FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Trailer Dog]

What MIAA team plays the toughest non-conference schedule?

[Briton-DL]

First things first, yes those three teams are weak. I know the MIAA hasnt done well in the Post season but I think a lot of that has to be with the simple fact that the MIAA is so competetive that you cant take a week off.The teams in the MIAA pretty much beat the hell out of one another week in and week out. Plus when was the last time any of those teams won a National Championship, Im pretty sure the MIAA has the most recent one. As far as Defiance  competing in the top three in the MIAA, thats a joke. Just look at last years top Four in the League. Albion, Olivet, Adrain, Alma. Defiance got their butt's kicked by Adrian, and Adrian didnt even win the league last year, yes the League winner lost to Adrian, but I will have to say that Adrian did get very lucky in that game to come back after being down 17-0 at halftime. Albion did come out flat the third quater to let them back in it, to win in OT by a field goal. 

As far as Playoff apperance yeah we havent been there probably as often as those other leagues but remeber we just recently got an automatic Bid. I remember a very talented Albion team that went 8-2 that didnt make the playoffs in 2001 and probably would have done some major damage had they. And anyone from the league that was around those years would have to agree with me on that. As far as the Playoff records go's I do beleive that Albion did play Mount Union very often in the 90's and competed very well with them. Losing very close and competetive games to National Champs those years. And if I recall right nobody else really played tightly with Mount those years, it was kind of a cake walk for them after those games with Albion.

In End I would say that those Teams would probably rank in the lower half of the MIAA. Yeah doing good in non-conference games would be a great way to measure a player ability if his stats were extremely high in conference games but when its the opposite you need to question the Non-conference strength. Think about it if the conference was weaker than the those schools wouldnt the Athlete make more plays in those two to three years he was honored that status in League Play.
Like I said before the Non-conference schedule of Adrian is a little suspect!!! end of story. As for who has the toughest Non-conference schedule this year its a toss up between Albion, Alma and Hope. But hey thats just my opinion.

[miaafbfan]

I'd agree.  Albion, Alma, and Hope have decent non conference schedules with opponents like Wheaton and Wittenberg.  The rest of the MIAA needs to crank things up a notch.  It will be interesting to see who is picked to win the championship later at media day.  Adrian, Albion, Alma, and Hope will be in the mix.

[matblake]

I think determining strength of non-conference schedule can be kind of tricky.  It all depends on where you are as a program.  Personally, I think that Olivet has a good non-conference schedule.  Taking on IWU (which will be a much improved team over last year), Elmhurst (which some see as an up and comer in the CCIW) will be good tests for the Comets.  You would expect teams like K-Zoo and Tri-State to have easier schedules since they are trying to rebuild/develop programs.  I don't think it makes sense to get beat up on by top tier programs until your program develops.  I don't know enough about Wis Lutheran's opponents to know about their schedule. 

[D306]

I think Albion as a tough non-Conference schedule.
Butler, Theil and Wheaton.

2 teams that are league champs and playoff teams many years.
Theil is highly ranked this year after a very good year last year.

Should prepare Albion for the MIAA.

[70_dc_alum]

BritonDL - the Berg and Bluffton are bad. Defiance will impress a few this year returning 20 starters and really came on strong after the first 2-3 games last year.  the defense was always strong but i dont think DC scored an offensive point until they switched QB's around week 3-4 and ended up finishing 2nd in the conference.

i dont think you carry much weight with the we beat up each other too much during the league play so it has an impact on post season.  there are still plenty of bottom dwellers and every league has 3-4 teams at the top every year.  look at the competition in the area with PAC, NCAC, OAC, Wisconsin and Illinois conferences?  if you really think the MIAA is top to bottom better than these guys which causes you to beat up each other too much then i want some of that you are smoking.  the MIAA is on par with national respect as the HCAC.  will get a team to the playoffs who may win a game but that is it. 

Albion of the early 90's was a monster but that was a while ago.  i used to be able to see my feet when i looked down but that does not mean i am skinny today.

yes i did play at defiance so i do have to show a little love there but i also played every year we were affiliated with the MIAA so i know how much beating up goes on.  dont get me wrong i love the smash mouth style in the MIAA but i think that has littel effect on your post season.

[Grutte Dirk]

2006:
Sat., Sep 9   8:00 pm   vs. Albion           
Sat., Sep 16   2:00 pm   vs. Washington U.           
Sat., Sep 23   1:00 pm   at Hope

Would anyone say Wheaton (IL) has a tough non-conference schedule?  It doesn't seem like they're looking for early-season challenges.

since 2000:
v. MIAA ... 5-3
v. other ... 9-1

[bulldogalum]

Well it looks as though the media have picked the Bulldogs to win the MIAA this year.  Albion finished a close second in the ballot, and Hope was third.  Though I generally distrust the opinions of members of the media on such things as this, I certainly hope they're right this time.  

