FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

79jaybird · October 31, 2006, 09:49:22 PM

Milwaukee is a beautiful town and the schools WI Lutheran, UW Milwaukee, Concordia WI (not too far away), Carroll (just down the road) etc. really make the city very nice. Going larger you have Marquette (Sister's Alma Mater) that is really pretty. The downtown area on Lake Michigan is very nice and with the improvements at Miller Park, the Bradley Center, and the Midwest Convention Center downtown, Milwaukee is like a small Chicago with that small town charm to it.

ACRULZ · November 01, 2006, 10:21:10 AM

I must agree milwaukee is a great city. And if you like the night life, Water Street is a must see! But back to football I think Olivet will pull off the win in a close one over Hope.

79jaybird · November 01, 2006, 11:50:55 AM

ACRulz- Yes, Water Street is a nice place and one where you can get "tipsy" very easily.

What are some of your keys and/or reasons why you think Olivet will beat Hope Saturday?
The Olivet Team that I saw in Week 3 (Olivet/EC) game was a Comet Team that was still developing and gelling. I still think the Comets (perhaps) may have beat us if they didn't cough up the ball early. They have a sleek runner and a pretty good line. Their QB was o.k. but that also could be because it was week 3 and still getting the rhythms established.

wlcalum · November 01, 2006, 01:55:21 PM

bulldog alum
WLC will be in the MIAA for next year - if I understood correctly

Water Street in Milwaukee is not watered down by any means

Hope will win this weekend because they understand the importance of this game. Not that Olivet doesn't, as they will be playing their hearts out for a share of the championship. Just do not see Hope letting it slip. That being said, all it takes is one tiny mistake to change the face of this ball game. The turnover ratio will be key as will the mix of pass and run plays that Hope will use. Would really like to watch this game.

79jaybird · November 01, 2006, 04:21:00 PM

WLCAlum--My Sister went to Marquette (1999-2003) and I spent many weekends at her dorm/apartment when I was at Elmhurst. The town is beautiful and I really enjoyed my visits up there.
I agree that Hope gets the job done on Saturday. I do think that this will be a close game though. As always turnovers, TOP, and penalties will be 3 major factors for both sides.
Ah, fun time of the year when the conference races go down to the wire. I am happy to see that we are talking about Olivet at this time of the year for the MIAA crown.

ACRULZ · November 03, 2006, 08:40:06 AM

Quote from: 79jaybird on November 01, 2006, 11:50:55 AM
ACRulz- Yes, Water Street is a nice place and one where you can get "tipsy" very easily.
What are some of your keys and/or reasons why you think Olivet will beat Hope Saturday?
The Olivet Team that I saw in Week 3 (Olivet/EC) game was a Comet Team that was still developing and gelling. I still think the Comets (perhaps) may have beat us if they didn't cough up the ball early. They have a sleek runner and a pretty good line. Their QB was o.k. but that also could be because it was week 3 and still getting the rhythms established.

I believe Olivet is more of a blue collar team and will be more physical than Hope. I think it is going to wear on the Dutch and eventually they are going to fold in the 4th. I like Olivet's Defense, I think they have more playmakers than Hope. However both Olivet and Hope run a very patient methodical offense. Olivet will win this game, it will be close, howver Olivet will make more plays on defense and special teams.

bulldogalum · November 03, 2006, 09:36:10 AM

Boy, I don't know. The one time I saw Hope this year (v. Albion), they played a very physical game. Especially in their running attack, Hope is not afraid to come out and punch you in the mouth. Olivet may well win this game, but I'm not sure that they'll out-physical Hope. I'll be interested to see how things turn out.

As a side note, did anybody watch that Louisville-WVU game last night? Someone really ought to tell the Big East about a little thing called "defense."

ACRULZ · November 03, 2006, 11:13:18 AM

Quote from: bulldogalum on November 03, 2006, 09:36:10 AM
Boy, I don't know. The one time I saw Hope this year (v. Albion), they played a very physical game. Especially in their running attack, Hope is not afraid to come out and punch you in the mouth. Olivet may well win this game, but I'm not sure that they'll out-physical Hope. I'll be interested to see how things turn out.

As a side note, did anybody watch that Louisville-WVU game last night? Someone really ought to tell the Big East about a little thing called "defense."

