FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[faunch]

OK, I'll be the first to post - Bethel clinches with the St. Thomas win this afternoon. I was at the Bethel game and I felt bad for the Oles, really. Bethel had their way with them from the get-go and even when the second and third stringers were in for some of the third quarter until the end of the game. I thought it was very impressive to see the second squad chew up over 7 minutes of time at the end of the game and then just turn it over on downs with 13 seconds left. (And it was classy not to punch it in to run up the score.)

St. John's is going to have their hands full next week. As I posted here earlier, now that we have seen both Bethel and St. John's play the same to opponents in the same order, (Gustavus and Hamline), we get a glimpse into what to expect in next week's game in Collegeville. I think the Johnnies can expect to end the season with a 7 and 3 record and feel good about it.

Those of you that follow the box score will probably notice that BU used a different punter this week. Their starter went out in the first defensive series getting a knee to the back of the head during a pile up. (He plays outside linebacker on the D.) They pulled him quickly and he stood on the sidelines for the rest of the half and came out after half-time with his shoulder pads off also. I sure hope he's ok for the long haul.

SJU still has a very outside shot at the postseason. Pacific losing helps. And a win next week over Bethel, to go along with the UST win would be hard to ignore. The question would be if they could even get on the board for Pool C consideration. I say all that simply to point out that St. Johns isn't just going to roll over (not that you're suggesting this). Even if SJU didn't make the playoffs, finishing with wins over Bethel and UST would be a huge step back to normal for the program. I'm expecting the type of effort we saw against UST earlier this year, although I do expect Bethel to win.

Injuries are my bigger concern. Hopefully he can go next week against SJU. Relying on a backup punter is just the kind of quirk that can make the game closer than normal. More than that though, I want to see us finish out the season on a healthy note. Aside from losing our starting kicker in week 1 against Wartburg, we've really had a remarkably healthy year (knock on wood).

Expecting a great game in Collegeville next week. Hoping to hear a very despondent VOJ on the radio! 

Not likely...the Johnnie D is extremely porous right now.  Only way this game is close is:
- if BU has 4 or more turnovers
-Bruns runs the offense like he did at U$T
-and the Jays can find a couple guys to step up and fill in for the injured
....otherwise it's a 14 point spread or greater.

[sjusection105]

St. John's is going to have their hands full next week. As I posted here earlier, now that we have seen both Bethel and St. John's play the same to opponents in the same order, (Gustavus and Hamline), we get a glimpse into what to expect in next week's game in Collegeville. I think the Johnnies can expect to end the season with a 7 and 3 record and feel good about it.


SJU still has a very outside shot at the postseason. Pacific losing helps. And a win next week over Bethel, to go along with the UST win would be hard to ignore. The question would be if they could even get on the board for Pool C consideration.isnI say all that simply to point out that St. Johns isn't just going to roll over (not that you're suggesting this). Even if SJU didn't make the playoffs, finishing with wins over Bethel and UST would be a huge step back to normal for the program. I'm expecting the type of effort we saw against UST earlier this year, although I do expect Bethel to win.

Injuries are my bigger concern. Hopefully he can go next week against SJU. Relying on a backup punter is just the kind of quirk that can make the game closer than normal. More than that though, I want to see us finish out the season on a healthy note. Aside from losing our starting kicker in week 1 against Wartburg, we've really had a remarkably healthy year (knock on wood).

1.)Adding to that is Bethel isn't going to rest a bunch of players since they already have qualified,they are playing for a seeding position..."Home Field"
2.)Gary & staff will have the team ready and in the best position they can to win this game.
3.)The injury bug has hit SJU really hard as the GAC game showed. During the GAC game  5 starters left the game & did not return. 3 of those guys did not play yesterday vs. Hamline. Holding this team together with duct tape & baling wire, the training staff is doing the best they can but season ending injuries are another thing & the Johnnies have had their share this year.
On paper Bethel is the superior team,no question. That being said,UST was the superior team on paper on the MIAC season opener. This game could go in a variety of directions and no scenario would really surprise me,that's why they play the games.

[Scrubby]

It's been a while since I've been on the board, but I would like to make a couple observations.  Although I haven't been able to make any games in person, due to some health issues, I have watched many of the Bethel games online. Whoever is in charge of getting games online, I want to give a special thank you to that, it has allowed myself and my wife to enjoy games the past couple years.
As I read through some of the post the last couple days, I've come to realize that Bethel's depth maybe is better than it might've sounded earlier in the year. It seems like they have been hit by many injuries, especially defensively. Several weeks ago a young man that plays outside linebacker got injured, and his replacement seem to do very well!  Yesterday, the replacement got injured and then he was replaced by someone that did an outstanding job as well!  This seems to be true at other positions this year with Bethel's defense!  Great job preparing your entire team to be ready to play.
Maybe someone closer to the situation can give me some insight?
I also know from reading post earlier in the year, that SJU has 190 guys out for football??  Is this true?  If so, it would seem like they should be able to replace injured players as well, and really not miss a beat??  I know when I was able to go to games, Bethel maybe had 90 guys on their team.

