Category Archives: Around the Nation

Our Around the Nation column takes on the world of podcasting.

post

ATN Podcast 318: A muddy playoff picture

Posted on by

Another week of thrilling games leaves us able to practically smell the NCAA Division III football playoffs. But while nearly half of the 27 automatic bids to the 32-team playoff field have already been claimed, the at-large playoff picture seems clear as mud. Aside from UW-La Crosse, which should be as much of a shoo-in as there can be for an at-large bid if they win next week, it’s hard to make a definite case for any particular at-large candidate. Pat and Greg run through the candidates as they stand today, and will revisit them this week.

This edition of the podcast is sponsored by the hosts of Stagg Bowl XLIX, and we look forward to seeing all of you in Annapolis, Maryland, for the Division III football championship game on Dec. 16.

And one of those possible at-large candidates is the runner-up in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, where co-leaders Albion and Alma, both 9-0, will square off on Saturday. We go a Fast Five with Alma coach Jason Couch — he’s the one coaching in a kilt on the photo on this page, and his Scots live by the KILT philosophy, which Coach Couch will explain.

Meanwhile, Greg gives his impressions of Mount Union, now that the Purple Raiders have finally played an opponent of note. Are we worried about Mary Hardin-Baylor’s recent performance? Has Bethel lost its quarterback again? Who’s looking to make the next step in the OAC? Plus, Pat does an in-person visit as Keystone gets its first-ever home win and celebrates its first Senior Day (already?) and there’s dancing in the sheets, if not the streets. Plus, how bad is Pat’s voice this week, anyway?

In addition, Pat and Greg hand out game balls, spotlight the unexpected in Stat of the Week, make guesses about Week 11 games and more.

Fan question in the mailbag from @rgyfo: What’s the history on seeding for Pool C? Thinking team like UWL actually ranked higher than AQ from its conference.

Pat Coleman and Greg Thomas talk about it all in the latest D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast. The D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast is a regular conversation covering the wide range of Division III football.

Hit play, or subscribe to get this podcast on your mobile device.

Full episode: [display_podcast]

You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in Apple Podcasts, and many other places. You can also get this and any of our future Around the Nation podcasts automatically by subscribing to this RSS feed: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/?feed=podcast

Mentioned on the pod: Adding football, why and how (Feb. 4, 2006)

Here’s how to find us on some of the major podcasting apps:

Theme music: Power 2 by DJmentos.
Photo by Steve Frommell, d3photography.com; Carl Schmuland for Bethel athletics; Alma athletics file photo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

post

ATN Podcast 317: The most entertaining season

Posted on by

This post was re-uploaded on Nov. 3 after a site crash. It was originally posted Oct. 31.

Susquehanna stops the two-point conversion for the final time with 49 seconds remaining and the River Hawks defeat Johns Hopkins to really take control of the Centennial Conference standings for the first time. We talk about that game and coach Tom Perkovich stops by for a Fast Five minutes as we talk about that game, its importance, and its final scoring drive. And then the WIAC’s big three games all have dramatic finishes, and you’ll hear them all.

How can this not be the most entertaining season of Division III football? Pat explains this take in a couple of different places in this week’s podcast.

We’ve talked about this in a previous podcast, but what does a coach say after a player or a team has lost in a devastating way? Morrisville State coach Ed Raby had to figure that out for himself this week after his team’s loss to Utica, and he shared with us what his message to his team was. Plus, a stat of the week of zero, a first-ever mention of a Springfield wide receiver on our podcast, a game ball going to someone with two blocked kicks and a key pick, and more.

In all, 62 schools merit serious mention in this week’s podcast. That includes a rundown of all the teams in each region who could clinch an automatic bid to the playoffs this week, either alone or with help.

In addition, Pat and Greg hand out game balls, spotlight the unexpected in Stat of the Week, look ahead to Week 10 games and more. There’s a list in small type at the bottom of this page of all the teams that are talked about.

Fan question in the mailbag from @D3FBHuddle: Where does this wkd’s Utica vs Morrisville controversial finish rank in the all time “controversial #d3fb game finishes” you’ve seen / covered over the past 20+ seasons?

Pat Coleman and Greg Thomas talk about it all in the latest D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast. The D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast is a regular conversation covering the wide range of Division III football.

Hit play, or subscribe to get this podcast on your mobile device.

Full episode: [display_podcast]

You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in Apple Podcasts, and many other places. You can also get this and any of our future Around the Nation podcasts automatically by subscribing to this RSS feed: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/?feed=podcast

Here’s how to find us on some of the major podcasting apps:

Theme music: Power 2 by DJmentos.
Photo by Todd Slabaugh for Morrisville State athletics; Susquehanna athletics photo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

post

ATN Podcast 316: All eyes on Platteville, plus regional rankings

Posted on by

Some things we can’t seem to avoid talking about every week this season:

  • The Cortaca Jug game in Yankee Stadium
  • The University of Wisconsin-Platteville

This week, Platteville made headlines again, and for the second week in a row, extremely positive headlines as the Pioneers shook up the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 17-14 win against then-No. 3 UW-Whitewater. What in the name of Dan Arnold is going on with this program? How did the Pioneers go from losing back-to-back games by an average of 40 points, to these two consecutive wins against River Falls and Whitewater?

We’ve had these questions. We assume you’ve had these questions. So we ask these questions. We ask them of Ryan Munz, the Platteville head coach, who is our guest on Fast 5, plus maybe a couple of extra minutes at the top of the podcast.

Plus, it’s really time to dig into how the playoffs are set up in Division III football. If you’re new to Division III, this is a must-listen. Even if you’ve been following for a few years, a refresher might be helpful and yes, some things have changed, even if they are small things.

In all, 69 schools merit serious mention in this week’s podcast. That includes the way in which Cortland beat Utica, how North Central handled Washington U., Austin College and Beloit breaking long losing streaks, not to mention Bowdoin pulling off an unexpected victory as well.

In addition, Pat and Greg hand out game balls, spotlight the unexpected in Stat of the Week, make guesses about Week 9 games and more. There’s a list in small type at the bottom of this page of all the teams that are talked about.

Fan question in the mailbag from @mikey_shoultz: What team from the bottom 10 ranked conferences in your conference rankings has the best chance to win a playoff game?

Pat Coleman and Greg Thomas talk about it all in the latest D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast. The D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast is a regular conversation covering the wide range of Division III football.

Hit play, or subscribe to get this podcast on your mobile device.

Full episode: [display_podcast]

You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in Apple Podcasts, and many other places. You can also get this and any of our future Around the Nation podcasts automatically by subscribing to this RSS feed: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/?feed=podcast

Here’s how to find us on some of the major podcasting apps:

Theme music: Power 2 by DJmentos.
UW-Platteville athletics photo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download