FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[frank_ezelle]

I'm glad to see a Millsaps post here and I've actually been encouraged by other things that I've seen on the D3 website and message board. 

It was a tough start to the season when we got clobbered by MS College.  I feel better seeing that even though MS College lost their star quarterback in the game against Millsaps, they were still good enough to beat Texas Lutheren last week and TL beat Trinity earlier in the season.

The loss to Louisiana College was a case of too many defensive breakdowns.  It's hard to say that Millsaps should have won because they really did have a lot of mistakes, but they certainly could have won.  I should point out that Tyson Roy sat out that game with a minor injury and that's a lot of offense sitting on the bench.

The Huntingdon game is one that I think Millsaps should have won.  There were still too many errors in the secondary, there were two turnovers in the red zone, the starting quarterback and one of the top receivers sat out the game, and what would have been a game winning 2-point conversion at the end of the game was waved off because of a penalty. 

The bottom line is that Millsaps is 0-3 instead of possibly 2-1, but maybe the turn around is not so far away.  It certainly gives me hope that they will be competitive this year in SCAC competition.  I guess we'll see in a few weeks.  As some of you know, I have a slew of Millsaps photos on a website that you can get to from any of the Millsaps sports pages and it has photos from the first 3 games.  Here's the link:  http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Millsaps_Majors/

[wally_wabash]

It's nice that you feel warm and fuzzy about your chance to go to Texas and win a game, but before you get too puffed up about Depauw's bad to the bone defense (and before you come back with any sort of "well what about your defense" remark, note that this isn't about Wabash's defense, which is admittedly a sieve right now), remember that you've played precisely nobody.  Anderson and Hope are not Trinity.  Not even close.  We'll find out how good Depauw's defense really is on Saturday. 

Two reasons to not like Depauw on Saturday:

1) It's been what, 8 years now, and Depauw has found a way to lose this game every single time.  Whether it be by the ol' fashioned woodshed whoopin' variety, or the classic "snagging defeat from the jaws of victory" variety, Depauw has found the path to defeat.

2) Never, ever bet on a freshman quarterback in a big game early in the season.  Never. 

DPU's best chance to beat Trinity was last year. 

[DPULefty22]

Oh, boy, where do I start?

before you get too puffed up about Depauw's bad to the bone defense (and before you come back with any sort of "well what about your defense" remark, note that this isn't about Wabash's defense, which is admittedly a sieve right now), remember that you've played precisely nobody.  Anderson and Hope are not Trinity.  Not even close.  We'll find out how good Depauw's defense really is on Saturday. 

Anderson and Hope aren't as good as Trinity? Gee, you think so? I never would have thought so.

Strength of opponent aside - when you're good, you're GOOD. Period. And this Tiger defense is good. You should know, Wally; it's basically the same defense that nearly reduced your boy Russ Harbaugh to rubble in the Bell game last year. Hertel is still there causing havoc, Sylvester is still in the secondary laying more big hits than Scott Storch, Berigan is still there shutting down the opposing #1 reciever, Lewis and Farrow are still there flying all over the place. This was a great unit last year, and they don't look like they've missed a step. Trust me - I've watched a few of our games (like, all of them).

It's been what, 8 years now, and Depauw has found a way to lose this game every single time.  Whether it be by the ol' fashioned woodshed whoopin' variety, or the classic "snagging defeat from the jaws of victory" variety, Depauw has found the path to defeat.

Remember when the Seahawks couldn't beat the Rams? As a Hawks fan myself, I sure do. I guess my point is that certain statistical trends have a way of reversing themselves on occasion. No better time than the present - with all due respect to the Black Flag, these ain't your older brother's Trinity Tigers.

Never, ever bet on a freshman quarterback in a big game early in the season.  Never.

Admittedly, this is one of the factors that's making me antsy over this football game. But make no mistake - this game is not in Spud Dick's hands. He doesn't have to beat Trinity by himself. He'll have to complete a few short throws, maintain his composure, and most importantly, take care of the football. I don't think either of those things are beyond the realm of possibility, especially seeing how much poise he showed even as Hope's big front four was trying to grind him into a fine paste last week.

Again, I know, Trinity is a different animal, especially at home. 'Good' won't be good enough. But I'll just say this - if DPU commits one or fewer turnovers, and their defense forces two or more and gives Dick and Co. short field to work with... I'll bet they're going to land at Indianapolis International on Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 record.

[DPU92]

Swoosh......nothing but the bottom of hte net.

Very well put Lefty! 

[tTU719803]

with all due respect to the Black Flag, these ain't your older brother's Trinity Tigers.

Actually, having been priveliged enough to watch Trinity football for the past 13 or so years, I can say that this Black Flag looks almost as good right now as that 99 version that won Coach Thomas the D.C. of the Year award.  These guys are good.

if DPU commits one or fewer turnovers, and their defense forces two or more and gives Dick and Co. short field to work with... I'll bet they're going to land at Indianapolis International on Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 record.

Gee, ya think?  I'm pretty sure that in a game with two tightly matched teams, if you give one a +1 or more turnover ratio and great field position all game that team is probably going to win.  That sounds like a John Madden call..."Well Al, if St. Louis gets more yards, first downs, and points than Seattle does, I'm willing to bet they'll come out on top of this one!"

[historymajor]

Even though Trinity is 'dinged up', the Black Flag will be "Bringin the Wood".... abeit some of it green....  

