FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[gobrits]

Stunning results:

Olivet upsets Adrian 21-17 on TD pass with 19 seconds left; Albion hangs on to beat Alma 28-24, withstanding a ton of special teams mistakes.

Brits now the only team remaining unbeaten in MIAA play, but they have to play the three one-loss teams in the next three weeks. That won't be easy.
Adrian, Hope, Olivet (0-10 last year) have one loss each in the conference. That assumes Hope stays ahead of Kazoo tonight. Hope leads 17-0 in second quarter. Looks like a wild and wide-open finish in the MIAA.

Go Brits!

[D3MAFAN]

Stunning results:

Olivet upsets Adrian 21-17 on TD pass with 19 seconds left; Albion hangs on to beat Alma 28-24, withstanding a ton of special teams mistakes.

Brits now the only team remaining unbeaten in MIAA play, but they have to play the three one-loss teams in the next three weeks. That won't be easy.
Adrian, Hope, Olivet (0-10 last year) have one loss each in the conference. That assumes Hope stays ahead of Kazoo tonight. Hope leads 17-0 in second quarter. Looks like a wild and wide-open finish in the MIAA.

Go Brits!

Just looked at the schedule, you guys might not find out who is conference champion until week 11.

[formerd3db]

GoBrits and D3MAFAN:

This is nothing new for the MIAA as this type of scenario has happened often over the years.  Which is why they MIAA, despite being down in strength comparative on the national level the past decade plus, remains so exciting.

Hope didn't have a stellar game last evening, however, we did what was needed to get the "W" and that's what counts!  A great evening game, nice crowd and the rain stayed away; crisp night, mild wind, which died down but only after officials had to cancel the planned post-game fireworks due to high winds earlier. Anyway, Kazoo is much improved to what they have been in the past 3-4 years, however, their offense floundered much at times, their rising star QB seemed erratic at times, yet much of that was due to Hope's defensive line rush and pressure.  Hope's offense came through when needed, yet will have to play better if we are to win the title, assuming (hoping, of course ) that Adrian loses another game and we win out. 

It will be a challenging task, but not impossible.  We play Trine at their home stadium and while they have been struggling, it is always a tough time playing there and Albion will be a more than formidable opponent as they always are when we play them even though we have them at our home stadium in the season final.  Yet, as you both have mentioned, it should be a very exciting finish.  Each team pretty much has their destiny in their own hands in one way or another.  GO HOPE!

[formerd3db]

I also forgot to mention (how could I forget? a dumb mistake )) that Head Coach Dean Kreps recorded his 100th win at Hope with the victory against Kalamazoo College last evening (and with Hope retaining the Wooden Shoes Trophy), joining an elite group of former MIAA head coaches, Hope's Ray Smith and Alma's Jim Cole in that category.  Congratulations to Coach Kreps!

[Raider 68]

GoBrits and D3MAFAN:

This is nothing new for the MIAA as this type of scenario has happened often over the years.  Which is why they MIAA, despite being down in strength comparative on the national level the past decade plus, remains so exciting.

Hope didn't have a stellar game last evening, however, we did what was needed to get the "W" and that's what counts!  A great evening game, nice crowd and the rain stayed away; crisp night, mild wind, which died down but only after officials had to cancel the planned post-game fireworks due to high winds earlier. Anyway, Kazoo is much improved to what they have been in the past 3-4 years, however, their offense floundered much at times, their rising star QB seemed erratic at times, yet much of that was due to Hope's defensive line rush and pressure.  Hope's offense came through when needed, yet will have to play better if we are to win the title, assuming (hoping, of course ) that Adrian loses another game and we win out. 

It will be a challenging task, but not impossible.  We play Trine at their home stadium and while they have been struggling, it is always a tough time playing there and Albion will be a more than formidable opponent as they always are when we play them even though we have them at our home stadium in the season final.  Yet, as you both have mentioned, it should be a very exciting finish.  Each team pretty much has their destiny in their own hands in one way or another.  GO HOPE!

formerd3db,

It looks like a real dog fight for the conference title. With 3 games left, who has the advantage,
how much is playing at home worth, and could their be a tie? If a tie, the the non-conference record
has an impact!

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

That is a tough question.  At this point, IMO, I don't think any team has a "lock" on it.  Normally, playing at one's home stadium is the advantage, however, from my/our experience in the MIAA, that isn't always necessarily the case, for example, Albion plays at our place in the last game of the season.  Obviously, Hope has to win out to have any chance for a tie of the title and one more loss by Adrian..

