FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[jamtod]

I guess I should go back and get rid of my jokes that I modified from some OSU-Michigan jokes I found on the internet.

[Mr.MIAC]

We're just a few days out from the big game. I know the Tommies are running handholding drills. Has Fasching started the Johnnies on male massage two-a-days yet?

[PurpleReign]

I guess I should go back and get rid of my jokes that I modified from some OSU-Michigan jokes I found on the internet.

No, Tommies are not and are not expected to be original or creative.

[PurpleReign]

I was at the U of M a couple weeks ago and the Gopher football team was holding practice.  I could hear PJ Fleck shouting out drills from all over campus - that is some impressive vocal projection.  I imagine the Great Saint Glenn has that same sort of enthusiasm when running practice.  UST and the U of M are fortunate to have landed such quality coaching and coaching staffs.  I imagine SJU has to scrap up what ever is available in Stearns County to fill out their coaching staff?

[Mr.MIAC]

I was at the U of M a couple weeks ago and the Gopher football team was holding practice.  I could hear PJ Fleck shouting out drills from all over campus - that is some impressive vocal projection.  I imagine the Great Saint Glenn has that same sort of enthusiasm when running practice.  UST and the U of M are fortunate to have landed such quality coaching and coaching staffs.  I imagine SJU has to scrap up what ever is available in Stearns County to fill out their coaching staff?

That's interesting. I just took a look at SJU's roster. Out of ten coaches, nine either went to SJU or were drawn from the local area.

[USTBench]

Johnnie/Tommie week has been a little low energy these last couple days.  Perhaps it's the weather.  Perhaps it's the distracting Wheaton bombshell.  Perhaps it's because ChicagoTommie is missing, likely hungover in a south central speakeasy.  Perhaps it's because the game is pretty important and no one wants to get too cocky.  Perhaps it's just because Tommies suck.  Regardless of the reasons, here's why the Johnnies will come away victorious:

* Discipline.  Johnnies have it; Tommies don't.  I anticipate four Johnnie first downs given up by personal fouls or jumps on defense in short yardage situations.  Thanks, #91, I knew we could count on you.

* Fear.  The poor Tommies are a little off this year.  UWEC played them tough the first half.  Stout cleaned them up.  So poor Carleton was getting passed against clear through the third quarter and even had to defend a pass in the fourth.  Unlike other Johnnies, I don't believe Caruso was passing against Carleton because he's classless.  I think he did it because his team needs the practice.  They need the film of things going right.  You have to admit, until they played the underpowered Knights there wasn't much going right for the Tommies.  I can smell the sweaty fear clear across the Pacific.

* Defense.  You can't win if you can't score enough points.  Stout easily had the Tommie's number.  And they sent out play notes.  Against the faster, more disciplined Johnnie defense it will be even more hopeless.

* Pressure.  Poor Perra.  He's supposed to be the DI shizzle but Erdmann is quietly running the roost in DIII.  Erdmann's passing effeciency.  Clarks speed.  It will all add up on the Tommie QB and he'll crumble.  I feel sorry for him.  Not only did he make the poor decision to head to Summit Ave, but now he has to deal with this.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

* Variety.  The Johnnie offense has it in spades.  We're running for 333 yards a game.  That's a lot of yards!  Why so many?  Because the passing offense is too good!  The team passing effeciency is 214!  They throw it so well that they have to run.  And boy can they run.  It all adds up to the highest scoring, highest octane offense in the nation.  On the positive side, St Glenn will have plenty of film to plan new defensive schemes with...

I'm going to address SJU's offensive prowess with a giant  considering their competition thus far.

However, with the regular season 30% over, I think now is a good time for an airing of grievances.

I GOT  A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE (UST Footbawww)!

Running Backs: The mantra has ALWAYS been, the best player plays. Roberts has rightfully been given some quarter here (2015 offensive POY), but Trettel looks WAY more confident with the ball right now. Trettel has several "explosive plays" (20+ yards), Roberts has zero, this of course being accomplished on far fewer carries. Obviously I'm not at practice every day, so I can't say I see what Caruso sees, but from the Stout game, and based on sample size, I would make Trettel my bell cow. (His pedigree ain't half bad, either)

Offensive Line: Probably the softest I've seen in Caruso's time at UST. I think they're starting to see the effects of Lepsche's departure as both a coach and a recruiter. Perra was running for his life all PM against Stout and UST has yet to achieve a 100+ yard rushing performance.

Receivers: Holy guys. Get open.

TEs: Same thing. Also, catch the ball.

Playcalling: Pretty clear we miss Kilian. The Stout game was basically just a clinic on how to disrupt a naked bootleg.

Defense: PENALTIES

I don't know if it was all D, but 7 penalties for 63 yards against Carleton. Carleton! What'd they do? Show you their ACT scores before the game?

Things I Actually Like:

Gabe Green. Get him the ball.

Tucker Trettel. Get him the ball.

Vinny Pallini. Get him the ball, in space. He's your new Waldvogel.

Jacques Perra. Let him throw the ball. (Looking at you O-Line)

Mark Dowdle. I think he'll do fine on Clarke. Clarke will get his, but Dowdle will be right there.

I think this game is close. UST 63 SJU 7

Kidding, obviously, but if UST loses this game by more than one score I don't see them beating the Cobbers.

[PurpleReign]

Another point to ponder is this - UST is continuing to strengthening their recruiting foothold in Minnesota, and the upper Midwest in general.  SJU seemingly is losing ground in the Midwest and focusing on Florida, Texas, and California.

