FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

I'll jump in here, if I may.  I understand what Uncle Rico was trying to say as well as what Pat was trying to get across.  I think both are right in what they intended.  As far as the NCAA and SoS, the NCAA committee has made some questionable decisions in the past IMO.  I personally have never been one to hold as much in the SoS as some people.  I think that any team that goes 10-0, regardless of what their schedule is, deserves high consideration for hosting a first round playoff game.  Some people argue against that relating that playing in a weaker conference (such as the former Illini-Badger to use one example, or, okay, we can use the current MIAA as another ) and going undefeated shouldn't be in such consideration.  However, even in weaker conferences, teams do not routinely go undefeated every year - I'd like to see the statistics that reveal teams doing that on a consecutive basis and/or in a high % - it just doesnt' occur, at least to my knowledge.  One can argue that teams could stack their schedules with patsies, however, again, it rarely occurs that those in such situations go 10-0 every year.  Obviously, a Central IA or NCC plays in a tough confernce and much more so that the MIAA and one loss teams in those situations are usually the obvious stronger teams and as such, they get the nod for hosting by virtue of the SoS.  Yet, I think a very legit case can be made for an undefeated team hosting regardless.  Many people will obviously disagree with me, but...that's MO.

However, all that being said, the bottom line is that the NCAA committee obviously makes the decision and it doesn't matter what any of us think whatsoever period.  So the team that gets the AQ takes what they get  and tries to make the best of it.  I don't agree with many of the decsions the NCAA makes in many aspects, even beyond this selections business, however, that's just the way it is.  No one has a choice.

Anyway, thanks Raider68 (as expected, your Mount had not trouble today - so congrats on their win and season). Yes, it was nice for Hope to get the win and their seniors go out with a positive memory.  The weather was actually decent in the first half - overcast, but very comfortable in the mid-high '50's.  However, at halftime, it started raining and never quit. It would get light rain and drizzle for a few minutes, then start up heavier again - enough to make the entire second half horrible in the weather aspect.  It was getting somewhat unsafe in the 4th quarter with both team's players slipping on the natural turf, although thankfully no one got hurt from that.  Surprisingly, the turf held out fairly good and nothing like last year when it was horribly torn up with huge divots and large sod pieces causing a hazard.

Hope's defense played good today to hold out and win the game - despite scoring two TD's, the offense did not play well and Hope was lucky to win the game.  Olivet, had they taken advantage of a couple of situations, could have easily won the game.  Olivet was stopped in the red zone in the waning seconds of the first half, otherwise the score would have been tied (Olivet's starting QB suffered a concusion on that last play and was out for the second half).  Hope's defense stopped an Olivet drive late in the game down near the 20 yard line or so, essentially preserving the victory as the offense then took on a drive to burn up the remaining minutes pretty much.  Decent crowd for the Parent's Day/Senior Day at about 1800.  One consolation I mentioned to a few of our people after the game was that although Hope has now been 3-7 the last 3 years, at least that streak is not as long as Wis River Falls which has had that same record for the past 8 years I believe.  But, agiain, winning the last one is a positive for pointing to next year.  Hopefully, we can recruit some big linemen for next year too!

I did feel sorry for Olivet's players and coaches - going 0-10 for the second year in a row isn't a good feeling.  So winning today for us as I said is what obviously makes somewhat of a difference in that regard.  Nonetheless, my congratulations to Trine on their 3rd consecutive MIAA title and wishing them all the best in next week's playoff game, whoever they draw.

On a final note, aside from the win and being glad for our coaching staff and the players, it was a fun day for me as I got to reminisce with 3 of my former Hope teammates, including my college roommate who made a surprise visit to the game and campus (a long drive for him). We had a great dinner visit after the game.  During the game, you can be assured that there were a lot of old stories told today among the several of us about past plays/games we were involved in that have gotten better over the years.  As one person mentioned, that old saying could be applied..."we're legends in our own minds"    

[Raider 68]

Formerd3db,

It is all about the great memories, glad you enjoyed the day and evening!

