FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

I reckon the AUG v CON game is the big one. It has the best chance of being close and consequential. Although a BU loss would be a big time thing, the odds of it happening are low. So low as to make it a snoozer, I think.

EDIT: What I really fear about that BU v GAC game is that BU play it like a machine and really tune themselves for the run home. I fear a mistake-free game everywhere on the field from BU. They seem to really have their stuff together this year and we need a little brain fade to help us out if we're still in this on the last day of the season.

I guess you could say I hope for the worst but fear the best from BU this weekend.

[Texas Ole]

As someone that lives and works in the area where the blowout occurred I can tell you there is so much more wrong with it than just the accusation.  The real issue is that you have parents that think this is still pee wee football.  They want everyone to be even, and that just isn't going to happen.  Western Hills is in an area that is growing, but still old.  Aledo is growing quickly with younger families and gets almost whatever they want when it comes to football.  There are rumors that Aledo does some stuff against UIL rules, but I am not sure I believe it.  I work with one of the old Friday Night Lights Permian coaches that was nearly banned from football for those seasons, and I can tell you that the UIL investigates those charges thoroughly.  I've also met the Aledo coach and some of those kids.  Bullying is just not something I see from that team.  Aledo is just very talented, and they are beating everyone the same way.  They did it to Highland Park which many people consider to be one of the top teams in the state for their classification.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I reckon the AUG v CON game is the big one. It has the best chance of being close and consequential. Although a BU loss would be a big time thing, the odds of it happening are low. So low as to make it a snoozer, I think.

EDIT: What I really fear about that BU v GAC game is that BU play it like a machine and really tune themselves for the run home. I fear a mistake-free game everywhere on the field from BU. They seem to really have their stuff together this year and we need a little brain fade to help us out if we're still in this on the last day of the season.

I guess you could say I hope for the worst but fear the best from BU this weekend.

Oz, totally agree with your analysis.  (Aug @ C-M a toss-up; BU a blow-out over GAC.)

How did you get that picture of me down at the Sidetrack for your avatar?

[art76]

I would like your opinions, which is the marquee this week? Is it Augsburg vs, Concordia or is it GAC vs. Bethel.
If GAC can pull the upset over Bethel,then we really have a shootout coming down the stretch. On the other hand,if Augsburg defeats Concordia,the Cobbers are all but eliminated from post season participation.

How do you see these two match up for Saturday?

Augsburg travels up to Concordia and while Ayrton is a gun slinger, he won't walk out of town with his head held high. The Cobbers know that they are one of two one loss teams left and really want a chance to get into the post season after being kept out last year. It'll be a shoot out that the home town boys will win.

I have a sneaky suspicion that Bethel won't be coming out of any more half-time breaks this season setting back on their heels. The Gusties played the Tommies hard and won't be "star struck" when they line up against the Royals. I do think BU wins this one, but it won't be a blow-out. I'd guess (or hope for) a two to three touchdown difference at the end of the game.

I think the closer game in the MIAC this week will be Carleton down at St. Olaf. This is the Oles last real chance at a win in the conference this year, as next week is their bye and then they get to finish out against Bethel and St. Thomas.

This week St. Thomas is at home and takes it out on poor Hamline in front of their fans. And maybe a demoralized Tommies team takes the field and Hamline gives them a run for the money because Caruso uses the game to develop some fresh faces on the squad in preparation for next year's run.

I may go watch some or all of the BU GAC game - still undecided. If I do, I'll post after game thoughts. (Even if I don't go I might) 

[Boys of Fall]

What's the weather going to be like in Moorhead tomorrow afternoon?  That may play a big role in the Aug/C-M game.

[cobbernation]

What's the weather going to be like in Moorhead tomorrow afternoon?  That may play a big role in the Aug/C-M game.

100% chance of wind.  Cobbers D will need to have a good game and the team needs to take care of the ball. 

105,

It's Hebrink.

ROR,

Agree with no political talk whether it's local or national.

[Texas Ole]

MIAC PICK'EMS

Name	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8	W9	W10	W11	Overall
AlmostEx	10	10	15	4	4	10	16	-	-	-	-	69
hazzben	14	5	11	10	6	9	14	-	-	-	-	69
Repete	9	12	6	8	7	10	15	-	-	-	-	67
FCGrizzliesGrad	10	7	4	7	10	12	16	-	-	-	-	66
miacmaniac	12	6	7	13	7	7	13	-	-	-	-	65
AO	5	11	16	8	4	13	7	-	-	-	-	64
GoldandBlueBU	12	7	8	10	7	10	9	-	-	-	-	63
stanbob	9	1	11	10	10	10	12	-	-	-	-	63
desertcat1	10	5	7	10	9	10	11	-	-	-	-	62
mr_mom	10	12	3	4	7	10	15	-	-	-	-	61
OldAuggie	11	0	7	11	10	5	14	-	-	-	-	58
art76	7	7	13	7	6	3	12	-	-	-	-	55
OzJohnnie	9	7	11	8	-	10	10	-	-	-	-	55
sju56321	9	7	7	5	8	7	12	-	-	-	-	55
ChicagoTommie	10	10	6	10	5	7	6	-	-	-	-	54
FearTheEar	11	3	8	7	8	7	9	-	-	-	-	53
finsleft	6	13	7	4	5	8	10	-	-	-	-	53
USTBench	4	6	7	11	8	7	6	-	-	-	-	49
jayhawkdaddy	10	2	3	5	7	12	8	-	-	-	-	47
wm4	10	3	-	-	7	6	7	-	-	-	-	33
ron doney	12	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18
raiderguy	-	4	-	7	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	11
Capn34	7	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	7

Week 8 October 26

Rivalry: 4pts
Carleton (+3.5) @ St. Olaf "The Goat"

Conference: 3pts
Augsburg (+9.5) @ #22 Concordia
Gustavus (+12.5) @ #5 Bethel
Hamline (+45.5) @ #15 St. Thomas

West Region: 1pt
#7 UW-Whitewater @ #9 UW-Oshkosh (+9.5)

National: 1pt
#10 Wheaton @ #20 Illinois Wesleyan (+10.5)

How can St. Olaf be favored?