Either way, for an older guy that really enjoys the game, I really respect the game and enjoy watching Division III football, especially the M I AC!

[faunch]

It's been a while since I've been on the board, but I would like to make a couple observations.  Although I haven't been able to make any games in person, due to some health issues, I have watched many of the Bethel games online. Whoever is in charge of getting games online, I want to give a special thank you to that, it has allowed myself and my wife to enjoy games the past couple years.
As I read through some of the post the last couple days, I've come to realize that Bethel's depth maybe is better than it might've sounded earlier in the year. It seems like they have been hit by many injuries, especially defensively. Several weeks ago a young man that plays outside linebacker got injured, and his replacement seem to do very well!  Yesterday, the replacement got injured and then he was replaced by someone that did an outstanding job as well!  This seems to be true at other positions this year with Bethel's defense!  Great job preparing your entire team to be ready to play.
Maybe someone closer to the situation can give me some insight?
I also know from reading post earlier in the year, that SJU has 190 guys out for football??  Is this true?  If so, it would seem like they should be able to replace injured players as well, and really not miss a beat??  I know when I was able to go to games, Bethel maybe had 90 guys on their team.

Either way, for an older guy that really enjoys the game, I really respect the game and enjoy watching Division III football, especially the M I AC!

Time for me to beat a dead horse again....If anyone in the SJU athletic department is reading this please share w/ Tom Stock.  The money lost is inconsequential compared to the intangibles gained.  Think of the alums that might actually make unsolicited donations to the university and the athletic department partly because something as simple as a webcast allowed them to reconnect with their alma mater.

[sfury]

Certainly Bethel's a big favorite and a big win wouldn't surprise me at all. But I think there are some reasons for hope for SJU.

* I don't think Bethel's a bigger favorite over the Johnnies now than the Tommies were in September. I fully expected that to be a three-score margin. Johnnies put it together that game, I think they can do it again.

* Even with Bethel's dominance over SJU from 06-12 (losing only once and that on a miracle comeback and ridiculous FG), the games have been close. Certainly Bethel's better than they have ever have been, more explosive it seems like, and SJU isn't what they were in 06-07 and 2010. Last year 27-22 and two years ago even though it ended 41-20, it was 20-20 with 6 minutes left. And this Johnnie team is in better shape than SJU was going into that game.

* The main offensive guys are going to play. Bruns, Certeza, Sura, and the receivers. Lot of injuries on the line certainly but they have the skill position guys in there. Guys who can and hopefully will make plays.

* I don't think the defense has been as porous as it seems. Held Gustavus to 250 yards, which is pretty impressive. Gave up 17 points in regulation.  (Bethel gave up 17 as well to Gusties and the last TD was in the 4th but not garbage time as it cut the lead to 27-17. And Gusties had 383 yards of offense against Royals). Yeah, gave up 14 against Hamline, which hadn't happened in like 17 years, but that's with 5 TOs by the offense. Hamline had six drives that went inside the 20 and only scored 14 (251 yards of offense). Yes, I know it's Hamline but that's still great production for the D under those circumstances. And that's with a lot of injuries to the D. I think they've had a good year, better than the offense I feel. Hopefully Matuska can return next week at linebacker.

So yeah, I expect the Royals to pull it out and maybe even roll to like a 35-14 win, I do think there's some hope.

And I'm sorry for betraying MIAC brethren, but, no, I don't want the Tommies getting into the playoffs with their two losses. Stay home.

[RoyalsFan]

St. Thomas goes down to Northfield as well to take on St. Olaf and they should win that contest easily. Hopefully it's enough to get some love from the final Regional Ranking Committee to be considered as the second team from the MIAC to get into post-season play in Pool C. (And they may get that love in this week's rankings, but we don't know that yet. I'd guess that they do, but that's another story line.)

So exactly how is beating a 1-8 St. Olaf team going to help any?  Obviously losing to St. Olaf would be a disaster, but beating them won't help any IMO.

