FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[jamtod]

Interesting article on the MIAC: https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2017/11/miac-without-mercy-can-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference-solve-its-footba

I am dumber for having read Mr. Joel Stegner's comment.

Wow. That was a real doozy. I assumed you were referencing Hiram who believes we need to go play in the B1G. I guess we did beat Northwestern last year

[DuffMan]

St. John's is a traditional powerhouse due to a lengendary coach, and only time will tell if that continues.

That lengendary [sic] coach retired in 2012.

If you look at parity - Concordia, St. John's, St thomas and Bethel are most competitive. Augsburg,, Hemline, St. Okaf, Carleton, Gustavus and St. Mary's are mist competitive

When did Hemline and St. Okaf join the MIAC, and when did St. Mary's field a competitive football team?

[jamtod]

St. John's is a traditional powerhouse due to a lengendary coach, and only time will tell if that continues.

That lengendary [sic] coach hasn't been around for 5 years.

If you look at parity - Concordia, St. John's, St thomas and Bethel are most competitive. Augsburg,, Hemline, St. Okaf, Carleton, Gustavus and St. Mary's are mist competitive

When did Hemline and St. Okaf join the MIAC, and when did St. Mary's field a competitive football team?

They are mist. I guess one could say that Carleton's competitiveness is also a bit... Foggy.

[BDB]

"a historically Stout defense for the 9-1 Tommies"

I added the capital S for effect.   

[USTBench]

"a historically Stout defense for the 9-1 Tommies"

I added the capital S for effect.   

You're not allowed to commit aggravated assault on third-down. It was a lesson learned.

[OldAuggie]

How is the team voted on? 
Congrats to all the Auggie players who made the teams.  Thought a guy or two got ripped off but I have no idea if their own coaches have to nominate or how the guys are selected.
If my Auggies could build a little depth they might be okay.  Looks like they had some decent individual talent.
Good luck to St. Thomas this weekend. Represent the conference well.

First let me also say congrats to all of the Auggies that earned MIAC awards this year. Nice job and we are all looking forward to next year!

I have to say that Quinn Frisell absolutely deserved a higher team than Honorable mention. Yes, this makes you wonder who votes for these things and if they are afraid of blow-back from the "Gucci" teams if they vote for anyone outside SJU and UST. Look at the stats, Frisell led the league in yds per game and TD's. His WR Heenie who deserves his award, get's 1st team but his QB gets HM? Well the good news: I expect Frisell to come out firing next year with something to prove. I am sure St. Goof Ball bullies the voters same as he bullies the referees. #joke

Come back down to earth. A number of metrics beyond total yards matter for QB's. And he trails the 3 QB's in front of him in literally every other metric when looking at conference stats. The efficiency numbers really aren't even close. He threw 8 picks in conference games. If it was only total yards the Auggie qb would be All conference every year.

I'm pretty sure coaches aren't thinking of what Glenn will say abou their vote. They get input from their coordinators and assistants who watch the film and submit their votes. There isn't some grand conspiracy to put A Hamline QB in front of an auggie QB.In some capacity teams like SJU and UST don't get enough guys on these teams. Weber should have been a first teamer on defense but you can't put every LB on there. Frisell is exactly where he should be. If Auggie wants more kids on all conference they might want to start by beating teams like St Olaf first.

I will put my Pitch Fork back in the shed where it belongs.

[57Johnnie]

Interesting article on the MIAC: https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2017/11/miac-without-mercy-can-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference-solve-its-footba

I am dumber for having read Mr. Joel Stegner's comment.

I'm dumber for letting you sucker me into looking at what you were referring to. 

[bennie]

And thanks for all the great recommendations,  we'll be looking at the list. 

It probably goes without saying but if you hate crowds, avoid the Mall of America this weekend.  I'm a crazy person so I'll probably be there at some point.

Yikes! You are very brave!! I have found that Black Friday at 8AM is the perfect time to go to the DMV! In and out in 15 minutes!

[Texas Ole]

Interesting article on the MIAC: https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2017/11/miac-without-mercy-can-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference-solve-its-footba

I am dumber for having read Mr. Joel Stegner's comment.

I'm dumber for letting you sucker me into looking at what you were referring to. 