[WLCALUM83]

Something I just wanted to pass along-- for the first time in the history of WLC's football program, the Warriors finish above .500, going 6-4 on the year. 

[TrineDad]

On to Salem!

Don't be afraid to jump the gun a little....

According to the d3football.com daily dose projected bracket, first you have to be ready to go "On to Naperville" as the projected bracket has Trine going to #5 North Central

Not jumping the gun at all.....merely stating a goal.   Would you really prefer the goal to be On to Naperville or On to Springfield, or wherever?  My point was that the Thunder have earned respect but whether they get it or not doesn't really matter as I have no doubt they will strap it up and come out to play tough whoever they draw and wherever they play.   I would rather set the goal high and take the chance of failing than set it low and succeed!

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Where did I say that Manchester was high end?    I think you are reading too much in to my post.

Point was that I don't think Manchester was viewed as a cellar dweller. Never claimed they were a strong opponent, but not a "terrible" one either.

Yes, I "cherry picked" the most recent season for Lagrange, being 9-2.  Didn't make me "feel better," but probably did make me feel more accurate to look at a teams more recent performance than what they did 3-4 years ago.

My whole point was that I don't think the schedulers thought the SOS was going to be as bad as it turned out to be based on past history.  

What I said was, if the high end of Manchester, the ceiling, the best you could expect, was .500 in the HCAC, you're not getting much. Instead Trine got the low end of Manchester.

Uncle Rico is right Pat, you were ripping on Trine, your signature says let's discuss in a positive way but that's not really what you mean is it? You are back tracking after Rico called you on it. I say spot the ball, Trine will play anybody, anywhere. Trine doesn't need your approval for their schedule. They have come a long ways in a very short time and if this staff stays in place they will keep the ball rolling.

Go Thunder!!

Pat also is stuck on Franklin being an 8 seed even so far as putting them the eighth in the west.  Somehow an 8-2 Wabash team gets a better road then Franklin.  BTW Franklin actually attempts to schedule decent non conference opponents.  Carthage this year, Trine the last 3-4 years, Wabash twice in the last 4 seasons, 1AA FCS teams, etc.  If you are not from the OAC, WIAC, or CCIW you dont get much love.  We shall see at 3:30

[sflzman]

On to Salem!

Don't be afraid to jump the gun a little....

According to the d3football.com daily dose projected bracket, first you have to be ready to go "On to Naperville" as the projected bracket has Trine going to #5 North Central

Not jumping the gun at all.....merely stating a goal.   Would you really prefer the goal to be On to Naperville or On to Springfield, or wherever?  My point was that the Thunder have earned respect but whether they get it or not doesn't really matter as I have no doubt they will strap it up and come out to play tough whoever they draw and wherever they play.   I would rather set the goal high and take the chance of failing than set it low and succeed!

As your name is TrineDAD, I'm sure you wouldn't nderstand this, but as a player and a coach you only look to the next game. If you're looking forward to Salem, you're gonna lose, guarantee it. You look at one game at a time, that's the approach the coaches have to take, the players have to take, and that's how you have to do it. You say set the goal high and suceed, sure, even Olivet's goal was to make the Stagg Bowl....you just need to be looking at one game at a time, and be ready for NCC or whoever you're gonna get, cuz I sure plan to be watching ESPN News today in between 2, and 2:30 for the seeding anouncements...

[sac]

Congrats to Trine on their 3rd straight MIAA Championship.

Looking at the archives, 3 in row really hasn't happened that much in the MIAA's long history.

http://miaa.org/fb/fbchamp.html

looking ahead, only Hillsdale in the 50's and Albion in the 90's have won 4 in row.

[sflzman]

On to Salem!

Don't be afraid to jump the gun a little....

