FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[DEACONBLUE]

Albion, Alma, Hope, Olivet, and Tri-State all played elite national ranked teams in the "pre-season".  Guys, the best in the NATION.  Heck, Hope played two teams in the top ten!   8)

Most of these schools get their ranking based on previous season's success factoring in the amount of returning lettermen.  These programs are usually ahead of the curve (readiness) in the early season.  Interesting that they find it constructive to play MIAA schools, and not each other.  We should expect early season trouble from these squads, but by November teams become "seasoned" and things never quite look the same as they did in September.  My thoughts...the early season has not reduced the MIAA's chances of playoff success...it's a long season.   

Should we be scheduling perennial powers?  The obvious benefit is that a win could propell one into the early national rankings, and that can work like adrenaline allowing a team to perform above expectations.  I still believe the difference between a good team and a real good team is state of mind.  There is also the belief that you learn to play to the level of your competition.   

The down-side of these early season challenges is based on the potential of facing a team far more advanced (readiness) at that point in the season.  MIAA football certainly does not lack the talent nationally, but lacks the depth of some conferences (enevitable & desireable - geography,gpa, ect.) Early injury is always a threat.  Just as important, early season games serve to perfect execution and assess personnel in real-game pressure.  Being forced dramatically out of gameplan or forced to use only limited personnel for multiple quarters may leave a team behind the curve when conference play begins.  Lastly, a point trouncing in the early season can have lasting effects to a team that fails to put it in perspective.

Sorry for the long post, but an interesting subject.  Keep an eye on Hope and Adrian (examples of both strategies).     

[bulldogalum]

There are some really interesting matchups to start the conference season this week.  Can't wait to see how this plays out.

With all the talk about Kalamazoo being down, they beat the same Bluffton team Adrian beat last week, and have showed surprising vitality in their early games.  We'll learn a lot about both Adrian and Kzoo from how that game goes this week.

Similarly, I think we'll find out a great deal about how far this Tri State program has come in their matchup with Alma.  If they can take the Scots out in week 1, it will say quite a bit about the status of their program.

These two games almost overshadow the annual fistfight that is Hope v. Albion, but not quite.  One would imagine these two programs would have a very large say in who wins the MIAA title, as they do just about every year.  Clearly, these two programs don't care much for one another, and it will be interesting to see if they can top last year's battle in Holland.

I know I'm giving short shrift to Olivet and WLC, but I suppose that game will be a nice measuring stick for both teams, especially for Olivet, given the comments that have been directed toward them recently on this board.

[HOF]

Some food for thought:

Non-league results,etc.

Adrian (3-0/opponents record 2-8)
Defiance 1-2/Bluffton 0-3/Huntingdon 1-3
The skinny:  Defiance loss to Tri-State not good...Bluffton gets blown away by Kzoo...Huntingdon and their 1-3 record doesn't look great and they took AC to OT...will Adrian falter again after a hot start??
Strength of Non-league: C-
MIAA pick:  3rd

Alma (0-3/7-3)
Cornell 2-1/Eau-Claire 3-1/Wittenberg 2-1
The skinny:  Life without Brehm seems rather tough, but so does the Scots schedule.  Look for coach Cole to lead the troops back into the hunt this year.
Strength of Non-league:  A-
MIAA pick:  3rd

Albion (0-3/8-3)
Butler 4-0/Wheaton 3-0/Theil 1-3
The skinny:  The Brits first two oppo's are tough...they played Wheaton tough...played Theil tough, who seems to be down after two good years...Brits D will hold them in it, while a new QB settles down.
Strength of Non-league:  A
MIAA pick:  2nd

Hope (0-3/8-2)
River Falls 1-2/Central 4-0/Wheaton 3-0
The skinny:  They got blown away by River Falls...0-3...been there done that...just getting healthy...Hope will be there and will run away....they can run the ball...always good up front and remember the Oline wins titles.
Strength of Non-league:  A
MIAA pick:  1st

