FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Bill McCabe]

Ralph, who do you think has to lose for Trinity to get in?  From what I saw Saturday, they would be a 7 or 8 seed in the region.

[Ron Boerger]

Keep in mind this was written by a guy that is paid to hype up the Majors, not an un-biased sportswriter.  It is a little mis-leading though as I agree with your comments about Trinity fighting back in the game.

It's also written by someone who is offically representing the school, and this is Division III.     There's no denying that the final margin of victory gives Millsaps the right to call the game whatever they want.  I understand the year-long frustration that led to the use of the term but find it unfortunate.

Ron, what was your impression of the Trinity defense?

I think Millsaps' no-huddle offense disrupted Trinity's ability to substitute as freely as they normally would.  The DL was obviously gassed as the game went on and some of the poor tackling was probably caused by fatigue.   I don't think the TU defense sucked quite as bad as you do - the Millsaps attack seems based on snap, look, throw which simply doesn't give time for pressure to develop.   And when your secondary is giving so much yardage, it opens itself up to quick outs and slant patterns that are a staple of the Major attack.

I would have liked to have seen the Trinity defenders jam the Millsaps receivers from time to time, but with so many 4 and 5 WR sets if you fail to keep the WR on the line there's going to be a LOT of open space in the secondary.   Trinity lost a lot of its defensive backfield to graduation (only three starters returned on defense, period) and that was pretty evident on Saturday.   

The better team won, and I think they're better than a lot of people are giving them credit for just because Trinity hasn't won a playoff game in five years.   This isn't the Millsaps team that lost on the road in the first round a couple of years ago in their first-ever D3 playoff appearance, and they're clearly the class of the SCAC.  Even during the halcyon days, I'm not sure Trinity ever dominated the SCAC the way Millsaps has this season.  Time will tell if that translates to W's in the playoffs - if they stay healthy, I will be very surprised to see them lose in the first two rounds should they secure the home field advantage. 

Ralph, who do you think has to lose for Trinity to get in?  From what I saw Saturday, they would be a 7 or 8 seed in the region.

It's all about the secondary criteria like wins against regionally ranked opponents, opponent's winning percentage, opponent's opponent's winning percentage, and record against regional teams.  The latter (at 9-1 should Trinity win out) is about the only thing TU has going for it against other one loss teams that have had to play out-of-region or out of D3.  The OWP and OOWP are very low and playing Austin and Centre (in Danville, where Trinity has lost before) isn't going to help.   So, basically, a couple of teams with one loss need to lose.   8-2 won't get anyone a Pool C bid in this year. 

Wednesday's regional rankings will tell us more.

[Bill McCabe]

Ron,  I think Trinity blitzed one time.  The front four put no pressure on Joseph.  And your right, they were gassed.

[Ralph Turner]

Ralph,  what do you think of Trinity's chances for a Pool C?

Ditto Ron's thoughts.

I think that TU's creds only include:
- 8-1 South Region record.
- 0-1 "result" vs Regionally Ranked teams.
- OWP/OOWP barely at .500.

[Bill McCabe]

It sure would be nice if they got in.  I don't like the idea of a rematch with HSU in the first round.

[exmajor]

While I love poking fun as evidenced by the pic above, the term San Anotnio Slaughter is a bit over the top and pretty much uncalled for. Obviously the originator didn't see the same game I did. The score is not indictive of actually how close this game was. As Trinity was driving early in the 4th, looking to get the score within 8 points, I was thinking this was gonna be a long 15 mintues with visions of last years loss fresh in my mind. The interception in the end zone was the KEY play of the game.

Keep in mind this was written by a guy that is paid to hype up the Majors, not an un-biased sportswriter.  It is a little mis-leading though as I agree with your comments about Trinity fighting back in the game.

Just to let everyone know, the previously mentioned right-up was modified, see the release below.  "Slaughter" is no longer in the text.

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/110108story.shtml

[Just_that_kid]

Anyone else notice how miserable the officiating was in the first half? I sure did! The first half was littered with terrible calls (or lack-there-of). I'm glad someone finally had enough to overcome a very good Trinity team... and the garbage calling the game. Those ref's should be ashamed.

