FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

I may be the last to jump ship, but I'm officially quitting on Michigan's season.

After their stirring rally against Wisconsin, I though they might have a shot at a decent bowl.  After they were blown out by Illinois, I held out hope they might still win 7 games.  After they lost for the first time ever to a MAC team today (mind you, a 1-4 MAC team!), I now can't see how they win more than 4 games, and that may be a stretch.   (BTW, the Illini juggernaut lost today to the all-powerful Gophers.)

[dc_has_been]

Don't worry Mr. Ypsi, there is always MSU .  They looked good against Northwestern, but they have a tough test against OSU next week. 

Congrats to Trine to keep the train rolling. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Don't worry Mr. Ypsi, there is always MSU .  They looked good against Northwestern, but they have a tough test against OSU next week. 

Congrats to Trine to keep the train rolling. 

Pointing to the success of the Spartans is NOT a way to cheer up a Wolverine!

[formerd3db]

Is it possible to lose back to back conference games in a more dramatic way.  A punt return with under 5 minutes to go?  Seriously?

Well, sac, yes it is.  Especially when mistakes are made that simply shouldn't be i.e. poor technique, missed tackles, poor coverage, no blocking.  Not to mention a fumble, an interception (a ball that should have been thrown away) that killed two drives that would (most likely) have resulted in scores.

The day was gorgeous (80 degress - very hot); I was quite surprised to see such a sparse crowd at Albion - shocking actually.  While Albion has not had a stellar year by their standards, still, they usually get more home attendance than what was there yesterday (I don't know if they had "fall break" like Hope did this weekend through Tuesday or not).  Without having checked the box score before posting this, I would have estimated the number of spectators in the home side stands in S-S stadium at about 600.  Field was in great condition, but...I still "hate" that field and stadium - too many bad memories for us Hope guys, both as former players and now alumni/fans!

I almost hate to say (or admit) this, however, I am almost starting to believe that Hope is just not a very good football team this year .  I thought perhaps we just were on the short end of some plays, bad luck or whatever, however, too many simple mistakes which all goes back to making basic plays, technique and fundamental football.  With yesterday's loss, Hope assured themselves of a losing season, one of only a few in the last 30 years.  However, at 0-6, this seems to bring Hope back to the time before they had consistent winning teams/contenders back 40-50 years ago.

I know the players and coaching staff are disappointed and perplexed (not to mention us fans ) Regardless, I hope the kids bounce back and at least give it their all for the remainder of the season and salvage what they can.  Next weekend's "bye" should help in "regrouping".  But then we have Adrian and Alma before concluding with Olivet and Kazoo.  On paper, the first two should be the toughest challlenges, however, none of them can be overlooked. 

At any rate, congrats to Trine on the win over Alma at home.  It's not a done deal yet, but Trine right now is in "the driver's seat".  Yet, as we all know, anything can happen in the last 3-4 weeks of an MIAA season.

[D306]

D3DB

Hope VS Albion was a story of 2 halfs.
Hope was contolling the line and moving the ball the first several drives, and let points get away. With turnovers. Had field position all half.
Albion left a TD on the field just before Halftime and got no points out of it.

2nd half was mainly Albion, moved ball on ground, stopped Hope except for a big 2 play drive and nice throw by Hope QB hit WR in stride on long sideline pass..
The defense really stepped up for Albion in the 3-4 th quarter.
I have said this all year the rotation and depth of the D is Albions strength late in games they are not tired and they make big plays.
Albion O is finding groove, passing game has opened the running lanes up so teams can not put 8 in the box and load up on the run.

Yes it is "break" everyone left town, Thursday/Friday

Good game another tough loss for Hope, big OL and DL. Big plays hurt. Solid team I think a little snake.

Does not get any easier for Albion.   Adrian next week, then Trine on the road. Before finishing with Kazoo and Alma on the road.

[Parker45]

I read earlier in these posts,  talk about no team going undefeated. I think Trine has as good of a shot as any in a long time. They have shown a lot of poise for such a young team. Who was the last team in the MIAA to do it? I can't think of one.

[sac]

I read earlier in these posts,  talk about no team going undefeated. I think Trine has as good of a shot as any in a long time. They have shown a lot of poise for such a young team. Who was the last team in the MIAA to do it? I can't think of one.

If your talking MIAA Hope went unbeaten in 2006 7-0

If your talking full season 1996 Albion was the last to do it.