Anybody who knows hardwood, knows that the green stuff is the hardest to split and ya just can't burn it 'til maybe next year.

Go Trinity Tigers!!!!  OUR HOUSE!!!!

[DPU3619]

Hey Team,

Radio Guy here under a new handle..since I'm not...the radio guy...anymore... you understand.

My very brief thoughts on Saturday:

First, winning the turnover battle by 1 or even 2 far from guarantees you a win.  DPU could lose the turnover battle by 2 or 3 on Saturday, but if one TU turnover comes deep in TU territory, it just might make the difference.  That's all I have to say about that.

If Jacob Cannon throws for less than 200 yards, DePauw will win this football game (barring ridiculous circumstances such as 5 fumbles, 10 DPU penalties, or the line judge from 2004 being on this year's crew).

Look, I'll agree that Anderson isn't that great, but Hope ain't that bad.  Hope isn't as good as Trinity, but last time I checked, Trinity's not in the Top 25 in this ballgame for the first time in a few years. 

I was very impressed with the Dutchmen.  They have a good shot to win their conference, IMO.  They were a very quality, big, physical opponent to prepare DPU for this weekend.  They had a little success running the ball (Booko was pretty solid, sacks brought the Hope rushing total down), but the Tiger D defended the pass very well.

In conclusion, this is the best I've seen the DePauw D.  If the Black Flag is as good as you folks are saying, I'll be hedging my bet on the under on Saturday then.

I'm very sorry I'll be missing it.  It's going to be a dandy of a contest.  You folks in SA enjoy yourselves on Saturday night.

[tTU719803]

Look, I'll agree that Anderson isn't that great, but Hope ain't that bad.  Hope isn't as good as Trinity, but last time I checked, Trinity's not in the Top 25 in this ballgame for the first time in a few years. 

TU is ranked #24 in the AFCA poll

I've seen Trinity play both home games this year.  If the DePauw secondary is stout, we could be looking at a 9-6 game.  The Trinity offense is very one dimensional, but that one dimension (passing) is pretty good.  From what I hear, DePauw is the opposite, with Marks leading a stout running attack but the passing game not being up to par.  This doesn't bode well for Trinity, with DePauw's running game having the potential to dictate the game's tempo (not to mention time of posession), but I will say that TU gets a win with gutsy defense and home field advantage.

[DPU3619]

for the sake of clarity.. i was referring to the d3 poll specifically. 

I'm not a regular to the AFCA poll and I'll kindly keep it that way.

[Kracken]

wally_wabash,
    In speaking of playing "nobodys," DPU is at least winning against the teams which you think are "nobodys." Am I correct in recalling that your all-boys school lost to Franklin last week? Must've hurt for a team ranked#22. Good for the Grizzlies, I was rooting for them the whole way! Can't wait for the Bell Game.

[evacuee]

Nobody has mentioned the head case.  It's in DePauw's heads that they can't beat Trinity, even if they should.  With all you DePauw folks claiming that this is the team that can do it, my guess is that the players are thinking the same thing.  You can usually call that confidence, but given the history, I call it pressure. 

DePauw's going to be fired up without a doubt, but when the contest is still undecided, they're going to be just as uptight as they are excited. 

[wally_wabash]

Strength of opponent aside - when you're good, you're GOOD. Period. And this Tiger defense is good. You should know, Wally; it's basically the same defense that nearly reduced your boy Russ Harbaugh to rubble in the Bell game last year.

At last check, Russ left that game ringing the Monon Bell and Depauw's defense left with a notice to get their gear checked back in.  

I have no doubt that Depauw's defense is good.  They were good last year, they have a lot of those guys back this year...it stands to reason that they'll be good again this year.  But you can't proclaim defensive greatness based on performance against middle of the pack teams from lower tier conferences.  Depauw's D will be put to the test this weekend, if they're good (win or lose) we'll all know it after Saturday.  

wally_wabash,
    In speaking of playing "nobodys," DPU is at least winning against the teams which you think are "nobodys." Am I correct in recalling that your all-boys school lost to Franklin last week? Must've hurt for a team ranked#22. Good for the Grizzlies, I was rooting for them the whole way! Can't wait for the Bell Game.

Last week Wabash beat Millikin.  The week before, Wabash lost in overtime to Franklin who happens to be a pretty good team (who was at home, with an extra week of practice and a game already under their belt).  It was a great win for Franklin and I think they are going to have a very good year...very possibly a playoff year.  

[DPU3619]

Sigh.... why are you even here?  Shouldn't you be solving that thing over there about how keep OWU (or anyone) out of the end zone???

Side note: If OWU runs up 30 on you guys, you can't defend your own lunch.

[wally_wabash]

Side note: If OWU runs up 30 on you guys, you can't defend your own lunch.

Agreed.  Trust me, nobody in the Wabash camp is at all pleased with the way our first two games have played out defensively.  I've not seen teams run up and down the field on Wabash like this since you guys got in our playbook in '98.  That's not intended to be a firestarter, it's the truth. 

[DPULefty22]

DePauw's going to be fired up without a doubt, but when the contest is still undecided, they're going to be just as uptight as they are excited. 

From all the guys I've talked to, the theme has been this: in past years, they've hoped to beat Trinity. This year, they know they can. If you're banking on DPU's collective sphincters tightening in the fourth quarter of a close game, and that being the reason why TU will win, I'd say you've got another thing coming, and I'd have to ask who here really has the confidence after all.