FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WashedUp]

I think the Caruso philosophy isn't predicated on running up the score (as it may appear sometimes), but putting as much crazy stuff on tape as possible. There are instances, I feel, when UST could have made it a lot worse than it was for some teams, but Caruso likes getting looks at his younger talent and doing some different things from a play calling stand point when he thinks games are in hand.

I think the best example of this was his first game at UST, when they played Mac and the team ran something like three different offensive plays the entire game, making the game film completely useless.

[faunch]

I think the Caruso philosophy isn't predicated on running up the score (as it may appear sometimes), but putting as much crazy stuff on tape as possible. There are instances, I feel, when UST could have made it a lot worse than it was for some teams, but Caruso likes getting looks at his younger talent and doing some different things from a play calling stand point when he thinks games are in hand.

I think the best example of this was his first game at UST, when they played Mac and the team ran something like three different offensive plays the entire game, making the game film completely useless.

Isn't that what most MIAC teams did against MAC over the years. 

[DuffMan]

Isn't that what most MIAC teams did against MAC over the years. 

We played Mac for the last time my junior year.  I think I played 4 series before they pulled the starters.  I distinctly remember not even sweating under my pads 

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I'm still expecting a typical Tommie/Johnnie battle this weekend. As is true in every sport, when these two square off, you can throw out all stats/results/etc as nothing else matters. For example, in the game where Gags tied Robinson for career wins, UST had numerous chances to pull out what would have been arguably the biggest upset in the storied rivalry's history, despite coming in with a Roney-esque record.

I do think the balance of the Tommie offense - good passing game + solid running game- should put points on the board and UST's defense has been vey dominating when pressured- they held Olaf to something like 25 yds in offense in the first half and a whopping 4 yards rushing for the game. I'd say a key factor will be if UST can open to a quick, big lead (like UWEC & AUG). If SJU can take an early lead, they may be able to shift the momentum and pull of the upset.

I see UST as being up to the task, and jumping off to a 3 TD lead by half and keeping the Holy Grail in St Paul (the trophy DID turn up didnt it? I thought there was some todo that it had mysteriously vanished last fall)

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

and the game Saturday has a "name"-- "The Biggy at Iggy"-
http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Notes_926.html

(gotta hand it to Gene M.....clever and fact filled)

[DuffMan]

Why is the UST/SJU game at 1:10 instead of the normal 1:00? (not that it's a big deal, it just seems odd)

[GoldandBlueBU]

Why is the UST/SJU game at 1:10 instead of the normal 1:00? (not that it's a big deal, it just seems odd)

I think I remember reading that it has something to do with the WCCO coverage...could be wrong.

Edit: yep...on the tommies site

http://tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Blog_8-8.html

[USTBench]

Watched the end of the SJU/Auggie game, and it appears to me that some Auggie Tech guys are getting into it with some fans. This would be sad and classless if one wasn't dressed like a giant banana, now it's just awesome

[sju56321]

Yea, and one fan apparently got arrested-led away by three cops. Too bad the Auggie players decided to celebrate in the student section, when that catch happended in the front to middle of the end zone.
Funny how UST can get the games scheduled for 1:10, but the MIAC won't make accomodations for other teams.

[DuffMan]

Funny how UST can get the games scheduled for 1:10, but the MIAC won't make accomodations for other teams.

[Chubbs]

Watched the end of the SJU/Auggie game, and it appears to me that some Auggie Tech guys are getting into it with some fans. This would be sad and classless if one wasn't dressed like a giant banana, now it's just awesome

Bench, where did you find that?

[DoubleO]

Spread, rankings and all else go out the window this weekend. The Johns will be ready to go and the outcome will be close. Take the Johns & the points. As a Tommie fan, this game scares the s**t out of me.

[USTBench]

Watched the end of the SJU/Auggie game, and it appears to me that some Auggie Tech guys are getting into it with some fans. This would be sad and classless if one wasn't dressed like a giant banana, now it's just awesome

Bench, where did you find that?

http://www.d3football.com/awards/playoftheweek/2011/week4. Fast forward to 1:07 and Banana Man makes his first appearance. Good stuff.

[hazzben]

SJU probably stays close in one game-14 points- and gets beat better in the other. I would guess that since SJU seems to have UST figure out, that game might be a loss by 14-17 points. I could see Bethel being a loss by 21+.

Personally, I'm feeling like SJU either keeps this game close and its a barn burner or they get torched. They're going to come in hyped up like anyone for a rivalry. If they play with UST for the first few quarters, I think it'll be a pretty good game. If the Tommies get up early, I think it snowballs fast. The emotional investment of the OT win at Concordia and the loss against Augsburg last Saturday would make it tough, IMO, for SJU to keep in it emotionally if Caruso and company get out to an early double digit lead.

If I had to pick the the game for SJU to lose by the widest margin between UST and Bethel, I'd pick UST. That's not saying I assume SJU loses both. And it's not saying I think UST is superior. It's just a recognition of different playing styles. UST is built to score, score fast and score in a variety of ways. Bethel is built to bludgeon you to a slow death. They are unabashedly going to keep coming with body blow after body blow. UST is made to be explosive, Bethel is built to be physical. Not saying UST isn't physical and not saying Bethel can't be explosive. If Bethel faces a team lacking in the front 7, they'll kill you and put up a ton of points. But by and large, they'll usually win by a closer margin of victory.

If I had to make a comparison of style, I'd say UST is more like Oklahoma or the Patriots and Bethel more like LSU or the Ravens. I'm not trying to make a point about who's superior here, just playing styles.

[tmerton]

What would a win over SJU mean for Ramler should Gags ride off into the sunset? Or has the heir apparent in-house already been decided?

I hope that the replacement for Gags doesn't come from within the current staff. There'd be too much temptation to maintain the status quo.
SJU would be stupid not to pursue Ramler after Gags retires....

....though don't count on that anytime soon. Longevity runs in the Gagliardi blood. I want to say John's mother lived well into her 90s.

I suspect John will keep coaching until Jimmy reaches retirement age.