FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[57Johnnie]

For anyone that is going through Rajkowski/SJU withdrawls, here's a recent article on Nate Brinker:  St. John's Standout Excelled Despite 2 Torn ACLs Last Season

+k Duff
Just in:
Devil's Backbone Striped Bass Pale Ale is good on the water 
I'm too old for adult beverages so it is not my recommendation 

[art76]

Morning gang, just got back from vacation in TN to see the eclipse (it was great) and have started to look at Kickoff! As a conference, the MIAC comes in at number two this year, behind the WIAC. FWIW, I hope the guys at D3Football are wrong and that Bethel gives the Johnnies a run for their money for the number 2 spot in the conference. With all the coaching changes at BU there is always the possibility of a bumpy ride at the beginning of the season until all the kinks get worked out. The Royals first conference game up in Concordia will definitely "set the stage" for the remainder of their season. It's going to be another great year of MIAC football - can't wait for it to get going.

[sowilson]

Well I guess with this theory UST will also get passed up by Bethel, Concordia and Gustavus due to the fact they too lost a lot of big time players on defense.

Well, I don't know about Bethel and Concordia, but Gustavus all the way to #1.  Lot's of sophomores who should make an impact this year.

[miac952]

Another UST run this season is predicated on filling some of the defensive holes lost to graduation last year. Lots of turnover on the DL, CB, and OLB. The offense looks solid with an experienced O line and a number of weapons to get the ball to. Interesting to see UST's corners are BIG, while the safeties are a bit smaller.

I know the post was at least slightly in jest, but there was some truth to PR's words. If SJU wins at Target Field I think it will be because they have spread the field and created favorable 1 on 1 matchups against a number of less experienced defenders. Couple that with a handful of UST turnovers and you create an opportunity for victory. More or less the same story you saw in the Oshkosh game. If a team can stay in front of the sticks against the Tommie D they give themselves a shot. If you put yourself in 3rd & long, you'll be in for a long day.

What do the Cobbers have coming back this year? Helmet on Helmet they challenged the Tommies as much as anyone last year, including UWO. We need more posters from the distant MIAC outpost.

[wm4]

Another UST run this season is predicated on filling some of the defensive holes lost to graduation last year. Lots of turnover on the DL, CB, and OLB. The offense looks solid with an experienced O line and a number of weapons to get the ball to. Interesting to see UST's corners are BIG, while the safeties are a bit smaller.

I know the post was at least slightly in jest, but there was some truth to PR's words. If SJU wins at Target Field I think it will be because they have spread the field and created favorable 1 on 1 matchups against a number of less experienced defenders. Couple that with a handful of UST turnovers and you create an opportunity for victory. More or less the same story you saw in the Oshkosh game. If a team can stay in front of the sticks against the Tommie D they give themselves a shot. If you put yourself in 3rd & long, you'll be in for a long day.

What do the Cobbers have coming back this year? Helmet on Helmet they challenged the Tommies as much as anyone last year, including UWO. We need more posters from the distant MIAC outpost.

Cobbers will be interesting this year.  They bring back a fair number of their offensive weapons, and a bunch on defense too.  I actually think they could make more noise than usual this year, and could seriously challenge for a playoff spot.  They open conference play with Bethel and then close at St Johns, with UST in the middle.  Playoff bid could be on the line in Collegeville in November.

I think UST defense will surprise a bit this year, particularly at the beginning of the season.  They should be solid at D Line, but it'll be very hard to replace King Foreman and Ryan Winters.  I think they're loaded at LB and won't miss a beat from last year.  They could be more athletic and fast in that corp that last year, which would be impressive.  The are tall at corner for sure, but they'll give up a little speed there this year.  Key will then be getting a good pass rush up front, and having the corners stay disciplined. Oshkosh exposed that last year.  Safeties will be fine in run support and Isaac Seering is a 3 year starter back there.  Experienced for sure, but the safeties can get a little out of sorts in pass coverage, hopefully that improves this year.

[Oleblue]

Another UST run this season is predicated on filling some of the defensive holes lost to graduation last year. Lots of turnover on the DL, CB, and OLB. The offense looks solid with an experienced O line and a number of weapons to get the ball to. Interesting to see UST's corners are BIG, while the safeties are a bit smaller.

I know the post was at least slightly in jest, but there was some truth to PR's words. If SJU wins at Target Field I think it will be because they have spread the field and created favorable 1 on 1 matchups against a number of less experienced defenders. Couple that with a handful of UST turnovers and you create an opportunity for victory. More or less the same story you saw in the Oshkosh game. If a team can stay in front of the sticks against the Tommie D they give themselves a shot. If you put yourself in 3rd & long, you'll be in for a long day.

What do the Cobbers have coming back this year? Helmet on Helmet they challenged the Tommies as much as anyone last year, including UWO. We need more posters from the distant MIAC outpost.

Concordia cant throw the ball. 7-3 again, but probably one of the best 7-3 teams in the country... UWW, UST, SJU all on the schedule this year, winning 1 out of 3 of those gets you in the playoffs.

[jamtod]

Concordia averaged 48 yards per completion against St Thomas last year. And matched the Tommies in yards per pass attempt.

