Immediate thoughts on Week 12

GREENVILLE, Pa. — Alright, well, 15 of the first-round games are in the books and the 16th is a formality at this point, with Occidental trailing Linfield 63-21. As good a time to start as any.

Keith McMillan and I drove up to Greenville, Pa., for the Thiel-Johns Hopkins game and certainly came away impressed with Thiel receiver Brandon Chambers, who had three long touchdown catches, each different styles, in the 28-3 win. As an exercise on the drive up here, we each predicted not only the winner of each first-round game, but the actual score. (We each wrote down scores indpendently and only compared notes afterwards.) So let’s see how we each did:

East Bracket
Delaware Valley/Curry — Pat: DVC 56-7. Keith: DVC 56-17. Actual: DVC 37-22.
Hobart/Cortland State — Pat: Cortland 21-17. Keith: Cortland 31-28. Actual: Hobart 23-22.
Rowan/Wilkes — Pat: Rowan 38-17. Keith: Rowan 13-10. Actual: Rowan 42-3.
Ithaca/Union — Pat: Union 28-27. Keith: Union 20-14 (OT). Actual: Union 55-41.

South Bracket
Trinity/Mary Hardin-Baylor — Pat: UMHB 45-21. Keith: UMHB 35-21. Actual: UMHB 35-6.
Wesley/Ferrum — Pat: Wesley 54-24. Keith: Wesley 21-6. Actual: Wesley 59-14.
Bridgewater/W&J — Pat: W&J 35-34. Keith: W&J 45-42. Actual: Bridgewater 30-21.
Thiel/Johns Hopkins — Pat: Thiel 24-7. Keith: Thiel 17-3. Actual: Thiel 28-3.

North Bracket
Wabash/Albion — Pat: Wabash 31-17. Keith: Wabash 28-10. Actual: Wabash 38-20.
North Central/Capital — Pat: Capital 28-17. Keith: North Central 35-33. Actual: Capital 21-19.
Augustana/Lakeland — Pat: Augustana 56-7. Keith: Augustana 49-9. Actual: Augustana 49-22.
Mount Union/Mt. St. Joseph — Pat: Mount Union 56-7. Keith: Mount Union 51-14. Actual: Mount Union 49-6.

West Bracket
Linfield/Occidental — Pat: Linfield 53-21. Keith: Linfield 49-24. Actual: Linfield 63-21 at this writing.
Concordia-Moorhead/Coe — Pat: C-M 21-17. Keith: C-M 28-10. Actual: C-M 27-14.
St. John’s/Monmouth — Pat: St. John’s 52-14. Keith: St. John’s 45-17. Actual: St. John’s 62-3.
UW-Whitewater/Central — Pat: UWW 45-14. Keith: UWW 49-21. Actual: UWW 34-14.

You guys score this at home. Looks pretty even.

OK, Keith checking in while Pat helps some poor fellow hook up to the internet from the Thiel Student Lounge (fine looking student center here though).

As for immediate thoughts, not too many surprises around the bracket. Some may have thought Trinity would put up a better fight against UMHB, but the Cru looks like it’s ready for another run toward Salem … Wilkes, as the 32nd team in, looks like it might as well have stayed home. I picked a low score on that one because of the Colonels defensive rep and Rowan’s banged up offense, but Pat said heck no, they’ll still hang a bunch on them. Score one for Pat. … Capital/North Central turned out to be the great game we thought it would be, while the East bracket panned out as far as the New York games were concerned. Wow outta Union, 99 points?

Pat: Another great W&J/Bridgewater game. They should play in the regular season. Just thought of another great matchup we won’t see — two of the three Division III all-men’s schools (St. John’s and Wabash) meeting in the finals, in the Stag Bowl (pun intended). Not a whole lot of surprises, other than North Central hanging in without Tyke Spencer (separated shoulder) … or Capital winning despite five turnovers (can’t do that next week, guys). Or Curry leading Delaware Valley and hanging late into the game. Neither of us surprised by the Wesley/Ferrum result, as you can see. Should be an interesting matchup for Wesley next week — Chris Warrick will have a lot less time to throw against UMHB.

Keith is heading out to Augustana/Mount Union and I am heading for St. John’s/UW-Whitewater … somehow. John McGraw will be at Rowan/Union. Gordon Mann will be at Delaware Valley/Hobart. We’ll try to have someone at Thiel/Bridgewater.

Throwing the floor open.

