FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[faunch]

There has been some excellent sandbagging by our Royal compadres.  SJU is without their starting QB and playing on the road.  BU lost a close one at SJU last time.  To me, the Royals are favorites in this iteration.

Not sandbagging from me, but thinking the Johnnies have more depth than BU does making this an "even" game. Kind of wondering how AO will set the spread for the Pick 'ems.

Keys
1. If Johnnies come out flat they're in trouble. Not sure they can overcome a first quarter like they played earlier in the season.
2. Will the  Johnnies commit a bunch of stupid penalties like they have in about half of the games this season?Keeping BU drives alive with defensive penalties could be an issue.
3. How well Backus plays...He's got a couple starts under his belt but those game didn't have the type of intensity and pressure this one will. He appears to be pretty cool under pressure.
4. Can the Johnnies contain Roste....they had some trouble tacking him late in game 1.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Or maybe because this is what there is for visitor seating:
https://ibb.co/t2bNYLC

Kind of funny - those two little bleachers are pretty much adequate for every other team's traveling fan base.  We have to build bigger stands just for you guys!  Maybe we should put a fee on the web-cast this week to help defray the cost.

[DuffMan]

I have no problem sitting on the Royal's side.

[GoldandBlueBU]

I have no problem sitting on the Royal's side.

Maybe others disagree - but I think that's fair.  Fill up the visitors side, then first come first serve.

[art76]

FWIW - Pat just picked Bethel to win this game in the the Podcast.

[SagatagSam]

FWIW - Pat just picked Bethel to win this game in the the Podcast.

Can't say I blame him. It's going to be tough. If I'm AO, I probably call this one a toss up in the pick 'ems. Backes against a tough opponent on the road could make for a nail biter.

[RoyalsFan]

Or just something else to whine about.

Or maybe because the last time BU and SJU played there about 9,000 people there? Granted it was about 60 degrees and gorgeous and it will maybe be mid 30's this week.....I think people will come out for this game.
Or maybe because "Royal Stadium" is listed as having a capacity of 3,500 and about 2,000 SJU fans showed up in Carleton last week?
This game should be played somewhere that can actually accommodate 4,000 plus.
I understand that there were supply chain issues and Bethel didn't get their upgrades completed. I give them credit for investing in their facilities. 

Or maybe because this is what there is for visitor seating:
https://ibb.co/t2bNYLC

Last time SJU was at Bethel was in 2018 and 9,000 is quite the exaggeration. Attendance was 2/3 of that at about 6,000. If you want a seat in the stands you are just going to have to get there early - don't expect to arrive at 12:55 and get a seat. You can also bring a lawn chair and sit around the field - great field level view.

[faunch]

Or just something else to whine about.

Or maybe because the last time BU and SJU played there about 9,000 people there? Granted it was about 60 degrees and gorgeous and it will maybe be mid 30's this week.....I think people will come out for this game.
Or maybe because "Royal Stadium" is listed as having a capacity of 3,500 and about 2,000 SJU fans showed up in Carleton last week?
This game should be played somewhere that can actually accommodate 4,000 plus.
I understand that there were supply chain issues and Bethel didn't get their upgrades completed. I give them credit for investing in their facilities. 

Or maybe because this is what there is for visitor seating:
https://ibb.co/t2bNYLC

Last time SJU was at Bethel was in 2018 and 9,000 is quite the exaggeration. Attendance was 2/3 of that at about 6,000. If you want a seat in the stands you are just going to have to get there early - don't expect to arrive at 12:55 and get a seat. You can also bring a lawn chair and sit around the field - great field level view.

I mistyped...i meant this fall on Collegeville

[jamtod]

Or just something else to whine about.

Or maybe because the last time BU and SJU played there about 9,000 people there? Granted it was about 60 degrees and gorgeous and it will maybe be mid 30's this week.....I think people will come out for this game.
Or maybe because "Royal Stadium" is listed as having a capacity of 3,500 and about 2,000 SJU fans showed up in Carleton last week?
This game should be played somewhere that can actually accommodate 4,000 plus.
I understand that there were supply chain issues and Bethel didn't get their upgrades completed. I give them credit for investing in their facilities. 

Or maybe because this is what there is for visitor seating:
https://ibb.co/t2bNYLC

Last time SJU was at Bethel was in 2018 and 9,000 is quite the exaggeration. Attendance was 2/3 of that at about 6,000. If you want a seat in the stands you are just going to have to get there early - don't expect to arrive at 12:55 and get a seat. You can also bring a lawn chair and sit around the field - great field level view.

That was also Bethel's homecoming and in early October for a regularly scheduled game. However strong SJU's fan support is, November playoff-type games (even on the road within traveling distance) don't attract the same crowds.

[AO]

MIAC PICK-EMS
WEEK 10 STANDINGS


WEEK 11 NOV. 13
MIAC CHAMPIONSHIP: 4pts
#5 St. John's @ #13 Bethel (+3.5)

Championship week: 3pts
Gustavus @ Concordia (+8.5)
St. Olaf (+10.5) @ Augsburg
Carleton @ Macalester (+14.5)
St. Scholastica (+20.5) @ Hamline

Other games: 1pt
St. Thomas @ Drake (+10.5)
#18 Ithaca (+3.5) @ #14 Cortland


TIEBREAKER:
Total points scored in the St. John's @ Bethel Game =

[sju56321]

If Pat picked Bethel I feel pretty good about our chance. Close game for sure-maybe field goal decides the game.

[SJU13]

Fun fact: neither team has trailed in a game since they last played each other where BU took a 6-0 lead.

Concerns from last week's game include watching a normally stout SJU run defense get carved up, especially through the middle, for over 100. An olineman appeared to hobble off with an ankle injury, and Backes made an ill-advised throw for the INT.

Good news is that, barring injury setback, Mohr should be back giving the offense a full compliment of weapons including a big TE corp.

BU appears to have switched kickers mid season (possibly due to a few missed extra points?).

SJU has done a nice job winning the field position battle this season. Hopefully the hit to the chin by Carleton was a wake up call. Please no more freaking unsportsmanlikes and illegal formations.

[OzJohnnie]

I think both teams will come to play.  Neither will be flat.  The biggest season finale in the MIAC for a long time and no football last year will have the boys ready to rumble.

Backes was born for this moment.  The everyman's backup to a Gagliardi Trophy winner and then someone who looks sure to be another contender for that award, it's his time to shine.  I feel the Magic is with him.  I think the defense will be stiffling.

24-14, Johnnies.

[Pat Coleman]

If Pat picked Bethel I feel pretty good about our chance. Close game for sure-maybe field goal decides the game.

It definitely goes against the Bethel football program's storyline that I hate Bethel.

I only hate their stealing photos from our partners and not paying for them. That isn't the football program's fault and pretty sure the men's and women's basketball teams have never thought we have a problem with them.

[sju56321]

Why would you hate anything except TDT??