Another UST run this season is predicated on filling some of the defensive holes lost to graduation last year. Lots of turnover on the DL, CB, and OLB. The offense looks solid with an experienced O line and a number of weapons to get the ball to. Interesting to see UST's corners are BIG, while the safeties are a bit smaller.

I know the post was at least slightly in jest, but there was some truth to PR's words. If SJU wins at Target Field I think it will be because they have spread the field and created favorable 1 on 1 matchups against a number of less experienced defenders. Couple that with a handful of UST turnovers and you create an opportunity for victory. More or less the same story you saw in the Oshkosh game. If a team can stay in front of the sticks against the Tommie D they give themselves a shot. If you put yourself in 3rd & long, you'll be in for a long day.

What do the Cobbers have coming back this year? Helmet on Helmet they challenged the Tommies as much as anyone last year, including UWO. We need more posters from the distant MIAC outpost.

Concordia cant throw the ball. 7-3 again, but probably one of the best 7-3 teams in the country... UWW, UST, SJU all on the schedule this year, winning 1 out of 3 of those gets you in the playoffs.

[Oleblue]

Concordia averaged 48 yards per completion against St Thomas last year. And matched the Tommies in yards per pass attempt.

Another UST run this season is predicated on filling some of the defensive holes lost to graduation last year. Lots of turnover on the DL, CB, and OLB. The offense looks solid with an experienced O line and a number of weapons to get the ball to. Interesting to see UST's corners are BIG, while the safeties are a bit smaller.

I know the post was at least slightly in jest, but there was some truth to PR's words. If SJU wins at Target Field I think it will be because they have spread the field and created favorable 1 on 1 matchups against a number of less experienced defenders. Couple that with a handful of UST turnovers and you create an opportunity for victory. More or less the same story you saw in the Oshkosh game. If a team can stay in front of the sticks against the Tommie D they give themselves a shot. If you put yourself in 3rd & long, you'll be in for a long day.

What do the Cobbers have coming back this year? Helmet on Helmet they challenged the Tommies as much as anyone last year, including UWO. We need more posters from the distant MIAC outpost.

Concordia cant throw the ball. 7-3 again, but probably one of the best 7-3 teams in the country... UWW, UST, SJU all on the schedule this year, winning 1 out of 3 of those gets you in the playoffs.

hmmmmmmmmmmm

[repete]

For anyone that is going through Rajkowski/SJU withdrawls, here's a recent article on Nate Brinker:  St. John's Standout Excelled Despite 2 Torn ACLs Last Season

+k Duff
Just in:
Devil's Backbone Striped Bass Pale Ale is good on the water 
I'm too old for adult beverages so it is not my recommendation 

Devil's backbone in Colorado? That's a tiny brewery in Va. stick. Good stuff there.

Glad to see Frank in a good gig. SC Times coverage has certainly dropped off.

[DuffMan]

Concordia averaged 48 yards per completion against St Thomas last year. And matched the Tommies in yards per pass attempt.

I had to go back and look at that box score.  8 attempts, 2 completions for 96 yards and 1 TD. 

[57Johnnie]

For anyone that is going through Rajkowski/SJU withdrawls, here's a recent article on Nate Brinker:  St. John's Standout Excelled Despite 2 Torn ACLs Last Season

+k Duff
Just in:
Devil's Backbone Striped Bass Pale Ale is good on the water 
I'm too old for adult beverages so it is not my recommendation 

Devil's backbone in Colorado? That's a tiny brewery in Va. stick. Good stuff there.

Glad to see Frank in a good gig. SC Times coverage has certainly dropped off.

No Devil's Backbone here.
Horsefly is our local craft brewer featuring:
Six Shooter Pale Ale
Tabano Red
Peacemaker Double Pale Ale
Excellent pub food too including Mountain Oysters of course

[jamtod]

Concordia averaged 48 yards per completion against St Thomas last year. And matched the Tommies in yards per pass attempt.

I had to go back and look at that box score.  8 attempts, 2 completions for 96 yards and 1 TD. 

Technically correct is the best kind of correct.

[SJUrube]

If SJU wins at Target Field I think it will be because they have spread the field and created favorable 1 on 1 matchups against a number of less experienced defenders. Couple that with a handful of UST turnovers and you create an opportunity for victory.

SJU shouldn't go in as a huge underdog. In the last three losses to UST SJU has victimized themselves too often, and at inopportune times.

• 2016 - fumble 2nd play of the game
  
• 2015 playoff - fumble 1st possession coupled with KO return for a score just before half
  
• 2015 regular season - fumble on first possession of the game
  
  

Both 2015 games were very close after a quarter (0-0 and 0-7). And the 2015 regular season game remained tied at the half, 7-7. And even though the playoff game had ugly moments, SJU had cut it to two scores just before the half, and was to receive the 2nd half KO, before giving up a 76 KO return. And obviously last year came down to a single score.

Another big factor will be how the game is officiated. If late hits and chippy play are allowed that won't benefit SJU. And turning over UST would be a plus.

[Mr.MIAC]

I'll get this one out of the way now that folks are starting to evaluate the prospects for MIAC teams this season. UST should really move up to DII or DI...

[SJUrube]

I'll get this one out of the way now that folks are starting to evaluate the prospects for MIAC teams this season. UST should really move up to DII or DI...

DI would probably be best. That way they can try qualifying for a bowl and experiencing the feeling of winning a final post season game.