FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[SaintsFAN]

I don't understand what you are trying to say and I tried to read through the paragraph a couple times.  I'm not even sure that we disagree.  Butler doesn't count on their SOS no matter what the record is.  They (I'm not a Franklin fan) were only judged on 9 games for the SOS.

One thing is for sure -- Franklin doesn't have a win that matches up with Adrian's win at Huntingdon.

The contention appears to be that because Adrian blew a game in a bad loss week one to Carthage that they are less deserving of a home game than a team that lost to Mount Union and Butler.

I definitely think the team who should be hosting, is hosting this game.  Period.  I look at quality of wins, not how bad the losses were.  If you're scoring at home on the quality of wins, its Adrian 1 Franklin 0.  Thats mostly because Franklin stepped up the competition out of conference the last two years but they had to.  The Heartland is not providing them with the competition to prepare them for the Tournament.  They beat three 6-4 teams in conference play.  Two of them were 0-2 in OOC games and the third was 1-1 in OOC games.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I don't understand what you are trying to say and I tried to read through the paragraph a couple times.  I'm not even sure that we disagree.  Butler doesn't count on their SOS no matter what the record is.  They (I'm not a Franklin fan) were only judged on 9 games for the SOS.

One thing is for sure -- Franklin doesn't have a win that matches up with Adrian's win at Huntingdon.

The contention appears to be that because Adrian blew a game in a bad loss week one to Carthage that they are less deserving of a home game than a team that lost to Mount Union and Butler.

I definitely think the team who should be hosting, is hosting this game.  Period.  I look at quality of wins, not how bad the losses were.  If you're scoring at home on the quality of wins, its Adrian 1 Franklin 0.  Thats mostly because Franklin stepped up the competition out of conference the last two years but they had to.  The Heartland is not providing them with the competition to prepare them for the Tournament.  They beat three 6-4 teams in conference play.  Two of them were 0-2 in OOC games and the third was 1-1 in OOC games.

I agree. Had Adrian not won at Huntington FC would prob be hosting.  All in all not a bad deal.  After playing UWW 3 times and Mount once in the last 24 months as well as a good 1-AA team FC will be prepared. Playoffs in 5 of the last 6 seasons will also be a plus.  We shall see on Sat

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

I don't understand what you are trying to say and I tried to read through the paragraph a couple times.  I'm not even sure that we disagree.  Butler doesn't count on their SOS no matter what the record is.  They (I'm not a Franklin fan) were only judged on 9 games for the SOS.

One thing is for sure -- Franklin doesn't have a win that matches up with Adrian's win at Huntingdon.

The contention appears to be that because Adrian blew a game in a bad loss week one to Carthage that they are less deserving of a home game than a team that lost to Mount Union and Butler.

I definitely think the team who should be hosting, is hosting this game.  Period.  I look at quality of wins, not how bad the losses were.  If you're scoring at home on the quality of wins, its Adrian 1 Franklin 0.  Thats mostly because Franklin stepped up the competition out of conference the last two years but they had to.  The Heartland is not providing them with the competition to prepare them for the Tournament.  They beat three 6-4 teams in conference play.  Two of them were 0-2 in OOC games and the third was 1-1 in OOC games.

I agree. Had Adrian not won at Huntington FC would prob be hosting.  All in all not a bad deal.  After playing UWW 3 times and Mount once in the last 24 months as well as a good 1-AA team FC will be prepared. Playoffs in 5 of the last 6 seasons will also be a plus.  We shall see on Sat

Experience edge surely lies with Franklin. I recall playing them back in 2002 and 2003, think coaching staff was new in 2003? and there was already a hint to the program that better days were ahead.

[Raider 68]

Adrian will have a tough time stopping Franklin's offense, IMHO. The bulldogs will have to control
the ball to win this one!