98 thoughts on “Immediate thoughts on Week 12

  1. Go Dutchmen Go!!! I must agree with Dutchmen77 about Unions defense. The past two weeks have been very frustrating to watch, as far as defense goes. I give those kids all the credit in the world as far as hard working student atheletes. Yet unless that defense steps up this weekend they are going to have serious problems. Union needs them more than anything in order to have a chance. I also felt that Unions coaching was really poor on the defensive side of the ball as well. I mean Union is small, especially the DBS. It just has seemed that the coaches are not making the adjustments that they need to help the D. Whether they are being out coached or not I am not qualified to say. All I know is, on Saturday, no defense, season is over for the Dutchmen. If that is the case we here in Schenectady are proud as can be of their effort this season! We love you guys! Good Luck!

  2. Wabashman,

    Capital can both run and pass equally well. Their QB has a very accurate arm, and they have a nice reciever in number 10. Their RB (Balky…sp?) is also a playmaker, but he was hurt late in the game last week and did not return. He’s very quick and runs tough.

    Capital’s defense is legit. They aren’t huge upfront, but they’re extremely quick and aggresive. They stunt and blitz with a good success rate. Their secondary boasts two brothers (twins I think) that can really get after you. I belive they came into last week the 2nd ranked D in the country and they didn’t dissapoint. Early on they switched they switched up their looks and, I believe, confused NCC’s A-A QB into some poor reads.

    I don’t think either team breaks 21 points this game, particularly if Capital’s RB does not play. Don’t be fooled though, they can throw the ball too.

    My prediction: Capital 17, Wabask 14 in a squeeker.

  3. Foxsden:

    While your points may have some validity, the NCAA’s post-season travel policy concerning DIII teams creates an artificial barrier to the scenario which DI programs enjoy. Fans want to see the two best teams play in a championship, period, and they will when USC and Texas meet in the Rose Bowl. Lifting the travel restrictions will not guarantee a similar matchup in DIII, but it certainly will enhance the possibility. Just imagine if $1M from each winner of the DI BCS bowl games (less than 10% of their total take) were dedicated to DIII post-season expenses.

    That said, Wabash will have its hands full with a battle-tested Capital team.
    But…..WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!! GO LITTLE GIANTS!

  4. lg1970,

    I don’t know what the NCAA’s take is on BCS games, but since it isn’t an NCAA championship (as we all know, unfortunately), they don’t have the rights fees coming in like they do on D-I men’s basketball.

  5. The runningback is Maulky and he doesn’t normally start although he might have earned the startafter last week. O’Reilly is the starter but with two fumbles in his first two carries I guess it was time to try someone else. Colin O’Reilly is small but runs strong and usally reliable. Must of had some jitters. Maulky should be good to go this weekend too. Took a nasty blow to the head but seem ok after the game. What a great change of pace with them two.

  6. pcole:

    Like you, I don’t know the NCAA’s share in the total payout related to the BCS. However, the NCAA certainly has leverage given they are a major party to the television contract which generates the big bucks going to the DI programs. My belief is they could influence the negotiations if they so chose and appease the television advertisers/Bowl sponsors. The DIII post-season travel budget is miniscule when compared to the grand total with minimal impact to any one team. It’s the right thing to do….but the NCAA won’t do it.

  7. GO AUGUSTANA!! BEAT MOUNT UNION!! YOU CAN DO IT!! From your words to God’s ears!!!

    Go Union, Beat Rowan!! Had to get those out of my system. Oh one more Go anybody Beat Delaware (I know they’re not Div III, but . . .)

    Whoever was dissing the Johnnies–I think they are better than you think! But,then, Linfield is the cream of the crop out West. I expect them to go very far into the playoffs. I’d love to get to go out there for a game. But we have to get it done this week in northern PA. Go EAGLES

  8. The Union-Rowan game is intriguing. Rowan’s bench is probably much deeper than Union’s. It has been stated that Rowan is not 100%. A healthy Rowan is a hands down favorite over Union. A diminished Rowan still poses a serious threat to a Union team suffused with sucess over its New York State rivals. Most would agree that the upper echelon of D III football excludes the Unions of the world, save for those unusual seasons when the likes of Union, Hobart, or RPI ascend to the final rounds. Union seems to have caught a dramatic tailwind in the final weeks of its season. Can the Dutchmen pull another rabbit out of the hat? “Better lucky than good” may be just the signature of the 2005 Union team.

