FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

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

Albion

Hope

Adrian

Raider68:

I think that is probably what will happen.  On the other hand, I wouldn't be overly surprised if Kalamazoo and Olivet pulled out a win (again).  As far as your Mount Union, do they face a somewhat increased challenge since the game is at the 'Berg's place?

[Raider 68]

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

Albion

Hope

Adrian

Raider68:

I think that is probably what will happen.  On the other hand, I wouldn't be overly surprised if Kalamazoo and Olivet pulled out a win (again).  As far as your Mount Union, do they face a somewhat increased challenge since the game is at the 'Berg's place?

formerd3db,

In my last post on the OAC Boards, l listed questions for the game. IMHO, the key to this game will
be defense, since both teams average over 50 points per game. They have each played the same
6 conference games, but Mount Union played a very solid playoff team in Franklin. That said, it could
that playoff experience that gives the Raiders the edge come 4th quarter. Heidelberg has C. Brooks
who is one of the best in D3 against K. Burke All-America QB who can run and throw well. I do not
think playing away hurts Mount Union, since they have not lost a conference away game since
1991. Many times they play even better away.

The weather could be a factor and that will help Heidelberg. but we will see. There are some great
games on Saturday so it will be a key day for many teams.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Todd Blackledge gave Hope another shout out during the broadcast of the Michigan-MSU game!

[sac]

Albion 42, Olivet 28
Hope 35, Trine 7
Kalamazoo 14, Adrian 10

This means regardless of the Albion/Adrian outcome the MIAA Championship will be decided the final game of the season when Albion travels to Hope.

A win next week for Albion @ Adrian would clinch at least a share of the title.

[formerd3db]

ExTartanPlayer:
Well, that is very neat.  I missed it as I was driving back from our game at Trine and listening to the U of Mich/Mich State game on the radio.  What happened to C-M today?  BTW, Michigan was just plain terrible today; horrible blocking and horrible secondary play; D.G at QB was a non-factor, and was part of the difference for Michigan as some sports announcers had predicted.

MIAA thoughts:

1)Well, a wild day as some predicted in the MIAA today. First, as I mentioned, I wasn't going to be overly surprised if Kalamazoo beat Adrian, although I kind of expected Adrian to rebound from their Olivet loss last week and win this one.  It was a great win for Kalamazoo and while they are not a great team, they are vastly improved.  They just didn't play that well against Hope; just like Hope was not in its top form against IWU and Adrian.  But, with the Kazoo win, that was a big boost for Hope's chances at the AQ.  One final note...announced crowd of 637 at Kazoo is pathetic.  They have that nice new stadium and get that kind of attendance.   Seems it is even getting less than before-not good.

2) Albion gets it together and pulls it out over Olivet.  For a while, we thought they might lose this one as Olivet was ahead from the reports we heard.  However, now, all they have to do is beat Adrian next week and the showdown will be between them and Hope on the final Saturday Nov 16th for the AQ.

3)  Hope completely dominated Trine today.  Offense was in high mode and the defense, with the exception of the opening five play scoring drive by Trine with a TD pass, played extremely well a great pass rush and pressure, also blocking FG tries and the defensive secondary settled down and had Trine's receivers covered very well.  The rain held off, it was very comfortable for football and Trine had a nice crowd there for their Senior day.  They really have a nice stadium; only drawback is the long walk for the visiting team to the locker room at the basketball arena/indoor lacrosse and soccer stadium building.  Campus is a nice blend of new and retained historic buildings, and preserved historic town with nice modern development.  Trine will have to rebuild-they are probably like Hope was during the 3-7 years we had in comparison.

So with those developments, it appears Hope has it's own destiny in hand.  A share of the title is on deck and the AQ with a win.  Having our "bye" next week will be very helpful for some rest and allowing a few of the players who are slightly "banged up" to recover.  So we won't have anyone to blame but ourselves if we lose to Albion at our home stadium, but...that is always a tough game no matter where it is played.  

