FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mr. Ypsi- I don't think U of M will be able to keep Minnesota under 19 yeards rushing, but I do think they'll be able to contain them to under 100 yards rushing which is very impressive against Minnesota.  Michigan's defense is very fast this year which will show why they'll dominate the Big Ten & knock off OSU.

That's my take (hope!) on the game.  As far as OSU, wouldn't it be great if they were each 11-0 (and ranked 1 and 2)?!

I doubt it is realistically possible, but I'd love to see them re-matched in the national championship game.   My conception of heaven is TWO UM-OSU matchups (for HIGH stakes) in TWO months!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Mr. Ypsi- I don't think U of M will be able to keep Minnesota under 19 yeards rushing, but I do think they'll be able to contain them to under 100 yards rushing which is very impressive against Minnesota.  Michigan's defense is very fast this year which will show why they'll dominate the Big Ten & knock off OSU.

That's my take (hope!) on the game.  As far as OSU, wouldn't it be great if they were each 11-0 (and ranked 1 and 2)?!

I doubt it is realistically possible, but I'd love to see them re-matched in the national championship game.   My conception of heaven is TWO UM-OSU matchups (for HIGH stakes) in TWO months!

So in your heaven, what kind of outcomes would we see?   

[dc_has_been]

In my heaven related to U of M football is just beat Notre Dame & that team south of us that's named after a nut.   It also would be great to see U of M get another National Championship if they do go undefeated it will probably be USC who they'll play.

[D306]

Re U of M

I am glad to see the aggressive calls defensively and offensivley.
The way FB is in college now, you better throw the ball.
So many great athletes, someoone will break off a big play.
Michigan zone blocking looks to have some choices for Hart and he is capitalizing.
If the defense stays aggeressive and pressures teams, I believe U of M will go into OSU undefeated, then its on. Want to see how Iowa does vs. OSU. If Iowa exposes some holes in defense then I will have higher hopes of a U of M upset in Cbus.
Right now I give OSU the edge in the Big Ten and a shot at the National Title Game.

Right or wrong U of M still has me worried about letdowns and playing down to the the level of some teams.
U of M has lost the "killer" instinct in the last few years.

Kinda spoiled though if you look at all the wins U of M has, I guess I expect a top 5 - 10 finish every year which is unresonable expectations.

[D306]

After the non conference schedule and the reviews I have seen or games I have seen.
I am thinking Albion will win the league, of course there will be several big contests that determine the MIAA.

Any thoughts with the MIAA starting this week?

[WLCALUM83]

I'm figuring the 3 "A" schools, Hope and Olivet will be in the thick of it. Tri-State could knock off a team or two if their opposition has a flat game.

Weaknesses:  Alma--turnover prone-D vulnerable (witness 3 "big-play TD's" given up against Wittenberg-
                        Adrian-- gives up costly unexpected penalties on occasion- kicking game thus far has been off.

                        Albion-- if the Britons come out of the gate flat any game and get pounced on immediately, they could be vulnerable (example--Wheaton).

                        Olivet--  heard early turnovers cost them big last game. Running game will do damage.

                        Hope/Kalamazoo--  haven't followed close enough to comment much on.

                        Tri-State--  The Thunder will surprise some people--just need to come out of the gate strong and play as close to all 60 minutes as possible.

                        WLC--  Have to beat either Olivet, Kalamazoo or Tri-State, (the second of those squads on the road). Interesting to see what adjustments will have been made on offense during the bye week. Had one or two players get hurt early, and in one of those cases, it's cost them a lot.)

