FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ACRULZ]

I agree, Tri-State will be a team that will be competitive in every game.  They have a lot of young talent and a good coaching staff.

[formerd3db]

Although we've discussed this to some extent earlier in the year, I agree.  The MIAA teams need to schedule upper tier non-conference teams to help prepare them for post-season play.  It takes a few years to improve one's level of play by doing this, but does work.  It did back in the late'70's just when the MIAA was beginning to be allowed to go to the playoffs; it helped in the mid-'80's to some extent as well - remembering, though, that the playoffs had only 8 spots then and in regards to that, comparatively, I believe the MIAA teams were better in talent to face some of those playoff teams than they are now.

Hope in long time past has played some DII teams as did Alma and Hope  has continued series with Wheaton, DePauw, and previously Wabash and at times DIAA teams, as does Albion.  With Alma scheduling DII teams and some teams such as Wittenburg as they have can't hurt.  Again, it does take a few years of continuously doing this to eventually see the results, but it needs to be done on a continual basis.

One of the potential challenges is the travel factor as many of the "nationally" ranked teams are a long distance away and schools like to (i.e. need to) attempt to keep travel costs down and as such usually like to only schedule on real long distance trip if that.  Also, playing DII and DIAA teams, while making it a great experience, doesn't actually help in the ratings for any teams that would qualify in the Pool C column, if that were to occur (i.e. example possibly is Deficance this year in the HCAC), although the majority of the time that won't be an issue as the AQ is present anyway for the title winner.  On the other hand, I think there are enough upper tier DIII teams in the 4 state region are that MIAA schools can schedule to accomplish the desired objective.
 

[d3dl]

WLCALUM,

I see what you mean when you say Hope's non-conference 0-3 showing didn't help their playoff placement, but do you think a 3-0 record vs. non-conference opponents with a combined record of, say, 6-24 would have been a better thing?  The teams that Hope went 0-3 against finished something like 26-4, I believe.  Is the answer to schedule non-conference cupcakes and look good to the committee or to play the best and let the chips fall?  It would appear that Hope learned this year, that losses to good teams doesn't do much for you in the seeding.

[WLCALUM83]

Tough call there, but I'd still err on the side of playing upper echelon (not necessarily ranked) teams.
Just for comparison, I looked at another playoff team (Concordia, WI) schedule and the only "strong" non-conference team on their schedule was North Central. (The Falcons' 2 other non-conference opponents--, Simpson and WLC--combined had only 3 wins all season).  Concordia also went undefeated in conference, but didn't break into the Top 25 until the final regular season poll.

Then there's the overall strength factor of each conference. From what little this poster has read, both Hope's and Concordia WI's conferences appear to have been weaker in terms of nationwide reputation, to this point, anyway.

In contrast, yearly power Hardin-Simmons of Texas, (for example) would be on the other side of the spectrum, scheduling toughies from week to week like UW-Whitewater  and  Linfield--play like gangbusters for the most part in- a tougher top-to-bottom conference (by nationwide reputation)  (with ranked Mary Hardin Baylor among others) and still though being ranked all season,  have a dogfight on their hands to get in the playoffs. In a case like that, all it can take is one loss at the wrong time, as that squad found out in 2005.

To a certain extent, 1) it can be a crapshoot and 2) the MIAA is trying to buck a deck that appears to be somewhat stacked against it, at least for now.

(The above is not intended to be a bash-knock on the MIAA or any other conference mentioned.)

[formerd3db]

"No bashing taken"!  A good analysis of the dilemma.  Personally, (as I was attempting to explain) I believe that it helps a team more by scheduling tough non-conference teams because it will, in the majority of cases, over time, make your own team better and prepared for that type of competition.  Yes, it didn't help Hope that much this year, however, it depends on the team build-up of a particular year and this was a rebuilding year for Hope.  Besides, if your conference has the AQ like the MIAA does, then it's not a problem if you you go 0-3 non-conference, you get the bid anyway.  To me, seeding doesn't really make a difference in that regard because 1) you still have to be good (or play a great game) to win a playoff game and advance and 2) the NCAA is going to try and match teams for the shortest travel distance as much as possible anyway, and even if, for example, if Hope had an 8-2 record this year, they still would have been paired with a very good team in the north region regardless of who it was.

[79jaybird]

I agree with formerd3db that you should schedule decent--great teams in non conference play.  I think playing teams that are at or better than your current level, will get you prepared for the 7 week conference slate.
Ex. Augustana always plays challenging teams in non conf. UW Platteville, Central IA as does Wheaton scheduling Albion/Hope/ in 2008 Concordia WI etc.  whereas teams like Carthage/Elmhurst/North Park (up until recently) North Central etc. playing Benedictine/Concordia IL, Eureka.  The talent difference is immense when comparing these non conference slates.    There is a direct corrollation between the teams that have scheduled toughies winning the CCIW over those that have scheduled creampuffs and not winning the CCIW.  My point here is that I believe teams should schedule challenging teams in non conference.

[odacbballfan]

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[ACRULZ]

Don't forget to watch Taz Wallace in the Magnolia Classic (Blue-Grey Bowl) December 23rd.  He will be the only DIII player to compete in it.

[WLCALUM83]

Congratulations to Alma's Josh Brehm for making the Final Four as a Gagliardi Award candidate!

8) 8) 8)

[miaafbfan]

I was very happy to read about Brehm's placement on the final four list.  He was a phenomenal quarterback...lots of fun to watch during his career.

[ACRULZ]

Once again congrats to Josh Brehm on being named to the final 4...Great accomplishment!

[formerd3db]

I join in with the others in congratulating Alma's Josh Brehm in being selected as a finalist for the Gagliardi Award.  I think he has a very good chance at winning the award. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Pat reported elsewhere (NCAC?) that Brehm wasn't all-region only because he wasn't nominated - anyone know the story on his lack of nomination?

[ACRULZ]

That is the reason Brehm is not All-Region?  I thought it was once again a story of the MIAA getting snubbed.  However how do you not nominate a Gagliardi finalist???  I know I'm biased here but I do not agree with Taz Wallace being second team All-Region.  Granted the Bulldogs didn't have the season they wanted but he is still in the top three linebackers in the region if not in all of DIII.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Easy reason for Broehm not being nominated is that their SID is really not very good at her job.  In talking with some Alma people she does little to nothing to promote players, they had the same thing happen with Josh Peters who if you remember was a 4 time all MIAA Player yet received little to no recogntion out of conference.  If they want their players to begin getting the recognition they deserve than they need a real SID.  I am also a bit biased but agree with the previous post by ACRulz about Taz Wallace.  The snubbin g he received for the second year in a row from the first team all region team blows my mind.  We are talking about a kid with 430+ tackles including another 130+ season this year.  Not to mention a ten tackel performance at the East Coast Bowl(IAA/II all star game) and the fact that as far as I know he is the only DIII player to be invited to the Magnolia bowl as well as having NFL teams looking at him to the tune of tapes being requested by the Chicago Bears.  Not to shabby for an LB who isnt even one of the best three in the reigon.  Enough cant be said about him, not on the field but off, you will also never meet a higher class person or better leader than Taz Wallace.