FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[D306]

So what is everybody's thought on out of conference FB.
Is the MIAA going to show a little better?

A glance at the 2007 schedules that are posted show many games at home this year.
Especially for the traditionally stronger teams in the MIAA.

I know its early but, any FB talk is good FB talk.

I am certainly looking for an improvement, from the MIAA.

I think Olivet, and Hope should return strong again.
Hope question is how to make up the yardage and strong running of Booko?
Can young QB carry the play without Booko?

Olivet is returning many of the starters for last years strong run.
Need to see consistency from Olivet. Could take the league in 2007.

Adrian confuses me, I expected more last year.
The new energy and momentum of the stadium and emphasis on FB should pay dividends this year.

Albion is a wait and see, in QB, lost several very good players on the DL. and WR.
Have some talent returning on WR with last years injuries giving some quality PT to some of the younger players. RB should be strong and deep no HUGE move the pile runner but several quick and tough runners.
Should have a fight for QB with Senior QB's in house and some talented Sophomores coming up.
Defensive backfield will be key. OL is a strength with talent and depth.

Tri State I expect to continue the growth and win more games this year.
Big improvements and energy last year.
Good size team, and have a attitude that I think they are tired of being down.

Alma lost a great QB.
The Alma system makes the QB key and the line play better be good or new QB will be learning on the run.
Need to tighten up on D, can not outscore everybody every week.

Wisky and Kazoo need numbers and some more focus from the University to fire up the programs.
Kazoo number of players look low.


Well there is my admittedly not expert review of what I remember from watching games last year.
Lets hear some thoughts of the upcoming season.

[WLCALUM83]

Noticed WLC replaced Valpo with Aurora IL and Kzoo gets Valpo.

At this extremely early stage--on paper, anyway--the "statement games" appear to be WLC/Concordia-WI,  Alma/Wittenberg, and MIAA/Wheaton matchups.

[D306]

83

I like to see the tough schedule.
Can not get better if you do not challenge yourself.

Albion has a tough non conference with Wheaton and Theil after a trip to Butler to open the season.
Have not seen all the teams schedules but a few in the conference have Wheaton on the schedule, that is a good tough team.

Is WLC moving to another Conference in the future?
Or have I mistakenly  heard that, can not remember when I heard that sometime last season.

[WLCALUM83]

Yes, after the 2007 season WLC's football team will join the Northern Athletics Conference (Aurora, Benedictine of IL, Concordia-WI, Concordia-Chicago, Lakeland,  Rockford and Maranatha Baptist will also be in that conference.) That conference has been in existence for nearly a year in virtually all other sports.

Regardless of how WLC football does this season, I'll remember the '03 season in which the Warriors went 3-3 in-conference and 5-5 overall as its' best.

Most unpredictable WLC rivalry games:  any with Adrian, hands down.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Good to be back on the board and posting, Ill be here full time from now on.  For those of you who knew me as a coach at Adrian, im longer in that capacity.  As such with some nice inside info on all teams, I'll now offer my thoughts on the league.

Adrian -  Things look they could be a bit iffy at Adrian.  They lost lots of very good players from last years team, most notably on defense.  The loss of Taz Wallace will hurt, but more so will the loss of AJ Marry who was as good an LB as their was in the league and was the yin to Taz's Yang.  Also lost is their best DL, with their best pass rush DE leaving school as well as their starting FS graduating.  Returning are some good players in Brandon Mohney and Aaron Kieltyka.  The offense is full of question marks, losing two OL from a weak unit, their QB, most consistent WR, TE, RB and offensive coordinator.  From what Ive seen of the new O, its a bit gimmicky, but time will tell.  SPecial teams also took a hit losing the all league kicker and best avg per punt punter.   

Albion -  A rock solid program that has gone through some ups and downs this year.  They did lose some talent on defense, but still have some waiting in the wings.  Their QB will have a year under his belt and returns 4 of 5 starters up front from a very good unit which will do nothing but help.  A strong commitment to the running game and sound defense also keep this team at the top of the league every year, you cant count them out.  Everyone has speculated about Rundles future, but I cant see him leaving, I expect a much better year than last out of Albion.

