FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Waiting for the edit!

I am going to drop a few complaints with this weekend.  The first is that I expected all MIAC teams to play 10 game with the champions playing 1 extra game.  I didn't realize it was a 9 game season with the 'championship/consolation' weekend.  I almost now wish they had done this as a MIAC showcase at a single site with the championship game being the prime time game.  I know nobody likes playing in an empty stadium, but I think it would mean something to the alumni and players.  Also I really don't like the rematches outside of the championship game.  There is no St. Olaf/Concordia game this year.  I think this weekend would be a great weekend to play some rivalry games that were skipped this year to make the games a little more interesting.

Have to agree - there is no reason with current format to have 2 play 2, 3 play 3, etc. The only game that matters is 1 versus 1 for the AQ. Since there are 10 teams in the MIAC, I would like to see every team play each other, which would be 9 games and to make 10 games there could be 1 non conference game. That makes more sense to me rather than having to have 2 non conference games. Eliminate the divisions and just go back to the old way and best record (with tie breakers if needed) wins the AQ.

This is a concession to teams that have the postseason aspirations. 9 game conference schedule kills SOS numbers and prevents teams from filling out their schedule with teams that will be an asset for seeding and or at large bids. I would hate to see a 9 game setup, especially given how weak some of the new teams are.

[DuffMan]

Regional Rankings

In the Six:
1. Whitewater
2. SJU
3. Linfield
4. LAX
5. Bethel
6. Redlands
7. GAC
8. Oshkosh

[hazzben]

Regional Rankings

In the Six:
1. Whitewater
2. SJU
3. Linfield
4. LAX
5. Bethel
6. Redlands
7. GAC
8. Oshkosh

GAC getting ranked is huge for both SJU and Bethel. Wartburg getting ranked in Region 5 also fortifies the logic to keep GAC ranked.

SJU wins Saturday, they have a great resume for a #1 seed (great SOS, 4-0 v RRO - Bethel x2, GAC, Aurora) Bethel losing a close one means they have a chance (albeit a slim one). Could still use help with RPI beating Union and Cortland beating Ithaca (i.e. 1 LL team and no at large). JCU beating Baldwin Wallace would be a boon as well. Or other 1 loss Pool C candidates taking unexpected losses.

Bethel wins Saturday and they are in, and might even get to host a game as a 3-4 seed. SJU loses, and they are a near lock for Pool C, and would also have a shot at hosting at least 1 game.

[hazzben]

Bethel bias aside, I'd really like to see the MIAC get two teams in. With UST out, this would be a great chance to solidify the ongoing quality of the conference at the national level. Get two teams in, ideally with Rd 1 wins and at least 1 making a run to the region finals (and beyond) would go a long way to solidifying the MIAC's seeding and Pool C rep/cred in future years.

[DuffMan]

I'm a bit surprised that GAC slid in at #7.

Glass half empty, but I don't see any way SJU gets a #1 "seed" unless one of the biggies loses (and I'm okay with that, even though I'd like a #1 "seed").

[USee]

The Six RAC knows the system. Obviously they know 2 WIAC teams are in. They are positioning for 2 MIAC teams. The system isn't about merit for the bottom of the rankings, it's about resume for the top of the rankings. Six RAC obviously knows this.

[Texas Ole]

This is a concession to teams that have the postseason aspirations. 9 game conference schedule kills SOS numbers and prevents teams from filling out their schedule with teams that will be an asset for seeding and or at large bids. I would hate to see a 9 game setup, especially given how weak some of the new teams are.

Conferences that play odd numbers of games are a beating.  It works that every team plays every week.  It does determine a "true champion" most years.  The problem is that there isn't a balance of home and away games.  The MIAC should set the scheduled outside of 1v1, but offer to allow teams to change the schedule.  Let GAC and Auggie play along with STO and Concordia.  I don't think those games would be that unbalanced.  I know part of the schedule is to prevent the blowouts, but I think rivalries mean something.

As unpopular as this sounds I would almost prefer to use US Bank for a championship weekend event.  I am thinking each game would need to be scheduled for a 4 hour block so one might need to be played on Friday.  Crowds might be smaller for the dome, but it would be a fun event.  The other option would be TCO Stadium.

How do the non-conference games effect the playoff rankings?  Do MIAC teams need to strengthen those schedules?

[DuffMan]

As unpopular as this sounds I would almost prefer to use US Bank for a championship weekend event.  I am thinking each game would need to be scheduled for a 4 hour block so one might need to be played on Friday.  Crowds might be smaller for the dome, but it would be a fun event.  The other option would be TCO Stadium.

Those Metrodome MIAC showcase games sucked.  I don't think resurrecting that would make for a fun event.

[SJU13]

I can hear the wailing of traditionalists thinking about an off-campus game(s) along with the MIAC money man attempting to calculate how many fans would be needed to break even on the event cost.

[DuffMan]

The Six RAC knows the system. Obviously they know 2 WIAC teams are in. They are positioning for 2 MIAC teams. The system isn't about merit for the bottom of the rankings, it's about resume for the top of the rankings. Six RAC obviously knows this.

I suspect you're correct.

[jknezek]

The Six RAC knows the system. Obviously they know 2 WIAC teams are in. They are positioning for 2 MIAC teams. The system isn't about merit for the bottom of the rankings, it's about resume for the top of the rankings. Six RAC obviously knows this.

I suspect you're correct.

Yeah. But the other Regions know this as well and have learned the same game.

[SJU13]

Game notes for round 2: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gojohnnies.com/documents/2021/11/10/111321_Bethel_GameNotes.pdf

[hazzben]

Let GAC and Auggie play along with STO and Concordia.  I don't think those games would be that unbalanced.  I know part of the schedule is to prevent the blowouts, but I think rivalries mean something.

Agree 100%. Rematches with nothing on the line are just dumb. And losing out on rivalry games due to rematches and the new divisions is even worse.

[hazzben]

As unpopular as this sounds I would almost prefer to use US Bank for a championship weekend event.  I am thinking each game would need to be scheduled for a 4 hour block so one might need to be played on Friday.  Crowds might be smaller for the dome, but it would be a fun event.  The other option would be TCO Stadium.

Those Metrodome MIAC showcase games sucked.  I don't think resurrecting that would make for a fun event.

They were the WORST! Even if you pulled in 15k fans for SJU v. BU this week, it would feel like an empty stadium and stale environment. If you went the route of neutral site, then the Vikings TCO practice facility would be ideal. But I'd honestly only do it for the championship game.

[Thunderdome21]

Game notes for round 2: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gojohnnies.com/documents/2021/11/10/111321_Bethel_GameNotes.pdf

Wow! Looking at the game starters, Bethel is young! Only 2 Seniors that start on offense, none on defense compared to 14 for St. Johns (8 on offense and 6 on defense) The next few years, Bethel will be scary!  Predicting that the experience of St. Johns will win out in the end on Saturday.