Also, for next weekend's game, I'd have to say Albion has the edge for beating Adrian, but don't count out the latter.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

"announced crowd of 637 is pathetic" - agree.

I'll give them a partial pass, since they were up against UM/MSU.  But ONLY a partial pass - even a die-hard Wolverine fan like me (mostly) skipped the UM/MSU game to watch IWU/NCC for the CCIW title!

[NCF]

ExTartanPlayer:
Well, that is very neat.  I missed it as I was driving back from our game at Trine and listening to the U of Mich/Mich State game on the radio.  What happened to C-M today?  BTW, Michigan was just plain terrible today; horrible blocking and horrible secondary play; D.G at QB was a non-factor, and was part of the difference for Michigan as some sports announcers had predicted.

MIAA thoughts:

1)Well, a wild day as some predicted in the MIAA today. First, as I mentioned, I wasn't going to be overly surprised if Kalamazoo beat Adrian, although I kind of expected Adrian to rebound from their Olivet loss last week and win this one.  It was a great win for Kalamazoo and while they are not a great team, they are vastly improved.  They just didn't play that well against Hope; just like Hope was not in its top form against IWU and Adrian.  But, with the Kazoo win, that was a big boost for Hope's chances at the AQ.  One final note...announced crowd of 637 at Kazoo is pathetic.  They have that nice new stadium and get that kind of attendance.   Seems it is even getting less than before-not good.

2) Albion gets it together and pulls it out over Olivet.  For a while, we thought they might lose this one as Olivet was ahead from the reports we heard.  However, now, all they have to do is beat Adrian next week and the showdown will be between them and Hope on the final Saturday Nov 16th for the AQ.

3)  Hope completely dominated Trine today.  Offense was in high mode and the defense, with the exception of the opening five play scoring drive by Trine with a TD pass, played extremely well a great pass rush and pressure, also blocking FG tries and the defensive secondary settled down and had Trine's receivers covered very well.  The rain held off, it was very comfortable for football and Trine had a nice crowd there for their Senior day.  They really have a nice stadium; only drawback is the long walk for the visiting team to the locker room at the basketball arena/indoor lacrosse and soccer stadium building.  Campus is a nice blend of new and retained historic buildings, and preserved historic town with nice modern development.  Trine will have to rebuild-they are probably like Hope was during the 3-7 years we had in comparison.

So with those developments, it appears Hope has it's own destiny in hand.  A share of the title is on deck and the AQ with a win.  Having our "bye" next week will be very helpful for some rest and allowing a few of the players who are slightly "banged up" to recover.  So we won't have anyone to blame but ourselves if we lose to Albion at our home stadium, but...that is always a tough game no matter where it is played.  

Also, for next weekend's game, I'd have to say Albion has the edge for beating Adrian, but don't count out the latter.

Congrats former on the Hope victory! 

[DBQ1965]

1)Well, a wild day as some predicted in the MIAA today. First, as I mentioned, I wasn't going to be overly surprised if Kalamazoo beat Adrian, although I kind of expected Adrian to rebound from their Olivet loss last week and win this one.  It was a great win for Kalamazoo and while they are not a great team, they are vastly improved.  They just didn't play that well against Hope; just like Hope was not in its top form against IWU and Adrian.  But, with the Kazoo win, that was a big boost for Hope's chances at the AQ.  One final note...announced crowd of 637 at Kazoo is pathetic.  They have that nice new stadium and get that kind of attendance.   Seems it is even getting less than before-not good.

I was at the Kzoo game today (it was the geographically closest D3 game to me) and the count of 637 is inadequate.  I don't know how KC figures attendance, but since both football and soccer fans come through the same gate, there had to be more than that #.  Additionally, I think fans went back and forth between the two games until toward the end of the football game when the outcome was still in doubt and the stands were full.

Nevertheless, the Hornet's defense was stellar today ... and Adrian wasn't so bad either.  Kzoo used a different QB today (Aaron McGuire, JR, Parchment ... I don't know if Danzy was injured) and played a good game overall.  I wonder if the Hornets discovered something about themselves in the second half last week against Hope?  This was a focused, determined team.

