FB: Region 3 fan poll

[E.115]

The close call by CWRU against Geneva was enough for me to drop them off the ballot after Week #8.

Geneva was mid-terms week for CWRU...perhaps too many engineers and science majors on the team ...

[E.115]

I feel like Westminster is the last big hurdle.  Westminster pounds the rock from the spread with a very good RB and athletic QB, much like Case does.  These two teams are mirror images of one another.  I'm more than a little bit skeptical of CWRU's defense; but we'll see.

Especially facing a Westminster team coming off a loss can be scary for CWRU. 

The 56-38 win against WashU saw 1233 yards of combined total offense.  Defense for CWRU needs to figure something out rather quickly.  http://athletics.case.edu/sports/fball/2016-17/boxscores/20161029_c8ei.xml

[Ralph Turner]

Week #9 South Region Poll

Thanks to my fellow pollsters: Hasanova, jknezek, roocru, Scots 13.

1)	UMHB	50	1,1,1,1,1
2)	HSU	44	2,2,2,2,3
3)	JHU	41	2,3,3,3,3
4)	Thomas More	35	4,4,4,4,4
5)	ETBU	26	5,5,6,6,7
.	.	.	.
6)	CWRU	25	5,6,6,6,7
7)	Muhlenberg	20	5,5,7,8,10
8)	Huntingdon	13	7,8,8,8,x
9)	Randy-Mac	6	9,9,10,10,x
10)	Maryville TN	4	9,9,x,x,x
.	.	.	.
RV)	Berry	3	8,x,x,x,x
RV)	Centre	3	9,10,x,x,x
RV)	Southwestern TX	1	10,x,x,x,x
.	.	.	.
.	.	.	.
.	.	.	.

As always, corrections are appreciated.

[ADL70]

I feel like Westminster is the last big hurdle.  Westminster pounds the rock from the spread with a very good RB and athletic QB, much like Case does.  These two teams are mirror images of one another.  I'm more than a little bit skeptical of CWRU's defense; but we'll see.

Westminster did not run the ball well vs CMU, only 113 yds net (36 on one play, -25 on 4 sacks).  And backup QB played all but the first two plays of second half and his was the 36 yd run.

[SaintsFAN]

I feel like Westminster is the last big hurdle.  Westminster pounds the rock from the spread with a very good RB and athletic QB, much like Case does.  These two teams are mirror images of one another.  I'm more than a little bit skeptical of CWRU's defense; but we'll see.

Westminster did not run the ball well vs CMU, only 113 yds net (36 on one play, -25 on 4 sacks).  And backup QB played all but the first two plays of second half and his was the 36 yd run.

I believe CMU's defense to be superior to Case's.  They held Thomas More to 20 points and thats the only time this year the Saints haven't scored at least 30 points. 

The QB I'm referring to is Columbo.  VERY athletic but not so much an accurate passer.  If they found a QB who can be efficient, they'll be better offensively. 

But I definitely think you're sleeping on the CMU defense.

[ADL70]

Columbo is listed as prob starter for Saturday, he left last game after a run on second play of third quarter and didn't return.  From half a game's sample his backup Salmen was a more efficient passer.

CMU and CWRU has similar rushing yards given up vs WashU, but that's not the strength of their offense.  CMU did a much better job stopping Geneva's runs (perhaps because of their familiarity with the option).  CWRU held Thiel to 30 fewer rushing yards than CMU did, against a similarly athletic QB.

For the season CWRU is giving up about 60 fewer rushing yards/game than CMU (although against mostly lesser competition).  I'm more concerned about Spartans' pass defense than run.

You could say that CWRU's playoffs started last week, as they probably need to win out to make the field.  Although they just cracked the top 200 in SoS and will continue to climb.

[SaintsFAN]

You could say that CWRU's playoffs started last week, as they probably need to win out to make the field.  Although they just cracked the top 200 in SoS and will continue to climb.

We'll agree on this above.

But I think the rushing numbers are affected by CMU playing better competition and having closer games as a result. 

I don't think just listing the rushing numbers helps -- besides, its not like we are comparing two teams that aren't going to play one another.  CMU and Case play next week.

One of us will be right. 

[ADL70]

I wasn't suggesting that CWRU's defense is better, only that they are comparable.