[Briton-DL]

Big One this week!!!!! Albion Vs. the Hope. This should be interesting!!! I will have to go with Albion. Of course come on would I pick against my own school in a big game like this. Since watching closely to the post and games just want to know what is up with the rest of the league!!!! Why such terrible records, are teams that down this year?  Oh in addition to that yeah, I saw a post about my comment that Defience wouldnt compete well in the conference, well lets put it like this yeah they beat Adrian, who hasnt won a conference championship in over 15 years and just recently finshed a couple times in the top three. So yes I still stick to the statement that they wouldnt be in the top 3 of the conference. As a matter of fact Albion use to play them and beat on them pretty bad. Enough of that, well I wish teams get better through the weeks so that Our Conference champs (Albion) have a legit shot at making a run in the Playoff's. As of right now I say Albion all the way they've played probably the toughest non-conference schedule and look to well prepared for the rest of the League. Pound Purple Pound !!!!!!! Go get'em this week Boys and remember FTD!!!!!!!!!!

[wlcalum]

I agree, Albion/Hope is the game of the week. It will let us know how far the top is seperated from the middle. My bet is not by much. It was hard for me to pick Albion over Hope, went with past results. 

I also like the Olivet/WLC game, and not just because I have a decided interest. This game determines the middle of the pack. Who wants it the most?!

Adrian vs Kalamazoo and Alma vs Tri State give us a preview as to the improvements the Zoo and TS have made. I hope a lot. Would be nice to see all the A's get knocked off. That would mean the MIAA is stronger, which is good for all teams. Everyone go 4-4 this year!!

[albinomascot19]

I agree, Albion/Hope is the game of the week. It will let us know how far the top is seperated from the middle. My bet is not by much. It was hard for me to pick Albion over Hope, went with past results. 

I also like the Olivet/WLC game, and not just because I have a decided interest. This game determines the middle of the pack. Who wants it the most?!

Adrian vs Kalamazoo and Alma vs Tri State give us a preview as to the improvements the Zoo and TS have made. I hope a lot. Would be nice to see all the A's get knocked off. That would mean the MIAA is stronger, which is good for all teams. Everyone go 4-4 this year!!

How does everyone go 4-4, where everyone actually plays a 10 game schedule.  But I understand you basically want there to be a logjam in the MIAA.  This weekend is just the start of another exciting MIAA Conference Schedule.  This weekend won't decide who will win it all, but it will surely give us an idea who seems like a favorite.  As the conference schedule progresses, teams will separate from each other, and eventually we will see a few teams battle it out for the MIAA Crown.  I am kind of surprised how the MIAA has struggled out the gate so far with their non conference schedules.  For Albion to take on Wheaton I knew it would be a tough task at hand, but didnt imagine them getting shelled like they did.  However I was quite pleased with an amazing effort at Theil, as they roared back down by 10 in the 4th and coming back with a nail biting 24-20 victory.  Hope may be winless right now, but Albion will be playing a hungry Dutchmen team.  Albion needs to get out of the gate making plays on both offense and defense, and then just put the foot to the gas.  I wish I could go to the game but have to take my Law school exam.  For everyone in attendance, I expect them to see the fireworks go off.  It will be a dandy of a game.  We'll see if Albion continues where it left off last season or do the Dutchmen have some tricks up their sleeve.  May the best team win. 

   

[bulldogalum]

albinomascot:

Good luck on the LSAT.  I'll reserve my comments on the actual value of that exam in law school until after you've taken the exam.

As far as Albion-Hope is concerned, Hope better be hungry.  They got throttled last year, they're playing their home opener, and they're coming off a tough non-conference schedule.  I expect them to play with passion and intensity.  However, I'm not sure they'll be able to stop Albion.  The Brits have had Hope's number the past several seasons, and have done a great job attacking the Hope offense and picking on the weak spots in Hope's defense.  If they can continue to do that, there's not much Hope can do.  I may head up to Holland for the game, so I'm hoping it's a close one.

[formerd3db]

I have to agree, for the most part, with most of the recent posts.  Hope/Albion is the top header this weekend.  Neither team, IMO, is of the caliber that they have been in the past (for that matter, neither are the other MIAA teams including Alma and Adrian).  That does not mean to imply that the MIAA race will not be a barnburner again this year because I think it will be as usual (although we could all be surprised).  However, whoever wins the league, I tend to disagree with the previous post that the MIAA AQ representative will go far in the playoffs.  I do not think they will; certainly this is not supported by the caliber of play demonstrated in the non-conference schedules.  I hope that team does, yet believe it is less likely, unfortunately.  We still have a long way to go to get back to the Albion 1994 "on-track" for a national title, let along getting to the second round of the playoffs.

