FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[evacuee]

I got some pictures from the TU/HC game and one of the shots was of a Tiger who had clearly played a lot being helped to the locker room by his teammates.  I have some bad thoughts as to who that is that got hurt.  Anyone know the name?

[Hawks88]

Don't know the name but I remember #20 being helped off. I thought it looked like cramps at the time but I could be wrong.

A quick look at Trinity's roster shows #20 is Tobi Adeyinka.

[B/L Tiger]

Tobi told me after the game it was back spasms.  There were some minor injuries to other D-linemen and Tobi among others were forced to take more snaps than usual at the end of the game.

[roocru]

My guess is that Millsaps won't have much trouble with Austin.

Ron, I hope that you are a little harsh with this statement.     I will be at the AC/Millsaps game this weekend.  It is homecoming and also my 35th reunion.    I will post my observations next week.

[Gray Fox]

I was at the McMurry game and most of the Rhodes game.  AC is making steady progress and always plays hard.

[frank_ezelle]

In theory, Millsaps should win against Austin for the following reasons:

1)  Millsaps appears to be a team capable of scoring a lot of points against most teams and they do it with a balanced attack of running and passing.  They are averaging 38 points per game, 152 yards per game rushing, and 276 yards per game passing.
2)  The Millsaps defense is giving up 414 yards per game with the breakdown being 117 yards rushing and 297 yards passing.
3)  Austin is averaging under 7 points per game and only 221 yards of offense per game.  Their passing game is only averaging 60 yards per game so the Millsaps weakness on defense is offset by an Austin weakness on offense.
4)  Millsaps is a team with momentum, Austin is not.

On the other hand, you can't say that a Millsaps victory is a given because:
1)  It is the first road game of the season for Millsaps which adds a new element to the mix.
2)  It is Austin's homecoming and I'm sure they will be hungry for a win.
3)  It is certainly possible that some Millsaps players could overlook this game which is sandwiched between games with Centre and DePauw.
4)  No game is won on paper and surprising upsets happen all the time.

The bottom line is that I think Millsaps will be focused and they will win this game, particularily since Austin hasn't shown much of a passing attack.  Maybe we'll find out more about the passing defense when DePauw comes to town.

[HunterT]

Not trying to downplay the Millsaps/Austin game, but the Depauw at Rhodes is a more important game in the SCAC. Both teams have only one loss, and there are conference championship and playoff implications possibly coming out of this game.

The Rhodes defense has been solid, even in the loss to Huntingdon. But Depauw is one of the best teams in the SCAC. This is where Rhodes schedule really takes a turn uphill, and this is a huge game for the Lynx. I think if we can keep Marks and the rest of the Depauw offense in check, Rhodes will win.

This game in the past few years has always been close (Dewpauw by 4, 6, and 7, Rhodes by 2). I fully expect a great showdown in Memphis and I know I will be there to enjoy it and be as loud as I possibly can.

What are some other people's takes on the game?

[evacuee]

If Rhodes can have a good year, even a tough loss to DePauw would be great for the conference, as the upper tier really needs to expand.  In the process of having a good year, Rhodes has got to try and start attracting students that are serious about football, and pick Rhodes because they want to contribute to a winning program.  Most of the people I know that have played football at Rhodes said they would play if they went to Rhodes, but not if they could go to Vanderbilt or UVA or something like that.  They think it's going to be all fun and games because it's small, and usually end up quitting after one or two years because they never had serious intentions and didn't realize that they might have to compete and the coaches want to win.

Rhodes, Sewanee, and Millsaps seem to attract those types of kids.  They're usually very good students but many of them are not on a mission to play football.  When they beat Trinity a few years ago, it seemed like a freak accident.  Now they have a good record and they need to reinforce it.  I'm pulling for Rhodes, though I suspect DePauw will be too much for them. 

[frank_ezelle]

The Rhodes-DePauw game is the more interesting game this week.  A win would give Rhodes a great 3-0 start to SCAC play and DePauw needs to run the table after their early season loss at Trinity. 

