FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sjusection105]

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. 

I agree wholeheartedly Oz. The "lean years" at SJU makes the past couple play-off appearances that much better.Life is hard,but we live in a world where every child is a precious snowflake and every two bit conference gets an AQ. 

[OldAuggie]

Guys I'm glad to see you celebrate Ayrton Scott's career, some of you will of course celebrate the end of his career! It was an exciting four years, I'm not going to try to top what has been said about him other than to point out that after all the games I observed with him on the field he never failed to make at least one jaw dropping play per game. Last Saturday he made several in that category. He is a special player. So with Oz endorsing his accomplishments over Burke I think Scott should be a lock for MIAC MVP and a Gagliardi finalist. If he is shut out of these two awards then the commitee or Grand Poobahs of the MIAC, NCAA and D3 football have some explaining to do.  If you saw him play, well done. If you did not, well sorry to say, you missed a great D3 quarterback. I would also like to add that he accomplished everything AGAINST the likes of SJU, UST, Bethel, Concordia, Gustavus and  the rest of the MIAC as well as two games vs. Wartburg. There is a relatively clear path when the candidate plays FOR one of the blue blood programs in the Murderers Row called the MIAC.  I hope everyone will consider that when you reflect on this young man's career.

[D O.C.]

Bowl Games would be sponsored?

NCAA not paying zilch to a TX team and a WC team to fly off the ground.

[faunch]

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.

That looks interesting but I like hurling better...in fact I'm going to Boston on Friday to watch this at Fenway on Sunday.  Galway and Dublin will be playing a friendly. 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ticketing/irish_festival.jsp

It isn't a real match but a good excuse to get out of town w/ a couple lads, drink some pints, have a couple drams and see Beantown.   

If anyone has any Notre Dame or BC connections I'm open to free tickets to see the Irish and Eagles play at Fenway on Saturday night.

[AO]

Not questioning why he didn't play the last few games, assuming the injury kept him off the field.  Not even seeing him on the sidelines, and then hearing the rumor he had quit the team, was wondering more about his status for next year.  With Klitzke graduating, also losing Tusler would be a blow to the Royals.

It would be a big loss for sure, so I hope that either your source was mis-informed, or that Tusler has a change of heart.  They do have Gunnar Bloom, who was a freshman this year and showed some good athleticism at the receiver position, where he started playing after Bryce Marquardt went down, and since he wasn't going to see much time at running back playing behind Tusler and Klitzke.

Hoping Tusler just decided to shut it down after the UST game, given where the team was as it related to playoff / MIAC title pursuit, and get himself healthy for basketball.

Bridge had 9 points and 5 fouls in 17 minutes tonight against River Falls.  Also went 1-5 from the free throw line despite shooting 2-2 from 3.  One of the weirder stat lines I've ever seen.  Maybe because he's still not 100%?

[Pat Coleman]

Bowl Games would be sponsored?

NCAA not paying zilch to a TX team and a WC team to fly off the ground.

NCAA has no skin in bowl games in any division, I, II, III, or VIII.

[OzJohnnie]

So with Oz endorsing his accomplishments over Burke I think Scott should be a lock for MIAC MVP

Whoa there.  I'm all supportive of Scott getting his strongly arguable due recognition by the Gagliardi award committee but you need to put away the crack pipe. Sura for MVP all the way, baby.

[OzJohnnie]

For rugby fans, unfortunate news. Jonah Lomu, a Kiwi powerhouse and I reckon the most powerful runner to ever play the game, died unexpectedly this afternoon.

For the curious, a greatest hits video.  Unfortunately, many of the most stunning runs are against Australia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsXTa7UCGlk

[sjusection105]

Bench, were you on this committee? I'm sure P.E.T.A will be protesting soon......

http://www.startribune.com/university-of-north-dakota-to-announce-new-nickname-today/351376421/

[DuffMan]

Well, I got clearance to go to the Saturday's game with the stipulation that I have to bring our 4-year old along.  With the forecast temps around freezing, I hope he can handle it.

Will there be any Finsleft Kool-Aid?

[OzJohnnie]

Bench, were you on this committee? I'm sure P.E.T.A will be protesting soon......

http://www.startribune.com/university-of-north-dakota-to-announce-new-nickname-today/351376421/

The Mighty, Fighting Hawks. I like it.

[SagatagSam]

Looking forward to this weekend's SJU-UD matchup. I'm hoping this doesn't turn into a trap game because of this being the second meeting of the season and what will (in all likelihood) be there to meet the Johnnies in the second round.

It's tough to beat a team two times in a season. I'm still confident that the Johnnies will be able to do it. Although, SJU won't be able to wait until fourth down to keep drives going. The Johnnies were 2 for 12 on third down in the first meeting (but, by the grace of God, they managed to go 5 for 5 on fourth down).

Having the potential for Johnnie-Tommie II makes it tough to focus on UD. I really want that rematch--as does everyone on the SJU roster, I imagine. I trust that Gary will keep the team's focus locked in on UD.

[OzJohnnie]

We've had one game already this year where events around the game were bigger than the game itself and play suffered. Hopefully, that monster distraction has prepared the team to manage this lesser one.

Just in case someone gets thier knockers in a knot because they can't grasp the references - the monster distraction was ESPN GameDay and this lesser one is the prospect of Johnnie/Tommie II: The Reckoning. This day all debts are paid.

[Mr.MIAC]

So I'm in Chicago at the moment, staying at 76 E Monroe Street near the Art Institute. Any recommendations on a good place for lunch nearby?

[desertcat1]

So I'm in Chicago at the moment, staying at 76 E Monroe Street near the Art Institute. Any recommendations on a good place for lunch nearby?

chicago tommie  servies a mean BIG mac.