2012 Playoffs: Bracket Reactions & more

[wally_wabash]

I'd love to see how PLU matches with Linfield in the rematch. I have Linfield going all the way (yes, picking a perceived upset) but rematches can be topsy-turvy.

I think I wound up with a pretty boring bracket overall.  Here's what I did...

Round of 16 - Linfield over CLU, Oshkosh over Bethel, H'berg over Hobart, St. Thomas over Elmhurst, UMHB over Franklin, Wesley over SUNY-Cortland, Salisbury over Widener, Mount Union over W&J

Semifinals - Linfield over Heidelberg (there's my quasi-sleeper), Mount Union over UMHB

Mount Union over Linfield in the final.  That's a bracket sure to be in the middle of the pack of the bracket challenge.   

[bluenote]

Ya K-Mack....I talked to you at the Linfield Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers game! at the CatDome....Pat was there too.       we squeaked it out! LOL!

....actually the Cobbers had a gosh darn good team that year. They had an All- League QB and Running Back plus 2 very good receivers! We were actually lucky to win that game!!!

We were there for Hardin-Simmons in September 2007.

OK....ya, that was the game! Thanks for the update to my memory bank! LOL! 

[02 Warhawk]

Not sure what to make of Hobart. They have a middle-of-the-road SOS, while being in a relatively weak conference. I have them beating W&L...but beyond that I don't know.

Any thoughts?

[02 Warhawk]

I was reading Heidelberg's capsule and found their How far can they go interesting:

"With the schedule they've had this year, the regional finals are definitely within reach."

Their SOS is 168. Only three or four teams in the playoffs have worse SOS. One of which is Wittenberg (220), who they play in the first round.

[SUADC]

I was reading Heidelberg's capsule and found their How far can they go interesting:

"With the schedule they've had this year, the regional finals are definitely within reach."

Their SOS is 168. Only three or four teams in the playoffs have worse SOS. One of which is Wittenberg (220), who they play in the first round.

I said the same thing. However, I think they were considering the upper tier teams on their schedule. They have had some competitive games against the top teams in the conference and won, except to you know who and was in that game for a bit.

[Pat Coleman]

I was reading Heidelberg's capsule and found their How far can they go interesting:

"With the schedule they've had this year, the regional finals are definitely within reach."

Their SOS is 168. Only three or four teams in the playoffs have worse SOS. One of which is Wittenberg (220), who they play in the first round.

I said the same thing. However, I think they were considering the upper tier teams on their schedule. They have had some competitive games against the top teams in the conference and won, except to you know who and that game for a bit.

Bingo.

[smedindy]

I was reading Heidelberg's capsule and found their How far can they go interesting:

"With the schedule they've had this year, the regional finals are definitely within reach."

Their SOS is 168. Only three or four teams in the playoffs have worse SOS. One of which is Wittenberg (220), who they play in the first round.

Heidelberg is one team where the SOS doesn't tell the full story. Not that it ever does, since it's focused on regions. Still, though, they're hurt because their non-conference game was Alma (no doubt scheduled when the 'Berg was stuck in neutral), and the OAC was unusually mediocre in non-conference games, and some of the OAC's non-conference opponents were disappointing (CWRU, NC Wesleyan, MSJ).

In Massey they're 16th when you remove the NESCAC.

[02 Warhawk]

Would have liked to have seen Rowan take on Kean ealier this month. I have a feeling if that game wasn't cancelled, there's a chance Rowan wouldn't be in the playoffs. Rowan caught a little break there.

That would have been a good game.

[bman]

Would have liked to have seen Rowan take on Kean ealier this month. I have a feeling if that game wasn't cancelled, there's a chance Rowan wouldn't be in the playoffs. Rowan caught a little break there.

That would have been a good game.

Definitely would have been a good game, but I feel Rowan wins that game....not sure what the SOS impact was, but kean losing to Cortland, then Montclair (who had a really bad year) in the 2 games prior, doesn't indicate they were going to fare well...
Maybe they could have played in pontoon boats though, thus negating the Rowan ground attack!

[ITH radio]

Not sure what to make of Hobart. They have a middle-of-the-road SOS, while being in a relatively weak conference. I have them beating W&L...but beyond that I don't know.

