FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SJU13]

SJU has really made leaps and bounds in the multimedia area for football over the past few years. It really is something.

They have a season recap "Mini Movie" set to broadcast on YouTube tomorrow at 7 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab7X1TWDzGc

Hats off to the guys that put this together. I look forward to it every week.

Not to be greedy, but maybe they could do this for SJU basketball or hockey? Even if its just every now and again, it would be fun. But, alas, I'm not the one that has to do the work on this. It's a huge time commitment I'm sure.

Looks like this is Sam's website (for credit purposes and to show additional work): https://www.samchalmers.biz/. Seems he only works with football, but I agree would seem to be a solid pickup for the athletic department (time & $$ permitting).

[DuffMan]

Would love to see the Crusader play a game in Collegeville, preferably before it gets cold haha

This would be awesome!  I'd be happy with snow and cold, though.
It's generally quite warm/pleasant up here for early-season games, though.

[DuffMan]

Do Johnnies think that last second win against Bethel hurt in the Top 25 final rankings?

Who knows?  I don't really think so, but even if they would have beaten Bethel comfortably for the MIAC title and had the same playoff results, I don't see them being ranked higher than 7.  Not that it matters at all.

[Pat Coleman]

If the Bethel result(s) affected St. John's differently in the final as opposed to Week 11, it would probably only be because Bethel gave up a ton of points and lost in the first round. But Bethel only dropped three spots and it can be pretty easily claimed that Johns Hopkins and RPI won their way up the rankings to get past them as much as Bethel fell.

[art76]

If the Bethel result(s) affected St. John's differently in the final as opposed to Week 11, it would probably only be because Bethel gave up a ton of points and lost in the first round. But Bethel only dropped three spots and it can be pretty easily claimed that Johns Hopkins and RPI won their way up the rankings to get past them as much as Bethel fell.

I would concur with this assessment. I think BU had a great year - better than I thought they would because of the rebuilding that had to happen. I am hopeful for next year.

[SagatagSam]

Beyond scheduling conflicts, I'm assuming the budget is the biggest hurdle when in comes to sourcing non-conference opponent? Seems SJU traditionally has plucked from the WIAC and UMAC, a smattering of other one offs with midwestern neighbors, and recently upped the ante with some top 25 / top 10 (2022 perhaps) matchups.

Take away the barriers, what would be the "Christmas wish list" for non-conference opponents? I think a battle of the conferences with MIAC vs ASC / CCIW / OAC would be an interesting one. Getting a top 25 matchup with a team east of Ohio would be different as it doesn't seem a meetup likely to happen outside of a deep playoff run.

I'll give my Christmas wish list coming at things as a fan, which may be far different from what players, coaches, and administrators that would have to pay for this would want.

For as much as I like the west, it would be nice to see SJU play someone ranked in the top 25 from the east, like Muhlenberg, RPI, Johns Hopkins, Del Val. I like it for a few reasons: (1) it makes for a great early season matchup, and (2) it gives people a reference point when comparing east and west over the course of the season. The first reason being much more important than the second. I know it's much more exciting going into a season knowing you've got a tough first game (like Aurora), rather than playing Martin Luther or Buena Vista.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to go west or south, too. But a game with an opponent from the east has more intrigue for me at this point.

I know a few years back the Johnnies had a NC game with East Texas Baptist. Having a game with UMHB, Hardin-Simmons would be a real gut check early in the season.

[SagatagSam]

Beyond scheduling conflicts, I'm assuming the budget is the biggest hurdle when in comes to sourcing non-conference opponent? Seems SJU traditionally has plucked from the WIAC and UMAC, a smattering of other one offs with midwestern neighbors, and recently upped the ante with some top 25 / top 10 (2022 perhaps) matchups.

Take away the barriers, what would be the "Christmas wish list" for non-conference opponents? I think a battle of the conferences with MIAC vs ASC / CCIW / OAC would be an interesting one. Getting a top 25 matchup with a team east of Ohio would be different as it doesn't seem a meetup likely to happen outside of a deep playoff run.

St. John's traditional scheduling in John's day was also a result of John not wanting to be on a bus for too long (understandable).

The ASC has lots of games to give starting soon and hopefully teams take advantage!

Would love to see the Crusader play a game in Collegeville, preferably before it gets cold haha

Heck no! If we're bringing the Cru to Collegeville, we want it sometime on or after November 1. Perhaps some weather like we had for SJU vs. Thomas More in November, 2018:

TEMPERATURE: 17 WIND: SSE 11 WEATHER: Overcast, cold & snow

[DuffMan]

I know a few years back the Johnnies had a NC game with East Texas Baptist.

