FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[D306]

~3 weeks of 2 a days and film study and the season starts.

Big Ten and GLIAC also start practice this week.

My quick picks:

U of M- Good shot at it, Offensive firepower, Hope the defense can pick it up a little.
Got embarrassed in Rose Bowl.

Grand Valley- Been a cut above for a couple years in a row now, should get pushed a little harder this year in conference.

Hope- Returning champs alot of returning Seniors, I would say out of the 3 divisions this is the most open for an upset.

[HOF]

After reading all the print media I could find on the MIAA Press Day...I have formed several opinions....

1)  Everybody thinks Hope is gonna win the league pretty easily.  I don't think it will be easy, as the QB is a little eratic.  What lucky rabbitt will Dean K. pull out this year?

2)  Looks like Olivet has themselves another Andy Storey....a 25 year old freshman.  God bless this kid for fighting over in Iraq!  Dominic is always a show stealer...and steal the show once again he did.

3)  The other four are jammed up in the race.

4)  In looking at the picture on the Adrian site, I couldn't help but notice that Coach Rundle was missing from the head table.  Anyone know why he wasn't at the media day, that was held at Albion.  Is his health okay?

Great speeches tonight at the Hall of Fame ceremony.  I was glued to the set from 6-10 pm!  8 pm Sunday night...Steelers vs. Saints.  Here goes the cable company's and the NFL putting the screws to everyone...putting this one on the NFL network only!

Barry just went yard!...755.  Steroids or not....that is a hell of a feat!

[Stinger]

~3 weeks of 2 a days and film study and the season starts.

Big Ten and GLIAC also start practice this week.

My quick picks:

U of M- Good shot at it, Offensive firepower, Hope the defense can pick it up a little.
Got embarrassed in Rose Bowl.

Grand Valley- Been a cut above for a couple years in a row now, should get pushed a little harder this year in conference.

Hope- Returning champs alot of returning Seniors, I would say out of the 3 divisions this is the most open for an upset.

Way out on a limb there D306. 

[D306]

Stinger  LOL I know way to go out on a limb on my part.

I am nothing if not consistent.

Really though, GVSU is a D1 school , with D1 players whom transfer in after tough time in D1 or no playing time. Northwood / SVSU should give them a go this year.

I am hoping for Albion in MIAA, but would not be surprised with Olivet, just don't think either can finish. Hope is always consistent, well coached and has a lot of returning talent sooo....

U of M after having a mental block and typically being "out coached" in OSU and Bowl games I think Carr pulls it out this year and plays to win from the start instead of playing not to lose.
All that said Carr is still a very successful coach who has the Burden/Luxury of being the U of M coach. I like Carr kids graduate and typically do not embarass the University, he is "old school" and that is a good thing. I know his players Love him, he treats them very well but expects alot in return.

Always being questioned and never good enough unless they win Big Ten and beat OSU.
Carr is Cooper of OSU revisited could win 80% - 85% of games but loses to Michigan and Bowl games doomed the guy.

[Uncle Rico]

Ok, I admit I am a little biased and do not know the other teams that well, but I think Tri-State will finish at least one or two notches higher than predicted.  They are returning 21 starters and their coaches have another year of experience in the MIAA.  They lost a couple of close games that they might be able to turn around.

[HOF]

Uncle Rico,

Yes Tri-State should be better, but the 21 starters returning are 21 sophomores and juniors, opposed to being 21 seniors.  So don't bank on a big turn around.  Senior led teams in the MIAA tend to out man the younger squads, experienced or not.

I say TSU goes, 4-6.  That will be a good thing for the program and the MIAA.  Help get some respect.

Raining like crazy in the great state of Michigan.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Uncle Rico:

As much as they have 21 starters returning, some of those players more than likely will not start this coming fall.  I would venture to guess that they will have some freshman come in and contribute, some as starters.  Their recruiting class is supposed to be strong and I would be that some of those freshman will take jobs.  I would agree with 4-6 or 5-5 as a possibility for TSU and also as always say that they should be on the rise.

[Mr. Ypsi]

A continuing mystery:

Why the perennial rumors about Carr's imminent retirement?  Heck, he's young enough to be JoePa's son!   But I would agree that if he doesn't beat Tressel real soon, he is in danger of bcoming John Cooper, part two.

[Uncle Rico]

I may be naive, but if that many starters are returning, chances are they will be better than they were last year for that reason alone.  In addition, as mentioned by others, if there are some incoming recruits good enough to fit in, that would make the team even that much better.  And Tri-States coaches will have a better understanding of the league, its teams, and D3 football...it won't be their first year. 

I am not saying Tri-State will compete for the MIAA title, but a one or two spot improvement in a league with the parity that the MIAA seems to have might not be too much out of the question. 

OK, I might be a little brainwashed.  I should probably try to sandbag more too!     No matter what, it should be a fun season to sit back and watch!

[ACRULZ]

Uncle Rico:

I agree that Tri-State will be a much improved team.  However I can guarantee that some of those 21 returning starters may be in that role due to need from last season.  The Tri-State coaching staff may have had no other choice but to play some of those guys.  From what I hear they just needed numbers last season and did not focus as much on quality.  With a year under their belts they may have recruited better players than what they actually have returning.  Of course what is sacrificed by playing freshman is game experience.  But like you said their coaching staff may have a better grasp of what MIAA competition is like.  As an Adrian fan, I hope they can knock off one of the higher ranked schools (as long as it is not Adrian).  Well week 1 is right around the corner, I cannot wait!

[HOF]

So...

When does everyone report to camp.  I saw on the freep.com that UM and MSU reported this weekend.  Looks like UMs media day is pretty loose.  I always heard that about Lloyd...the players love that guy.

I know you have a rule as far as how many weeks you can run the season, but was just wondering when teams reported.

Any preseason scrimmages set up?

I think Albion usually does the GRCC thing, while Kzoo was doing Carthage and Adrian did Ohio Northern...still the same, different...throw it out there.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Adrian reports to camp on August 12th, 5 more days.  As far as I know they will still be scrimmaging ONU as they have been doing for years and years.  Its always a pretty good measuring stick, the years we have been able to take it to them or been able to play at the same level have been good years.

I just talked to one of the players on U of M's team last night and he said camp is like a prison, he said he didnt mind the practice but the incredibly long film sessions and someone coming into his room and making him turn his lights off at 10:30 reminded him of prison. 

[D306]

HOF


Albion reports Wednesday for an afternoon meeting. Not sure when practices and pads start.

I know there is "x" many days of practice allowed before first game. Not sure what technically equals a practice, I would guess with more than 7 players and a coach present.

Since Albions first game is Sept. 1st I would guess that Albion is in as early as allowed, or why come in on a Wednesday?

I know players at Hillsdale , U of M, MSU they all reported this week also.

Hey I even watched, listened to the HOF Game, this weekend, I must be ready for football, 1 set of downs for many of the starters and they were gone.

[Pat Coleman]

The first date of practice in Division III football is also dependent on the school's first day of classes, which is why practice starts on different days for schools who all play on Sept. 1.

[HOF]

Pat,

That may be true with budget, meals, etc. for the start of practice for some, but if my sources and memory is right you have so many weeks from your last competition.  Meaning if your last game is on Nov. 10th, you have XX number of weeks from your last game.  I think it is 15 weeks.  It might also be like 25 practices before your first game.  Maybe one or the other or neither?

I could be wrong, but thought that was what the NCAA goes off of.   Because if Albion starts school on Monday say, they couldn't practice more weeks then somebody else because they start school earlier than everyone else.  Did that make sense.

Just curious....