FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I have to agree with Saints Fan on that one. At least on paper and by the Polls TM is a bit ahead of FC talentwise.

The MSJ team I saw was a shell of its former self.  The QB doesnt seem to be able to see the field and both lines were dominated.  Running game was non-existent for the most part.  
Team chemistry seemed to be an issue for MSJ as well.  From my vantage point, body language from both the players and coaches by the 3rd quarter indicated they had conceded.

Good point above about having the Carthage game back. FC made a few self inflicted errors in that one that cost them the lead and the game.  9-1 from the HCAC rarely will get you a home field or a seed better than 4 or 5.  I predict a 5 or worse assuming Trine, Wheaton/NCC, Bash/Wittenberg, etc win out.  A weak MSJ team doesnt help in the quality win dept either.

[Stagg Again!!]

The Carthage game hurts even more now since Carthage lost to NCC 43-8 this past weekend. 

I would love to see another NCC v. FC playoff game -- the first two were instant classics.  We just need to make sure that Chad Rupp isn't anywhere near the field when the game starts. 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Carthage still has Wheaton and IWU.  At best the Redmen will probably be 1-1 or maybe even 0-2 in those contests.  GRIZ stength of schedule is trending south at this point.

[dc_has_been]

unless MSJ beats TMC in the last week of the season.

?

Kevin,
I knew I would get a response from you when I wrote that. 
I know the likelyhood of that happening is slim to none, but I was saying that if that would occur than it could possibly boost Franklin's postion for playoff postion.
Griz,
I agree, even if Franklin wins out then they will probably receive a 4-5 seed, maybe even a 6-7 coming from a weak conference.  I really hate to bag on the HCAC being weak, but they aren't looking up to par to past recent seasons (i.e. 2007-2008).

[cave2bens]

I'm going to agree that 2nd place is up for grabs.  No one has really stepped up and showed who it is going to be.

Can't resist the urge to be soulful (or maybe sole full  ), but appears that rest of the conference "has stepped in it."

"Number two is crap."  southparkstudios.com/clips/155658/?searchterm=+number+two

[SaintsFAN]

unless MSJ beats TMC in the last week of the season.

?

Kevin,
I knew I would get a response from you when I wrote that.  
I know the likelyhood of that happening is slim to none, but I was saying that if that would occur than it could possibly boost Franklin's postion for playoff postion.
Griz,
I agree, even if Franklin wins out then they will probably receive a 4-5 seed, maybe even a 6-7 coming from a weak conference.  I really hate to bag on the HCAC being weak, but they aren't looking up to par to past recent seasons (i.e. 2007-2008).

Sorry Plonk... that grabbed my eye.  They said their best shot was last year at MSJ.  We saw how that turned out.  This year, for those of you who care, TMC's defense is even faster this year... they were leading the nation in sacks going into last week with 17 (the next closest had 12) and they make teams turn it over.  TMC's new QB is coming along nicely, and their FB scored 138 TD's in High School and is a load... After getting pounded on by him, 4 teams have forgotten about Kendall Owens, who can turn any loss yardage play into a highlight reel TD.   TMC is getting really great athlete's and Hilvert and crew is coaching them up very well.  They had a football alumni event and the old school alums (myself included) were beaming on Saturday.  Great stadium now, great staff and kids that can flat out play because they are being coached up.  They'll take the next step and threaten a final 4 appearance while Kues is the QB.

MSJ has a QB who was out of football last year... they'll need to GREATLY simplify their offense for those 8 new starters or the Bridge Bowl is going to be the only meaningful game left for them.  They have some very good players on defense, but those guys don't have enough time in the day to get in shape enough for how much they've been left on the field.  I feel badly for a couple of the coaches they have over there... I know they have got to be frustrated.  Keep in mind, I'm a MSJ fan for 9 weeks of the year.  They are just inexperienced this year --- when they get that experience, then we'll be able to talk about their talent... every situation they are in, is new for the most part.... especially this losing.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

In the event FC wins out (more than likely) and TM wins out (certainly doable) possibly FC could be sent to Crestview, KY for the first round?

[cave2bens]

72 hrs to kick-off between MSJ and DC - no banter, no Sayer (unless beating the Bugeye drum, waiting to dot the script), no witticism?  Pick the board up JacketsFan - let's abuse 'Backer or sumthin'. 

[wabashcpa]

In the event FC wins out (more than likely) and TM wins out (certainly doable) possibly FC could be sent to Crestview, KY for the first round?

The NCAA sent DePauw and Thomas More to the South region last year - doesn't necessarily mean they would do it again this year, but that is the likelihood.  My favorites for Franklin's opponent right now (again, assuming they win out) would be the Wabash/Wittenberg winner.  My picks today for the top half of the North Bracket would be Mount Union, Trine, Wheaton/North Central winner, and the Wabash/Wittenberg winner.  The bottom half of the bracket will probably be Franklin, Case Western, OAC #2 (Baldwin-Wallace/Ohio Northern winner), and Wheaton/NorthCentral loser.  I would peg Franklin as a 5 seed.  I know UW-Whitewater was in the North last year, but they may go West again, to bring Mount Union back to the North.  Obviously all speculation, but that's the beauty of the forum!

