FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[GoldandBlueBU]

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.

Yes, the defense is greatly improved...they had Bethel bottled up quite effectively most of the day.  They are a very quick and aggressive group, which also benefits from the offense as they are typically getting good breaks between drives.

Waldvogel is a better fit as a receiver, IMO.  The Kaiser-Waldvogel tandem didn't get much going last year against BU, (Waldvogel went for 82 yards on 22 carries  in 2014, I see, Kaiser 6 for 25) I think because Bethel's D (not unlike SJU's) is geared toward being smaller / faster, which plays well in stopping a guy that is smaller, but maybe a bit quicker out of the backfield.  It seemed like you could just see the BU defense wearing down on Saturday vs. Roberts as the game went on...he was breaking more tackles, and on plays where in the first half  he'd be brought down relatively quickly after contact, was instead turning those into 2-3 additional yards after contact in the second half.

[wm4]

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...

The way I see it, UST and SJU from the MIAC, UWO and UWW from the WIAC and then Dubuque or Wartburg from the IIAC, will make the playoffs.  That'll set up for a nice little regional bracket with UWO the top relative seed and would host the first three rounds.  I think the committee could easily bracket this such that the #1 WIAC would face the #2 MIAC team and the #1 MIAC would face the #2 WIAC. 

I see this coming down to UWO hosting UST on 12/5.  Winner then travels to Linfield.

[CobberHawkeye]

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.

Agreed with that o-line.  Huge holes opened up for Roberts, who made the best of them.

Just for comparison.  Average starting offensive line size:

Wisconsin        320
Michigan St   318
Minnesota   314
Maryland           313
   
UST                   306
   
Illinois           306
Indiana           305
Ohio St           305
Penn St           305
Purdue           302
Rutgers           302
Michigan           302
Northwestern   300
Nebraska           299
Iowa                   290

[Pat Coleman]

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...

The way I see it, UST and SJU from the MIAC, UWO and UWW from the WIAC and then Dubuque or Wartburg from the IIAC, will make the playoffs.  That'll set up for a nice little regional bracket with UWO the top relative seed and would host the first three rounds.  I think the committee could easily bracket this such that the #1 WIAC would face the #2 MIAC team and the #1 MIAC would face the #2 WIAC. 

I see this coming down to UWO hosting UST on 12/5.  Winner then travels to Linfield.

I don't see UWO hosting that game, if they meet. UWO does have an overall loss which UST doesn't and UST holds the "previous year playoff results" tiebreaker.

[Mr.MIAC]

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.

I think this is one of the most important factors for the whole UST team not just the defense.

[art76]

The way I see it, UST and SJU from the MIAC, UWO and UWW from the WIAC and then Dubuque or Wartburg from the IIAC, will make the playoffs.  That'll set up for a nice little regional bracket with UWO the top relative seed and would host the first three rounds.  I think the committee could easily bracket this such that the #1 WIAC would face the #2 MIAC team and the #1 MIAC would face the #2 WIAC. 

I see this coming down to UWO hosting UST on 12/5.  Winner then travels to Linfield.

I sure hope you're wrong - as I think the # 2 team in either the MIAC or WIAC would most likely move into the final 8 teams if bracketed correctly, final 16 for sure.

[nkwest]

Waldvogel is a better fit as a receiver, IMO.  The Kaiser-Waldvogel tandem didn't get much going last year against BU, (Waldvogel went for 82 yards on 22 carries  in 2014, I see, Kaiser 6 for 25) I think because Bethel's D (not unlike SJU's) is geared toward being smaller / faster, which plays well in stopping a guy that is smaller, but maybe a bit quicker out of the backfield.  It seemed like you could just see the BU defense wearing down on Saturday vs. Roberts as the game went on...he was breaking more tackles, and on plays where in the first half  he'd be brought down relatively quickly after contact, was instead turning those into 2-3 additional yards after contact in the second half.

I agree completely, and it's obviously a virtuous cycle within the game for both UST's offense and defense as the O sustains long punishing drives (fueled largely by those 2-3 additional YAC you describe) and the D puts them right back on the field; 88 UST offensive plays to Bethel's 44 is quite the disparity.

[wm4]

The way I see it, UST and SJU from the MIAC, UWO and UWW from the WIAC and then Dubuque or Wartburg from the IIAC, will make the playoffs.  That'll set up for a nice little regional bracket with UWO the top relative seed and would host the first three rounds.  I think the committee could easily bracket this such that the #1 WIAC would face the #2 MIAC team and the #1 MIAC would face the #2 WIAC. 

