going to impress.  This is easily the biggest game TLU has played since the program was reinstated in '98.  I know this because I was a freshman in '98. 

[umhb2001]

Certainly a big game.  This is a great chance for TLU to measure up against the best program in the area.  I think it is interesting that no one mentions the fact that TLU has won 15 of its last 16 games.  That is no small feat.

On the ASC board, everyone wants to talk about whether TLU's offense can keep up.  No one mentions the other side of the ball where I think this game will be decided because TLU's offense is balanced and able to score against good defenses.  If TLU's defense plays like it did against Sul Ross, HSU, SWAGU, and HPU, then TLU has a real chance to win.  The defense even played a huge role in their comeback against ETBU.  Once ETBU went up 43-28, ETBU only had 1 first down on their next three possessions giving TLU's offense great field position to flip the score to 55- 43.  I am not familiar with UMHB's offense.  Looking at their scores, they appear to be very good.  But it is TLU's defense can hold UMHB to around 30, then TLU definitely has a chance to get a very big win.

TLU may have won 15 of 16 but like crufootball2001 said, it hasn't been against a top contender. I think UMHB is up to 58 out of 59 regular season wins. So for us to talk about TLU's streak when there is the lack of a power schedule isn't a hot topic for us.

If TLU's D holds the CRU to around 30, I would be very surprised. I've been waiting for this game since TLU went to the SCAC and played everyone in the ASC but UMHB. There's a growing tension and we may have a new Texas rivalry coming. But TLU has to show up and play like everyone down there thinks. It will be fun to see all the purple in the stands.

Isn't that the point I am making.  That TLU has a good streak going on here and the next step is competing with UMHB.  The implication being UMHB is the best program in the area. 

Not sure about the scheduling shot there either.  TLU's schedule went unchanged last season except that Southwestern (a startup SCAC program that TLU had to schedule) was added in place of the UMHB.  It is my understanding that the TLU-UMHB game was dropped because they couldn't get their two schedules to work.  From a costs perspective, it would have made more sense for TLU to travel to Belton last year instead of Mississippi College. That said, TLU and UMHB worked quickly to get this two year deal on the schedule.  And this "growing tension"  Ok, you get tense. I will enjoy the game.

TLU02SA, I don't know where you are on the scene as far as freshman on campus or older gent coming new to the boards, but as I have been around since the inception of Cru football, knowing that we have handled the conference for a number of years now, to see McMurry, Mississippi College, and TLU leave after being handled for many years makes me think that they left because there was too much competition. Now, I know that there are fundamental positions that coincide with campus beliefs, but to me it also looks like a way to get out of Big Brother's shadow and create your own name which TLU has done. I believe the tension to be that of looking to prove that we are still the Big Brother. I believe/think/hope that we are. Should be fun!

I can't believe that McMurry, MC, and TLU changed conferences (divisions) because of UMHB football.  TLU plays 15 sports (men and women) besides football.  The needs and interest for those programs were certainly taken into account.  Further, if TLU was dead set on making the DIII football playoffs, then wouldn't it make more sense to stay in a conference with an AQ?  When TLU agreed to join the SCAC, they knew there would only be four teams and no AQ.  The theological alignment TLU has is closer to Trinity, Austin College, Southwestern, UD, Schreiner, and Centenary than to the Baptist schools in the ASC (I know there are 3 or 4 non-baptist schools in the ASC).

My comment on "growing tension" was made in jest.  Just trying to get the discussion going for the build up to Saturday. Anyways, I am looking forward to Saturday's game.  It is going to be a great game and TLU is going to impress.  This is easily the biggest game TLU has played since the program was reinstated in '98.  I know this because I was a freshman in '98.

I know. That's why I said it also looked like a way to get out of zither conference. SCAC has been looking for members to have the AQ though as well.

I plan on leaving Belton around 9:30 to get down there by 11:30 to get my tickets at will call. I'd love to meet some fellow D3 fans. Best place for BBQ in Seguin?

[Kelly Boggs]

We're driving over tomorrow afternoon. I would be open to meeting for lunch. My only concern is will there be a line forming prior to the gates opening at 12:00?

[Tekken]

I find it very telling that many of you are even questioning that there is more than one outcome (UMHB victory) in this game.  This kind of belabors the point I was trying to make a week or so ago.  It seems that everyone who knows anything about anyone in division III football recognizes there are a few "super elite" teams (UMHB inclusive) followed by a large drop off of several "elite" teams.  Yet, TLU is not considered in that elite level, as evidenced by the voters.  On the flip side of the coin, however, here we are talking about TLU having a legitimate chance of competing with and/or defeating UMHB.  If this truly is the sentiment, how do you justify TLU's lack of ranking nationally? 

Obviously a win changes everything immediately.  But what if TLU competed and lost by, say 14, would that actually increase perception of their ranking in voters' minds?


As for TLU running from UMHB, take your tin foil hat off.  I'm sure it was acknowledged before, and a nice perk of the move, however there are way too many bigger factors to consider than not having to play UMHB in a strategic move like that.

To the BBQ question, there isn't a local standout that anyone falls on the sword in defense of.  Cooper's in New Braunfels (20 mins) has a pretty solid reputation.  If you want to try local BBQ flavor I would without question say the place to go is  "Johnny's BBQ" on Business 123.  However, if you are willing to look beyond bbq and towards catfish, you can't go wrong with Clear Springs Cafe, on 46 between Seguin and New Braunfels.  This would be my personal recommendation.  Get the onion rings appetizer to go with your fried catfish.  (Bring your stomach).