  9. duke,
    If a team is lucky long enough, it can no longer be called luck. After a while it is just that that team is good in close games.

  10. Rigg0173,
    The point you’re missing is that Ron has not tried to make his alma mater out to be better than they were. Even privately, in an e-mail to me, he’s said he’s seen better … and publicly, he obviously thought UMHB had the better team.

    So if you’re expecting some props because you think you threw out a zinger on that Ferrum comeback, they aren’t coming because you played yourself.

    As far as Rbrockwell’s prediction of two playoff wins for Ferrum next year, I’ll believe that when I see it. I think it was great to have a new team come out of the USAC for once, so don’t mistake me for a Ferrum hater … I just think that almost every ODAC and USAC program is on the rise, and Virginia and the surrounding area is and has been a competitive area for recruiting … HSC, Bridgewater and CNU are the year-in, year-out class of the lower mid-Atlantic right now. Methodist, Ferrum, Washington & Lee and Averett all had good years, and a couple of ’em are young and should have a lot back. Shenandoah was down this year, but Guilford, CUA and R-MC finished the season with some strong wins and/or competitive losses, and E&H will have a coach with seven championship rings going around recruiting this year.

    With that kind of competition, I wouldn’t assume anyone is going to get through the USAC or ODAC easy in the next few years … Whoever comes out should have a chance to win playoff games, but coming out might be the hard part.

    And as far as religion major’s theory on luck and close games, I think each one is separate, and neither luck nor being good in close games is absolute.

    In other words, there’s something to be said for a team being confident in the clutch, but other than that, I think the theory of being “good in close games” is more dependent on who those games are played against than anything.

    But it’s late and I’m nitpicking.

  11. Have not read all 62 responses, but yes kid

    Bridgewater — who I voted for several times this year, off and on — will move ahead of W&J if nothing else, and they were at or around 21 last time I voted.

    Ron = chopped liver. 🙂

  12. Keith,

    You make some very interesting and valid points about the ODAC and USAS. Both are conferences on the rise. Guilford and Catholic both have outstanding QB’s that as long as they remain healthy, could give J.D.’s records a run for the money. H-SC should be strong again IF they can find a QB. (no small task given what they are losing) As for E&H, I think they have a tough roe to hoe. No doubt, Coach Montgomery has the bloodline of a winner. It will be interesting to see how he does recruiting wise. Coach Wacker had much success recruiting in the Richmond area. He is a U of Richmond grad and had many connections to that area. I think E&H will be a tougher sell for Coach Montgomery in that area especially with all the successful D3 programs closer to home. Perhaps the Knoxville area will become a hotbed for E&H with so few D3 programs in that area. Of course Bridgewater is king of the hill until someone knocks them off.
    Speaking of the Knoxville area, I think Coach Ierulli at Maryville has the Fighting Scots headed in the right direction. They had some tough close losses early and let one get away against Methodist but had a strong finish. If graduation doesn’t hurt them too bad and the addition of a few blue chip skill guys, they may be in the hunt next year. As you mentioned that could be tough with the other programs improving too.
    Bottom line is that most of the USAS and ODAC schools still have some work to do to be successful on the national stage. Only BC and to a lesser degree CNU have proven in recent years that they can win on that level. Hopefully, they will have some company in the near future.

  13. re: Cap – Wabash, horseface’s outcome seems most likely. Both defenses are great. Both offenses are going to be forced to go to the air, and if Capital has more than 2 speedy receivers, Wabash’s 4-4 is going to be in some trouble. Both teams have efficient QBs and a bunch of talented receivers. Many observers thought Albion was the perfect match for Wabash. That underestimates the Scarlet. Capital is the perfect match for Wabash. here’s a vote for a squeaker.

  14. In response to the duke’s post on the Union – Rowan game, I do agree that a healthy Rowan can beat Union probably any and every time they match up. However, this Union team does not know how to lose and has found a way to win each week regardless of the location or opponent. They will not bow their heads and throw in the towel if Rowan gets up on them early as they came from behind against both Ithaca and RPI.

    Union is not typically in the upper crust of D3 football but it has made it to the Stagg Bowl twice in the last 30 years and this team does not appear to be intimidated by any opponent.

