FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BDB]

I've been down all week, but you know few things raise a UST man's spirits more than acknowledging defeat and then breaking up the newly invigorated SJU smokefest...

Gee Rev, you didn't post from 9/18 until today. Way to stand up for your team after a loss.

Seems to me SJU is 1-1 since your last day of posting and UST is 0-1.

I'm not a Johnnie. I'm a lonely public school D3 guy. If your "spirits" are raised by acknowledging defeat over a week ago, then we need to start a new confessional thread.

[DuffMan]

Ah great.  He who craps platinum is back running his mouth about all things U$T again.  It was so pleasant without him.

So, if you look at their last 4 games, U$T is 2-2, and they were beat by what the recently-absent Reverend MIAC would likely term a "mid-MIAC, at best" SJU team that was missing one of their top receivers and their starting (at the time) QB.

Maybe U$T isn't living up to their stratospheric billing.   

It might be helpful to note that over these four games UST has outscored SJU 151 - 74.

Reread my post.  I said their last four games.  I said nothing about the last four U$T/SJU games.  I was referring to 2012 UMU, 2013 UW-EC, 2013 UW-RF, and 2013 SJU.  Wouldn't want to live in the past, you know.

[Mr.MIAC]

I've been down all week, but you know few things raise a UST man's spirits more than acknowledging defeat and then breaking up the newly invigorated SJU smokefest...

Gee Rev, you didn't post from 9/18 until today. Way to stand up for your team after a loss.

Yeah, I've been crazy busy with work-related travel since the game and just got to reading through the forum this weekend.  I can't really "stand up" for UST's play against SJU...we really underperformed.  My hope is that it will serve as a wakeup call.   

[Mr.MIAC]

Ah great.  He who craps platinum is back running his mouth about all things U$T again.  It was so pleasant without him.

So, if you look at their last 4 games, U$T is 2-2, and they were beat by what the recently-absent Reverend MIAC would likely term a "mid-MIAC, at best" SJU team that was missing one of their top receivers and their starting (at the time) QB.

Maybe U$T isn't living up to their stratospheric billing.   

It might be helpful to note that over these four games UST has outscored SJU 151 - 74.

Reread my post.  I said their last four games.  I said nothing about the last four U$T/SJU games.  I was referring to 2012 UMU, 2013 UW-EC, 2013 UW-RF, and 2013 SJU.  Wouldn't want to live in the past, you know.

Oops, my bad...read too quickly.  The calls for more handholding in Collegeville stands, though...

[hazzben]

I really enjoy the Cobbers getting the W... But the road doesn't get any easier... It'll be interesting to see what happens in Arden Hills this weekend.

Agreed. This is a great matchup this week. It was a great game last year. Both QB's are playing really well. First really tough measuring stick for each team. Good stuff.

[corn horn]

I really enjoy the Cobbers getting the W... But the road doesn't get any easier... It'll be interesting to see what happens in Arden Hills this weekend.

Sorry for the friendly fire here, oh FEARsome one, but either I'm missing your point entirely, or you're looking at the 2012 schedule. Cobbers get a week off, then have Bethel at home for Homecoming on the 12th. Soli Deo Gloria!

[Pat Coleman]

I'm interested in what happens in Arden Hills this weekend too. The Augsburg-Bethel game should be a good one.

[ron doney]

Why wouldn't they, Ron? Lots of people voted for Concordia-Moorhead, so it's actually quite reasonable for a voter to also vote for St. John's.

Looking at the body of work, wins aside (as all have undefeated or 1 loss records), one very good half against top 5 team. Otherwise inconsistent.  And this weekend wasn't as close as score, given garbage time TD after fumble.

Whether it's a good half, a good 55 minutes or a couple fluke plays, it was enough for the W, so a whole 24 points is pretty reasonable.

Fair enough....also fair to be suprised. 
At 24pts I'm guessing the majority of the voters did not have SJ1 in the top 25 this week....I'm sure there are a few of them who are suprised.

[OzJohnnie]

Wow. I guess even when UST is on top their season is still just one game long. If all folks UST stay as focused on the game they lost as the posters here then UST will be losing two more at least. Maybe three.

[OldAuggie]

I really enjoy the Cobbers getting the W... But the road doesn't get any easier... It'll be interesting to see what happens in Arden Hills this weekend.

Yes, if last year is any indication this will be a great game. Plenty of disappointed Auggies after the Bethel game last year. I suspect some hungry Auggies will take the field on Saturday. Looking forward to it.

[OzJohnnie]

Good job to Con. They played to their strengths and did it well. I hope our boys hold their heads high and work to improve each week.  And next year.

I was awfully disappointed with two things Johnnie: the defense was a sieve again and red zone choking was back.

On defense it seems that anticipation is really low. Even when a team like CON calls out what they are going to do, it seems we still get surprised. It seems almost as if the defense are still thinking about what thy're supposed to be doing individually rather than anticipating what the offense will be doing and countering. This is particularly frustrating after watching such a bold effort against the Tommies.