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

Agree with you.  Also, sorry your IWU's perfect season and probable CCIW title was "busted" yesterday.  Yet, it sounds like it was a tough battle despite the score.  They are still having a great season and perhaps may get an at-large bid if they tie for the title?  Also,

I don't want to talk about the U of Mich/Michigan State game.  Being a Michigan fan, obviously I'm disgusted with Michigan's play yesterday.  Michigan State is a good team and deserved the win all the way.  But, I still think Ohio State is the best team in that leage so far.  BTW, Northwestern lost another game yesterday, but only on a Hail Mary by Nebraska with no time left.  Northwestern's season is going down the drain.  They might not become bowl eligible. And finally, Eastern Michigan was getting bludgeoned last night.  Do you think this will be Ron English's last season there?

NCF:
Thank you.  It is a good feeling to be in control of one's fate now, although that makes our 3 point loss to Adrian (and the 7 point loss to IWU) sting a little more!  And likewise, congrats on your NCC's win yesterday against Mr. Ypsi's alma mater.  As we all know, one team has to lose (i.e. see Michigan/Michigan State comments above. )

DBQB1965:
Great you take in a regional game like that.  I agree with you that if the stands were full (even at one point of the game), there is no way the attendance is not more than 637 - it has to be.  As you mentioned, I thought Kalamazoo was a vastly improved team this year from what you and I saw when they played Hope last week.  They just didn't have a good overall performance for that particular game, just like Hope's offense was flat [ter] against IWU and Adrian.  At this point in the season and seeing our last 3 games, I truly believe that if Hope's offense had been clicking as they have in all of our wins (regardless of who we've played), they would have won those two games.  But...obviously, it doesn't matter.  The situation is now at hand and Albion is the challenge to get a share of the MIAA title and thus, the NCAA automatic bid.  I just hope the weather will be good for that Nov 16th game.  October's 3 weeks of rain was not fun, although we have lucked out the past 3 games with rain holding off during the actual playing of the games!

[NCF]

Mr. Ypsi:

Agree with you.  Also, sorry your IWU's perfect season and probable CCIW title was "busted" yesterday.  Yet, it sounds like it was a tough battle despite the score.  They are still having a great season and perhaps may get an at-large bid if they tie for the title?  Also,

I don't want to talk about the U of Mich/Michigan State game.  Being a Michigan fan, obviously I'm disgusted with Michigan's play yesterday.  Michigan State is a good team and deserved the win all the way.  But, I still think Ohio State is the best team in that leage so far.  BTW, Northwestern lost another game yesterday, but only on a Hail Mary by Nebraska with no time left.  Northwestern's season is going down the drain.  They might not become bowl eligible. And finally, Eastern Michigan was getting bludgeoned last night.  Do you think this will be Ron English's last season there?

NCF:
Thank you.  It is a good feeling to be in control of one's fate now, although that makes our 3 point loss to Adrian (and the 7 point loss to IWU) sting a little more!  And likewise, congrats on your NCC's win yesterday against Mr. Ypsi's alma mater.  As we all know, one team has to lose (i.e. see Michigan/Michigan State comments above. )

DBQB1965:
Great you take in a regional game like that.  I agree with you that if the stands were full (even at one point of the game), there is no way the attendance is not more than 637 - it has to be.  As you mentioned, I thought Kalamazoo was a vastly improved team this year from what you and I saw when they played Hope last week.  They just didn't have a good overall performance for that particular game, just like Hope's offense was flat [ter] against IWU and Adrian.  At this point in the season and seeing our last 3 games, I truly believe that if Hope's offense had been clicking as they have in all of our wins (regardless of who we've played), they would have won those two games.  But...obviously, it doesn't matter.  The situation is now at hand and Albion is the challenge to get a share of the MIAA title and thus, the NCAA automatic bid.  I just hope the weather will be good for that Nov 16th game.  October's 3 weeks of rain was not fun, although we have lucked out the past 3 games with rain holding off during the actual playing of the games!

