FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Maybe it's a Caruso SmokeFest^TM!

Highly likely 

[Mr.MIAC]

Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Maybe it's a Caruso SmokeFest^TM!

Caruso SmokeFest^TM: Like a Johnnie SmokeFest^TM with the added benefits of wealth, women, and winning.

[DuffMan]

...and hand-holding.

[USTBench]

Did anyone tune in to the NDSU-Charleston Southern game last night? #1 vs. #6 in the season non-conference opener. That would be like Mount Union hosting UW-Oshkosh in the non-conference opener. NDSU prevailed 17-10 in OT.
Last year NDSU opened with Montana & lost with 2 seconds on the clock. 5 national titles in a row shows that playing tough non-conference opponenets helps both with winner and the loser in a tight contest. Charleston Souther is a good squad & should be o.k. if the injury bug doesn't bite them.

It was a very ugly game for NDSU. In 3 months they beat CSU pretty handily. A LOT of penalties and some fumbles. Their QB Easton Stick looked to be in midseason form though, so he's going to be excellent.

I feel like you can get away with a tougher non-conference schedule better in FCS, because there's fewer AQ conferences and some conferences (SWAC, Ivy) that don't participate in the playoffs. SJU and UST have been going with the "play a strong team from a horrible conference or a horrible team from a strong conference" formula for a few years now and it seems to work if they're on the bubble. Odds are, in the MIAC, you'll probably stumble once, maybe twice, so not a lot of good can come from scheduling Mt. Union or UMHB in a non-conference game, since your conference season is going to be difficult enough.

I can't say playing a tough non-conference in FCS is totally foolproof though. UND went 7-4 with an FBS win over Wyoming last year, and that used to pretty much get you an automatic invite into the FCS playoffs. They lost out on the final spot to 6-5 Western Illinois because UWI had "better losses." Which, what?! They had a common opponent in NDSU (which isn't in UND's conference, for now) and UND played the Bison better, Western Illinois lost like 56 to 3 or something (not that UND played them all that well). Hence the "leave no doubt" mantra they've adopted this year.

[Mr.MIAC]

...and hand-holding.

+K. Here you go.

Caruso SmokeFest^TM: Like a Johnnie SmokeFest^TM with the added benefits of wealth, women, winning, and warm hands.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Word I heard was that the job is actually Fenske's to lose. He's been lights out and the staff has tons of confidence in his ability and knowledge of the offense. This isn't to say that Perra won't be good when he's got the chance. But my source has it that unless Fenske stumbles, he's the #1. Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Interesting.  You'd have to think that having two former D1 QB's breathing down your neck would keep you at the top of your game.

I'm curious if we'll see Robert's pulled a little earlier sometimes this year, or just working through a reduced load of carries, as he seemed to wear down toward the end of the year last season in the playoffs.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether Stretch Internet will be up to the task of providing lag free viewings this year...

[DuffMan]

Perhaps the biggest question is whether Stretch Internet will be up to the task of providing lag free viewings this year...

Last season was much better than years prior!

[USTBench]

Word I heard was that the job is actually Fenske's to lose. He's been lights out and the staff has tons of confidence in his ability and knowledge of the offense. This isn't to say that Perra won't be good when he's got the chance. But my source has it that unless Fenske stumbles, he's the #1. Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Interesting.  You'd have to think that having two former D1 QB's breathing down your neck would keep you at the top of your game.

I'm curious if we'll see Robert's pulled a little earlier sometimes this year, or just working through a reduced load of carries, as he seemed to wear down toward the end of the year last season in the playoffs.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether Stretch Internet will be up to the task of providing lag free viewings this year...

He fought through some injuries, but I thought his production was good throughout. But 15 games with 20+ carries is a lot for a guy who was somewhat of a back-up and redshirt the few years prior. In 2015 Kaiser was battling injuries again, Trettel was pretty raw and really wasn't trusted until mid/late regular season and there seemed to be a commitment to moving Waldvogel away from the backfield as much as possible because they were trying to find an identity as a receiving corps. I think Trettel is probably prepared to take on that RB2 role, but the depth is a bit up in the air beyond that. Quite a few freshmen, and another sophomore that I don't think saw any PT last year.

[jamtod]

Word I heard was that the job is actually Fenske's to lose. He's been lights out and the staff has tons of confidence in his ability and knowledge of the offense. This isn't to say that Perra won't be good when he's got the chance. But my source has it that unless Fenske stumbles, he's the #1. Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Interesting.  You'd have to think that having two former D1 QB's breathing down your neck would keep you at the top of your game.

I'm curious if we'll see Robert's pulled a little earlier sometimes this year, or just working through a reduced load of carries, as he seemed to wear down toward the end of the year last season in the playoffs.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether Stretch Internet will be up to the task of providing lag free viewings this year...

He fought through some injuries, but I thought his production was good throughout. But 15 games with 20+ carries is a lot for a guy who was somewhat of a back-up and redshirt the few years prior. In 2015 Kaiser was battling injuries again, Trettel was pretty raw and really wasn't trusted until mid/late regular season and there seemed to be a commitment to moving Waldvogel away from the backfield as much as possible because they were trying to find an identity as a receiving corps. I think Trettel is probably prepared to take on that RB2 role, but the depth is a bit up in the air beyond that. Quite a few freshmen, and another sophomore that I don't think saw any PT last year.

I'd like to see Trettel get some good work in and see what we have in him. Roberts looked great against Linfield, but was slowed a bit in a few of the other games and battled through some injuries.

Intrigued to hear that Fenske might be the guy. I haven't seen much of him (or anyone else on the roster).

Anyone else going to make it out to the Caruso Smokefest at the Church of St Glenn (Plum's) tonight? Our plans were cancelled and I got the go-ahead to attend.

[BDB]

Caruso SmokeFest^TM: Like a Johnnie SmokeFest^TM with the added benefits of wealth, women, winning, and warm hands.

You forgot to add the Rev classic, "horseless carriages."

[bennie]

Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Maybe it's a Caruso SmokeFest^TM!

Caruso SmokeFest^TM: Like a Johnnie SmokeFest^TM with the added benefits of wealth, women, and winning.

Just no football national championships...

[OzJohnnie]

2016 MIAC PICK-EM'S  All are welcome to pick. Please post all picks to the Pick-Ems board.

You do great work, AO.   And it's very appreciated by me.

[wm4]

Word I heard was that the job is actually Fenske's to lose. He's been lights out and the staff has tons of confidence in his ability and knowledge of the offense. This isn't to say that Perra won't be good when he's got the chance. But my source has it that unless Fenske stumbles, he's the #1. Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but I think it's pretty solid.

Interesting.  You'd have to think that having two former D1 QB's breathing down your neck would keep you at the top of your game.

I'm curious if we'll see Robert's pulled a little earlier sometimes this year, or just working through a reduced load of carries, as he seemed to wear down toward the end of the year last season in the playoffs.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether Stretch Internet will be up to the task of providing lag free viewings this year...

I heard that Fenske was well ahead this spring and early in camp.  Perra was with the 2's but as camp went on, he closed the gap.  Both have very strong arms that defenses will have to respect.  I fully expect Fenske to be under center to start in Eau Claire. 

[OzJohnnie]

Sounds to me like the tommies may have a little QB carousel about to start.

[BDB]

Watching the Twins trying to fight off their 11th loss in a row. While I love baseball, even I think I'm being weird.