FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Section7:

Perhaps it would be unacceptable if Kreps didnt have such a stellar record in MIAA play.  In his 14 years at Hope Dean Kreps has only finished outside of 1st or 2nd in the MIAA twice.  I think there are several schools in the MIAA that wouldnt mind having that type of unacceptable coaching in a 14 year period.  In that period Kreps is 68-22 in MIAA play. 

[Raider 68]

How will Trine do against Franklin this Saturday? 

[section7]

I guess my question regarding the football program and the head coach is, why do the other sports at Hope maintain a great MIAA record and in most cases stellar non-conference record (ie. Basketball (M&W), soccer, golf, baseball, softball, etc.) but our football program continues to lag and not be competitive with the "tougher" schools.  I understand the football program has performed well in the MIAA and I am glad for this.  But we all know, the MIAA is a weak at best Div III conference, which makes my question even more poignant.

Also, look at all the close games that Hope continues to lose (non-conf or MIAA).  That has to have something to do with coaching, my observation, clock management.

BTW, thanks for the negative karma, for raising a realistic observation.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

section7 - Now that's a really good question.  I suspect the answers will be roughly the same discussion that's been going on about the MIAA's recruiting difficulties - at least in my mind that's what it is.   Comparing to the other sports is tough - the talent pool of who is available to recruit is so different from one sport to the next - plus the legacy of certain sports and facilities all contribute. 

I agree that losing 3 close games begs the question of why the team can't seem to "finish".  No doubt the streak of non-conf losses puts added pressure on the team. 

I for one, would love to hear others input on this..

Regarding your karma - IMHO had you asked your original question like you did in the previous post, I suspect you wouldn't have lost any karma (certainly not from me, but then I wasn't the only one who smited you).  Comparing Hope to the Detroit Lions was a really low blow.  If karma is important to you, then you shouldn't make those kinds of comments.

[sac]

Have the Flying Dutchmen taken on the look of the Detroit Lions?

Dutch is much more stylish, Roary looks like he rolled out of bed late for his 8am psych class.

.......and there is no comparison between one of the worst all time stretches in NFL history, and a bad stretch of non-conference games vs exceptionally good quality opponents for your level.

[section7]

section7 - Now that's a really good question.  I suspect the answers will be roughly the same discussion that's been going on about the MIAA's recruiting difficulties - at least in my mind that's what it is.   Comparing to the other sports is tough - the talent pool of who is available to recruit is so different from one sport to the next - plus the legacy of certain sports and facilities all contribute. 

I agree that losing 3 close games begs the question of why the team can't seem to "finish".  No doubt the streak of non-conf losses puts added pressure on the team. 

I for one, would love to hear others input on this..

Regarding your karma - IMHO had you asked your original question like you did in the previous post, I suspect you wouldn't have lost any karma (certainly not from me, but then I wasn't the only one who smited you).  Comparing Hope to the Detroit Lions was a really low blow.  If karma is important to you, then you shouldn't make those kinds of comments.

Lol FDF, do not really care about the karma, was just making the observation.

The comparison was the Lion's losing streak = Hope's losing streak which are both (dreadfully) impressive.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Section7:

I think the difference that needs to be pointed out here is that the Lions have a terrible losing streak ongoing, with no wins in the mix.  Hope on the other hand does not.  The caliber of teams that Hope plays in the non MIAA schedule far outpaces what the rest of the league has been doing for years.  One would assume there would be a point where this caught up or where Hope came out on top, as of yet it doesnt look like it.  I think the big thing for Hope from these games is playing at a higher level of competition and being prepared for whatever comes at them in the MIAA.  Realistically those games dont matter only the 6 (used to be 7) that occur in the MIAA do.  If you win those games everything else is water under the bridge, you get the title and a berth to the playoffs with experience against better competition to boot.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

An addendum to my previous post.  Hope has a very strong tradition in basketball, not that football doesnt.  But Hope college basketball is nationally known in the DIII circuit which aids greatly.  It also doesnt hurt that they have the best facilities for a DIII basketball team that I am aware of.  That grants them a huge edge that the football team doesnt have, as they still play at a municipal stadium.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

The comparison was the Lion's losing streak = Hope's losing streak which are both (dreadfully) impressive.

Sorry - but that's not even in the same continent as a valid comparison


ADAWG - very well said in both posts

[BOYA87]

How will Trine do against Franklin this Saturday? 

Trine @ Franklin this week, a game that should be in the spotlight of Midwest match-ups if not in the national spotlight.  Trine just poked through into the Top 25 coming in at 22 this week, just 2 paces off from where the Thunder finished last years season.  The Grizzlies come into the week caught on the outside looking in barely missing the top 25 and getting an honorable mention at 26th in the vote getting.

As far as game analysis, it's hard for me to say.  Trine has look great (see Defiance game) and Trine has looked out of sync and struggling (see Manchester Game).  However I do feel like they have found their rhythm and will be bringing that style of play into Franklin. 

Franklin seems like they have a lot of new faces on their Defense unless some players changed their numbers from last year that I no longer recognize.  They are a great program though and I fully expect them to fill spots with quality players. 

However, there is always the mental side of football that can play a huge role in any game and that is what Trine must overcome at Franklin.  It is a long grass field with holes here and there.  The weather is always hot and the fans are always mean.  But in the end the field is 100 yards long and they are only playing with 11 men on the field...just like us.  I would love to see the Thunder go in there and show that they deserve to be ranked in the nation and show that last year was more than just a one hit wonder.