[formerd3db]

I posted this over on the CCIW board, so am doing it here also:

This is slightly "tangential" in regards to the college game, however, since it relates to a player in your region, I'd thought I would just mention this hear to ilicit your comments/opinions.  Chicago Bears player Brian Urlacher announced today in response to a question by a reporter that he would "lie to conceal a concussion" to stay in a game, although he doubted that players could conceal such due to the more awareness, newer techinques that trainers and team physicians have available on the sidelines for that (I am not sure what he means by that as sideline diagnosis hasn't really changed - it is the after concussion test, etc. that have evolved/developed).

I assume, then, that Urlacher would forfeit his right to sue the NFL in later years as many of his NFL colleagues are doing now.   Anyway, kind of a "not too smart" idea he is promoting, however,...that is not surprising from some of those people in the NFL.

[GrizFan]

Two good losses in terms of SOS (Mount Union and Butler) for Franklin, but no signature win. Beat teams they should have, lost to teams they should have. The Huntingdon win for Adrian was a signature win, on road vs far higher ranked opponent (AFCA poll, D3football.com poll, Massey, Regional Ranking), as has been stated before the win over a regionally ranked opponent (Huntingdon) is a rare thing and is looked upon strongly.

Both teams could have been hosting, Franklin had a great season and is a great team, but the RRO victory was likely the deciding factor giving Adrian a home game.

Agree 100%.  About the only thing that I'm sure of with this game-- is the tailgating at Adrian will never be the same after you see what the Franklin folks do for theirs.  I highly recommend stopping by for it.  Every school thinks they have a great tailgate situation (our parking lot overlooks the field at TMC) and I saw that someone said on here that Adrian has a very good tailgate -- you'll see a GREAT tailgate on Saturday.  My alma mater played AT Franklin last year.  They were impressive.

Yes -- before you say it, I can't believe I actually just authored a post about another program's tailgate.

While Franklin's tailgate will be good at Adrian, it probably will not approach your expectations as is seen at FC, at selected road games, or at the 2008 playoff game at North Central.  According to the FC Touchdown Club, the big grills will not make the trip to Michigan.

[formerd3db]

Two good losses in terms of SOS (Mount Union and Butler) for Franklin, but no signature win. Beat teams they should have, lost to teams they should have. The Huntingdon win for Adrian was a signature win, on road vs far higher ranked opponent (AFCA poll, D3football.com poll, Massey, Regional Ranking), as has been stated before the win over a regionally ranked opponent (Huntingdon) is a rare thing and is looked upon strongly.

Both teams could have been hosting, Franklin had a great season and is a great team, but the RRO victory was likely the deciding factor giving Adrian a home game.

Agree 100%.  About the only thing that I'm sure of with this game-- is the tailgating at Adrian will never be the same after you see what the Franklin folks do for theirs.  I highly recommend stopping by for it.  Every school thinks they have a great tailgate situation (our parking lot overlooks the field at TMC) and I saw that someone said on here that Adrian has a very good tailgate -- you'll see a GREAT tailgate on Saturday.  My alma mater played AT Franklin last year.  They were impressive.

Yes -- before you say it, I can't believe I actually just authored a post about another program's tailgate.

While Franklin's tailgate will be good at Adrian, it probably will not approach your expectations as is seen at FC, at selected road games, or at the 2008 playoff game at North Central.  According to the FC Touchdown Club, the big grills will not make the trip to Michigan.

Just curious, but why is that?  From what you relate, i.e. "selected road games", I assume that the fans who have the "big grills" are just not able to travel to the more extensive long distance games due to their personal schedules perhaps and not because of a lack of interest.  By the latter I mean that I'm sure they would certainly like to go to this FC game because of the fact that it is a playoff game and not just a regular season "away" game, but again, perhaps the distance factor, although not overwhelming, is still a fair amount to travel.

Regardless, I'm sure those who go and tailgate, will still have a great time at Adrian.  As some of the Adrian posters have shared here, it is a neat atmoshphere there for tailgaiting.  While all our MIAA schools have some good tailgaiting, I tend to think that Adrian, Kazoo Trine and Alma have had some of the more involved endeavors, at least from what I've seen (although our Hope people have a very good contingent also as does Olivet).

