FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Pains me to say, but best wishs to Albion against Whitewater. Knocking off a one seed would be a huge boost for the MIAA as a whole and help to establish a better reputation for the future. It will be a tough go as Whitewater is the cream of the crop for Division III, but hopefully Albion can make some noise!

[formerd3db]

sflzman:

I understand your reasoning.  However, regarding the U.P., Alma will now have to contend with recruiting against Finlandia, which is adding DIII football.  They will have the inside track for regional recruits, including Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Also, Alma still has to recruit against Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan and as they are DII schools as you know, the scholarship offer to potential recruits works against Alma there.  Of course, is someone up there wants to "get away fromt the home area" and come all the way down to Alma, that is still viable for Alma to obtain recruits.  However, that is a long distance and again, with the new program and the scholarship programs, those opportunities will be a tough option to beat, IMO.  No that it can't be done, however, I'm just pointing out the challanges/difficulties facing that process.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Re: Alma recruiting the UP.  Yeah, but if they want to escape Siberia into the sunny south, Alma is the first stop!

[I love the UP, but only about two months of the year! ]

[RuleBritannia]

Hello everyone! I've returned from my season long hiatus to give my appraisal of the 2011 MIAA and to leave my two cents worth, as well as offer some things to look forward to in 2012.

First off, this was probably the most interesting race we've had since the Hope/Olivet split in 2007. (It's hard to believe Olivet won a conference title as little as four years ago). A lot of people seem to want to say this means the conference is "better". The MIAA is certainly more competitive, I'm not sure that means it's better. In my mind, better means have teams that are more talented and have superior play. Certainly some teams improved from last year, while a few teams regressed, but in terms of the top of the league, 2011 Albion is not as good a team as 2010 Trine. 2011 Albion is better than 2010 Albion, but not that much better. The improvement of Albion and Hope from a season ago do not make up for the regression of Trine from last season. It's certainly nice to have an interesting league race, but if this is taken as signs of a league that's going to be more competitive NATIONALLY, I think you're reading the tea leaves wrong in that respect. Sorry 

My thoughts on this years teams, and what to look for next year:

Albion: It's always nice when the Alma Mater wins a league championship.  I have to say, of course I'm biased, but I'm a little surprised at the surprise of Albion success this year. In my mind with Albion being second last year, and returning the bulk of their team, including two all-Americans, I thought it was simply a matter of whether Trine regressed enough to the point of falling behind Albion. Once Trine lost to Albion, I figured the title was ours to lose.

In 2012: Albion will repeat as conference champions. With as many as 17 starters returning, 10 on offense, including Spencer Krauss and Clintor Orr, I feel confident in predicting that the British Empire will last for at least two years. 

Hope: I can say I honestly did not see their improvement coming. With only one starter returning on offense, I figured this would be an outfit that would struggle to score all year. Kudos to coach Kreps and the Hope staff is making huge strides in developing the offense. This must have been a fairly satisfying year for Hope fans after their recent struggles.

In 2012: Hope will finish second again, but be an improved team. If Michael Atwell  continues to progress, Hope will be a formidable opponent next year. Their game at Albion should determine the league crown. Unfortunately for the Flying Dutchmen, that game will be in Albion, a place Hope has struggled to win in recent history.

Adrian: I'm not entirely sure how much this team actually improved from last year. Going into the season, I figured they'd be about the same. Then they started 7-0 and were the talk of the league. But now at 4-2 in the conference, and considering they played a much less challenging schedule this year, it seems they're back about where they started, a solid team, but not at championship level.

In 2012: Adrian will tread water. This team will be a solid outfit, but unless they got an unexpected influx of talent, or make massive improvements, a 3-3 or 4-2 league records looms.

Trine: Personally I think Trine fans are being a little too critical of Coach Land and his staff. I can recall back in 2005 when Albion last one it's championship with Senior Quarterback Steve Wasil. Despite the major parts of that team returning in 2006, Albion struggled to a 3-3 league record. Replacing a quarterback with the physical tools of Eric Watt, in addition to several other key pieces, especially on the offensive line, just is not that easy. Trine regressed because they went from being by far the most talented team in the MIAA to a team of average talent. Now, Trine's success in the past years ought to mean that they've recruited at a high level, but as we've discussed, it's a big jump from High School to college, and these players gained valuable experience. I'm not sure if they'll be back at that high level next year, but I think Trine will be back in the hunt in 2013.

In 2012: Trine will be an improved team, but will still finish third. However, they will put themselves in a position to compete for a title in 2013.

Alma: It was a disappointing year for Scots fans. When I saw Alma play this year, it seemed clear to me they were a talented team. Their inability to turn that talent into wins, or even decent play in the latter part of the season is mystifying to me. However, I'd be cautious to heap blame upon Coach Cole. I think the heat Coach Kreps took the past few years should be a lesson. Sometimes there are things going on inside of a program that a coach just can't control. That being said, it does seem as though Alma is searching for its soul right now.

