FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Yikes is right, but that's putting it mildly!

[DEACONBLUE]

No excuses.  Franklin is good.  Near perfect execution on both sides of the ball the entire first quarter 28-0.  It was scary as they played in mid-season form with almost "patriot" vision.    By late in the second quarter TSU started to settle down, adjust, dig in, and play hit for hit, but a catch-up offense against this caliber of a team is almost as futile as spitting into the wind.

Hail K-ZOO - impressive!  The "Lords of Dogtown" 3-0 - nice!

Now the fun begins - MIAA Football!   

[bulldogalum]

As they'd say over on the basketball board, the "preseason" is over, and now it's time to get down to business.  Good luck to everyone on another MIAA season.

[miaafbfan]

MIAA play should be interesting.  With Albion, Alma, Hope, and Olivet all starting out 0-3, it's hard to say what will happen.  Clearly the MIAA is way way down this year.  Only Adrian looks decent, and Tri-State is much improved. 

I saw Wittenberg at Alma yesterday.  Alma's QB is young, but he'll improve with experience.  For a sophomore, he showed a lot of speed and mobility.  They have some good receivers, and the O-line looks decent as well.  The offense is typical for Alma.  When things are clicking, they move the ball fast, and are very potent, but yesterday they fell behind 16-0 and couldn't bounce back.  At one point in the 3rd quarter they had closed the gap at 23-15 and were threatening to score, but that's as close as it ever was.  Defense was also pretty typical.  Time will tell.  If McGrady can settle down a little and the defense can make some adjustments on pass coverage, the Scots will be alright. 

[79jaybird]

Though Olivet is 0-3 they looked pretty good for a quarter yesterday in Elmhurst.  Their receiver Chris Smith #16 was a deer running down field and scored their first TD.  As I posted on our board, I cannot understand why OC didn't continue to try and burn our CB who was consistently 2-3 steps behind on the deep routes?  There was a chance for 2-3 more scores with an overthrow and drop.  OC should have beat IWU, had the game vs. Wittenberg basically won, so they could easily be 2-1 as opposed to 0-3.
From an outsider's opinion (mine) I think the MIAA trophy is up for the taking and whomever can mount 6-7 weeks of hustle and execution, will be making it into post season. 

[section7]

So much for Booko's truimphant return.  Did he even see the field?

[bulldogalum]

Word from a third party at the Adrian game was that Adrian looked sloppy most of the game, and that Huntingdon was pretty athletic, not a bad team at all.  That considered, it was good for Adrian to come back and get that win.  Hopefully they'll use this nonconference season as a springboard to a good MIAA campaign, though I'm sure the conference will be every bit as tough as it's been in recent years.

[formerd3db]

section7:

I was not able to attend the game, however, in quick review of the comprehensive game stats posted on Hope's fb website, his name does not appear.  Thus, it appears he may not have played, although if he did, no rushing attempts which would be very strange.  We'll find out the "story" later this week, although perhaps some of our colleagues here might know and be able to share/post some info regarding this before then.  I wonder what happened?

[formerd3db]

jaybird:

Nice analysis although we would expect that from you being in the job position you are in for Elmhurst!   Congrats to your alma mater on their win yesterday and a great 3-0 start.  Sounds like it might be a "barnburner" against Carthage next weekend.

As far as Olivet, indeed it would seem strange as to why they would not try to capitalize on an area where they had some success.  That doesn't sound like the usual "Big O" coaching strategy - very strange to me .  Some people are probably surprised at the poor start that Olivet has had as some expected them to be a fairly decent team this year and a good start - although on the other hand, some people are probably not surprised at their 0-3 start   I will say, however, that in recent years they are traditionally a very dangerous team once MIAA play starts and anyone of the MIAA teams who takes them lightly could be in for a surprise.

