FB: Region 3 fan poll

[crufootball]

I don't think there are any surprises here. Maybe the bottom of the table with W&L showing consistently over H-SC? Certainly justifiable given the H-SC, Huntingdon, B-SC, Centre results. Most interesting votes I see is that someone probably has UMHB 1, LaCollege 3, McMurry 4, stacking the ASC top 3 over any other conference's top 1. I've said before I believe the ASC is strong, so I can't fault it, though I'm not sure I'd discount Salisbury. Others seem willing to give conference 1's the nod, also a fair strategy. TMC seems to be losing some consensus on the basis of their close win. Centre didn't get much of a boost, but given who is above them and the results I don't find that surprising, although the voter leaving them off the ballot is interesting.

Quite honestly, looking around at some of the other regional polls, I think our voters are doing a much better job of being objective. Maybe because the south is a bit cut and dry this year? Regardless, thanks for doing it and I hope this doesn't come off as being criticism, I'm just doing some critical thinking.

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize.  I do vote in this fan poll, but truly the only thing that counts is the tournament.  TM will be the South #2 if they go 10-0 and will have to get by a Wesley/UMHB at some point, if they want to go "far".  They match up well with the styles played at McMurry and Salisbury (spread and option attacks --- which TM runs both --think WVU under RichRod or Clemson with Woody Dantzler).  What hurts TM in potential matchups against the NATIONS elite is the size on the defensive line and offensive line.  They are as fast and athletic as you'll see at this level. 

As I've said before, that UMHB score last year is very deceiving... they were missing some very key people and played a true freshman (an inexperienced one) at QB that afternoon.   I'm also not buying that the top half of the ASC is better than TM.  I played twice against a middle of the pack HPU and I can assure you we weren't very good at that point --- didn't get the impression we were out-classed.

Don't think that I'm going to be overly sensitive about my alma mater all the time, just felt the record needed straightened out this time.  I look forward to maybe covering the South Region for D3network come playoff time, but I'm definitely not a homer.

SaintsFan, who was missing from the Thomas Moore on the day of the UMHB game? Also didn't Kues start every game last year for Thomas Moore?

[jknezek]

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize. 

I agree with this. They just took a very bad loss to start the year and it knocked them from serious thought unless they swept W&J and TMC. St. Vincent almost pulled it off.

As a W&L alum, I've got no problem believing TMC is a very, very good team, but that is what was expected from the beginning of the season. The problem is, I don't think TMC has done any more than was expected. In fact, the two close games in a conference that many people don't consider 3 teams deep, might be slightly less than expected. That being said, the conference could be better than people believe.

On the flip side, you have a McM team that has 1 very tight D3 loss to UMHB and an up in division win. They probably have done better this year than was generally expected. It doesn't help that the score with TMC's common opponent is drastically different (although different years make a difficult comparison).

In other words, I can see both sides of the argument. Fortunately, as you pointed out, it won't matter in the end since we've got a place to prove it all on the field.

[Toby Taff]

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize. 

I agree with this. They just took a very bad loss to start the year and it knocked them from serious thought unless they swept W&J and TMC. St. Vincent almost pulled it off.

As a W&L alum, I've got no problem believing TMC is a very, very good team, but that is what was expected from the beginning of the season. The problem is, I don't think TMC has done any more than was expected. In fact, the two close games in a conference that many people don't consider 3 teams deep, might be slightly less than expected. That being said, the conference could be better than people believe.

On the flip side, you have a McM team that has 1 very tight D3 loss to UMHB and an up in division win. They probably have done better this year than was generally expected. It doesn't help that the score with TMC's common opponent is drastically different (although different years make a difficult comparison).

In other words, I can see both sides of the argument. Fortunately, as you pointed out, it won't matter in the end since we've got a place to prove it all on the field.

Given their recent history this may be true, but the coaches of the ASC picked McM 2nd preseason so someone saw this coming.

