FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[tommiegun]

Pipers are saving him for the Playoffs.

[stanbob]

Early week prediction for this coming weekend:  Last game for the seniors and coming off a great performance against the Oles, I predict demolition job against the Pipers.  45-3.  We're finishing the year on the mighty double monkey stomp.

(Grant snags a lucky 20 yarder after the Johnnies' only fumble for the day that puts the Pipers in FG range.  Grant's ability to carry the entire Hamline squad on his broad shoulders will guarantee many entertaining tweets for all and sundry.)

I attended the BU drubbing of hamline on saturday, and got a chance to watch ray grant in all his glory.  He probably was on the field for 5, maybe 6 plays total....

No wonder hamline is so dismal, misusing Mr Grant like they are.  

[GoldandBlueBU]

Assuming that BU finishes strong next week and beats the auggies (I really hope the players aren't looking past that game), and they secure a pool C selection, when is the last time that two MIAC teams got into the playoffs and 1 of them wasn't SJU?

I don't mean this question as a jab at the johnnies at all, if anything it highlights their consistency. 

Just wondering if this has happened, or when it happened last?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Assuming that BU finishes strong next week and beats the auggies (I really hope the players aren't looking past that game), and they secure a pool C selection, when is the last time that two MIAC teams got into the playoffs and 1 of them wasn't SJU?

I don't mean this question as a jab at the johnnies at all, if anything it highlights their consistency. 

Just wondering if this has happened, or when it happened last?

I dont think it has ever happened. There have been years where SJU didnt make the playoff field, but the MIAC only had 1 team go (BU, Cord). In all the times I'm aware of when 2 MIAC teams were in, SJU was one of them. Uncharted waters ahead for UST & BU!

I'm assuming the NCAA will not move UWW out of the West and they will be the #1 seed with UST #2...Id venture Wartburg as the 3, with a west-coast matchup in the 4/5 slot (a 3rd west coast team would be sent South), BU 6 (to face Wartburg), Coe 7 (at UST) and whoever wins the conference St Norbs is in will be UWW's first round victim.

That works out for a MN/IA 2nd round and only 1 airfare (west coast to WI). The NCAA loves to save $$, so this should appeal big time.

[AlmostEx]

Sixth game of 500+ yards of offense defines the "badness" of this team for eternity!  I dare say seven games above 500 yards, but we could see a lot of players on Saturday against Hamline.

[johnniepress]

The last time two MIAC teams, not including SJU, made the NCAA Division III playoffs was 1997 (Augsburg & Concordia). Augsburg traveled to Concordia and won, 34-22, in the first round.

[tommiegun]

Being a young buck, it is remarkable to me that there was a time that Augsburg was good at football.

[hazzben]

Augsburg's 1997 team was actually very good.

And Bethel has never made the playoffs without SJU also being a participant (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007). fwiw.

[DuffMan]

Augsburg's 1997 team was actually very good.

A young Auggie named Scott Hvistendahl broke Jerry Rice's record for career receiving yards.  Yet it is still tough to believe the Auggies were a playoff caliber team  

Interestingly enough, Hvisty now coaches at AO's own Northwestern!

[retagent]

I remember looking at the Vikes schedule prior to the season and thinking that they could be 4 - 4 over the first half, and 7 - 1 in the second. It's still possible for a revival with some key players getting healthy, and maybe others actually playing better. As a fan, I'm torn between rooting for a good second half of the season, which would probably lead to a dismal 2011, or hoping they tank, and wholesale change, which could be for the better............. or not.

[tommiegun]

Kind of a lackluster last week in the MIAC...

[AO]

Final Week Pick'Em's

To honor Oz's quick pick this week, the SJU-Hamline line will be the double monkey stomp 42.5.  I fully expect a Ray "Tweet" Grant breakout party to send Johnnie pickers home unhappy.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Being a young buck, it is remarkable to me that there was a time that Augsburg was good at football.

I saw them beat St. John's in '97 at Augsburg.  I'll never forget the one Augsburg student hanging from the crossbar trying to bring the west goalpost down by himself at the end of the game.

[Retired Old Rat]

I've returned from Pennsylvania.

Was able to witness Joe Paterno's 400th win.  It was an awesome feeling being in a stadium with over 100,000 fans for such a happening.  Not quite as awesome as being at the Stagg Bowl in 2003 and 2000.

On the scoreboard after the game:

Winningest Coaches in NCAA Football History:

John Gagliardi   476
Carroll College/St. John's University

Eddie Robinson  408
Grambling State

Joe Paterno  400
Penn State University

*Note:  the scoreboard was incorrect as John had won is 477th game earlier Saturday.

The tailgating at Penn State is unbelievable.  I saw several tailgaters with 50 inch TVs and satellite dishes.  They start very early and go very late.

I also had the pleasure of meeting one of State College's finest after the game.  I had failed to turn on the headlights of my rental car.  Fortunately for me, I had not had anything to drink all day.

[Retired Old Rat]

Many thanks to Tmerton and OzJohnnie for the text updates on Saturday.  Sure was nice to have blowout and not have to think about what bad things might be happening since the last text.

I've got to figure out how to get the Real Player on my phone to be able to stream the radio broadcast.