Last night as I was updating the NCAA playoff results by conference on the front page — something that sits on the site 52 weeks a year and only changes five times — I was struck by the old adage: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Apologies for the un-fanciness of the standings, but here they are:
Conference W L Pct. OAC 35 8 .814 NWC 18 9 .667 MIAC 19 11 .633 E8 5 3 .625 NJAC 16 10 .615 MAC 12 8 .600 CCIW 11 9 .550 WIAC 9 8 .529 SCAC 9 8 .529 ODAC 10 9 .526 NCAC 10 9 .526 ASC 11 10 .524 ACFC 4 4 .500 UAA 1 1 .500 PAC 6 8 .429 Independents 5 7 .417 UCAA/LL 7 11 .389 FFC (defunct) 3 5 .375 IIAC 6 11 .353 Centennial 4 9 .308 SCIAC 2 5 .286 Dixie/USAC 2 6 .250 MWC 1 8 .111 HCAC 1 8 .111 MIAA 0 7 .000 IBC 0 7 .000 NEFC 0 8 .000
Who gained and who lost? Well, I think the concept that a rematch automatically follows the original game took a big beating (thankfully). I’ve been reminding people all season that a team playing its first game loses to another team playing its second game does not mean that team is automatically better.
Conferences which gained this week
Northwest Conference: League champion Whitworth became the third conference team to win a playoff game this weekend with the first-round victory against Occidental. It probably is the only one the NWC will get this year but serves as a reminder that the league is not a one-trick pony. (And that’s only for people who don’t remember Pacific Lutheran.)
Ohio Athletic Conference: No. 1 and No. 2 seeds and two big blowouts. ‘Nuff said.
Empire 8: Two W’s for a league that hasn’t sponsored football for very long. The 5-3 record looks a lot better than 3-3 did.
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: Two wins gets the league, much maligned for its 1999-2004 performance, above the .500 mark in the automatic bid era.
University Athletic Association: Off the schneid thanks to Carnegie Mellon.
Conferences which fell this week
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference: Ouch. The SCAC has already been looked at as a one-trick pony league with Trinity the only team to qualify for the postseason. The league hasn’t won a playoff game since Roy Hampton’s ill-fated night on the Riverwalk. The Millsaps loss doesn’t help.
Old Dominion Athletic Conference: Washington and Lee’s loss is almost as bad, though no No. 8 seed has ever won a playoff game … in the two years that No. 8 seeds have existed. Only Bridgewater has won a playoff game from this league, though at least Catholic, Emory and Henry and Washington and Lee have had the opportunity.
Illini-Badger Conference: Only disbanding can pull the league out of this hole.
Liberty League: Two one-and-outs from teams that each won playoff games last year. The conference loses a little bit of the ground it gained in the 2005 playoffs.
Re: Ithaca,
It was probably some sloppy skimming of the playoffs page on my part. I tend to remember the winnners and the years going back to ’92, and anything after that I need to reference the records page.
I know how many championships my alma mater has!
I always thought the bracketing for ASC teams was strange. My son played for the CRU and he always said you gonna have to beat ’em any way to advance; so what difference does it make?
Keith:
You are right, Salem is the perfect place for the championship game. We had a great time at the UHMB – Linfield game. It’s not so small and not to big and the folks there do put on a very good show.
If it ain’t broke why fix it?
ISN’T THERE A DOME SOMEWHERE IN D3 COUNTRY THAT COULD HOST STAG BOWL.
Keith,
Awesome! Thanks.
I tend to agree with the smaller city to host the Stagg Bowl. We don’t want to get lost in all the action of a big city. We want to be THE game in town. The players deserve the attention, and quite frankly, so do the fans.
All I know is that it is a long 45 (or so) weeks until the next season kicks off.
That is 45 weeks (or so) after the Stagg Bowl.
D3Keith,
Are there any thoughts about having the Semi-Finals games at the Stagg Bowl?
Seems like a neutral site would be fair to match-up the final 4 teams. With all the money the NCAA saves on matching up the ASC teams in the first round (complaint) – they should be able to afford the possilby 2 extra flights.
Cam08: I have been to two Stagg Bowls in 2000 and 2003. Everything about the hosting was done well. There is little to complain about with Salem except the weather. It was terrible both times I went. There are domes which could be used and where the game could still be the center of attraction. However, from a previous post of mine, suggestions along these lines are not well accepted here. I think people like the way things run at Salem and it is more convenient that other places which may have a dome.
Bomberfan:
RE your post:
“I believe Ithaca has a record seven Stagg Bowl appearances 74,75,79,80,85,88,91 and only Augustana and Mount have more Championships. ”
How can seven be a record when Mount Union has Eight championships and one runner up? That would be Nine Appearances wouldn’t it?
Just an update to the previous posts regarding Hobart dominating the Rowan game…What game were you watching? For almost the entire first half Hobart did not move the ball except for the 49yd pass to the 4 that lead to the touchdown. Yes, Hobart missed two field goals but both were after Hobart started in good field position.