With regard to Hope, to expound on both WLCalum's post of less info to make an assesment and that of others who have seen Albion and/or Hope play:  Hope's problem has been two, no make that three-fold 1) no offensive blocking, basically no offense when needed, 2) poor defensive play (secondary and poor tackling fundamentals overall), and 3) too many turnovers.  A bright spot, however, is the determination showed toward the end of the Wheaton game.  Hope did not give up and did prove they can have some offensive spark.  Yet, until they sustain that, they are in trouble.  Bottom line as has already been noted by others:  even though it is a home game for Hope, they need to have their "A" game in place against one of the "A" teams. , but also, if Albion comes out flat i.e. has a slow start, it could be a tough time for them as well.

With poor weather again slated for Sat (rain), it could be a factor - at least certainly not as enjoyable to sit in the stands or pace on the sideline.   But because we all love it (the game), we'll be doing it regardless!

Best of luck to all the teams this weekend - and preliminary congrats to the winners whoever they turn out to be!

[formerd3db]

P.S.  bulldogalum: will look forward to seeing you if you are able to make it to the game at Holland.

[wabco]

Have you guys seen today's Grand Rapids Press sports p[age article entitled "Oldie, but not a goodie" by Howie Beardsley?  (grpress.com)

He really takes some shots at the MIAA.  I do not agree with his conclusion, although I do agree that recent out of conference experience has not been exemplary.  It will make it harder to recruit in Western Michigan ... if anytone really in fact reads the GR Press ... and Oldie and not necessarily a goodie.

Comments?

[79jaybird]

The MIAA, CCIW, Ohio conferences, etc. are great conferences with a tremendous amount of history, facts, and great players embedded inside.
The MIAA like the CCIW so far hasn't proven to be as strong as they (the confs.) have been in the past.  Still some great football is played in these conferences and players play with the most important engine-- the heart.

Just out of curiosity,  what is the weather forecast(s) for the MIAA games?
I know they are expecting rain showers for the Elmhurst/Carthage game.
I heard a story that there were Water Spouts  in Holland earlier today.  I hope everybody is ok and that the MIAA games go on without weather problems.

[WLCALUM83]

Have you guys seen today's Grand Rapids Press sports p[age article entitled "Oldie, but not a goodie" by Howie Beardsley?  (grpress.com)

He really takes some shots at the MIAA.  I do not agree with his conclusion, although I do agree that recent out of conference experience has not been exemplary.  It will make it harder to recruit in Western Michigan ... if anytone really in fact reads the GR Press ... and Oldie and not necessarily a goodie.

Comments?

While there may be some justification in the writer mentioning the competition from Div II football schools recruiting-wise in Michigan, (WLC has to compete with several other DIII schools a relative stone's throw away in other in-WI conferences--can't justify commenting much on Tri-State's recruiting situation)-- IMHO the writer is putting too much emphasis on just the overall record alone for this particular MIAA non-conference season.

Further, Tri-State's 3 losses have been by less than 10 points each game--if it weren't for an off-side call on a late goal line stand, Alma beats Cornell in the Scots opener. Wittenberg beat the Scots by 18, but you take 2 big 4th Quarter long-gainers for TD's away from the Tigers, that's a closer ball game. Adrian and Kalamazoo have been close in all of their games and Hope, Albion and Olivet have lost to highly ranked teams.

WLC lost at least one key player to injury for a couple of games--which factors into the Warriors' struggles.

Show me a conference that's never had a "down stretch" and I'll show you some land I've got for sale in Mississippi. (I guess by this writer's definition it's the MIAA's turn to be down).