FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[AO]

Week 8 Pick Em' Results:
St. John's 24 - Gustavus 16
St. Thomas 23 - Bethel 13
Concordia 35 - Hamline 15
St. Olaf 24 - Augsburg 20
Carleton 23 - Macalester 17
UW-Whitewater 20 - UW-Oshkosh 17
North Central 24 - Illinois Wesleyan 0

Name	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8	W9	W10	W11	Overall
finsleft	12	13	13	14	12	8	11	10				93
WashedUp	10	15	9	5	11	13	12	10				85
cobbernation	11	9	5	10	12	9	10	15				81
hazzben	8	12	5	11	14	11	11	9				81
USTBench	12	11	9	6	16	9	11	7				81
stanbob	11	9	4	8	7	8	10	12				69
AO	12	10	10	8	13	4	8	3				68
sju56321	10	11	4	11	14	11	6	1				68
smedindy	6	11	9	8	5	8	8	12				67
tmerton	6	14	5	-	14	13	12	-				64
Repete	11	13	-	9	7	6	8	7				61
TheManWhoRidesAlone	6	9	-	-	11	10	12	12				60
miacmaniac	6	11	3	-	14	9	8	6				57
jayhawkdaddy	6	7	7	9	12	-	7	7				55
GoldandBlueBU	7	9	4	7	9	9	1	7				53
Phred	-	7	5	11	14	7	2	7				53
Chubbs	-	-	-	-	11	5	13	9				38
raiderguy	9	6	6	-	11	-	-	-				32
Sprained68	5	6	10	7	-	-	-	-				28

[AO]

Week 9 Oct. 29
Conference: 3pts
Hamline (+28.5) @ #19 St. Olaf
Gustavus (+30.5) @ #3 St. Thomas
Carleton (+9.5) @ St. John's
#20 Bethel @ Concordia (+10.5)

Non-Conference: 2pts
Macalester (+17.5) @ Augsburg

West Region: 1pt
Eureka vs Northwestern (+10.5) @ Metrodome
Puget Sound @ Pacific (+6.5)

National: 1pt
#11 Salisbury (+3.5) @ #7 Wesley

Pick Em' Board

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

While JOE Mauer has yet to enroll at UST, his older brother did and was a nice addition to a national champion baseball team. Joe is still eligible in football and could be wearing purple & grey one of these falls...once Caruso works out a suitable salary for Joe, of course. 

His bilateral leg weakness would prevent him from practicing, but I'm sure he'd still be really effective on gameday, jus like for the Twins this year...oh, wait...

When Mauer returns to form next season will you cheer for him or bash him?  When Mauer came back and played after Bi Leg Weakness he was hitting around .375 and then he decided the Twins were not going to the playoffs he might as well rest his sore neck!  The Twins need to get some new doctors/trainers in there.  The players had around 28 trips to the DL and players missed countless games with hangnails and a sore throat.

I remember when Pujols broke his wrist and was to be out around 2 months.  I believe it was 4 or 5 weeks he was out and he can still dominate the game!

First, I'm primarily a Twins fan, not above all else a Mauer fan.

That said, I am a Mauer fan. My desire for a little more accountability for Joe actually comes from being a fan. The reports leaking out of Twindom is that he really didn't do much of any rehab in the offseason. I'd love to see him come back strong next season. But I think good coaches and fans hold players and teams accountable. My opinion that Joe needs a little less coddling and a little more kick in the pants isn't a lack of support. It's the opposite. I want to seem him succeed and go down as the greatest Twin and catcher in baseball history.

I couldn't have said it better myself. +k

[Chubbs]

While JOE Mauer has yet to enroll at UST, his older brother did and was a nice addition to a national champion baseball team. Joe is still eligible in football and could be wearing purple & grey one of these falls...once Caruso works out a suitable salary for Joe, of course. 

His bilateral leg weakness would prevent him from practicing, but I'm sure he'd still be really effective on gameday, jus like for the Twins this year...oh, wait...

When Mauer returns to form next season will you cheer for him or bash him?  When Mauer came back and played after Bi Leg Weakness he was hitting around .375 and then he decided the Twins were not going to the playoffs he might as well rest his sore neck!  The Twins need to get some new doctors/trainers in there.  The players had around 28 trips to the DL and players missed countless games with hangnails and a sore throat.

I remember when Pujols broke his wrist and was to be out around 2 months.  I believe it was 4 or 5 weeks he was out and he can still dominate the game!

First, I'm primarily a Twins fan, not above all else a Mauer fan.

That said, I am a Mauer fan. My desire for a little more accountability for Joe actually comes from being a fan. The reports leaking out of Twindom is that he really didn't do much of any rehab in the offseason. I'd love to see him come back strong next season. But I think good coaches and fans hold players and teams accountable. My opinion that Joe needs a little less coddling and a little more kick in the pants isn't a lack of support. It's the opposite. I want to seem him succeed and go down as the greatest Twin and catcher in baseball history.

I couldn't have said it better myself. +k

Agreed; more time spent on rehab, less time spent on goofy shampoo commercials.