According to the d3football.com daily dose projected bracket, first you have to be ready to go "On to Naperville" as the projected bracket has Trine going to #5 North Central

Not jumping the gun at all.....merely stating a goal.   Would you really prefer the goal to be On to Naperville or On to Springfield, or wherever?  My point was that the Thunder have earned respect but whether they get it or not doesn't really matter as I have no doubt they will strap it up and come out to play tough whoever they draw and wherever they play.   I would rather set the goal high and take the chance of failing than set it low and succeed!

As your name is TrineDAD, I'm sure you wouldn't nderstand this, but as a player and a coach you only look to the next game. If you're looking forward to Salem, you're gonna lose, guarantee it. You look at one game at a time, that's the approach the coaches have to take, the players have to take, and that's how you have to do it. You say set the goal high and suceed, sure, even Olivet's goal was to make the Stagg Bowl....you just need to be looking at one game at a time, and be ready for NCC or whoever you're gonna get, cuz I sure plan to be watching ESPN News today in between 2, and 2:30 for the seeding anouncements...

Oops, meant between 3, and 3:30....

[sflzman]

BTW, newest projected bracket has Trine at Wittenberg, then UWW the 2nd round...

[TrineDad]

On to Salem!

Don't be afraid to jump the gun a little....

According to the d3football.com daily dose projected bracket, first you have to be ready to go "On to Naperville" as the projected bracket has Trine going to #5 North Central

Not jumping the gun at all.....merely stating a goal.   Would you really prefer the goal to be On to Naperville or On to Springfield, or wherever?  My point was that the Thunder have earned respect but whether they get it or not doesn't really matter as I have no doubt they will strap it up and come out to play tough whoever they draw and wherever they play.   I would rather set the goal high and take the chance of failing than set it low and succeed!

As your name is TrineDAD, I'm sure you wouldn't nderstand this, but as a player and a coach you only look to the next game. If you're looking forward to Salem, you're gonna lose, guarantee it. You look at one game at a time, that's the approach the coaches have to take, the players have to take, and that's how you have to do it. You say set the goal high and suceed, sure, even Olivet's goal was to make the Stagg Bowl....you just need to be looking at one game at a time, and be ready for NCC or whoever you're gonna get, cuz I sure plan to be watching ESPN News today in between 2, and 2:30 for the seeding anouncements...


Assume away, sflzman

[sflzman]

Trine the 6 off to Depauw, then at Whitewater, a 2 seed

[MasterJedi]

Trine got an easy first round draw with Depauw. Looking forward to seeing something new in two weeks since I'm going to assume Trine and UWW will win rather easily. Now we'll show you how an elite WIAC team plays. 

[sac]

Trine the 6 off to Depauw, then at Whitewater, a 2 seed

Both Trine and DePauw played  Adrian this year.

Oct 2 at Adrian...Trine 24 Adrian 16
Oct 16 at DePauw...DePauw 23 Adrian 19

[Mr. Ypsi]

It astounds me that DePauw retained a #3 seed (over two undefeated teams, no less) after that shellacking Wabash put on them yesterday.

Go Thunder - do a Wabash on 'em!

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

I agree with you.  Again, as I mentioned in my post last evening, that is just another example of how the NCAA committee makes some questionable decisions sometimes.  But, it is what it is.  sac reminded us of the comparison of the regular season games against Adrian and from that, it would appear that it might be a very close game next week.  Although as we all know, anything can happen.  I would assume that Trine will have a very large contingent of fans down at Blackstock Stadium next week as it isn't that far away.  In that regard, with DePauw hosting at home, I would think there may be a very large crowd.

Speaking of attendance figures this weekend, overall in many of the various DIII games across the nation, there seemed to be very good attendance ranging from 2000 at some to almost 5,000 at the Wittenberg/Wooster game, the 10,300 at the Ithaca/Cortland game, the 12,000 at Wabash/DePauw and the 8,000 at the St. Thomas game.  I think that is great.