FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

BOYA87 · October 16, 2009, 09:33:16 AM

haha knowing diezel personally this is a VERY uneducated guess, haha.

But I cant wait to see the box score of that Alma vs Kzoo game. Maybe it wont be as high scoring as this region has had crapy weather for the last 2 weeks, but should still be an exciting matchup.

UPSET ALERT!

3 years ago a winless Tri-State team went into an undefeated Olivet team to get their first win in 18 games (I think that was the number) ruining their chances for a conference title. Dont think that Olivet has forgoten this. Now the tables have turned with Trine undefeated in the conference and Olivet searching for any sign of hope. I think this Trine team is too disciplined to let a game like this slip, but it is something to think about going into Saturday.

LetItRain · October 16, 2009, 03:27:46 PM

BOYA87 - I would never have expected a comment like that from you!! Where is your loyalty???

Trine cannot take Olivet (or any team) lightly, that's for sure. In MIAA it's always "any given Saturday...".

BOYA87 · October 16, 2009, 04:17:55 PM

Oh trust me, I am simply pointing out a fact that these two teams are already very aware off. I just thought I would share it with the board some of which may not remember this game. I dont think Trine will let this one slip by, but it is definitely something the teams have talked about.

I cant wait to get back to Angola and catch some Thuder football!

Diezel1 · October 16, 2009, 04:35:03 PM

Quote from: BOYA87 on October 16, 2009, 04:17:55 PM
Oh trust me, I am simply pointing out a fact that these two teams are already very aware off. I just thought I would share it with the board some of which may not remember this game. I dont think Trine will let this one slip by, but it is definitely something the teams have talked about.

I cant wait to get back to Angola and catch some Thuder football!

HAHA!!!! And I'm that uneducated??? Atleast I can spell THUNDER!!! But, I too think the coaches at Olivet haven't forgotten about that game and neither have the coaches at Trine. I don't think you can compare the talent of the two teams from then and now though.

BoredatWork56 · October 17, 2009, 10:01:17 AM

My last minute picks of the week:

Adrain 35 - Albion 10

Kzoo 42 - Alma 38

Trine 31 - Olivet 7

Adrain and Trine should stay on track for the showdown in Angola the last week of the year, (I hope). And I expect the Kzoo - Alma game to come down to who ever has the ball last in a game that will probably feature the most passing yards by any two teams this season.

BoredatWork56 · October 18, 2009, 05:50:33 PM

Although Trine won big over Olivet, 42-17, Olivet outplayed Trine for 40 minutes of that game. The first quarter was what you would expect from the Trine team, scoring on their first three drives with a very balanced offense. The score was 21-0 after one, but it could have been worse as a long touchdown pass was called back due to a holding call.

After that, Olivet flat outplayed the Thunder, holding a 17-14 scoreing edge over the next 35 minutes of the game. Trine uncharacteristically missed tackles, committed stupid penalties and made mental errors. Finally, the Defence made a big play with about 5 minutes to go in the game to deny Olivet a score in the red zone, and seemed to light a fire under the team, who returned to their typical play and finished the game strong with a touchdown in the final two minutes. I dont know if they got lulled to sleep by a big early lead, or if it was one of those games where you just dont have it. Either way, Trine cant afford to have a full 60 minutes like that or they will give a game away.

Elsewhere around the league, the Alma-Kzoo game featured over 950 yards of offense. I bet it was an exciting game to watch. it sounds like Almas 200+ yards on the ground was the difference maker.

Congrats to the Brittons on knocking off Adrian. Sounded like a thrilling finish with Albion scoring the go ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining. For anyone who was there, I would like to know how that game went down. Did Albion take it to Adrian, or did Adrian let one slip away?

D306 · October 18, 2009, 06:43:55 PM

56

I would say neither team took it to the other.
Defenses played well on both sides.
Each team missed 2 FG's
Early I would say Adrian was moving the ball in the in-between the 20's but failed to capitalize on thier opportunities and 4 Interceptions. Adrian had field position early with the turnovers. Adrain went in with a lead at Halftime after a nice TD run and a FG.
The second half of the game Albion scored on a pick 6. Brits defense has been strong this year.
A Adrian turnover gave the Brits good field position the Adrian defense held strong forcing a FG.
Adrian forced a turnnover deep in Albion territory the Brits defense held again forcing a FG.
The 4th quarter Albion's run game, screens, and swing passes in the flats moved the ball.
Late in the 4th Albion drove 60 + yards completing on 2, 4 downs.
The first at the Bulldogs 35 or so on a QB sneak.
The Bulldogs then stiffend again forcing another 4th and 3 for Albion. with less than 2 minutes on the clock.
Albion called a naked bootleg, and QB had the option to run or throw, QB swung wide and was running for a close call with the game on the line DB came up to challenge QB, Albion TE came free on a crossing pattern after a "chip Block" on DE.
QB hit TE at about the 25 and he took it in unchallenged.

Adrian drove furiously down the field with quick sideline passes, and smart routes to step out of bounds. Adrian drove to the Brits 25-30 or so, the wind was blowing straight on so Adrian tried to pick up a few more yards with 38 seconds left on the clock. Albion DB who had made the interception for a TD earlier made a diving interception on a pass in the middle of the field at the 3 or 4 yardline.
Albion took a knee a few times forcing Adrian to use their timeouts and the clock ran out.

Intense game, numerous turnovers and hard hitting game.

I felt both defenses played very well, while both offenses moved the ball in the middle of the field but struggled to capitalize on turnovers or in the RED ZONE with misses FG's.

Big Game for Adrian next week at Hope, the Dogs need the win to keep in the running for the league title, and a end of year showdown with Trine.

