FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[art76]

Not sure how many of you listen to the pod cast that Pat and Keith do on Monday mornings, but if you do, Pat mentioned something I'd like to throw out here on this board.

He was of the opinion that other conferences should put together "bowl games" for the second and third place teams in conferences that do not get a post season bid. So I've thought a bit about it over the last couple of days and would like to propose the following. The upper mid-west enjoys four fairly strong conferences in the CCIW, IIAC, MIAC and WIAC. If each of these conferences would simply put forth their "next best" team every year after selection Sunday teams are picked, those teams could be paired up and there could be at least one more week of playing. Setting up round robin style of play so that every six years the pattern would repeat. Obviously, I am but a fan and someone a lot higher up in each of these conferences would have to be an advocate for this to come about. Do you think schools in the MIAC would be open to something like this? What about fans?

[Retired Old Rat]

Art, that earlier game with Dubuque was in Collegeville as well.

Outside Johnnie Nation I think many are ignoring the fact that the Johnnies have improved substantially from that first game of the season. Margin of victory will not be as large, but it won't be close this time either.

Go Johnnies!

I've had that thought as well...the DBQ folks seem to be pointing to how much better that team has gotten.  Perhaps they've improved by a greater amount over the year, but only because they had room for more improvement.

Agree that it won't be a 45-9 type of score, but I expect a two score game at half, with SJU scoring early in the third quarter to cruise to victory and set up a big game in St. Paul.  At that point the tables will be turned and we'll see how much SJU has improved since their regular season matchup with UST.

Assuming the Tomcats win their first round game.  The Leopards have improved a lot since that early season loss to Whitworth.   

[gren]

Have not seen  St Thomas or LaVerne this year. I have seen Chapman and Redlands. Would not have thought either of those offenses could have scored more than twice in any game, but they both put up 42 on LaVerne. It's going to be a Tommie rout.

[sjusection105]

  They do have Gunnar Bloom, who was a freshman this year and showed some good athleticism.

With a name like Gunnar, he could also be a potential back-up QB as well.......

[OzJohnnie]

The upper mid-west enjoys four fairly strong conferences in the CCIW, IIAC, MIAC and WIAC. If each of these conferences would simply put forth their "next best" team every year after selection Sunday teams are picked, those teams could be paired up and there could be at least one more week of playing. Setting up round robin style of play so that every six years the pattern would repeat. Obviously, I am but a fan and someone a lot higher up in each of these conferences would have to be an advocate for this to come about. Do you think schools in the MIAC would be open to something like this? What about fans?

My vote is no.  From a supporters perspective, no one attends the consolation championship and this is a step below that.  From a player's perspective, there are two things to play for: conference championships and post-season selection.  This would be NIT-lite, extra-lite maybe, and full strength NIT isn't all that appealing anyway.

The MIAC next best team usually makes the playoffs anyway.

[OzJohnnie]

Ayrton Scott was named the D3football.com QB of the week in his final game.  They have a nice write-up on his college career.  Spectacular, it was.  I didn't realise that he's second all-time in DIII total yardage, just 45 yards short of the record.  14,523 yards in his years at AUG.  Wow.

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2015/week11

[Pat Coleman]

The upper mid-west enjoys four fairly strong conferences in the CCIW, IIAC, MIAC and WIAC. If each of these conferences would simply put forth their "next best" team every year after selection Sunday teams are picked, those teams could be paired up and there could be at least one more week of playing. Setting up round robin style of play so that every six years the pattern would repeat. Obviously, I am but a fan and someone a lot higher up in each of these conferences would have to be an advocate for this to come about. Do you think schools in the MIAC would be open to something like this? What about fans?

My vote is no.  From a supporters perspective, no one attends the consolation championship and this is a step below that.  From a player's perspective, there are two things to play for: conference championships and post-season selection.  This would be NIT-lite, extra-lite maybe, and full strength NIT isn't all that appealing anyway.

The MIAC next best team usually makes the playoffs anyway.

Or like a bowl game, which is what it would be. I think if we have the opportunity to get our student-athletes an extra game, we should look at it. Kids are here to participate.

Weather in the upper Midwest might make it a different proposition than elsewhere, but I think it's worthwhile. Gustavus vs. Platteville? Gustavus vs. Wartburg? Platteville vs. Wartburg? Two teams with an axe to grind about not getting in? Northwestern vs. Benedictine or Monmouth?