The game will come down to turnovers (revolutionary idea, I know).  The Thunder defense has not been getting many takeaways, but their offense has also done a great job holding onto the ball and not giving it up.  If they can maintain this formula they should come out on top this weekend.  Although I would like to see the defense get a couple picks or fumbles just to be safe. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

How will Trine do against Franklin this Saturday? 

BOYA87 gave a good summary - I'd concur with pretty much everything.

This game does seem to be giving fits to the oddsmakers.  It is a 'national game of interest' on both OAC and NCAC pickems, and I can't recall HSCoach and wally_wabash ever disagreeing so much on a spread.  OAC favors Trine by 8.5; NCAC favors Franklin by 6.5!  If I did spreads on the MIAA pickems (which I don't - straight up is tough enough!), I'd put Trine up by 2.5, allowing for home-field advantage for Franklin (or, possibly, 4.5 to allow for MIAA home-'field' picking ).  (In light of that, I'll pick Franklin on OAC, but Trine on both NCAC and MIAA.)

[Raider 68]

How will Trine do against Franklin this Saturday? 

Trine @ Franklin this week, a game that should be in the spotlight of Midwest match-ups if not in the national spotlight.  Trine just poked through into the Top 25 coming in at 22 this week, just 2 paces off from where the Thunder finished last years season.  The Grizzlies come into the week caught on the outside looking in barely missing the top 25 and getting an honorable mention at 26th in the vote getting.

As far as game analysis, it’s hard for me to say.  Trine has look great (see Defiance game) and Trine has looked out of sync and struggling (see Manchester Game).  However I do feel like they have found their rhythm and will be bringing that style of play into Franklin. 

Franklin seems like they have a lot of new faces on their Defense unless some players changed their numbers from last year that I no longer recognize.  They are a great program though and I fully expect them to fill spots with quality players. 

However, there is always the mental side of football that can play a huge role in any game and that is what Trine must overcome at Franklin.  It is a long grass field with holes here and there.  The weather is always hot and the fans are always mean.  But in the end the field is 100 yards long and they are only playing with 11 men on the field…just like us.  I would love to see the Thunder go in there and show that they deserve to be ranked in the nation and show that last year was more than just a one hit wonder.

The game will come down to turnovers (revolutionary idea, I know).  The Thunder defense has not been getting many takeaways, but their offense has also done a great job holding onto the ball and not giving it up.  If they can maintain this formula they should come out on top this weekend.  Although I would like to see the defense get a couple picks or fumbles just to be safe. 

How will Trine do against Franklin this Saturday? 

BOYA87 gave a good summary - I'd concur with pretty much everything.

This game does seem to be giving fits to the oddsmakers.  It is a 'national game of interest' on both OAC and NCAC pickems, and I can't recall HSCoach and wally_wabash ever disagreeing so much on a spread.  OAC favors Trine by 8.5; NCAC favors Franklin by 6.5!  If I did spreads on the MIAA pickems (which I don't - straight up is tough enough!), I'd put Trine up by 2.5, allowing for home-field advantage for Franklin (or, possibly, 4.5 to allow for MIAA home-'field' picking ).  (In light of that, I'll pick Franklin on OAC, but Trine on both NCAC and MIAA.)

You guys pretty well captured it. I agree it will be a toss up and turnovers could and usually do. I also think it will have a strong influence on the remainder of the season for both schools. We'll see!

Thanks!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Since it is only mid-week, I hope no one will mind a diversion.  The topic of EMU football has been discussed on here a few times (can they ever be competitive; should they drop down from 1A - which, if they can't improve attendance, may happen whether they choose it or not).

I was just looking over the MAC all-time records, and was mildly surprised to see that EMU is NOT the overall worst team.  Of current members, Buffalo is by far the worst at an all-time winning record of .225, and has never even competed for a title.  Kent St. is at .328, having won one title almost 40 years ago.  EMU, while perennial doormats recently, did win ONE title (1987) and is 3rd worst at .343.

Three former members were also worse.  Butler won exactly 1 game in their 3 seasons (1947-49), to finish at .091.  Western Reserve (now half of d3 Case Western Reserve) went .314 from 1947-54.  Most satisfyingly, Central Florida (who openly boasted that they would condescend to dominate the MAC for a while before joining a 'real' conference and becoming peers with Florida, FSU, and Miami) went .333 from 2002-04, before slinking off to Conference USA.

[sac]

Buffalo has only been a member of the MAC since 1999. 

Buffalo dropped football in 1971, reinstated it in 1978 as a Division III program, then went 1-AA in 1985 where they stayed until they went for the bigtime and rejoined Division 1 and  the MAC in 1999.



.....by the way not to burst your chest thumping Ypsi, but since 1999, Buffalo ranks #117 in win %, Eastern Michigan #111    ..........at least Eastern is 3-0 vs Buffalo in that time frame.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Buffalo has only been a member of the MAC since 1999. 

Buffalo dropped football in 1971, reinstated it in 1978 as a Division III program, then went 1-AA in 1985 where they stayed until they went for the bigtime and rejoined Division 1 and  the MAC in 1999.



.....by the way not to burst your chest thumping Ypsi, but since 1999, Buffalo ranks #117 in win %, Eastern Michigan #111    ..........at least Eastern is 3-0 vs Buffalo in that time frame.

Hardly chest thumping!

Aside from Buffalo, I was surprised we were not THE worst!

(And I admit I WAS delighted by the flop of UCF. 8))