FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ron Boerger]

There are six Pool C bids.   If UMHB gets one (assumes HSU gets the B) then TLU competes for one of five left with every one- and two-loss second place Pool A team in the country.   Barring a huge upset of UW-Oshkosh by the WIAC back markers, UW-Whitewater will get one of those, leaving four.   If UMHB doesn't get one (and their SOS isn't very good; might have been better for TLU to have HSU lose as their SOS is much higher), TLU won't either.

TLU has a good SOS which will come down when they play 1-5 (vs D3) Southwestern.   Austin is 4-2 vs D3 but would be only 4-4 should they lose to TLU and Trinity in their last two games.

Pat and the guys will have a story on how Pool C is shaking out pretty soon - I'd imagine they may touch on it in the podcast or Ryan will in ATN. 

[TLU02SA]

There are six Pool C bids.   If UMHB gets one (assumes HSU gets the B) then TLU competes for one of five left with every one- and two-loss second place Pool A team in the country.   Barring a huge upset of UW-Oshkosh by the WIAC back markers, UW-Whitewater will get one of those, leaving four.   If UMHB doesn't get one (and their SOS isn't very good; might have been better for TLU to have HSU lose as their SOS is much higher), TLU won't either.

TLU has a good SOS which will come down when they play 1-5 (vs D3) Southwestern.   Austin is 4-2 vs D3 but would be only 4-4 should they lose to TLU and Trinity in their last two games.

Pat and the guys will have a story on how Pool C is shaking out pretty soon - I'd imagine they may touch on it in the podcast or Ryan will in ATN.

Interesting information.  Just reviewing the top 25, which I understand has no bearing on the at-large bids, there appears to be nine or ten teams with 1 to 3 losses that will be competing for those 6 Pool C bids.  Obviously, a lot can change in two weeks.  Maybe that number decreases.  TLU will definitely be considered for a Pool C bid.  Whether they actual receive one, I don't know.  It seems more likely today than just a week ago but you never know how it will all play out.

[Coolrey]

If ETBU could play HSU tight or even knock them off this week, I suppose that could somewhat support the case for TLU to receive a bid.  Or maybe not.  Who knows how the committee thinks.  However, with a tight loss vs HSU, a game TLU really should have won, and a win on a crappy field against a 6-1 (now 6-2) Trinity team who's only previous loss was to HSU, I would think they have at least a shot.  TLU wasn't blown out or dominated by UMHB like they were last year during the regular season. It was a competitive game that turned on really about 4 plays. But a win is a win and a loss is a loss and, at the end of the day, the committee will determine the bracket.  Rankings this Wed should be interesting.

[DFWCrufan]

The ATN Podcast outlined the brackets and scenarios nicely. There are some things that can happen but who knows. An HSU Loss to ETBU and UMHB Win Over ETBU is a nightmare scenario, or if ETBU can pull off two wins (HSU and UMHB) than wow who knows

[RLW]

Following Wally Wabash guide lines, HSU, should they win out, they will get the 1 pool B bid. Then UMHB should they win out, should be placed on the table for the first round of pool C then should they get drawn in whatever round, another team from the south region would be placed on the table for the next round after that. That's how I understand the selection process after reading Wally"s post.

[Ralph Turner]

Following Wally Wabash guide lines, HSU, should they win out, they will get the 1 pool B bid. Then UMHB should they win out, should be placed on the table for the first round of pool C then should they get drawn in whatever round, another team from the south region would be placed on the table for the next round after that. That's how I understand the selection process after reading Wally"s post.

Yes.

[Ron Boerger]

First regional rankings are out ... TLU at #9 in south.

http://d3football.com/playoffs/2015/first-regional-ranking

[TLU02SA]

TLU played great today and took care of their business.  I thought it was one of their best overall games all year (TLU's win in Marshall is looking even better today and, by the way, TLU blew ETBU out that night).

Just want to give some recognition to the 12 TLU Seniors.  Today was their last regular season game in Seguin.  This class easily has the best winning percentage over their tenure than any other class during TLU's D3 era.  When those guys stepped onto TLU's campus as freshman, they were taking a chance on a program that was less than middling.  Coach Padron and his staff were turning the program around then but it was still hard to see.  The coaching staff has done a fantastic job of identifying exceptional talent but, ultimately, it is the players who make the plays.  It is truly unbelievable where TLU's football program is and those 12 men have made substantial contributions to re-establishing TLU football.

