FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Raider 68]

Albion leads all of D3 in total offense with 662.3 yards per game.  (2nd only to Baylor in all of NCAA football)

4th in rushing yds. per game  357yds
4th in scoring per game  57.3pts

Great accomplishments so far, however, we'll see how well that holds when they really start playing some better teams soon.

former3db,

I am rooting for my other alma mater CMU!!!!!  Looks like a good race for the MIAA title, who do like thus far?

[sac]

Albion leads all of D3 in total offense with 662.3 yards per game.  (2nd only to Baylor in all of NCAA football)

4th in rushing yds. per game  357yds
4th in scoring per game  57.3pts

Great accomplishments so far, however, we'll see how well that holds when they really start playing some better teams soon.

Not sure about better,  I only saw 2 MIAA defenses in the top 100.  Olivet and Trine I think.

[formerd3db]

Albion leads all of D3 in total offense with 662.3 yards per game.  (2nd only to Baylor in all of NCAA football)

4th in rushing yds. per game  357yds
4th in scoring per game  57.3pts

Great accomplishments so far, however, we'll see how well that holds when they really start playing some better teams soon.

Not sure about better,  I only saw 2 MIAA defenses in the top 100.  Olivet and Trine I think.

I'm not looking at the numbers, sac.  As you know, sometimes, those mean nothing.  It depends on the competition one is playing and, IMO, Albion's opponents so far are no powerhouses, although you could say that about the others you mentioned as well.  That said, what I'm referring to is who in our league, right now, is perceived realistically as having the better chance/talent (not taking the stats into consideration) that is going to be the tough games i.e. must wins.  I'm sure most all of us agree that it is going to be Albion, Trine, Olivet and Adrian who are the title contenders with Hope being a spoiler.  Although who knows, Hope could pull a surprise.  We'll know on 10/03 obviously.  If Hope upsets Albion and plays well, that would be a "changer", at least temporarily. 

But then, we all know it's always been that way in the MIAA.

[formerd3db]

This may or may not have been mentioned or discussed before, and if it has, my apologies for a "repeat".  Anyway, since it was discussed and many amazed that the MIAA went 7-0 the other weekend and no one sure if that ever happened at any time before, regardless of whether it involved these more modern era "challenge series" with the other leagues, I thought I would mention this other topic.  I missed paying attention to this before, yet I was surprised to see that all the MIAA fooball teams had their "bye" weekends this past weekend.  Not sure if that has happened before either.  Not that it matters and is no big deal, however, I just thought that was a unique situation and interesting.

[Mr. Ypsi]

This may or may not have been mentioned or discussed before, and if it has, my apologies for a "repeat".  Anyway, since it was discussed and many amazed that the MIAA went 7-0 the other weekend and no one sure if that ever happened at any time before, regardless of whether it involved these more modern era "challenge series" with the other leagues, I thought I would mention this other topic.  I missed paying attention to this before, yet I was surprised to see that all the MIAA fooball teams had their "bye" weekends this past weekend.  Not sure if that has happened before either.  Not that it matters and is no big deal, however, I just thought that was a unique situation and interesting.

Todd, I mentioned somewhere (MIAA Pickems?) that this would be the first time ever that the MIAA went undefeated for two straight weeks in September.

[sac]

The whole league took their bye week on Sept 27 last Fall.

[formerd3db]

Chuck:

I inadvertently missed/overlooked the part where you mentioned about two weeks in a row-guess I was concentrating on the part abut the teams all winning the games they actually played on the same day!  Thanks for the follow-up and reminder!

sac:  I missed that last year as well for some reason; guess I mainly concentrate on Hope's own "bye" dates.  However, I assumed that the reason for the all inclusive "byes" was due to the challenge series scenarios, which obviously applies to last year as well.  I have since found out from "sources who know" (who I will not name for obvious reasons ) that the coaches would have preferred the "byes" to be a little later in the year as those traditionally/historically have been in the past when schools ended up having a "bye" for some reason or another and even if those had to be (or could have been if possible) staggered.  However, the "decision makers" in the MIAA decided otherwise and thus, the current scenario, which was probably easier to do it that way, due to the uneven # of teams involved in the challenge series with the leagues involved.  Thanks to you also for the follow-up and reminder!

Raider68:  Apologies for this really late reply.  Right now I see (and this is obvious to most everyone else as well I'm sure), I see the favorites as Adrian, Olivet, Albion and Trine.  This likely will be weeded out more after this upcoming Saturday, however, as you know, the MIAA race often isn't decided among 2-3 teams until the last part of the season as some team always surprises someone and/or ends up being "the spoiler". 

As to your own league, some interesting results so far, with the exception of your Mount again on its way to another title I do not doubt!  Hope you are doing well.
.

[Raider 68]

Chuck:

I inadvertently missed/overlooked the part where you mentioned about two weeks in a row-guess I was concentrating on the part abut the teams all winning the games they actually played on the same day!  Thanks for the follow-up and reminder!

sac:  I missed that last year as well for some reason; guess I mainly concentrate on Hope's own "bye" dates.  However, I assumed that the reason for the all inclusive "byes" was due to the challenge series scenarios, which obviously applies to last year as well.  I have since found out from "sources who know" (who I will not name for obvious reasons ) that the coaches would have preferred the "byes" to be a little later in the year as those traditionally/historically have been in the past when schools ended up having a "bye" for some reason or another and even if those had to be (or could have been if possible) staggered.  However, the "decision makers" in the MIAA decided otherwise and thus, the current scenario, which was probably easier to do it that way, due to the uneven # of teams involved in the challenge series with the leagues involved.  Thanks to you also for the follow-up and reminder!

