FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

We're over on the in game updates board, Sam.

[SagatagSam]

We're over on the in game updates board, Sam.

Sorry, just needed to get a feel for the in-game updates board again this year. 

[faunch]

You folks listening to the pregame interviews?

Yes - over 90 on the new turf 

It was frickin' hot down on that new turf in Clemens Stadium today!

[hazzben]

Feelin' for the Tommies
Not really.  I do think Eau Claire has a pretty good team and could finish in the top two of their league this year.  SJU / UST game could easily feature two one loss teams.

That'd be a bummer. It'll take some of the luster off. But it also means both teams might already be playing for their playoff life. Tough to get into the dance with 2 losses...unless you win the league at 8-2. Then again, if your only loss is to the your league champ and a solid WIAC team, that's probably as good a recipe as any for getting in with 2 losses and an at large bid.

[faunch]

Johnnies need to get freshman Sam Sura on the field.  Also...what's up w/ Rob Voshell?  Did he even get a single touch today?

[sfury]

Was at U.S. Open all day so missed everything. Happy to see the Tommies pull one out. Er.

I'm going to guess that if Nick Martin retired today he'd have the highest career QB rating in college football history (minimum: 1 attempt). 1-for-1, 95 yards. TD.

Sounds like Bungum could be a very nice addition. And he had never played WR before, right? Once he gets some more games in, should be even better.

[bleedpurple]

Quick question for Tommies' fans.  I've read some recent postings about whether St. Thomas is deserving of the #8 ranking in the country. I realize the Tommies' lost some of their great producers, but the talk surprised me a bit (I had them ranked higher than that when I filled out my initialFan Poll  ballot).  In looking at their sustained MIAC success and their progression into the semi-finals last year, I see them as a program that re-loads, rather than rebuilds. (OK, so this question isn't so quick  ).  I know today's game was a wild one and could have gone either way. But I also know the Tommies missed some golden opportunities that could have changed things.

My "quick" question is this: What are your expectations of this team this year? Conference championship? undefeated conference champions? Quarterfinals appearance in playoffs? Repeat Semi-final appearance in playoffs? Take the next step and make a Stagg appearance?

So Tommies' fans. What say you?

[bleedpurple]

I do think Eau Claire has a pretty good team and could finish in the top two of their league this year. 

While the WIAC is always full of surprises, UW-EC finishing in top 2 would be a major surprise.  5th is far more likely.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Quick question for Tommies' fans.  I've read some recent postings about whether St. Thomas is deserving of the #8 ranking in the country. I realize the Tommies' lost some of their great producers, but the talk surprised me a bit (I had them ranked higher than that when I filled out my initialFan Poll  ballot).  In looking at their sustained MIAC success and their progression into the semi-finals last year, I see them as a program that re-loads, rather than rebuilds. (OK, so this question isn't so quick  ).  I know today's game was a wild one and could have gone either way. But I also know the Tommies missed some golden opportunities that could have changed things.

My "quick" question is this: What are your expectations of this team this year? Conference championship? undefeated conference champions? Quarterfinals appearance in playoffs? Repeat Semi-final appearance in playoffs? Take the next step and make a Stagg appearance?

So Tommies' fans. What say you?

mine are same as they are every year, every sport--- bring home the walnut & bronze. hopefully with the baseball team showing the way this spring, the alleged Whitewater jinx is broken     

With the big turnover in the lineup, even though many of last year's reserves saw fairly extensive playing time, the old cliche about one game at a time applies.  For now, just savoring today's win, as sloppy as it was. tomorrow, getting ready to beat UWRF

[bleedpurple]

Quick question for Tommies' fans.  I've read some recent postings about whether St. Thomas is deserving of the #8 ranking in the country. I realize the Tommies' lost some of their great producers, but the talk surprised me a bit (I had them ranked higher than that when I filled out my initialFan Poll  ballot).  In looking at their sustained MIAC success and their progression into the semi-finals last year, I see them as a program that re-loads, rather than rebuilds. (OK, so this question isn't so quick  ).  I know today's game was a wild one and could have gone either way. But I also know the Tommies missed some golden opportunities that could have changed things.