    Rowan has had a let down this year in its shocking loss to William Patterson and seems to always be a team that can turn on itself when faced with an adverse opponent. They are a big play team with many threats just like prior years. However, they do not appear to be a team that is willing to grind out 60 minutes in a close game. Looking at Union’s season to date, they have played almost every week grinding out 60 minutes and finding a way to win each game. Anyone that’s played football knows how easy it is for even a great team to lose at least one game a season. We also know how difficult it is to show up every week, regardless of the opponent, and find a way to win each game.

    Despite the bracket rankings, I’m sure we’d all agree Union is the underdog, but if there was ever a year to pull off a victory against Rowan it sounds like this may be the year.

    Here’s one vote for a Union upset over Rowan in a 38-35 final.
    GO DUTCHMEN!!!!

  15. lg1970
    No doubt more money for D3 fotball would make it easier for NCAA to schedule match ups in the early rounds. But based on the scores last week end I think the 2 best teams in the nations are still in the tournament. We just don’t know who they are yet!
    However, I don’t agree that the purpose of the tounament is to make sure the two best teams in the nation meet in the Stagg Bowls. I see the goal as getting the best team from each of the four regions together for the National Semi finals. I believe this creates the greatest interest in D3 football around the nation and still makes the winner of the Stagg Bowl a legitimate National Champion

  16. SeanGOP Says:

    The 21st of November, 2005 at 12:13 pm

    “Capital plays quality competition throughout the year, Wabash does not.”

    Do your homework! Quality of Wins (I know nobody like it, usually those lower on the list). Wabash #8 with 11.111 and Capital #29 with 10.100. That’s really good out of what? 300 Div III teams. Form what I have read Capital is much like DePauw and every one saw what we did to the on the ROAD. Still a close one ‘Bash 17 Cap 10.
    As ALWAYS Wabash Always Fights…

  17. LGFan and all you Wabash people,

    THe quality of wins page / stat or whatever had Monmouth over Augustana. And I think we both know how they stack up. Augie has a top 10 regular season schedule (playing Lakeland dropped them due to the fact that they had played much tougher competition all year long) having played: Central, North Central, Carthage, Wheaton, Elmhurst, Millikin, and UW Platteville. Monmouth played St. Norbert. The CCIW was a Nation-best 21-3 non-conference this year. The CCIW had 4 teams ranked in the polls this year (until they played each other and ended up with two), and 6 of the 8 teams got votes. AND YET, Monmouth had a better quality of wins number.

    So Wabash fans, cling to that stat if you wish – it means nothing.

    Also, you say Wabash can stop the run. Yeah, so said Lakeland, and a real running team (Augustana of course) hung 49 on them.

    If you want to see how the Wabash team stacks up I suggest you check the Massey Ratings.

    Capital has a schedule ranked 28th toughest and Wabash has a weak schedule ranked 132nd. Capital has a conference rank of #4, whereas Wabash is in a conference ranked 25th.

    Yes, 10-0 is 10-0, but they got there by playing weak teams with weak numbers. I know you can’t do more than win, but winning against tough competition is tough.

    All things said, I am happy for Wabash, but I also think they are going to lose 35-17.

    I am very anxious for the Augustana – Mount Union game. It is going to be a killer. The two most storied programs in D3 football history going face to face. Can Mount Union stop the run? Will Mount Union have enough time of possession to score enough to win?

    AUGUSTANA WILL GIVE MOUNT UNION MORE THAN THEY WANT!

    GO AUGIE!!

    http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf&sub=III&mid=6

  18. pcole,

    Hey man, how do I check my pool and how it stacks up against everyone else? I’m really wanting to know.

    Thanks.

  19. Religion_Major and D3Keith–

    I think that the real championship teams have an expectation that they’ll win, and know HOW to win. There is a difference between knowing how to score points of how to play defense and knowing how to win.

    When the game is on the line, some teams crave the pressure and the chance to do something big. Their focus narrows, their execution is flawless, their confidence is absolute, and the results are a win. Other teams HOPE they’ll win, and try to win, but just don’t have it when it counts. One hates to use cliches like “killer instinct” or “another gear” but it’s rather like that.

    Look at last year’s Stagg bowl. There were basically three big plays that turned the game in Linfield’s favor; a different outcome on any one play and UMHB might win–Hillison’s red-zone pick, Fleming’s pseudo-punt block, and Tom/Bertrand’s 4th down sack to ice it. This certainly doesn’t mean UMHB was anything less than a great team–it’s just that Linfield’s team knew how to WIN.