[Trailer Dog]

Have Adrian's and Hope's new building projects begun a trend of improvement for many of the MIAA athletic venues?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Well it looks as though the media have picked the Bulldogs to win the MIAA this year.  Albion finished a close second in the ballot, and Hope was third.  Though I generally distrust the opinions of members of the media on such things as this, I certainly hope they're right this time.  

Actually the media picked Alma third.  The coaches picked Hope third, and Hope was also third in the combined poll.

http://www.miaa.org/

[Stinger]

Have Adrian's and Hope's new building projects begun a trend of improvement for many of the MIAA athletic venues?

Kalamazoo has a long way to go before they start on their athletic facilities. They recently renovated their library which is incredible, and their student center (union) will be started this fall.  There's talk about a student rec center to the NE of Markin but there's little money for that at this point .  Angell field was partially renovated 5 years ago, and is fine, however Calder (locker rooms at Angell) really need to be updated. Stowe Stadium (tennis) will probably go thru continuous upgrades due to K hosting the USTA's every year.

Adrian's project is interesting. They are banking on larger class sizes to pay for these new facilities and programs (lacrosse). There was no major campaign.  They have all their coaches out on the admissions recruiting road big time. I hope it works out for them.

[WLCALUM83]

To:  matblake

Wisconsin Lutheran's football non-conference opponents are Valparaiso, Dubuque, Rockford and Concordia, WI. If I recall correctly, Rockford had a great football season last year.

WLCALUM83

[albinomascot19]

I am looking for Albion to return to its glory days, as the season begins.  Even though there has been some players that have been lost due to graduation, I feel the new players will step up in a big way this year.  I am curious to see how QB Jake Wilson performs this year.  I look for him to have a monster year.  The Briton offense shouldn't miss a beat.  I was looking at some new players on the 2006 roster,  there are a few things that stand out.  First of all looks like Albion did a tremendous job with recruiting as it has done with years past.  I see that Albion is bringing in size with some players being 300 lbs and above.  That should really help strengthen an already tough offensive line.  Another thing I realized is that Albion recruited a wide receiver out of MN, and a kicker from Brazil.

[WLCALUM83]

Noticed WLC is picked to finish ahead of Tri-State in the lower half of the MIAA. The longer Matt Kehl stays healthy, the better the Warriors' chances will be. Not to cut them down but if they finish .500 overall on the year it'll be a major step forward.






WLCALUM83

[formerd3db]

Have Adrian's and Hope's new building projects begun a trend of improvement for many of the MIAA athletic venues?

Kalamazoo has a long way to go before they start on their athletic facilities. They recently renovated their library which is incredible, and their student center (union) will be started this fall.  There's talk about a student rec center to the NE of Markin but there's little money for that at this point .  Angell field was partially renovated 5 years ago, and is fine, however Calder (locker rooms at Angell) really need to be updated. Stowe Stadium (tennis) will probably go thru continuous upgrades due to K hosting the USTA's every year.

Adrian's project is interesting. They are banking on larger class sizes to pay for these new facilities and programs (lacrosse). There was no major campaign.  They have all their coaches out on the admissions recruiting road big time. I hope it works out for them.

stinger:

Appreciate the follow-up re: Kazoo's Angell Field, etc.  I agree the field and recent renovations there are fine, although would just again relate that they really do need to construct a new press box and perhaps the home seats could be renovated (some permanent backed "reserved seats" in the middle there would be a nice touch.  I am surprised, however, that as you mention, there isn't much $ at present for those and the other campus projects you talked about.  I can't imagine that Kazoo doesn't have an organization of some rich alumni (or at least well-off alumni) to contribute to all those.  If Hope, Adrian, particularly Olivet and Alma, the latter two of which have a dedicated but not what I would call "heavily rich $ based" alumni base as compared to some of the other schools, can all do it, surely Kazoo can.  Hopefully, in the next couple of years that might occur for them.


As far as the MIAA Annual FB Media Day, results pretty much as expected.  All four of those will be in the race for the AQ Adrian, Albion, Hope and Alma.  I'm sure everyone will agree that it will probably come down to the last week or so again as usual and that the remaining MIAA teams will be spoilers to "wreck havoc" during the course of the season.  Good luck to all the teams.  I also HOPE that the weather is not too extreme (i.e. hot) when camps open next week.