FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[faunch]

All MSHSL playoffs games are being live streamed this weekend (starting tonight) on: https://www.prepspotlight.tv/MSHSL/sport/Football

Even the semifinals are being streamed for free. I guess MSHSL got the message that not enough people were purchasing it in past years.

[hazzben]

If UWEC continues it's streak of big wins and knocks over La-Crosse then there is no further argument for UWW on top right?

It seems to me that a Johnnie victory on the weekend makes if very hard not to rank them number 1.  A La-Cross loss surely seals that deal.

Your most straightforward path would be UWP beating UWW, but alas, they've become a dumpster fire the second half of the season.

But yeah, if UWEC wins, UWL is out. UWW loses a RRO and SJU's case gets a lot better. I think they get the 1 in this scenario.

More likely IMO, UWL wins a close one. SJU beats TM and the committee still gives the nod to UWW. 'What happened last year' isn't nearly the argument it would be if SJU had one a game or two. Pat or someone made the comment on a podcast that a Rd 1 exit isn't much different from just missing the field.

Another wrinkle. UWP plays UWW close. SJU lays a monkey stomp on TM. And the committee does their homework and remembers that UWP played both TM and UWW. In this scenario of recency bias, does the committee give some credence to UWP playing close, competitive games with UWW and TM, but TM getting blown out by SJU? Probably not, I don't know how deep they get into these things. And this isn't a clear common opponent type scenario, but who knows.

[SaintsFAN]

More likely IMO, UWL wins a close one. SJU beats TM and the committee still gives the nod to UWW. 'What happened last year' isn't nearly the argument it would be if SJU had one a game or two. Pat or someone made the comment on a podcast that a Rd 1 exit isn't much different from just missing the field.

So maybe SJU should do the Christian thing and just let TMU win.  Since it would grant two religiously affiliated schools a playoff berth instead of just one, its the neighborly thing to do.

[hazzben]

I won't be shocked if TM plays SJU pretty tough on Saturday.
- They've been road warriors, so the long trip to Collegeville should be moot.
- They are 2 losses by a combined 10 points from being unbeaten.
- They are playing for their playoff life and know that a win at least keeps them in the Pool B convo, should a few other things fall their way.
- This is an experienced squad, guys on this roster have playoff experience from 2016 and 2015.

SJU knows what's on the line, so I think they'll show up. But TM won't be a pushover. If SJU should beat them handily, it says more about the strength of this SJU team than about TM, IMO.

If TM wins, it could have a cascading effect on the winner of UST/Bethel. They suddenly become more vulnerable in the Pool C convo.

[MadRedFan]

More likely IMO, UWL wins a close one. SJU beats TM and the committee still gives the nod to UWW. 'What happened last year' isn't nearly the argument it would be if SJU had one a game or two. Pat or someone made the comment on a podcast that a Rd 1 exit isn't much different from just missing the field.

So maybe SJU should do the Christian thing and just let TMU win.  Since it would grant two religiously affiliated schools a playoff berth instead of just one, its the neighborly thing to do.

Minnesota Nice.

[hazzben]

More likely IMO, UWL wins a close one. SJU beats TM and the committee still gives the nod to UWW. 'What happened last year' isn't nearly the argument it would be if SJU had one a game or two. Pat or someone made the comment on a podcast that a Rd 1 exit isn't much different from just missing the field.

So maybe SJU should do the Christian thing and just let TMU win.  Since it would grant two religiously affiliated schools a playoff berth instead of just one, its the neighborly thing to do.

This is the MIAC man, survival means taking a perverse joy out of beating other religious institutions 

[jamtod]

More likely IMO, UWL wins a close one. SJU beats TM and the committee still gives the nod to UWW. 'What happened last year' isn't nearly the argument it would be if SJU had one a game or two. Pat or someone made the comment on a podcast that a Rd 1 exit isn't much different from just missing the field.

So maybe SJU should do the Christian thing and just let TMU win.  Since it would grant two religiously affiliated schools a playoff berth instead of just one, its the neighborly thing to do.

This is the MIAC man, survival means taking a perverse joy out of beating other religious institutions 

Mostly just the Baptists and the Lutherans. I hate the Johnnies because they are terrible people, not because of their religious affiliation.

