FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[VOJ]

Wow, everyone must be nervous about this weeks games, cuz there is just no chatter about them.

SJU fans are worried that they just don't know how good they really are yet.

Bethel fans don't know if they're top level this year and are nervous to find out this weekend.

Surprised there's no Carleton Olaf talk this week but it's likely because:

Olaf fans know they got demoralized last year and are respecting the fact that they don't have the goat.  Very nervous about where that eagle is pointing right now or should be if the sore loser Ole fans (the players have too much respect for it, or should have at least) turned it towards themselves again.

Carleton fans have likely watched the team this year and have seen their youth and are a little anxious because of it.  They can beat Olaf, but as always, they have to play to their potential.

There is something to be said regarding a nervous feeling about Saturday's SJU-Bethel matchup....

Obviously the 3 game winning streak for Bethel weighs heavily...Bethel has a few things going for it heading into Collegeville...one of the best Rb's in the MIAC, if not the best in Logan Flannery, great weapon for a young QB to rely on...Aakre is a tough runner and capable passer who seems to be very comfortable doing either...

Reports are that this is the most athletic defense that Bethel has ever had...they are a veteran group and it will be interesting to see where the Johnnies attack it...

For the Johnnies, who are hopefully really getting healthy...can the offensive line set the tone, they have been able to run the ball against the WIAC and Concordia Moorhead, they will also need to be adept at picking up the blitz which could come from anywhere.  Many times this year the J's have been close to pulling off a big scoring play, hitting on one of them could really sway the game.

The Johnnies defense has started to stuff the run, improving each week on the yardage allowed on the ground...they made GAC one demensional last week and doing that against Bethel would require a tremendous effort...the J's need outstanding games from the front 7...they are strong up the middle with Gunderson and Wimmer, and will need to stretch out Royals make Flannery and Aakre go east-west rather than north-south...

A friend of mine who has seen both teams says it will be a tremendous game, and he felt if the Cobbers did not turn it over 5 times last week they might have given the Royals a better game

One other thing to look at is the hidden yardage...will Bethel continue to hurt themselves with penalties and which team will win the special teams battle...

Could be a field goal game either way.

[USTBench]

After a few interesting seasons I think things are getting back to status quo, hence the lack of chatter.

UST is going to pound Gustavus this weekend so I guess I'm really only curious as to the Bethel/SJU outcome. The Oles will run wild on Carleton, and I'm pretty apathetic to the rest of the games.

Going to have to wait for Bethel and SJU to really get amped about a Saturday this year.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

GoldandBlueBU and other Royaland fans, I hope you can join us tomorrow morning for the Stiftungsfestivities in the parking lot above the scoreboard end of the field. I picked up the Stiftungsfest burger yesterday along with the cheese curds from Bongards creamery. Add the pork patties from Ruck's meat market in Belle Plaine along with Veek's wild rice brats and we should be all set. Bring a culinary delight to share if you like.

Are neutral parties welcome too?  I will be in C-ville for a meeting early in the AM (who schedules meetings at 9am on a Saturday??) and the game and plan to stop by the Stiff-fest.

I rate the game "too close to call"...and see a 16-14 final, just not sure who is going to miss the PAT but kick a FG. I think SJU has the slight edge in the kicking and passing games, with BU having an edge in the running game. Both defenses are solid.

[hazzben]

There is something to be said regarding a nervous feeling about Saturday's SJU-Bethel matchup....

Obviously the 3 game winning streak for Bethel weighs heavily...Bethel has a few things going for it heading into Collegeville...one of the best Rb's in the MIAC, if not the best in Logan Flannery, great weapon for a young QB to rely on...Aakre is a tough runner and capable passer who seems to be very comfortable doing either...

Reports are that this is the most athletic defense that Bethel has ever had...they are a veteran group and it will be interesting to see where the Johnnies attack it...

A friend of mine who has seen both teams says it will be a tremendous game, and he felt if the Cobbers did not turn it over 5 times last week they might have given the Royals a better game

One other thing to look at is the hidden yardage...will Bethel continue to hurt themselves with penalties and which team will win the special teams battle...