I don't know either, I watched hope play Adrian and Olivet play Adrian. Olivet played very physical, I thought Adrian played more physical than Hope but Hope just made a few moreplays than Adrian. It will be a good game regardless. I just believe that Olivet is the most physical team in the league.

The WVU-Louisville game did turn into a track meet, I agree with you there!

ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE · November 03, 2006, 12:04:36 PM

bulldogalum:

As it is still season Im only commenting on the WVU/ Louisville game. Talking defense is nuts, that game was bound to be a track meet from the get go with both of those teams being inside the top 10 in total offense for the year. Their defenses are good but in a game like that the offenses will break them down, to much speed across the field and to good of coaching from both offensive staffs. WVU didnt look ready for the games, the fumbles by Slaton were uncharecteristic and the punt coverage where 4 WVU defenders ran 10 yds past the punt was nuts. AS for the big east getting in the national title game, if Louisville wins out and doesnt drop the ball against Rutgers I can see it happening. OSU should beat Michigan and the BCS rankings should be very tight after that game, but if U of M drops that OSU game I dont see a rematch.

D306 · November 03, 2006, 01:01:41 PM

I will take Hope over Oli.
In a tight well played game.
Both teams practice ball control and a time consuming offense.
I believe Hopes offense is a little more explosive, and diverse.
Olivets defense I believe is superior, but don't think Olivet can score enough to win this game, especially if it is not raining/snowing making turnovers a key, ball security for hope is the deciding factor.

RE: Lou vs WV neither team could play in a major conference, the defenses are bad and undersized. Second after a couple of games the injuries would pile up and lack of depth would kill them. A one time meeting is the best advantage that these teams hold. The surprise of the multiple sets, and atheletic QB's.

They are WAC teams 1990's revisited.

bulldogalum · November 03, 2006, 03:21:06 PM

DAWG:

I didn't mean to suggest that Louisville doesn't have a shot to play for the national title, I think if they win out, they will probably face the winner of UM-OSU for a national title. However, I don't necessarily buy the whole offensive superpower theory. It's true that Louisville and WVU are very fast on offense, but I don't think their O-Lines would match up well at all with Michigan or OSU's defensive fronts.

Louisville would be a tougher match up for Michigan than WVU, I think, because of the quick passing attack. If they could block the front 4 long enough to get those passes off, which isn't all that long, they could have some success. This is especially true if they choose NOT to pick on Leon Hall.

OSU has a stronger secondary, and I think would do better against Louisville. That said, I think that, in any single game, either of those teams could find a way to win, especially if they got a few breaks/turnovers.

Beat Albion.

ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE · November 03, 2006, 03:25:14 PM

bulldogalum:

Having heard WVU's offensive line coach speak at a clinic in Cincinnati I honestly feel based on technique and schemes they dont need the same type of player. As physical of a team as WVU is they are somewhat of a finesse style up front using alot more scoop blocks and allowing defensive momentum of players to influence where tehy want to go. No doubt Michigan is bigger and stronger on the lines, but with the quicker tpye player and zone scheme of WVU with the type of speed Michigan doesnt have nor see very often would make for an interesting game.

bulldogalum · November 03, 2006, 03:51:43 PM

I'll buy that.

79jaybird · November 03, 2006, 05:05:24 PM

I mentioned my reasoning why I think the Dutch pull out the W at Olivet tomorrow, but I think also it has to do with history at this time of the year. Hope has been to the playoffs and (as a program) knows how to turn it "up a notch" when a playoff birth is near. Olivet is a very good team, but can they match that intensity as the playoff dream nears? For the Comets' sake, I hope so, but I think the Dutch find a way to win.

formerd3db · November 04, 2006, 09:41:13 AM

Very interesting discussions, my friends. I, too, think it will be a close game at Olivet today. However, I obviously have to go with Hope. Olivet is a tough team and especially at home. For some reason in recent years, Hope has always had a more difficult time playing there, even when they have won. With the MIAA title and AQ at stake, this "should" be a tremendous game. I hope the weather holds; I'm off to see the game in a bit so will check in with you guys later. I hope all of you have a great day and enjoy the game(s) that any of you may be going to today. Go HOPE!