Any thoughts?

Here's a few.  Their NCAA Stats show a team that's very strong defensively, with a solid OL (low # of sacks allowed and strong rushing game) and 2-3 strong RBs (one with 17 rush TDs).  The capsule is correct in that they aren't as strong with take aways as in prior years and I'd say their biggest weakness is in the defensive secondary. 

Still, they have continuously found ways to win; especially in games when they seemed to take entire quarters off.  If and when this team finally plays a complete game for 60 minutes, they will be tough to beat. 

SO DE Tyre Coleman is a true AA candidate and should probably be playing at an upper division school.  Same could be said for JR OLB/DB Devin Worthington. 

Their starting QB (Strang) will probably sit for the W&L game, but otherwise the team is in pretty good health and their backup actually elicited a lot of praise from Coach Drass (Wesley) after last season's playoff game (Drass reportedly said he thought Olney was better than Strang, so go figure).

[umhb2001]

I'd love to see how PLU matches with Linfield in the rematch. I have Linfield going all the way (yes, picking a perceived upset) but rematches can be topsy-turvy.

I think I wound up with a pretty boring bracket overall.  Here's what I did...

Round of 16 - Linfield over CLU, Oshkosh over Bethel, H'berg over Hobart, St. Thomas over Elmhurst, UMHB over Franklin, Wesley over SUNY-Cortland, Salisbury over Widener, Mount Union over W&J

Semifinals - Linfield over Heidelberg (there's my quasi-sleeper), Mount Union over UMHB

Mount Union over Linfield in the final.  That's a bracket sure to be in the middle of the pack of the bracket challenge.   

MU is a good pick and an easy pick. I really feel this is the best UMHB team that I have seen, and I've been with the program since its inception. Obviously, the games are played on the field and anything can happen, but there are three things I see as giving this UMHB team a head abover the others that have been in the playoffs:

1. The Road Win at Wesley: This game proved to them, at an early stage in the season before growth and corrections, that they can win anywhere. Getting over that hump, then, was huge for them, and if we meet again in Belton, I look for our team to win by a wider margin.

2. The Constant Road Games this Season: The Cru only had 4 home games this year as they look to open their new stadium with a bang. The constant grind at this level of having to ride on a plane or in a bus to get to where you are playing, out of your element, sleeping on foreign beds, these things help a team, and the consistency of doing it lends itself well to finding a routine for that situation.

3. The comeback against HSU: UMHB hadn't faced much adversity this year, and seeing LB's resiliency to lead the team back after that really showed me that he is poised and ready. This is something we haven't had in a while, and I think this is one of those uncategorical elements that really make a team besides the X's and O's.

Obviously, games have to be played, but these are the things I see as helping UMHB this year.

[emma17]

I'd love to see how PLU matches with Linfield in the rematch. I have Linfield going all the way (yes, picking a perceived upset) but rematches can be topsy-turvy.

I think I wound up with a pretty boring bracket overall.  Here's what I did...

Round of 16 - Linfield over CLU, Oshkosh over Bethel, H'berg over Hobart, St. Thomas over Elmhurst, UMHB over Franklin, Wesley over SUNY-Cortland, Salisbury over Widener, Mount Union over W&J

Semifinals - Linfield over Heidelberg (there's my quasi-sleeper), Mount Union over UMHB

Mount Union over Linfield in the final.  That's a bracket sure to be in the middle of the pack of the bracket challenge.   

MU is a good pick and an easy pick. I really feel this is the best UMHB team that I have seen, and I've been with the program since its inception. Obviously, the games are played on the field and anything can happen, but there are three things I see as giving this UMHB team a head abover the others that have been in the playoffs:

1. The Road Win at Wesley: This game proved to them, at an early stage in the season before growth and corrections, that they can win anywhere. Getting over that hump, then, was huge for them, and if we meet again in Belton, I look for our team to win by a wider margin.

2. The Constant Road Games this Season: The Cru only had 4 home games this year as they look to open their new stadium with a bang. The constant grind at this level of having to ride on a plane or in a bus to get to where you are playing, out of your element, sleeping on foreign beds, these things help a team, and the consistency of doing it lends itself well to finding a routine for that situation.

