FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

The other options I see are poaching a team from the MAC or the Big East, either of which would not go over well, either taking the MAC down to 11 teams or ending the Big East as a football conference.

MAC currently has 13 Teams:

East (7):  Ohio, Temple, Bowling Green, Kent State, Buffalo, Akron, Miami (OH)
West (6):  CMU, NIU, WMU, EMU, Toledo, Ball State

Don't see any of them at the Big 10 Level.

Give CMU, Ohio, or NIU 3 years to recruit as a Big Ten team and they would all stomp the Gophers.  Actually, they all probably would now (so would Temple, and Ball State last year, actually, two of these teams should move to the Big Ten and the Gophers could take their place in the MAC cellar).

NIU lost to Wisconsin 28-20 this year and beat Purdue 28-21.  Minnesota beat NIU 31-27 last year.

[WashedUp]

The other options I see are poaching a team from the MAC or the Big East, either of which would not go over well, either taking the MAC down to 11 teams or ending the Big East as a football conference.

MAC currently has 13 Teams:

East (7):  Ohio, Temple, Bowling Green, Kent State, Buffalo, Akron, Miami (OH)
West (6):  CMU, NIU, WMU, EMU, Toledo, Ball State

Don't see any of them at the Big 10 Level.

Give CMU, Ohio, or NIU 3 years to recruit as a Big Ten team and they would all stomp the Gophers.  Actually, they all probably would now (so would Temple, and Ball State last year, actually, two of these teams should move to the Big Ten and the Gophers could take their place in the MAC cellar).

NIU lost to Wisconsin 28-20 this year and beat Purdue 28-21.  Minnesota beat NIU 31-27 last year.

And CMU beat Michigan State this year, Toledo beat Michigan last year, Ball State beat Indiana last year.  There are losses in there too, but these teams would be competitive with the mid-lower tiers of the Big Ten right now.  If they become a Big Ten school they are able to recruit better players, which helps teams besides Notre Dame and Minnesota.

[sjusection105]

The other options I see are poaching a team from the MAC or the Big East, either of which would not go over well, either taking the MAC down to 11 teams or ending the Big East as a football conference.

MAC currently has 13 Teams:

East (7):  Ohio, Temple, Bowling Green, Kent State, Buffalo, Akron, Miami (OH)
West (6):  CMU, NIU, WMU, EMU, Toledo, Ball State

Don't see any of them at the Big 10 Level.

Give CMU, Ohio, or NIU 3 years to recruit as a Big Ten team and they would all stomp the Gophers.  Actually, they all probably would now (so would Temple, and Ball State last year, actually, two of these teams should move to the Big Ten and the Gophers could take their place in the MAC cellar).

NIU lost to Wisconsin 28-20 this year and beat Purdue 28-21.  Minnesota beat NIU 31-27 last year.

And CMU beat Michigan State this year, Toledo beat Michigan last year, Ball State beat Indiana last year.  There are losses in there too, but these teams would be competitive with the mid-lower tiers of the Big Ten right now.  If they become a Big Ten school they are able to recruit better players, which helps teams besides Notre Dame and Minnesota.

There are many possibilities with expanding the Big 10 (11) to 12 teams. Having two divisions and a Conference Championship is also an excellent idea.
Any of the teams from Ohio would fit in well, and wouldn't interfere with the Gophers recruiting.
The Gophers only go after the 6th or 7th level recruits from Ohio and then sell the local media on how great this kid is going to be. Sid and company believe this B.S. and write their stories. Meanwhile, there are Minnesota kids going to other Big 10 schools and winning Rose Bowl rings or in the case of Wenke, going to FSU and taking home a Heisman Trophy.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Meanwhile, there are Minnesota kids going to other Big 10 schools and winning Rose Bowl rings or in the case of Wenke, going to FSU and taking home a Heisman Trophy.

Didn't Mauer almost follow in Weikne's footsteps and accept a scholarship to FSU?

[hazzben]

I hope AO got a chance to see what great coaching and great talent are able to do against one of the best teams and players at any level.  Armanti Edwards will be playing in the NFL next year.  The hit from Keith Thompson in the first half was the ESPN Play of the Day.  The atmosphere and the crowd were incredible.

BTW- Chase Reynolds the RB for Montana is not too bad for an 8-man player.

No, I did not watch your squad beat Appy State.   Maybe it's time to bump up to 1-A?  Move to Boise State's league?

Since I believe the Griz could compete and even beat the gophers the Big Ten should invite them into the conference.  Problem solved to have 2 divisions and a big ten championship game. 