My biggest question mark about this game would be the ability of Rhodes to put points on the board.  I say this only because I watched Millsaps score 34 points against Huntingdon and then I read that Rhodes only had 7 points and 96 yards of total offense against Huntingdon.  The Rhodes touchdown drive was only 9 yards.  I know there was bad weather during that game but 6 yards of rushing offense for an entire game is pretty bad.

Comparing results against one team is a fairly poor way to pick a score, but I think the favorite's nod has to go to DePauw in this game and I'm guessing that DePauw wins something like 21-7.  If Rhodes wins the game, my guess is that they get at least 7 points from a defensive play or a special team play.

[lynxcat]

The Rhodes-Depauw game should be a good one.  I agree with a lot of your thoughts, Frank.  Rhodes offense has been less then stellar this year.  The weather was absolutely horrible, though, in the Huntingdon game.  Still, the rushing attack seems to be near non-existent.  Rhodes passing game, though, has picked up a bit the last couple of games and it seems Oliver has gotten a bit more comfortable in the pocket.  Rhodes defense has play extremely well, and is currently ranked 3rd nationally in yards allowed/game. So, hopefully they can make some big plays, stuff Depauw, and play the field position game.

Should be a close, low scoring game.  My thoughts (or wish i should say):
Rhodes 13
Depauw 7

[Ron Boerger]

[...]
The bottom line is that I think Millsaps will be focused and they will win this game, particularily since Austin hasn't shown much of a passing attack.  Maybe we'll find out more about the passing defense when DePauw comes to town.

Good summary, Frank.

I'm trying to talk my wife into letting me head up to Sherman on Saturday to see what wonders Dubose has worked.  It would have helped if the game started at noon instead of 1PM, so we'll see.  We have a marching contest where some of her students are competing that afternoon, but the first one is at 3:45.

[HunterT]

Frank, I agree that the Rhodes offense has to get yards on the Depauw D, otherwise it could end up another 6-3 or 3-0 game if the both defenses hold up.

Rhodes opponents are averaging 1.9 yds per rush, Depauw is averaging 3.6, and has ran the ball almost 80 times more than passing. That will be a great matchup to watch, Rhodes rush defense vs. Depauw rush offense.

I also agree that the Defense or ST has to come up with a big play. I know Rhodes puts a lot of effort into their ST and Depauw always has talent in this area. Both team's kickers are doing well, and their kick/punt returners look talented on both sides. All 4 of Depauw's kick/punt returners are averaging over 10 yds. per return, and Rhodes returners are doing ok, not great but ok. Depauw has allowed 4 blocked kicks this year though, and I expect Rhodes to rush hard and try to make a play here.

GO LYNX

[DPU3619]

DPU was without Marks for the first half of the Rhodes game last year, and had a very under-the-weather #31 for the second half.  Rhodes loaded the box, if I recall, and did an excellent job stopping the run.  You Rhodes folk will get your first good look at Spud, who's been very good the past couple of weeks throwing the football. 

If the Rhodes D is as stout as last year, it'll be another close one.  Not sure if Rhodes can move the ball all that effectively on the DPU D.  After all, they don't have Wes Satterfield to run it for 250+ or whatever it was.


Also, go Centre.  Seems rather unlikely, but a fellow can hope.

[DPU3619]

If the Rhodes D is as stout as last year, it'll be another close one. 

Shame on me for posting before reading this week's Around the Region.  Above comment rescinded.

[frank_ezelle]

The last post from DPU3619 spurred me to go look at the around the South region report and it was full of interesting items.  First, there was a very nice bit on Millsaps quarterback Juan Joseph and I think Juan would be the first to say that he is blessed with a bunch of talented receivers.  Juan seems to make very good decisions and he has receivers who do a great job of getting yards after the catch.

The other thing that caught my eye was the writer's top 5 list from the South region.  DePauw, Rhodes, and Trinity were 5, 4, and 3 respectively and they are 3 of the last 4 teams on the Millsaps scheduled.  The 4th team at the end of Millsaps schedule is Sewanee and it sounds like Wes Satterfield is talented enough to make them a threat against any team.  So, Millsaps needs to play well this weekend and get past Austin and then it will be four good challenges in a row that will show the SCAC just how far the Majors have progressed in this first year under Mike DuBose.  I look forward to seeing how it all plays out.