On the east coast, these games have been watered down in the past decade, but here they're new, and they've got some novelty to them. D-II does it -- UMD is playing Fort Hays State in the Mineral Water Bowl.

Especially in an era where the same teams are getting four to five extra weeks of practice on an annual basis, it could also help schools try to bridge that gap. I mean, one week isn't huge but it's more than zero.

[Pat Coleman]

Ayrton Scott was named the D3football.com QB of the week in his final game.  They have a nice write-up on his college career.  Spectacular, it was.  I didn't realise that he's second all-time in DIII total yardage, just 45 yards short of the record.  14,523 yards in his years at AUG.  Wow.

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2015/week11

Here's a little more -- was one of the lead stories on Saturday. Legit questions as to whether it's more impressive for him to have his total or Kevin Burke to have his for Mount Union, where they play 15 games, but starters rarely play four quarters.
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/11/week11-roundup

[D3MAFAN]

Ayrton Scott was named the D3football.com QB of the week in his final game.  They have a nice write-up on his college career.  Spectacular, it was.  I didn't realise that he's second all-time in DIII total yardage, just 45 yards short of the record.  14,523 yards in his years at AUG.  Wow.

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2015/week11

Here's a little more -- was one of the lead stories on Saturday. Legit questions as to whether it's more impressive for him to have his total or Kevin Burke to have his for Mount Union, where they play 15 games, but starters rarely play four quarters.
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/11/week11-roundup

Ha, I thought about that too regarding playing less games, but then thought, hey wait, Mount Union starters do not usually play the full game. Nevertheless, congrats to Mr. Scott, it was fun watching him over the last four years against some good competition.

[art76]

Ayrton Scott was named the D3football.com QB of the week in his final game.  They have a nice write-up on his college career.  Spectacular, it was.  I didn't realise that he's second all-time in DIII total yardage, just 45 yards short of the record.  14,523 yards in his years at AUG.  Wow.

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2015/week11

Can you even imagine what kind of stats he would have amassed with better team mates that would have taken him into the playoffs like Kevin Burke from Mount Union did in setting the record?

I see great minds think alike.

[AO]

The upper mid-west enjoys four fairly strong conferences in the CCIW, IIAC, MIAC and WIAC. If each of these conferences would simply put forth their "next best" team every year after selection Sunday teams are picked, those teams could be paired up and there could be at least one more week of playing. Setting up round robin style of play so that every six years the pattern would repeat. Obviously, I am but a fan and someone a lot higher up in each of these conferences would have to be an advocate for this to come about. Do you think schools in the MIAC would be open to something like this? What about fans?

My vote is no.  From a supporters perspective, no one attends the consolation championship and this is a step below that.  From a player's perspective, there are two things to play for: conference championships and post-season selection.  This would be NIT-lite, extra-lite maybe, and full strength NIT isn't all that appealing anyway.

The MIAC next best team usually makes the playoffs anyway.

Or like a bowl game, which is what it would be. I think if we have the opportunity to get our student-athletes an extra game, we should look at it. Kids are here to participate.

Weather in the upper Midwest might make it a different proposition than elsewhere, but I think it's worthwhile. Gustavus vs. Platteville? Gustavus vs. Wartburg? Platteville vs. Wartburg? Two teams with an axe to grind about not getting in? Northwestern vs. Benedictine or Monmouth?

On the east coast, these games have been watered down in the past decade, but here they're new, and they've got some novelty to them. D-II does it -- UMD is playing Fort Hays State in the Mineral Water Bowl.

Especially in an era where the same teams are getting four to five extra weeks of practice on an annual basis, it could also help schools try to bridge that gap. I mean, one week isn't huge but it's more than zero.

Northwestern has a bowl game this year.  They're headed down to Waxahachie, Texas to take on NAIA Southwest Assemblies of God University in the Victory Bowl.  No one is under the illusion that it is a "Championship Game".  It's just an extra game with service projects and a banquet. 

[OzJohnnie]

The upper mid-west enjoys four fairly strong conferences in the CCIW, IIAC, MIAC and WIAC. If each of these conferences would simply put forth their "next best" team every year after selection Sunday teams are picked, those teams could be paired up and there could be at least one more week of playing. Setting up round robin style of play so that every six years the pattern would repeat. Obviously, I am but a fan and someone a lot higher up in each of these conferences would have to be an advocate for this to come about. Do you think schools in the MIAC would be open to something like this? What about fans?