I had to fact-check you because I'd totally forgotten about this game.

East Texas Baptist (1-0-0)
Sept. 6, 2008 Home W, 29-15

[wildcat11]

Go West Young Man

Ha! I think getting some west coast games would be fun as well, and would be a closer commute for the families of some of SJU's California contingent. LF and UR come to mind as specific opponents as the banter on the board would match the quality of the game.

Having a common opponent for any potential 2nd/3rd round playoff matchup would also make for some good game week discussion.

Linfield is hosting Redlands next Non-Conference and is headed to the South to play a new opponent.  Maybe 2023? 

[SagatagSam]

I know a few years back the Johnnies had a NC game with East Texas Baptist.

I had to fact-check you because I'd totally forgotten about this game.

East Texas Baptist (1-0-0)
Sept. 6, 2008 Home W, 29-15

Yep! Those were the days where I could call myself "a recent graduate" of SJU. 

[SagatagSam]

Speaking of scheduling, I wonder if the MIAC would ever consider a mid-season open week where teams could schedule a non-conference game? It would be similar to the SEC's "Cupcake Week," but it would be an opportunity to play teams out of conference (regardless of their strength and you could find the toughest team available), or to have a guaranteed bye week (if you filled your other open dates).

Since we were speculating about dream non-conference games, I also thought it would be fun to have one of those games toward the middle of the year instead of immediately at the start of the season. Because believe me, if I had to play at Milsaps or Birmingham-Southern on Labor Day weekend, I would not be very enthusiastic about the prospect of playing in 90°+ heat and high humidity.

[sjujohnnie]

I brought my wife & daughter up from northwest Iowa to attend that Thomas More game! I'm wondering how we'll match up against Whitewater with both teams being healthy? Is St John's on the upswing or have we plateaued? If we can beat Whitewater, it would really raise expectations for the postseason!

[Pat Coleman]

Speaking of scheduling, I wonder if the MIAC would ever consider a mid-season open week where teams could schedule a non-conference game? It would be similar to the SEC's "Cupcake Week," but it would be an opportunity to play teams out of conference (regardless of their strength and you could find the toughest team available), or to have a guaranteed bye week (if you filled your other open dates).

There aren't a ton of midseason dates available from other conferences. You'd have to have someone to play.

[SJU13]

I brought my wife & daughter up from northwest Iowa to attend that Thomas More game! I'm wondering how we'll match up against Whitewater with both teams being healthy? Is St John's on the upswing or have we plateaued? If we can beat Whitewater, it would really raise expectations for the postseason!

2022 will have a few more question marks than the previous seasons. Assuming all the seniors listed in the mini movie are done we'll be replacing a lot of starters / significant backups. Filling Ravi's shoes will be no small feat. Losing experience of Backes and the key positions he played in (backup turned starting QB + holder). Woz will have to find some new friends on the DL to stir up trouble and make life easier for a secondary who gained experienced but may still have concerns. The status of Nick VanErp given that he looked like he would become a key cog in the next man up at WR, his punt return (kick returns?), and holding. In a 200+ roster I'm sure we'll find the pieces.

[retagent]

Beyond scheduling conflicts, I'm assuming the budget is the biggest hurdle when in comes to sourcing non-conference opponent? Seems SJU traditionally has plucked from the WIAC and UMAC, a smattering of other one offs with midwestern neighbors, and recently upped the ante with some top 25 / top 10 (2022 perhaps) matchups.

Take away the barriers, what would be the "Christmas wish list" for non-conference opponents? I think a battle of the conferences with MIAC vs ASC / CCIW / OAC would be an interesting one. Getting a top 25 matchup with a team east of Ohio would be different as it doesn't seem a meetup likely to happen outside of a deep playoff run.

St. John's traditional scheduling in John's day was also a result of John not wanting to be on a bus for too long (understandable).

The ASC has lots of games to give starting soon and hopefully teams take advantage!

Would love to see the Crusader play a game in Collegeville, preferably before it gets cold haha

Heck no! If we're bringing the Cru to Collegeville, we want it sometime on or after November 1. Perhaps some weather like we had for SJU vs. Thomas More in November, 2018:

TEMPERATURE: 17 WIND: SSE 11 WEATHER: Overcast, cold & snow

The weather was pretty raw for the UWW?CRU game this year. (I live 25 miles away) It didn't seem to bother them much.

Also. referencing the above post, and not wanting to be sacrilegious, As just a pure receiver, was Ravi better than Blake #2? I know he wasn't the all around threat, but man, could he get open, and what great hands.