Several mainstream media have suggested that Boise St join the Big 11, allowing the league to split into 2 divisions and add a ($$$ making) title game as well as allowing BSU to show it can compete on the big stage. While this might be true in one sport, football, it would make no sense in any other sports and would be a huge financial hit to BSU. It would be equally disasterous for Montana.

I think the best thing would be for the Rodents to admit they cannot compete with the big boys and leave the Big 10, forming a conference of MN, NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU, MT, MSU and Boise.

What are you smoking??? Granted, the rodents don't have a great fb team, but the Big 10 (11) actually does compete in other sports! There are plenty of other sports that the U is competitive in. Not to mention, you don't walk away from all the tradition they have in the Big 10 to play with the likes of the teams you've listed. Those schools do not have the academics or the depth of athletics departments for that move to ever make sense.

As for the wider Big 10 discussion. The two keys are location and academics. They aren't going to add a team outside of their midwest area. While MAC schools fit the first criteria, most of them fall far short of what the Big 10 is looking for academically. ND is the obvious choice and the Big 10 would take them in a second, but as far as ND is concerned, they'd have to give up there $$$ from the NBC deal. Pitt would seem to be a possibility as well, but they seem to have a pretty good thing going in the Big East. Other schools that have been thrown around have been Mizzou (but they'd never leave the Big 12 and their rivalries with Kansas, Kansas St. and Nebraska), Iowa State, Rutgers and some others.

It'll be interesting to watch develop...

Didn't Mauer almost follow in Weikne's footsteps and accept a scholarship to FSU?

Yep, and word was that Bowden made it a standing offer. Any time Joe wanted he had a scholarship waiting for him, similar to Wenke. But it was pretty clear pretty early that Mauer wasn't going to walk away from baseball.

[Las Vegas Wildcards]

I hope AO got a chance to see what great coaching and great talent are able to do against one of the best teams and players at any level.  Armanti Edwards will be playing in the NFL next year.  The hit from Keith Thompson in the first half was the ESPN Play of the Day.  The atmosphere and the crowd were incredible.

BTW- Chase Reynolds the RB for Montana is not too bad for an 8-man player.

No, I did not watch your squad beat Appy State.   Maybe it's time to bump up to 1-A?  Move to Boise State's league?

Since I believe the Griz could compete and even beat the gophers the Big Ten should invite them into the conference.  Problem solved to have 2 divisions and a big ten championship game. 

Several mainstream media have suggested that Boise St join the Big 11, allowing the league to split into 2 divisions and add a ($$$ making) title game as well as allowing BSU to show it can compete on the big stage. While this might be true in one sport, football, it would make no sense in any other sports and would be a huge financial hit to BSU. It would be equally disasterous for Montana.

I think the best thing would be for the Rodents to admit they cannot compete with the big boys and leave the Big 10, forming a conference of MN, NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU, MT, MSU and Boise.

What are you smoking??? Granted, the rodents don't have a great fb team, but the Big 10 (11) actually does compete in other sports! There are plenty of other sports that the U is competitive in. Not to mention, you don't walk away from all the tradition they have in the Big 10 to play with the likes of the teams you've listed. Those schools do not have the academics or the depth of athletics departments for that move to ever make sense.

As for the wider Big 10 discussion. The two keys are location and academics. They aren't going to add a team outside of their midwest area. While MAC schools fit the first criteria, most of them fall far short of what the Big 10 is looking for academically. ND is the obvious choice and the Big 10 would take them in a second, but as far as ND is concerned, they'd have to give up there $$$ from the NBC deal. Pitt would seem to be a possibility as well, but they seem to have a pretty good thing going in the Big East. Other schools that have been thrown around have been Mizzou (but they'd never leave the Big 12 and their rivalries with Kansas, Kansas St. and Nebraska), Iowa State, Rutgers and some others.

It'll be interesting to watch develop...

Didn't Mauer almost follow in Weikne's footsteps and accept a scholarship to FSU?

Yep, and word was that Bowden made it a standing offer. Any time Joe wanted he had a scholarship waiting for him, similar to Wenke. But it was pretty clear pretty early that Mauer wasn't going to walk away from baseball.

Speaking of Boise State, I heard the Broncos will be moving to the Mountain West soon, and that conference would become a BCS conference. Since the WAC would need to add a team, I guess that opens the door for Montana, if they would be interested in moving up. Obviously the WAC would be weakened by such a move, if it occurs.   