Will this begin to diminish the rivalry?  A recruit from North Hollywood, or Plano, or Mater Dei will never have the understanding of what the rivalry means.  Shame on you Fasching and thank you Coach Saint Glen Caruso!!!!

[57Johnnie]

I was at the U of M a couple weeks ago and the Gopher football team was holding practice.  I could hear PJ Fleck shouting out drills from all over campus - that is some impressive vocal projection.  I imagine the Great Saint Glenn has that same sort of enthusiasm when running practice.  UST and the U of M are fortunate to have landed such quality coaching and coaching staffs.  I imagine SJU has to scrap up what ever is available in Stearns County to fill out their coaching staff?

That's interesting. I just took a look at SJU's roster. Out of ten coaches, nine either went to SJU or were drawn from the local area.

All mentored by the MAN from Trinidad

[Mr.MIAC]

I was at the U of M a couple weeks ago and the Gopher football team was holding practice.  I could hear PJ Fleck shouting out drills from all over campus - that is some impressive vocal projection.  I imagine the Great Saint Glenn has that same sort of enthusiasm when running practice.  UST and the U of M are fortunate to have landed such quality coaching and coaching staffs.  I imagine SJU has to scrap up what ever is available in Stearns County to fill out their coaching staff?

That's interesting. I just took a look at SJU's roster. Out of ten coaches, nine either went to SJU or were drawn from the local area.

All mentored by the MAN from Trinidad

I just took a look at the UST roster. Out of 12 coaches, only one went to UST. On the other hand, 50% were drawn from an out-of-state coaching position. A whopping 83% have substantial DI/DII coaching or playing experience. So here's the question: Does all this out-of-state, DI/DII experience affect UST's coaching/recruiting style?   

[jamtod]

I was at the U of M a couple weeks ago and the Gopher football team was holding practice.  I could hear PJ Fleck shouting out drills from all over campus - that is some impressive vocal projection.  I imagine the Great Saint Glenn has that same sort of enthusiasm when running practice.  UST and the U of M are fortunate to have landed such quality coaching and coaching staffs.  I imagine SJU has to scrap up what ever is available in Stearns County to fill out their coaching staff?

That's interesting. I just took a look at SJU's roster. Out of ten coaches, nine either went to SJU or were drawn from the local area.

Looks like UST and SJU are all about FAMILY, just in different ways.

[Mr.MIAC]

I was at the U of M a couple weeks ago and the Gopher football team was holding practice.  I could hear PJ Fleck shouting out drills from all over campus - that is some impressive vocal projection.  I imagine the Great Saint Glenn has that same sort of enthusiasm when running practice.  UST and the U of M are fortunate to have landed such quality coaching and coaching staffs.  I imagine SJU has to scrap up what ever is available in Stearns County to fill out their coaching staff?

That's interesting. I just took a look at SJU's roster. Out of ten coaches, nine either went to SJU or were drawn from the local area.

Looks like UST and SJU are all about FAMILY, just in different ways. For us it's more of an acro

It's Stearns County. Everyone's family...   

[miac952]

Let us not forget that Massey has the SJU strength of schedule at 224 of 256. Hard to read into anything accomplished to date.

For the Tommies, we shall see if Stout was an aberration, kind of like the mess of a game they played against UWEC, in their 2012 Stagg Bowl year, or if it is a sign of chinks in the armor. The UST offense is the obvious concern.

[miac952]

An interesting stat: UST has given up 11 sacks in 3 games. Last year, they had given up 10 sacks going into Game #13 against UWO. UST gave up some sacks early in the season last year, but not at this rate. Some of this is O-line, but as noted I think some of it is the loss of Killian as playcaller. The quick passing game really dialed in the last couple years with him.

Based on this I am guessing SJU brings heat, especially when UST gets behind the chains.

UST's defensive stats are actually better than where they were at this point last year. They have given up 40% less first downs through 3 games than 2016.

[wm4]

An interesting stat: UST has given up 11 sacks in 3 games. Last year, they had given up 10 sacks going into Game #13 against UWO. UST gave up some sacks early in the season last year, but not at this rate. Some of this is O-line, but as noted I think some of it is the loss of Killian as playcaller. The quick passing game really dialed in the last couple years with him.

Based on this I am guessing SJU brings heat, especially when UST gets behind the chains.

UST's defensive stats are actually better than where they were at this point last year. They have given up 40% less first downs through 3 games than 2016.

Yeah, the blueprint to attack UST's offense is pretty simple.  Heck, don't even necessarily have to bring an extra guy to stop the run game.  Bring pressure in passing situations and just don't let anybody get behind you and you'd be in a good spot.  So how does UST counter?  I think more Trettle will help, and for the first time this year they may have a full stable of backs healthy too.  UST WR's need to get open and Perra needs to deliver the ball quickly.  He won't have 4 second back there to survey the field.  The offense MUST get first downs and not go 3 and out.  Gotta have some creative play calling (who ever is doing it for UST) and can't be boxed into obvious running or passing situations. 

On the defensive side of the ball, SJU hasn't faced anybody yet, so the UST speed and pressure will be a first for them this year.  I expect UST to have the upper hand on the line of scrimmage and rushing yards be hard to come by.  Should be some great match ups in the secondary and wonder if Dowdle will draw Clark. 

Big games always come down to special teams and turnovers.  I doubt we'll see any fakes from UST this time around.  I could see a blocked punt in this game being a big scoring chance or momentum swing for either team.

[Mr.MIAC]

Will Josh Parks be playing this Saturday?