[Mr. Ypsi]

In the event FC wins out (more than likely) and TM wins out (certainly doable) possibly FC could be sent to Crestview, KY for the first round?

The NCAA sent DePauw and Thomas More to the South region last year - doesn't necessarily mean they would do it again this year, but that is the likelihood.  My favorites for Franklin's opponent right now (again, assuming they win out) would be the Wabash/Wittenberg winner.  My picks today for the top half of the North Bracket would be Mount Union, Trine, Wheaton/North Central winner, and the Wabash/Wittenberg winner.  The bottom half of the bracket will probably be Franklin, Case Western, OAC #2 (Baldwin-Wallace/Ohio Northern winner), and Wheaton/NorthCentral loser.  I would peg Franklin as a 5 seed.  I know UW-Whitewater was in the North last year, but they may go West again, to bring Mount Union back to the North.  Obviously all speculation, but that's the beauty of the forum!

You left out the Nathcon winner.

If 10-0, the NCC/Wheaton winner will almost certainly be ahead of Trine (so, in all probability, would a 10-0 Witt/Wabash winner).

Also, the East almost certainly doesn't have a worthy #1 (yet again).  It is too early to guess whether they will 'import' Wesley (with UMHB as #1 in the South) or Mt. Union (with NCC/Wheaton/Witt/Wabash or an imported UWW as #1 in the North).

I think postseason speculation probably better wait 3-4 weeks!

[wabashcpa]

In the event FC wins out (more than likely) and TM wins out (certainly doable) possibly FC could be sent to Crestview, KY for the first round?

The NCAA sent DePauw and Thomas More to the South region last year - doesn't necessarily mean they would do it again this year, but that is the likelihood.  My favorites for Franklin's opponent right now (again, assuming they win out) would be the Wabash/Wittenberg winner.  My picks today for the top half of the North Bracket would be Mount Union, Trine, Wheaton/North Central winner, and the Wabash/Wittenberg winner.  The bottom half of the bracket will probably be Franklin, Case Western, OAC #2 (Baldwin-Wallace/Ohio Northern winner), and Wheaton/NorthCentral loser.  I would peg Franklin as a 5 seed.  I know UW-Whitewater was in the North last year, but they may go West again, to bring Mount Union back to the North.  Obviously all speculation, but that's the beauty of the forum!

You left out the Nathcon winner.

If 10-0, the NCC/Wheaton winner will almost certainly be ahead of Trine (so, in all probability, would a 10-0 Witt/Wabash winner).

Also, the East almost certainly doesn't have a worthy #1 (yet again).  It is too early to guess whether they will 'import' Wesley (with UMHB as #1 in the South) or Mt. Union (with NCC/Wheaton/Witt/Wabash or an imported UWW as #1 in the North).

I think postseason speculation probably better wait 3-4 weeks!

Oops - sure did.  I'll throw Aurora a bone, since it looks like they played IWU pretty tough. 

At this point I wouldn't put either Wittenberg or Wabash ahead of Trine.  I agree the CCIW winner should probably be ahead, but it's entirely possible the conference winner will have a loss - that conference is a meat grinder.  An undefeated CCIW champion could rate a #1 seed, sending Whitewater west and Mount Union east.

We'll see in a few weeks how close I am.  Not exactly going out on a limb with some of them, which is a shame - it would nice to see some more depth in a lot of these conferences.

[dc_has_been]

72 hrs to kick-off between MSJ and DC - no banter, no Sayer (unless beating the Bugeye drum, waiting to dot the script), no witticism?  Pick the board up JacketsFan - let's abuse 'Backer or sumthin'. 

It seems to me MSJ is not playing to their usual level and depending on which DC team shows up will tell us who will take the W.  DC will still have to rely on their defense to force some turnovers and Powell needs to be able to move the ball through the air not just the ground.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

72 hrs to kick-off between MSJ and DC - no banter, no Sayer (unless beating the Bugeye drum, waiting to dot the script), no witticism?  Pick the board up JacketsFan - let's abuse 'Backer or sumthin'. 

The Board is a bit dry this year.  Sayer and Saints fan used to keep things interesting inthe past.  Things are a bit boring this year with the GRIZ blowing folks out.  Hard to talk any trash when the spreads are 30 point plus.  The CCIW and North Coast boards have a lot more day to day banter.

[FCAlum06]

fc 42 rose 7 still in the second quarter...rose has only crossed mid field once on a long run for td

[dc_has_been]

DC downs MSJ!