[RoyalsFan]

Strength of Schedule

As I alluded to in my earlier post, there are some interesting things to note in this year's SOS standings that I think (hope) have some bearing on the final seedings when the final selection committee posts the 32 teams that are in the final dance. Until yesterday's games were played Bethel has had the highest SOS of undefeated teams for the past four weeks, being just one spot ahead of UW Whitewater this past week. Then the Royals played the team in their conference that had the worst record. Whereas the UW Whitewater played a team from their conference that had a better record. This put UWW up on BU by 10 spots in this week's standings. I think that this will more than correct itself because of these mitigating circumstances.

First, UWW is playing the team in its conference with the worst record, and it is an even poorer record than the MIAC worst team record, 8 and 1 versus 9 and 0. This alone should be enough right the ship as they say, but in case it doesn't there are other things to consider. Specifically, how the rest of the conference did against other non-conference D3 teams, as this affects their respective opponents-opponents records. The second thing that more directly affects them is their individual wins against non-conference teams and what those teams' records end up being.

Specifically, the MIAC is currently 14 and 1 against non-conference D3 football teams (having played two NAIA teams). I am not sure what the WIAC non-conference record is, but I know it is not that good. Secondly, Bethel played Wartburg (currently 7 and 2) and Buena Vista (currently 3 and 6) versus UWW who has played Washington U (currently 7 and 2) and Buffalo State (currently 5 and 5). I suspect when it is all done and said - more like when the computers get done crunching the numbers - that Bethel is actually going to gain a few spots from the week 9 SOS report. This week's report is just a reflection on BU playing the bottom most team in their conference and will be the number one undefeated team in the nation after week 11's SOS report is released.

Holy cow - worst team records are 8-1 and 9-0?     (sorry, couldn't resist)

[tmerton]

What's a "correnation"?

[RoyalsFan]

What's a "correnation"?

Don't know if you are serious or not - but I'm sure he meant 'coronation'.

[art76]

Strength of Schedule

As I alluded to in my earlier post, there are some interesting things to note in this year's SOS standings that I think (hope) have some bearing on the final seedings when the final selection committee posts the 32 teams that are in the final dance. Until yesterday's games were played Bethel has had the highest SOS of undefeated teams for the past four weeks, being just one spot ahead of UW Whitewater this past week. Then the Royals played the team in their conference that had the worst record. Whereas the UW Whitewater played a team from their conference that had a better record. This put UWW up on BU by 10 spots in this week's standings. I think that this will more than correct itself because of these mitigating circumstances.

First, UWW is playing the team in its conference with the worst record, and it is an even poorer record than the MIAC worst team record, 8 and 1 versus 9 and 0. This alone should be enough right the ship as they say, but in case it doesn't there are other things to consider. Specifically, how the rest of the conference did against other non-conference D3 teams, as this affects their respective opponents-opponents records. The second thing that more directly affects them is their individual wins against non-conference teams and what those teams' records end up being.

Specifically, the MIAC is currently 14 and 1 against non-conference D3 football teams (having played two NAIA teams). I am not sure what the WIAC non-conference record is, but I know it is not that good. Secondly, Bethel played Wartburg (currently 7 and 2) and Buena Vista (currently 3 and 6) versus UWW who has played Washington U (currently 7 and 2) and Buffalo State (currently 5 and 5). I suspect when it is all done and said - more like when the computers get done crunching the numbers - that Bethel is actually going to gain a few spots from the week 9 SOS report. This week's report is just a reflection on BU playing the bottom most team in their conference and will be the number one undefeated team in the nation after week 11's SOS report is released.

Holy cow - worst team records are 8-1 and 9-0?     (sorry, couldn't resist)

Oops - no matter how many times your read and reread the post before posting, seems like there are always gotchas. Good catch - should be 1 and 8 and 0 and 9.

[OzJohnnie]

What's a "correnation"?

Don't know if you are serious or not - but I'm sure he meant 'coronation'.

We are never serious.  And I'm serious about that.

[Knightstalker]

What's a "correnation"?

Don't know if you are serious or not - but I'm sure he meant 'coronation'.

We are never serious.  And I'm serious about that.

At least he didn't call you "surely".

[sjusection105]

Top 25 is out
http://www.d3football.com/top25/2013/week10

Bethel drops to #6
UST #16
Concordia drops out of Top 25

Concordia & SJU still getting votes.

[faunch]

Sad news from Cretin-Derham Hall.  Junior lineman Max Lowell died in single car accident early Sunday morning.

From the CDH Raiders Twitter page:
Today we lost a beloved member of the CDH community. This is when we show what #FOE means. Please keep the Lowell family in your prayers #78

[Chubbs]

Top 25 is out
http://www.d3football.com/top25/2013/week10

Bethel drops to #6
UST #16
Concordia drops out of Top 25

Concordia & SJU still getting votes.

Guess we should have put 61 up against Olaf instead of 47...oh well.