FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Finlandia needs to figure out its strategy, because bringing a bunch of players up from Florida to the U.P. definitely did not work. Player retention has been awful, and Finlandia University *really* needs football to fill some beds consistently.

You are correct, Pat. I agree with you entirely.  Their early path after the inaugural season has not been smooth and certainly unlike many of the other DIII football programs that were started (or restarted after a many year hiatus) over the past decade plus.  Perhaps this new restructured coaching staff will be able to begin some consistency.

One of the challenges involving and in addition to the problem you outlined i.e. player retention and attracting players there is that high school football in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is facing tough times in having low numbers of kids available in their communities.  A good number of those small high schools have had to go to 8-man and some even 6-man football programs. Not many young families moving to UP and those top h.s. players obviously will go to better programs (in any division) downstate and/or out-of-state instead of to Houghton. Last year's .500 season for Finlandia was "okay" (and given/understanding the competition they played and the small roster), however, as you say, they need to figure it out over the next couple of years.  It will be a big challenge, but not impossible. Playing in the MIAA I would think will be helpful.  Of course, we will see.

[UWO Titan 78]

I saw that Finlandia has announced another new Interim Coach today. This can't help recruiting. I would think moving to the MIAC would help them. When I played at Oshkosh we recruited the UP pretty hard. I know they lose some elite talent to Northern Michigan, but I would think if they could keep the UP talent, Finlandia would be able to compete. But I would expect them to be competitive in hockey, and they struggle there as well. I have no idea what the University's focus is when it comes to athletics.

[Pat Coleman]

Man -- yet another weird turn in that program's short history.

[Gregory Sager]

Finlandia needs to figure out its strategy, because bringing a bunch of players up from Florida to the U.P. definitely did not work. Player retention has been awful, and Finlandia University *really* needs football to fill some beds consistently.

You are correct, Pat. I agree with you entirely.  Their early path after the inaugural season has not been smooth and certainly unlike many of the other DIII football programs that were started (or restarted after a many year hiatus) over the past decade plus.  Perhaps this new restructured coaching staff will be able to begin some consistency.

One of the challenges involving and in addition to the problem you outlined i.e. player retention and attracting players there is that high school football in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is facing tough times in having low numbers of kids available in their communities.  A good number of those small high schools have had to go to 8-man and some even 6-man football programs. Not many young families moving to UP and those top h.s. players obviously will go to better programs (in any division) downstate and/or out-of-state instead of to Houghton. Last year's .500 season for Finlandia was "okay" (and given/understanding the competition they played and the small roster), however, as you say, they need to figure it out over the next couple of years.  It will be a big challenge, but not impossible. Playing in the MIAA I would think will be helpful.  Of course, we will see.

The declining and aging population of the U.P., and its concomitant impact upon U.P. high-school sports, is only one problem that Finlandia faces in recruiting Yooper footballers. The other is the dismal economic situation up there, which has been an ongoing problem for a long, long time. Even though Finlandia is on the inexpensive side for a private school, there aren't many Yoopers that can afford to shell out 20K a year for their kid's education. Little wonder that the school has only a 57% first-year retention rate, and that fewer than a third of Finlandia students graduate in six years or less.

[Evergreen14]

I really feel for Finlandia. I hope they can pull through this adversity and have a competitive first campaign in the MIAA. Maybe even win a conference game. Good for the school and the conference, in my opinion. Their softball team was pretty good this year (18-12) and some of their other teams (baseball and both basketball teams) have picked up some victories. For a school that small, I am just happy to see some level of success and hope it spreads to the football team. It probably will take time in the MIAA. Consistency with coaching and players, as mentioned above, is going to be needed to be successful.

[DBQ1965]

With 6 weeks to go before the season opener, what will the MIAA see in football this year?  Is this Hope's breakout season?  Can Trine repeat as conference champs?  Will Finlandia find a conference win ... if so, who will it be?  How will the MIAA fare in non-conference play.   Who is the odds on favorite for the MIAA title? 