Kzoo (1-1/3-4)
Valpo 3-1/Bluffton 0-3
The skinny:  Throwing the ball might be the ticket for Kzoo....with lack of numbers playing over air will help...but can they stop anyone?...nope....but they do improve.
Strength of Non-league:  C
MIAA pick: 4th

Olivet (0-3/6-3)
Ill Wesleyan 1-2/Witt 2-1/Elmhurst 3-0
The skinny:  No QB and no proven RB has the Comet faithful wondering what to expect....you can count on a game from the Comets...where is Lonnie Jones?
Strength of Non-league:  B
MIAA pick: 4th

TSU (2-1/5-4)
Manchester 2-1/Defiance 1-2/Franklin 2-1
The skinny:  Weak preseason along with Adrian has them sitting 2-1...is it real?  I think they are improved, but not quite there yet.
Strength of Non-league:  C
MIAA pick:  5th

Wisc. Lutheran (1-2/6-4)
Aurora 1-2/Concordia 2-2/Dubuque 3-0
The skinny:  I don't know much about the warriors...what....Kehl ain't back....told you I don't know much.
Strength of Non-league:  B-
MIAA pick: 6th

Thoughts.....just for fun remember.....I thought the records of the oppo's was rather interesting.....

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

HOF:

I agree with your assesment.  The only point I would add is to look deeper with Huntingdon.  Their overall record is 1-3, however all 3 losses have come to undefeated teams.  Including a loss to 3-0 UW-Oshkosh, a loss to 3-0 Adrian and a loss to 4-0 Maryville.  They are by far the best team that Adrian played in the non conference although not on the same level as some other MIAA teams opponents.

[ACRULZ]

HOF: 


As far as Adrian's non-league schedule...not tough, I agree.  Huntingdon, despite its 1-3 record is a good football team.  They also played tough competition.  But anyway, tough non-leage, tough league schedule...it doesn't matter.  If Adrian played a tough non-league schedule and went 0-3 they would try to find positives out of it just like Albion and all the other schools are doing.  I still contend that it is important for a team to build confidence before the "real" schedule begins.  I'm no expert and neither is anyone else on this board but the head  coach generally knows the psyche of a team and knows who needs to be scheduled or not scheduled. 

All in all, the "new" season starts now and all of this becomes a moot point anyway.  The MIAA champion will go to the playoffs and because of the non-league performance there will not be any at-large berths for MIAA teams.

[formerd3db]

Interesting and very insightful comments all of you.  Only one I might minorly disagree with is HOF's "grade" for Hope against non-league opponents.  Not intending to take away anything at all from the good effort given by our players, but the secondary has had significant problems in giving up "the long TD" passes on simple routes (fly and posts) and the offense has struggled in the red zone.  As such, I'd probably give them a "B" grade, considering the competition we've played, so in regards to the latter, I would agree with HOF

Indeed, it is now a "whole new season" and it will be interesting to see what transpires.  As everyone is aware, we all could be witness to a "see-saw" performance each week by all the teams if MIAA history of play continues as it has in recent years during the regular season!   

[formerd3db]

I just saw the announcement that Tri-State will be changing its name by 2009 to Trine University to honor one of its successful and high contributing financial backers and his wife.  I had forgotten that TSU had formed a committee a while back regarding a name change, which is apparently being done for several reasons as noted in D3.com's article.

What do you Tri-State backers think about this?  I am intersted in your opinions on the topic (as I'm sure others are).  Sounds like the Rowan University situation a few years back.   Thanks.

[DEACONBLUE]

formerd3db,

Thanks for the heads-up, I've been waiting for that announcement.  Trine University had been the prediction around campus coolers.  Though the counter-arguement stated that colleges are not named after doners, only buildings are...until someone mentioned Rowan as you did.

I thought perhaps they might call it Angola University, following the tradition of the MIAA schools keeping the local identity such as Adrian, Albion, Alma...whoa...maybe too many "A" teams. 

