FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr.MIAC]

This just in...I wonder if this news will encourage John Gagliardi, with his record safely intact, to retire sooner rather than later...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/sports/ncaafootball/penn-state-said-to-be-planning-paternos-exit.html?hp

[badgerwarhawk]

I realize I'm an outsider so I'm not in tune with all the nuances that have risen St Thomas to the status of the MIAC's overlord but to me it looks like the main factor probably is....

Brilliance without Borders

[cobbernation]

So UST is the only team that will be representing the MIAC in the playoffs this year.  We've talked a lot on this board about the reasons why some other teams have fallen from grace, but not as much about what makes UST football so dominate.  Is it the coaching, recruiting, facilities, teamwork, general excellence, or something else all together?

I'd be hesitant to use the word "dominate" (or more correctly, "dominant") based on a 2-3 year window. Yes, UST has been enjoying a fantastic run with back-to-back titles and repeat unbeaten regular seasons (the MIAC's first such instance since 1962-63), but "dominant" The win at SJU in 2010 can not be called dominant (cathartic, yes; exciting, yes; thriling, yes) and UST struggled in a few games both seasons, games that could have gone either way.

"Dominant" would be Mt Union's stranglehold on its conference... when we win our 5th conference crown in a row, then I will call it dominantion...till then, its a good, solid (and enjoyable) run!

Okay, I've modified the question a bit:

We've talked a lot on this board about the reasons why some other MIAC teams have fallen from grace, but not as much about what makes UST football so dominant in the MIAC this year.  Is it the coaching, recruiting, facilities, teamwork, general excellence, a combination of all the above, or something else all together?

Not so sure that UST should be even discussed as dominant as of yet.  For UST to win back to back conference crowns is impressive, but I would choose SJU as the dominant team of the MIAC.  SJU since 1999 I believe won 9 of 13 conference titles (includes this season and data retrieved from d3.com all rights reserved to pat!).  If UST can match that then we can discuss, but until then we can talk about UST and their fall from grace which starts in the fall of 2012.

[skunks_sidekick]

I realize I'm an outsider so I'm not in tune with all the nuances that have risen St Thomas to the status of the MIAC's overlord but to me it looks like the main factor probably is....

Brilliance without Borders

I LOVE IT!!!!     It was one of my better flashes of message board material. 

[Mr.MIAC]

So UST is the only team that will be representing the MIAC in the playoffs this year.  We've talked a lot on this board about the reasons why some other teams have fallen from grace, but not as much about what makes UST football so dominate.  Is it the coaching, recruiting, facilities, teamwork, general excellence, or something else all together?

I'd be hesitant to use the word "dominate" (or more correctly, "dominant") based on a 2-3 year window. Yes, UST has been enjoying a fantastic run with back-to-back titles and repeat unbeaten regular seasons (the MIAC's first such instance since 1962-63), but "dominant" The win at SJU in 2010 can not be called dominant (cathartic, yes; exciting, yes; thriling, yes) and UST struggled in a few games both seasons, games that could have gone either way.

"Dominant" would be Mt Union's stranglehold on its conference... when we win our 5th conference crown in a row, then I will call it dominantion...till then, its a good, solid (and enjoyable) run!

Okay, I've modified the question a bit:

We've talked a lot on this board about the reasons why some other MIAC teams have fallen from grace, but not as much about what makes UST football so dominant in the MIAC this year.  Is it the coaching, recruiting, facilities, teamwork, general excellence, a combination of all the above, or something else all together?

Not so sure that UST should be even discussed as dominant as of yet.  For UST to win back to back conference crowns is impressive, but I would choose SJU as the dominant team of the MIAC.  SJU since 1999 I believe won 9 of 13 conference titles (includes this season and data retrieved from d3.com all rights reserved to pat!).  If UST can match that then we can discuss, but until then we can talk about UST and their fall from grace which starts in the fall of 2012.

So you don't think UST was dominant in the MIAC this year?  I'm not talking about a decade back, but this year.  What has made them so dominant this year (maybe the past two years)?

[Retired Old Rat]

This just in...I wonder if this news will encourage John Gagliardi, with his record safely intact, to retire sooner rather than later...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/sports/ncaafootball/penn-state-said-to-be-planning-paternos-exit.html?hp

This will have NO impact on John Gagliardi.  He will do what he does for his own reasons.

Sad to see Joe Paterno's career being overshadowed by this scandal.  He really has done things the right way.  Probably should have stepped up to the plate on this one years ago.

[Chubbs]

So UST is the only team that will be representing the MIAC in the playoffs this year.  We've talked a lot on this board about the reasons why some other teams have fallen from grace, but not as much about what makes UST football so dominate.  Is it the coaching, recruiting, facilities, teamwork, general excellence, or something else all together?

I'd be hesitant to use the word "dominate" (or more correctly, "dominant") based on a 2-3 year window. Yes, UST has been enjoying a fantastic run with back-to-back titles and repeat unbeaten regular seasons (the MIAC's first such instance since 1962-63), but "dominant" The win at SJU in 2010 can not be called dominant (cathartic, yes; exciting, yes; thriling, yes) and UST struggled in a few games both seasons, games that could have gone either way.

"Dominant" would be Mt Union's stranglehold on its conference... when we win our 5th conference crown in a row, then I will call it dominantion...till then, its a good, solid (and enjoyable) run!

Okay, I've modified the question a bit:

We've talked a lot on this board about the reasons why some other MIAC teams have fallen from grace, but not as much about what makes UST football so dominant in the MIAC this year.  Is it the coaching, recruiting, facilities, teamwork, general excellence, a combination of all the above, or something else all together?

