FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OldAuggie]

I predict Augsburg will have 3 turnovers against the Tommies! UST will win but won't cover the spread of 21 points they will win by 14...we should add an over and under to the mix?

Mr. Ayrton Scott and Mr. Joey Sonnenfeld please pick up the nearest white courtesy telephone.

[Boys of Fall]

I may be in the minority here, but I don't think the Auggies are going to keep within 24 points of U$T.  I think the Tommie defense has the skill and speed to disrupt Scott's game.

I tend to agree with this.  Not sure if the Auggie defense can stop Roberts &Co., so the question will most likely be if the Augsburg offense can outscore UST.  I suspect UST will double Sonnenfeld and work to contain Scott from getting outside the pocket, so it might come down to whether Privette can devise a game plan to use Martin and maybe some others more often to mix things up.  The best way to attack the UST defense is probably to use quick hitters (runs and especially passes) to keep the defense off balance.  With the grind it out offense of UST the Auggie offense might not see the field as much as they're used to.

[hazzben]

I wouldn't be surprised if UST played a little ball control. They've got the RB and Oline to simply pound away against what I think will be an overmatched Auggie from 7. They could air it out and look to score fast, but if I'm UST (thank goodness this is just a hypotheical  ) I'd be looking to keep the ball out of Scott's hands and keep their offense off the field and out of rhythm.

And when Augsburg has the ball, you know the UST D is gonna be blitzing. So I think you'll see at least a few scores, where Scott escapes and a broken play goes for big yards. But on the whole, I think it effective and keeps Scott from getting too comfortable.

[OldAuggie]

I may be in the minority here, but I don't think the Auggies are going to keep within 24 points of U$T.  I think the Tommie defense has the skill and speed to disrupt Scott's game.

I tend to agree with this.  Not sure if the Auggie defense can stop Roberts &Co., so the question will most likely be if the Augsburg offense can outscore UST.  I suspect UST will double Sonnenfeld and work to contain Scott from getting outside the pocket, so it might come down to whether Privette can devise a game plan to use Martin and maybe some others more often to mix things up.  The best way to attack the UST defense is probably to use quick hitters (runs and especially passes) to keep the defense off balance.  With the grind it out offense of UST the Auggie offense might not see the field as much as they're used to.

Both of you guys are making a good case for UST and who can argue, they are a machine this year. I think Todd Strop is the key to this game. He has coached in big games and beat teams with more talent than UST has in his days at UMD. Obviously he has less talent to work with this year than the National Champion Bulldogs but he made that NC happen with less talent than the opponent. He's had a long time to prepare for this game and I assume he will have a great game plan in place. The Auggie defense has been allowing too many points this year but they have improved over last year and I have seen some success at creating turnovers. There was a nice interception by the AUG middle linebacker at Wartburg and a moxie strip and recovery vs CUW. We never had that in place last year.

[faunch]

I wonder if plans are in place for post-game U$T team photos at Edor Nelson???

Edor...we're comin', we're comin for a Logo Shot!!
I'd probably go with close angle shot....that highway wall is so unsightly. 

[Boys of Fall]

I may be in the minority here, but I don't think the Auggies are going to keep within 24 points of U$T.  I think the Tommie defense has the skill and speed to disrupt Scott's game.

I tend to agree with this.  Not sure if the Auggie defense can stop Roberts &Co., so the question will most likely be if the Augsburg offense can outscore UST.  I suspect UST will double Sonnenfeld and work to contain Scott from getting outside the pocket, so it might come down to whether Privette can devise a game plan to use Martin and maybe some others more often to mix things up.  The best way to attack the UST defense is probably to use quick hitters (runs and especially passes) to keep the defense off balance.  With the grind it out offense of UST the Auggie offense might not see the field as much as they're used to.

Both of you guys are making a good case for UST and who can argue, they are a machine this year. I think Todd Strop is the key to this game. He has coached in big games and beat teams with more talent than UST has in his days at UMD. Obviously he has less talent to work with this year than the National Champion Bulldogs but he made that NC happen with less talent than the opponent. He's had a long time to prepare for this game and I assume he will have a great game plan in place. The Auggie defense has been allowing too many points this year but they have improved over last year and I have seen some success at creating turnovers. There was a nice interception by the AUG middle linebacker at Wartburg and a moxie strip and recovery vs CUW. We never had that in place last year.