On offense the red zone yips were really disappointing as well. Interceptions are just a real let down. It almost has the feeling of timid hope rather than rugged intent. The offense hopes they don't screw up rather than intending to get the scores. It's a let down.  Particularly because I was hoping to see a little Johnnie swagger again - the unbridled confidence that comes from knowing you can do your job well. Bruns seemed a completely different decision maker this week compared to last.

So, I hope for the best this coming weekend. I hope to see advancement. This last weekend was disappointing because the team went backwards instead of forwards.

[Texas Ole]

I'm interested in what happens in Arden Hills this weekend too. The Augsburg-Bethel game should be a good one.

Bethel has a rough schedule over the next 3 weeks.  I think if they come through it unscathed or with 1 loss they probably make a great case for the playoffs and maybe MIAC title.  SJU has St. Olaf this week.  The Oles finally get to return home.  It is their Homecoming week which hopefully will allow this team to regroup a little.  They played Concordia tough on the road, but they went to Gustavus where they were blown out.  Auggie has it pretty rough the next 2 weeks with tough road tests.  Concordia is on a break which should help when they play Bethel in two weeks.  Finally UST may have the most favorable schedule with the tough games spread out, but they do have to go to Bethel and Augsburg.  Other than the bottom 3 I am not sure any team is out of the title chase, and I don't see it being settled until maybe the last weekend.

I know the MIAC used to do a day at the dome.  It was pretty cavernous in that place.  Would the MIAC look at day at TCF or the new Vikings Stadium for a showcase type event similar to what they do with hockey?  Has the MIAC ever looked at a true rivalry weekend such as the last week or two of the season.  Obviously the Goat trophy and the SJU-UST game would be the big ones, but I know there are other trophy games.  With 9 teams that may be a little bit of challenge, but it would be fun.

Also is there any word on Mac or St. Mary's with football.  I thought I read something a few years ago that St. Mary's was considering bringing back football.  I think I read it was unanimous against it, but I have not heard anything recently.  Has Mac ever thought of returning to the MIAC for football.  I remember about 10 years ago the question was whether they would have enough people to field a team.  They also seemed to have several really bad years with few MIAC teams wanting to play them, but again it is a thought.

[Pat Coleman]

Macalester is not coming back. Story from April:
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/04/macalester-to-join-midwest-conference

[Texas Ole]

Wow. I guess even when UST is on top their season is still just one game long. If all folks UST stay as focused on the game they lost as the posters here then UST will be losing two more at least. Maybe three.

Hasn't it been that way for years?  There were years everyone just wanted to beat SJU, but with UST it has always been personal with regards to football.

Good job to Con. They played to their strengths and did it well. I hope our boys hold their heads high and work to improve each week.  And next year.

I was awfully disappointed with two things Johnnie: the defense was a sieve again and red zone choking was back.

On defense it seems that anticipation is really low. Even when a team like CON calls out what they are going to do, it seems we still get surprised. It seems almost as if the defense are still thinking about what thy're supposed to be doing individually rather than anticipating what the offense will be doing and countering. This is particularly frustrating after watching such a bold effort against the Tommies.

On offense the red zone yips were really disappointing as well. Interceptions are just a real let down. It almost has the feeling of timid hope rather than rugged intent. The offense hopes they don't screw up rather than intending to get the scores. It's a let down.  Particularly because I was hoping to see a little Johnnie swagger again - the unbridled confidence that comes from knowing you can do your job well. Bruns seemed a completely different decision maker this week compared to last.

So, I hope for the best this coming weekend. I hope to see advancement. This last weekend was disappointing because the team went backwards instead of forwards.

Options are always tough to defend especially when you see it just a few times a year.  There are a few ways to defend it.  Most teams try to run a gap control D.  Each man has a gap and you are responsible for your gap.  The QB has to make good reads against this defense.  If you have a quick defenders you can run a pursuit type D where you just string it out and everyone pursues the ball.  The other option is to try to force the ball to the middle.  Options like their 3 yards and a cloud of dust.  If they see green inside they will usually take it.  The least common way is by playing either a 3-4 or 50 D and having the down DL penetrate full speed and let the LBs clean up the rest.  I have only seen 3 teams in my life successfully be able to defend the option this way.  I would not hit the panic button on SJU with so few teams running this offense.

[Texas Ole]

Macalester is not coming back. Story from April:
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/04/macalester-to-join-midwest-conference

Thank you!  It is not the first time a team has left for the Midwest Conference from the MIAC.  The other two left for all sports only to return later.  I have heard rumors over the years that St. Olaf had a desire to return to the MWC, but that is always squashed with regards to travel issues and costs.  St. Olaf's enrollment and sports not sponsored by that conference are also major issues.  Any idea who the replacement member for the MIAC could be?  I thought I heard St. Scholastica mentioned years ago as a school that wanted in the MIAC as a full member.  I think they would be the most logical choice.