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HB3 East Region Preview

December 6, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

The Dickinson Red Devils emerged from nowhere a year ago to sweep through Helmet Bowl II and claim the National Championship. Can they do it again?

At the beginning of Round 1 of Helmet Bowl III, the Wooster Fighting Scots rode the wave of their #16 Seed play-in position to challenge the champs. Sadly for them, the effort has waned as the week continued. With 72 hours remaining, it appears the Scots will retire with the North Coast Athletic Conference Championship in hand, experience that may helmet them for HB4, but little else.

We have watched, and as Helmet Bowl fans of yesteryear know, the Navy Midshipmen faltered in HB1 and HB2 under false high hopes. This helmet, and others the Academy team don, deserves deep runs in this contest. Is this the year? They drew #15 Worcester Poly Technic's unique goathead helmet and we all wondered. Now, though, they have more than twice the votes of the Engineers and, more importantly, have the third most votes in all of Helmet Bowl. However, the #1 and #2 vote-getters are also in the East Region, so they still must step up their game to make a play here.

Maryland is another team with a top-notch helmet that surprisingly failed to make noise in the contest in years past. Not anymore. The Terrapins (dang, we misspelled it above) have the second most votes in Helmet Bowl and are dismissing the Bentley Falcons nice looking shield helmet in Round 1.

Meanwhile, Fitchburg State has about 100 votes more than the Bates Bobcats and are set for the upset (#13 beating #4 here). Of course, there are about three days left, so either team could simply kick it up a notch and take the round. We are watching closely.

A NOTE: Due to some engineering errors, the Helmet Bowl bracket shows the winner of the #1 v #16 match play the winner of the #2 v #15 in Round 2. We've found a way to reset and will take a few minutes at the conclusion of Round 1 (at noon Monday) to do so. Now, the Round 2 match-ups will look like this:

Winner of 1v16 plays winner of 7v10

Winner of 5v12 plays winner of 3v14

Winner of 4v13 plays winner of 6v11

Winner of 8v9 plays winner of 2v15

Voting will be paused at noon Monday for about 15 minutes or so while we take care of this. Thank you for your patience.

The DII West Virginia Yellow Jackets are handing it to the Ivy League's Princeton Tigers in Round 1. But look out: The Alvernia Golden Wolves have doubled up a very attractive Hobart Statesmen helmet and put a lot of votes in the ballot box. Looking at voting totals and looking at the new bracket grid, the Wolves could advance deep in this region, gaining momentum as they do.

Another note: Look, we are going to let you in on a little something here about this contest. Helmet Bowl II took in well more than a half-million votes, but that can be a bit deceiving. Remember, the conference and national contests go for several weeks and start with nearly 800 teams. What does it take to win a single round? Hard to say. Depends on who you play and how deep into the contest you ask about. However, we will tell you that if you pop your head into a freshmen English class – you know, the one with 300 students crammed into an auditorium – and ask them to vote a few times a week for your helmet, you'll most likely emerge a winner most weeks. We know, we know – winning most weeks won't get you the championship. Start somewhere, get a thousand votes a week, and you'll soon see the winning pile up. Here's some ideas.

Currently, bot these match-ups measure just about a 100 vote difference. We like the Salve Regina Seahawks helmet for its bright colors and unique way of combining the S and R. If they can figure out how to double their voting in the next week, they could challenge the mighty Terrapins, mentioned above.

In the other match-up, the Falcons are rightly beating the Robert Morris Colonials. The chrome feathers are attractive and powerful. The patriots could come back to beat them, but the winner much implement a strong strategy in Round 2 verses Navy to challenge. Which team has it in them?

HB3 South Region Preview

December 5, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

Introducing the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

As quickly as you may start to recognize them and want to know more, they may exit the Helmet Bowl III National Championship.

Wow. The Cru is a rollercoaster.

They won the American Southwest Conference, ranked very high in total voting nationally, then seem to rest contentedly with that. Now, a few days into the National bracket, they are getting beat, and beat handily, by the #16 ranked St. Thomas Bobcats.

However, to be fair. The Bobcats, though a play in contender, gained considerable momentum through their two-week encounter with other teams who had lackluster voting records at the time. In fact, the St. Thomas voters failed to lift the helmet to the Mid-South championship. Yet, here they are, seventh in total voting in the National bracket and could make a real run for the Regional championship – and beyond.