Albion plays @ Adrian on 11/9, which is our (Hope's) "bye" weekend.  Albion has been playing well of late, even though having smaller winning margins, but at this point, the score margin in a win obviously doesn't matter. Adrian plays @ Kalamazoo and the latter did beat Trine at Kazoos home, and Kazoo only lost to us by 10 last night (with us having a later TD), so them beating Adrian is not a far-fetched idea either.  Hope plays @ Trine this weekend and even though Trine has been on the skids, that will not be an easy game for us.

So...after all that confusing commentary , if we do not beat Trine this weekend, we are out and then I would say that the "title" game will most likely be Albion@Adrian.  If we win this weekend and Adrian loses to Albion, then the title game would be 11/16 @ Hope (I think I got all that correct?).  Right now, I'd have to give Albion and Hope as being the slight edge as favorites.

But...as you and others have mentioned here, it seems like it is going to be a wild finish and go down to the wire- unless, someone just simply blows it!!!!!   Also, I know you mentioned your Mount not having "a lock" on the OAC, but, I personally don't think they will have a problem winning it this year!  They seem to be on a roll as some of your Mount colleagues have said today also.

I hope things are going well for you and yours.  Talk to you later.

[D306]

Another wild weekend in the MIAA.
Every year seems to be very competitive, with the league title coming down to the last weekend
I see no different this year.
Glad to see the numbers of players staying high on most teams.Tough financial times for many people.
A DIII education is a blessing yet can be prohibitive for many.

The next 2 weeks will be exciting, weather will be an issue with an untimely fumble changing a games outcome.

HS playoffs, College in the meat of the conference play, great football time of the year.
Man even the Lions might make the playoffs, health will be an issue WR's dropping like flies.
How many more "throw it up there" and let Calvin go get it passes can we get?

[formerd3db]

D306:

Good to see your post here-it has been awhile since you have visited us here!  Hope you are doing well.  Indeed, as you mention, it appears to be coming down to another exciting MIAA football finish.

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico:

Any chance you and yours will be at the Hope@Trine game this Saturday?  If so, it would be great to visit with you.  Let me know.

[formerd3db]

Hey Pat:

Very nice upgrade on your front page format!  Like with you last change a few years ago, it took me a while to get used to navigating around it, however, it is fine.  Excellent job and thanks as always for all you do for us with this.

[D306]

D3DB

I keep an eye on MIAA, GLIAC etc... from a distance as I no longer coach or live in MI. Like to follow my former players or schools guys.
Back in town for the UofM VS MSU game, hope to be dry and get out with a win. watching a few HS playoff games this weekend as well.

Glad to see the upgrades on the D3 site.

Let's hope that the MIAA comes down to the Albion VS. Hope game traditional long time members going at it.

[Uncle Rico]

Uncle Rico:

Any chance you and yours will be at the Hope@Trine game this Saturday?  If so, it would be great to visit with you.  Let me know.

I would like to go to the game, but I will be hunting this weekend in the Clare area.  Trying to catch up for all those years watching my son play on Fridays and Saturdays.  Hope was one of my favorite venues to visit in the MIAA, and I would like to see the changes.  I hope you are doing well, and it is good to hear from you.  Even though I do not post that much any more, I still follow the teams.   

[formerd3db]

D3DB

I keep an eye on MIAA, GLIAC etc... from a distance as I no longer coach or live in MI. Like to follow my former players or schools guys.
Back in town for the UofM VS MSU game, hope to be dry and get out with a win. watching a few HS playoff games this weekend as well.

Glad to see the upgrades on the D3 site.

Let's hope that the MIAA comes down to the Albion VS. Hope game traditional long time members going at it.

I thought I remembered that you were no longer residing in the state.  Nonetheless, glad you have the chance to go to the U of Mich/Michigan State game and, yes, let's hope it stays dry for that one as well as our MIAA games.  I also agree with you that it would be great to see it come down to Albion/Hope for the title in the last game!  Have a great time on your visit back here and we'll look forward to your occasional posts here.

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico:

Any chance you and yours will be at the Hope@Trine game this Saturday?  If so, it would be great to visit with you.  Let me know.

I would like to go to the game, but I will be hunting this weekend in the Clare area.  Trying to catch up for all those years watching my son play on Fridays and Saturdays.  Hope was one of my favorite venues to visit in the MIAA, and I would like to see the changes.  I hope you are doing well, and it is good to hear from you.  Even though I do not post that much any more, I still follow the teams.

Uncle Rico:

Totally understand.  For sure, there comes a time when "it is just time to do that".   I'm surviving, thanks for asking.  Also, like D306, we do enjoy you guys posting on occasion even though it is not as much as you used to for obvious reasons as you mentioned.  Anyway, have a fun time hunting but also...stay safe.

[Raider 68]

The MIAA Pickems have these teams winning on Saturday, are they correct?

Albion

Hope

Adrian