In 2012: A less talented Alma becomes a better Alma as the team focuses on leadership and coming together as a unit. Although the team plays better, they won't manage to win more than two games in the conference, but they will provide a direction for the team to improve upon. A return to the upper tier in 2013 is possible.

Olivet: Baby Steps! Winning a game is a big accomplishment for this program. After all, any Tom, Dick or Stanley can go 0-10. It takes a team to win a game. After some program turmoil, it seems that kids are buying what Coach Hulkow is selling. Olivet has also developed an identity of running the ball and playing tough defense. Still, this team lacks the talent to compete with the upper level teams in this league.

In 2012: Olivet makes more progress and is a tough out for most MIAA teams, but their lack of talent still holds them to just a single league win.

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo has been a team that has improved significantly over the past four years, however, they've never turned the corner to come into the upper echelon. I'm afraid I think Kalamazoo has reached the peak with their current group of players this year, and will have to start rebuilding again.

In 2012: Kalamazoo struggles and fails to win a league game.


Finally, good luck to my Britons next Saturday. Certainly though, Whitewater is a tall order though.

To everyone else, I hope you enjoyed another great year of MIAA Football!

[Flying Dutchman56]

While not D3, did anyone notice the GLIAC teams that made the playoff's?  Hillsdale won the league outright and didn't get in.....Wayne St. and Saginaw Valley did get in while both tying for 2nd place with GVSU........(all the 2nd place teams had 3 loses (Hillsdale had 2)) and GVSU destroyed SVSU this past Sat.......very odd I would say.

[sac]

Re: Alma recruiting the UP.  Yeah, but if they want to escape Siberia into the sunny south, Alma is the first stop!

[I love the UP, but only about two months of the year! ]

They have a word up there for people like you Mr. Y..........troll (ya know, someone who lives under the bridge).   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Re: Alma recruiting the UP.  Yeah, but if they want to escape Siberia into the sunny south, Alma is the first stop!

[I love the UP, but only about two months of the year! ]

They have a word up there for people like you Mr. Y..........troll (ya know, someone who lives under the bridge).   

Yeah, I was raised as a FIB (according to Cheeseheads); for 40+ years I've been a troll (according to Yoopers).  I just can't win!

[ThunderHead]

I remember once - long ago - there was a band that I saw at some RV convention show, anyway they were called the "yoopers" I think.

Their music was very red neck funny, and I think I even bought a CD, just because it played to my sense of humor. 

[sac]

I remember once - long ago - there was a band that I saw at some RV convention show, anyway they were called the "yoopers" I think.

Their music was very red neck funny, and I think I even bought a CD, just because it played to my sense of humor. 

Da Yoopers are legendary.


You've probably heard this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb9yhhflmvY

If you've ever been through Ishpeming, you've probably driven past this......


It's owned by members of the band.

[badgerwarhawk]

For those Albion fans coming to WHITEWATER for the game and would like to stay at the same hotel as your team here is the contact information.

Holiday Inn Express
Janesville Conference Center
3100 Wellington Place
Janesville, WI 53546
608-756-3100 General Number

There is also this hotel if you prefer to stay in WHITEWATER

Baymont Inn (Formerly known as AmeriHost)
   1355 West Main Street
   Whitewater, WI 53190
   262-472-9400

[ThunderHead]

I remember once - long ago - there was a band that I saw at some RV convention show, anyway they were called the "yoopers" I think.

Their music was very red neck funny, and I think I even bought a CD, just because it played to my sense of humor. 

Da Yoopers are legendary.


You've probably heard this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb9yhhflmvY

If you've ever been through Ishpeming, you've probably driven past this......


It's owned by members of the band.

I've not head the pleasure of visiting the UP. I've got some friends that make an a trip Isle Royal every year or so, and I often get invited, however I haven't had the time. If I ever do though, I'll have to be sure and swing through Ishpeming. Thanks for the info sac!

[Uncle Rico]

+k to SAC for posting the Yoopers video link!  Brought back great memories!

We drove through the UP on our way to the River Falls game last year.  Beautiful drive all the way. 

Also spent a week in the UP as well for summer vacation.  Made sure we visited the Mystery Spot  , Whitefish Point Lighthouse and Museum, Tachquamenon Falls, Oswald's Bear Ranch, and the Soo Locks.  Missed Picured Rocks but that is certainly a must-see. 

Nice write-up by RuleBritannia as well.

[Raider 68]

I wish Albion best of luck against UWW, but the Warhawks are just too strong!

[sac]

The MIAA is 3-16 in first round playoff games.


If you take out Albion's National Championship run in 1994, the MIAA is 2-18 in the playoffs. 

[Uncle Rico]

The MIAA is 3-16 in first round playoff games.


If you take out Albion's National Championship run in 1994, the MIAA is 2-18 in the playoffs. 

Thanks for that little ray of sunshine!    

Trine was 2-1 in first round games (wins verse DePauw and Case Western, loss against Wheaton), so perhaps that MIAA jinx is broken and Albion will shock the world with a playoff victory as well!     What color gatorade do I need for Albion???  Purple and Gold?   Not sure that will be enough help, but one can only hope.......