[Coolrey]

Well said and on-point.  I'm not sure how much of chance they have, but it sure would be rewarding to see these 12 finish off their careers in the playoffs.  But if not, they can take pride in the fact that they had a great deal of success and have been instrumental in elevating TLU from a lowly D3 also-ran to a nationally recognized program.  Kudos to these 12, the coaching staff, the athletic administration and the university administration, staff, faculty and student body.  Job well-done.

[Ron Boerger]

While TLU will win the SCAC championship again this year (and congratulations to the Bulldogs and their fans), I want to give a shout out to Trinity for going from 4-6 to 8-2 despite losing their starting QB in the first game this season.   Thanks to the seniors who helped right the ship and set the standard for future success!

[umhb2001]

While TLU will win the SCAC championship again this year (and congratulations to the Bulldogs and their fans), I want to give a shout out to Trinity for going from 4-6 to 8-2 despite losing their starting QB in the first game this season.   Thanks to the seniors who helped right the ship and set the standard for future success!

A strong Trinity only helps D3 in Texas, helps the SCAC, and gives UMHB and the other ASC schools a good regional team that improves the area should we have common opponents and hopefully, SOS.

[TLU02SA]

While TLU will win the SCAC championship again this year (and congratulations to the Bulldogs and their fans), I want to give a shout out to Trinity for going from 4-6 to 8-2 despite losing their starting QB in the first game this season.   Thanks to the seniors who helped right the ship and set the standard for future success!

Absolutely, and thanks for the congrats.  Trinity made some great strides this year.  D3 football in Texas is becoming very competitive.  HSU, MHBU, TLU, Trinity and ETBU can all hold their heads high this year.   Great play throughout the state, exciting games, wild speculations, and a whole lot of fun on these boards.

Obviously, I would like to see TLU playing next week but the way the bids are currently set up that seems unlikely.  It is a shame that such a competitive state is relegated to 2 playoff bids.  Football here is better than that.  Four of HSU, MHBU, TLU, Trinity and ETBU should be playing in the playoffs.  And by the way, I watched Moravian and Guilford today.  Those teams would not hold a candle to any of HSU, MHBU, TLU, Trinity and ETBU.  It is a shame if Moravian and Guilford get the at large bids.  Seriously, a four game playoff with four Texas teams in the first two rounds of the D3 playoffs would be more competitive than than the B***S*** from the rest of the South.

[SaintsFAN]

While TLU will win the SCAC championship again this year (and congratulations to the Bulldogs and their fans), I want to give a shout out to Trinity for going from 4-6 to 8-2 despite losing their starting QB in the first game this season.   Thanks to the seniors who helped right the ship and set the standard for future success!

Absolutely, and thanks for the congrats.  Trinity made some great strides this year.  D3 football in Texas is becoming very competitive.  HSU, MHBU, TLU, Trinity and ETBU can all hold their heads high this year.   Great play throughout the state, exciting games, wild speculations, and a whole lot of fun on these boards.

Obviously, I would like to see TLU playing next week but the way the bids are currently set up that seems unlikely.  It is a shame that such a competitive state is relegated to 2 playoff bids.  Football here is better than that.  Four of HSU, MHBU, TLU, Trinity and ETBU should be playing in the playoffs.  And by the way, I watched Moravian and Guilford today.  Those teams would not hold a candle to any of HSU, MHBU, TLU, Trinity and ETBU.  It is a shame if Moravian and Guilford get the at large bids.  Seriously, a four game playoff with four Texas teams in the first two rounds of the D3 playoffs would be more competitive than than the B***S*** from the rest of the South.

I hope by "bull$hit from the rest of the South" you mean the South's options for Pool C.  I don't see an 8-2 team with a .460 Strength of Schedule winning the Centennial or PAC, but whatever.  I do, however, agree that TLU would be a much more worthy candidate than Moravian or Guilford.

[Coolrey]

The AQ/regional playoff structure is always going to allow some of the better teams to be denied while some lesser teams advance. TLU is a better team than several of those that qualify or are granted bids. Bottom line, TLU needed to beat HSU. Didn't happen, and now it appears teams like Guilford look to receive bids. It is what it is. Not unfair, it's just the way it is.

[TLU02SA]

I hope by "bull$hit from the rest of the South" you mean the South's options for Pool C.  I don't see an 8-2 team with a .460 Strength of Schedule winning the Centennial or PAC, but whatever.  I do, however, agree that TLU would be a much more worthy candidate than Moravian or Guilford.

I did mean the South's options for Pool C.