2022 Non-Conference opponents

[UMHB03]

The ASC has lost Belhaven moving into 2022, so that means that those ASC schools will need to schedule 2 non-conf. opponents versus the usual one. Belhaven announced the decision last month, which means the ASC's coaches are working to find a second non-conf. game. Chances are, one non-conf. game was already in place, but they'll need to find a second. Don't be surprised if you see a number of ASC schools playing NAIA or D2 opponents in 2022.

Wouldn't the ASC teams need a total of 3 non-conference games after losing Belhaven and Southwestern?

Southwestern isn't moving to the SAA until 2023. So for '22, they'll only need 2 non-conf. since they're going to 8 conf. games. But next year, if the ASC cannot find another program to join the conference, then it will mean scheduling 3 games. Tough part of Belhaven leaving so late in the year is that is drastically limits the amount of teams who ASC programs can play for that second non-conf. game.

Gotcha. For some reason I thought Southwestern was leaving in 2022. I really hope the Crusaders don't have to resort to scheduling an NAIA team. If they can't find a D3 opponent, I'd be a lot more interested in scheduling a D2 opponent and see how they stack up since it won't count as a W or L in the standings anyway.

[Hawks88]

Linfield is reported to be playing Huntingdon and Redlands to open the season (was announced during a broadcast but no link found yet)

I was told back during the regular season that Linfield would be coming to Huntingdon week 1 next season. Unfortunately it isn't a home-and-home, just the single game as we are already lined up to play Berry week 1 in '23 and '24. When I heard about the match-up I was hoping for a chance to take a trip to Oregon at some point.

[Riley Zayas]

The ASC has lost Belhaven moving into 2022, so that means that those ASC schools will need to schedule 2 non-conf. opponents versus the usual one. Belhaven announced the decision last month, which means the ASC's coaches are working to find a second non-conf. game. Chances are, one non-conf. game was already in place, but they'll need to find a second. Don't be surprised if you see a number of ASC schools playing NAIA or D2 opponents in 2022.

Wouldn't the ASC teams need a total of 3 non-conference games after losing Belhaven and Southwestern?

Southwestern isn't moving to the SAA until 2023. So for '22, they'll only need 2 non-conf. since they're going to 8 conf. games. But next year, if the ASC cannot find another program to join the conference, then it will mean scheduling 3 games. Tough part of Belhaven leaving so late in the year is that is drastically limits the amount of teams who ASC programs can play for that second non-conf. game.

Gotcha. For some reason I thought Southwestern was leaving in 2022. I really hope the Crusaders don't have to resort to scheduling an NAIA team. If they can't find a D3 opponent, I'd be a lot more interested in scheduling a D2 opponent and see how they stack up since it won't count as a W or L in the standings anyway.

I would agree. Depending on scheduling availability, a WT A&M or Oklahoma Baptist might be a good D2 opponent within driving distance. Looking at the open dates page on D3football.com, looks like UMHB still have open dates on Week 2 and Week 9. Not sure if one of those will serve as a bye week and the other will be their second non-conf. game or not. Time will tell as more schedules are released. Yes, Southwestern's timeline is what you'd expect from a program transitioning conferences; leaving an additional year before the move to provide for a smooth transition. But Belhaven was incredibly sudden in its decision, and I would imagine left a lot of coaches, not just football, but also volleyball, in a tough position scheduling-wise, because a lot of programs have already set up their non-conf. games for next year.

[Baldini]

Where is Belhaven moving to?

[Riley Zayas]

Where is Belhaven moving to?

The USA South. Makes more sense for travel, with Louisiana College having left for the NAIA. Every trip is to Texas or Arkansas for them. At least there are more teams in a closer proximity now in the USA South.

[Etchglow]

Where is Belhaven moving to?

The USA South. Makes more sense for travel, with Louisiana College having left for the NAIA. Every trip is to Texas or Arkansas for them. At least there are more teams in a closer proximity now in the USA South.

I don't have it handy, but I'm pretty sure when I put the members of the USA South into the ncaa travel distance calculator, the average distance was actually higher than in the ASC. It was something small like 50 miles average.

[Baldini]

Where is Belhaven moving to?

The USA South. Makes more sense for travel, with Louisiana College having left for the NAIA. Every trip is to Texas or Arkansas for them. At least there are more teams in a closer proximity now in the USA South.

I don't have it handy, but I'm pretty sure when I put the members of the USA South into the ncaa travel distance calculator, the average distance was actually higher than in the ASC. It was something small like 50 miles average.

I realize there is more than football in life, but is it possible there is a Mary Hardin-Baylor/Hardin-Simmons factor involved with that decision? No disrespect to Huntingdon and the other members of the USAC, but Belhaven now has a playoff chance in their new home.

[Pat Coleman]

In Division III, football needs rarely are the sole driver in switching full conferences like this.

[Etchglow]

Where is Belhaven moving to?

The USA South. Makes more sense for travel, with Louisiana College having left for the NAIA. Every trip is to Texas or Arkansas for them. At least there are more teams in a closer proximity now in the USA South.

I don't have it handy, but I'm pretty sure when I put the members of the USA South into the ncaa travel distance calculator, the average distance was actually higher than in the ASC. It was something small like 50 miles average.

Here it is:

ETBU                 260
Austin College   464
UMHB                487
Southwestern   566
McMurry           588
HSU                  589
HPU                   590
TLU                   606
Sul Ross           908

Average:           562
W/o SW:           561.5


Huntingdon                250
LaGrange                   364
Maryville (Tenn)           493
Brevard                   551
Greensboro           714
Methodist                   764
Southern Virginia   795
N.C. Wesleyan           851
Average:                   597.75

Granted, this is just for football.  So, one fewer trip (until Southwestern leaves the ASC) and one more shorter than 400.  But four over 700 vs one over 700 (if I punched the numbers into the NCAA distance calculator right). 

[Cowboy2]

May not benefit next season, but if they're stuck in a hard place for '23 they could always play the seven regular season conference games, then divide the conference into halves (4&4), and play a small round robin. Then the top two play for an ASC championship. That would make a problem with 11 total games, but its a thought.

East:
Austin
ETBU
TLU
UMHB

West:
McMurry
HPU
HSU
Sul Ross

[Riley Zayas]

Shenandoah has their 2022 schedule posted:
https://suhornets.com/sports/football/schedule/2022

[Baldini]

Shenandoah has their 2022 schedule posted:
https://suhornets.com/sports/football/schedule/2022

Didn't realize that Averett was going to the ODAC, will be an 8-team football conference for 2022. 

[Baldini]

Anything on the PrestoSports database yet, Pat?

We have to create 28 conference pages and 240-some team pages in order to display them, so that'll happen, but not immediately.

No tidbits of interest to share.

[Inkblot]

Eastern is set to begin MAC play in 2023; will they play more of a club schedule in 2022 like Keystone did in 2019?

No word yet on Hilbert's conference affiliation.

[Hawks88]

Shenandoah has their 2022 schedule posted:
https://suhornets.com/sports/football/schedule/2022

Yeah, I had heard something about that ODAC/USA South Challenge in week 3. If that challenge stays then it would mean the USA South wouldn't be able to play a full round robin with Belhaven added. Not a fan of not playing a full round robin.