Alma - Loss of Broehm is huge, hard to replace a QB like him in DIII football.  Coach Cole knows what he is doing as does Leister and with the return of two very good RB's I wouldnt be suprised to see a stronger commitment to running from the spread.  On the other hand I cant recall the last time that Alma struggled with the QB, from Slowke to Broehm, Im sure they will have someone ready to go.  The defense was a much maligned unit last year, but that was also a bit of an anomaly, Alma is traditionally stout on both sides and I would expect to see that again next year.

Hope -  You cant discount what Coach Kreps does in holland.  This year they were picked to finish fourth, and rarely receive the credit they are due.  They are the top dog in the league in my eyes with a commitment to sound football on both sides of the ball.  Booko returns at RB and will be the class of the leauge and Hope is often underrated upfront with some players that might not be the best in the eyeball test, but who get after you with good schemes.  The QB position has been shaky this last season, but again another year and more of a comfort level should help.  The defense was amazing, with the MVP of the leauge and deservedly so, he is the highest impact player I have seen in the leauge in the last 7 years he can run with receivers and bowl over the OL.  ALl this adds up to a possible repeat by Hope.  If the offense can step up to the table and deliver I could see this team getting the elusive MIAA win in the playoffs this year.

Kalamazoo - Things at Kzoo are always tough.  There are some good ideas from the coaching staff but limited personell can only take them so far.  I cant see Kzoo ever really being more than the spoiler that they have been in the last 7 years.  They will compete, they will win some games they shouldnt, but they will forever be a middle of the pack team with their academic standards.  Its hard to win football games when you only bring in 20 freshman a year and other teams bring in 80, the talent level and depth really becomes an issue.

Olivet -  A near miss this season.  Olivet had it all in their sights but their offense completely took a dive against Hope.  I cant recall the last time I saw an Olivet team run for negative yards and I imgaine that I will not see it again soon.  Olivet was a young team this last season and returns some great talent on both sides of the ball.  Again a strong commitment to the run game should prove to help in league and the passing game if properly developed would be a great asset.  Bob Frye on the coaching stuff defiently helps, despite his record at TSU.  The defense had amazing athletes and will have them next year, they LB's can close seams like crazy and the defensive backfield is full of playmakers with the FS really being able to deliver a hit.  I see this team with an improved offense challenging for the top spot.

Tri State - Things greatly improve at Tri State and look to continue to do so.  Coach Land brings some great ideas and som real innovation to what was a bottom feeder of a program.  His coaching staff also brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the field and recruiting which will pay dividends in the long run.  This season they were a low flyer, challening some of the top teams, putting up points one week and looking strong on defense the next.  A very young team which is not the key to wins right away but is down the road.  I know they would like to throw the ball more than they do, but before they can go anywhere, both sides of their lines need real improvement.  On film they look small and overpowered and that translates to the games.  Recruiting should help out as should the new commitment to athletics at TSU the future is bright, I just dont see them winning more than 4 games this next season, maybe 5.

Wisconsin Lutheran - They reeled with the loss of some great OL this last season and Kehl despite being a great back looked rather pedestrian at times with the poor blocking he received.  The defense is a real problem showing littel abiltity to stop the run or pass.  This is a team on its way out of the MIAA and should improve greatly once they join their new conference.  They have had some good teams, but the most recent was 3 years ago with the great group of seniors they had.  Best of luck to them in this last MIAA season and best of luck in the future in the new conference.

Thats my take on this next season, time will tell as will recruiting but things are usually pretty steady.  The only negative I would put out there about the new stadium and admin at Adrian is a large increase in pressure.  At times it appears that they forget the core values of DIII sports in terms of producing good people, there is a very larege emphasis on winning and winning now with the new administration.  The stadium seems to have brought a DI mentality as well as the thinking that once you have a stadium you should compete for a national championship which realistically for Adrian or the MIAA is years away.  Youve gotta knock on the door before you can enter the party and so far we cant knock on the door.  Thats my take on this next season, time will tell as will recruiting but things are usually pretty steady I look forward to being able to meet some of the other posters this upcoming season at MIAA events and also to enjoy the atmosphere of tailgating and not being stressed with game day preperation!

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

wlcalum83:

Adrian vs. WLC is always a great rivalry.  At this point there doesnt seem to be any love lost and there have been some great games.  I played in some good games against WLC and despite not having the best talent, they always put up a good fight.  I too will remember the 3-3 5-5 team as a great group of players who played great team football. 

