FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BDB]

In honor of the rare event and to provide a link for those that need it, the official
monkey stomp rules:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hxwpLdvD6eqQPG_tDAIuCS8PlO9P3SJOTM5HPehmcOU/edit?usp=docslist_api

Thanks Oz. Good to refresh the memory. My favorite is the Win by 12 Dyslexic Stomp submitted by finsleft.

And some of the old names on there that aren't around anymore like EngiNegro from the Liberty League. I don't think he is anyway.

Anyone else remember the great Liberty League invasion of the MIACPP for a day back in, what was it, like 2006? Classic.

[sju56321]

Wasn't it in 2003, before SJU played RPI.

[57Johnnie]

Wasn't it in 2003, before SJU played RPI.

Yes. Great fun

[sjusection105]

Anyone else remember the great Liberty League invasion of the MIACPP for a day back in, what was it, like 2006? Classic.

I would say that the RPI week and the rest of the Liberty League making guest appearances, is what kind of jolted the MIAC board to life. A whole lot of "brash East Coast banter" that woke up the "Minnesota nice" MIAC board. Kind of like the Caruso era has brought UST to life. After being taken aback the SJU fans began to push back and throw insults back. With the likes of Kilted Rat,TDT and Ritz72 throwing barbs in it became interesting to say the least. Now being a Dr., a MBA and a middle school principal, these three legendary SJU posters are rarely seen. Hopefully they can find the time to throw some insults next year during Tommie week. 

[BDB]

With the likes of Kilted Rat, TDT and Ritz72 throwing barbs in it became interesting to say the least. Now being a Dr., a MBA and a middle school principal, these three legendary SJU posters are rarely seen.

So, along with "Chasing MILF's since 1982" TDT worked in getting an MBA as well? My oh my.

[retagent]

With the likes of Kilted Rat, TDT and Ritz72 throwing barbs in it became interesting to say the least. Now being a Dr., a MBA and a middle school principal, these three legendary SJU posters are rarely seen.

So, along with "Chasing MILF's since 1982" TDT worked in getting an MBA as well? My oh my.

Thank Goodness he's not the one who's a middle school principal.

[OzJohnnie]

With the likes of Kilted Rat, TDT and Ritz72 throwing barbs in it became interesting to say the least. Now being a Dr., a MBA and a middle school principal, these three legendary SJU posters are rarely seen.

So, along with "Chasing MILF's since 1982" TDT worked in getting an MBA as well? My oh my.

Thank Goodness he's not the one who's a middle school principal.

[ron doney]

What about Jake Barkley?  Hilliard?  Ambrasas? 

They are breaking down film with Don.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Well, the UST - BU game went much as I expected...Bethel was able to play with them for a half, but by the second half, but doesn't quite have the horses to play a full game with them at the moment.  Robert's is a heck of a player...he has good speed, and with how hard he runs, his 220 lb frame starts to take a toll on defenses.  Unfortunate that he'll be back next year for the rest of the conference, but it will make an easier transition for whoever their new starting QB is next year.

Their very good running game, and competent passing game are likely to take UST deep this year, I think.

Also, I didn't quite expect Bethel to only complete 1 pass? 

I think they'll receive a good challenge from a rested Gustavus this weekend, before SJU comes to town.

[art76]

Pat and Keith are talking about playoffs this week in the podcast, so all's fair in this week's discussion. Carleton is idle this week.

The first game in the MIAC this week that I'd like to talk about is Hamline travelling down to Northfield to take on St. Olaf. The Oles have a conference win against their cross town rivals. The Pipers have a win against  Minnesota-Morris. They each have almost identical scores over former MIAC rival Macalester. This is a real toss-up game, but because this game is being played down South, one would expect the nod to lean towards St. Olaf. If the Pipers are still playing without Austin Duncan, which nobody will know until game time (to my knowledge), I don't think Hamline can win this one. This is the only game in the MIAC this week that has no play-off implications.