  20. dutchman77,
    Union has led a charmed existence over the last twelve weeks, most notably during mid season. Coach Audino’s charges took a harrowing route to their currently lofty status. That they have prevailed under every imaginable set of circumstances speaks eloquently of Audino’s choreographing. though those mid season games were, doubtless, not in his original script. It is quite possible that Saturday will witness a Union team imbued with a sense of pride coupled with a fierce determination that propels them to another victory. The tournament scheme is democratic but leaves no room for a bad day. Union has now proven that they are for real, deserving of acclaim. It should be one heck of a game.

  21. Keith-
    Last time I checked- I didn’t have access to Ron’s private emails that he sends you – where he talks about the strength of Trinity’s team. And like I said- I also do not check his postings on d3sports.com

    What I was basing my statement off of – was where he had them ranked in his “Around the Region” column. He had them ranked #1 in his 11/8, 11/1, 10/25 articles- based on that I don’t agree with you when you say, “publicly, he obviously thought UMHB had the better team.”

    And I’m definitely not looking for or expecting props from you.

    Also- please spare us all by not including R-MC in your paragraph of “teams to be reckoned with in the ODAC and USAC”. I don’t see any strong wins and/or competitive losses in their 2-8 record. But hey- I don’t blame you for giving props out to your school- ultimately that’s what all of us are doing on this board.

  22. Macon did beat McDaniel. I suspect there’s reason to be optimisitic about Randolph-Macon — they appear to be moving in the right direction under Arruza.

  23. Mount Union is beatable as everyone involved in Division III football has seen, especially this year. I certainly wouldn’t want to be coming to Alliance with a relatively one dimensional offense like Augustana. Anyone who has seen the Mount defense this year should agree with me, Augustana will have trouble on Saturday. This might be a close game. Weather will be the Raiders biggest concern as snow and wind are expected. If Mount can sustain any passing game, Augustana will be hard pressed to keep up.

    GO RAIDERS!!!

  24. Mount Union can pass all day long, that’s fine – Augustana has the D3 interception leader on the team, and another guy following close.

    If it snows or rains or whatever, that is good for Augustana and bad for a throwing team. Augie runs great in the rain.

    Augie always has a tendency to hold the ball longer than the opposition – that is good for them.

    Augustana has played great defenses all year long, and has played a tougher schedule than Mount Union, and belongs to a tougher conference.

    Augie is licking their chops at a chance at beating the team that beat Augustana’s very own winning streak record.

    GO AUGUSTANA!!!!!!!!!

  25. dutchman77,

    I see the true DIII school vs. D1 transfers myth continues. Rowan has only three D1A transfers on the roster. QB – Mike Orihel (out for the season), A D-lineman that wasn’t able to crack the starting line up (might be receiving disiplinary action by the coaches, cause I haven’t seen him around), and Wr Sakeen Wright. However the four year DIII guy Wr. Phil Silva was the NJAC Player of the year. So there’s only 3 on the entire roster, and one that starts.

    What you will see on Saturday is a Rowan team consisting of DIII football players.

  26. The CCIW is a decent conference. Stronger than the OAC? Let’s see, Capital took care of North Central already. Ask Carthage and Wheaton about visiting Mount Union in the playoffs in recent years. We will find out on Saturday and I will be there to witness it. Might want to look at the OAC results and then tell me that the CCIW is clearly a tougher conference than the OAC. Don’t think so. Also, Mount has three capable backs, Mount can run the ball as well if they have to.

  27. SeanGOP,

    You certainly are passionate about your team and those Massey ratings!

    As you know, I don’t put a lot of stock into the Massey ratings. I won’t go in depth again on that right now, as I don’t want to stir that up. But I will mention that 2 West undefeated teams have lost by a monkey stomp+ (my prediction was 3-4 undefeateds from the West will lose by that margin), and one of the two CCIW teams has already bowed out. I have a feeling that, with time and a few more games, my argument against Massey will become even stronger.

  28. Keith,

    The reason I suggest 2 playoff wins is that Ferrum is bringing 10 defensive players back. THEY HAVE TO BE BETTER NEXT YEAR. The offense will loose a few players but should be able to replace them and continue to play well. I have seen HSC’s back-up QBs and the rumor is they are moving to an option offense next year. Anyways I am sticking to the two playoff wins. I do agree both conferences are on the rise.

  29. One doesn’t hear the term “ringer” much these days. The distance between perception and reality sometimes is incalculable. To JTW I say,” touche.” We, too, have had our perception of the Profs. JTW, you have leveled the proverbial playing field. Good on you. The long suffering bridesmaid is going to be hungry for the ring.