My vote is no.  From a supporters perspective, no one attends the consolation championship and this is a step below that.  From a player's perspective, there are two things to play for: conference championships and post-season selection.  This would be NIT-lite, extra-lite maybe, and full strength NIT isn't all that appealing anyway.

The MIAC next best team usually makes the playoffs anyway.

Or like a bowl game, which is what it would be. I think if we have the opportunity to get our student-athletes an extra game, we should look at it. Kids are here to participate.

Weather in the upper Midwest might make it a different proposition than elsewhere, but I think it's worthwhile. Gustavus vs. Platteville? Gustavus vs. Wartburg? Platteville vs. Wartburg? Two teams with an axe to grind about not getting in? Northwestern vs. Benedictine or Monmouth?

On the east coast, these games have been watered down in the past decade, but here they're new, and they've got some novelty to them. D-II does it -- UMD is playing Fort Hays State in the Mineral Water Bowl.

Especially in an era where the same teams are getting four to five extra weeks of practice on an annual basis, it could also help schools try to bridge that gap. I mean, one week isn't huge but it's more than zero.

Northwestern has a bowl game this year.  They're headed down to Waxahachie, Texas to take on NAIA Southwest Assemblies of God University in the Victory Bowl.  No one is under the illusion that it is a "Championship Game".  It's just an extra game with service projects and a banquet. 

Strong arguments, I agree, but I'm still not persuaded.  Why not give all the teams an extra game?  More is always better.

My point is, yes, I understand that just missing out on the playoffs is disappointing but it's disappointing because it's difficult.  Life is full of people that just missed out.  If you make just missing out a little less painful then you make just making it a little less rewarding.

If the goal is to get the good teams that could make the playoffs but don't a chance for a little extra glory, then how about advocating for fewer AQ's?  Or none?  Let the strong conferences put three or four teams in the playoffs and let the weak conferences have none.  Of course, we have the current abundance of AQ's because of the same sentiment that supports the bowl-game concept: let the try-hards have a go.  But you can only water something down so much until all you have left is water.

I know my argument runs against the modern zeitgeist but I find it the most persuasive.  Anywho.

[OzJohnnie]

Ayrton Scott was named the D3football.com QB of the week in his final game.  They have a nice write-up on his college career.  Spectacular, it was.  I didn't realise that he's second all-time in DIII total yardage, just 45 yards short of the record.  14,523 yards in his years at AUG.  Wow.

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2015/week11

Here's a little more -- was one of the lead stories on Saturday. Legit questions as to whether it's more impressive for him to have his total or Kevin Burke to have his for Mount Union, where they play 15 games, but starters rarely play four quarters.
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/11/week11-roundup

My vote is for Scott.  Despite the clock time advantage, a UMU player has the system advantage.  A whole team with almost every player a national positional standout.  And a schedule that has an abundance of creampuffs.

Scott, on the other hand, played for one of the creampuffs and almost single-handedly made them a contender.  I think his record more reflects his unique capabilities while I think Burke's record more reflects what an undoubtedly spectacular player can do in the best system in the sport.

[faunch]

Ayrton Scott was named the D3football.com QB of the week in his final game.  They have a nice write-up on his college career.  Spectacular, it was.  I didn't realise that he's second all-time in DIII total yardage, just 45 yards short of the record.  14,523 yards in his years at AUG.  Wow.

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2015/week11

Now here's a "trick play" worth talking about.
http://footballscoop.com/news/facing-fourth-and-goal-how-about-a-screen-to-the-left-tackle/

[OzJohnnie]

Hey, faunch, was it you trying to argue the virtues of Irish football?  The International Rules is on this weekend, starting half an hour after the Johnnies start.  I won't be paying much attention the IRF game because it's pretty screwball.  A round ball, a Gaelic field and AFL possession rules (bouncing, handballing, tackling, etc).

It tends to be a fairly unexciting contest, even with close scores, as the teams are usually pretty mismatched.  The Irish have a huge advantage kicking the ball while the Australians have a huge physicality advantage (being professional, rather than semi-pro, athletes well conditioned for a physical, running game).  So it tends to play that the Irish try to outskill on long kicks and the Aussies try to outrun and monster the smaller, less conditioned Irish.

About five years ago the Aussies came out thinking they were the reincarnation of the Hansen Brothers and full on brawls broke out all over the field.  The Irish refused to play again and the series was off for three or four years.  The Aussies promised not to play like animals and now it's back on.

Still, it's something to watch on the DVR after the Johnnie game.