3. The comeback against HSU: UMHB hadn't faced much adversity this year, and seeing LB's resiliency to lead the team back after that really showed me that he is poised and ready. This is something we haven't had in a while, and I think this is one of those uncategorical elements that really make a team besides the X's and O's.

Obviously, games have to be played, but these are the things I see as helping UMHB this year.

Good report umhb.  Even without UWW in this thing I find it to be an extremely interesting playoff picture.  I really believe there are three or four teams that could win it and I wish all of them could play for it.  As much as part of me doesn't want Mt simply because of their continued dominance, I think the personnel moves Coach K made at the beginning of the season are proof again of his coaching gift and I'd be happy for them.  I also think UMHB has done what it takes to get their chance, especially with the balanced offense now.  Linfield is another program that I root for as they have carried on such a great tradition.  I don't know that UWO and St. Thomas are ready, but they certainly have a chance and of course I'll pull for UWO.  Best of luck to all and I hope the games prove to be as exciting as their potential.     

[wally_wabash]

I certainly don't think Mount Union is a slam dunk to win this thing.  I would love to see Salisbury play Mount Union just to see if that offense can sustain anything against the Raider defense.  Even more I would love to see UMHB vs Mount Union in the semis.  I think those are the top two teams in the tournament and that could be the game of the tournament right there.  Mount Union has the easier road to the semis by quite a wide margin, but I think UMHB will be ok with three home games before the semis. 

Mount Union is the easy pick for sure, but they weren't an easy pick for me.  I went with the Raiders because they'll be at home there in the semis, and they've made me a believer with that defense.  45 points allowed in 10 games is INSANE.  They'll get a big test from the Crusaders if that matchup happens for sure though.  I've picked Mount Union to win, but let's just say that i wouldn't be floored if UMHB knocked them off. 

[Ralph Turner]

Would have liked to have seen Rowan take on Kean ealier this month. I have a feeling if that game wasn't cancelled, there's a chance Rowan wouldn't be in the playoffs. Rowan caught a little break there.
That would have been a good game.

Would a Kean win over Rowan been enough "secondary criteria" to boost UMHB over UMU for the #2 seed?
Just curious...

[Ralph Turner]

I'd love to see how PLU matches with Linfield in the rematch. I have Linfield going all the way (yes, picking a perceived upset) but rematches can be topsy-turvy.

I think I wound up with a pretty boring bracket overall.  Here's what I did...

Round of 16 - Linfield over CLU, Oshkosh over Bethel, H'berg over Hobart, St. Thomas over Elmhurst, UMHB over Franklin, Wesley over SUNY-Cortland, Salisbury over Widener, Mount Union over W&J

Semifinals - Linfield over Heidelberg (there's my quasi-sleeper), Mount Union over UMHB

Mount Union over Linfield in the final.  That's a bracket sure to be in the middle of the pack of the bracket challenge.   

MU is a good pick and an easy pick. I really feel this is the best UMHB team that I have seen, and I've been with the program since its inception. Obviously, the games are played on the field and anything can happen, but there are three things I see as giving this UMHB team a head abover the others that have been in the playoffs:

1. The Road Win at Wesley: This game proved to them, at an early stage in the season before growth and corrections, that they can win anywhere. Getting over that hump, then, was huge for them, and if we meet again in Belton, I look for our team to win by a wider margin.

2. The Constant Road Games this Season: The Cru only had 4 home games this year as they look to open their new stadium with a bang. The constant grind at this level of having to ride on a plane or in a bus to get to where you are playing, out of your element, sleeping on foreign beds, these things help a team, and the consistency of doing it lends itself well to finding a routine for that situation.

3. The comeback against HSU: UMHB hadn't faced much adversity this year, and seeing LB's resiliency to lead the team back after that really showed me that he is poised and ready. This is something we haven't had in a while, and I think this is one of those uncategorical elements that really make a team besides the X's and O's.

Obviously, games have to be played, but these are the things I see as helping UMHB this year.

For non-ASC fans,

LB = UMHB senior QB LiDarrell Bailey