Pay attention now, voters. The Gallaudet Bison are the Helmet Bowl I National Champions and are not to be taken lightly. They were, we believe, taken by surprise a year ago, but have their goals set on returning to the highest podium for HB3. This team has strong leadership and an extremely wide network.

The Austin College Kangaroos have a simple but attractive helmet. They must redouble any efforts they have begun to have even a long shot at removing the Bison from this contest. Call it a bad draw or call it what you will, but the #15 Roos are in, and out.

Now here we have one of the most interesting and perfect match-ups. The #3 Camels are separated by seeding by nearly a dozen places to the Samford Bulldogs, but the Bulldogs will not let up. They are stubborn and currently are on a strong pace to upset Campbell then, who knows?

With the other matchup here, the Richmond Spiders vs the Stetson Hatters, you may expect that the Spiders will squash the Hatters, and you'd be right. Who's next for this splendid lid? They had better watch out.

The South Region is STACKED!

The four helmets above may be the most attractive group of four in the contest, for now. Wow. The Governors of Austin Peay have captured the attention of the voters and are easily handling the Arkansas Pine Bluff Lions – who put forth a classy lid themselves.

The long-time Helmet Bowl contender Howard Bison areas locked up as any team can be with the Limestone Saints – a near tie. Both helmets are good, not great, but both teams have strong voting potential and the winner of this match may advance far in Helmet Bowl – the Greatest College Football Helmet Contest Ever!

The South Region does not stop. Look at the helmets above. This is the middle of the pack – 7, 8, 8, 10. They could be 1, 2, 3, 4 in our contest. Wow, this region is crazy good.

The Lamar Cardinals trail the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers by a couple of hundred votes and probably won't catch the fire-breathers.

The Argonauts of West Florida trail Ole Miss by a few handfuls of votes and can catch them if they rally the voters. Either helmet will challenge in the next round.

HB3 North Region Preview

December 3, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

The William Paterson Pioneers emerged from absolutely nowhere to claim the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Then, due to their spectacular battle with the New Jersey Lions, they earned the #1 Seed in the North Region of the Helmet Bowl III National Championship. Even more, the NJAC drew more votes in its Conference Championship than any other Conference. The Pioneers are the Super #1 Ranked team in HB3.

Now, though, there is trouble on the horizon.

The Idaho State Bengals, who played into the National Championship bracket and earned a lowly #16 seed, charge. Currently, these #1 and #16 teams are tied. Is an upset in the making? There are six days left to vote, so just about anything can happen. The Pioneers must rally the votes, because we know the Bengals are building momentum.

The second-ranked Sycamores of Indiana State hold a fine lead over the Saint John Fisher Cardinals. The Sycamores are veterans at Helmet Bowl and which ever team they face next should prepare now.

NOTE: Due to current limitations of the voting program, it appears the winners of the #1 verses #16 seeds will face the winners of the #2 verses #15 seeds in the second round. These winners would more normally work through the entire regional bracket before facing each other. We are working with the vendor. Stay tuned.

The Thomas More Saints won the Independent Conference Championship (read: they beat Army and they beat Notre Dame) and have one of the classiest, most attractive helmets in Helmet Bowl. We are partial to the diagonal design, yes, and they have perfected it with the silver stripe from the jawbone around the back of the head. Nice. However, the excellent program at Indiana Wesleyan leads the Saints as of this writing. As much as we are partial to that diagonal, we are impressed with what the Wildcats have done in two years of its football program. This is a fun one to watch and there can be no losers here.

Now, the sort-a kinda pink helmet of the Fightin' Engineers of Rose-Hulman produces a certain amount of attention, yes. But is it more attractive than that Toledo fade? The Rocket helmet suggests a spaceship of sorts leaving the atmosphere. Currently, it leads the pink elephant in voting.

Here, in early voting, we are somewhat surprised by the standings. The Louisville helmet of a chrome red with a simple but angry bird leads the menacing pirate of Beloit (they are the Buccaneers). Additionally, the Hope Flying Dutchman's resting anchor on a brilliant orange helmet trails the stalwart Eagle on a purple helmet for Ashland. Does any of this make sense? Voters have nearly a week to figure it out.

