FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

There would be another riot in Dinkytown if (gasp) a lowly D3 coach got the head nod at Minnesota.

Although, I think he could out-recruit and out scheme most FBS coaches.

Caruso's a great recruiter. But make no mistake, he also has unmatched facilities, assets (number of full time assistants & support staff), financial aid packages and support at UST right now.

Throw him into the FBS pool at a school like Minnesota and I think he comes back to the mean a good bit. Still a great recruiter and solid scheme coach. But now he's going up against the likes of tOSU, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan, just to name the Midwest competition. His facilities would no longer be the best (nice stadium, but nothing compared to the stadiums and total facilities of those other schools listed) and he'd no longer have the advantage of dropping the best aid package on the table to tip the scales and close the deal.

[ron doney]

There would be another riot in Dinkytown if (gasp) a lowly D3 coach got the head nod at Minnesota.

Although, I think he could out-recruit and out scheme most FBS coaches.

Caruso's a great recruiter. But make no mistake, he also has unmatched facilities, assets (number of full time assistants & support staff), financial aid packages and support at UST right now.

Throw him into the FBS pool at a school like Minnesota and I think he comes back to the mean a good bit. Still a great recruiter and solid scheme coach. But now he's going up against the likes of tOSU, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan, just to name the Midwest competition. His facilities would no longer be the best (nice stadium, but nothing compared to the stadiums and total facilities of those other schools listed) and he'd no longer have the advantage of dropping the best aid package on the table to tip the scales and close the deal.

At a school like Minnesota he probably does what he did at Macalaster, not what he's doing at UST. 

[ron doney]

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

I think at some point O'Connell will be better than Tracy, (throws a nicer ball, greater pocket presence) but if I had to win a game right now, (If Tracy was rust free) I'd take Dakota Tracy; for one reason: Dakota Tracy did not turn the ball over. Call him undersized, say he had to be outside of the pocket to be at his best, but was phenomenal at making sure the football stayed with UST until we scored or punted.

That said, I like how O'Connell will take a chance where Tracy wouldn't necessarily. Leads to some really exciting plays.

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

Well said Bench, the trap of a top talent is a very true point.  I think it can be a fair criticism of Caruso to date as well.  He didn't utilized Waldvogel as a decoy in the passing game as much as he did in the running game.  Caruso should have sliced up UWW with rice routes under Waldvogel 15 yard hooks and square outs. 

I side with Old Rat on O'Connell over Tracy......I think the fact that he can see over the o-line helps.  Though to Bench's point Tracy last two years with 11 INTs  each and O'Connell this year with 13.  Not sure about fumbles.  What's more important is probably the when and where on the INTs (which probably sides with Bench), but either way, doesn't seem like too sizable of a margin. 

And back to Keith's comment.......I think the quick rise to the program lies in Caruso's unapologetic mantra of putting his best talent out on the field, despite some rather awkward circumstances.  He did it with Tracy after Tracy proved he could get the ball to Waldvogel more effectively than highly anticipated recruit Greg Morse (which supports my earlier opinion of Tracy).  He did it a year later with Tobin - when Tobin emerged at the end of the season while Wartman's legs began to slow.  Tobin took snaps in more critical situations that Wartman even before Wartman dealt with injuries.

I am not privy to Aaron Terrell-Byrd's current condition, but I suspect he will have to fight to get his job back from Braddock next season.

Just listened to Caruso's quote on Wolfgang Dvorak - doesn't make a travel team all season and then dresses for playoffs at TE, goes on to block a punt.  Another example of guys moving up the depth charts during the season.  Caruso has certainly instilled a culture that no starting spot should be taken for granted.

[2115 Summit]

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

I think at some point O'Connell will be better than Tracy, (throws a nicer ball, greater pocket presence) but if I had to win a game right now, (If Tracy was rust free) I'd take Dakota Tracy; for one reason: Dakota Tracy did not turn the ball over. Call him undersized, say he had to be outside of the pocket to be at his best, but was phenomenal at making sure the football stayed with UST until we scored or punted.

That said, I like how O'Connell will take a chance where Tracy wouldn't necessarily. Leads to some really exciting plays.

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

Well said Bench, the trap of a top talent is a very true point.  I think it can be a fair criticism of Caruso to date as well.  He didn't utilized Waldvogel as a decoy in the passing game as much as he did in the running game.  Caruso should have sliced up UWW with rice routes under Waldvogel 15 yard hooks and square outs. 

I side with Old Rat on O'Connell over Tracy......I think the fact that he can see over the o-line helps.  Though to Bench's point Tracy last two years with 11 INTs  each and O'Connell this year with 13.  Not sure about fumbles.  What's more important is probably the when and where on the INTs (which probably sides with Bench), but either way, doesn't seem like too sizable of a margin. 

