FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[art76]

And that will leave the remaining MIAC teams scrambling to fill an additional non-conference game...unless MAC comes back. What a well thought out plan by the MIAC presidents!

Naw, we'd go all Northwest Conferency and only play 9 games a season!

[faunch]

@MiacMan

Step away from the ledge. Put down the gun.

Seriously. There is just about no way UST goes 4-6. They lost to UWEC not because they got dominated but because they couldn't get out of their own way. One glance at the box score says this was a weird loss. They didn't get beat up or dominated. They may not have a great qb (time will tell how good he is), but they didn't just lose all their talent. And now their backs are against the wall. There's is a LOT of season left.

Actually I think I saw him on the Ford Bridge looking down at the damn. Haven't heard any sirens or read any reports on the neighborhood facebook page.

[sjusection105]

Well, unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed last night in Eau Claire. I  eluded to this in a couple of earlier posts but was hoping for some major steps forward. Bottom line Tommies aren't very good. This will be  a big week for them and I am not very confident but if they beat the Cobs they can probably go 6-4. If they lose to the Cobs I bet they drop to the  Oles as well and go 4-6. They just don't have the horses they have had in the recent past. As near as I can tell,  they have two great RBs and a couple of good TEs, that's it. QB position is a big problem as teams take away the running game. O-line not very good either. Defensively, they are good  3 out of 4 plays  and then give up  a big play. Against the teams they've been playing it's been big gainers but against the Johnnies,  Royals and Gusties, these plays will be  touchdowns. It would be too bad if this ends up being their last year in the conference,  leaving with their proverbial  tail between their legs. Unfortunately, just calling it like I see it.

You may have just been uninvited to Thanksgiving dinner 

[MiacMan]

Thanks guys! But I am altogether. I do appreciate your condolences, however, I actually did think this way after the first two  scrimmages I saw. I have seen all of the Tommie games and scrimmages and trust me  when I tell you this isn't a typical Caruso team. They are not loaded with Anthony King-Foremans, Jesse Addos, Michael Awados, Dowdles,  etc. Honestly, I don't see anyone of that caliber on this team. I actually do pride myself on being somewhat objective given my background and history in the conference. Besides, Faunchy has me covered. He won't let me jump. Oh and Duffman as well!

[D O.C.]

Naw, we'd go all Northwest Conferency and only play 9 games a season!

I'm going to my safe space after that!

[faunch]

Thanks guys! But I am altogether. I do appreciate your condolences, however, I actually did think this way after the first two  scrimmages I saw. I have seen all of the Tommie games and scrimmages and trust me  when I tell you this isn't a typical Caruso team. They are not loaded with Anthony King-Foremans, Jesse Addos, Michael Awados, Dowdles,  etc. Honestly, I don't see anyone of that caliber on this team. I actually do pride myself on being somewhat objective given my background and history in the conference. Besides, Faunchy has me covered. He won't let me jump.

I might just push you over the rail! 
BTW...this doesn't sound too good!
https://twitter.com/jmarthaler/status/1178481887305764864?s=21

[jamtod]

Well, unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed last night in Eau Claire. I  eluded to this in a couple of earlier posts but was hoping for some major steps forward. Bottom line Tommies aren't very good. This will be  a big week for them and I am not very confident but if they beat the Cobs they can probably go 6-4. If they lose to the Cobs I bet they drop to the  Oles as well and go 4-6. They just don't have the horses they have had in the recent past. As near as I can tell,  they have two great RBs and a couple of good TEs, that's it. QB position is a big problem as teams take away the running game. O-line not very good either. Defensively, they are good  3 out of 4 plays  and then give up  a big play. Against the teams they've been playing it's been big gainers but against the Johnnies,  Royals and Gusties, these plays will be  touchdowns. It would be too bad if this ends up being their last year in the conference,  leaving with their proverbial  tail between their legs. Unfortunately, just calling it like I see it.

