FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[DuffMan]

Those are some fair points, BDB, but we need someone competitive.

[Pat Coleman]

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.

There isn't any there here. If you guys (I know, not SJU) kicked them out of the league, why should they stay? The generous timeline is nice but there isn't any incentive to stay if another conference can take them sooner.

what has Mac shown us that would do anything for the conference other than provide another lopsided win for the tier 1 teams?

It's the Tier 2 teams driving things, though, right?

[art76]

Those are some fair points, BDB, but we need someone competitive.

If the MIAC wanted a ninth team after the Tommies leave, just who would be a fit? With the WIAC, ARC, UMAC, CCIW, NACC, and Midwest Conferences in the region, I would guess that there would be plenty of non-conference opponents to fill the 10th game with an 8 team conference.

Perhaps the WIAC and MIAC could join together and be called the St. Croix River Conference. 

[DuffMan]

...I would guess that there would be plenty of non-conference opponents to fill the 10th game with an 8 team conference.

I know that SJU struggles to find non-con games.  I would venture a guess that Bethel does, too.

[DuffMan]

It's the Tier 2 teams driving things, though, right?

Touché

[hazzben]

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.

I think St. Olaf is definitely trending in the right direction. Still probably take some lumps on the back half, but they are night and day better than 2-3 years ago.

[jamtod]

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.

I don't really expect reasonable responses from you anymore on this matter, but this doesn't follow at all.
That we may be an appealing addition and decide to act quickly for some other conference does nothing to negate whether getting kicked out was or wasn't an injustice.

[hazzben]

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.

There isn't any there here. If you guys (I know, not SJU) kicked them out of the league, why should they stay? The generous timeline is nice but there isn't any incentive to stay if another conference can take them sooner.

AHEM, and Bethel. Thank you very much. But agreed, once we kicked them out, it's in their best interest to find the right solution, and then to execute it as quickly as possible. They owe the MIAC no favors in delaying a year so the AD's can get their schedules together.

...I would guess that there would be plenty of non-conference opponents to fill the 10th game with an 8 team conference.

I know that SJU struggles to find non-con games.  I would venture a guess that Bethel does, too.

Had a convo with one of our coaches during fall camp about this very subject. That's absolutely an issue for Bethel as well. As much as it would suck to add Mac back to the schedule, and it would/will suck (trading UST for MAC, what is happening in the world), having to schedule 3 non-cons would be brutal and more expensive.

[hazzben]

Just looked at the Cobbers schedule ... oofta!!

It's not a stretch to think they could be sitting at 2-6 after this brutal stretch run coming up.

[repete]

Not sure if I buy the pearl-clutching at Cretin and Summit. Sure, plenty of work to do and clean up, but despite their woes, the Tommies still put up nearly  500 yards on the road. My feeling is this was Dolan's first test under pressure and the UST staff will find a way to build a gameplan around his -- or possibly Jones' --  strengths/weaknesses. Tough to have an L, but there's still plenty of ball ahead.

And, when the rivalry games arrive, history never seems to matter. Not seeing a sudden drop in the Allianz ticket prices, BTW.

[sjusection105]

Just looked at the Cobbers schedule ... oofta!!

It's not a stretch to think they could be sitting at 2-6 after this brutal stretch run coming up.

Or, the Cobbs could knock off UST on the road & be 3-5.......

[DuffMan]

Or, the Cobbs could knock off UST on the road & be 3-5.......

THIS!

I honestly wasn't expecting much from the Cobs this year, but they have surprised me.

[sjusection105]

Or, the Cobbs could knock off UST on the road & be 3-5.......

THIS!

I honestly wasn't expecting much from the Cobs this year, but they have surprised me.

I haven't seen a down of UST football this year, but MIAC Man has me wondering. Cobbs D is solid, if the O can stop fumbling they could grind out a W in St. Paul. Then they'd be my new second favorite team until someone else beats the Tomcats. 

[wm4]

Not sure if I buy the pearl-clutching at Cretin and Summit. Sure, plenty of work to do and clean up, but despite their woes, the Tommies still put up nearly  500 yards on the road. My feeling is this was Dolan's first test under pressure and the UST staff will find a way to build a gameplan around his -- or possibly Jones' --  strengths/weaknesses. Tough to have an L, but there's still plenty of ball ahead.

And, when the rivalry games arrive, history never seems to matter. Not seeing a sudden drop in the Allianz ticket prices, BTW.

St Thomas' defense will keep them in all remaining games, I'm sure of that.  The offense needs the work.  I do like the thought that this was Dolan's first test under pressure and now the coaching staff will have to adjust and respond.  Nothing is ever as good as it appears or as bad as it seems, somewhere in the middle is reality.  I'm confident they'll get things figured out over these next few games. 

[Pat Coleman]

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.

There isn't any there here. If you guys (I know, not SJU) kicked them out of the league, why should they stay? The generous timeline is nice but there isn't any incentive to stay if another conference can take them sooner.

AHEM, and Bethel. Thank you very much. But agreed, once we kicked them out, it's in their best interest to find the right solution, and then to execute it as quickly as possible. They owe the MIAC no favors in delaying a year so the AD's can get their schedules together.

...I would guess that there would be plenty of non-conference opponents to fill the 10th game with an 8 team conference.

I know that SJU struggles to find non-con games.  I would venture a guess that Bethel does, too.

Had a convo with one of our coaches during fall camp about this very subject. That's absolutely an issue for Bethel as well. As much as it would suck to add Mac back to the schedule, and it would/will suck (trading UST for MAC, what is happening in the world), having to schedule 3 non-cons would be brutal and more expensive.

I understand that the SID said things in the local media, and that is worthy of note in contrast to the silence of others. But that doesn't mean that when push came to shove, that Bethel's president cast/would have cast a vote in keeping with that.