Could be a field goal game either way.

I'd love to read that report/talk to the person who is the source.  From what I've seen, Bethel's D is very good this year, but it has yet to be seen whether they are as athletic as the 2006 version.  IMO, they were the best we've ever put on the field.  How the '09 D does this Saturday will go a long way to answering that question.

As for the cobbers turnovers, you could say the same about their game against SJU or Bethel's game against Wheaton.  Reality is, they did turn the ball over 5 times, and several of those were incredible plays defensively (Specifically the INT's by Cornish and Pearson).

Bottom line, I think it is going to be a great game on Saturday.  Wish I could be at both TCF and Clemens simultaneously on Saturday.  Since that isn't the case, I'll be leaning on VOJ and In-Game updates for my MIAC fix.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

and the winner is.....RIO. The first time a South American country hosts an Olympiad. Rumors had it that a few events (including soccer) would have been in the Twin Cities as part of Chicago's bid, but Rio is a good choice too. It gives US TV markets almost as good of primetime live action as Chicago would have, adds new territory to the hosting list, by all accounts the Brazilian bid was impressive and Rio is supposed to be one heck of a sports and party town (Fins- can you confirm the party side?)


Hazzben-- skip the game at TCF--- Badgers will pound Rodents into reality once again, while BU/SJU should be a game worth talking about years from now

Bench-- you honestly dont care who wins the Smackdown for the Hammer? Not like you're alone on this one

[57Johnnie]

and the winner is.....RIO. The first time a South American country hosts an Olympiad. Rumors had it that a few events (including soccer) would have been in the Twin Cities as part of Chicago's bid, but Rio is a good choice too. It gives US TV markets almost as good of primetime live action as Chicago would have, adds new territory to the hosting list, by all accounts the Brazilian bid was impressive and Rio is supposed to be one heck of a sports and party town (Fins- can you confirm the party side?)

Since JOHNNIE Football, fishing or beer drinking aren't Olympic sports, who gives a rats a$$   8)

[GoldandBlueBU]

GoldandBlueBU and other Royaland fans, I hope you can join us tomorrow morning for the Stiftungsfestivities in the parking lot above the scoreboard end of the field. I picked up the Stiftungsfest burger yesterday along with the cheese curds from Bongards creamery. Add the pork patties from Ruck's meat market in Belle Plaine along with Veek's wild rice brats and we should be all set. Bring a culinary delight to share if you like.

I'd love to go to the Stiftungsfestivities, but I'm bringing my brother in law to the game after his junior high football game over at holdingford high school, which probably won't end until noon or so, so we'll be hustling over to SJU.

I'm hoping to make it someday, since you SJU guys are what makes this board fun.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

and the winner is.....RIO. The first time a South American country hosts an Olympiad. Rumors had it that a few events (including soccer) would have been in the Twin Cities as part of Chicago's bid, but Rio is a good choice too. It gives US TV markets almost as good of primetime live action as Chicago would have, adds new territory to the hosting list, by all accounts the Brazilian bid was impressive and Rio is supposed to be one heck of a sports and party town (Fins- can you confirm the party side?)

Since JOHNNIE Football, fishing or beer drinking aren't Olympic sports, who gives a rats a$$   8)

Well, considering an SJU alum who medaled in 2008 was one of three MIAC grads to compete in the Games that year (3 more than the Golden Rodents) and considering that the Games are merely the most watched athletic event on the planet (eclipsing even VOJ's radiocast), SOME people might give a rats a$$....besides, its an even bigger marketing schill than the SJU program  & related announcements-- it has corporate sponsors sponsoring the annoucements of the corporate sponsors!

[LBean]

I see a 31-14 SJU win in Collegeville tomorrow.

The Homecoming crowd will not be disappointed.

Red cups in fashion at the Stiftungfestivities starting at 9:00AM. Arrive early to see Veek beat down TDT   

Correction:   red cups not in fashion tomorrow or any time thereafter.    Take a look at UUN that you can find at www.johnniefootball.com.      No more red cups.     We're going to the coffee mug (back to?) approach.    TheoWick does a good job explaining.    FYI.     

