FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Pat Coleman]

I thought Pam really struggled with Navy's option and I could see why people were concerned about the health of the color analyst.

[bufan]

OK michigan people where ya at?

[Cougswillwin]

USC-Michigan game was fun to watch for the first half, but second half got a little boring/frusterating (unless you wanted to see USC win).  Boise State-Oklahoma game right now is looking like an upset to me!! Should be a fun one to watch.

[formerd3db]

USC-Michigan game was fun to watch for the first half, but second half got a little boring/frusterating (unless you wanted to see USC win).  Boise State-Oklahoma game right now is looking like an upset to me!! Should be a fun one to watch.

OK michigan people where ya at?

I would agree about the first half, although it was still not a great one by any means for Michigan.  To answer you question, bufan, we're all hiding, burying our heads in the sand.  That was simply a very ugly performance by Michigan - horrible offensive blocking and terrible secondary play in all aspects.  As much as I would have liked to see them in an OSU/Mich rematch for the N.C., I am now very glad they were not chosen for the latter.

BTW, what do any of you think about Mason's firing at Minnesota?  I do not often agree with Mark May on ESPN's College Football, however, I did this time with regard to his comments/opinion on that, if any of you happened to catch that today.

[Cougswillwin]

I live in Minnesota, so all I hear now is if the Gophers should have fired Mason.  I totally think the U of M did the right thing in firing Mason, even if he did just sign his new contract last year.  Last year was big news trying to get him signed and everyone was going crazy about the possibility of him not coming back.  Now, nearly everyone in Minnesota is glad that he is gone. 

Yeah, Mason was a good coach and totally turned around the program, but he never could get the Gophers to be one of the best Big Ten teams.  Yeah they had some good teams, but we were always the best of the worst teams in the Big Ten.  Also Mason could never win the big games.  He won a few big games, but never got a big win to put the Gophers up at the top with the rest of them.  Also on his resume is the many big time collapses.  The Gophers have had big leads in many games, only to collapse and lose the game.  They were killing Michigan a few years back at the Dome, they were up by 28 in the 3rd quater, only to let them comeback and win the game.  Needless to say the huuuuuge comeback by Texas Tech the other day in the bowl game. 

Mason would have been fine and still the Gophers coach had they won that game, but that huuuuuge collapse (biggest come from behind win in any D-1 bowl game in history) was the final straw for Mason.  Being a Minnesotan and huge Gophers fan, I think it was the right move to send Mason packing.  I loved him as a coach, but it was always frusterating to see the Gophs lose nearly every big game and lose those games that were nearly won.  I also was sick of watching the Gophers make crappy bowl game after crappy bowl game, winning about half of them, but blowing every other one.  Its time for a new era in Gopher football, and the Gophers are going to sign a coach that will make them Big Ten contenders. 


Sorry for the long disposition on Gopher football, but Im a huge fan and a Minnesotan 

M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A...MINNESOTA...MINNESOTA...YEEEAAAHHH GOPHERS!!

[79jaybird]

formerd3db-- Royal Campbell, I like that!  I think by far the best Bowl Game was last night's Boise State/Oklahoma contest.  What a great example of heart and never say die attitude by the Broncos.  If there is a will, there's a way approach.  I too gave Boston College credit for coming back and capitalizing on their opportunity.  The kid that was a walk on- wins it   was a great story also.

With Pam Ward... media positions are a hostile environment.  There are always going to be the listeners that chew you up, criticize, and give you pointers.  You have to expect that as it comes with the territory.  I take criticism in stride and welcome other's thoughts.  Then you sort out the ones that DO make sense and can help you improve, versus the ones that are PUT DOWNS as opposed to constructive criticism.    I don't mind Paw Ward as long as her commentating is "to the point" and I can follow the game through her thoughts.

Any word(s) on Concordia and if they have hired a new coach?

[Cougswillwin]

CUC has not hired a new defensive coach yet, at least to my knowledge.  They have however hired a new Graduate Assistant.  Thats is basically the extent of the news coming from Cougar Camp.  Everything else is going real well with recruiting and off-season workouts/attitudes.

[Cougswillwin]

Man, this party sure died.