[Mr.MIAC]

"Dear John" letter...

I scanned around to see if any chat had erupted regarding St. Cloud Time's Dave Deland's column following the Johnnies loss to Bethel.  Not a word on this board but a flurry of comments from readers have shown up including The D3 Guru.

Personally I didn't think there was much conversation regarding an ousting of SJU's head man but according to Deland it's all the rage.

Either The Times or Dave don't know how to tag their columns or it was purposely buried... almost impossible to find however here's the link for easy reading... http://www.sctimes.com/article/20111009/SPORTS/110090015/DeLand-column-s-just-too-soon-Dear-John-

As always, I'm interested in your point of view - dustysju@johnniefootball.com

Your privacy is always secure.

Developing.....

I've been away for a little bit, and it seems I need to catch up a lot a bit.
This story caught my eye. I think it ought to be placed in the "don't burn any bridges" file.
In my humble opinion, Dave DeLand had no other choice than to stick up for John.
I'm pretty sure his seat in the press box at Clemens Stadium would be quickly revoked if he joined the growing undercurrent that is suggesting John's tenure should come to a graceful end.
Dave isn't a Gagliardi lackey. He's just a guy that knows which side his bread is buttered on, and prefers to keep a good relationship between the SC Times and the coaching staff.

I've also noticed there is this new Mr. MIAC fella that seems to have created quite a stir on the boards. What's that all about?

I'm not sure.  My initial observation is that if anyone expresses so much as a whiff of appreciation for UST on this board some backs arch and the claws come out.  The effect is amplified if UST is shown, through sound and balanced reasoning, to overshadow SJU in any way.  I've received some interesting messages that indicate this isn't anything new, but I'll keep those to myself. 

[Pat Coleman]

While JOE Mauer has yet to enroll at UST, his older brother did and was a nice addition to a national champion baseball team. Joe is still eligible in football and could be wearing purple & grey one of these falls...once Caruso works out a suitable salary for Joe, of course. 

His bilateral leg weakness would prevent him from practicing, but I'm sure he'd still be really effective on gameday, jus like for the Twins this year...oh, wait...

When Mauer returns to form next season will you cheer for him or bash him?  When Mauer came back and played after Bi Leg Weakness he was hitting around .375 and then he decided the Twins were not going to the playoffs he might as well rest his sore neck!  The Twins need to get some new doctors/trainers in there.  The players had around 28 trips to the DL and players missed countless games with hangnails and a sore throat.

I remember when Pujols broke his wrist and was to be out around 2 months.  I believe it was 4 or 5 weeks he was out and he can still dominate the game!

First, I'm primarily a Twins fan, not above all else a Mauer fan.

That said, I am a Mauer fan. My desire for a little more accountability for Joe actually comes from being a fan. The reports leaking out of Twindom is that he really didn't do much of any rehab in the offseason. I'd love to see him come back strong next season. But I think good coaches and fans hold players and teams accountable. My opinion that Joe needs a little less coddling and a little more kick in the pants isn't a lack of support. It's the opposite. I want to seem him succeed and go down as the greatest Twin and catcher in baseball history.

I couldn't have said it better myself. +k

Agreed; more time spent on rehab, less time spent on goofy shampoo commercials.

+1

[OzJohnnie]

Really?  I'm trying (so very unsuccessfully) to ignore messages like this last one, Mr MIAC.  In what fantasy world can your posts, even the vaunted first one, be described as merely a 'whiff of appreciation for UST'?

Did you not belittle SJU and all it's rube alumni from your first words by typing, "I think that many SJU fans and alumni fear that without a nationally ranked football program SJU will be viewed simply as an average regional school without much growth potential and little national reputation."?  Followed by a few sentences on the well-worn argument that without football SJU is nothing but a couple brick buildings in some trees?

But what I really liked was the Grand Finale: "Without football, why would prospective students and donors choose to get involved with SJU if they could be part of a MN institution more akin to Boston College?".  Why indeed.

The fact is, Mr MIAC, that you came from the start with the intent to brawl.  You got what you wanted, but found you didn't like it too much.  Post away and have fun (as if you were looking for my endorsement in the first place) but know that the woeful claims of "poor, innocent me" don't get a free pass.

[cobbernation]

While JOE Mauer has yet to enroll at UST, his older brother did and was a nice addition to a national champion baseball team. Joe is still eligible in football and could be wearing purple & grey one of these falls...once Caruso works out a suitable salary for Joe, of course. 

His bilateral leg weakness would prevent him from practicing, but I'm sure he'd still be really effective on gameday, jus like for the Twins this year...oh, wait...

When Mauer returns to form next season will you cheer for him or bash him?  When Mauer came back and played after Bi Leg Weakness he was hitting around .375 and then he decided the Twins were not going to the playoffs he might as well rest his sore neck!  The Twins need to get some new doctors/trainers in there.  The players had around 28 trips to the DL and players missed countless games with hangnails and a sore throat.

I remember when Pujols broke his wrist and was to be out around 2 months.  I believe it was 4 or 5 weeks he was out and he can still dominate the game!

