FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[SaintsFAN]

http://vimeo.com/75727059

Check out the video above related the to FC Touchdown Club.  Very well done.

Very cool video, btw. That's an awesome thing going on at Franklin.

Thanks.  Thomas More stll have a shot at playoffs?

They have to win out. If W&J loses then they are in as auto qualifier.  If W&J wins out and they win out, they should be the 1st Pool C team to go out of the South a Region.

They need to make a statement in The Bridge Bowl, IMO to remove doubt. It would be a shame if they missed. This team is good but a very young one. They just broke the record of shutouts in a season with 4 (my freshman year 95 team had the record with three). Anytime you are mentioned with that team, you're doing something right. Plus they have probably a first team AA at RB in Hayden. We'll see, I guess.

I was beginning to think that this year's edition of the Bridge Bowl would be an interesting matchup, with MSJ being closer than the 71-3 fiasco of last year (or the year previous, I can't remember).  Then they got shut out by Rose Hulman 34 - 0, and I really don't know what to expect.  Would not be surprised to see them make a game of it, or for the Saints to completely roll over them, knowing the implications for the post season ride on the effort.

This week's game against Earlham won't be too much of a gauge, so I guess we will know in about a week and a half.

That was last year. TM was 6-3 coming into the game and thus, it was their playoff game. Much has been made of the D1 transfers currently residing in Delhi, so I think we'll see a more than confident MSJ team coming into this game. More importantly, MSJ plays at home this year so they have zero chance of making TM players mad from dancing on the Saints logo at the 50 yard line, as they did last year.  I also think MSJ will keep their players from talking smack on twitter about "owning Cincy" this year and it will result in the normal Bridge Bowl emotions.

MSJ is more talented this year and it should be a better game.

[TailgaitingFool]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

[GrizFan]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

Totally agree!!   

[dc_has_been]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

Totally agree!!   

Because all the teams in front of them either are undefeated, or have one loss in region but a stronger SOS (Ill. Wes. 101/Franklin 157).  Franklin should be happy they were not slotted at sixth behind Wheaton who's SOS is 65, but their only loss is to Ill. Wes., which is why I believe Franklin is ahead because their one loss is to an undefeated Mount Union. 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

Totally agree!!   

Because all the teams in front of them either are undefeated, or have one loss in region but a stronger SOS (Ill. Wes. 101/Franklin 157).  Franklin should be happy they were not slotted at sixth behind Wheaton who's SOS is 65, but their only loss is to Ill. Wes., which is why I believe Franklin is ahead because their one loss is to an undefeated Mount Union.

Franklin may end up ok.  If Mount goes East (not unlikely) then NCC will prob get the 1.  If Franklin stays in the North then it really doesnt matter the seed (other than a home game would be nice).  Franklin could end up at home in the South (MHB) and host a game (not good).  Hard to say.  Franklin has created their own conundrum.  They like several teams in the North already do could schedule themselves to 10-0 (or 9-1 at worst) and get a better seed. It is what it is.  The seeding is primarily a math problem and subjective reasoning comes into play to break the ties.

[dc_has_been]

Let's not forget that Witt or Wabash and Mount or John Carrol will gain at least one loss due to playing each other as well.  Plus, North Central and Wheaton have to play each other too.  A lot can happen over the next few weeks in the North. 
I also agree with you Griz, if Mount or North Central go undefeated one will probably move out of region. 

[SaintsFAN]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

Totally agree!!   

I don't. You're in a very loaded Region and crappy conference. Franklin will no doubt make some people nervous in the draw.  That's the breaks..

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

Totally agree!!   

Because it's a ranking not a poll. While one could argue that Franklin is say the second or third best team in the North, the rankings are pretty accurate. The good news is that #3 Wabash and #4 Witt still play, #1 Mount Union and #5 John Carroll as well. If things play out as planned, Franklin could climb up a couple spots by the end, Mount could be shipped to the east region, and Franklin could host a 4/5 matchup. If they seeded all 32 teams based solely on merit and not on location then I could see Franklin maybe getting up to a 3, but it is what it is. The north (and west) is loaded this season and that means even though Franklin is great, there's a lot of other great teams around them to keep them held back.
What's important is that Franklin will have the opportunity to win 5 games just like 31 other teams. If Franklin is going to be a champion they're going to have to get through top teams like Mount Union or Mary Hardin-Baylor at some point anyways. Remember, Whitewater was a 5 seed in 2008 and lost the Stagg Bowl by 5 points

[SaintsFAN]

The north (and west) is loaded this season and that means even though Franklin is great, there's a lot of other great teams around them to keep them held back.
What's important is that Franklin will have the opportunity to win 5 games just like 31 other teams. If Franklin is going to be a champion they're going to have to get through top teams like Mount Union or Mary Hardin-Baylor at some point anyways. Remember, Whitewater was a 5 seed in 2008 and lost the Stagg Bowl by 5 points

Well said

[Stagg Again!!]

Can anyone tell me how Franklin landed 7th in the regional rankings? I understand FC is a 2 loss team, but those 2 losses came by a combined 6 points.

One of the losses coming to the #1 team in the country/region @ Mt. Union, who has ROLLED everyone with the exception of Heidelberg, and the other to a FCS school in Butler. It should also be noted that Butler beat Wittenberg, a higher ranked team in the region, by 25 points.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I think its pretty clear that FC has been dominant in all of their wins and is on par with the elite team in the country/region. If they don't get at least 1 home playoff game, the regional ranking and selection process is a JOKE!!!!!

Totally agree!!   

Griz, Pat always says something to the tune of, it's NOT who you've lost to.  It IS who you've beaten.  I think that plays a role in this seeding.  I wouldn't sweat it.  As another poster commented, JC has to play Heidelberg and Mount.  Witt has to play Wabash.  Wheaton has to play North Central.  a lot will shake out this weekend.  When FC wins out, they will land between 3 and 5 depending on their region and who else is drawn into the same field.

[GrizFan]

I am just hoping that Franklin gets their top two WRs, Cole & Hession (Linville is a WB), back in time for the Victory Bell game and the playoffs.  Hession was hurt prior to Rose game but played briefly and Cole was hurt against Rose.  Neither played against Defiance and neither are listed in the two-deep for Bluffton.  Those two really open up the field for West and Linville.

[BUBeaverFan]

Bluffton 24 Franklin 17 Final    Beavers with huge upset. Wow! Franklin 4 turnovers Bluffton 0.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Close games with Mount Union and Butler are exciting... a close game against Bluffton is not fun at all. Seems like most top teams have a tough game in conference somewhere... this seems to be Franklin's stumble... hopefully it's just a small stumble and not falling flat on their face.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Close games with Mount Union and Butler are exciting... a close game against Bluffton is not fun at all. Seems like most top teams have a tough game in conference somewhere... this seems to be Franklin's stumble... hopefully it's just a small stumble and not falling flat on their face.

Talk about regional rankings, home games and seedings just went out the door.  The GRIZ will be packing their bags (assuming they can get by Hanover) for the playoffs

[SaintsFAN]

Close games with Mount Union and Butler are exciting... a close game against Bluffton is not fun at all. Seems like most top teams have a tough game in conference somewhere... this seems to be Franklin's stumble... hopefully it's just a small stumble and not falling flat on their face.

Talk about regional rankings, home games and seedings just went out the door.  The GRIZ will be packing their bags (assuming they can get by Hanover) for the playoffs

Crazy - would be curious to see what caused the turnovers, which looks like the story of the game.