FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Jameswys · October 13, 2019, 12:48:56 AM

Wow. What a week in the MIAA. If anyone would have said two weeks ago that Albion, Trine and Finlandia would have the same number of conference wins, people would be wondering how Finlandia won two games. No one would believe Trine and Albion could both be 0-2.

Alma might be the real deal, but Hope looks great. Olivet fit 5555 into the stands this week but I'm not relishing getting to play a 0-2 Trine team on the road, especially one that likes to beat their former coaches and alumni working on the OC coaching staff.

The only thing I'm willing to say with confidence about the MIAA going into next week, Hope will 1000% be 3-0 on Saturday night, baring a delayed game that is.

formerd3db · October 13, 2019, 01:07:58 PM

Jamesways:

A crowd of 5550 for your Homecoming, although it did not break the record of 7000 two years ago, still is great! We had only 2803 for our Homecoming yesterday and while the win was great and was huge for us, the attebdance, IMO, was disappointing. Plus, there were only less than a handful of my teammates and firmer players from my era and/or around that.

Anyway, I am with you that the league title right now looks to likely be Hope, Olivet and Alma's to claim, although we know that anything could hapoen-strange things occasionally happen!

On another tangent (back to the attendance topic) and speaking of strange, Finlandia has had more in attendance at their last two home games than Kalamazoo. Albion has been in the 4000 range, and, of course, Trine has had big crowds:your Olivet has done pretty well also.. I'm finding it fascinating and slightly strange regarding some of the DIII attendance this year. A school like Hardin-Simmoms is having, 8000+, 9000+, and 10,000+ despite a terrible season so far, little Eureka College has had 4000 crowds, and WW had had 10,000 and 12,000 for games. We still have the Target Field and MetLife games yet to go.

sflzman · October 13, 2019, 03:17:37 PM

I went on StubHub today to see if there was anything tempting me to drive to Happy Valley next Saturday for the night game...after seeing tickets starting at around $200 I quickly decided no.

Thinking this might be a reason d3 football is so attractive (in line with the similar arguments for minor league baseball).

formerd3db · October 13, 2019, 03:59:54 PM

Makes sense, sflzman.🙂

sac · October 13, 2019, 04:52:15 PM

Early forecast for Houghton/Hancock suggests Hope will catch a little break in the weather department. 58, partly cloudy, probably some wind. That's a pretty fine day on the Keewenaw this time of year

Beautiful drive though.

formerd3db · October 13, 2019, 08:02:40 PM

Quote from: sac on October 13, 2019, 04:52:15 PM
Early forecast for Houghton/Hancock suggests Hope will catch a little break in the weather department. 58, partly cloudy, probably some wind. That's a pretty fine day on the Keewenaw this time of year

Beautiful drive though.

Yeah, all 10 hours of the drive. Unless you get delayed in crossing the bridge or a moose in the U.P.!

Both do happen more often than one might think!

Jameswys · October 13, 2019, 08:16:56 PM

Quote from: sac on October 13, 2019, 04:52:15 PM
Beautiful drive though.

The last two weeks the colors haven't been the quite ready yet. Today driving back down state from Traverse City the colors were just about ready. I'd bet a drive next Friday or Saturday to Finlandia would be a peak color drive.

sac · October 13, 2019, 11:37:27 PM

Quote from: Jameswys on October 13, 2019, 08:16:56 PM
Quote from: sac on October 13, 2019, 04:52:15 PM
Beautiful drive though.

The last two weeks the colors haven't been the quite ready yet. Today driving back down state from Traverse City the colors were just about ready. I'd bet a drive next Friday or Saturday to Finlandia would be a peak color drive.

They were peak around Gaylord this weekend, which equates to peak in the mid UP Marquette area. There will be lots of color no doubt.

formerd3db · October 14, 2019, 02:53:24 PM

Quote from: sac on October 13, 2019, 11:37:27 PM
Quote from: Jameswys on October 13, 2019, 08:16:56 PM
Quote from: sac on October 13, 2019, 04:52:15 PM
Beautiful drive though.

The last two weeks the colors haven't been the quite ready yet. Today driving back down state from Traverse City the colors were just about ready. I'd bet a drive next Friday or Saturday to Finlandia would be a peak color drive.

They were peak around Gaylord this weekend, which equates to peak in the mid UP Marquette area. There will be lots of color no doubt.

Assuming we don't get the rain that is tentatively predicted for the next several days, although the weather reports usually change frequently as you know.

formerd3db · October 17, 2019, 08:51:46 PM

jamesways:

Although it is a week early to ask this, are you going to be at the Olivet/Hope game? If so, it would be great to visit for a few minutes sometime either before or after the game.

Jameswys · October 19, 2019, 09:32:03 AM

Quote from: formerd3db on October 17, 2019, 08:51:46 PM
jamesways:

Although it is a week early to ask this, are you going to be at the Olivet/Hope game? If so, it would be great to visit for a few minutes sometime either before or after the game.

Yes, most likely. We can make arrangements next week via PM! I always like meeting people in real life.

formerd3db · October 19, 2019, 10:24:30 AM

Jamesways:

Great. Will PM you sometime this week. Have a great weekend.

Jameswys · October 19, 2019, 08:07:53 PM

Another great weekend of MIAA football. Adrian with the win (upset?) at home against Alma capped it off. We now have two teams at each of the following records 3-0, 2-1, 1-2, 0-3. I think the championship will be decided on Olivet's campus this year, as Hope and Olivet clash in a battle of undefeated teams next weekend. The winner will have a pretty clear path to the championship in my opinion.
The other contest to watch will be Adrian at Albion. If Adrian wins they'd still have an outside shot at a title if things break their way. I think Alma watched their title hopes disappear tonight, as they still have Olivet and Hope on their schedule.

One thing I can say with 100% certainty going into next weekend: Trine will win their first conference game of the season, probably by 30 points (or more).

formerd3db · October 19, 2019, 08:32:15 PM

I think you are right. Although we all know that anything can happen in the MIAA. Whoever wins the Olivet/Hope game next weekend will still have to be on their guard for avoiding any letdown (overconfidence) for their remaining games. Anyway, I am looking forward to a great game next weekend and hopefully a big crowd and good weather-I just hope there is no rain.

formerd3db · October 25, 2019, 05:43:10 PM

With the MIAA race kind of heating up (as usual, although perhaps a couple of teams not expected to be in it so far), this board is surprisingly quiet. Predictions for tomorrow, my fellow MIAA posters?

Here are mine:
Albion over Adrian (especially since it is at Albion, by 7-10 points)
Trine over Finlandia (3-4 TDs+)
Alma over Kalamazoo (by at least 2 TDs)
Hope over Olivet (even though it is at Olivet, which will be tough, by at least a TD)

Edited for including my predictions.