Finally, the middle of the pack. The angry cartoon whirlwind of the Lake Erie Storm currently dominates the growling Bearcat of McKendree. The Storm went far in last year's contest, so we look to them to advance a place or two.

Millikin may not have much imagination to their team name – Big Blue – nor to their helmet design, but they also don't have the votes to overcome the Saint Olaf Oles – at least not yet. The Decatur, Illinois based Big Blue has nearly a week to turn things around. At the same time, the Oles can extend their lead with the simple but effective lion shield.

HB3 West Region Preview

December 2, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

In the West Region, the Clarmont-Mudd-Scipps Stags took the top seed. That pits them against the play in team — the Redlands Bulldogs.

Currently, the Stags (the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion), are having no problems with the Bulldogs. However, we know the Equipment team at Redlands and they, frankly, embody bulldog moxie. Keep voting Stag fans, or you may experience an epic upset.

At the same time, the Sacramento State Hornets, the West Region #2 Seed, trail the #15 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. How does this happen? Is it that the Colorado School of Mines have a voting block that is turning out in great numbers? Or, is it the fans of other helmets are clicking on that stubborn working burro due to it's unique look? Regardless, the Hornets have the rest of the week of voting to rally the voters or bow out of HB3.

The match-up between the #3 San Marcos Bobcats and the # 14 Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons is building already to an amazing contest that could produce a real contender. Voters seem to love the curled up dragon, while the Texas voting bloc is pushing the Bobcats to an early lead. These teams are deadlocked at 50 percent each after hundreds have voted and thousands wait to cast their ballot.

Meanwhile, the #4 Southern Oregon Raiders badly trail the #13 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers. This is a huge upset. Frankly, neither of these helmets engender a strong response from non-connected voters. Yet, anyone can win Helmet Bowl III and it starts with this first round. One of these teams will advance.

The Kansas State Wildcats have toyed with greatness in Helmet Bowl national championship brackets of the past, and hold a healthy lead over the Western Oregon Wolves. If they can garner some momentum, the EMAW folks could make some noise in HB3.

When we look at the match-up between the #6 Wyoming Cowboys and the #11 Nebraska Kearney Lopers, we see two things: 1) a D1 vs DII contest, and 2) two fairly unique and attractive helmets. The Lopers bring a growing number of voters and currently hold a 75 to 25 percent lead! Watch this team, Helmet Bowl fans!

The Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm come into this contest a #10 Seed, but last year charged into the Fantastic Final Four of Helmet Bowl II. Do they have the gumption to do it again; or even push further? First, they have to get past a fairly basic helmet from the Central College Dutch. Currently, the Storm lead the Dutch 71 to 28 percent.

Now, the UT Permian Basin Falcons have a gorgeous helmet and a really nice image this year. They bring their #8 Seed against the Oregon State Beavers, at #9. The Falcons have a strong lead after the first six hours of voting. Will they hold it, grow it, or lose it? That's what a week of voting is all about!

How to win the Helmet Bowl III National Championship

November 28, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

Seriously, we are going to tell you right here how to win the Greatest College Football Helmet Contest Ever!

You love your Falcons, or Bears, or Blazers, or Turtles, or Bobcats, or Camels, or whatever, but love won't win this contest.

You must be intentional. You must strategize. You must rally.

We are going to list for you 10 things to do. If you do them, you have a great shot at winning the Helmet Bowl III National Championship. Better than a great chance. You've got a fantastic chance. A wonderful chance. It's practically guarenteed.

But you have to pay attention.

And let us tell you this. It's not too late. There are 64 teams in the contest to start.

Voting begins Monday at noon. Each round lasts one week. Gather the most votes, move on. Six rounds, Six weeks. One champion.

Get your campaign going this week, win. Turn it up a notch when you make it into the round of 32, win. Then it gets tough. The top 16 teams will employee many of these strategies, but you, YOU will employee all of them, and win.

Then it's 8 teams left and, well, you have to pull out all stops for three weeks. Then, on January 13, the same day the NCAA crowns its National Champion, we will crown you with the National Championship.