  30. I have seen HSC’s back-up QBs and the rumor is they are moving to an option offense next year

    rock,

    Are you kidding me?!! That would be a shock. On second thought, maybe not. Coach Favret does do some unorthadox things. (and for the most part been successful) Namely, going for it on 4th down and long on their side of the field. Seen that quite a few times with a high success rate. Not sure of the personnel coming back and how suited they are to the option but you better be deep at QB and RB. Not sure if that is the case. Of course I guess it fits his MO to date. High risk, high reward which the option certainly fits that. Guess we shall have to wait and see.

  31. JTW,
    Silva and Wright look very impressive on paper both statistically and height/weight. I’ve seen Union’s DB’s and they are clearly the weak point on their defense (which hasn’t been impressive as a whole lately), and they are much smaller than Rowan’s WR’s.

    Is Rowan’s defense as good as years past?

    Union’s offense has been their strength and will be much needed to pull off a win on Saturday and I don’t know much about Rowan’s D? Any insight would be appreciated.

  32. mlusk,

    Dissing the CCIW? Please, the CCIW has the depth that the OAC does not have, and they play tougher schedules.

    The top four teams in the OAC are pretty darn good, just like the top four in the CCIW. 4 of the 8 CCIW teams were ranked this year, and 6 of eight got votes – not the OAC. Overall there is better balance in the CCIW.

    Yes, Mount Union is a great team, but it is from a weaker overall conference than Augustana. However, they are a great conference, just not as great in my mind as the CCIW or the WIAC.

    I also think that the top 4 teams in the CCIW, WIAC, OAC, and the top 3 in the Minn IAC could have competed well in the playoffs – certainly better than Curry, Johns Hopkins and several others.

    I wish I could be at that game with you, I’m sure we would both be on the edge of our seats. The winner of that game is going to lose to UW Whitewater in the Championship game – unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be rooting for Augie to win it all, but UWW is just too good, playing from the toughest conference in the country.

  33. Sean –

    Wabash played a real running team, DePauw. Do some homework and check DePauw’s running stats, then check how they did against Wabash.

    Wabash is also 15th in the real Massey ratings. Capital is 8th. That does not add up to a blowout – it means it will be tight.

  34. Sean is quite the answer man. Per Sean:

    – Capital is going to hang 42 on Wabash
    – Capital is going to hang 35 on Wabash (apparently Capital lost a touchdown sometime during the week)
    – The winner of the MUC/Cap game will lose to UW-WW in the Stagg Bowl.

    All of my questions have been answered…no need to waste any more of my time actually watching football games this year. On to hoops.

    By the way, Sean, the OAC had 4 teams ranked in the top 25 this year, and has had 5 teams receive votes. That’s not too far from credentials you’ve given for the all-powerful CCIW.

  35. foxsden:

    I agree the playoffs should not “make sure” the two best teams meet in the end, and I don’t think I articulated that position. But if the NCAA/DIIIfootball.com/Don Hansen national rankings mean anything at all, then the playoff system should at the very least facilitate the possibility of such a matchup.

    At the same time, I certainly think your perspective on the appropriate goal of the playoffs has a great deal of merit. It no doubt distinguishes DIII from DI.

    I’m curious….who’s your personal favorite? I’ve already tipped my hand.

  36. dutchman77,

    They are the 4th ranked rushing defense and 8th ranked overall defensively. The Profs are very fast and athletic. If Rowan can’t move the ball offensively, it is possible that a big physical opponent can wear down the Prof D.

  37. SeanGOP

    How much TOP is enough?

    What if I told you 11:32 is enough. Check out ’99 MUC vs Auggie.
    That was enough to lay 42 points on that Augie defense.
    Auggie used their 48:08 to manage 33 in the loss. You drove yourself out of the game.

    01 I can’t find the TOP but the stats were MUC 545 total offense and 32 points. Auggie 218 total yards and 7.

    BE careful what you wish for.

  38. SeanGOP,

    I’ll buy you a virtual beer if Capital “hangs” 42 on Wabash. Watched the Albion game (113th rated schedule) and would say Albion was in the game for say, 8 minutes. Wabash has 5 or 6 receivers that can flat out play. I look for a great game… Wabash 27 Capital 21.

    GO BASH!