There is some sadness that the Tri-State name dating back to 1884 will no longer exist.  Though the misinterpretation of TSU as a state college has plagued them for a long time.  The possibility of a name change took on a more serious tone recently with the increasing market competition for students, and TSU efforts to sell itself as a small private college.

I suppose Trine still contains the TRI.  We can also keep the "T" on the helmets.  There was also talk, did not see any mention of it in the D3 article, of changing the nickname Thunder back to the Trojans?  Could have been just a rumor. 

Now, the big problem is all the Tri-State gear I have.  One more year and it is all obsolete.  Oh well, guess people still wear Beatles t-shirts.   

   

[sac]

I like the Angola University idea.

Trine Trojans 

[rome]

In the '07 season opener against IWU, Olivet rushed for  60 yds. (160 yds. passing).  In the second game against Wittenburg they had -11 yds. rushing (219 yds. passing).  And against Elmhurst they had 66 yds. rushing. (219 yds. passing). They are now 0-3.

Compare those numbers with the last game of the 2004 (Irv Sigler's last game) vs. then first place Albion (MI) College; 477 yds. rushing (110 yds. passing)  That team led the nation with an average of 417.1 yds. rushing a game.

[Uncle Rico]

Deacon Blue...after next year, your Tri-State stuff will be collectors items and "throwback" gear, harkening back to the good old days of "Tri-State."        

[Pat Coleman]

Widener is also named after a donor.

[HOF]

Glad to see everyone is still alive!  I've often wondered about the activity pattern this board has....one day 10 post...one day no post.  I'm included in that.  Maybe we outta get our priorities straight...post and then work...haaa.

Anyways....I like how the Okla St. coach stood up for his player.  Colin Herd, however, does not.

I'm thinking about going to watch the Dutch at Albion.  A major clash right off the bat.

My sleeper might be Olivet.  The last three years, they always find away to beat some people.

How has the attendance been at some places?

I'd like to see Pat and the gang come visit a MIAA match-up....any thoughts for you to come watch the MIAA?  Maybe you have?

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

HOF:

The attendance at Adrians home opener was very good.  No where near what it was last season, but to be expected, full stands and seating on the hill.  The student section is still quite lacking and going back to a long ago post of mine the students are much to apathetic at Adrian, no one gets involved in supporting teams but other athletes. I dont know if thats the case everywhere or just Adrian.

Olivet was my pick for a top contender this year as well, but sleeper may be more likely.  I have come off of Olivet a bit now as their running game seems to have disappeared and that has always been their bread and butter so it will be interesting to see how they adjust.  Their defense is still dangerous but the O has bigger questions than before.  I am troubled by the fact that their top two running backs from last year are gone as well in Clasgens and Jones Clasgens not getting any carries and Jones no longer with the team, that was a very good one two punch and is obviously proving hard to replace.   Any Olivet insiders out there who know why clasgens has fallen out of favor and where Lonnie Jones has gone?

[formerd3db]

Deacon:

Thanks for the follow-up info. Indeed, as Uncle Rico has said, your TSU gear will be collectors items, so hold onto that stuff.  Like, you, I think Angola would have been a good name, but as we know, $ speaks and in this era's economy, small schools have to do what they have to do to keep up with all the others.  No doubt the Trine's have nothing but the best intent for their university and their gifts and contributions are appreciated for sure.  No doubt other schools would love to have donors like that.  I also a "traditionalist" like you and the history of the "Tri-State" name going back to 1884 is indeed a bit sad to lose.  But, "that's the way it goes".  It will be interesting to see if the Trojan nickname does come back, however, I tend to agree with sac that the "Trine Trojans" does have a, well let's just say, a weird ring to it!   Finally, it will also be interesting to see the eventual updates to their stadium.

Pat:  Thanks for that info re: Widener.  I did not know that.

Rome:  Glad to have you back!  Where have you been?  We welcome your insight on the "Big O"   Please contribute.