Not so sure that UST should be even discussed as dominant as of yet.  For UST to win back to back conference crowns is impressive, but I would choose SJU as the dominant team of the MIAC.  SJU since 1999 I believe won 9 of 13 conference titles (includes this season and data retrieved from d3.com all rights reserved to pat!).  If UST can match that then we can discuss, but until then we can talk about UST and their fall from grace which starts in the fall of 2012.

So you don't think UST was dominant in the MIAC this year?  I'm not talking about a decade back, but this year.  What has made them so dominant this year (maybe the past two years)?

"To me, coaching is very simple.  If you have the best players, you win."  Dr. Tom Osborne (a guy who knows a thing or two about being dominant)

U$T has the best players, simple as that.

With that out of the way, we now return to the "Look at our pretty buildings" show on WCCO. 

[Retired Old Rat]

Skunk, I have modified my post to provide you with proper credit.

[USTBench]

I wouldn't say UST has been "dominant" either, but it's been a nice little run.

I will say it's finally nice to be hated for being good at football along with myriad of other things people hate about us.

I was looking forward to another potential match up with Linfield this playoff, but I kind of really want UST to play Delaware Valley right now for some reason. Unfortunately, Delaware Valley will find themselves on the losing end of a DOUBLE MONKEY STOMP early in the playoffs and will have to turn their attention to lacrosse season and other cake-eating East Coast activities.

If I could interject, perhaps some logic games would be beneficial to pass the time on Saturdays after your quick exit.  Because, apparently, Bethel's match up against Mt. Union in 2007 is some how relevant to this year's playoff seedings to Aggie supporters. Even though no current Bethel players are a part of that team.

You know what? I do wish Bethel was in the playoffs. They could be the number 1 team in the East and blow through that pretty easily until they run into MUC I suspect.

[DuffMan]

...but until then we can talk about UST and their fall from grace which starts in the fall of 2012.

LOL.  +K for that one 

[Pat Coleman]

SJU since 1999 I believe won 9 of 13 conference titles (includes this season and data retrieved from d3.com all rights reserved to pat!).

No problem -- that's what it's here for!

[skunks_sidekick]

Seeing as how I was AT the Bethel/UMU semi-final last year, I can confidently say that to characterize that game as evidence that BETHEL is the true power in the MIAC is faulty to the point of being ridiculous.  To be honest I was expecting to be headed to St. Thomas to watch Mount in the semi-finals, and after watching Bethel couldn't believe that UST had actually lost to a team that couldn't throw it, and couldn't kick.  It was almost surreal. 

That being said, it appears with UST having UNIVERSAL appeal, love, and domination on their side, Mount better be ready to bow to the NEW......BEAST of the WEST.......UST!!!!!!    (Well that is hoping that Mount can overcome the NEW BEAST of the EAST Del Val, or the NEW....AS GOOD AS THE TOP TWO...NCC).   

To BE the man....you gotta BEAT the man.....no matter how BRILLIANT your magnificence shines.   

[Mr.MIAC]

I wouldn't say UST has been "dominant" either, but it's been a nice little run.

I will say it's finally nice to be hated for being good at football along with myriad of other things people hate about us.

I'd say UST has clearly been dominate this season.  They've outscored opponents 390 - 100 and let's not forget about the 63 - 7 blowout, which likely foreshadows things to come in the MIAC.  What else is UST hated for besides football?  Hated by whom?

[GoldandBlueBU]

Seeing as how I was AT the Bethel/UMU semi-final last year, I can confidently say that to characterize that game as evidence that BETHEL is the true power in the MIAC is faulty to the point of being ridiculous.  To be honest I was expecting to be headed to St. Thomas to watch Mount in the semi-finals, and after watching Bethel couldn't believe that UST had actually lost to a team that couldn't throw it, and couldn't kick.  It was almost surreal. 

That being said, it appears with UST having UNIVERSAL appeal, love, and domination on their side, Mount better be ready to bow to the NEW......BEAST of the WEST.......UST!!!!!!    (Well that is hoping that Mount can overcome the NEW BEAST of the EAST Del Val, or the NEW....AS GOOD AS THE TOP TWO...NCC).   

To BE the man....you gotta BEAT the man.....no matter how BRILLIANT your magnificence shines.   

Bethel's ability to get to that game, and knock off UST last year is manily a testament to their excellent defense last year.  They're a step behind last year's team on defense this year...although the offense is probably just as good, if not slightly better with the ability to throw the ball every now and then.

UST's performance in conference this year was most certainly dominant...I'm looking forward to seeing them play in the post season, once they get past the snoozer that the CSS game will be, that is.

[skunks_sidekick]

Seeing as how I was AT the Bethel/UMU semi-final last year, I can confidently say that to characterize that game as evidence that BETHEL is the true power in the MIAC is faulty to the point of being ridiculous.  To be honest I was expecting to be headed to St. Thomas to watch Mount in the semi-finals, and after watching Bethel couldn't believe that UST had actually lost to a team that couldn't throw it, and couldn't kick.  It was almost surreal. 

That being said, it appears with UST having UNIVERSAL appeal, love, and domination on their side, Mount better be ready to bow to the NEW......BEAST of the WEST.......UST!!!!!!    (Well that is hoping that Mount can overcome the NEW BEAST of the EAST Del Val, or the NEW....AS GOOD AS THE TOP TWO...NCC).   

To BE the man....you gotta BEAT the man.....no matter how BRILLIANT your magnificence shines.   

Bethel's ability to get to that game, and knock off UST last year is manily a testament to their excellent defense last year.  They're a step behind last year's team on defense this year...although the offense is probably just as good, if not slightly better with the ability to throw the ball every now and then.

UST's performance in conference this year was most certainly dominant...I'm looking forward to seeing them play in the post season, once they get past the snoozer that the CSS game will be, that is.

Upon further review, I agree Bethel's defense was very solid against Mount.