[fb52]

While I love poking fun as evidenced by the pic above, the term San Anotnio Slaughter is a bit over the top and pretty much uncalled for. Obviously the originator didn't see the same game I did. The score is not indictive of actually how close this game was. As Trinity was driving early in the 4th, looking to get the score within 8 points, I was thinking this was gonna be a long 15 mintues with visions of last years loss fresh in my mind. The interception in the end zone was the KEY play of the game.

Keep in mind this was written by a guy that is paid to hype up the Majors, not an un-biased sportswriter.  It is a little mis-leading though as I agree with your comments about Trinity fighting back in the game.

Just to let everyone know, the previously mentioned right-up was modified, see the release below.  "Slaughter" is no longer in the text.

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/110108story.shtml

The current version was modified not the one that I copied directly off their website Sunday morning. Someone is doing some damage control.

[MajorDad]

While I love poking fun as evidenced by the pic above, the term San Anotnio Slaughter is a bit over the top and pretty much uncalled for. Obviously the originator didn't see the same game I did. The score is not indictive of actually how close this game was. As Trinity was driving early in the 4th, looking to get the score within 8 points, I was thinking this was gonna be a long 15 mintues with visions of last years loss fresh in my mind. The interception in the end zone was the KEY play of the game.

Keep in mind this was written by a guy that is paid to hype up the Majors, not an un-biased sportswriter.  It is a little mis-leading though as I agree with your comments about Trinity fighting back in the game.

Fully understand that. Mississippi Miricle = Good Taste....San Antonio Slaughter = Not so good. This of course is my opinion. Dead horse, I'm moving on......

[The Observation Deck]

Forcing a game into a nickname = lame.
Actual miraculous finishes = naturals for nicknames.

[bbunch]

Fully understand that. Mississippi Miricle = Good Taste....San Antonio Slaughter = Not so good. This of course is my opinion. Dead horse, I'm moving on......

After reading the article for the first time, I simply thought the choice of words had something to do with Halloween just being the day before  8)

[Tex]

Having 1 loss and missing the playoffs would truly suck.  This is one part of D-3 that I'm afraid I'm going to have to get used to.  I guess the options are to schedule a bit tougher non-conf opponents.  But, if you lose one, ala Milsaps losing to Miss. Coll last year, you're potentially out unless you win the conference.  Playing tough early season opponents exposes weaknesses which a team needs.  But you just can't afford a loss.  You just need to suck it up and win the conference to take out any chance of missing it.  Guessing I"m in the camp of scheduling a tough non-conf schedule.  It's the only way you get better.  I'm sure its not as easy as that.  I'm used to Texas 5A high school ball where there are a number of really good teams within a few hours drive.  Much easier to schedule a tough non-conf schedule.

Let's see how the Tigers take care of business these next few weeks and earn the right to a pool C bid.  I have faith. 

[consultant]

Millsaps jumps from 5th to 4th in latest D3football.com poll.   Trinity falls to 16th.  

[DPU3619]

Yeah, I think I'm with Ralph on Trinity's case.  It's just not that promising at the moment.

I think a lot of those teams do have much better cases, particularly Hardin-Simmons in the South region.  If I'm a Trinity fan, I'm crossing my fingers for John Carroll to beat Otterbein and for Cal Lutheran to make some noise against Redlands - both in Week 10.  Think those are your best chances and sneaking in.    HSU only has poor little McMurry left on their schedule.  W&J won't lose.  Whitwater won't lose.  Actually, what may give you a better chance is if UW-Stevens Point loses to UW-Eau Claire this weekend, giving the WIAC Pool A back to Whitewater.

[MajorDad]

NCAA DIII Stat question:

Stat: Punting

Millsaps punter leads the SCAC with a 40.02 yd avg
Next is AC, TU, BSU then COL. punters.

On the NCAA Stat page for DIII Punting, the Millsaps punter is at 24, then the next SCAC punter listed is the COL. punter, any idea why?