SaintsFan, I don't think the top half of the conference is necessarily better, but I'd probably put the top 3 there, and say that the next 3 would make for close match ups. I also would not say that the middle of the pack in most years past would have been better or equal. HPU and Sul Ross have not been consistently good for a number of years. Every now and again they have a decent year, but its rare. ETBU, MC, and TLU seem to go up and down occasionally making some noise atop the conference. This year is a little different though. McMurry and LC are both teams that are very good due to experience and depth. Both have some hosses in the trenches, and McM especially has some real team speed. I haven't voted LC over TMC, and after watching the LC UMHB game won't unless something crazy happens, but having watched McM for a number of years now (I live blocks from campus) getting progressively better under Mumme, I'm comfortable putting them in the top 4.

[SaintsFAN]

I don't think there are any surprises here. Maybe the bottom of the table with W&L showing consistently over H-SC? Certainly justifiable given the H-SC, Huntingdon, B-SC, Centre results. Most interesting votes I see is that someone probably has UMHB 1, LaCollege 3, McMurry 4, stacking the ASC top 3 over any other conference's top 1. I've said before I believe the ASC is strong, so I can't fault it, though I'm not sure I'd discount Salisbury. Others seem willing to give conference 1's the nod, also a fair strategy. TMC seems to be losing some consensus on the basis of their close win. Centre didn't get much of a boost, but given who is above them and the results I don't find that surprising, although the voter leaving them off the ballot is interesting.

Quite honestly, looking around at some of the other regional polls, I think our voters are doing a much better job of being objective. Maybe because the south is a bit cut and dry this year? Regardless, thanks for doing it and I hope this doesn't come off as being criticism, I'm just doing some critical thinking.

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize.  I do vote in this fan poll, but truly the only thing that counts is the tournament.  TM will be the South #2 if they go 10-0 and will have to get by a Wesley/UMHB at some point, if they want to go "far".  They match up well with the styles played at McMurry and Salisbury (spread and option attacks --- which TM runs both --think WVU under RichRod or Clemson with Woody Dantzler).  What hurts TM in potential matchups against the NATIONS elite is the size on the defensive line and offensive line.  They are as fast and athletic as you'll see at this level. 

As I've said before, that UMHB score last year is very deceiving... they were missing some very key people and played a true freshman (an inexperienced one) at QB that afternoon.   I'm also not buying that the top half of the ASC is better than TM.  I played twice against a middle of the pack HPU and I can assure you we weren't very good at that point --- didn't get the impression we were out-classed.

Don't think that I'm going to be overly sensitive about my alma mater all the time, just felt the record needed straightened out this time.  I look forward to maybe covering the South Region for D3network come playoff time, but I'm definitely not a homer.

SaintsFan, who was missing from the Thomas Moore on the day of the UMHB game? Also didn't Kues start every game last year for Thomas Moore?

They were missing their DE (Jay Volker) and still are, actually as he wasn't able to play this year because of that injury.  They started Kues, but had to play the freshman at QB (jeremiah Coursey) in the 1st quarter on and were also missing Kendall Owens at RB. 

Kues did start and play every game last year previous to the UMHB game.  It really hurt them to not have him.  Would they have won without these guys playing??  No.  But it wouldn't have been 69-7.

[SaintsFAN]

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize. 

I agree with this. They just took a very bad loss to start the year and it knocked them from serious thought unless they swept W&J and TMC. St. Vincent almost pulled it off.

As a W&L alum, I've got no problem believing TMC is a very, very good team, but that is what was expected from the beginning of the season. The problem is, I don't think TMC has done any more than was expected. In fact, the two close games in a conference that many people don't consider 3 teams deep, might be slightly less than expected. That being said, the conference could be better than people believe.

I'm going to move on from this now.. but I will say they got W&J and St. Vincent's absolute best shot in each game on the road.  Personally, I'm glad they had these two close games.  Just blowing people out each week will not prepare the team for adversity in the tournament. 

I appreciate all of the commentary on here.. its good to be here and hearing each of your views.

[Ralph Turner]

My thought on the McMurry Stephen F Austin game was that the Southland Conference defending champs came out against a D-III team.  Coach Mumme talked about the first three McM fumbles in the game were by D-III receivers who were getting their first real hit by a D-1 player.  That throws McMurry down 21 pts in a hurry.

The game just keeps rolling, and SFA thinks that they are "hot stuff".  That mentally ruins them for the rest of the season.  They think that they can walk over everyone, 82-6.