[OzJohnnie]

The Johnnie wrestlers are doing well.  I can't be bothered cross checking, so I'll just ask: is anyone besides the coach from the football team as well?

[sjusection105]

Didn't Mauer almost follow in Weikne's footsteps and accept a scholarship to FSU?

Yep, and word was that Bowden made it a standing offer. Any time Joe wanted he had a scholarship waiting for him, similar to Wenke. But it was pretty clear pretty early that Mauer wasn't going to walk away from baseball.

Yes, and Weinke had a similar agreement with the elder Bowden as Weinke played for the Blue Jays organization for 4 years before traveling to FSU and finally to the NFL.

[sjusection105]

The Johnnie wrestlers are doing well.  I can't be bothered cross checking, so I'll just ask: is anyone besides the coach from the football team as well?

Yep,
http://www.gojohnnies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6592&path=wrestling

[hazzben]

Didn't Mauer almost follow in Weikne's footsteps and accept a scholarship to FSU?

Yep, and word was that Bowden made it a standing offer. Any time Joe wanted he had a scholarship waiting for him, similar to Weinke. But it was pretty clear pretty early that Mauer wasn't going to walk away from baseball.

Yes, and Weinke had a similar agreement with the elder Bowden as Weinke played for the Blue Jays organization for 4 years before traveling to FSU and finally to the NFL.

Section, isn't that what 'similar to Weinke' meant? 

[sjusection105]

Didn't Mauer almost follow in Weikne's footsteps and accept a scholarship to FSU?

Yep, and word was that Bowden made it a standing offer. Any time Joe wanted he had a scholarship waiting for him, similar to Weinke. But it was pretty clear pretty early that Mauer wasn't going to walk away from baseball.

Yes, and Weinke had a similar agreement with the elder Bowden as Weinke played for the Blue Jays organization for 4 years before traveling to FSU and finally to the NFL.

Section, isn't that what 'similar to Weinke' meant? 

I guess I owe you a Hamm's next year at the Bethel/SJU match up.

[Johnnie Red]

Now that the D3 season is almost over , we can start planning for other Saturday entertainment this winter. The highlight of the winter will be January 30 when Paris Hilton makes an appearance at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen. Paris is being billed as the host of a "Brrriffic Beach Bash" that evening. Tickets are only $10.

Then we have the Bockfest in New Ulm on February 13 at the Schell's Brewery. Duffman has been to this event, as have I.

The following weekend, February 19-21, is the EelPout Festival on Leech Lake in Walker. The Bikini Ice Fishing Team will be in attendance Saturday afternoon.

[57Johnnie]

Now that the D3 season is almost over , we can start planning for other Saturday entertainment this winter. The highlight of the winter will be January 30 when Paris Hilton makes an appearance at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen. Paris is being billed as the host of a "Brrriffic Beach Bash" that evening. Tickets are only $10.

Then we have the Bockfest in New Ulm on February 13 at the Schell's Brewery. Duffman has been to this event, as have I.

The following weekend, February 19-21, is the EelPout Festival on Leech Lake in Walker. The Bikini Ice Fishing Team will be in attendance Saturday afternoon.

http://www.clubexoticaswimwear.com/bift/gallery.php

[cobbernation]

Hazzben,

When you are talking about location and academics are big contributors to allowing a school in the big ten, are you talking about recruiting students who are gifted athletically and not so much in the academic area?  Or do schools take that approach and figure they will have enough students who are brilliant academically and don't care about athletics to balance it all out.

[VOJ]

Thought I would share a little good news...


COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University Senior linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) was named to the 2009 American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) Division III All-America Team on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
He becomes the 90th All-American in SJU football history (sixty-nine SJU student-athletes have earned All-America honors a total of 90 times).
A three-time All-MIAC selection (2007 second team, 2008-09 first team), Wimmer finished second on the team with 62 tackles (38 solo), including 8.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one sack in 2009. He ended his career fifth in school history with 307 total tackles and 150 solo tackles, and ninth in assisted tackles (157). Wimmer was named to the D3football.com All-West Region second team on Dec. 11 and to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team in November.
SJU ended the 2009 season with an 8-0 record in the MIAC and a 10-1 overall record. The Johnnies earned their MIAC-record 31st conference championship, the 27th under the direction of Gagliardi, and made their 24th postseason appearance (and 11th in the past 12 seasons). Gagliardi ended his record 61st season with a 471-126-11 (.784) career record and a 447-120-10 (.783) record in 57 seasons at SJU.