FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HansenRatings]

Playoff projections for the season using my model's preseason ratings:



You can look at other conferences on my website: https://hansenratings.github.io/.

[ziggy]

Some position observations:  most players by position is OL with 36, ILB has a full room with 27, RB has 23 with 16 of them freshman, 7 kickers, and what really stood out is 13 QB's which includes 7 freshmen QB's.  Anyone need a QB? We have plenty to spare. 

This seems bonkers to me... I just don't understand. I'll give the freshmen a pass, but if you're 6th on the QB depth chart, with 7 freshman coming in, what are you doing? Or 20th on the OL depth chart?

I'm familiar with scrimmaging 1sts v. 2nds.  Not so with 5ths v 6ths.

The big steps down as you go by class tells me freshmen are OK coming in and not expecting to play but by the time players reach upperclassman status they are probably either getting playing time or are dropping off the roster.

117 freshmen does seem crazy and that would have nothing to do with the covid year of extra eligibility. The understanding I have gained from starting to follow along as Calvin is starting their program is that somewhere around 100 would be a TOTAL roster. I'm assuming Trine's roster size is a major outlier?

[TUAngola]

Some position observations:  most players by position is OL with 36, ILB has a full room with 27, RB has 23 with 16 of them freshman, 7 kickers, and what really stood out is 13 QB's which includes 7 freshmen QB's.  Anyone need a QB? We have plenty to spare. 

This seems bonkers to me... I just don't understand. I'll give the freshmen a pass, but if you're 6th on the QB depth chart, with 7 freshman coming in, what are you doing? Or 20th on the OL depth chart?

I'm familiar with scrimmaging 1sts v. 2nds.  Not so with 5ths v 6ths.

The big steps down as you go by class tells me freshmen are OK coming in and not expecting to play but by the time players reach upperclassman status they are probably either getting playing time or are dropping off the roster.

117 freshmen does seem crazy and that would have nothing to do with the covid year of extra eligibility. The understanding I have gained from starting to follow along as Calvin is starting their program is that somewhere around 100 would be a TOTAL roster. I'm assuming Trine's roster size is a major outlier?

Trine's incoming freshman football class has always been 100+, that has been the norm for quite some time.  D3 recruiting is far different than recruiting at an athletic scholarship program.  I imagine most of the MIAA schools are 'offering' the same kids, so it is very common for a good player to have several options on where to go to school.  The incoming classes at Trine are probably a combination of those who ultimately select your school, plus many others that you may not have recruited, but end up at your school to see if they can keep playing the sport they loved in high school.  There are no 'cuts', so if you want to suit up your freshman year you can.  Then by the time they become sophomores the class is reduced by at least half.  It's always been that way, kids think they can contribute, but then find out that they are so far down the depth chart that they'll probably never see the field in a varsity game.

[Pat Coleman]

Some position observations:  most players by position is OL with 36, ILB has a full room with 27, RB has 23 with 16 of them freshman, 7 kickers, and what really stood out is 13 QB's which includes 7 freshmen QB's.  Anyone need a QB? We have plenty to spare. 

This seems bonkers to me... I just don't understand. I'll give the freshmen a pass, but if you're 6th on the QB depth chart, with 7 freshman coming in, what are you doing? Or 20th on the OL depth chart?

I'm familiar with scrimmaging 1sts v. 2nds.  Not so with 5ths v 6ths.

The big steps down as you go by class tells me freshmen are OK coming in and not expecting to play but by the time players reach upperclassman status they are probably either getting playing time or are dropping off the roster.

117 freshmen does seem crazy and that would have nothing to do with the covid year of extra eligibility. The understanding I have gained from starting to follow along as Calvin is starting their program is that somewhere around 100 would be a TOTAL roster. I'm assuming Trine's roster size is a major outlier?

As of about five years ago, the average D-III roster was about 105.

The outliers are at about 175 and above, and 50 and below.

[TUAngola]

Undisciplined play cost us the game tonight.  Credit to RHIT though, they came out and jumped on us early, led 24-7 at half.  Trine left too many points on the field.  Close to 600 yeards of total offense for naught.  Three times we had dead ball personal fouls by our offensive line which cost us the game.  Late in the second quarter we had a first and goal at the 10 and the PF by a lineman pushed us back and we missed a FG right before half.  Then the same thing happended twice again in the 4th quarter.  Had a nice running play down to the 1 yd line, and after the whisle blew our offensive lineman peeled a defender off the pile, you just can't do that.  We end up missing another field goal.  Then we get the ball back one last time, under 2 minutes, no time outs, 90 yards for the win.  We drive down the field, get in field goal range around the 15, then it happens again, another dead ball PF on an offensive lineman.  We have a long 45 yd FG blocked with 7 seconds to go and that was the game.  Gut wrenching loss.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Congrats to Terrell Harris (WR) at Hope on being named to the D3football Team of the Week!

https://www.d3football.com/awards/tow/2023/week2

RET Terrell Harris, Sr., Hope
Harris returned a punt a Hope-record 90 yards for a touchdown during a 42-28 win vs. Loras. The return broke a 64-year school record of 79 yards. Hope trailed 14-0 until Harris put the Flying Dutchmen on the board three minutes into the second quarter and breathed life into a struggling team. He later caught a 34-yard touchdown pass that tied the score 58 seconds before halftime.