[D306]

Dawg4life

Nice to see you on the board.

great comments, look forward to more insites.

83 thanks for the info, I agree the move will be good for WLC.
Close travel and a league they are more competitive with.

[MIAAalum]

83,

I was curious to find out if you knew anything about how long WLC will keep letting their coach turn in subpar performances?  I know it takes time to build a program, but with the facilities your school has (with are far superior to any other MIAA school) you would think WLC would have no problem bringing in top level D-3 recruits. 
I have watched the teams you have put out over the past few years being in the MIAA, and the atheletes are there, it just seems to be an issue of getting those athletes to put it together on the field. 
Maybe I am way off in my thinking, but I would think that patience with your Coach would be growing thin.  Do you think with the changing to a more local league will help?

Best of Luck in 07!

[WLCALUM83]

WLC Coach Miller currently also serves as Vice-President of Student Affairs. He was taken on by President Greenfield back in 1998 to start the football program from scratch. A few years later, President Greenfield retired and was replaced by Tim Kriewell. Given the positive early steps the first few seasons, this poster would think that Coach Miller would be given another 2-3 years yet. It remains to be seen how things will shake out in the NAthCon football conference, (I heard a couple of the squads --Concordia-Chicago for 1-- that are joining WLC in '08 also have had "down" stretches.)

Another factor--in the MIAA, WLC's been a "cub" among "bears." Your Michigan squads have been competing nearly 100 years while the Warriors have been for less than 10. WLC's expectations would appear to have been toned down accordingly.

[formerd3db]

1) DAWG:
Welcome back to the board, friend.  BTW, what will you be doing this year?

2) Also, I would like join the others here in wishing the best of luck to you WLC posters and your team for its last season in MIAA.  We'll miss having you in the league, but I'm sure your new conference experience will be exciting.

3) Don't forget about another potential "statement game" i.e. Hope vs. Central (IA).  If Hope beats them (and Wheaton), could be a tremendous start.  Then again, always difficult to predict - recalling what happened last year at the start before the "long run".

Good to see everyone posting again.  Maybe our board will soon hit the #100 page!    

 

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db:

I will be taking this next year starting in may to begin and complete a teachers education program that will have me certified to teach in high school.  From there I dont know where I will go, but it will open up many new avenues for me which should be exciting.  As for what Ill be doing when not in school I will attend the Adrian games and would like to attend some non Adrian MIAA games as well to get a better feel for the league.  As much as I will miss coaching, I wont miss the new high stress environment at Adrian and will enjoy the freedom to tailgate and enjoy the game!  I look forward to meeting alot of the posters I have known only through posts and enjoying some football with them in person!

[bulldogalum]

I can confidently say that the coaching staff's loss is the tailgater's gain at Adrian.  ADAWG, you're welcome at any tailgate I ever throw.  Looking forward to another exciting MIAA season!

[D306]

Well now that the teams have had some walk thru's.
Does anyone have any info about teams.

As I look at comments on the other conferences there is a lot of talk about incoming players and things at schools.

I have not had a chance to watch sny walk thrus for the teams yet.

"this work stuff is overrated" will try to get by some before the spring ball ends

[formerd3db]

D306:

I haven't heard anything either.  Alma is gets out of school this week before the short spring term to Memorial weekend (they are always done by the second week of April, which gives their students a jump on summer jobs, i.e. those who are not involved in spring sports or who take their mini-spring term).  I was up to Alma last weekend for the Hope/Alma/Holy Cross lacrosse games, but didn't get a chance to talk with Alma coaches at that time.  Hope is done in 3 weeks with graduation May 6th; I might be able find out some info from them when I see a lacrosse game there.  Might have been able to find out this weekend but the lacrosse games at Albion for Albion/Adrian/Hope were cancelled due to the return of the winter weather.  I will be out-of-town from April 12-April 22nd so won't be posting here for awhile.  Anyway, keep us posted on what you may hear.  Perhaps some of our other MIAA colleagues will find out some info as well.  Hope you had a nice Easter weekend.     

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Adrian has begun their spring practices.  I havent had a chance to get up and see them yet, I know they had at least one cancellation because of the weather, hardly seems like april out right now.  I know Adrian is going through the installation of a new offense, and Im sure some things on defense will be tweaked as well.  I will report what I see after I finally get up and catch a practice.