FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OldAuggie]

That's why we play the game!!!! I think the Tommies have good chance to win!!! I dont think the Johnnies can beat the Tommies 3 times in 2 years...it won't happen if we get he chance😄

CT- You and Glen Caruso need to send those farmers home on Saturday. I want to see a Johnnie - Tommie game in person the next week.

[hazzben]

Alright alright I am back need to get to 200 posts very soon😳 just got back from Gibsons... Nice lay out had a little scotch and some good company are we really gong to let weather and game conditions figure into the equation? Both teams played on the same field... What about the better shoe contract come on already give me a break!😄

Hammered grammared.

Ha! Hammered Grammared indeed +k

[bleedpurple]

Which is that Bethel would have had a much better chance of getting the Pool C bid if they hadn't played Wartburg and instead played a weaker non conference opponent, even taking the loss to Augsburg into account (which we all know had extenuating circumstances with the weather/field conditions). I'm just pointing out that SOS doesn't have as much influence as overall win/loss record, so it would be more advantageous to play weaker non conference opponents as far as playoff implications are concerned.

Bull****.  Weather conditions, shmeather conditions.  Losing to a six-loss team in Week 11 gets you uninvited in Pool C.

8-2 Bethel (assuming that they'd beaten Auggie) with giant SOS, OOC results: loss to 10-0 Wartburg, win over 8-1 Chicago...probably was getting in.

8-2 Bethel that never plays Wartburg, has OOC results: win over 8-1 Chicago and random 5-5 IIAC team, and loses to Auggie in week 11...no effing way.

I guess you are entitled to your opinion, but I don't agree with it. We all know that bad field conditions level the playing field and give the underdog a better chance to win. And it's not like Augsburg crushed Bethel, it basically came down to a missed 2 point conversion in overtime. If Bethel had converted that single play, we wouldn't be discussing this.

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's when fans of a team with questionable playoff selection criteria start begging for sympathy or poo-pooing their losses with crappy excuses like this.  Sadly, I don't see a provision for "games played in bad weather should count differently than other games because it hurts the favorite some of the time" anywhere in the criteria.

Bethel had their chance to play their way in (probably) in week 11 and blew it.  Scheduling Wartburg didn't cost you a playoff spot; losing your week 11 game to the team with 6 losses put your playoff un-vitation in the mail.  Sure, with that loss to Wartburg, you might have been on the table for discussion at 8-2 with losses to SJU and Auggie...but an 8-2 team with one loss to a really good team and one 4-6 team, probably not getting in.  My guess is that UWO probably would have been on the board before Bethel, and if you're on the board with North Central, or St. John Fisher, or any of those teams, they're probably going in before you, too.

Besides, who wants to backdoor their way into the playoffs by scheduling around anyone good?  Jesus, where's hazzben when I need him?

I don't always read the quotes correctly, but if I am reading this correctly: A fan of Bethel, the actual MIAC Conference Bethel, is saying they never should have scheduled Wartburg? IIAC Wartburg? Goodness gracious.  They are having a nice year,but let's not get carried away. Here's my take: If you feel like your team should not have scheduled Wartburg, the team you eliminated from the playoffs in ROUND TWO last year, then Bethel is probably not playoff worthy this year.

[ChicagoTommie]

Man you are right I would love the opportunity to go to ST Johns to get epic with history...it would be great for the MIAC!😜

[ChicagoTommie]

So if UST would be granted the right to play for redemption...would attendance at the game be up to the hype? Or would it suffer because of  Turkey Day?

[Touchdown Tommy]

Man the "new" Tommie posters are insufferable sans my buddy Benchwarmer.  Starting now to think My pendulum is switching from hating Bethel to UST.  Woof you guys are obnoxious. 

Took a bit to look at Scholastica's season today.  They play a 5'7" QB.  They play a freshman RB.  They are 2-2 on onside kicks.  Former Johnnie Todd Fultz is listed as an assistant coach for CSS.  They played tight games with Ripon (28-27) & Northwestern (28-24).  Any insight on that game, AO?  Thoughts on their personnel?

I'm hearing formally notorious MIAC PP poster Veek may be AWOL for the remainder of the season.  Apparently his family has adopted a young puppy (presumably a little wiener doggie  ) and they have doggy training lessons for the next 6 Saturday's.  Family affair the whole shebang.  I've got multiple questions related to this floating around in my head.  Very peculiar timing.

Nice of the SJU student senate to buy the first 500 students tickets on Saturday.  Crowds are always smaller in the playoffs for a variety of reasons, so I'm guessing 2-3K actual bodies inside Clemens Stadium this weekend.  Hope Tom Stock at least fed the students who shoveled last night unlimited Gary's Pizza and a few cold ones for their efforts.

Thinking about going to watch my old buddy Chris Meidt & the Becker Bulldogs play De La Salle in the Prep Bowl Friday night at TCF.  Might even wear "the coat" for old times sake.  Not a bad doubleheader with EP playing Totino at 7pm.  Just wish one of those schools kids could get a break one of these years!  Impressive that TG is playing 2 classes up (4A to 6A).

