FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Raider 68]

Thanks Raider68.  Yes, it has been much more enjoyable this year.  We haven't quite got back to "that level" and before we can go on to "the next level", we still have to have some improvements for next year.  However, our QB Atwell has tremendously improved this year, our running game is good; we need to get some receivers like we had a few recent years ago who "could catch everything and anything" and continue to get some big linemen.  Secondary was better this year than in previous years, but still had some breakdowns.  Anyway, I expect a win against Olivet next weekend, but...as you know, we are playing at their place and it is always a tough game for Hope @ Olivet, especially when it has been the last game or near last game of the season.  Also, Olivet has played pretty well at their home stadium, despite their record.

You guys appear to have had a "barnburner" down there at Mount yesterday.  No disrespcet, but it appears that Mount got lucky and escaped with the win.

adidas:
Thanks for the congrats to our team also.  Yes, it was a beautiful day and great outcome for us both in football and soccer as I mentioned.  No problem with you rooting for Adrian in the sense that it would have been nice to have a possible 2nd team be selected for the playoffs.  As neat as that would have been for our MIAA, still deep down and obviously I could not root for that at all i.e. rooting for Hope all the way!   With that said, I will obviously be rooting for Trine next weekend.  If both Hope and Trine win, we get to share the title and that would be huge for our program, the players and our coaching staff (not to forget mentioning our fans! ).

Regarding your question about Albion's chances against either Mount or Whitwater, as much as I'd like to see our MIAA representative advance in the playoffs, I think their chances are "little or none" , unfortunately.  But... as we all know, anything can happen on any Saturday.

formerd3db,

See my post on the OAC board  in reference to................it appears that Mount got lucky and escaped with the win.

[sac]

hopewatcher:
Excellent post and I think your summary/analysis of the game is "right on".  Indeed, the attitude is what made the difference.  Also, we both agree about next weekend at Olivet!  I am hoping and praying for one last great weather Saturday!

early forecast is for partly sunny and 49

[formerd3db]

hopewatcher:
Excellent post and I think your summary/analysis of the game is "right on".  Indeed, the attitude is what made the difference.  Also, we both agree about next weekend at Olivet!  I am hoping and praying for one last great weather Saturday!

early forecast is for partly sunny and 49

I could go for that without question!

[BOYA87]

Havent seen a Trine game summary yet so here it goes.

Absolutely beautiful day at Zollner Stadium and great turn out in the stands for senior day.  Campus was alive with visiting students and football recruits for the game and they had a great day to visit.

Trine looked to be pretty well in control the hole game although when it came time to put the dagger in them, they lacked the capacity to finish them off.  Kalamazoo being a much improved team showed a little life at the end of the game to maybe put a small shadow of doubt into Trines mind (could we really be letting this one slip away too?!)  but Trine's defense proved too strong and they played pretty well for the majority of the game.

Again not to poke at an old sensitive subject but the biggest weakness looked to be protection for the passing game.  Ryan showed a lot of improvement in this game under pressure.  He wasnt taking sacks and did a great job escaping pressure and picking up a couple yards at a time with his legs.  Again towards the end it looked like mental toughness slipped away a little as personal foul calls gave Kzoo the chance to make some plays and get back in the game.

I watched with some of the recruits and was pretty lucky to be able to sit and talk football with a bunch of high schoolers who love the game.  They were impressed with the team, facilities, and the gameday atmosphere!  I am obviously bias but I love being able to show our campus off to new people, ESPECIALLY new students!

Good win Thunder!  Next weekend is going to be a big game for our momentum going into next year!

[ThunderHead]

Boya I agree with the assessment of the offense.

I didn't think the defensive backs were all that good for Trine, and Kzoo did a lot to hurt themselves. I really thought the Kzoo QB did well, he had a strong arm and was well composed. Both QB's made some mental errors, but overall both guys played well.

I didn't think the attendance was all that good from where I was sitting, the section I was in was quite sparse, plenty of empty seats, but then again, maybe it full on the other side. 

The guys I know well graduated, so I was there mainly for parents day. Albion will be a good opponent for Trine next week, and I think overall they're a better team then Trine this season. Though I don't see them winning by much, Trine really struggles against scat back type of runner and guys who throw well against zones. I think Albion posses both of these types of players, plus the games at home for them.

