FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Uncle Rico]

I figure Trine will be at 7-3 at the very least, if not better.  I think they are returning more than they are losing from a 7-3 team last year.   I would be totally shocked if they finished 4-6.  From what I have heard there are positive coaching changes in store.

[wisd3fan2]

The ratings I posted came from a close friend who is president of the No 1 rating house in the Nation. I do not think that Uncle Rico's post can be disputed. If you look at the spreads, they put Trine basically even with many of the teams they are playing. It was pointed out to me that most of the talent that Trine is loseing is not to graduation. The players are simply not buying in. Like Uncle Rico points out the break down in morale may get corrected by the coaching changes.
It was also pointed out that besides Trine's slip last year some of  the other teams in the MIAA have gained ground in Div 3. Albion played two games last year against WIAC teams and got destroyed in both. This was a good lesson as to the level of play that D3 has come to and should have a very positive effect on their play.
Div 3 football has improved more than any other level of football (including high school and Pro).
The ratings show Div 3 UWW is rated 4th in Div 2. Mount Union is 7th in Div 2. What does that tell ya? Highly recruited Div 3 players expect tough Coaching and Mentoring but also expect to be respected as men. In this age of Facebook, D3 Coaches need to rise up and coach like Div 1 coaches. What goes on in the locker rooms travels the airwaves like wild fire.
Coaches warn players about what is posted on Facebook. They better take that warning as well!!!

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico and wised3fan2:

Good posts, both of you.  As I mentioned, I find it very difficult to think that Trine would be a 4-6 team next year.  Barring an implosion, I don't see that happening.  As to the non-conference competition, I think that the MIAA is starting to make some small strides in getting back to near where they were in regards to that several years ago.  At the same time, as you mentioned about Albion, although they seemed to improve in MIAA play each game as the season went on, I just did not think they were that great of team overall and, thus, it did not surprise me that they were smashed by the WIAC teams.  That is just my opinion after seeing them play and comparing their overall performance, yet at the same time, it is not because I am not an Albion fan and that they just happen to be one of our most intense rivalries.  In addition, I was rooting for them in the playoffs because I have always rooted for our MIAA representative in the playoffs (and will continue to do so) regardless of which college that is.  All that said, I do hope that our MIAA teams will continue to improve next fall in the non-conference portions of their seasons.  We have to, obviously, to be able to compete in the playoffs.  Aside from winning the league title, which is always the first priority, just making it to the playoffs now just doesn't quite suffice (even though via the AQ, that is obainable for any one of the schools). 

[ThunderHead]

I think in regards to Trine having a successful season, it goes back to what one considers "success". Will Trine be competitive, I have no doubts. Will then win 7 games? Who knows. Will they win the MIAA - I doubt it. Will they make the playoffs if they don't win the conference? No.  If they made the playoffs would they advance real far? No. Are they national championship contenders? Not close.

I don't see this upcoming season being much different then last season. While I think the coaching staff makes a difference, you also go as far as your talent takes you. And I don't think Trine's talent level will be all that different this year. So I don't expect much of a difference performance wise.

Is that "success"? Well I suppose so, as long as you don't define success the same way the elite programs of D3 do.

[Raider 68]

I figure Trine will be at 7-3 at the very least, if not better.  I think they are returning more than they are losing from a 7-3 team last year.   I would be totally shocked if they finished 4-6.  From what I have heard there are positive coaching changes in store.

Uncle Rico,

You are much closer to predicting how Trine may or not perform, and think you are target!

[Uncle Rico]

Couldn't agree more, Thunderhead, regarding the definition of success.  For me, in order for Trine to be successfull, they need to win the MIAA and at least a couple of games in the playoffs.  Once you have reached a certain level you can't be happy taking any steps backward.  I think the coaches are very competitive and proud (aren't they all?). 

I think this coming years team will be hungry, and hopefully play with a chip on their shoulder, with an attitude.  The seniors from the team of 2 years ago worked for everything they had and raised that level of expectation.  Now that the team has faced a little bit of adversity I hope they respond with a fire in their gut.    Attitude means alot, and I am optimistic that the passion will be there. 

(have I missed any cliches or did I get them all?     )

[formerd3db]

Good analysis and personal predictions/opinions, you guys re: Trine.  And Uncle Rico, using cliches is fine with me - I think they are great - that's what they're for!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Generally speaking (there are exceptions ), cliches only become cliches because they are USUALLY true.

My favorite exception (for managers/coaches, not players) is "one game at a time".  Particularly for fast-paced sports like MLB or basketball (if a next-day game), you damn well better be thinking beyond just this game!

[Raider 68]

How will Adrian and Albion perform this fall, who will be better and who returns the most talent?

[formerd3db]

Good points Mr. Ypsi!

[wisd3fan2]

Raider,

Albion favored;
Defiance by24
Benedictine by18
Trine by 1
Kalamazoo by14
Alma by 11
Olivet by 26
Adrian by1
Hope by9

Underdog
Wheaton by 15
Central Iowa by 4        Home and away figured in.

[formerd3db]

wised3fan2:

Nice ratings, although I'm not sure I buy the ones mentioned regarding Trine, Adrian and Hope.   Just because Albion won the league title this year and most likely will be the pre-season favorite (following the usual tradition in regards to the MIAA), I'm not convinced they will be the team to run away with the title.  I think the above 3 will be in a tight race as well.  Of course, we all know that anything goes, especially in the middle of the league season as the games progress.

[wisd3fan2]

Former     I think your totally right. I think that the ratings listed also agree with you. Look at the spreads. I think they point out that all the games you mention could go either way. Your feel for whats going on in the MIAA seems to be right on. Thanks for the post

[formerd3db]

wised3fan2:

Thank you.  Indeed, while I obviously don't know the specifics of those other teams in regards to returnees, etc. (other than what our colleagues here share with us from what they know), again, I just sense that those teams will be in the hot mix.  I'm just basing my opinion on that in regards to a) historically, we all know that the MIAA race has been like that the past decade or so and b) from what I observed in seeing those teams play against us (Hope) this past fall, although I obviously realize that such past performance of the year before doesn't necessary mean anything is guaranteed in regards to a win against that particular team again the next year, even if a team has a lot of returning players.  I admit that I am an "illiterate" when it comes to understanding some of these rating systems, thus, again, having been around the MIAA for quite some time, I guess I've always essentially just based my opinions on what I've observed and that good old "gut feeling", although as we all realize, anything can happen and surprises do each year in the league.  And...I also hope that no one took my post as simply being due to any sense that I don't care for Albion!  Obviously, they are not my favorite for obvious reasons   the rivalry notwithstanding!  Yet, I just think those 4 teams will be pretty close, although I certainly could be wrong and it wouldn't be the first time.

[Raider 68]

I for one, think the discussions here lately have really been great during the normally slow off-season.!