I enjoyed S C Gwynne's book Hymns of the Republic, The Final Year of the Civil War (... Empire of the Summer Moon about the Comanches and Quanah Parker and The Perfect Pass about Hal Mumme, Mike Leach and the Air Raid offense...)

He is a very enjoyable read.

"History is best in context,"

Yes. Politically incorrect history can be the most accurate.

I recently mused at a youtube video of a British Member of Parliament of African descent decrying slavery until she learned that her ancestor was a prominent tribal chief who sold his conquered enemies into slavery for a hefty sum.

Only 4 ballots this week:

1) HSU 25 (1,1,2,3)
2) Berry 24 (1,2,2,3)
3) Trinity 20 (1,3,4,40
4) UMHB    19 (2,3,4,4)
5) Randy Mac  11 (5,5,5,6)
6) LaGrange   8 (5,6,6,7)
7) Millsaps   4 (6,7,7,x)

RV HPU        1 (7,x,x,x)

Still awaiting the last 2 ballots.

Quote from: Ralph Turner on September 10, 2026, 12:24:46 AMDo any ODAC followers want to participate in the South Region Fan Poll?

PM me if you wish to submit a ballot with your top 7 schools.

...Still extending the invitation...

Quote from: Ron Boerger on September 16, 2026, 07:48:34 PM

Quote from: MCScots2013 on September 16, 2026, 06:39:19 PMThere were several attempts to move the seminary which became Maryville College to Danville, Kentucky in the mid 1800s. Bonus points for anybody who knows what other Presbyterian school is in Danville, Kentucky.

Hint: The Kentucky institution was also founded in 1819.

Too easy for an old SCAC/SAA guy:  Centre.

Trinity(TX) was founded in Tehuacana (2020 population: 228) in 1869, moved to Waxahachie (2020 pop, 41,140) in 1902, then to San Antonio in 1942 (2020 pop, 1.4M), where it merged/took over the campus of the failing University of San Antonio.  It finally moved to its present home in a former quarry site in 1952:  "On moving day, the new campus consisted of a dormitory housing 60 residents, a classroom building that lacked a heating system, a barren library, and an uncompleted student union."

The former Waxahachie campus now houses Nelson University, fka Southwestern Assemblies of God University. 

Long ago, far far away, I explored the old Trinity bldg in Tehuacana. In its day, it was a beautiful edifice, high on the hill.

Quote from: WUPHF on September 11, 2026, 07:24:44 AMThe Boston Globe has a new blog that is mostly paid, but you can do one Substack for free.  And the story about Brandeis is really interesting.

My favorite line is from the Brandeis president, hearing from others: 'You know what — I know we need to change, but I'm near the end of my tenure, let the next person do it.'"

https://globecollegetown.substack.com/p/arthur-levine-brandeis-liberal-arts

Okay, let the Board by him out of his contract and hire the person who needs to do the job and get on with it.

No one from the ODAC sent a ballot, so...


ERRATA: Sorry I mis-tallied last week.
Here is the corrected Week #1 poll
Week 1

1) Berry 33 (1,1,1,2,2)
2) Trinity 30 (1,1,2,3,3)
3) HSU    24 (2,3,3,4,4)
4) UMHB  23 (2,3,4,4,4)
5) HPU    8 (5,5,6,x,x)
6T) LaGrange 5 (5,7,7,x,x)
6T) ETBU    5 (6,6,7,x,x)

RV) TLU 4 (5,7,x,x,x)
RV) W&L      3 (5,x,x,x,x)
RV) Millsaps 2 (6,x,x,x,x)
RV) Shenandoah 2 (6,x,x,x,x)
RV) McMurry  0.5 (7T,x,x,x,x)
RV) Schreiner 0.5 (T7,x,x,x,x)

The curious thing would be for a 7-2 McMurry to be in the hunt for a Pool C bid with a strong NPI that TUTx, HSU and UMHB are likely to provide.
McMurry would need good seasons out of Dubuque and Huntingdon in their respective conferences to boost the NPI

Quote from: CruFrenzy on September 09, 2026, 06:29:23 PM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on September 06, 2026, 01:16:07 AMMcMurry almost blew a 16 point 4th quarter lead. Then held Southwestern on their final drive, then went down for a 37 yard FG late. Final McM 36-26. Lots of big plays in the game tho'. I can see a 5-4 season from them.

I'm going to disagree on the 5-4 prediction but I'm probably more bullish on this years McMurry team than most. It's worth noting they dominated the game despite the final 5.8 to 3.2 yards per play and McMurry's starting QB is on the roster but didn't play. Idk the details there but if he is not injured long term McMurry brought almost everyone back and added a few good transfers... Not sure anyone on their schedule outside of UMHB and HSU will beat them and they might even sneak up on one of the big dogs... (preferably the one on the other side of Abilene).

My 5-4 prediction is losses to Top 25 Trinity, HSU and UMHB and one "stupid loss" somewhere along the way. If the Southwestern game was that game where they almost blew it, then, yes, 6-3.

I posted an invitation on the ODAC board for an ODAC follower to submit a ballot.
I will post the Week 1 Poll this evening.
Thanks to all.

Do any ODAC followers want to participate in the South Region Fan Poll?

PM me if you wish to submit a ballot with your top 7 schools.

I found this web site that lets one do a deep dive into the financial status of a university.

https://financialtracker.hechingerreport.org/

I was pleasantly surprised at the (relatively good) financial status of McMurry and Howard Payne.

Quote from: NEPAFAN on September 08, 2026, 09:07:52 AM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on September 05, 2026, 07:44:32 PMFlo completely missed a 45 yd TD pass by McMurry at Southwestern.

FLO or the camera operator?

The camera operator, I presume.
Thanks

Let's start the poll for 2026.
Top 7 teams and send your list to me by message here on the boards.