Raider68:  Apologies for this really late reply.  Right now I see (and this is obvious to most everyone else as well I'm sure), I see the favorites as Adrian, Olivet, Albion and Trine.  This likely will be weeded out more after this upcoming Saturday, however, as you know, the MIAA race often isn't decided among 2-3 teams until the last part of the season as some team always surprises someone and/or ends up being "the spoiler". 

As to your own league, some interesting results so far, with the exception of your Mount again on its way to another title I do not doubt!  Hope you are doing well.
.

formers3db,

Hope you are well!. IMHO, I think the winner of the Adrian/Olivet will win the conference, with Albion in the mix. I do not think
Trine has shown as much as the others, but we will see.

Regarding the Raiders, the strength of the team is defense, no points through 3 games. For the offense averaging 54 pts per
game is not bad start. John Carroll, although good this year, is not quite up to last year's team. So it comes down to the playoffs which are a ways away.

Where do you see Hope in the mix for this fall?

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

The real test for Hope, IMO, will be this weekend.  If we can beat Albion, I think we'll be right there for a high chance at the title.  However, as you said, the other favorites would be Adrian and Olivet, which we obviously would need to beat, which will be no easy task.  And although Trine hasn't been nearly as strong as they had been during their recent title run years, they play tough against Hope and that is "no gimme". 

Again, personally, I see the key being this Saturday for Hope.  It will show us really where we rate, especially against our most heated rivalry in football.

[sac]

Hope scores with :16 seconds left, tries for 2 and fails.

Albion 21  Hope 20  F

[formerd3db]

Hope scores with :16 seconds left, tries for 2 and fails.

Albion 21  Hope 20  F

Have held off a few days before posting to collect my thoughts after the disappointing loss.  I'm sure people will (have) question(ed) the decision to go for two.  However, while I usually am conservative and would go for the tie with the additional chance to win it in OT, I agree with Coach Krep's decision to go for two.  "We play to win" was his quote and IMO, that is a great one.  Given that our kicker has not performed up to his ability of recent in the last couple of games, having missed a FG earlier in the Albion game and our PAT team having some difficulties, the decision was the right one.  Unfortunately, it was not a well executed play. 

Hope had their chance for the upset.  IF we had made the FG, we win the game...IF the TD run on the kick return had not been called back  due to two holding calls (questionable IMO from my view location, although I have not seen the tape), we win the game...IF we had scored when on Albion's 12 yard line earlier, we win the game...IF, IF, IF.  But that never counts as we all know.

Overall, I think it was a pretty good game.  First half stats Hope was double what Albion had as I recall.  The weather was terrible, of course, with steady rain, winds and cold.  Had the usual game time start been scheduled at 1 PM instead of the "twilight game" at 5 PM, we would have missed the rain.  Perhaps that made a more even matched contest for either team.  Anyway, a disappointing loss, but a good effort by Hope's players, who despite some missed opportunities and mistakes, never gave up.  Regroup now for the remaining games and try to sneak it in there.  As I previous mentioned (?predicted ), it appears that Olivet and Albion will be the headliners fo the title, well...at least they are for now, but anything can still happen.

[badgerwarhawk]

Hope had their chance for the upset.  IF we had made the FG, we win the game...IF the TD run on the kick return had not been called back  due to two holding calls (questionable IMO from my view location, although I have not seen the tape), we win the game...IF we had scored when on Albion's 12 yard line earlier, we win the game...IF, IF, IF.  But that never counts as we all know.

I didn't see the game so I can't answer the question but the IF thing always gets me.  Isn't it possible that Albion also had their fair share of IF's and IF something on their side of the equation had happened Hope wouldn't have been in the game regardless.  My experience suggests that IF is generally a two way street.

BTW, I've been to Holland twice and really enjoyed my time there.  Your campus is really nice and your basketball facility is the best I know of in DIII.  I met some really nice people and the tire store that fixed not one but two flat tires for me at no charge blew me away.  The heated sidewalks are pretty cool too.   

[sac]

Albion had 3 turnovers to Hope's one, including one at the Hope 15 yard line.  So yes, Albion had its "ifs".

[formerd3db]

Albion had 3 turnovers to Hope's one, including one at the Hope 15 yard line.  So yes, Albion had its "ifs".

Hope had their chance for the upset.  IF we had made the FG, we win the game...IF the TD run on the kick return had not been called back  due to two holding calls (questionable IMO from my view location, although I have not seen the tape), we win the game...IF we had scored when on Albion's 12 yard line earlier, we win the game...IF, IF, IF.  But that never counts as we all know.

I didn't see the game so I can't answer the question but the IF thing always gets me.  Isn't it possible that Albion also had their fair share of IF's and IF something on their side of the equation had happened Hope wouldn't have been in the game regardless.  My experience suggests that IF is generally a two way street.

BTW, I've been to Holland twice and really enjoyed my time there.  Your campus is really nice and your basketball facility is the best I know of in DIII.  I met some really nice people and the tire store that fixed not one but two flat tires for me at no charge blew me away.  The heated sidewalks are pretty cool too.

badgerwarhawk:

First, thanks for your kind comments about our campus and facilities.  Indeed, we are fortunate to have those great entities.

Second, I did not mean to imply that Albion did not have their IFs because as sac mentioned, they did have their chances.  I was simply noting where Hope blew their chances.  I agree with you that IFs almost always (note keyword "almost" ) go both ways.

Enjoy your posts and thanks for chiming in here on occasion-we (MIAA board) can use the help!   Not sure why our board has been almost non-existence this year.

[sac]

Albion recovers a fumble with Adrian inside the 15 to hang on for the win.

Olivet scores twice in the final 2 minutes to beat Hope which included executing an onside kick and picking off Hope's last ditch effort in the endzone.

Albion plays Trine next week, win that and sets up a likely winner take all the next week between Albion and Olivet.

Not the best D3 league but never short of drama