1897 Kalamazoo (5-0)
1898 Kalamazoo (5-0) 
1901  Olivet (8-0)
1911 Adrian (8-0)
1916 Kalamazoo (7-0)
1925 Michigan State (8-0)
1928  Albion (8-0)
1932 Hillsdale (8-0)
1935 Alma (8-0)
1938 Hillsdale (8-0)
1942 Alma (7-0)
1948 Alma (8-0)
1949  Hillsdale (8-0) 
1955 Hillsdale (9-0)
1956 Hillsdale (9-0)
1961 Albion (8-0)
1962 Kalamazoo (8-0)
1964  Albion (8-0)
1967  Alma (8-0)
1968 Alma (8-0)
1969 Albion (8-0)
1976 Albion (9-0)
1980 Adrian (9-0)
1984 Hope (9-0)
1991 Albion (9-0)
1993  Albion (9-0)
1994  Albion (9-0)
1996     Albion (9-0)

[Uncle Rico]

I read earlier in these posts,  talk about no team going undefeated. I think Trine has as good of a shot as any in a long time. They have shown a lot of poise for such a young team. Who was the last team in the MIAA to do it? I can't think of one.

I like Trine's chances, but it looks like Albion handled Hope easier than Trine did.  Albion and Adrian are both going to have much to say re: the final MIAA results.  Albion / Adrian should be a great game.  KZoo is going to catch some teams as well.  THe MIAA is still wide open.  I don't think anyone can be overlooked or afford to be over-confident. 

[formerd3db]

D306:

Thanks for the further infor regarding Albion being on fall break.  I thought there had to be some underlying reason why attendance was sparse.  The official listing of attendance in the Box Score lists just over 2000, however, I think they were counting players and soccer people!  It sure didn't look like that many to me.  Anyway, I agree with your assessment of the game.  My point was simply that Hope is not playing well at all to win games in which they have a chance at.

Uncle Rico:  Actually, I think that Trine overall handled Hope better.  While last week's game against Trine for us was close in score, in reality, if you saw they game, it really was not, IMO.  Trine made some mistakes in the last quarter that let it be that close; Hope just couldn't cash in.  Trine basically just ran over and passed over Hope.  With regards to this past weekend's Albion game, while Albion did not have a great first half as D306 relates, they really did not run over Hope at all until the last 2 minutes of the game.  The game was indeed a "true" close one including the score -again Hope just made mistakes that cost them the game. 

I agree with you though that Albion and Adrian will have a big role in determining the outcome.  Like hope did back in 2006, all Trine needs to do is keep winning the rest of the way.   

[Uncle Rico]

Thanks for the perspective, D306.  I could not make the Trine - Hope game, work keeps getting in the way of my personal life.  I based my observations merely on the scores (not always an accurate picture), and the fact that Hope came so close to at least tying it in the end against Trine.  I am very much a Trine fan, but there is so much parity in this league that no game on the schedule is a clear W for anyone.   No one can be taken lightly.  I have a feeling this season will age a lot of people more than the calendar says it should!     

[D306]

D3DB, Rico

As a final thought on the Hope VS Albion game

I did not mean to imply Albion just ran all over Hope, in the 2nd half. Sorry if you feel it reads that way, that is not inteneded in my comments.
Albion scored 21 points in the 2nd half, while the last 7 came from a fortunate punt return late in the game.
Hope had the chance in the 1st half to put it away, ball control and field position. Turnovers hurt Hope bad.
Albion started to move the ball late in the first half and was able to keep that momentuem after the half.

I think that most of the upper level MIAA games will run the same as the last 2. Whomever limits the turnovers and gets a big play will win the games. I think the teams are that close, that includes Hope they will win the majority of their remaining games as long as they have not lost faith in themselves.

A lot of questions get answered this weekends schedule of games.

Yes the stands looked a little sparse. Get alot of fence standers especially in the shade by the Concession stand on sunny days. But you are right must of counted the Soccer crowd as well LOL.

[riverrat6806]

My Picks for the Week.

Alma over K-Zoo.

Olivet will be playing hard this week, look for them to steal one against Trine.

Adrian seems to be really focus on what they want this year, expect them to put up some big numbers agaisnt Albion.

Hope needs a to focus in thier BYE if they are to travel to Adrian and salavage any of thier season.
Big week here fella's.

[section7]

Fellow posters (especially formerd3db) -

What are you thoughts on the future of the Hope football program?  Is it time for a change at the top?  Would this ever happen with the current athletic administration?

This year has been a major disappointment.  I'm not as concerned with the 0-6 as that Hope is just not even competitive with the top notch programs.

Thanks

[NW Hope Fan]

Fellow posters (especially formerd3db) -

What are you thoughts on the future of the Hope football program?  Is it time for a change at the top?  Would this ever happen with the current athletic administration?

This year has been a major disappointment.  I'm not as concerned with the 0-6 as that Hope is just not even competitive with the top notch programs.

Thanks

Through 2007 Dean has a 75% league record with 6-1sts and 6-2nds... I think he is doing OK!

Maybe Hope should build a fancy new stadium... It didn't hurt the basketball program.

And who in our league has shown they are competitive with the top notch programs? The 5 NCAA wins all belong to the '93 and '94 Albion teams.

[hope1]

dean is doing a good job i think it is a young team at rb  and the defense is young     i think next year will be a good one for hope