UTSA may have taken McMuirry lightly because of that score.  UTSA had no real opponent in their first game and so they did not know what they would have to do to win against D1, until it was almost too late in the season.

UTSA has had some good performances since then, including a 22-7 loss to #16 Sam Houston and an OT loss to South Alabama.

[Pat Coleman]

South Alabama is something like a fourth-year program itself.

[Ralph Turner]

South Alabama is something like a fourth-year program itself.

Yes, South Alabama plays Georgia State this week, and 2nd year program Georgia State plays UTSA on October 29th.

Lots of schools are adding football at the D-1 level in the south...

[crufootball]

I don't think there are any surprises here. Maybe the bottom of the table with W&L showing consistently over H-SC? Certainly justifiable given the H-SC, Huntingdon, B-SC, Centre results. Most interesting votes I see is that someone probably has UMHB 1, LaCollege 3, McMurry 4, stacking the ASC top 3 over any other conference's top 1. I've said before I believe the ASC is strong, so I can't fault it, though I'm not sure I'd discount Salisbury. Others seem willing to give conference 1's the nod, also a fair strategy. TMC seems to be losing some consensus on the basis of their close win. Centre didn't get much of a boost, but given who is above them and the results I don't find that surprising, although the voter leaving them off the ballot is interesting.

Quite honestly, looking around at some of the other regional polls, I think our voters are doing a much better job of being objective. Maybe because the south is a bit cut and dry this year? Regardless, thanks for doing it and I hope this doesn't come off as being criticism, I'm just doing some critical thinking.

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize.  I do vote in this fan poll, but truly the only thing that counts is the tournament.  TM will be the South #2 if they go 10-0 and will have to get by a Wesley/UMHB at some point, if they want to go "far".  They match up well with the styles played at McMurry and Salisbury (spread and option attacks --- which TM runs both --think WVU under RichRod or Clemson with Woody Dantzler).  What hurts TM in potential matchups against the NATIONS elite is the size on the defensive line and offensive line.  They are as fast and athletic as you'll see at this level. 

As I've said before, that UMHB score last year is very deceiving... they were missing some very key people and played a true freshman (an inexperienced one) at QB that afternoon.   I'm also not buying that the top half of the ASC is better than TM.  I played twice against a middle of the pack HPU and I can assure you we weren't very good at that point --- didn't get the impression we were out-classed.

Don't think that I'm going to be overly sensitive about my alma mater all the time, just felt the record needed straightened out this time.  I look forward to maybe covering the South Region for D3network come playoff time, but I'm definitely not a homer.

SaintsFan, who was missing from the Thomas Moore on the day of the UMHB game? Also didn't Kues start every game last year for Thomas Moore?

They were missing their DE (Jay Volker) and still are, actually as he wasn't able to play this year because of that injury.  They started Kues, but had to play the freshman at QB (jeremiah Coursey) in the 1st quarter on and were also missing Kendall Owens at RB. 

Kues did start and play every game last year previous to the UMHB game.  It really hurt them to not have him.  Would they have won without these guys playing??  No.  But it wouldn't have been 69-7.

SaintsFan, I realize this doesn't really matter but looking at the statistics of the game I see that Kues only missed 2 drives in the 2nd quarter and Kendall Owens led Thomas Moore in all purpose yards. If I am wrong here, it wouldn't be the first time so please feel free to correct me. 

[Pat Coleman]

Just saying that's not a fantastic measuring stick for UTSA.

[Ralph Turner]

Just saying that's not a fantastic measuring stick for UTSA.

Thanks.

[SaintsFAN]

I don't think there are any surprises here. Maybe the bottom of the table with W&L showing consistently over H-SC? Certainly justifiable given the H-SC, Huntingdon, B-SC, Centre results. Most interesting votes I see is that someone probably has UMHB 1, LaCollege 3, McMurry 4, stacking the ASC top 3 over any other conference's top 1. I've said before I believe the ASC is strong, so I can't fault it, though I'm not sure I'd discount Salisbury. Others seem willing to give conference 1's the nod, also a fair strategy. TMC seems to be losing some consensus on the basis of their close win. Centre didn't get much of a boost, but given who is above them and the results I don't find that surprising, although the voter leaving them off the ballot is interesting.

