FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[MonroviaCat]

Looking forward to another good game next weekend.  Everybody enjoy your turkey this week!

[MonroviaCat]

Did some looking at the season stats--looks like a very even matchup next weekend.  Both teams can move the ball through the air or on the ground.  Looks like St. Thomas has a slight edge running while Linfield has a slight edge passing.  Both D's have been tough---Linfield a little better against the run and St. Thomas a bit better vs. the pass....Will likely be like last year and come down to turnovers....  Should be a really good one.

[usee]

And I like that several posters on the CCIW board were commenting this weak that if Wheaton beat Coe, they would have a good shot to run the table in the West. As tight as this region is, not sure how you could look past the winner of the Wartburg - Bethel game. But that's posters on these boards, and we don't play any snaps on Saturday 

Hazzbeen, That's a little out of context. The comment was made that Wheaton's game today would show whether they could be competitive in the West region. Obviously Coe isn't the best team in the bracket or they wouldn't be the 7 seed. It is also clear that this bracket is pretty stacked with these remaining 4 teams. I see the Bethel/Wheaton matchup as very, very close. It will be a physical war and come down to the wire just like the meetings the last 2 years have.

2 great matchups in this bracket with great story lines coming out for a regional final no matter who prevails. Should be a fun week!

[hazzben]

And I like that several posters on the CCIW board were commenting this weak that if Wheaton beat Coe, they would have a good shot to run the table in the West. As tight as this region is, not sure how you could look past the winner of the Wartburg - Bethel game. But that's posters on these boards, and we don't play any snaps on Saturday 

Hazzbeen, That's a little out of context. The comment was made that Wheaton's game today would show whether they could be competitive in the West region. Obviously Coe isn't the best team in the bracket or they wouldn't be the 7 seed. It is also clear that this bracket is pretty stacked with these remaining 4 teams. I see the Bethel/Wheaton matchup as very, very close. It will be a physical war and come down to the wire just like the meetings the last 2 years have.

2 great matchups in this bracket with great story lines coming out for a regional final no matter who prevails. Should be a fun week!

Don't know how to import a quote from another thread...but I remember something to the effect of: Wheaton has a big challenge ahead in Coe, but if they win they have a decent shot to win the region.

I suppose this could just be a statement about how wide open the region is, but it sure seemed more like a statement to the effect of a Wheaton victory in rd 1 being a harbinger of victories in subsequent rounds.

Either way, totally agree that we have two great match-ups this week!

Wheaton and Bethel have been tooth and nail battles the last two years, no reason to see that trend not continuing. Both beat two very quality opponents from the IIAC today. Both appear to have very good D's.

Linfield and UST has to be the best match-up of the 2nd rd (with a nod to NCC v. ONU), given the talent on both the teams, the West Region final rematch from last year and the quality that each has on Off. & Def.

Purple showdown in St. Paul, Evangelical debate in Wheaton, should be fun! 

Here's to hoping all four teams are healthy coming out of Saturday. Nothing worse than a great game being diminished by significant injuries.

[usee]

Here is the quote (which was originally by HSCoach--a Mt Union guy) and my response:

As a complete outsider, I think the Round 2 game is going to make or break NCC's season and Round 1 will be the key for Wheaton.  If NCC ends up losing to Whitewater, even if a blowout, it was expected and there is no shame in losing to best team in the nation.  But if NCC gets tripped up by Ohio Northern, or gasp - Wittenberg - then the entire season is wasted.  Probably too harsh a stance, but that is what the national opinion on it will be. 

Plus factor in Wheaton's tough draw in the West bracket in Round 1 and it could be a really bad showing for the CCIW.  But if Wheaton wins Round 1, there's a decent chance they could win the region to set up another showdown in Alliance, which would be a huge success for the CCIW as a whole.

Going to be very interesting which scenario plays out.  Personally I'm pulling for both NCC and Wheaton to make at least the regional finals.  I hate to root against Ohio Northern, but I think NCC has a much better chance against UWW than ONU would. 

I completely agree with this analysis. I'll say that I think overall the CCIW was up this year over last year. This years NCC team is the best CCIW rep we have had in over 10 yrs IMO. And Wheaton is as solid as most of those CCIW playoff teams (if their QB can play). The CCIW could play 3 total playoff games or they could play 6-9 total playoff games. And the key is Wheatons game against COe and NCC vs ONU/Witt. Those will be the games we will be able to tell the relative strength of the CCIW. If both teams make a run to the regional finals or beyond, the CCIW will be cemented in the national opinion as a top 3 conference for a while.

Again, it's pretty clear I and the other CCIW folks wondered how we would stack up in the St Thomas bracket and I thought the COe game would be a good meauring stick. Today was the first game by a Wheaton team vs any IIAC team. We know how Wheaton/Bethel stack up as they have played each other each of the last two years. Should be a great game.

[Wildcat'64]

The Tommie/Cat game should be a barn burner and I suspect it will come down to whichever team ends the day with the fewest turnovers. With the talent in the West this year, I'm confident some team from the West Region will be playing in mid-December at the Stagg Bowl.  Who that might be will play out over the next few weeks but there are clearly four very good teams remaining in the West bracket.

[Pat Coleman]

Don't know how to import a quote from another thread...but I remember something to the effect of: Wheaton has a big challenge ahead in Coe, but if they win they have a decent shot to win the region.

You could quote it in that board, then (assuming you use post preview), copy that onto your clipboard or paste it into Notepad, whatever, then come over here and paste it into the post window.

[usee]

The Tommie/Cat game should be a barn burner and I suspect it will come down to whichever team ends the day with the fewest turnovers. With the talent in the West this year, I'm confident some team from the West Region will be playing in mid-December at the Stagg Bowl.  Who that might be will play out over the next few weeks but there are clearly four very good teams remaining in the West bracket.

There's a team in Alliance, OH that may have something to say about this before Salem.

[cludad]

tommies size vs linfields speed. from my point you defense speed. the tommies and lindfield are both great teams but ill take a little faster team 34-28.

[hazzben]

Didn't realize the Tommies were slow.  do you have some sort of inside info on which team is faster?

And thanks Pat. Wasn't sure if there was some trick to it, but that makes sense.

[cludad]

look i dont have a mgic ball, all i know is what i saw today. the tommies are huge. usually big guys dont move as fast as smaller guys. and didnt the cats beat the tommies last year?.this linfield team is better.(i have no horse in this race,just want a good game) p.s. minnesota fast is different than west coast fast.

[hazzben]

^ to which I'd say:

1- UST is definitely better this year as well.
2- they may be plenty big up front, but their skill guys have plenty of speed.
3- the west coast comment is comical. Fast is fast. I don't think UWW and UMU have had any trouble with 'fast' teams.

Linfield may indeed be both better and faster, but not just because they were better last year and certainly not simply because they are from the West coast.

The great part about this debate...it all gets settled on the field next Saturday.

[cludad]

this game will be decided on the field. i by no means ,mean to underestimate ust. THEY ARE #1 FOR A REASON.but the team i saw today is going to be very hard to beat.(they are complete).

[bluenote]

We're small and slow. And we don't hit that hard.

[CAT BAT 22]

Teams are usually a little "faster" at home  

We're plenty big and UST is plenty fast.