[hazzben]

More likely IMO, UWL wins a close one. SJU beats TM and the committee still gives the nod to UWW. 'What happened last year' isn't nearly the argument it would be if SJU had one a game or two. Pat or someone made the comment on a podcast that a Rd 1 exit isn't much different from just missing the field.

So maybe SJU should do the Christian thing and just let TMU win.  Since it would grant two religiously affiliated schools a playoff berth instead of just one, its the neighborly thing to do.

This is the MIAC man, survival means taking a perverse joy out of beating other religious institutions 

Mostly just the Baptists and the Lutherans. I hate the Johnnies because they are terrible people, not because of their religious affiliation.

Ha!

One thing we can all agree on, being a secular MIAC school means you'll suck at football 

[MiacMan]

I won't be shocked if TM plays SJU pretty tough on Saturday.
- They've been road warriors, so the long trip to Collegeville should be moot.
- They are 2 losses by a combined 10 points from being unbeaten.
- They are playing for their playoff life and know that a win at least keeps them in the Pool B convo, should a few other things fall their way.
- This is an experienced squad, guys on this roster have playoff experience from 2016 and 2015.

SJU knows what's on the line, so I think they'll show up. But TM won't be a pushover. If SJU should beat them handily, it says more about the strength of this SJU team than about TM, IMO.

If TM wins, it could have a cascading effect on the winner of UST/Bethel. They suddenly become more vulnerable in the Pool C convo.

Both UST and Bethel are and should be SJ2 biggest fans this week!

[SaintsFAN]

I won't be shocked if TM plays SJU pretty tough on Saturday.
- They've been road warriors, so the long trip to Collegeville should be moot.
- They are 2 losses by a combined 10 points from being unbeaten.
- They are playing for their playoff life and know that a win at least keeps them in the Pool B convo, should a few other things fall their way.
- This is an experienced squad, guys on this roster have playoff experience from 2016 and 2015.

SJU knows what's on the line, so I think they'll show up. But TM won't be a pushover. If SJU should beat them handily, it says more about the strength of this SJU team than about TM, IMO.

If TM wins, it could have a cascading effect on the winner of UST/Bethel. They suddenly become more vulnerable in the Pool C convo.

I really like how this TMU squad is playing right now... but SJU is elite. 

As you guys know, to be (or beat) elite, it comes down to line play. 

In order to win, the Saints have to be better than they've been at any point of the season along both lines.  No doubt they make their bread running the football:  They have a good sized OL, but are they agile enough to get the combo blocks required in this game against SJU?  Defensively, its the other side of the same question:  is the DL good enough to win battles up front?  The LBs are athletes but its hard to make plays if you are being blocked.   Having a 350 lb DT helps, against the run.. but can they bother Erdmann?

TMU has the skill position players to compete with elite teams, but in the years past when Thomas More has played against an opponent the caliber of Saint Johns it was a monkey stomp because their line play was not good enough.  This will be an interesting test to see how far they've come in the years since UMHB blitzed them in the 2nd round. 

As far as this year:  You see they start 4 freshman on defense and at least 4 more will play significant minutes for them.  This burned them in week 1 against NC Wesleyan as starting freshman in Game 1 did not produce the expected results in the 1st half of that game.   They played an outstanding game against Platteville's spread offense (I have no idea why they don't run the ball more with their size on the OL), Muhlenberg was a barn-burner in which the Mules made one more play, but this game at Saint Johns is another level. 

I'm glad they scheduled this game - it just too bad this is their last year in D3.

[DuffMan]

From perusing the stats, it looks like the Saints are a bit susceptible through the air, and the Johnnies are definitely strong on that front.  The Saints also appear to have a strong rushing attack, which has given the Johnnies some issues from the likes of Bethel, U$T, and Concordia.  Hopefully, the weather doesn't hamper the Johnnie's air attack.

All in all, I like the Johnnies by 24.

[skunks_sidekick]

I won't be shocked if TM plays SJU pretty tough on Saturday.
- They've been road warriors, so the long trip to Collegeville should be moot.
- They are 2 losses by a combined 10 points from being unbeaten.
- They are playing for their playoff life and know that a win at least keeps them in the Pool B convo, should a few other things fall their way.
- This is an experienced squad, guys on this roster have playoff experience from 2016 and 2015.

SJU knows what's on the line, so I think they'll show up. But TM won't be a pushover. If SJU should beat them handily, it says more about the strength of this SJU team than about TM, IMO.