I see this coming down to UWO hosting UST on 12/5.  Winner then travels to Linfield.

I sure hope you're wrong - as I think the # 2 team in either the MIAC or WIAC would most likely move into the final 8 teams if bracketed correctly, final 16 for sure.

To clarify, my WIAC/MIAC bracket would be in the second round.  I think all will win their opening round games.

[art76]

Here's who is still alive in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Northern Illinois for Pool A and/or Pool C, as of today:

MIAC
St. Thomas
St. John's
Concordia-Moorhead

UMAC
St. Scholastica

WIAC
UW Oshkosh
UW Whitewater
UW Platteville

CCIW
Wheaton
IWU

IIAC
Dubuque
Wartburg
Loras

NACC
Benedictine
Lakeland

MWC
St. Norbert
Monmouth

We still have 3 weeks of games to play, but there won't be a whole lot of surprises about who wins their respective conferences.

Historically, some of the Eastern most teams in the group above drift into the North bracket and if UW Oshkosh were ranked #2 in that bracket behind Mount Union, The machine might not make it to Salem this year. That leaves St. Thomas to face off against Linfield and the rest of the West. I think UMHB becomes the real island this year, and it might be that the Iowa contingent might get tossed into the South bracket to balance things out. The committee always is tweaking things and we won't know who goes where until selection Sunday. But the West is best this year, without a doubt.

Edit - Oshkosh and Mount are too far apart but Wheaton and Whitewater are close enough to play Mount in Round 3.

[wm4]

I don't see UWO hosting that game, if they meet. UWO does have an overall loss which UST doesn't and UST holds the "previous year playoff results" tiebreaker.

Good info, thanks Pat.

[USTBench]

I will be tailgating "The Jake" on Saturday. It's no Stiftungfest but I will be discretely drinking cold ones in the parking lot, feel free to DM me if you're planning on being there.

[sjusection105]

Here's who is still alive in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Northern Illinois for Pool A and/or Pool C, as of today:

MIAC
St. Thomas
St. John's                          Two from this group
Concordia-Moorhead

UMAC
St. Scholastica

WIAC
UW Oshkosh
UW Whitewater                         Two from this group
UW Platteville

CCIW
Wheaton
IWU

IIAC
Dubuque
Wartburg                                           One from this group
Loras

NACC
Benedictine
Lakeland

MWC
St. Norbert
Monmouth


Historically, some of the Eastern most teams in the group above drift into the North bracket and if UW Oshkosh were ranked #2 in that bracket behind Mount Union, The machine might not make it to Salem this year. That leaves St. Thomas to face off against Linfield and the rest of the West. I think UMHB becomes the real island this year, and it might be that the Iowa contingent might get tossed into the South bracket to balance things out. The committee always is tweaking things and we won't know who goes where until selection Sunday. But the West is best this year, without a doubt.

Edit - Oshkosh and Mount are too far apart but Wheaton and Whitewater are close enough to play Mount in Round 3.} Wouldn't that be cozy…...

Lots of scenarios,but I agree that someone is going to get moved,because if they don't implode Linfield has the inside track on home field throughout the West playoff chase.

[ron doney]

Just heard on ESPN - remember, this is a Miami team that hasn't been to a major bowl game since 2003....the kids they are recruiting were toddlers then. 

Same can be said for SJU.  The pressure to repeat - or slip into another 30 yr drought - has to be building up there. 

(oh but UST is on a forever drought - true, but silver lining is no expectation to repeat.  On the other side, I certainly have expectation of basketball and baseball to repeat in the next 5 yrs).

[retagent]

Just heard on ESPN - remember, this is a Miami team that hasn't been to a major bowl game since 2003....the kids they are recruiting were toddlers then. 

Same can be said for SJU.  The pressure to repeat - or slip into another 30 yr drought - has to be building up there. 

(oh but UST is on a forever drought - true, but silver lining is no expectation to repeat.  On the other side, I certainly have expectation of basketball and baseball to repeat in the next 5 yrs).

Define drought.

[AO]

MIAC PICK-EM'S
WEEK 8 STANDINGS


WEEK 9 Oct. 31

Conference: 3pts
Gustavus (+13.5) @ Bethel
Hamline  @ St. Olaf (+10.5)
Augsburg (+21.5) @ #12 St. John's
#6 St. Thomas @ #14 Concordia (+14.5)

West Region: 1pt
Chapman (+7.5) @ La Verne

National: 1pt
#3 Mary Hardin-Baylor @ #13 Hardin-Simmons (+14.5)