[monsoon]

Great story on Hope's Derik Smith:

https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2023/hope-derik-smith-football-not-feetball

[DBQ1965]

Its awfully quiet on the MIAA chat these days.  In miserable conditions yesterday, Hope's defense shut down Albion's offense to hold the Britons to two field goals in their 14-6 loss.  This sets up next Saturday's Alma-Hope contest as critical for either team's aspirations for the MIAA Conference title along with hopes for a D3 playoff bid.  Any comments?

[TUAngola]

Adrian's head football coach has resigned mid-season.  See link.

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/10/adrian-changes-coaches-midseason

[HOPEful]

Its awfully quiet on the MIAA chat these days.  In miserable conditions yesterday, Hope's defense shut down Albion's offense to hold the Britons to two field goals in their 14-6 loss.  This sets up next Saturday's Alma-Hope contest as critical for either team's aspirations for the MIAA Conference title along with hopes for a D3 playoff bid.  Any comments?

I've been making my football posts pretty exclusively on the R4 Fan Poll thread.

As excited as I was about Hope's hard-fought win over Albion, I didn't go into the homecoming matchup against Alma last week with much optimism. Carter St. John and Eddie Williams are just really, really good. I'd love to see a John Carroll or Mount Union matchup for the Alma deeper in the playoffs. It would be a great barometer for how they match up with the best in the region. It definitely feels like until those guys are no longer at Alma, they'll be closer to the big boys regionally and nationally than the rest of the MIAA is to them...

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Its awfully quiet on the MIAA chat these days.  In miserable conditions yesterday, Hope's defense shut down Albion's offense to hold the Britons to two field goals in their 14-6 loss.  This sets up next Saturday's Alma-Hope contest as critical for either team's aspirations for the MIAA Conference title along with hopes for a D3 playoff bid.  Any comments?

I've been making my football posts pretty exclusively on the R4 Fan Poll thread.

As excited as I was about Hope's hard-fought win over Albion, I didn't go into the homecoming matchup against Alma last week with much optimism. Carter St. John and Eddie Williams are just really, really good. I'd love to see a John Carroll or Mount Union matchup for the Alma deeper in the playoffs. It would be a great barometer for how they match up with the best in the region. It definitely feels like until those guys are no longer at Alma, they'll be closer to the big boys regionally and nationally than the rest of the MIAA is to them...

I wholeheartedly disagree.  Yes, Alma beat Hope, and those two players for the Scots are extremely talented.  But you need to rewatch or check the stats on the Hope/ Alma game if you think Alma is that far above the rest of the MIAA.  Alma did put up 457 yards on Hope, but Hope put up 327 on Alma.  Scoring wise, the real difference in this game were the two Alma scores in the 1st Q.  The first was the early interception that gave Alma the ball at the 4 yd line - easy score, and then after Hope tied it up, a 94yd kickoff return for a TD. 

I also don't believe the Scots (or anyone in the MIAA for that matter) is anywhere close to JCU or MU at this point. 

[HOPEful]

...But you need to rewatch or check the stats on the Hope/ Alma game if you think Alma is that far above the rest of the MIAA.  Alma did put up 457 yards on Hope, but Hope put up 327 on Alma.  Scoring wise, the real difference in this game were the two Alma scores in the 1st Q.  The first was the early interception that gave Alma the ball at the 4 yd line - easy score, and then after Hope tied it up, a 94yd kickoff return for a TD. 

I also don't believe the Scots (or anyone in the MIAA for that matter) is anywhere close to JCU or MU at this point.

Did we watch different second halves, lol? Alma missed a 28 yard field goal to go into halftime. They then came out with what should have been 4 straight TD drives (Hope stopped them on the goal line on downs) They make that field goal and get in the endzone there, the final is 45-17. And 45-17 is how that whole second half felt, like Hope still had a chance technically, but not really.

I'd love to see a John Carroll v Alma game. I think it'd be close.

[sac]

Alma is dominating the MIAA.  There is a wide gap to competing with the best teams nationally.  Maybe this Alma team is different, but probably not.  The MIAA owns 9 NCAA tournament wins in 45 years, 5 belong to Albion 93 and 94.

[HOPEful]

Alma is dominating the MIAA.  There is a wide gap to competing with the best teams nationally.  Maybe this Alma team is different, but probably not.  The MIAA owns 9 NCAA tournament wins in 45 years, 5 belong to Albion 93 and 94.

100% That's why I say, "i'd like to see them play"... more of a statement of lament that it won't happen. Last year they got Aurora after beating MSJ though, so who knows?