My hunch is Strop is going to load up at the line, try to stop the UST rushing attack, and see if the Tommies can pass the ball.  Might not work, but playing their straight up defense probably won't work and will just keep Scott/Sonnenfeld off the field.

[wm4]

I predict Augsburg will have 3 turnovers against the Tommies! UST will win but won't cover the spread of 21 points they will win by 14...we should add an over and under to the mix?

81, and will cover.

[USTBench]

I predict Augsburg will have 3 turnovers against the Tommies! UST will win but won't cover the spread of 21 points they will win by 14...we should add an over and under to the mix?

81, and will cover.

Eh. One of these teams knows how to play defense. Well.

[nkwest]

I predict Augsburg will have 3 turnovers against the Tommies! UST will win but won't cover the spread of 21 points they will win by 14...we should add an over and under to the mix?

81, and will cover.

Eh. One of these teams knows how to play defense. Well.

2014 at UST, UST 45-27 AUG
2013 at AUG, UST 17-14 AUG
2012 at UST, UST 30-14 AUG

Ayrton Scott is one of the most exciting players I've watched in the MIAC. As explosive as the Augsburg offense has been under his leadership, the UST defense has done a remarkable job of keeping AUG out of the end zone when it has mattered the last three years (20 of AUG's points in 2014 came in the last 17 minutes). This is a better UST defense than '13 and '14 with arguably better size and speed at corner than '12. It's also a better version of the AUG offense, but I'll be shocked if this turns into a shootout.

[hazzben]

Both of you guys are making a good case for UST and who can argue, they are a machine this year. I think Todd Strop is the key to this game. He has coached in big games and beat teams with more talent than UST has in his days at UMD. Obviously he has less talent to work with this year than the National Champion Bulldogs but he made that NC happen with less talent than the opponent. He's had a long time to prepare for this game and I assume he will have a great game plan in place. The Auggie defense has been allowing too many points this year but they have improved over last year and I have seen some success at creating turnovers. There was a nice interception by the AUG middle linebacker at Wartburg and a moxie strip and recovery vs CUW. We never had that in place last year.

Late in the playoffs, most teams have very good X's and O's and it's gonna come down to Jimmy's and Joe's. Can play calling tip the scales, sure can. But rarely does the team that wins a National Title do it because a genius coach was able to beat superior teams schematically. When that gets claimed, I usually find its because a coach is patting his own back.

I have a hard time buying that UMD just completely out schemed the likes of the Northwest Missouri State and Grand Valley State coaching staffs, allowing their inferior talent to take down the title. Seems a bit more plausible that UMD had coaches and players who were up to the task.

[OldAuggie]

I predict Augsburg will have 3 turnovers against the Tommies! UST will win but won't cover the spread of 21 points they will win by 14...we should add an over and under to the mix?

81, and will cover.

Eh. One of these teams knows how to play defense. Well.

2014 at UST, UST 45-27 AUG
2013 at AUG, UST 17-14 AUG
2012 at UST, UST 30-14 AUG

Ayrton Scott is one of the most exciting players I've watched in the MIAC. As explosive as the Augsburg offense has been under his leadership, the UST defense has done a remarkable job of keeping AUG out of the end zone when it has mattered the last three years (20 of AUG's points in 2014 came in the last 17 minutes). This is a better UST defense than '13 and '14 with arguably better size and speed at corner than '12. It's also a better version of the AUG offense, but I'll be shocked if this turns into a shootout.

Regarding home games; the 2013 game was close; we had the lead late in the 2nd half.  UST called a cross-field lateral pass on a punt return that was returned for  a TD which tied it up. I thought it was a brilliant coaching move and it did work. Before that play it was AUG's game. UST kicked a field goal to go ahead and forced the sophomore Scott to throw to a double covered Sonnenfeld which was intercepted by UST to seal the win. It was a close game.

2011 was close too I was unable to get to that game but Dakota Tracy got loose with a long run to beat AUG with a final of 17-0. I think Waldvogel had the other TD. It was a very windy day so the typical passing game was a non factor. Edor Nelson Field is not kind to the visiting team. The fans are right on top of the visitors bench, there is no track around the field.