I must admit that the 0-3 start by the several MIAA teams is surprising, disheartening, and somewhat puzzling.  Many of us have discussed this here before, but by playing tougher non-conference teams in the early season should help improve a team for post-season play eventually i.e. in the long run.  However, the MIAA, while many of their teams have stepped up in scheduling some tougher non-conf foes, with this even worse start than in previous years, it appears that things are getting worse.  This leaves me (and I'm sure others) wondering when our teams will "turn the corner" and start to see some results of that stategy/philosophy.

Additional general thoughts anyone?

[sac]

The MIAA isn't way down, its exactly how it's been for the last 3 seasons.  The last 2 MIAA Champions are 1-5 in non-conference play.

2007 ..7-16
2006..5-18
2005..8-16
2004..11-12
2003..21-5
2002..17-10

Maybe they are scheduling tougher opponenets.

[79jaybird]

formerd3db- Good to hear from you and yes, my color analyst and I kept shrugging our shoulders in the booth, trying to figure out why they abandoned the deep post?  I could see them going to other things if EC was stopping the Comets deep threats, however that wasn't the case.  Oh well, no crying over spilled milk and I think the MIAA should be aware that #16 in Red/White is dangerous. 
Non conference records can be deceiving.  There were a couple of seasons in the late 90's where EC was 2-1 or 3-0 in non conference, only to struggle mightely in conference.  We all know that the only thing that matters is how you far in your conference.  It appears that the MIAA is similar to the CCIW in that there is high parity and anybody can beat anybody any given (Sat)day.

[formerd3db]

sac:

They may not be way down in the years you list and they may be scheduling tougher opponents, however, the question is when will be be seeing the desired results?   I don't think anyone knows the answer to that question.  

[formerd3db]

jaybird:

Great to hear from you as well.  Thanks for contributing to our board.  I know what you mean re: the parity issue.  Obviously, the important #1 team goal is winning the conference and gaining the AQ.  But, while the parity is good within, as I alluded to in my previous post above, it then comes down to "when will we see some progress in the playoffs" and how can that be accomplished?  Better non-conference games, better players recruited or a combination of both? With regards to the MIAA, that may be more of a challange, due in part to the DII teams in our region recruiting for that available talent as some have discussed on here concerning this topic in the past.  Thanks for your discussion.  Good luck to Elmhurst the rest of the way.  Might we see an Elmhurst/Hope match-up in the playoffs?    

[Mugsy]

section7:

I was not able to attend the game, however, in quick review of the comprehensive game stats posted on Hope's fb website, his name does not appear.  Thus, it appears he may not have played, although if he did, no rushing attempts which would be very strange.  We'll find out the "story" later this week, although perhaps some of our colleagues here might know and be able to share/post some info regarding this before then.  I wonder what happened?

Wheaton radio broadcasters mentioned something about how Booko was supposed to be returning but he hurt his hamstring during the week.  I can't confirm this obviously, but he didn't play a down.  In addition the 2nd string RB was hurt as well.  Hope started a 3rd string, freshman RB.  The guy has potential as he ran really hard.  He just didn't have any holes to run through.

[79jaybird]

formerd3db-- boy I would love that!  My immediate goals for Elmhurst are to attain 7 to 8 wins and build from there.  We should have been 7-3 last year, but the shoulda, coulda, woulda routine is well- you know.   
I think EC has a shot in every game in the CCIW just as I think Olivet, Hope, and Albion have a shot in every MIAA game this year also. 
My own personal opinion, while I think a lot of it is coaching, I think much of it is recruiting and colleges really looking to attain the incumbent's strengths. (If that makes any sense) For example, in our conference Wheaton has been the stalwart of the 90's/00's and EC/Car/NC have all been using the Thunder (mostly Coach Swider) as a barometer to try and measure up.  Part of the problem with EC/NC and Carthage is that you compete for virtually the same kids in such a small geographic window.  This is where Millikin/IWU/Augie had the advantage through the 1960's-1980's.
I am sure Hope will do very well in the MIAA this year.    Getting ready to cheer on my Bears tonight, so I will bid goodnight and wish Hope and the MIAA success here on.