FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I put together a quick review of the non-conference teams that the MIAA teams will be playing:

School	Opp 07 Record	Opp 07 Win %	Opp Conferences
Adrian	21 - 19	0.525	OAC, HCAC(2 teams), Ind
Albion	21 - 22	0.488	Pioneer (DIAA), PAC, CCIW, IIAC
Alma	18 - 22	0.450	HCAC, CCIW, NATCH, WIAC
Hope	31 - 11	0.738	CCIW(3 teams), WIAC
Kalamazoo	15 - 25	0.375	NCAC, NATCH, HCAC(2 teams)
Olivet	26 - 16	0.619	NCAC, CCIW(2 teams), NATCH
Trine	19 - 18	0.514	HCAC (3 teams), Ind

Blufton (1-9 in 2007)is the most common opponent - playing Adrian, Alma, and Kalamazoo. 

The CCIW is the best represented conference, with 6 of the 8 teams playing MIAA opponents - only North Park and Augustana are not playing MIAA schools

[formerd3db]

FDF:
Not to be picky, however, Albion's first game non-league opponent Butler's football team is a member of the Pioneer League, the DIAA non-scholarship league; their basketball DI scholarship team plays in the other league.

[miaafbfan]

It's time to start picking this week's games:

Saturday, September 6
Adrian at Capital, Ohio, 1:30 p.m. ET    Capital
Butler, Ind. at Albion, 1 p.m. ET    Butler
Bluffton, Ohio at Alma, 2 p.m. ET    Alma
Illinois Wesleyan at Hope, 1:30 p.m. ET    Hope
Denison, Ohio at Kalamazoo, 1 p.m. ET    Denison
Olivet at Wittenberg, Ohio, 7 p.m. ET    Witt
Manchester, Ind. at Trine, 12:30 p.m. ET   Trine

[D306]

MIAAFBFAN


Nice list, I wish I could post something different for conversations sake but these are pretty clear choices to me.
The only game I do not know enough about would be Manchester IND vs Trine. I do not have any feel for Manchester team

[Rhino_05]

Greetings from IIAC-land.  I'm a Central guy wondering what there is to do in Albion on Friday nights before we come up in a few weeks.  Also, what kind of tailgating goes on over there?  Thanks!

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Rhino_05

Cascarellis is a decent place to gather for drinks and food, college kids hang out there, but its a nice place.  If you really want to go classy you can hit up the Phoenix if its still open, thats a great place.  SUPERBOWL!!!!!

WEEKLY PICKS

Adrian @ Capital       Adrian
Butler @ Albion        Albion
Bluffton @ Alma        Alma
IWU @ Hope             Hope
Denison @ Kzoo        Denison
Olivet @ Wittenberg   Wittenberg
Manchester @ Trine    Trine

Adrian -  Expecting big things from Adrian this fall.  From all I hear very fast, very quick and very talented, impact players all over on offense and a solid defense with what seems to be great depth and skill.  This could be the year they go over the top.
Albion - Rebuilding year, I woulndt look for Albion to be down for to long, great track record from Rundle and an infusion of younger high energy coaches along with some good incoming talent and returners should help out.
Alma - Big time offense, good QB's and always solid running game, Defense always fast and downhill, needs to limit mistakes.
Hope - Hope is hope, solid football program always fundamentally strong, brings alot to the table and any team who plays them will have to work hard not to beat themselves.
KZOO - Could be another long year for the Hornets
Olivet - Alot coming back as always seems to be the case, but which Olivet will show up.
Trine - Big things from Trine, solid fast and young.  Good coaching staff who has a system and style they believe in, if they are going to make it over the hump this should be the year.

This is not a predicted order of finish, just another quick update on how I see the teams looking.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

FDF:
Not to be picky, however, Albion's first game non-league opponent Butler's football team is a member of the Pioneer League, the DIAA non-scholarship league; their basketball DI scholarship team plays in the other league.

Thanks for catching that (I've corrected my post). 

FYI - I don't consider accuracy to be picky   

[HOF]

ADAWG good to hear from you...been sometime...

Weekly Picks
Adrian @ Capital:  Capital.  Home field, QB returning form injury, 14 starters back from a team that lost to just Mount and Whitewater last year.  I hope Adrian plays tough and wins, but it just seems like a very tough game.  Good opener.

Bluffton @ Alma:  Alma.  Bluffton was bad last year and I don't see them getting better especially with a new staff in place.  Whatever happen to the MIAA guys that were up for this job?  Did they not get it, turn it down?  That would've been interesting to see some MIAA guys coaching this team and having their first game be some MIAA teams.

Butler @ Albion:  Albion.  Albion and Rundle will rebound.  Like ADAWG said, they weren't very good last year, but only lost several games by tight margins, I believe.  I like Albion this year.   If they don't win, I see Rundle moving on.

IWU @ Hope:  IWU.  Nothing against Hope but they still won't win the non conference this year, but watch them be right in the thick when the chips are on the table this fall.

Denison @ Kzoo:  Denison.  Kzoo has young alum Zorbo coaching them.  They'll get better, but what is better...4-6?  The Big Red roll in this one.

Olivet @ Wittenberg:  Wittenberg.  I like Olivet, defending league champs, Dom is a good coach...but Witt at home is tough!

Manchester @ Trine.  Trine.  Manchester is weak, terrible and bad.  Trine rolls.

[hope1]

ok my picks for this week

Capitail
bulter
alma
hope
witt
deision
trine

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I've considered making my picks, but really don't know the football scene well enough (although those who have seen my hoops picks wonder why it hasn't stopped me there). 

Got a lot of work to get done in the next few days if I'm going to make it to the Hope game on Saturday, but I ususally seem to find a way.  Sounds like the weather should be fine (not nearly as hot as last years opener). 

[Uncle Rico]

Can't sleep...too excited for the first game.

I don't know the non-division opponents very well at all, so I won't even try to make predictions other than I think Trine will win.  I admit I am biased, but having seen them in scrimmage and the fact that they return so many key players has me believing they are going to take this one.

[hope1]

nice weathear today for the first foobtall game yes

[JK]

Cap gets a pick-6 for a TD.  Unsportsmanlike after the TD makes it a 35 yd extra point that is blocked.

20-0 Cap

[JK]

Capital comes up with a goal line stand after Adrian had first-and-goal at the 2 just before half.

20-0 Cap at halftime

[JK]

Assman to Alexander again.  PAT good, Cap 27-0 over Adrian.