[DuffMan]

The fans are right on top of the visitors bench, there is no track around the field.

Better than the past scenario with the home bench alongside the visitor bench! 

[OldAuggie]

The fans are right on top of the visitors bench, there is no track around the field.

Better than the past scenario with the home bench alongside the visitor bench! 

Yeah that sucked. 

[USTBench]

I predict Augsburg will have 3 turnovers against the Tommies! UST will win but won't cover the spread of 21 points they will win by 14...we should add an over and under to the mix?

81, and will cover.

Eh. One of these teams knows how to play defense. Well.

2014 at UST, UST 45-27 AUG
2013 at AUG, UST 17-14 AUG
2012 at UST, UST 30-14 AUG

Ayrton Scott is one of the most exciting players I've watched in the MIAC. As explosive as the Augsburg offense has been under his leadership, the UST defense has done a remarkable job of keeping AUG out of the end zone when it has mattered the last three years (20 of AUG's points in 2014 came in the last 17 minutes). This is a better UST defense than '13 and '14 with arguably better size and speed at corner than '12. It's also a better version of the AUG offense, but I'll be shocked if this turns into a shootout.

Regarding home games; the 2013 game was close; we had the lead late in the 2nd half.  UST called a cross-field lateral pass on a punt return that was returned for  a TD which tied it up. I thought it was a brilliant coaching move and it did work. Before that play it was AUG's game. UST kicked a field goal to go ahead and forced the sophomore Scott to throw to a double covered Sonnenfeld which was intercepted by UST to seal the win. It was a close game.

2011 was close too I was unable to get to that game but Dakota Tracy got loose with a long run to beat AUG with a final of 17-0. I think Waldvogel had the other TD. It was a very windy day so the typical passing game was a non factor. Edor Nelson Field is not kind to the visiting team. The fans are right on top of the visitors bench, there is no track around the field.

I am not saying it's going to be a blowout, but the 81 that wm4 predicted will not happen. SJU has one of the best backs in D3 and UST held him to 3ypc and a long run of 12. Simon and Bungum had very good games, but that's because UST has incredible respect for Sura, and they would rather take their chances through the air. Auggie might be a bit more dynamic at their skill positions than SJU, but there's no way they have as good of an o-line. On D, UST was able to get home on SJU 4 times, and had 7 TFLs, no idea how many pressures and hits there were, but I would imagine quite a few, which lead to some costly SJU picks. I don't think Tyrell Martin is going to get as much going against UST as he has with other teams. Sonnefeld will probably get his, and Scott will certainly make a few things happen with his feet, but he will be moving laterally and throwing off his back foot much the same way he did against our first team last year. UST is also bit more athletic in their secondary than years past. I expect UST to take the air out of the football and just pound Roberts and Kaiser. UST's best defense will be winning the TOP on O, and I expect that we'll see about 20-25 carries for Roberts and 10-15 for Kaiser. I also expect those YPC to go from 4 or 5 to about 7 or 8 as the game goes on. UST's O-Line is big and physical and I think Auggie is going to have their work cut out for them on D.

tl/dr UST will win 42 to 17.

[SJUrube]

F.A.M.I.L.Y.
o b e    o o
r o       v u
g u      e
e t
t

This is the Glenn Caruso mantra that is ripe full of BS. When Bench & others wonder where the disdain comes from they automatically assume it's because he wins. I'll be the first to admit he'd bother me less if he were still at MAC or not winning as much. My biggest issue is when his winning record is used as justification for his snake oil salesman ways.

The latest example? Just head to the roster section on TommieSports.com. As many on the board know, only the selected are allowed to arrive on campus for the start of preseason practice. Anyone else wanting to play is invited - but they must wait until school starts. As a result they are not eligible to dress for the first couple of home games as they've yet to participate in the required number of practices as mandated by the NCAA. (Though they are eligible to be loaded onto a bus and shipped to away games to stand on the sideline in matching gear for certain away games).

School has been in session for awhile now and these shortened season members of the F.A.M.I.L.Y. are now eligible to dress, and theoretically, participate in games. Just don't look for their names, numbers or bios on the roster as they don't exist. With such a large F.A.M.I.L.Y. it must be hard to keep track of everyone - though SJU somehow manages to do so.