That article was just bad on so many levels.  St. Olaf got throttled a few weeks ago.  I was not happy with both St. Olaf and St. Thomas, but I have to remember that St. Olaf used to win by some of those scores years ago.  The biggest issue I had with that game was the final score.  The one that happens on second down with 7 seconds to go.  There is this thing called taking a knee.  It was clear that St. Thomas just wanted to make a statement, and they did.

I would like to address a few issues.  First of all there are options when it comes to blowouts and time.  The length of the quarters can be shortened.  I think Clemson did that a few years ago.  There is also the option to play with a running clock.  That was used this year with KU and TCU.  KU's offensive coordinator had the same position at TCU last year.  There were options.  I do think the road rosters need to expanded.  That has been an issue for years.  I assume part of it is travel and facilities, but other than a few trips I don't think that is a huge issue.

The MIAC has had athletic/academic issues for decades now.  There is a reason why Mac doesn't play football in the MIAC.  Part of it deals with the priorities of each individual school.  We have those that want build their reputation with academics which is great.  There are also those that build their reputation through athletics which is hard to argue especially when they are national television and receive other attention for those accomplishments.  The issue in the MIAC is that this divide is getting bigger, and there are few solutions.  If 3 schools leave the MIAC for football the conference loses its AQ status.  Hockey and other sports would also suffer.  There are schools that would love to join the MIAC, and Mac could return under certain conditions.  St. Olaf and Carleton have been in other Midwest Conference which is an option, but the travel costs and stresses on the students would be tough.  It is also important to note that graduate programs in the MIAC are increasing while the MIAC remains one of the few conferences to not allow for graduate students.

Moving up to a different division presents some challenges.  St. Thomas has the enrollment if you want to use that number.  They have more students than about 15% of the FBS schools.  Their issue might be facilities.  Those would need some serious upgrades especially with a school that is pretty well landlocked when it comes to space.  There are also other costs that would likely come with a move for them that might make it a challenge.  St. John's has an issue when it comes to enrollment.  Even doubling the enrollment or adding the St. Ben's enrollment to get a comparable number it is still relatively small.  I don't they they would have the same issue with the facilities as St. Thomas.  Ideally the two schools would stay in the same conference, but what level.  There are some sports that are not supported at the D2 level so they would likely have to go D1 in those.  That is not a huge issue.  There is also the option of FCS, but I am not sure that is viable in the immediate.  Then we add Title IX issues which would present another set of complex problems.  The final question is whether or not either school has the money and desire to spend it that would be required to make that move. 

[miac952]

I really like Pat Borzi as a writer. He wrote the NY Times piece on Tommie Johnnie in September. But this one missed the mark in many spots.

Particularly here:

"Football is the only sport where a few schools dominate and the rest try to avoid embarrassment. St. Thomas, St. John's and Bethel combined for all but one conference championship since 2000 (Concordia won in 2004). St. Olaf hasn't won an MIAC title since 1979, Gustavus since 1987, Hamline since 1988."

This is true of many MIAC sports. UST had the 2nd best team in tennis last year. And, it was laughable how much better Gustavus was then them. Gustavus hasnt lost a mens title since 1988. Pick a sport in the MIAC and there have been waves of domination, among one or two teams. That includes long conference title streaks as well as blowouts in the field of competition.

[bennie]

Happy Thanksgiving! Safe travels!

[D O.C.]

Speaking of traveling...won't happen this year, but you should enjoy the trip up 99W to McMinnville the next couple years to watch your first game. Pick Homecoming and I will personally escort you about campus and leave you to your own wiles on Streak Street for a couple hours before the game.

[bluenote]

I think Linfield and SJU should schedule a regular season game home and home.... that would be awesome! Just my opinion!   

[Mr.MIAC]

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We usually do a big dinner with friends and family, but this year with the new baby we've decided to keep it pretty low-key. I'm thankful for plenty for things, including those on this board who add a little spice to life. I haven't had the chance to meet many of you in person, but somehow it feels like we are all part of a little community. I wish everyone a happy holiday!

[USTBench]

I think Linfield and SJU should schedule a regular season game home and home.... that would be awesome! Just my opinion!   

You can have a sleepover in the fieldhouse!