And back to Keith's comment.......I think the quick rise to the program lies in Caruso's unapologetic mantra of putting his best talent out on the field, despite some rather awkward circumstances.  He did it with Tracy after Tracy proved he could get the ball to Waldvogel more effectively than highly anticipated recruit Greg Morse (which supports my earlier opinion of Tracy).  He did it a year later with Tobin - when Tobin emerged at the end of the season while Wartman's legs began to slow.  Tobin took snaps in more critical situations that Wartman even before Wartman dealt with injuries.

I am not privy to Aaron Terrell-Byrd's current condition, but I suspect he will have to fight to get his job back from Braddock next season.

For those who care - The stat lines are as follows for both Matt and Dakota through 13 games-

Matt - *Many different Options* *Only played in 12 Games* Injured for one game*
Passing Yards - 2,500 - 21 Td's - 13 Ints
Rushing Yards - 736 - 3 Td's

Dakota - *Had Waldvogel to throw to* *Tobin to Run the Football*
Passing Yards - 2,200 - 20 Td's - 9 Ints
Rushing Yards - 411 - 9Td's

[ron doney]

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

I think at some point O'Connell will be better than Tracy, (throws a nicer ball, greater pocket presence) but if I had to win a game right now, (If Tracy was rust free) I'd take Dakota Tracy; for one reason: Dakota Tracy did not turn the ball over. Call him undersized, say he had to be outside of the pocket to be at his best, but was phenomenal at making sure the football stayed with UST until we scored or punted.

That said, I like how O'Connell will take a chance where Tracy wouldn't necessarily. Leads to some really exciting plays.

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

Well said Bench, the trap of a top talent is a very true point.  I think it can be a fair criticism of Caruso to date as well.  He didn't utilized Waldvogel as a decoy in the passing game as much as he did in the running game.  Caruso should have sliced up UWW with rice routes under Waldvogel 15 yard hooks and square outs. 

I side with Old Rat on O'Connell over Tracy......I think the fact that he can see over the o-line helps.  Though to Bench's point Tracy last two years with 11 INTs  each and O'Connell this year with 13.  Not sure about fumbles.  What's more important is probably the when and where on the INTs (which probably sides with Bench), but either way, doesn't seem like too sizable of a margin. 

And back to Keith's comment.......I think the quick rise to the program lies in Caruso's unapologetic mantra of putting his best talent out on the field, despite some rather awkward circumstances.  He did it with Tracy after Tracy proved he could get the ball to Waldvogel more effectively than highly anticipated recruit Greg Morse (which supports my earlier opinion of Tracy).  He did it a year later with Tobin - when Tobin emerged at the end of the season while Wartman's legs began to slow.  Tobin took snaps in more critical situations that Wartman even before Wartman dealt with injuries.

I am not privy to Aaron Terrell-Byrd's current condition, but I suspect he will have to fight to get his job back from Braddock next season.

For those who care - The stat lines are as follows for both Matt and Dakota through 13 games-

Matt - *Many different Options* *Only played in 12 Games* Injured for one game*
Passing Yards - 2,500 - 21 Td's - 13 Ints
Rushing Yards - 736 - 3 Td's

Dakota - *Had Waldvogel to throw to* *Tobin to Run the Football*
Passing Yards - 2,200 - 20 Td's - 9 Ints
Rushing Yards - 411 - 9Td's

Thanks....if O'Connell throws two INTs this weekend, then Bench's point hold more weight. 

The difference in production is significant enough that I am suprised it hasn't been brought up by 'CCO or UST SID.

[USTBench]

There would be another riot in Dinkytown if (gasp) a lowly D3 coach got the head nod at Minnesota.

Although, I think he could out-recruit and out scheme most FBS coaches.

Caruso's a great recruiter. But make no mistake, he also has unmatched facilities, assets (number of full time assistants & support staff), financial aid packages and support at UST right now.

Throw him into the FBS pool at a school like Minnesota and I think he comes back to the mean a good bit. Still a great recruiter and solid scheme coach. But now he's going up against the likes of tOSU, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan, just to name the Midwest competition. His facilities would no longer be the best (nice stadium, but nothing compared to the stadiums and total facilities of those other schools listed) and he'd no longer have the advantage of dropping the best aid package on the table to tip the scales and close the deal.

At a school like Minnesota he probably does what he did at Macalaster, not what he's doing at UST.

At Mac Caruso brought a team back from the brink of extinction, doubled the roster size, and put a program in-place to where they could be a mediocre D3 team for years to come. That is the absolute best anyone could have hoped for there, and only someone with a huge amount of determination could have pulled that off. He got Mac to overachieve for the first time in years and built a base to where they should reconsider rejoining the MIAC (although I do rather enjoy the two non-conference games).

Caruso has been the coordinator at some very decent DII/FCS transitional schools, but I just don't see him wanting to be second-fiddle again. He's said he could "Absolutely see UST being his last job" and he's said some cryptic things about "You never know what will happen," but I think that's as much up to UST fairly compensating the job he's done (to me, he should be, if he's not already, the highest paid coach in D3), what his wife and kids want to do, and what he perceives as being a "successful coach."