The second game of the week is Augsburg heading North to Collegeville to take on the Johnnies. While this game will not be as close as the MIAC game I just talked about, this one is "more important" as there is more on the line, at least for the Johnnies. That is because they are the first of one-loss teams we're discussing this week that are still alive statistically in this week's final three games. St. John's has to win out to "almost guarantee" post season play, because they have a loss to the now conference leader Tommies. I suspect that the Johnnies will keep Ayrton Scott in check and win by three or more scores.

The third game in the MIAC and the second one which has a one loss hopeful playing in it, is Gustavus Adolphus coming into Arden Hills to take on the three loss Royals. All three of those losses are against current Top 25 teams. Bethel is out of the post season with those three losses but is playing for pride. I suspect that this will be a closer game than last year's affair down in St. Peter, as these teams match up well. It could be a see-saw game and exciting to be sitting in the stands to watch, but I am hopeful that the Royals can play spoiler and pop the bubble of the Gusties getting into the post season discussion much more this season.

The game of the week in the MIAC is the final one loss team, Concordia-Moorhead, hosting the undefeated Tommies up on the plains in Moorhead, MN. Will the Tommies have a let down after beating Bethel this week? Will travelling up to the North-lands be a distraction for St. Thomas? Probably not too much, or enough for there to be much hope of an upset. Could the Cobbers do it? Yeah, they could, and they are the last real test for the Tommies, as they have Carleton and Gustavus to close out the season. If the Tommies lose, then there are a few more scenarios to then play out. More on this follows.

So, let's start talking about the "more plausible" play-off scenarios. At this point in the season, it looks like the Tommies roll to a 10 and 0 conference record. If they do that, what's the fall out? Well, the Cobbers would have only 2 losses if they beat the Gusties the following week to finish their season, the Johnnies have one loss if they win out. St. John's has Augsburg, Bethel and St. Olaf. If Bethel beats Gustavus this week, then it is conceivable in my mind that the Royals might also have it in them to beat the Johnnies who come down to twin cities the following week. In this scenario, if both the Cobbers and the Johnnies have two losses, the head to head game plays into the Johnnies favor.

I don't think there is much more to talk about concerning Gustavus getting to the play-offs, as I don't think they can run the gauntlet of Bethel, Concordia and St. Thomas.

This week's game between BU and the Gusties is for fourth place in the conference as I see it now, as the Tommies, Cobbers and Johnnies are in the driver's seats for post season play. The Royals and Gustavus might even have the same record at the end of the season, but the head to head results would decide the pecking order in the conference. And, if BU does win this week, you can bet the Cobbers will become Royals fans the following week.

From a national standpoint, if the Tommies go 10 and 0 they get in Pool A. The Johnnies are a no brainer at 9 and 1 and on the bubble at 8 and 2. Unless the Cobbers win this week, they are also on the bubble with their 8 and 2 record. There are a lot of good teams in the upper mid-west this year - at least as the season stands so far.

If the Cobbers can some how pull off the upset this week and they, the Tommies and the Johnnies all end the season at 9 and 1, then I think the MIAC gets shafted, as I don't think 3 teams from one conference will get in the dance at the end of the season.  It's still too early to say too much about ifs and buts, but it is the exciting part of the season, that's for sure.

[GoldandBlueBU]

I can't see Concordia beating UST...probably good enough to hang in there for a half, like SJU and BU, but UST will wear them down.

Where would UST be this season without Jordan Roberts?  Kaiser is a strong runner, but he doesn't have nearly the same quickness and cutting ability.  Their roster isn't materially different from last year, beyond going with Gould from the beginning rather than having O'Connell in the mix, but Gould is really more of a game managing type QB to this team anyway.  Roberts is a difference maker, that's for sure.

It's likely a lot further forward than UST fans are wanting to look, but I'm already looking forward to seeing them match up with a WIAC power or UMU in the playoffs...