Rowan dominated both sides of the line and had it not been for numerous dropped passes, Rowan would have easily lead more than 10-7 at the half.
Hobart did move the ball better in the 2nd half but had it not been for a fumble by Rowan at their own 9 in the closing minutes, there would have been no need for Rowan to march down and kick the winning field goal. Rowan was the better team unless you’re looking at it with rose colores glasses. In reality, the game should not have been that close.
I was glas to see Rowan finally open up the offense a bit but still not sold that the offense is capable of scoring enough to advance much more.
SeanGOP
From your earlier post….who won those 4 National Championships from the CCIW?
I am just interested and not looking for some way to mention that Mount Union has won eight of the last thirteen.
You never answered my earlier question. It’s kinda like Deal or No Deal.
Which would you reaaaaaaaaaly rather be talking about?
Then……or Now?
Bomberfan was right if this was 2003.
Raiderguy,
You know who from the CCIW won the 4 National Championships in a row – Augustana.
You should know since that seems to be the one record your team doesn’t own yet – and probably will never own (courtesy this year of UW Whitewater).
You mention then or now – Augustana’s record 4 in a row, and Mount Union’s 8 out of 13 ARE BOTH THEN!
The now is being played out, and Mount Union better be ready for WIAC crushing machine. I hope you have a hanky ready for the tears.
Deal or no Deal? What are you talking about?
Just a thought for myword. I was sitting at the 50 yard line and you are the one with the rose colored glasses. Rowan did drop some balls. But I’d say it was because Bart’s secondary had them looking over their shoulders after some great hits.
And by the way Rowan scored with about 30 seconds left to tie it at 10 at the half. Up until then Hobart led the entire 1st half. Bart moved the ball with ease the second half but did squander their chances.
Rowan won the game, they are the better team.
Good luck against Wilkes
TJE I’m sure Salem is a great place for the Bowl how bad can the weather be I have always believed there is no weather in football I have been to my share of 10 degree playoff games in the northeast.Domes are for sissys and the Indy Colts.Just comentting.
SeanGOP
It’s time to give this a break. Augie hasn’t been a factor in the Stagg bowl in 20 years. That was “THEN”. Now is today, and right now Mount Union is the National Champ. Last year you told the world that Augie would beat Mount by three TD’s. I can’t remember the exact score , but 50-0 sticks in my mind. Then you jumped on the WW bandwagon, and swore they would beat Mount by 35 points. Trust me, no one in Alliance is crying right now. The refreshing thing this year has been that the WW crowd has kept quiet. If they win it all, good for them. But it appears they learned a lesson last year that hasn’t sunk in with you yet. All the trash talking in the world doesn’t win championships. As of today, MUC is the National Champion…that is NOW. Augie….not so much. Let’s enjoy the games, and let the eventual winner do the talking.
myword, Rowen got lucky, just admit it. I just don’t think they have what it takes to get out of the bracket this year. I always root for them when they come out on top of the East, but again, I just don’t see it happening this year. They are not the team they once were, or other eastern schools are catching up. This is two years in a row that LL teams played Rowen better than good in the playofs. Yet you still hold the top spot unitl you lose it. This will be the year you lose it. Either way if you do come out of the east I will root for ya, if you don’t, I am glad the rest of the east is catching up to ya. It must be hard to deal with close games and even a loss after having so much previous domination. Rowen is a great program and a good team, but they really, actually, and almost lost to Hobart.
Myword: What game were YOU at? First of all it was tied 10-10 at the half. (Rowan was not ahead as you noted). And, Hobart moved the ball quite easily against your storied defense, the whole game. Both teams made some costly miscues and your team survived by 2 points. Dominated both sides of the ball? I think not. And, give credit to a defense that caused dropped passes. You’ve got a good team and because you beat my guys, I’ll be rootin for ya! But Rowan did not “dominate”. Now Union, that’s another story. Union did dominate Hobart a few weeks ago. Then they go and lose 2 in a row. Go figure?
Mainjack,
My point exactly. Sean still doesn’t get it. Then for him is really then. Not even eight times since “then” matters to him…..just then. Making up questions that open the opportunity to mention….”then”
A kind of “who cares” then. Let me hear from everyone who thinks of Sean’s then. And when Auggie doesn’t make it “again” he jumps on the closest band wagon and hopes he can be apart of some other teams now. As long as it isn’t the dreaded MUC.
As far as Whitewater goes… and we both have alot still ahead but he is enjoying the free ride for now.
How many of those WW games have you seen Sean? This year, not then?
And I promise I am done with this “then” now!
SeanGOP
For God sake. Be proud of Augustana going to five straight not just the four wins. Go back and look at who they beat a few times just to advance. I think you will find it was Mt. Union. And I know I have posted on here that Mt. Union in the 80’s wanted to be that Augustana team. They gave credit when credit was do. Now it’s Mt. Union’s time and you just can’t handle it. Grow up! Whitewater and Mt. Union teams and fans respect each other SeanGOP. We both want the rematch to happen as well. But, neither team had better over look any team remaining in the playoffs. Just ask Mt Union when they lost to Rowan in the semi-finals and ONU last year. Give the teams in the playoffs the respect they deserve. They each took care of their business to get there by beating the teams they had to.