I would venture a guess the Gags is held in higher esteem than just about any FBS coach you mention by those that truly know the game of football.

[USTBench]

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

I think at some point O'Connell will be better than Tracy, (throws a nicer ball, greater pocket presence) but if I had to win a game right now, (If Tracy was rust free) I'd take Dakota Tracy; for one reason: Dakota Tracy did not turn the ball over. Call him undersized, say he had to be outside of the pocket to be at his best, but was phenomenal at making sure the football stayed with UST until we scored or punted.

That said, I like how O'Connell will take a chance where Tracy wouldn't necessarily. Leads to some really exciting plays.

I agree with Bench.  No Waldvogel elite level player, but lots of well above average weapons.  And, I think O'Connell might be a better QB than Tracy after all the games under his belt this year.  Or, maybe the offensive line is better.  In any case, more dangerous due to greater balance.  You just don't know who is going to make the play.

Well said Bench, the trap of a top talent is a very true point.  I think it can be a fair criticism of Caruso to date as well.  He didn't utilized Waldvogel as a decoy in the passing game as much as he did in the running game.  Caruso should have sliced up UWW with rice routes under Waldvogel 15 yard hooks and square outs. 

I side with Old Rat on O'Connell over Tracy......I think the fact that he can see over the o-line helps.  Though to Bench's point Tracy last two years with 11 INTs  each and O'Connell this year with 13.  Not sure about fumbles.  What's more important is probably the when and where on the INTs (which probably sides with Bench), but either way, doesn't seem like too sizable of a margin. 

And back to Keith's comment.......I think the quick rise to the program lies in Caruso's unapologetic mantra of putting his best talent out on the field, despite some rather awkward circumstances.  He did it with Tracy after Tracy proved he could get the ball to Waldvogel more effectively than highly anticipated recruit Greg Morse (which supports my earlier opinion of Tracy).  He did it a year later with Tobin - when Tobin emerged at the end of the season while Wartman's legs began to slow.  Tobin took snaps in more critical situations that Wartman even before Wartman dealt with injuries.

I am not privy to Aaron Terrell-Byrd's current condition, but I suspect he will have to fight to get his job back from Braddock next season.

For those who care - The stat lines are as follows for both Matt and Dakota through 13 games-

Matt - *Many different Options* *Only played in 12 Games* Injured for one game*
Passing Yards - 2,500 - 21 Td's - 13 Ints
Rushing Yards - 736 - 3 Td's

Dakota - *Had Waldvogel to throw to* *Tobin to Run the Football*
Passing Yards - 2,200 - 20 Td's - 9 Ints
Rushing Yards - 411 - 9Td's

Some pretty comparable statistics. It just seemed to me (and maybe just me alone) that Tracy, as a senior, was more steady than O'Connell, as a sophomore. I have every faith that Matt is going to be a rockstar QB and a Gagliardi finalist, and most likely better than Tracy when it's all said and done. Here comes the funny part: IF he keeps his job.

Fairness in conversation, I may have subconsciously attributed some of Ben Duncan's turnover laden play v. Hamline to O'Connell.

[stormyfuture]

Anderson is interesting for a 3rd string QB on the depth chart

[2115 Summit]

Anderson is interesting for a 3rd string QB on the depth chart

Anderson is actually second string I believe - Well: He was the first, and only QB off the bench in last weeks win vs. Hobart.

[OzJohnnie]

F***ing Australia.  Some of you may have noticed my post where I mentioned camping with #'s 2 & 3 and a bunch of their school friends on the weekend.  Well, a damned spider bit me on my left eyebrow and this is the result:



Damned painful and growing more swollen every day.  I expect it to be fully closed tomorrow.  Click to embiggen, if you dare.

[USTBench]

F***ing Australia.  Some of you may have noticed my post where I mentioned camping with #'s 2 & 3 and a bunch of their school friends on the weekend.  Well, a damned spider bit me on my left eyebrow and this is the result:



Damned painful and growing more swollen every day.  I expect it to be fully closed tomorrow.  Click to embiggen, if you dare.

Gaaaah! Hope it gets better.

NO 236 on Gag's List of NOs:

No getting bit in the eye by spiders

[Retired Old Rat]

Oz, I'm not buying it.  I think you ran into a Tommy and got sucker punched.  But you're too discrete to share that.

Seriously, that looks nasty.  Hope it subsides soon.

[sjusection105]

F***ing Australia.  Some of you may have noticed my post where I mentioned camping with #'s 2 & 3 and a bunch of their school friends on the weekend.  Well, a damned spider bit me on my left eyebrow and this is the result:



Damned painful and growing more swollen every day.  I expect it to be fully closed tomorrow.  Click to embiggen, if you dare.

I think it would clear up real quickly is you wipe it down with Windex.....
Oz emoticon ---------> 

[repete]

Yow, our own poster boy for the latest printing of "In A Sunburned Country."

Hope you get some relief soon!

[bennie]

Do they have Robitussin in Oz? That might help!