FB: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Margin of victory is not commutative. You can't simply say that because two teams lost to the same school by 50 that those two are equal.

[AO]

I wish we had something better to compare with, but in football with each team playing so few games against similar opponents, you're pretty much forced to if you want to compare a Northwestern and St. Olaf or Augsburg showdown.

[Freebird]

Today in class I was day dreaming what it would be like if football had a schedule more like basketball and baseball more like football.  I just want more football and more meaningful baseball games!

[AO]

Right on!  Northwestern is on the right track with the Trinity Bible College/Macalester Doubleheader.

[Freebird]

looks like NWC has it right!

[johnnie_esq]

AO, stupid mistake?  Let me reiterate the score:  57-7. That is a seven touchdown difference without special preparation.  SJU concentrated on getting healthy after playing a respectable UWEC team.  If that isn't acceptable to you, fine.  But SJU hopes to be playing into December, so every week SJU can rest is welcomed. 

I love that logic.  Last year SJU loses to STO by 2 points but beats NWC by 48.  Ergo, St. Olaf beats NWC by 50. But SJU beats BU by 37, so NWC would be competitive with Bethel, losing only by 11.   

I'm done with this matter-- your head is high among the clouds and not even brimming with reality.  Even SNC fans are closer to Earth than you! 

Think of SJU whatever you will-- I can't tell how how to think.  But if you want to get an accurate picture, experience it for yourself: read "Sweet Season", visit the campus not as an opponent, and meet the players and coaches yourself.  If you email John Gagliardi, he will email you back (though during football season it will not be his priority).  Come watch SJU in a MIAC game at Clemens.   Don't rely on 1) this board and 2) your biased experience watching NWC play SJU one and a half times to form a full opinion.   The only crime would be to form an opinion without even trying to find that accurate picture.

[AO]

For the last time, I am not insulting St. John's ability to play the game of football.  I do not think they are overrated.  I grew up in central minnesota and know the program pretty well.  They will have a lot of success this year.  Because I respect the SJU program so much, I give credit to any team that is able to compete with them at any point in the game.  It is my prediction that the Johnnies will dominate Carleton this weekend from the opening kickoff, and this has to be one of Carleton's better programs in recent years with an opening victory a couple weeks ago against Beloit.

I never said we would be competitive with Bethel, but that sure would be a fun game to attend.  We have a natural rivalry being so close and both being pretty conservative and strictly christian.  But you can only schedule so many games in football, or basketball for that matter, we couldn't get them on either schedule this year.

[Southfan]

Okay guys I think AO get's it now.  His team is not a middle of the pack MIAC team.  I like twisting the knife in people but I'm getting sick of hearing about the Northwestern & St. Johns game.  If we really want to talk about something lets take a poll of who else is going to lose to Trinity this year.  I hear the Little Sisters of the Poor are down this year and could be looking at a Loss when they clash heads with Trinity B.  Any thoughts?

[johnnie_esq]

So Hamline stopped Morris on the ground, but not through the air.  Will that play a part as to how things will end up in the UMAC, or was Hamline putting 10 guys in the  box?

[tbcfootball]

Outside of Northwestern and Rockford, I personally believe that Trinity has a chance to beat the rest of their opponents, provided everyone stays healthy.  They are one of the best coached teams in the league and should only improve as the season goes on.

[Freebird]

AO,

have our teams ever hooking up for a game?  Our game could be the battle for the "Holy Grail" or something.  You play crown right?  Maybe you should suggest that for that game

[Southfan]

tbcfootball,

What planet are you living on?  There is no way that Trinity is going to win another game.  They will get rolled by every team in the north and will get a chance to play Principia in the dome in the "Toilet Bowl."  I'm excited that Trinity finally won but lets not get crazy about the rest of the season.  I think that the Dome day game will be a good one because Prin will be looking for some revenge. 

[Southfan]

Okay here's the schedule for this weekend!  Who you picking?

Northwestern College vs. Principia College St. Paul, MN 12:00 PM   
Trinity Bible College vs. Blackburn College Ellendale, ND 12:00 PM   
Westminster College vs. Univ. of Minnesota-Morris Morris, MN 1:00 PM   
Rockford College vs. Crown College St. Bonifacius, MN 1:00 PM   
Maranatha Baptist vs. Martin Luther College New Ulm, MN 1:00 PM

The game to watch this week is Westy vs Morris.  I would like to see how both of these schools are going to be since they lost most of there key players last year.  Will Morris be able to move the ball without Donnay Green?  Will Westy have the same passing attack without Val Leppert?  A good match and test for both teams. 
I have Northwestern crushing Principia on shear numbers alone.
Blackburn in a landslide over Trinity.  Trinity's newest losing streak begins this weekend.
Rockford over Crown. This one could get ugly!
Martin Luther will squeak by MBBC with the final being 17-14.  Go Lutherites!!
As for Westy and Morris, I have to go with my gut on this and say Westy but it will be a struggle for either offense to move the ball.  Westy 14-7. 

[tbcfootball]

Small college guru, Don Hansen's Predictions... (www.donhansen.com)  He's hit on 75% of his picks the past three years at D1-AA, D2, D3, and NAIA.

Northwestern 35, Principia 7
Trinity Bible 21, Blackburn 20
Westminster 28, Minnesota-Morris 14
Rockford 34, Crown 14
Marantha 21, Martin Luther 14

[Southfan]

yeah so he's wrong 25% of the time.   I can see two games where he is going to be mistaken.  One is the Trinity game and the other is the Maranatha game.  TBC football I saw the Prin and Trinity game and I can honestly say that it was a pathetic game.  Not in the fact that the kids were not trying hard or enjoying the game but to call that game a Collegiate football game is a joke.  I'm pretty sure there are teams in IL or ND that could beat both of the teams.  Hell even if both teams joined together they will still lose.  TBCfootball, enjoy last week because the sweet taste of victory is going to soon turn to the the sour taste of defeat.  Go BEAVERS!!!!!!