Guys: Outside of one play in the first half, Rowan moved the ball better than Hobart the entire half. Many of the Rowan drops were without a Hobart defender anywhere near the receiver.
As I stated, Hobart played much better in the second half but I still think it was clear Rowan dominated both sides of the line only and I did not say that Rowan dominated the game.
I will also agree that Rowan is not the same team as years past and will probably see their season end this week. However, the intangible in Rowan’s favor is they have been winning close games all year and Orihel looked the best he has all year at QB last week.
Come on “myword” were you watching the game or dreaming the game?
Rowan is a good football team, but they survived that game not dominated it!
If you think back to the game I believe 2 Hobart missed field goals were the difference! Hobart hung with and moved the ball quite well against Rowans highly ranked deffense!
Alright people, I know Mount Union is the greatest dynasty in college football history – I KNOW!!! Stop dissing my guys and I’ll stop defending them with friendly reminders.
I get it. Mount Union is the National Champion until proven otherwise. I can handle it and I am grown up. So I don’t want them to win – big deal, get over it – I’m not the only one by a long shot.
I do give Mount Union the respect the deserve – they are the best – duh. I honestly can’t see any other team matching what they have done – ever – if someone does, it will be amazing.
But again, I do not want them to win – period. If they do win, I will get over it. But seriously, the time they will have against a dominating UW Whitewater team, will be the toughest time they have had in years.
If you are a Mount Union fan you just have to realize that there are people out there who don’t want you to win any more! If that isn’t respect for your team skills, then I don’t know what is.
I hope that all teams will play their best and noone gets hurt.
Raiderguy,
Your hot air is depleating your brain of much needed oxygen. Your claim of me jumping on the nearest bandwagon is weak. So I root for more than one team as apposed to your tunnel vision of purple. I credit d3football.com at allowing me the opportunity to learn more about teams I would not know about otherwise – and I found several I really liked. Sorry I don’t bow to yours.
” . . . they will have against a dominating UW Whitewater team, will be the toughest time they have had in years.”
Like three years, perhaps? Or are you saying they’ll lose by more than 18?
repete,
I’m saying Mount Union will lose. What do you think will happen?
I praise your team and you still dis. Shows your character…
wow, just a little playful jab, GOP.
used in that context “had in years” usually means a substantially period. and three doesn’t seem all that long ago to me. that’s all I was poking at … guess I took your literal comment figuratively.
sounds like your taking this a little too personally when you make “character” cracks. might be a good time to take a deep breath.
I think there’s a decent chance UWW could beat MUC, but I thought they would win it all last year. I’ve learned never to count out the Alliance guys.
repete,
Sorry dude, my bad.
SeanGOP,
If you support the CCIW, why don’t you ever post on the CCIW board? Or any board besides this one for that matter?
And once again it begins. Let’s hope against hope that it doesn’t get as nasty as it did last year.
To the questions asked of me earlier:
I think the Stagg Bowl would play fine in another city similar to the size of Salem that’s willing to give it the attention and put in the work it needs to make it run smoothly.
I agree with Cam08 about domes though. I like the purity of the Stagg Bowl, being outdoors and on grass.
I don’t mean to crush anyone suggesting a change of venue, I just think it can be a risky proposition to switch to someone that doesn’t know what they’re doing necessarily, when Salem hosts championships for football, basketball, baseball, volleyball … they know how to get it done.
I don’t have any problem with how the games go in Salem now, so I’m not a big advocate for change. I suppose you could find a more interesting place to host, but the lack of distractions (aside from the planned stuff) is good for the teams.
It plays well in town, it’s a good distance from a lot of D3 but not impossible to reach. I think that’s big for fans. Pat always says Columbus, Ohio is the geographical center of D3, I don’t think he means mathematically, just that Columbus is a decent trip from just about everywhere. May be the home of the D3 empire someday 🙂
Some people think the Stagg Bowl should find a home in Ohio. I’m sure as soon as it does, it’ll be another bunch of Linfield-UMHB type of games 🙂
I’ve been to Staggs in Phenix City (once) and Salem (twice) and can’t say enough about the folks in Va. Great hosts and they make both teams and their fans feel special even if the rest of the country is watching “Battle of the NFL All-Stars Wives.”
There’s a dedication to doing it well there, plenty of intangibles, and I think — as keith noted — there’s a bit of risk in a move.
RE: Kieth:
” I like the purity of the Stagg Bowl, being outdoors and on grass. ”
Isn’t Salem putting down FieldTurf soon?
Having been to Salem in 93,97,98 I can say its all first class. The people down there are fantastic. I still remember in 93 it was cold and windy, the folks were very apologetic about the weather. We had to remind them that being from Northeast Ohio we were used to this type of weather. Like the saying goes…If it aint’t broke don’t mess with it.
Salem topic now started under General Football on Post Patterns.