FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mr. Ypsi and Cave2:

Good predictions and reasoning.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  I just hope it doesn't end up being a blowout.  Another close game in the Stagg would be great.

BTW, Cave2, indeed, I would rather be raking/mulching down your way than snowblowing and freezing up here!

Ypsi:  In your sleuth expertise ways, have you heard anything at all regarding the EMU coaching search?  Just curious.

I heard the three finalists were Fielding Yost, Vince Lombardi, and YOU.

No, I have no insider info.  Chances are I'll know nothing until rumors (or founded reports) in the AA News - which you may see earlier than I if you follow MLive.   But I'll post if I do hear anything.

Follow-up on my prediction: MUC never could completely shake Wheaton (their starters were still in in the 4th, which is probably a first this year).  IF UWW is better (which I would certainly suspect), this one may be in doubt to the final gun.

[sac]

Bowl Season kicks off tommorrow

Eagle Bank Bowl
Wake Forest v Navy

New Mexico Bowl
Colorado State v Fresno State

magicjack St. Petersburg Bowl
South Florida v Memphis

Pioneer Vegas Bowl
Brigham Young v Arizona


pretty much a joke.......at least BYU and Arizona is somewhat interesting.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Bowl Season kicks off tommorrow

Eagle Bank Bowl
Wake Forest v Navy

New Mexico Bowl
Colorado State v Fresno State

magicjack St. Petersburg Bowl
South Florida v Memphis

Pioneer Vegas Bowl
Brigham Young v Arizona


pretty much a joke.......at least BYU and Arizona is somewhat interesting.

Alas, for most of the country (if the broadcasters' info about viewers is accurate) they're all better than some 'joke' called the Stagg Bowl.

[formerd3db]

I just posted over on the OAC board, commenting on the officiating crew, which hasn't been up to the usual standards they've had in recent Stagg Bowls.  Although it hasn't had a direct effect on the game, still it can be somewhat demoralizing/frustrating to a team.

UW-W just hasn't got that "extra-punch" and it looks like Mount Union will return to being the national champion after being dethroned last year.  Despite their having just scored to make it 31-20, time is running out for UW-W, although you never know.  Me thinks, though, that Mount will win and it appears like some (most of) of us have predicted i.e. somewhere around that 2 TD margin, more or less.

[formerd3db]

A little closer than some of us thought!  Too bad UW-W's kicker missed those two FG's earlier in the game.  That would have won it for them, assuming of course, the other scores would occur as they did.  A tough situation for him.

Anyway, while UW-W gave it a valient try, Mount Union overall is clearly the stronger team.  I think they had a little let down in the 4th quarter in perhaps starting to celebrate a little too early.  It turned out to be a pretty good game though and at least it wasn't a blowout.

[orsky]

I didn't really think MUC was celebrating, it felt more like they were hanging on for dear life.  After the first quarter, UWW basically outplayed them the rest of the way.  One tipped pass from winninng outright.

[formerd3db]

I didn't really think MUC was celebrating, it felt more like they were hanging on for dear life.  After the first quarter, UWW basically outplayed them the rest of the way.  One tipped pass from winninng outright.

I agree with you in that I think Mount Union, although an excellent team, was lucky to win this game given what happened.  However, my intent wasn't referring to an outright celebration in the sense that we usually think of, but rather the idea that I think Mount's players thought they had it won and just decided to try and coast the rest of the way to the win.  You know, similar to how golfers try to "play it safe" when they have a big league to use just one example.  I truly believe that with a 31-13 lead with, what was it about 6-7 minutes or so left in the game, it appeared to me they said "we've got this in the bag" and let's just ride it out to the win.  Again, great credit goes to UW-W for giving it their all to the final whistle, but they just didn't have that little extra "umph" to do it this year.  Besides, as I mentioned, I thought the two missed FG's when they happened, were going to come back to haunt them and it did just that.  I feel bad for the UW-W kicker, but "that's life".  In all, I thought it was a great Stagg Bowl game to watch and am glad it was not one of the blowouts that have happened in some years.  Although I will say, we've had some good close ones in recent years.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I missed seeing the first missed FG, but the second was most unfortunate - if the zebras hadn't blown it on the pass reception (calling it out-of-bounds when he clearly was dragging his foot in-bounds), the kick would have been 8-9 yards shorter (and, probably, made).  That, plus the phantom roughing-the-kicker call, were HUGE breaks for MUC (who hardly need breaks from the refs)!

On the other hand, Micheli's fumble at the goal line (and Anderson's fumble which was recovered by a teammate for a 7 yard GAIN) were HUGE breaks for UWW - 'luck' tends to balance out (usually) over the course of a game.

While it is the classic lament of losers, UWW would have some justification in saying "We didn't lose; we just ran out of time"!

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

I was wondering if you were "lurking around" and when you would post!   Thought perhaps you might have taken a break from the "boob tube" (and some of those other "crappy" bowl games!) after the Stagg and gone out doing some last minute Christmas shopping or just "went out" for whatever (eggnog, hootch, etc.! ).

Anyway, good and fair analysis you make.  BTW, thanks for including me on "the short list" for the EMU job!  I could win there, I know it!!! (Just kidding ).

[Mr. Ypsi]

And since the other two finalists are dead, even with EMU hiring practices I think you've got a shot!

[sac]

Weird that this hasn't made the news wires, but I guess Ron English has been hired as the next head coach at Eastern Michigan.

[ACRULZ]

ACRULZ:
Thanks for your response and previous thoughts as well.  BTW, anything of worthy news about Adrian at this time?  I suspect not as it is the same with all of our MIAA schools right now!

To my knowledge all is quiet at Adrian as of now.  The staff will be returning, no surprise transfers, and really that is about it at good ol' Adrian.  One thing however, I hear they are expanding their recruiting areas quite a bit.  Not real sure where to but they may be hitting places they haven't in years past.  Let the search to replace Troy Niblock begin!

[formerd3db]

Weird that this hasn't made the news wires, but I guess Ron English has been hired as the next head coach at Eastern Michigan.

Thanks for the early "tip" sac.  I guess we'll see what the AM papers say.  Wow, that is a good hire for EMU and I think English has a good chance (hopefully) of doing what Gill has for Buffalo.  Also, as a minority background hire, at least the race card baiters can't complain about this selection.  He deserves this opportunity (frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't on the top of other lists of recent DI coaching openings - like he was a year or two ago).  Anyway, he is a good coach, enthusiastic and dynamic, so and let's hope that EMU's reputation of "the graveyard of coaches" does not have an effect on him.  

[formerd3db]

Weird that this hasn't made the news wires, but I guess Ron English has been hired as the next head coach at Eastern Michigan.

Weird that this hasn't made the news wires, but I guess Ron English has been hired as the next head coach at Eastern Michigan.

Thanks for the early "tip" sac.  I guess we'll see what the AM papers say.  Wow, that is a good hire for EMU and I think English has a good chance (hopefully) of doing what Gill has for Buffalo.  Also, as a minority background hire, at least the race card baiters can't complain about this selection.  He deserves this opportunity (frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't on the top of other lists of recent DI coaching openings - like he was a year or two ago).  Anyway, he is a good coach, enthusiastic and dynamic, so and let's hope that EMU's reputation of "the graveyard of coaches" does not have an effect on him.  

Hey, Mr. Ypsi:
What do you think of that choice?  Also, I see you are once again (like me) "burning the midnight candle or oil"!   Or is it that you are wrapping all those Christmas gifts you bought today at your local mall?

[formerd3db]

ACRULZ:

Thanks for the Adrian update.