Quite honestly, looking around at some of the other regional polls, I think our voters are doing a much better job of being objective. Maybe because the south is a bit cut and dry this year? Regardless, thanks for doing it and I hope this doesn't come off as being criticism, I'm just doing some critical thinking.

Will just say St. Vincent is better than some realize.  I do vote in this fan poll, but truly the only thing that counts is the tournament.  TM will be the South #2 if they go 10-0 and will have to get by a Wesley/UMHB at some point, if they want to go "far".  They match up well with the styles played at McMurry and Salisbury (spread and option attacks --- which TM runs both --think WVU under RichRod or Clemson with Woody Dantzler).  What hurts TM in potential matchups against the NATIONS elite is the size on the defensive line and offensive line.  They are as fast and athletic as you'll see at this level. 

As I've said before, that UMHB score last year is very deceiving... they were missing some very key people and played a true freshman (an inexperienced one) at QB that afternoon.   I'm also not buying that the top half of the ASC is better than TM.  I played twice against a middle of the pack HPU and I can assure you we weren't very good at that point --- didn't get the impression we were out-classed.

Don't think that I'm going to be overly sensitive about my alma mater all the time, just felt the record needed straightened out this time.  I look forward to maybe covering the South Region for D3network come playoff time, but I'm definitely not a homer.

SaintsFan, who was missing from the Thomas Moore on the day of the UMHB game? Also didn't Kues start every game last year for Thomas Moore?

They were missing their DE (Jay Volker) and still are, actually as he wasn't able to play this year because of that injury.  They started Kues, but had to play the freshman at QB (jeremiah Coursey) in the 1st quarter on and were also missing Kendall Owens at RB. 

Kues did start and play every game last year previous to the UMHB game.  It really hurt them to not have him.  Would they have won without these guys playing??  No.  But it wouldn't have been 69-7.

SaintsFan, I realize this doesn't really matter but looking at the statistics of the game I see that Kues only missed 2 drives in the 2nd quarter and Kendall Owens led Thomas Moore in all purpose yards. If I am wrong here, it wouldn't be the first time so please feel free to correct me.

Maybe I'm completely wrong?  I see that now from the stats.. if not for the long pass play, there'd been a goose-egg on the board.

[dlippiel]

I like Salisbury. In fact, Salisibury might be the team that keeps Mount Union in the "north bracket" this season.

The Wesley Salisbury will be a key game this season.

Ralph, dlip completely concurrs with with you regarding the Gulls. They have taken a pretty good E8 conference by storm this season (dlip felt they would) and continue to impress all with their offensive output. To dlip a triple option team that can throw the ball well can be very dangerous and dlip thinks we are seeing that here with the talented Gulls. Don't know if they can do it though against Wesley. Even with the stumble against Kean dlip believes that Wesley is the superior team and will take this game. He is definitely rooting for Salisbury though and would love to see Mt. Union kept out of the East Region Playoff bracket here in 2011.

[Ralph Turner]

dlip,

Thanks for visiting the South Region Fan Poll message boards, and thanks for the comments.  +1!

[Ralph Turner]

I like Salisbury. In fact, Salisibury might be the team that keeps Mount Union in the "north bracket" this season.

The Wesley Salisbury will be a key game this season.

Ralph, dlip completely concurrs with with you regarding the Gulls. They have taken a pretty good E8 conference by storm this season (dlip felt they would) and continue to impress all with their offensive output. To dlip a triple option team that can throw the ball well can be very dangerous and dlip thinks we are seeing that here with the talented Gulls. Don't know if they can do it though against Wesley. Even with the stumble against Kean dlip believes that Wesley is the superior team and will take this game. He is definitely rooting for Salisbury though and would love to see Mt. Union kept out of the East Region Playoff bracket here in 2011.

An undefeated Salisbury and an undefeated JHU, and undefeated Del Valley and an undefeated Hobart might make a nice bracket and push Mount Union back to the North bracket.

Undefeated UMHB might hold down the South.

How to break up a Linfield/St Thomas/UWW West bracket might be a problem, tho'