So, here it goes. We will start with how the HB1 and HB2 National Champions won (both DIII schools, by the way), then 8 more ways to win. Maybe nine.

Still here? You must want to win. Okay, here's how.

1. Friends

The Gallaudet Bison won Helmet Bowl I with the support of its friends. Now, Gallaudet, you may know, serves the deaf and hearing impaired community. The friends of the Bison count nearly every deaf person in America. That's a big network. You have a big network, too. There is something special about your school and program. You already know what it is. Find it and tap into it. Reach out to celebrities who know you, well known graduates or supporters in the community – whoever may have the attention of your fans.

2. Moms

Helmet Bowl II National Champion Dickinson Red Devils won on the shoulders of Moms. The same Moms who bake brownies for the football team, did the laundry when their boys were in Pop Warner, and drive (oh, do the drive!) to every game, it was them who piled up the votes, reached out to their networks, and handed the trophy to the Red Devils. Really. So, Moms, yes. Also, Grandparents and others. Uncle Dave? Yes, him, too.

3. Alumni, Alum, Alumnus

Yeah, we have to look up the difference, too. Those who wear the letters proudly from their time on the team in the 80s, those who wear the sweatshirts and polos and baseball caps, those who send the money when they get the asks in the mail – they care. And they will vote! Get to your Alumni office or Association and ask them to send out your Helmet Bowl voting information.

4. Pack for a journey

You don't get an oval “I VOTED” sticker to wear when you click on your helmet in Helmet Bowl. That's because Helmet Bowl runs seven days a week for six weeks. You can vote every day and on as many different devices you can find. We don't limit the number of votes from each voter. Vote! It's a marathon you don't have to train for.

5. Befriend your Sports Information Director

It's not too late. Your SIDs are highly trained professionals. They understand marketing and communications. It's their job to spread the word about your program and they know how to grab the attention. Oftentimes, they just need a vehicle on which to hitch their wonderfulness. You can hand them your helmet and the information about Helmet Bowl III and they will thank you for it. They have great contacts with the news media—local, regional, and national. They like to win, too.

6. The Helmet

Your helmet is the touchstone of your program and you are responsible for it, Equipment Managers. Get it off the shelf and off the field and get it online. This year's slate of 64 helmets are the best yet. Still, many helmet images could be improved. You can submit an updated image at any time – you can even submit a different helmet if you'd like (as long as it was worn on the field this year). What works best? A side shot of your helmet on a field or a bench. A recent poll tells us most people got out and vote for their favorite team, then they vote on the best looking helmet. Be that helmet.

7. Lacrosse, Basketball, and Diving

You are the Equipment Manager and for many schools, you are responsible for many sports. At the least, your equipment teammates are taking care of other sports. So, leverage those teams who don't take the gridiron. They love supporting your teams and they will vote. Get your arena staff to get a graphic up on the half-time scoreboard. Post a flyer in the wrestling meet entrance and where the swimming and diving fans grab a candy bar.

8. The Jocks

These guys and gals love love love competition. Get them to vote and get them to reach out to their family and fans to vote for your helmet. Ask your quaterback, your Center, your striker on the volleyball team to Tweet and post. Get your star sprinter for the track team to encourage their social media followers to run to the polls. It will pay off for you, and for them, too.

9. Be a David. Goliaths fall.

Look, we all know the Power Five will dominate the networks and the polls. But in Helmet Bowl, everyone is equal. Schools with 5,000 students have absolutely destroyed universities with 66,444 (we're looking at you Ohio State). We created Helmet Bowl on a level playing field. Big, medium, or small, you have a shot at this National Championship. With more than 750 teams from more than 75 conferences, this contest is for everyone. Go get this championship.

10. On-Campus Outlets

Do you konw where the campus newspaper offices are? Stop by. Talk to the guy who wants to be a sportswriter. There's an in-house television or video feed that carries announcements to all students. Tap in. Get on your social media outlets, your websites, your newsletters (yes, they still send out newsletters).

Bonus: Your Conference Foes

You won your conference in Helmet Bowl, that's how you (most of you) qualified for the Helmet Bowl National Championship. Believe it or not, your conference foes want you to represent your conference well. Contact the Conference office and ask them to join your cause. Your Conference office will want those bragging rights!