FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[DPU3619]

I'm not surprised that some of the coaches picked Millsaps.  It's been a Millsaps win and a miracle loss against Trinity the last two seasons.  But, I AM surprised that it was a full 2/3rds of the coaches picking Millsaps.

Trinity has the home field advantage, which means a lot more in the SCAC than it does in a lot of other conferences.  It also means a lot more when you talk about the winning streak that TU has on that field. 

The thing is, everybody has key losses.  Yes, Trinity's very young on defense.  But, Millsaps is opening camp with some VERY large question marks on the offensive line.  Plus, there's an entirely new offensive coaching staff to boot.  Along the same lines, DePauw is very young in the back 7 on defense and they don't know who's running the football.

It's not that I don't think Millsaps is deserving of being selected, I just imagined more parody among the first place votes.

[TigerDad]

It surprises me that you're surprised that we're surprised. 

Millsaps has been a fine team the past two seasons to be sure, but the two "miracle losses" are very real "L"s in the record book.  Not to rehash history, but there were long discussions about how those losses shouldn't have happened but did.  Most of those discussions (especially surrounding the MC loss) were elongated by Millsaps fans.  Trinity fans could easily make the same argument about the Rhodes loss last season.  But they're not.

Preseason polls are opinions collected into a pile and reported.  If I were asked (and I wasn't), I would have a tough time picking Millsaps over Trinity.  Based upon returning starter stats, my head might say Majors, but based upon my affiliation and my 2007 eyewitness experience (missing only the Rhodes game), my heart says go with the Trinity Tigers.  If they lose to Millsaps or others in 2008, so be it.  Neutral I will not be.  If you bring it to S.A., make sure you bring it ALL.

"If 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Happy Christmas."
-- Don Meredith
  (or "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.")

Go Tigers ... lose the "co" in 2008.

[LA Major]

Sorry Tiger Dad but I didn't know you were surprised also.
I agree with Wes regarding his assessment of the challenges the top 3 SCAC programs face this year. In each case the team will be tested internally and by other teams (probably Rhodes) before they face each other.
I chose not to rehash history because 07 was what it was for all involved. I expressed an opinion based on my observation and review. I am sorry if this is personal for you but it seems like I hit a nerve unintentionally so early in the season. Nothing wrong with a homer.
I again say that this should be a great SCAC football year because competion will drive these young men to acheive beyond their expectations.

[frank_ezelle]

The Jackson Free Press did an article on Millsaps quarterback Juan Joseph this week.  I think most of you will find it interesting:

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/juan_joseph_082008/

[Tex]

I'm not surprised.  I'd just call it a toss-up.  Both teams better be very wary of a dark horse coming in and taking the prize. 

[Major_Fan]

I have to say, our new offense makes me nervous.  The new OC is throwing in more running plays, which should make some players happy, and may limit Juan's passing attempts.  In my opinion, JJ should throw it every play, but I am confident the new OC's the right man for the job. 

Losing Barmore is huge for the Majors' chances in San Antonio, but you can't look past the 15+ years of what they've done in the conference (especially at home). 

Not just because I'm a Millsaps homer, but I think Millsaps deserves to be the preseason favorite.  They've had one of the best turnarounds in the past two years... going from 16 wins in 8 years to 15 in 2 years under DuBose... and are a threat now in the conference (12-1 past two years).  I think it's ok for TU to be voted second this year preseason, both teams have key losses.  We all know how the conference will be decided... it goes through SA, Texas every year.  I hope it lives up to the hype of last year... with a different ending of course

[Tex]

The other looming dark cloud every team has to deal with is injuries.  Lets check the injury status report for all the teams come Nov 1.  I think that has quite a bit to do with the  overall outcome of any conference championship.  Some of that can be prevented with good conditioning, some is just plain old bad luck.  It's the great equalizer.  I pray that none of these kids get hurt, on any team.

[Tex]

I have to say, our new offense makes me nervous.  The new OC is throwing in more running plays, which should make some players happy, and may limit Juan's passing attempts.  In my opinion, JJ should throw it every play, but I am confident the new OC's the right man for the job. 

Losing Barmore is huge for the Majors' chances in San Antonio, but you can't look past the 15+ years of what they've done in the conference (especially at home). 