Former: Was shocked to get home and see Michigan being manhandled by MSU! Northwester just keeps finding ways to lose.What difference from last season. It is always better to be in control of one's destiny. After the IWU game, I learned two things: Hope was better than advertised and IWU was not what I thought they might be.That said, I think IWU will regroup and get to the 2nd round of the play-offs.I'm "Hoping" your team gets there as well. It will be interesting to see which teams stay in the North Region and who gets moved East or West.

[D306]

Well it was a great weekend back in MI.
Albion won to keep the dream alive and hopefully march to a showdown at Hope in the last week of the season.
My boys won their HS playoff games 3 different teams I follow / coached back in the day.

The bad news was UofM no real comment as a former player under Bo I apologize to the man the myth the legend and all UpfM fans. pitiful O-line play. Way to many underclassman on line. Thanks RR wish he recruited a lineman just once please. Oh well maybe adversity grows these young men for the next couple years as they become upperclassmen.
I commented early in year start Morris and use DG as a WR speed size, athletic miss match. The guy is not a QB no Pre-snap read, no pocket presence, just flat out does not take care of the ball.

OK no more whining on my part congrats to the Spartans certainly the better team and ready to play. Starting to get some offensive play will finish strong.

Starting the see a little more diversity of locations that players are coming from in the MIAA, I think this bodes well that the league will be more competitive in the coming years. The league must commit to higher level of players and hitting the schools from strong HS leagues. There is a a lot of talent out there looking for someone to show them some interest. Easier said than done with budgets.

Trying to be back in state at the end of season for Hope VS Albion, looking for a championship game of sorts.

[sac]

If Kalamazoo can win its last two games against Alma and Olivet they would record 6 wins for the first time since 2003 and only the 2nd time since going 7-2 in 1993.

[ExTartanPlayer]

ExTartanPlayer:
Well, that is very neat.  I missed it as I was driving back from our game at Trine and listening to the U of Mich/Mich State game on the radio.  What happened to C-M today?  BTW, Michigan was just plain terrible today; horrible blocking and horrible secondary play; D.G at QB was a non-factor, and was part of the difference for Michigan as some sports announcers had predicted.

Tough one at CMU, posted my thoughts on UAA board.

Michigan State absolutely mauled Michigan, I watched most of that from my couch after walking home from the CMU game.  MSU's defense is very impressive.  I think they may be able to challenge Ohio State just on the strength of their defense.

The MIAA has certainly gotten fun this season, no?  Y'all may not be the strongest conference in the region, but it's certainly one of the most entertaining.  About five different teams harbored legitimate conference title hopes at various points this season.  Albion has two tough ones remaining.  Should be fun to watch!

[formerd3db]

As our friend ExTartanPlayer from C-M has mentioned, the MIAA teams certainly have not lacked in putting on some entertaining contests this season in keeping with our "traditional" pattern over the years.  The finish should be exciting...hopefully (no pun intended).

Anyway, what are everyone's predictions for this weekend?  Here are mine, although, as usual, I'm having a hard time deciding :

Alma @ Kalamazoo -  I have to go with Kalamazoo as they have been playing steady and it is a home game for them, even though Alma has come so close in recent weeks to winning their first of the season.

Albion @ Adrian - I'll pick Adrian as they are at home and I'm sure will be really focused on rebounding after two disappointing losses these past two weeks.  Am I correct in saying that if they win and then Hope beats Albion, they get the AQ, right? By virtue of having beat Hope and Albion, if Hope/Adrian/Albion are tri-champs i.e. all with 2 league losses?

Trine @ Olivet - I'm picking Olivet[/color] as they, too, have returned to playing fairly steady after their loss to Hope, despite the loss to Albion.  Besides, it is at their home stadium/field and Trine just looked somewhat lackadaisical last Saturday against Hope.

Hope has their "bye" this weekend, obviously.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Not MIAA-related, but nice football story out of Olivet, MI:

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/can-learn-lot-middle-school-football-team-video/