Also, the weather is supposed to be okay for the game tomorrow, at least from the preliminary reports I've seen so far.

[sac]

Sunny 49 and morning fog, light winds.

Downright terrific for November

[formerd3db]

Sunny 49 and morning fog, light winds.

Downright terrific for November

Indeed, yes.  I remember a couple of the first playoff games in the past when it was extremely (overwhelmingly) cold (Mount Union at Albion in 1993 - that close game), Albion at Wabash 2007(?), although when we (Hope) played at Mount Union in 2006 at the first playoff game, it was nice for the first of November as well.  I attended the Mount Union/Wabash playoff game last year down at Mount Union and, while it was chilly/moderately cold, the sun came out from on and off throught the game. 

Bottom line...you never know in November.   Anyway, thanks for the specifics on the preliminary forecast sac.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Hats off to Franklin, that's a damn fine football team. Offensively they are extremely potent and were able to put together the perfect storm for Adrian. Anytime we got something going they would force a turnover, or we would shoot ourselves in the foot. Credit Franklin they took advantage and were able to attack and force the issue the entire first half and once they got the lead it put Adrian in an unfamiliar of having to play from behind which doesn't play to our strengths. Again hats off to Franklin and congrats on the win, best of luck in Texas with Mary hardin baylor in round two!

[formerd3db]

I am somewhat shocked at the Franklin/Adrian score.  I personally thought it would be a much closer game, regardless of who won.  Previewing the game, I could see it going either way, although if Adrian brought it's "A" game.  Franklin is, of course, no slouch team despite their two losses and playing in a perceived not as strong conference (although IMO, playing Mount and Butler was a help to them for later in the season and the playoffs).  Still, I am surprised at the margin of scoring and from DAWG's post, it appears that Adrian just couldn't get something going.  Playing behind and/or struggling like that once things start unraveling is always depresssing and tough to overcome as DAWG pointed out. 

Nonetheless, congrats and best wishes to the Franklin team/coaches and fans as they proceed on to the next round.  Also, congratulations to our MIAA representative Adrian team/staff and fans for a fine season.  As to the other playoff games, it appears they have gone pretty much as most people predicted (Pat, Keith, Ryan and others), although a couple of the games are a little closer and/or different than expected - Bethel's one point win and Elmhurst's win.   

[sac]

On the positive side it was an amazing mid-November afternoon for football.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Good game from the Griz!!  Great playoff effort on both sides of the ball.  On to TX

[cave2bens]

Good game from the Griz!!  Great playoff effort on both sides of the ball.  On to TX

Leave your tailgate grills in Johnson County and enjoy the ambience in Belton - Miller's, Schoeph's, or Backyard BBQ as good (probably far better) than anything you can find in Indiana.    Would only put Cooper's in Llano, Kruetz (or City Market) in Luling, and a couple of Elgin sausage purveyors above them re. TX BBQ. Paper, a knife, some bread, and pickles - pure carniverous nirvana!  Git'em next week, Griz! Put the efforts into eliminating your bracket of the color purple, and trust me as a former meat chompin' Texan...   

[formerd3db]

Some additional thoughts regarding Adrian's playoff game:

DAWG, what's with only 1475 attending the game?  I would think that with it having been Adrian's first appearance in the DIII playoffs since 1988 (at least for me, it is difficult to believe it was that long ago and that was back in the selection/invitation system at that i.e. before the AQ system was implimented) and also since Adrian was hosting, that there would have been many more than the listed announced attendance for the game.  That is a little disappointing, also given that the students were still on campus and had not left as yet before the Thanksgiving holiday break.  Perhaps most of the attendance was students and, of course, parents of the players.  Still, it is somewhat disappointing to see that even after Adrian rewarded their students/fans (and the administration no less - you know what I'm talking about in that regard ) with an MIAA championship and the playoff berth, that simply more people would have shown up for that game. 

I assume that Adrian will be essentially in the same category as far as returning talent next year so as to be the favored team and/or certainly one of the top contenders for the league title again (without checking the roster for who you lose in seniors and key positions).