[DBQ1965]

Or not.

[TUAngola]

DBQ1965

You're right, very little chatter here with fall camp opening up next week.  Not sure about the rest of the league but Trine should have a solid squad again this year.  On offense we lose MIAA offensive POY Evan Wyse at QB.  That will be a big hole to fill, especially running the ball, his instrincts were uncanny as a runner, and he could run you over too.  We still have a lot of weapons returning though, all MIAA performers Lamar Carswell at RB. Jeffrey Barnett at WR and kick returner, and Elijah Klepper at TE.  The line lost a 3 starters including 2 1st team all conference guys, so the development of the line is going to be something to watch in camp.  Carswell has to stay healthy too as we didn't have much depth at RB last year behind Carswell and Mark Wilson, who graduated. 

On defense, the strength will be our cornerbacks and linebackers.  MIAA defensive POY Marcus Winters returns at CB along with his buddy at the other corner, Cayleel Hill.  Both Winters and Hill have garnered some preseaon All American accolades in various publications.  LB Simeon Washington also is a big hitter returning.  The front loses 4 yr starter Me'leick Miles at DT, he was a stud on the line.  I think the biggest question on defense is how the DL fairs this year.  We played a lot of guys on DL last year but there is no one guy who stood out like Me'leick did.  We lost a good safety and punter in Robert Riley too.  PK is in good hands, hopefully someone can step up as that #1 punter in camp.

As far as where the others are at I think Hope, Adrian and Olivet will be in the top half.  Albion had an uncharacteristic bad year last year but I like their QB, they should be improved.  Alma has a new Coach, they are a wild card, don't know what to expect.  Finlandia is an unknown, they probably won't have the depth the other MIAA schools have, except for maybe Kalamazoo, it will be interesting to see how they fare in the MIAA.

Trine has a Top 25 preseason ranking in the DIII football poll but that poll looks to be roughly based on last years performance.  I've seen other publications that don't have Trine ranked at all.  I'd like to think we'll "reload" but football is fickle, the margin between winning and losing isn't very big at all.     

[Pat Coleman]

Trine wasn't on my ballot, either. But I only have one of the 25 votes -- the other 24 outvoted me.

[DBQ1965]

Thanks TUAngola for your assessment of the Thunder.   I would add that the inside linebackers will continue to get excellent coaching ... from a UD grad.

[waxx]

Congratulations to Olivet!

https://herosports.com/college-football/best-mascot-nickname-rankings-auau

[sac]

sure

[TUAngola]

MIAA football coaches poll out today.  Predicted order of finish:

1) Trine - 7 1st place votes
2) Hope - 1 1st place vote
3) Adrian
4) Olivet
5) Albion
6) Alma
7) Kalamazoo
8) Finlandia

This is pretty much how I would have picked the preseason poll too.  I do think Albion will be much better and could push into the top 4.  10 days until the season starts for both Trine and Alma, they both have Thursday night tilts before the Labor Day weekend sees the rest of the league starting. 

Sure isn't much chatter in the MIAA football boards like there used to be.   

[waxx]

That's pretty much how I would have ordered them as well. It really wouldn't surprise me if Hope makes it real close with Trine. Stuursma seems like the real deal and the 3rd year is often a boom for good coaches as their recruits are now Juniors and the seniors have been in the system for a couple seasons.

[sac]

Breaking down Hope's roster by class

Sr.  --19
Jr.   --21
So  --27
Fr.   --32

Out of their roster of 99, two-thirds have now played 2 years for Stuursma and only 19 played in a different system.   They return 5 offensive, 6 defensive starters.


Stuursma is 15-5 overall and 10-2 (MIAA) in his two years at Hope (14-2 in the last 16), there's not a lot of "upside" left other than winning the MIAA Championship.   Lest we forget Hope was actually the pre-season favorite in 2017 and set school records for points and rushing yards.   They've been pretty good already.

There does appear to be some kind of gap between Hope and Trine but I think optimism seems high for 2018.