[Fartcus Smellwood]

Man, this party sure died.

you're a b00b

all the bowl games have been disappointing except for the Boise/ Oklahoma game. that was a great game and actually kept my interest. As for my Irish...man, WTF? I knew they were going to lose but for as good of an offense they have, no scoring in the 2 half? Bogus. Congrats to LSU though and their freakish qb. the championship better be good and as of now I could care less who wins, it just better be a good game.

baseman...you have a live account??? play Gears yet....if the answer is yes, i will maybe send you a request...you will be shocked

[bufan]

OxyBob I  love the call out there of Mr Ypsi's quote.  Great work.  I dont think I have enough time to do that to everything that was said about how great michigan was.  Unfortunately the Big Ten has won 2 games thus far(PSU and Wis) which is fine, a blind squirrel has to find a nut once in a while, or i guess two in this case.  At any rate,  I do root for the Buckeyes but that is no gimme and even if they win, it will not justify the horrific performance the Big Ten has put on.  But how bout that supposed overrated Big East?  4-0 with one game left.  Winners of the Bowl Championship thingy.

[79jaybird]

As of 1/7/07 Concordia has not named a new Coach.  Coach Pries told me that they are accepting resumes and are being rather "selective" in their process.  They are looking for a few particulars that will fit into their program. 
IMO, I think the longer the choosing process takes, the more the program is going to "suffer" only because that lessens the time available to learn the new system, get the players oriented, and so on.

[formerd3db]

As of 1/7/07 Concordia has not named a new Coach.  Coach Pries told me that they are accepting resumes and are being rather "selective" in their process.  They are looking for a few particulars that will fit into their program. 
IMO, I think the longer the choosing process takes, the more the program is going to "suffer" only because that lessens the time available to learn the new system, get the players oriented, and so on.

That is a vail concern, more so for returning players.  Of course, at the DIII level, this is not as crucial in that new recruits don't show up until camp time.  Even if some of those committed to the school early, one doesn't really know the exact # until "they show up" at opening camp day and, certainly everyone is at the same starting point as far as knowing the play book, unless the coaches give that out before during the summer.

On the other hand, one consideration for the delay in selecting the new coach is that perhaps Pries and the administration is taking their time to choose someone who will be committed to staying on for awhile rather moving on after one year like the previous assistant coach and/or not using the position as a "stepping stone" to the next level.  That is a way to obviously help gain stability of the program and after the somewhat "rocky road" in changes in their coaching staff in recent years, perhaps they are hoping to get some long range stability and personel who just might want to stay at Concordia for a career? or at least several years.  Hopefully, they get the right person for the position and I wish them all the best.  It is not only good to see them attempting to improve their own program, but also good for the league as well.Just some thoughts for consideration, although, obviously speculation on my part.   

[FatalImpact]

If Pries turns the team around it is entirely possible to stay there for a career.....Its all up to the Administration of that school

[ibfcisdead]

I live in Minnesota, so all I hear now is if the Gophers should have fired Mason.  I totally think the U of M did the right thing in firing Mason, even if he did just sign his new contract last year.  Last year was big news trying to get him signed and everyone was going crazy about the possibility of him not coming back.  Now, nearly everyone in Minnesota is glad that he is gone. 

Yeah, Mason was a good coach and totally turned around the program, but he never could get the Gophers to be one of the best Big Ten teams.  Yeah they had some good teams, but we were always the best of the worst teams in the Big Ten.  Also Mason could never win the big games.  He won a few big games, but never got a big win to put the Gophers up at the top with the rest of them.  Also on his resume is the many big time collapses.  The Gophers have had big leads in many games, only to collapse and lose the game.  They were killing Michigan a few years back at the Dome, they were up by 28 in the 3rd quater, only to let them comeback and win the game.  Needless to say the huuuuuge comeback by Texas Tech the other day in the bowl game. 

Mason would have been fine and still the Gophers coach had they won that game, but that huuuuuge collapse (biggest come from behind win in any D-1 bowl game in history) was the final straw for Mason.  Being a Minnesotan and huge Gophers fan, I think it was the right move to send Mason packing.  I loved him as a coach, but it was always frusterating to see the Gophs lose nearly every big game and lose those games that were nearly won.  I also was sick of watching the Gophers make crappy bowl game after crappy bowl game, winning about half of them, but blowing every other one.  Its time for a new era in Gopher football, and the Gophers are going to sign a coach that will make them Big Ten contenders. 


Sorry for the long disposition on Gopher football, but Im a huge fan and a Minnesotan 

M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A...MINNESOTA...MINNESOTA...YEEEAAAHHH GOPHERS!!

[FatalImpact]

Any early perdictions for next year.....?