[Scots13]

First regional rankings for the South:

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor
2. Johns Hopkins
3. Hardin-Simmons
4. Case Western Reserve
5. Thomas More
6. Muhlenberg
7. Berry
8. Maryville
9. East Texas Baptist
10. Randolph-Macon

Playing it safe at the back half. Berry has Centre left, Maryville has Huntingdon, ETBU has HSU. RMC has Guilford and HSC to finish. They are in position to win out and move up in future rankings; the others can be replaced easily, although if ETBU has a close loss to #3 HSU what will be their fate?

Also surprised a little ETBU is ninth. They are ranked #21 in both the d3football.com and AFCA Coaches' polls. 6, 7, 8 are unranked.

[Ralph Turner]

First regional rankings for the South:

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor
2. Johns Hopkins
3. Hardin-Simmons
4. Case Western Reserve
5. Thomas More
6. Muhlenberg
7. Berry
8. Maryville
9. East Texas Baptist
10. Randolph-Macon

Playing it safe at the back half. Berry has Centre left, Maryville has Huntingdon, ETBU has HSU. RMC has Guilford and HSC to finish. They are in position to win out and move up in future rankings; the others can be replaced easily, although if ETBU has a close loss to #3 HSU what will be their fate?

Also surprised a little ETBU is ninth. They are ranked #21 in both the d3football.com and AFCA Coaches' polls. 6, 7, 8 are unranked.

Please understand that ETBU has one criterion that help with the rankings for the NCAA, a loss to UMHB.
The isolated ASC doesn't get much out of Texas boost to the OOWP.

[Scots13]

First regional rankings for the South:

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor
2. Johns Hopkins
3. Hardin-Simmons
4. Case Western Reserve
5. Thomas More
6. Muhlenberg
7. Berry
8. Maryville
9. East Texas Baptist
10. Randolph-Macon

Playing it safe at the back half. Berry has Centre left, Maryville has Huntingdon, ETBU has HSU. RMC has Guilford and HSC to finish. They are in position to win out and move up in future rankings; the others can be replaced easily, although if ETBU has a close loss to #3 HSU what will be their fate?

Also surprised a little ETBU is ninth. They are ranked #21 in both the d3football.com and AFCA Coaches' polls. 6, 7, 8 are unranked.

Please understand that ETBU has one criterion that help with the rankings for the NCAA, a loss to UMHB.
The isolated ASC doesn't get much out of Texas boost to the OOWP.

Duly noted. I guess the 64-62 game last Saturday didn't help.

[RtSLl3100]

I know its been a topic most the week; but surprised CWRU is ahead of Thomas More; especially with a significantly weaker SOS (.455 vs .534).  But overall the south region is about what I expected it to be

[Ralph Turner]

I know its been a topic most the week; but surprised CWRU is ahead of Thomas More; especially with a significantly weaker SOS (.455 vs .534).  But overall the south region is about what I expected it to be

Thomas More has a loss. CWRU is undefeated.

[SaintsFAN]

I know its been a topic most the week; but surprised CWRU is ahead of Thomas More; especially with a significantly weaker SOS (.455 vs .534).  But overall the south region is about what I expected it to be

Thomas More has a loss. CWRU is undefeated.

Its probably more nuanced than that.  There are 2 other regions that have teams with a loss in front of undefeated teams.  In fact, the only region where that didn't happen is the North. 

Its not that it matters that much to Thomas More.  They are probably going on the road if they win on Saturday and aren't going anywhere if they lose. 

I'm rooting for Case to go undefeated and host Thomas More in a Round 1 rematch of last year's game.

[crufootball]

First regional rankings for the South:

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor
2. Johns Hopkins
3. Hardin-Simmons
4. Case Western Reserve
5. Thomas More
6. Muhlenberg
7. Berry
8. Maryville
9. East Texas Baptist
10. Randolph-Macon

Playing it safe at the back half. Berry has Centre left, Maryville has Huntingdon, ETBU has HSU. RMC has Guilford and HSC to finish. They are in position to win out and move up in future rankings; the others can be replaced easily, although if ETBU has a close loss to #3 HSU what will be their fate?

Also surprised a little ETBU is ninth. They are ranked #21 in both the d3football.com and AFCA Coaches' polls. 6, 7, 8 are unranked.

Please understand that ETBU has one criterion that help with the rankings for the NCAA, a loss to UMHB.
The isolated ASC doesn't get much out of Texas boost to the OOWP.

Would a 2 loss ETBU stay in the regional rankings?