FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HOF]

Didn't make it to any games...just laying around the house, but I'm online checking some things out...

Great video feed for the Albion-Hope game....14-14 right now in the 2nd.

Olivet 55, WLC 2 HALF

Adrian 24, Kzoo 7 2nd

UM is down at the half....ikes!

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Wow, some high scores in the MIAA and some great shows of force.

The Hope vs. Albion game sounds like it was a track meet, lots of offense, lots of scoring and no doubt an exciting game but it seems as if both teams may have some defensive deficiencies that need to be addressed, Silvernail with 254yds receiving seems troublesome for Hope, but Albion allowing two 100+ yard rushers also is a change from the norm. 

Olivet appears to have woken up and took WLC out behind the woodshed for the duration of the first half, showing something not seen in recent years, a balanced offense, 250+ rushing and 250+ passing is not the typical Olivet day, but may prove to be more sustainable down the long haul than the run heavy approach.

Adrian traveled to KZOO and completely shut down a potent offense allwoing only 185 total yards including another dominating game against the run allowing only 28 yards on 23 carries.  The Adrian offense did its part as well putting up 38 points (1 INT for TD by Brandon Mohney) Troy Niblock having a great day on the ground with 160yds rushing and 2TD's, he is the MIAA's Tim Tebow for certain.  Adrian looks very potent and the team to beat, the offense is kicking in and the defense is reviatlized and swarming under new DC Jim Deere.

Alma over TSU, I thought it may happen but I held out hope for TSU's young squad.  A better showing for TSU at least on defense from last year, allowing about 30 less points.  The passing game seems to have faltered for TSU with only 85yds, but all things come in time.  Alma put up a great balanced display that is typical of Coach Cole and Leister and will no doubt be seen around the MIAA for the rest of the season.

Congrats to all the winners, its good to see the league take some shape and begin to show what the teams are capable of!

[D306]

Just got back from Albion game, and a visit to Frat for some dinner and watch MSU self distruct. Boo Thought they might pull it out.

Hope VS Albion was a who has the ball last type of game.
Hope running wild 6-8 yards an attempt. Nothing fancy Booko overthe right side every play a couple cut backs/draws a  few will timed screens.

Albion throwing to Silvernail deep and the DB safety getting burned or an interference all to often.

I saw defensive issues on both teams, while the offenses seemed to be able to move the ball pretty easily considering they both had at least 2 turn overs.

Entertaining game, and both will show well in the league but MUST shore up defense or they will be playing who has the ball last wins all year.

I think Hope ran for well over 200 yards, burning the clock and wearing out the defense of Albion They could not get off the field on 3rd down.
Albion should rotate the Defensive players and use more of the Bench can not continue to be "worn out" in 2nd half of games.

Hope needs to get some DB's a big WR will dominate them all year at this rate. Silvernail just went up and grabbed a few passes right over DB's and safety. I called both the long TD passes as soon as I saw the offense line up and 1 on 1 coverage with Safety over the top is not going to do it.

All in all a great game and never a dull moment. Nice day, good halftime show naming the King and Queen. A hall of Fame ceremony for new inducties. Numerous Alumni present. Many Hope and Albion familys Tailgating together prior to game.

[DEACONBLUE]

Frustration and Mystery in Angola tonight.

I hate it when the worst case scenario of predictions come true.  As forcasted, the key to a TSU victory would be their offense and the balance of play-makers - RB Izzy Brill, QB Eric Watt, and WR Paul Curtis...well,... they never made it into the game!  Curtis and Brill were dressed and on the sidelines and Watt was missing.  Perhaps injuries, no one seems to know.  The Alma defense was not the strongest the Thunder had faced, but TSU lacked the break-away talent to take advantage of it.  Fourth quarter turnovers eventually sealed it.

The Thunder defense held tough for three quarters, Tri-State actually had the lead most of the game, but the great talent of QB McGrady and RB Ryan finally broke through and wore them down in the fourth. 

Congrats to Alma, no doubt the winners. (great host and super marching band).

Guys, if the Thunder does not recover full strengnth soon, I fear they may only win one more game...perhaps next week.  I was so optimistic.   *#@$#*!!!  Why??? 

[HOF]

Not being cocky, Hope is very good upfront and Booko is pretty darn good...they will be tough to beat.