My "quick" question is this: What are your expectations of this team this year? Conference championship? undefeated conference champions? Quarterfinals appearance in playoffs? Repeat Semi-final appearance in playoffs? Take the next step and make a Stagg appearance?

So Tommies' fans. What say you?

mine are same as they are every year, every sport--- bring home the walnut & bronze. hopefully with the baseball team showing the way this spring, the alleged Whitewater jinx is broken     

With the big turnover in the lineup, even though many of last year's reserves saw fairly extensive playing time, the old cliche about one game at a time applies.  For now, just savoring today's win, as sloppy as it was. tomorrow, getting ready to beat UWRF

Thanks for responding, MM.  Nothing less than the National Championship. Gotcha!  As far as the "jinx", I didn't even know there was talk of one! (I get really out of the loop because I don't check the boards much during off-seasons).  If the Tommies are better than UW-W, then they will have a good chance to render such talk "poppycock".  But they will have to be pretty good to do that! 

EVERY win is worth savoring.  The kids and coaches work so hard and lay everything on the line every week.  Losses can (should) bring great heartbreak, so appreciating each victory is important for everyone (including fans) to get the most out of the college football experience.  Enjoy the journey!

[hazzben]

Quick question for Tommies' fans.  I've read some recent postings about whether St. Thomas is deserving of the #8 ranking in the country. I realize the Tommies' lost some of their great producers, but the talk surprised me a bit (I had them ranked higher than that when I filled out my initialFan Poll  ballot).  In looking at their sustained MIAC success and their progression into the semi-finals last year, I see them as a program that re-loads, rather than rebuilds. (OK, so this question isn't so quick  ).  I know today's game was a wild one and could have gone either way. But I also know the Tommies missed some golden opportunities that could have changed things.

My "quick" question is this: What are your expectations of this team this year? Conference championship? undefeated conference champions? Quarterfinals appearance in playoffs? Repeat Semi-final appearance in playoffs? Take the next step and make a Stagg appearance?

So Tommies' fans. What say you?

Not a Tommie fan, but I'll bite.

Obviously today proved they're beatable by teams other than the Top 4 or 5. But it also showed they beat one of the better teams they'll face in the regular season (UWEC, SJU, Bethel and St. Olaf being their best competition IMO).

I'd say the worst I'd expect them to finish would be 9-2. 1 loss in the regular season and an unfavorable or road matchup loss in the playoffs as a pool C. Could they go 8-2, sure, but I don't think it's very likely. But I sure wouldn't mind 

On the high end, I'd say they could definitely finish 10-0 in MIAC play and make a run to the quarters or semis. Don't think they have the skill players to beat MUC or UWW. That said, top to bottom they are building really strong depth. And this team is going to get a lot better by the end of the year. They replaced some marque players on both sides. The new skill starters have the talent, but are short on experience.

Bottom line, that's just a whole lot of conjecture at this point in the season. Injuries, a stumble against SJU in a few weeks, UWW staying in the West bracket or Linfield making a big leap. There's a whole lotta season left that could affect things.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Well, Alabama v. Michigan certainly isn't living up to its billing...it will take a monster second half from Michigan to make this at all interesting.

[hazzben]

Well Alabama v. Michigan certainly isn't living up to its billing...it will take a monster second half from Michigan to make this at all interesting.

The SEC and Alabama are really good. And they're also really obnoxious about it. Was really hoping Michigan could pull off a miracle upset. Now I'm just hoping they can make this respectable. 

As a Husker fan I'm pleased to announce that Nebraska has a QB who discovered the novelty of the forward pass!  In other news, we'll also be retiring our leather helmets and switching to polycarbonate plastic white ones with a letter N on the side. Early reports out of Lincoln are that both developments might become major trends in football. 

[sjusection105]

SJU-Northwestern game recap

[DuffMan]

Sounded like a good first showing by the Johnnies--a few hiccups, but overall, tough to complain too much when you put 52 on the board.  I unfortunately spent the day painting--not exactly fun, but it's done!    Spousal happiness trumped a beautiful day in Collegeville (and a weekend at the lake) this time.