[USTBench]

Love the way the Cobbers play typically. Love the way Coach Horan has them prepared for big games. That being said, I somewhat expect a repeat of the SJU and Bethel game. Cobs keep tight in the first half and UST and their big backs and OLine wear on them in the 2nd.

That being said, I know Jack Kaiser got a little banged up on Saturday so I don't know his status. It sounded like it was your typical Bethel/UST slugfest (Bethel only threw 5 times) and having, arguably, the two most physical teams in the MIAC back-to-back does UST no favors. I know Coach Caruso leans on his best players in big games but I thought 39 carries was about 10 too many for Roberts. I think Tucker Trettel and Tory Adams (if he travels) should help shoulder some of the load this weekend and let Kaiser rest up a bit, but Concordia is legit, so who knows? The conference isn't in the bag yet, and the 14th ranked team in the nation on the road could be a major test for UST.

[sjusection105]

If the Cobbers can some how pull off the upset this week and they, the Tommies and the Johnnies all end the season at 9 and 1, then I think the MIAC gets shafted, as I don't think 3 teams from one conference will get in the dance at the end of the season. It's still too early to say too much about ifs and buts, but it is the exciting part of the season, that's for sure.

Ladies & gentlemen, we have a BINGO.
Remember it's not the BEST 32 teams, it's just 32 teams.......

[USTBench]

I can't see Concordia beating UST...probably good enough to hang in there for a half, like SJU and BU, but UST will wear them down.

Where would UST be this season without Jordan Roberts?  Kaiser is a strong runner, but he doesn't have nearly the same quickness and cutting ability.  Their roster isn't materially different from last year, beyond going with Gould from the beginning rather than having O'Connell in the mix, but Gould is really more of a game managing type QB to this team anyway.  Roberts is a difference maker, that's for sure.

It's likely a lot further forward than UST fans are wanting to look, but I'm already looking forward to seeing them match up with a WIAC power or UMU in the playoffs...

Roberts was a HUGE addition obviously, but I think UST would still be undefeated. Here's why: 4 seniors and 1 junior on that o-line that goes 300+ across the board (which is why they better go deep this year, because there will be some big shoes to fill in 2016). Kaiser is no Roberts but he is a load. I also think Tucker Trettel will be a very solid back for UST, no expectations that he be the caliber of his old man, but he is clearly running well when he gets his opportunities.

[nkwest]

I can't see Concordia beating UST...probably good enough to hang in there for a half, like SJU and BU, but UST will wear them down.

Where would UST be this season without Jordan Roberts?  Kaiser is a strong runner, but he doesn't have nearly the same quickness and cutting ability.  Their roster isn't materially different from last year, beyond going with Gould from the beginning rather than having O'Connell in the mix, but Gould is really more of a game managing type QB to this team anyway.  Roberts is a difference maker, that's for sure.

It's likely a lot further forward than UST fans are wanting to look, but I'm already looking forward to seeing them match up with a WIAC power or UMU in the playoffs...

Roberts was a HUGE addition obviously, but I think UST would still be undefeated. Here's why: 4 seniors and 1 junior on that o-line that goes 300+ across the board (which is why they better go deep this year, because there will be some big shoes to fill in 2016). Kaiser is no Roberts but he is a load. I also think Tucker Trettel will be a very solid back for UST, no expectations that he be the caliber of his old man, but he is clearly running well when he gets his opportunities.

It would also have been interesting to see if the coaching staff kept Waldvogel in the backfield in a Roberts-less hypothetical. He's (not shockingly) adapted to that role extremely well, and having him on the field with a now-healthy Gilliland, Dowdle, etc. gives opposing defenses a lot to deal with.

For me, though, UST's success so far this season has everything to do with defense. The '13 and '14 versions couldn't get off the field, gave up too many big plays, and simply had too many guys playing outside of their responsibilities. The '15 version moved some players around, is a drastically more disciplined unit, and the results thus far show it.