(11-04-2026 12:41 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  Here's my unsolicited prediction: every Tarleton game thus far has gone the opposite of what common sense would say, because most of them should have been blowouts from start to finish and that hasn't been the case. The common sense take of "throw the record out for the rivalry game" for this one will also prove to be wrong. I think Tarleton, with some actual fear of a loss this week, comes out swinging and puts their foot on ACU's throat and keeps it there and shows the country that they truly deserve to be #1. Sorry ACU fans. Good luck.

We all know you’re the ultimate troll. Go away or at least change your name every now and then. But I’ll bite. If Whitten can’t beat ACU more than once every 4 years and continues to lose very winnable playoff games, going all the way back to D2, that conversation is worth having.
Can’t lose to east Texas missing 8 starters. Can’t lose to that Villanova team last year. Up two scores on S Dakota twice two years ago. 10 win seasons are better than 5 win seasons, but if the quarter finals are your ceiling…

(Yesterday 04:49 PM)DodgeHouse Wrote:  

(11-04-2026 12:41 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  Here's my unsolicited prediction: every Tarleton game thus far has gone the opposite of what common sense would say, because most of them should have been blowouts from start to finish and that hasn't been the case. The common sense take of "throw the record out for the rivalry game" for this one will also prove to be wrong. I think Tarleton, with some actual fear of a loss this week, comes out swinging and puts their foot on ACU's throat and keeps it there and shows the country that they truly deserve to be #1. Sorry ACU fans. Good luck.

We all know you’re the ultimate troll. Go away or at least change your name every now and then. But I’ll bite. If Whitten can’t beat ACU more than once every 4 years and continues to lose very winnable playoff games, going all the way back to D2, that conversation is worth having.
Can’t lose to east Texas missing 8 starters. Can’t lose to that Villanova team last year. Up two scores on S Dakota twice two years ago. 10 win seasons are better than 5 win seasons, but if the quarter finals are your ceiling…

Until Whitten gets serious about Defense Tarleton will always be susceptible to what you just described.

Really all it will take is for TSU QB to have a really bad day. EKU game was probably his worst game and even that wasn’t bad. So, couple that with poor defensive effort and there is your recipe for an L.

(Today 10:49 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(Yesterday 04:49 PM)DodgeHouse Wrote:  

(11-04-2026 12:41 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  Here's my unsolicited prediction: every Tarleton game thus far has gone the opposite of what common sense would say, because most of them should have been blowouts from start to finish and that hasn't been the case. The common sense take of "throw the record out for the rivalry game" for this one will also prove to be wrong. I think Tarleton, with some actual fear of a loss this week, comes out swinging and puts their foot on ACU's throat and keeps it there and shows the country that they truly deserve to be #1. Sorry ACU fans. Good luck.

We all know you’re the ultimate troll. Go away or at least change your name every now and then. But I’ll bite. If Whitten can’t beat ACU more than once every 4 years and continues to lose very winnable playoff games, going all the way back to D2, that conversation is worth having.
Can’t lose to east Texas missing 8 starters. Can’t lose to that Villanova team last year. Up two scores on S Dakota twice two years ago. 10 win seasons are better than 5 win seasons, but if the quarter finals are your ceiling…

Until Whitten gets serious about Defense Tarleton will always be susceptible to what you just described.

Really all it will take is for TSU QB to have a really bad day. EKU game was probably his worst game and even that wasn’t bad. So, couple that with poor defensive effort and there is your recipe for an L.

Again, it's not just an issue with Whitten. ACU has similar struggles, along with other UAC teams. A couple in the SLC are beginning to catch on. We just don't build either our offenses or defenses to complement each other to slow the game down enough to have a smothering defense. Yes, we give up too many big plays. Yes we give up small to medium plays consistently at times to let opposing teams move the chains and score too much. The opposite side of that is that we like our offenses to be fast and strike hard and leave the rest to the defense. I think that has something to do with the defensive performances and stats we see. I think SFA's defense has stepped up. I saw it in the playoffs last year and in our game against them this season. I am not sure if it's up to SDSU or USD yet, but I think they have made better strides than us.

(11-04-2026 12:11 PM)Outsider Wrote:  I don't know for sure but ACU would have a better SOS argument and the win over UNA. It's still how many do they want to let in, 3 vs 4.

ACU would have the autobid.

(11-04-2026 08:13 AM)Spolovilo4EVER Wrote:  I agree the rivalry games should be the last game of season, The big problem with early Nov is that it is the start of deer season and usually cold weather so attendance falls pretty dramatically the first week of November.

The UAC does not have the clout to get 4 teams in unless they all have stellar records in ooc and the 4 teams beat each other up to a tie in the race. 2 is generally the safe number and 3 maybe if the resume is good enough, but does either UNA or ACU have a resume that warrants an at large bid? Idaho win looks really good now, but losing to Lamar and SFA and especially Mercer did them in. They would pretty much have to win the conferencde to get the auto bid to feel safe. If they beat Tarleton thier chances are still alive, but still hanging by a thread. UNA would have to win out to have a shot as well. If you are not in the top 20 of the poll your pretty much out.

“Especially Mercer”? 14th ranked Mercer did ACU in?