Deacon Blue:  I understand and agree.  TSU might improve this year, but also might not have many more wins to show for it, but in the big pic, the improvement is the key. Wins are good, but I'm pretty sure Coach Land is building for next year and the following.  That will be his fourth year.  Alma always will be solid with Cole at the helm.

ADAWG:  Looks like Adrian is still rolling, but we all know it is what you can do against the big five...Olivet, Adrian, Albion, Hope and Alma.  Kzoo does put up great numbers no doubt, but in my years of watching many Kzoo teams, they all have the same traits....pretty good O, decent D, but they never win...when playing Kzoo, it is a win that you need (ask Alma, K has been tough on them), but sometimes is that confidence builder every MIAA team needs.  You know.  Congrats on the win Bulldogs!

All in all,  I think Adrian is starting to get that confidence going, but if I remember right Olivet has had their number.  I think if I can I'll be down at Adrian next Saturday to watch this one.  Olivet might not have a great record, but Dom always gets the crew ready to play under the lights and against Adrian. 

I think Hope is the team to beat, with Adrian a close second.....then again, last year I thought a couple teams were the one's and they ended up fourth and fifth.  That is why we play the games!

[bulldogalum]

Certainly a great opportunity for Adrian to shine next weekend.  Not only is it homecoming, it's also a night game, which means it will certainly be a great atmosphere for the game.  Olivet also had a chance to gain some confidence this week, letting out some frustration on WLC.  A week from today, we'll find out if either team's abilities are accurately reflected in their record.

[Uncle Rico]

Keep the faith, Deacon Blue.  Keep the faith.      I still think they are moving in the right direction...just a bump along the way.

[miaafbfan]

That's right.  Tri-State is in the midst of a turnaround, and it takes time.  They're making progress.  Winless in 2005, 2 wins in 2006, and they already have 2 this year.  They will win more games yet this season.  It doesn't happen overnight, but it is happening, and that's the important thing.  Keep your chin up.  TSU will be making some noise very soon.

[formerd3db]

D306:

I was at the Hope/Albion game as well.  A beautiful day for a game and, for sure, disappointing for Albion and you alumni in losing on Homecoming.  Yet, indeed, it was a great "barnburner" as usual in recent years between these two teams.

Agree with you that it came down to "who had the ball last".  Yet, the key was clearly Hope's offensive line.  For the first time this season (IMO), they put their mind to it to get the job done.  The last two Hope drives saw them just exploding and burying Albion's D line with the latter getting simply very tired, although certainly Hope's players were also.  So I congratulate them.  Of course, Booko, Jones (RB's) and receivers such as VanErden did a great job as well.

I was impressed with Albion's offensive players, very quick and talented as usual.  However, Hope couldn't make the adjustment on two aspects (which we should have easily) 1) the counter off-tackle run that Albion consistently ran for big yardage - outside containment just wasn't there as people caught up inside and if one of our DL or LB stayed "home" that play would have been jammed up and 2) agree with you about the Hope DB play.  I've pointed that out since the beginning of the season.  Taking nothing away from Albion's receivers as they are excellent, however, when you have your DB's consistently getting beat on simple fly, post patterns or veers because they are not watching and/or anticipating the correct situation, it is frustrating.  Hope has given up the long bomb consistently in all of their games and until that is corrected, it is going to be "an Achilles Heel" for us. 

Anyway, at least for Hope, it was a great win; first one @ Albion since 1982, which is hard to believe - an that nemesis of having a tough time playing down there goes all the way back "to my day" .  Still, a fantastic feeling to be there on a gorgeous late September autumn day and feel the tradition of college football being played at an historic field, campus, etc. and a very nice crowd for Albion (full stands with standing room only on Albion's side) although I was a little disappointed that our visitors side was not full.  Despite the loss, I hope your time visiting former Albion classmates was enjoyable.  I saw several people I knew.

It will be interesting to see what happens./   

[D306]

D3DB

Glad you had a good time at the game this weekend.
I agree the game was controlled by the Hope Oline, and the tough running. I swear Albion had no answer for what to me looked to be 3 set plays over the right side of the OLine.

I felt Albion was playing catch -up all day.

Great game, enjoyed the day.
Hate to say it but I think the better team won the game, Albion had a chance, but Hope made the plays in the 4th quarter.

I still say Albion has to rotate more on D. Can not get tired and have someone run like that. Hope controlled the 4th quarter.
Have some LB shooting gaps, Run Blitz, bring in another speed lineman to shoot B Gap, something...