A point of clarification: is it this year or next which is the Tommie's last?  They are in the MIAC through spring 2021 according to the articles I've seen which means we have one last go around at Clemens next season.  But perhaps I'm mistaken.

Can be
Remains to be seen whether they will use the second year. If a new home is established, the transition may begin sooner.

And that will leave the remaining MIAC teams scrambling to fill an additional non-conference game...unless MAC comes back. What a well thought out plan by the MIAC presidents!

Shucks.
I almost feel bad for y'all if we jump after a year.

Nah

[Texas Ole]

I expect the St. Olaf to start 5-0, and then we will see what happens.  I am not convinced they are ready to give one of the top teams a game.  I watched the second half of the game this week, and they just looked sloppy.  There is a lot of improvement that is needed.  I believe the team is headed in a good direction.  It was clear a change was needed years ago.  I am not willing to say St. Olaf is a middle of the pack or better than the other bottom feeders until they show me they can compete with them.

I will say I won't be upset with .500 football team.  They have won the important games this season.  I am seeing improvement.  There were years where St. Olaf couldn't compete, and this team looks like it is trying to move in a good direction.  It just needs time.

[jim comet]

I thought Caruso should have put in Jones to start the 4th. Dolan was just really struggling and Jones took a lot of quality snaps last year including a save. I am not convinced Jones is a great quarterback or the answer but I like the way he carries himself. Dolan was having a bad day and it would have been worth a try!

[OzJohnnie]

Shucks.
I almost feel bad for y'all if we jump after a year.

Nah

Well, if UST leave early then it makes me think two things:

a) So much for the "kicked out against their will and just because of petty jealousy" story line.

b) It's about time that MAC return to the MIAC for football and stop playing that silly MWC thing they have going on.

[DuffMan]

b) It's about time that MAC return to the MIAC for football and stop playing that silly MWC thing they have going on.

I think I'd rather have St. Scholastica thrown into the mix.  Though SJU has throttled CSS a few times, what has Mac shown us that would do anything for the conference other than provide another lopsided win for the tier 1 teams?  Getting another quality team would be of benefit to the conference (not sure that CSS is that quality team, but...).  A guaranteed win does nothing but give the backups some game time.

[miac952]

If anyone has 7 minutes to spare today, I would encourage you to watch this profile on Casey O'Brien aired during Gameday Saturday. Casey's dad, Dan, is a former Tommie football player, former Hamline AD, and is now the Coach at St Thomas Academy, after a long stint in the AD and Football offices for the Gophers.

Casey is a remarkable young man!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nLkWDs_g_l0

[Pat Coleman]

I thought Caruso should have put in Jones to start the 4th.

In the first three quarters, Dolan was 15-for-36 for 183 yards and two interceptions.
In the fourth quarter, Dolan was 11-for-24 for 130 yards and one TD (plus one on the ground).

Dolan's best quarter was the fourth, I'm pretty sure.

[SagatagSam]

If anyone has 7 minutes to spare today, I would encourage you to watch this profile on Casey O'Brien aired during Gameday Saturday. Casey's dad, Dan, is a former Tommie football player, former Hamline AD, and is now the Coach at St Thomas Academy, after a long stint in the AD and Football offices for the Gophers.

Casey is a remarkable young man!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nLkWDs_g_l0

I saw that on Saturday morning, and I agree that it was a very good piece.

[BDB]

I think I'd rather have St. Scholastica thrown into the mix. 

I've been around and following CSS quite a bit the past couple years. I think their culture works best in in the UMAC for all the sports. No inside info, just my perception.

And, there's no way the Sisters would allow the current practice field to get upgraded to a game day facility. No good access, no parking, and it would disturb the natural area, in their minds, behind the school. Plus, they have a lot of other infrastructure needs to be addressed.

For the 4-5-6 home games a year, the Duluth Public School Stadium is available and works just fine, they would argue. Not that an on campus stadium would be a requirement of joining the MIAC, but the priorities of athletics there I feel are more inclined towards staying right where they are at, which is a good place as well.