If TM wins, it could have a cascading effect on the winner of UST/Bethel. They suddenly become more vulnerable in the Pool C convo.

I really like how this TMU squad is playing right now... but SJU is elite. 

As you guys know, to be (or beat) elite, it comes down to line play. 

In order to win, the Saints have to be better than they've been at any point of the season along both lines.  No doubt they make their bread running the football:  They have a good sized OL, but are they agile enough to get the combo blocks required in this game against SJU?  Defensively, its the other side of the same question:  is the DL good enough to win battles up front?  The LBs are athletes but its hard to make plays if you are being blocked.   Having a 350 lb DT helps, against the run.. but can they bother Erdmann?

TMU has the skill position players to compete with elite teams, but in the years past when Thomas More has played against an opponent the caliber of Saint Johns it was a monkey stomp because their line play was not good enough.  This will be an interesting test to see how far they've come in the years since UMHB blitzed them in the 2nd round. 

As far as this year:  You see they start 4 freshman on defense and at least 4 more will play significant minutes for them.  This burned them in week 1 against NC Wesleyan as starting freshman in Game 1 did not produce the expected results in the 1st half of that game.   They played an outstanding game against Platteville's spread offense (I have no idea why they don't run the ball more with their size on the OL), Muhlenberg was a barn-burner in which the Mules made one more play, but this game at Saint Johns is another level. 

I'm glad they scheduled this game - it just too bad this is their last year in D3.

SF - please regale me with your experience at SJU.  It has been on my bucket list for a while, but I haven't been able to make it work to date (interpret that to mean wife shakes finger and head at me anytime I mention it).  Safe travels!

[DuffMan]

SF - please regale me with your experience at SJU.  It has been on my bucket list for a while, but I haven't been able to make it work to date (interpret that to mean wife shakes finger and head at me anytime I mention it).  Safe travels!

If you're gonna make a trek, I'd suggest doing it earlier in the season.  Once the temps drop, attendance drops along with it.  Or, wait till UMU comes to SJU.

[SaintsFAN]

I won't be shocked if TM plays SJU pretty tough on Saturday.
- They've been road warriors, so the long trip to Collegeville should be moot.
- They are 2 losses by a combined 10 points from being unbeaten.
- They are playing for their playoff life and know that a win at least keeps them in the Pool B convo, should a few other things fall their way.
- This is an experienced squad, guys on this roster have playoff experience from 2016 and 2015.

SJU knows what's on the line, so I think they'll show up. But TM won't be a pushover. If SJU should beat them handily, it says more about the strength of this SJU team than about TM, IMO.

If TM wins, it could have a cascading effect on the winner of UST/Bethel. They suddenly become more vulnerable in the Pool C convo.

I really like how this TMU squad is playing right now... but SJU is elite. 

As you guys know, to be (or beat) elite, it comes down to line play. 

In order to win, the Saints have to be better than they've been at any point of the season along both lines.  No doubt they make their bread running the football:  They have a good sized OL, but are they agile enough to get the combo blocks required in this game against SJU?  Defensively, its the other side of the same question:  is the DL good enough to win battles up front?  The LBs are athletes but its hard to make plays if you are being blocked.   Having a 350 lb DT helps, against the run.. but can they bother Erdmann?

TMU has the skill position players to compete with elite teams, but in the years past when Thomas More has played against an opponent the caliber of Saint Johns it was a monkey stomp because their line play was not good enough.  This will be an interesting test to see how far they've come in the years since UMHB blitzed them in the 2nd round. 

As far as this year:  You see they start 4 freshman on defense and at least 4 more will play significant minutes for them.  This burned them in week 1 against NC Wesleyan as starting freshman in Game 1 did not produce the expected results in the 1st half of that game.   They played an outstanding game against Platteville's spread offense (I have no idea why they don't run the ball more with their size on the OL), Muhlenberg was a barn-burner in which the Mules made one more play, but this game at Saint Johns is another level. 

I'm glad they scheduled this game - it just too bad this is their last year in D3.

SF - please regale me with your experience at SJU.  It has been on my bucket list for a while, but I haven't been able to make it work to date (interpret that to mean wife shakes finger and head at me anytime I mention it).  Safe travels!

Will do, buddy.  I can relate my experience in person in Salem <checks schedule> Texas. 

[bennie]

Just saw this and thought you all would enjoy!

It is a music video called "I'm from Minnesota".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H31bBU4EL44