FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[miaafbfan]

I didn't expect a blowout either.  Congrats to the Britons on a convincing win.  The title is theirs to lose.

[formerd3db]

Hate to say (once again ) I told you so, but..."I told [some of] you guys so!".  Neither Alma (nor Adrian) had this thing wrapped up early in the season.  I predicted it would come down to the last weekend (again this year) and it has.  As you guys have pointed out, the AQ is Albion's to lose.  If Olivet upsets them again this year (which will be a tough act to repeat), it will indeed throw this thing into a "mess" to sort out with the tiebreaker system.

I was "on" in all my picks for this week (although not hard to do for anyone, I guess ); figured Albion would win with the way they have been playing of late.  However, like most of you, I was shocked at the pasting they administered.  Alma, no doubt, will be determined for the occasion next week and although it is at our place, Hope needs to have their best game of the season and continue the momentum of this week for a win.  If Albion wins it all, hopefully their momentum will carry over into the playoffs for the sake of our MIAA.  Yet if they do make it in, it remains to be seen how they fare against further (and tougher) outside competition.  Hopefully, better than their two non-conf losses showed.  We shall see.

[wlcalum]

Picks for the final week: (for all but one)

Albion@Olivet - Albion should have no problem here and secure the AQ.

Alma@Hope - The battle for second - and an outside chance for the AQ shoulds Albion fall? Going with Alma. (they were picked to finish first with Hope third)

WLC@Adrian - Last year Adrian traveled to WLC and got beat - yes... that was last year. Adrian gets the W.

Tri State@Kalamazoo - Sorry TS no wins this year. Kalamazoo.

[albinomascot19]

This Saturday will be for all the marbles.  Albion travels down to Olivet College to try and capture the MIAA Championship Outright.  We will see what happens.  The last 5 games here in Albion we've seen an inspired Britons team take it to each and every opponent.  As far as I am concerned, this Saturday is labeled as "Redemption."  Albion has to continue to play their stellar defense, and their offense has to continue their onslaught on their opponents.  This has been a fun and exciting MIAA race.  Lets see what happens this Saturday.  The team that wins, better take that momentum into the playoffs.  Since the playoffs expanded we haven't had even one win.  Around the country when people look at our conference, I totally agree that they see it as weak.  This year it has pretty competitive.  However, no MIAA team is ranked in the region.  I feel the past is the past.  This is a new year, and we will have one team totally fired up, and will take care of businesses, and be competitive in the playoff field.  You can't only lose for so long, until you just have to pull through.  Hope everyone the best for this upcoming weekend!  By the way   Forrmerd3db: What guy on Albion is your former roommate's son.....just a curious question.....

[wlcalum]

The  former roomates son is the brother of the sister-inl-aw's cousin's neighbor. At least that is what I heard. 

[formerd3db]

Yes, it has been a wild year in the MIAA, although realistically, it really shouldn't be all that surprising to any of us!

Anyway, my pick's for Sat:

Albion @ Olivet: Albion.  While Olivet pulled the great upset last year, and despite this being at Olivet, Albion's play of recent will be too strong.

Alma @ Hope:  Alma, reeling from being pasted last week by Albion, will be more determined than ever for a shot at the title, should Albion lose.  However, despite this, I can't go against my alma mater Hope.  I HOPE we rise to the  occasion at home!

WLC @ Adrian:  Adrian; they're at home and WLC status "not quite there yet" this year.  Sorry, WLCalum 

Tri-State @ Kazoo:  Kazoo; Kazoo not great but improved, and after beating Alma and with the state of TSU at present, have to go with the big "K".


albionmascot:  #80.  Good luck this weekend.  Hope you enjoy the game.  Always an outside chance that it just might be a tighter one than most may think, but as you say, "we'll see what happens".

[Mr. Ypsi]

I agree that Albion will probably win, but, just for the chaos, I'm rooting for Olivet!

Probable FOUR-way tie!  Anyone got a clue on the AQ if so?