On a fun note the kids at another high school in the area are making fun of Western Hills.  I asked a player if he expected to win tonight at that school.  He seemed pretty confident they were going to get killed.

[DuffMan]

CN,

We had a guy in working on an instrument at work the other day, and I am pretty sure he was a Cobber player.  Does the name Joel Vettleson ring a bell?  I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

[DuffMan]

What's the weather going to be like in Moorhead tomorrow afternoon?

Have you never been to "The Jake"?  Windy and cold! 

[hazzben]

MIAC Football Athletes of the Week

Offensive Player-of-the-Week - Erik Peterson, Bethel

Fifth-ranked Bethel scored 14 points in the final seven minutes to rally for a thrilling 28-21 win over No. 9-ranked St. Thomas Saturday. Royals' quarterback Erik Peterson (Orono, Minn.) led those two scoring drives, and helped Bethel earn the top-10 win with 28 points and 352 yards of total offense on a tough Tommie defense...Peterson was efficient and impressive in the passing game Saturday, completing 20-of-29 passes (69.0 percent) for 262 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. The junior's touchdown pass with just under seven minutes remaining pulled Bethel within a point, and he drove the Royals to the game-winning score in the final minute. This season, Peterson's 70.4 completion percentage leads the MIAC and ranks in the top 10 nationally. His 260.7 yards per game rank second in the league and 10 touchdown passes rank 10th.

Defensive Player-of-the-Week - Seth Mathis, Bethel

Fifth-ranked Bethel held No. 9-ranked St. Thomas to 21 points in Saturday's 28-21 victory of top-10 ranked teams. The Royals' defense - led by linebacker Seth Mathis (Anoka, Minn.) played particularly well - only allowing one significant scoring drive as one of St. Thomas' touchdowns came on special teams and the other was on a short field following a turnover. Mathis made plays all over the field Saturday to help his team win... Mathis made 16 tackles - seven solo - Saturday and added one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, a tackle-for-a-loss and three pass breakups in the big win as he and the Royal defense held St. Thomas to 21 points and 352 yards. Earlier this season, Mathis became Bethel's all-time leader in tackles, and his 11.2 stops per game rank third in the MIAC. The senior also has 0.5 sacks, 3 tackles-for-a-loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and three pass breakups.

Special Teams Player-of-the-Week - Jack Gilliland, UST

St. Thomas sophomore Jack Gilliland (Simi Valley, Calif./Brethren) picked a good time for his first collegiate touchdown...Gilliland, a wide receiver and return specialist, took a lateral and reversed the first place of the second half to catch the Bethel coverage team off-guard. He weaved through the defenders and sprinted 90 yards to the end zone for UST's first touchdown of the game. His big play sparked a huge turnaround, as St. Thomas scored 21 points in a 9:51 span to take its first lead of the game. It was Gilliland's first college score, and the first Tommie kick or punt return touchdown in 24 games. Gilliland's average of 33.5 yards per kick return (268 yards on eight attempts) leads the MIAC and his 90-yard return is the longest kick return in the conference this season.

[Boys of Fall]

Been to "The Jake" a few times.  Also been lucky to have decent weather when up there which still allowed for decent passing.  If it gets too windy and blustery it will hurt the Auggies more than the Cobbers.

[GoldandBlueBU]

What's the weather going to be like in Moorhead tomorrow afternoon?  That may play a big role in the Aug/C-M game.

Ayrton Scott's level of health will also play a big role I believe, as he was not the same player against SJU as he was against BU.  Will he be the runner who slashed BU for several long runs (19 attempts for 101 yards), or is he going to be the pocket passer with a bad hammy that held him back from running against SJU (5 attempts for 3 yards).

He's a solid passer for sure, but when he's healthy, he's a very strong kid and surprisingly slippery and nimble runner for a 5-10, 220 pounder.  His ability to pick up yards against BU when he didn't have a passing option was impressive.

[sjusection105]

105,

It's Hebrink.

Thanks CN. What I remember of him was that he was a stud, I believe multiple winner of the MIAC MVP and from a small town in west central Minnesota,possibly Sacred Heart. He could run the Army Split Bone offense to perfection and gave the Johnnies nightmares.
Don't make your appearances so far between- we appreciate your input and all things Cobber and Montana related.

Speaking of Montana, is there D3 in Montana? If not, could this be a contributing factor as to why The Cobbs seem to have a pipeline from there to Moorhead?

[AO]

How can St. Olaf be favored?

The Goat tweeted at me.

[cobbernation]

CN,

We had a guy in working on an instrument at work the other day, and I am pretty sure he was a Cobber player.  Does the name Joel Vettleson ring a bell?  I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

No it doesn't.  What kind of instrumentation?  HPLC or GC?