All in all, not a bad year for Trine.

[ThunderHead]

but it was a great day for football!

[formerd3db]

I realize it is only Monday, however, early predictions for Saturday anyone?  Hope@Olivet, Alma@Adrian, Trine@Albion.  I am going out on a limb and saying that Hope, Adrian and Trine all win, with Trine pulling the upset against Albion and giving us (Hope) at co-championship.

[adidas28]

I realize it is only Monday, however, early predictions for Saturday anyone?  Hope@Olivet, Alma@Adrian, Trine@Albion.  I am going out on a limb and saying that Hope, Adrian and Trine all win, with Trine pulling the upset against Albion and giving us (Hope) at co-championship.

I am going to drink the blue kool-aid again and pick Trine in the upset of Albion by a touchdown, and pick both Hope and Adrian to win by as much as they want to.

[Uncle Rico]

Great minds DO think alike, and I also feel that Trine, Hope, and Adrian win.  I admit that I would like to see Adrian lose, however, simply so that Trine can leapfrog them in the MIAA standings (assuming Trine beats Albion).   

[sflzman]

I picked all the road teams this week....go Scots! lol - guess who's not going to be getting 6 pick'ems points from the MIAA? This guy! 

[ThunderHead]

Not to go against the grain, but I've already stated this, so I might as well stick by it, I think Albion wins a close one. Home field, a conference championship on the line, ect...plus Trine's inability to really contain scat backs, I think Orr has a big day and leads Albion to a win.

I think Hope wins and Adrian wins to finish out strong. Congrats to everyone on an exciting year. And thanks to all you guys for the fun commentary during the season. 

[formerd3db]

Okay, that's more like it guys!  I thought you all had taken a hiatus or something, just because...well, kazoo was done and Albion has the AQ.  But, as that saying goes..."it isn't over until it's over" or is it "it isn't over until the fat lady sings" or both??

sflzman:
I see you like to play the odds! Not bad for a young guy! +k to you!

ThunderHead:
Yes, it has been fun, even when we've all disagreed at times.   So, okay now, just because the MIAA season itself is soon to be done, doesn't mean you have to go AWOL on us here.

And Uncle Rico:
I can see your point (i.e. about Adrian losing!)

[Mr. Ypsi]

A bit of wisdom (which, alas, I will forget by next year ) I gleaned from looking over past records this evening:

What you do against IWU doesn't predict squat!

The last four years IWU has faced both Hope and Alma.  Two years went sort of to form; two years made no sense:

2008: Titans over Hope by 3; over Scots by 14.  Hope beat Alma, but how in the world did Hope lose six more straight games before somwhat salvaging the season?!  I was IN Holland (and was never terribly worried we would lose), but figured Hope as a contender if not the favorite.

2009: IWU again by 3 over Hope; crushed Alma by 36.  Both went 3-3 in conference, but Alma beat Hope.

2010: IWU by 4 over the Dutch, by 21 over the Scots.  Hope crunches the Scots, 38-0.

2011: the craziest yet: IWU stomps out all Hope (pun intended), 35-0; survives Alma by 8 (Scots had the ball late on the IWU 2, but fumbled).  As any Titan fan attending the Alma game would (NOT!) have predicted, Hope goes on to a probable 5-1 record (perhaps a co-champ), while Alma stumbles to a 1-5 or 2-4 record, including being thrashed by Hope, 38-15.

Do NOT put any stock in what happens against IWU!

[Flying Dutchman56]

I was just looking at the Albion stats verse Depauw, was there a reason that Orr and Krauss didn't play?  Injuries?  That clearly had a huge effect on the offense with Albion putting up 3 points.  Will they be playing on Saturday/ the playoff's I wonder?

[Raider 68]

I realize it is only Monday, however, early predictions for Saturday anyone?  Hope@Olivet, Alma@Adrian, Trine@Albion.  I am going out on a limb and saying that Hope, Adrian and Trine all win, with Trine pulling the upset against Albion and giving us (Hope) at co-championship.

formerd3db,

Your predictions may be the consensus picks. with the Trine/Albion game being the one that some will go the other way!