First, I'm primarily a Twins fan, not above all else a Mauer fan.

That said, I am a Mauer fan. My desire for a little more accountability for Joe actually comes from being a fan. The reports leaking out of Twindom is that he really didn't do much of any rehab in the offseason. I'd love to see him come back strong next season. But I think good coaches and fans hold players and teams accountable. My opinion that Joe needs a little less coddling and a little more kick in the pants isn't a lack of support. It's the opposite. I want to seem him succeed and go down as the greatest Twin and catcher in baseball history.

I agree!  Bill Smith even made a smart decision by not exercising Joe Nathan's option.  However, too many bad decisions have cost the Twins dearly as of late.  He should have traded Kubel at the trade deadline to acquire some prospects from the Pirates.  He even could have pulled the trigger on Span for the up and coming closer from the nationals (only speculation from ESPN insiders) since Nathan is about done and we need a closer.  I am hoping all the AAA and AA players that got time during the last month of the season will do them some good.  However, I am not sure if any of those players have enough of the "IT" factor to give Smith some barganing chips this winter to acquire a top pitching prospect, a middle infeilder and a backup catcher.  Also, the bullpen could use some help, by some I mean a lot!

[janesvilleflash]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZqGJONH68

[Mr.MIAC]

Really?  I'm trying (so very unsuccessfully) to ignore messages like this last one, Mr MIAC.  In what fantasy world can your posts, even the vaunted first one, be described as merely a 'whiff of appreciation for UST'?

Did you not belittle SJU and all it's rube alumni from your first words by typing, "I think that many SJU fans and alumni fear that without a nationally ranked football program SJU will be viewed simply as an average regional school without much growth potential and little national reputation."?  Followed by a few sentences on the well-worn argument that without football SJU is nothing but a couple brick buildings in some trees?

But what I really liked was the Grand Finale: "Without football, why would prospective students and donors choose to get involved with SJU if they could be part of a MN institution more akin to Boston College?".  Why indeed.

The fact is, Mr MIAC, that you came from the start with the intent to brawl.  You got what you wanted, but found you didn't like it too much.  Post away and have fun (as if you were looking for my endorsement in the first place) but know that the woeful claims of "poor, innocent me" don't get a free pass.

Okay, if you think my first post gave UST too much praise then prove me wrong.  Tell me why you disagree.  I will admit some subsequent posts have been biased toward UST, but that was in response to the gang tackle by a group of SJU diehards.

I've never called anyone on this board a rube.  My words were straightforward, but not belittling.  What is SJU known for besides football?  What is its growth potential?  Does it have a national reputation outside of football?  If you disagree with my characterization, then provide a counter argument.  I've talked to plenty of SJU alumni and its current financial condition, narrow focus, and lack of national reputation outside of football are real concerns.  The dynamics of higher education in MN are changing and small, rural institutions that draw mostly locally and have small endowments are likely going to struggle.  Football does raise the profile of SJU, but in many other categories competitor institutions are surpassing it.  This may be uncomfortable to hear, but again provide me with a counter argument.     

I think the recent trends associated with student and donor behavior speak for themselves.  Student applications/matriculations/credentials are mostly trending sharply upward at UST.  The athletic programs are expanding, while the business school is nationally accredited and rivals the U of M in the Twin Cities.  The Law School is growing a national reputation and drawing students from top universities across the country.  Meanwhile, donors have given UST nearly $1 billion over the past two decades.  It seems people are choosing to get involved with UST.  I don't know if the same can be said for SJU, but if it can then prove me wrong.

I don't mind the brawling and in fact it helps keep some of the down moments during the day entertaining.  I think we should keep it up.  I would suggest however that we have a debate rather than resort to simple name-calling.  Also, it would be nice to keep it somewhat centered on football.

[USTBench]

I think it's pretty logical to prefer the school you went to. The hatred of schools that you didn't go to is where I get lost.

[Mr.MIAC]

I think it's pretty logical to prefer the school you went to. The hatred of schools that you didn't go to is where I get lost.

^Agreed.

[Retired Old Rat]

Pat, can we start a "my school is better than your school" forum?

btw, my daughter, a St. Thomas undergrad passed up a full ride at Minnesota's 4th law school to attend an eastern school with a pretty good football program*.  Daddy is NOT financing this.

*  The coach there is 2nd only to an old fella, some might call him a rube, in Minnesota.  She couldn't care less about the football team at any school she's attended.  She complains about all the traffic around the law school on game days.

[Mr.MIAC]

Pat, can we start a "my school is better than your school" forum?

btw, my daughter, a St. Thomas undergrad passed up a full ride at Minnesota's 4th law school to attend an eastern school with a pretty good football program*.  Daddy is NOT financing this.

*  The coach there is 2nd only to an old fella, some might call him a rube, in Minnesota.  She couldn't care less about the football team at any school she's attended.  She complains about all the traffic around the law school on game days.

^ Funny post.

[stanbob]

A great write here:  http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/10/26/11/Gagliardi-a-rock-of-stability-at-St-John/landing.html?blockID=590106&feedID=3793