[finsleft]

Put me in the "nervous" category for tomorrow's game. All indications so far are that these are two fairly evenly matched teams. That usually means the team with fewest turnovers, penalties and other mistakes should have the upper hand. Unlike the pre-game beatdown, this game could go down to the wire.
As for Rio, never been there, but I am in process of renewing my passport. Road trip anyone? The olympic games will be a mere diversion.

Re: red cups
Fine. Whatever. One person makes one offhand comment and some douchebag gets his panties in a bundle. Actually prefer my Bob & Steve's mug because it's insulated and has a handle. But seriously, someone in the brick building needs to grow a pair.

[Touchdown Tommy]

FYI: Just got off the horn with the Little Wiener Doggie.  He has challenged me to a brouhaha starting at 9am sharp.  Be there or be stuck socializing with Freebird at the game...

Mayor: TDT has his passport ready to rock for Vancouver in February.  Ski bunnies galore in Whistler and one of the great North American cities.  Clear your calendar this will be a VIP event only!!!

Also, may I suggest a hot cocoa or a hot cider as a pinch hitter for the world famous Mayor's Kool-Aid?  TDT would substitute his weekly Hamm's offering for a jug of Schnapps!!!

Clark: Safe travels to the Twin Cities.  I hope you have splurged this week to allow Noel to make the trip to MSP.  You are clear for another week as TC has informed me that he is extremely doubtful for Saturday's game in Cville.

[janesvilleflash]

I suggest switching to purple cups.

[sju56321]

Who in the administration wants to ban the beer at the tailgate? That person or persons should think twice about working at a University-hello.
Put your bevies in a nice SJU travel mug, I guess. Maybe if there was a money paying sponser for the tailgate, they would relax-SJU seems to like money when it comes to the football games.
Now for the game, looking at the stats from the NCAA web page, Bethel would be a ten point favorite-but we all know about statistics. If the game is close SJU will be in trouble, so SJU better win 28-14.
Have fun everyone and can someone call me and let me know the results of the "beat-down." Maybe like Chicago, TDT will be out in the first round.

[finsleft]

FYI: Just got off the horn with the Little Wiener Doggie.  He has challenged me to a brouhaha starting at 9am sharp.  Be there or be stuck socializing with Freebird at the game...

Mayor: TDT has his passport ready to rock for Vancouver in February.  Ski bunnies galore in Whistler and one of the great North American cities.  Clear your calendar this will be a VIP event only!!!

Also, may I suggest a hot cocoa or a hot cider as a pinch hitter for the world famous Mayor's Kool-Aid?  TDT would substitute his weekly Hamm's offering for a jug of Schnapps!!!

Clark: Safe travels to the Twin Cities.  I hope you have splurged this week to allow Noel to make the trip to MSP.  You are clear for another week as TC has informed me that he is extremely doubtful for Saturday's game in Cville.

I'm in for the Vancouver Maneuver! Will contact the Vancouver mayor to see about what friendly reciprocity I can arrange.
Good suggestion for the hot chocolate, but the koolaid train has already left the station. Maybe some cocoa for the Tommie game?
Word has it that flights into MSP are delayed due to the monsoon and Tmerts almost missed his pickems due to being stranded.

[OzJohnnie]

Major bummer.  I'm away from Interwebs access this Sunday morning as we've decided to stay another day down the coast.  (By we I mean the president and CEO of The Oz Family inc. And not me).  Long story short, I'll be following the ingame updates via my blackberry, so please keep the in-game updates flowing.

How will I survive the weekend without VOJ's dulcet tones?

BTW - I think this is a 'coming of age' game for these Johnnies.  A game where the want to break out and prove themselves to be their own men who have earned their own piece of the Johnnie legend.  I get the feeling that this group wants to contribute more to the Lengend than the Legend contributes to them.  A close Johnnie victory is on the cards.