  39. riggo123,
    You brainiac, it doesn’t matter what you knew or when you knew it. Not being privy to private e-mail doesn’t get you off the hook for acting like you were right and being dead wrong.

    If you called me a racist, for example, and had no idea I’m from a mixed-race family, would being uninformed make your statement appear any less foolish? If you said 2 + 2 is five, does that make you right if you didn’t have access to a math book?

    You called Ron a homer, am I right? The evidence, both public (he linked to his own pick against his alma mater vs. UMHB in a home game) and private, suggests that he has been anything but. No doubt you can find fault with D3 columnists, but you struck out on that one.

    Don’t be fake friendly, wrapping up the conversation in a nice little bow and then throwing a ‘Keith’s a homer too’ jab in there. Don’t put words in my mouth by putting quotation marks around something I didn’t say. I didn’t call R-MC “a force to be reckoned with.” I said almost every USAC and ODAC program is on the rise, and backed the opinion up with facts. I just don’t think it’s safe to assume Ferrum will run through the schedule like it did this year and get into the playoffs, let alone get two wins.

    If I say something, I stick with it, and I’ll admit when I’m wrong. Guess it’ll be a long wait if we think we’re going to get that out of you.

    RBrockwell, 10 defensive starters is good reason to believe, I’ll acknowledge that. I also think Ferrum overachieved, or if that sounds like a slight, then perhaps ‘showed more improvement’ than anyone in the nation this year, at least anyone I can think of off the top of my head. That’s definitely something to be proud of, despite the tough finish.

  40. Keith-
    Who’s blowing smoke and crying now?

    Let’s talk about some facts-
    And I don’t think I’m mis-quoting you here?:
    ”R-MC finished the season with some strong wins and/or competitive losses”
    Randolph-Macon’s 2005 record was 2-8
    1 win came against 5-5 McDaniel
    1 win came against 1-9 Emory & Henry
    Lost 24-0 to Johns Hopkins
    Lost 44-7 to W&L
    Lost 53-20 to Bridgewater
    Lost 50-17 to HSC
    Lost to 4 other mediocre-at-best teams
    Give me a break if you think those facts depict strong wins and/or competitive losses, and give me a break if you weren’t giving undeserved props out to your school. Randolph-Macon sucks, they always have and they always will- they just aren’t a football school.

    Let’s talk about some opinions-
    Yes I am a Ferrum grad and former player and I couldn’t agree with you more when you say they “over-achieved” this year. And that’s why you’ve seen the influx of Ferrum support (not all of it positive according to Pat)- because it’s been 15 long years since we’ve remotely resembled a playoff team. Until Ferrum can consistently beat CNU every year, until they can recruit the same players that CNU and Bridgewater are getting, and until they can keep their players in their program for 4 years- they will never get back to the level they achieved in the late 80’s when they were a national contender. Ferrum is definitely moving in the right direction and will continue to do so. And I didn’t mention E&H because they are a non-factor. People in E&H’s recruiting area don’t care if their new head coach was the defensive coach at Mt Union- they should of replaced their coach of 23 years with an insider- not to mention people are tired of hearing about Mt Union’s 10,000 game win streak- I don’t think that is as much of a positive recruiting tool as you think for E&H.

    I don’t know how else to say this to you Keith-
    My original post on this thread was addressed to Ron, and his wise-guy comment about Ferrum’s first round playoff lost/Ferrum’s strength (ranking). My comment to Ron was based off where he had Trinity ranked AHEAD of UMHB in his “AROUND THE REGION” columns. Do you understand that?

    I could care less if you are a racist or not, whether you come from a mixed family or not, or what type of math book you have. Message boards are a big part of your site and a big part of what makes your site interesting- maybe you should leave the message boards to us “unknowledgeable crazy football fans” since you “gets” so feisty?

  41. This is the blog. Message boards are elsewhere.

    This, however, is by far the most interesting thing you have said yet: “People in E&H’s recruiting area don’t care if their new head coach was the defensive coach at Mt Union- they should of replaced their coach of 23 years with an insider- not to mention people are tired of hearing about Mt Union’s 10,000 game win streak- I don’t think that is as much of a positive recruiting tool as you think for E&H.”

    You can keep reiterating the comments about Around the South if you like, but we don’t need to keep reading them. We hear you. And you can slice and dice up Keith’s comments if you like, but the fact is, he included three schools as a group, and those schools as a combined group did those things he said.

    Next topic. Closed for the duration.

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