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

I agree with you! (sorry Albion fans )  Anyway, I have not taken the time to figure out the potential tiebreaker aspects for the AQ should a three or four way tie occur.  Obviously, it would depend on the point spreads of the results - but as you mention, that could be "somewhat" caotic, although perhaps not since Albion scored 66 against Alma, 34 against Hope, and Alma just got by Adrian, Hope smashed Adrian, Olivet beat Hope by a small margin, etc, etc.  My guess is that it still would be Albion if Olivet just barely beats them, and it would then depend on how much Alma might be Hope by or vice, versa!  It will be interesting if that occurs, I would say for sure!

[albinomascot19]

This is how it breaks down, Albion wins, they get the title outright.  An Albion loss, coupled with an Adrian loss would still put Albion in the playoffs.  However if Albion lost and Adrian winS, Adrian is in.   Looks like its Albion's title to win, as long as they pull it out on Saturday.  They have played exceptional defense in 6 league games they are giving up 10.6 points, while scoring at a 47.5 clip.  Albion will be faced with a new type of offense which primary focus is rushing the ball.  The biggest threat Olivet has is Travis Sleight.  Last week he put up 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns.  In his career he has 50 touchdowns.  However I cant emphasis enough how the defense has stepped up.  The 6 conference games have now set them up to claim their first championship outright since 2001.  We will see how it shapes up after Saturday's games are in the books. Lets hope the weather will hold up this upcoming weekend! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

albino,

So Olivet, Alma, and Hope are all already eliminated?

[msmith0076]

Correction albinomascot, if Albion and Adrian lose Alma goes to the playoffs.  The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, the second is overall record.  So, if Albion loses and Adrian as well then there is a 3 way tie.  Each team will have beaten one another (alma over olivet, olivet over albion, and albion over alma) so it goes to overall record.  This all hinges on an alma win...hope is not going to the playoffs and adrian and albion aren't losing.

[miaafbfan]

Lots of second guessing here.  I think Albion's got things under control, however.  But for the sake of keeping things interesting, I'm pulling for the Comets.  But just like my wishes for the Scots last week, it's probably not very realistic.

My picks for the week:

Albion @ Olivet:  Albion
Alma @ Hope:  Alma
Tri-State @ Kalamazoo:  Kalamazoo
Wisconson Lutheran @ Adrian:  Adrian

[albinomascot19]

It is interesting when more than one team comes out of a conference in the playoffs.  I know the MIAA is looked as one of the weaker conferences.  What we need is competition, and some wins in the playoffs, and better regional records, and then someday hopefully we can see two teams from the MIAA to go to the playoffs.  Right now the team that represents the MIAA, better win, and show the nation and that we are as good as anyone else.

[formerd3db]

albionmascot:
How do you figure that?  If Alma wins, and Albion loses, Alma only then has two league losses  and would they not go by virture of having beat Adrian and Hope, even though they lost to Albion?  Overall record might not count there since I am not sure the NCAA considers games against DII foes?  If the first tie-breaker is head to head, are you talking about "who beats who" or the point spread?  Guess it depends on which teams would be in the tie.  I need to sit down and figure this out on paper!

[formerd3db]

I think I may have this figured out   Here goes "that old college try!"

If Albion wins, they get the AQ obviously.

A three-way tie occurs if:
If Albion loses, they are 5-2 in conf with loses to Adrian (by 3 pts) and Olivet by?
   Adrian wins, they are 5-2 in conf with loses to Alma (by 3 pts) and Hope by 21
   Alma wins, they are 5-2 in conf with loses to Albion (by 39) and Kazoo by 1

Adrian would go since they beat Albion by 3 even though Alma beat Adrian by 3 but Alma lost to Albion by 39;?  Do you all agree or am I missing something?  I'm not sure that Alma can get in now (again, DII loss might not count; as the MIAA title is determined by league wins/loses according to the MIAA website).