[Retired Old Rat]

That's why we play the game!!!! I think the Tommies have good chance to win!!! I dont think the Johnnies can beat the Tommies 3 times in 2 years...it won't happen if we get he chance😄

That is what the UST hoops fans said.  They were right.  Johnnies 4-0 past two years.  😉

[ron doney]

Excited to see if the Gould kid can get the Tommie's on a roll.  I give him credit for salvaging the season that O'Connell threw into the ground three yards short of the reciever. 

Anyone know if O'Connell has a red shirt? Would be happy to see him make a comeback....but would also like to move on.  Noticed for the first time the bench at QB for Glenn is full of 6' plus guys.  Napoleon must be getting soft in his old age 

As much as I'd like to rag on SJ1, it's great to have two MIAC teams in the playoffs and I won't be disappointed if one of them can make a deep run - more the power to the conf.  A loss in the third round by either team is probably the worst outcome for us all.  And that'll be a tough game if it is coming off of a round two Tommie Johnnie rumble. 

But enough hopes and dreams - I'm trying to figure out how to get to Wartburg.  I remember it's south toward where you can smell it, but forget if it's a right or left when you step in it.

[Retired Old Rat]

I ran into one of my relatives at the airport today on my way to sunny and warm San Diego.  This relative is a graduate of UST and a big Tommie athletics fan and booster.   Some interesting things were shared about Caruso.

The Tif's post game discussion of late has been dissatisfaction with Caruso.  Mostly due to his oversized ego.  Also not happy with the way student athletes are cast aside when no longer deemed worthy.  A phone call saying "don't show up anymore" doesn't match their idea of treating them with the repect they deserve.  They also think there has been a drop off in the quality, but not the quantity of recruits.

This relative is a level headed, cool, calm person.  Lots of credibility.

SJU is very fortunate to have Gary Fasching and assistants.   Gary knows their is no "I" in team.  He demonstrates that every week.  Same with the staff of assistants.

[AO]

Man the "new" Tommie posters are insufferable sans my buddy Benchwarmer.  Starting now to think My pendulum is switching from hating Bethel to UST.  Woof you guys are obnoxious. 

Took a bit to look at Scholastica's season today.  They play a 5'7" QB.  They play a freshman RB.  They are 2-2 on onside kicks.  Former Johnnie Todd Fultz is listed as an assistant coach for CSS.  They played tight games with Ripon (28-27) & Northwestern (28-24).  Any insight on that game, AO?  Thoughts on their personnel?

Thinking about going to watch my old buddy Chris Meidt & the Becker Bulldogs play De La Salle in the Prep Bowl Friday night at TCF.  Might even wear "the coat" for old times sake.  Not a bad doubleheader with EP playing Totino at 7pm.  Just wish one of those schools kids could get a break one of these years!  Impressive that TG is playing 2 classes up (4A to 6A).

I would say the 2011 St. Scholastica team was much better than the one going to Collegeville Saturday.  Harper is small, but his center and left guard are also under 6 feet, he finds ways to make it work.  It won't be close, but Scholastica is still athletic enough to move the ball.

Seems like a down year for HS football.  Not one of the better EP teams but they'll still probably roll over TG.

[art76]

then Bethel is probably not playoff worthy this year.

This cut statement I concur with, but for different reasons. The way Bethel looked as a team for the last two games I'm not sure they were playoff ready. They definitely were in better shape personal-wise before the Tommie game. I get it, injuries happen and you have to play hurt at the end of a season - not making excuses here, just pointing out the obvious - an engine will still run with misfires, but the output drops off dramatically. If BU had made it to the play-offs, it would have been at best a two and out, depending on who the first round draw would have been.

Last year, with Peterson healthy they had a chance for the Walnut and Bronze. As soon as he went down, so did their chances. Likewise this year, all three RBs are gimping, the best DB in the conference is gimping and two starting LBs are out altogether and it just snowballs from there. When any team is healthy they play better. Unfortunately for the Royals this year the depth just wasn't there to pick up the slack.

I am a proud Royals fan and stand behind them no matter what obstacles they have to overcome. But, to not recognize that healthy teams are better teams is simply not heeding common sense.

[sju56321]

UST seems a lot like the Bears-talent, but the results aren't there. I would stay away from any lines for betting purposes CT-they will just break your heart again. I would give UST a 15% chance-but I am saying they have chance.

[DuffMan]

Lots of chatter from U$T about a rematch.  U$T is playing at a top 5 team this week--I don't think you should start making plans in Collegeville just yet. 

[DuffMan]

So if UST would be granted the right to play for redemption...would attendance at the game be up to the hype? Or would it suffer because of  Turkey Day?

5000 maximum.

[Mr.MIAC]

Lots of chatter from U$T about a rematch.  U$T is playing at a top 5 team this week--I don't think you should start making plans in Collegeville just yet. 

That's why this Tommie's chatter is qualified...

"I've received clearance from the wife to head back to MN for a UST/SJU rematch IF both teams were to make it to the second round."