Albion interestingly enough needs the Dogs to win this weekend as well, after a close loss to Hope the Brits are "hoping" for a Adrian win,

Things are heating up in the MIAA every game is critical and there is no freebies out there right now.

formerd3db · October 19, 2009, 07:39:17 PM

Well, we (Hope) have a "bye" weekend, I go away for the same, and, "wow"... the situation changes "just like that"! A surprising loss by Adrian, although, in reality, it really isn't, or at least shouldn't be a surprise. I say that because we all know that the MIAA race in this decade of the 2000's, almost always turns into a "free for all" near the end such that four teams usually have a shot at it.

On paper and in review of the last six weeks, as has been mentioned, Hope "should" be more than good enough to win the game against Adrian. Yet, that will not be "a given" nor will it be an easy task. Hope better bring their "A" game because Adrian will be in full steam for a tough game and especially since they lost to a not so great Albion team. As all of you have mentioned, no MIAA team that is in the race for the title at this point can afford to take any game lightly. One loss and their officially done so to speak. Another aspect that I think could certainly lurk in the background - is it possible that our eventual MIAA champion (such as Hope or Alma or even Albion just to cite examples) in representing our league in the NCAA playoffs could have an overall losing record or at the very least be 5-5? Although less likely to happen, that would be a very strange (actually weird) situation if it did occur - perhaps even a first for all of Div III.

Anyway, as has already been noted by several of you, this Saturday will obviously sort this race out even more. Your picks this week will be interesting. I'll post mine later this week.

BOYA87 · October 20, 2009, 03:05:20 PM

its amazing how just like that, the conference can get turned on its head. Trine now has control of the league which is dangerous because now the target on their back is bigger than ever! A lot of these teams (Albion, Adrian, Hope) NEED Trine to lose a game and luckily 2 of those teams are going to have a shot to do it themselves (Albion and Adrian).

I think it becomes more important now than ever for teams to focus on one team at a time and to only focus on the things they can control (winning their own games) and not worry about the things they cant control (who is beating who in the conference).

I hope I get to make it up to Trine to finally see this Kzoo team in action but im still not sure if I will be able to make it there. If I dont make it....GO THUNDER!

ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE · October 20, 2009, 09:07:05 PM

formerd3db:

Thinking of making the trip up to Holland this week to see the game. Depending on if I have some ride alongs with me or not will be the key, but i figured if give a heads up.

sac · October 21, 2009, 11:23:04 AM

Your special teams tips of the week............play to the whistle and don't catch field goals if you don't have to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS1vkS_bv-c you can quit watching at 2 min

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1JpJ53FbXg&feature=player_embedded you can also quit watching at 2 min

formerd3db · October 21, 2009, 06:20:30 PM

ADAWG:

Indeed, let me know if you are going to be able to make the trip. I am only going to be able to cover the first half of the game because my brother is being inducted as an individual into our high school athletic Hall of Fame that evening (he is already in his college athletic Hall of Fame as a team member) and I have to be over in Flint by 6:00 PM. That is one crazy (perhaps "insane") drive having to first go over to Holland, then back and then on to Flint, all within a 7 hour time frame

, but I'm up to the task and have done even longer (worse

) trips in a similar fashion! Thus, I'll have to leave by halftime, by 3:00 PM at the latest, although the first half should be done by then. Anyway, if you end up coming to the game, I'll make sure I get there early enough (i.e. earlier than usual) so that we can have a chance to visit for a few minutes before the actual start. Again, just let me know and we can discuss more details later.

BTW, what is your prediction for the game? Not to put you (or me

) on the spot, but just curious. In all honesty, while I obviously hope that we(HOPE) win the game, it will be a tough one and it could possibly go either way. It all depends on who wants it the most/who is fired up the most, who obviously makes the least mistakes and just plain whoever plays with "controlled, reckless abandon" to borrow the phrase made famous by my former coach at Hope!

ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE · October 21, 2009, 10:19:19 PM

formerd3db:

Ill post my prediction tomorrow, I have tried twice now and somehow accidentally backpaged deleting it both times and am getting a bit frustrated with my keyboard at the moment so I think I'm going to call it a night.

BoredatWork56 · October 22, 2009, 12:26:13 PM

Here are my picks of the week.

Trine 42 - Kzoo 24. Trine returns to form with a good game against the high powered Kzoo passing attack.

Alma 35 - Olivet 14. Alma will jump to an early lead and coasts to the finish.

Adrian 31 - Hope 30. By far the best match up of the week. Could go either way, but I see Adrian winning a close one.

Albion 21 - Marion 14. Dont know much about Marion, so its a flat out guess on this one.

BoredatWork56 · October 22, 2009, 03:34:48 PM

I was sorting through some stats and came across some evidence that points to Trine and Kalamazoo racking up some huge numbers this Saturday.

Kalamazoo D has two of the worst defensive performances of the year nationally, giving up the 72nd and 6th highest offensive outputs of the year. Trine on the other hand has two of the top 130 offensive games in the country (130 and 107)

Luczak has posted 5 of the top 33 individual passing performances, including 7th and 8th, while leading the number 3 passing O in the nation. Trine is 220th in the country in pass defense.

Trine has the 23rd best rushing attack, while Kzoo gives up over 180 yards per game. Expect that number to go up, because Kzoo has only faced 2 teams in the top 100 teams in total rushing. The highest being 73rd ranked Manchester.

The only thing that gives me hope that Trines secondary wont get torched, is that they held McGrady (who has the highest single game passing total in the nation) to his second lowest passing total of the year, 215 yards.