It was nice to see Albions Oline and offense clicking moved the ball pretty well on the ground as well.
#40 Bacarella (spelling?) runs hard and has some speed.

OK I am done with my little whinning good win and good luck the rest of the season.

[DEACONBLUE]

Uncle Rico & miaafbfan:  your encouraging words helped warm the cold morning light.  It was just so frustrating starting off the "real" season with our shiny new offensive weapons missing.  Let's hope we can get them back soon and start to establish the "Big Six" (HOF  )
Reminded me of that reoccuring dream ex-players have:  (you know the one where you're on the field and suddenly realize you're missing a shoe) - ok, Freudians have at it.   .

HOPE/ALBION:  Wish this would have been a night game, I would have driven over.  They kept announcing D1 scores during the Alma game ...who cares...I wanted the Hope/Albion score!

OLIVET - Ouch!  WLC must have never seen that truck coming. 

.......and ADRIAN just keeps rolling along.  8) 

[D306]

Was driving back from a Business trip to Chicago Monday afternoon.

Blew by Albion and pulled into see if the JV game was still going in the rain.
Put on the Monsoon wear in the trunk like any good football fan carries and braved the weather.

What a mud bowl the game was. Great to see the fans some were still in the stands in the 4th quarter when I pulled up. It was something out of the games you played as a kid, raining so hard you could not grip the ball, the football must have weighed 7 pounds. Passing was tough and many exhanges were bobbled. I was wishing I was a kid again, out on the field I always loved these mud bowl games. A testiment to the Young mens resolve to get out there and concentrate in the driving rain.

Game finished 0-0 after regulation and it was getting too dark to play OT.

I credit the coachs for Alma and Albion for hanging in there and working with the JV on a miserable day. Shows you the commitment coachs have for the game, not to just blow this thing off and say they are saving the players and field for another day.
Albion is traveling this weekend so the field will get a chance to recover.

[ACRULZ]

I would advise everyone to grab a seat to the Adrian/Olivet game this weekend!  I think it will be one helluva game.  It is the Bulldogs homecoming and OC is coming off of a big win!  It will be exciting I hear that Adrian is expecting upwards of 5000 people at the game.  One thing is for sure it will definitely have league title implications!

[bulldogalum]

I'm pretty much physically sick at the thought that I'm going to have to miss this game.  Olivet has had our number in recent years, but if anything can turn it around, it's 5,000+ rowdy Bulldog fans in a homecoming atmosphere on a lovely fall evening. 

In the other games, Albion should be able to get off the mat in a game with WLC, and it will be interesting to see how Tri State fares in a matchup with Kzoo.  I expect the Thunder to respond well.

Hope-Alma will be a similar game to Adrian-Olivet in that it will provide a measuring stick game for both programs.  We already know that Hope is a strong team, but Alma will answer a lot of questions by the way it performs in Holland this weekend.

[HOF]

It does seem like all eyes will be down at Adrian on Saturday night.  That is why I like the MIAA.  Every weekend seems to have one key match-up and this week is down under the lights at Adrian.  A big crowd is always fun to play in front of, especially a homecoming crowd, which I'm sure will be all filled up (with soft drinks I'm sure!..ha)

I have spent some time breaking this one down on the web the last couple of days.

You have the MIAA's number one scoring O (Adrian, 34 ppg) and the number two scoring O (Olivet, 25 ppg).  The MIAA's number one scoring D (Adrian, 11 ppg) and the number two D (Olivet, 20 ppg).  You also have the two best "statistical" D's in the league.  Something has to give.  Either team has giving up much rushing yards per game.
 
Everything is shaping up to be a dandy!

My edge is going to go to Olivet.  Why?  I think they'll be able to rush the ball and control the clock.  Clasegans seems healthy now and eventhough he doesn't seem to be a flashy runner, he is a runner who is patient.  Adrian's D is always good, so it will be tough.  If Olivet can eliminate the big Adrian play, they'll win.  Adrian has scored six TDs this year from 40 yards out or more. 

I'm working on the trip.  I hope to be in attendance and get my first glimpse of all the "new" facilities Adrian is building.

I look forward to ADAWG and ACRULZ outlook on this one. 

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has seen Olivet in action this year.

The Alma at Hope game will be interesting as well....I don't think Cole will let happen this year, as he did last year.  That 20 point lead over the Dutch I'm sure was drilled in their head this week.