Not just because I'm a Millsaps homer, but I think Millsaps deserves to be the preseason favorite.  They've had one of the best turnarounds in the past two years... going from 16 wins in 8 years to 15 in 2 years under DuBose... and are a threat now in the conference (12-1 past two years).  I think it's ok for TU to be voted second this year preseason, both teams have key losses.  We all know how the conference will be decided... it goes through SA, Texas every year.  I hope it lives up to the hype of last year... with a different ending of course

A balanced attack sounds pretty smart to me.  The casual fan wants to see the ball aired out, lots of points scored.  But, I prefer a nice mix.  O-lines like to attack from time to time.  And, I'm an old o-lineman.

[frank_ezelle]

Football preview from the Depauw website:

http://www.depauw.edu/ath/index.asp?id=21963

[YuccaRoot]

I have to say, our new offense makes me nervous.  The new OC is throwing in more running plays, which should make some players happy, and may limit Juan's passing attempts.  In my opinion, JJ should throw it every play, but I am confident the new OC's the right man for the job. 

Losing Barmore is huge for the Majors' chances in San Antonio, but you can't look past the 15+ years of what they've done in the conference (especially at home). 

Not just because I'm a Millsaps homer, but I think Millsaps deserves to be the preseason favorite.  They've had one of the best turnarounds in the past two years... going from 16 wins in 8 years to 15 in 2 years under DuBose... and are a threat now in the conference (12-1 past two years).  I think it's ok for TU to be voted second this year preseason, both teams have key losses.  We all know how the conference will be decided... it goes through SA, Texas every year.  I hope it lives up to the hype of last year... with a different ending of course

A balanced attack sounds pretty smart to me.  The casual fan wants to see the ball aired out, lots of points scored.  But, I prefer a nice mix.  O-lines like to attack from time to time.  And, I'm an old o-lineman.

I agree, balanced attacks provide the best opportunities for offenses to put points on the board.  However, I'm [very] old school that enjoys 3 yards and a cloud of dust offenses complemented with a strong defense...beans and cornbread football.

[Major_Fan]

Football preview from the Depauw website:

http://www.depauw.edu/ath/index.asp?id=21963

The SCAC football prospectus link is here:
http://www.scac-online.org/football/08footballprospectus.pdf

[DPU3619]

A balanced attack sounds pretty smart to me.  The casual fan wants to see the ball aired out, lots of points scored.  But, I prefer a nice mix.  O-lines like to attack from time to time.  And, I'm an old o-lineman.

Problem is, with 7 of the 9 teams in the conference running spread exclusively, that tends not to happen.  Not to say that every team who operates in the spread throws it 40+ per game every single Saturday, but it's the trend more often than not, I think.   

[Tex]

 Go Tigers.

[Ralph Turner]

I have to say, our new offense makes me nervous.  The new OC is throwing in more running plays, which should make some players happy, and may limit Juan's passing attempts.  In my opinion, JJ should throw it every play, but I am confident the new OC's the right man for the job. 

Losing Barmore is huge for the Majors' chances in San Antonio, but you can't look past the 15+ years of what they've done in the conference (especially at home). 

Not just because I'm a Millsaps homer, but I think Millsaps deserves to be the preseason favorite.  They've had one of the best turnarounds in the past two years... going from 16 wins in 8 years to 15 in 2 years under DuBose... and are a threat now in the conference (12-1 past two years).  I think it's ok for TU to be voted second this year preseason, both teams have key losses.  We all know how the conference will be decided... it goes through SA, Texas every year.  I hope it lives up to the hype of last year... with a different ending of course

A balanced attack sounds pretty smart to me.  The casual fan wants to see the ball aired out, lots of points scored.  But, I prefer a nice mix.  O-lines like to attack from time to time.  And, I'm an old o-lineman.

I agree, balanced attacks provide the best opportunities for offenses to put points on the board.  However, I'm [very] old school that enjoys 3 yards and a cloud of dust offenses complemented with a strong defense...beans and cornbread football.

I certainly think of a yucca root avatar when I hear "spread offense".

Beans and cornbread would be a more accurate avatar then.   

[oldmoose]

From the Birmingham News college football preview...
http://blog.al.com/bn/2008/08/panthers_rebuild_after_major_c.html