FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Texas Ole]

Olympic sports may also be on the chopping block especially ones with heavy travel.  Baseball and softball may be likelier candidates to drop than most people want to admit.  They are not cheap sports at the D1 level  It is traveling large numbers over a full weekend with hotel stays.  There are several large universities especially in the Midwest that don't have baseball teams.  The good news for baseball is that smaller private schools can compete in that sport. 

The biggest problem is the arms race in athletics.  Some of it is facilities, but there are plenty of other areas where the costs get out of control especially with support staffs for certain teams. 

[MadRedFan]

I'm still not sure why so many people think the MVFC, at 11 members (all public universities) once North Dakota joins next year, is so interested in adding a DIII school.

[OzJohnnie]

St. Olaf has the bye week this week.

With all this talk about St. Thomas, it's kind of ironic that they get the push-over game this week when they travel to Augsburg to take on the Auggies.

Carleton travels to Hamline, where they should be able to post another W.

The third game on this week's schedule is Gustavus traveling up to Concordia for the Cobber's Homecoming Weekend. This game has almost as much intrigue about it as the game of the week. Could be up to 9 inches of snow on the ground for this game.

And the final game in MIAC play this week has #4 St. John's hosting #6 Bethel. The weather looks to be rather miserable, which makes Bethel's "heavy package" look better on paper than the aerial attack of Erdmann and company. Currently they are predicting close to 4 inches of snow on the ground by the end of the game. I expect this to be a close fought game, with the team with the ball last at the end of the game to be in control of their own fates.

If it snows I say CON win and their option offence lives another year.

Snow is Collegeville?  Normally I would say that gives BU a big advantage but then I remember the Thomas more game from last year.  Regardless, it will be a nail biter.

[faunch]

St. Olaf has the bye week this week.

With all this talk about St. Thomas, it's kind of ironic that they get the push-over game this week when they travel to Augsburg to take on the Auggies.

Carleton travels to Hamline, where they should be able to post another W.

The third game on this week's schedule is Gustavus traveling up to Concordia for the Cobber's Homecoming Weekend. This game has almost as much intrigue about it as the game of the week. Could be up to 9 inches of snow on the ground for this game.

And the final game in MIAC play this week has #4 St. John's hosting #6 Bethel. The weather looks to be rather miserable, which makes Bethel's "heavy package" look better on paper than the aerial attack of Erdmann and company. Currently they are predicting close to 4 inches of snow on the ground by the end of the game. I expect this to be a close fought game, with the team with the ball last at the end of the game to be in control of their own fates.

If it snows I say CON win and their option offence lives another year.

Snow is Collegeville?  Normally I would say that gives BU a big advantage but then I remember the Thomas more game from last year.  Regardless, it will be a nail biter.

This morning the forecast for Saturday is winds of 25 mph, gusts of 40. 

[DuffMan]

This morning the forecast for Saturday is winds of 25 mph, gusts of 40. 

Brutal pheasant opener, and brutal game conditions.  I felt bad bringing my kids to the game last weekend, and this one sounds worse.

[DuffMan]

Hey Pat, how about a separate board for Tommie transition?  No offense to those interested parties--I understand that it's a hot topic with lots of speculation, but...

[DuffMan]

Can anyone provide insight on what happened with the Cobbers and the Toms?  I was not expecting a blowout.

[Mr.MIAC]

On building the UST fan base, do we think there will be a push to attract large numbers of fans heretofore unaffiliated with UST? The Gophers garner interest among non-alums. I'm thinking UST will have to do lots of outreach to get butts in seats, plus there will need to be opportunities for corporate sponsorship. Leveraging the alumni network will help, especially on the corporate side, but how is UST going to get other folks invested in its teams?

[MiacMan]

Hey Pat, how about a separate board for Tommie transition?  No offense to those interested parties--I understand that it's a hot topic with lots of speculation, but...

Oh Duff, Paaleeze?

[miac952]

Hey Pat, how about a separate board for Tommie transition?  No offense to those interested parties--I understand that it's a hot topic with lots of speculation, but...

At least this week more football talk should commence. There isn't much to talk about when the Augsburg and Hamline of the world are on the schedule. The monkey-stomps are inevitable when teams like Concordia WI and Buena Vista start the season with monkey-stomps against these teams. Conference viability is largely dependent on Gustavus and Concordia making big leaps.

[DuffMan]

Hey Pat, how about a separate board for Tommie transition?  No offense to those interested parties--I understand that it's a hot topic with lots of speculation, but...

Oh Duff, Paaleeze?

I was being 100% serious.  U$T hockey interests me about as much as a swift kick to the groin.

[DuffMan]

And the final game in MIAC play this week has #4 St. John's hosting #6 Bethel. The weather looks to be rather miserable, which makes Bethel's "heavy package" look better on paper than the aerial attack of Erdmann and company.

Valid point, but at least the game is on turf, and I would rather have Jackson throwing the ball in miserable conditions that anyone else.

[MiacMan]

Can anyone provide insight on what happened with the Cobbers and the Toms?  I was not expecting a blowout.

Well, the Toms played pretty well. I have to give them that. Night and day from the week before. They seem to play with some urgency and purpose (rightfully so). However, for some reason the Cobs never play very well against UST. I can't remember when the last time they beat UST (Caruso's 1st or 2nd year?). Cobs gave up some big scoring plays early in the 2nd qtr and we all know what happens from there with their style of offense. Cobs also had poor field position the entire game. The cupboard is not bare at UST. Their D was solid because the Cobs are not designed for quick strikes/big plays. I will still maintain they do not have the horses they have had in the past. Pretty much a carbon copy of last years team. My guess (now) is that they will win the games they should and 6-4 is the worst they'll do. I will also predict they will beat one of SJ2, Bethel or GAC and general wisdom would say that it will be GAC but I'm not so sure.... 

Griff and I are going to Montevideo for the pheasant opener, hoping the weather reports are totally off!

[faunch]

Hey Pat, how about a separate board for Tommie transition?  No offense to those interested parties--I understand that it's a hot topic with lots of speculation, but...

#Agree

[faunch]

Can anyone provide insight on what happened with the Cobbers and the Toms?  I was not expecting a blowout.

Well, the Toms played pretty well. I have to give them that. Night and day from the week before. They seem to play with some urgency and purpose (rightfully so). However, for some reason the Cobs never play very well against UST. I can't remember when the last time they beat UST (Caruso's 1st or 2nd year?). Cobs gave up some big scoring plays early in the 2nd qtr and we all know what happens from there with their style of offense. Cobs also had poor field position the entire game. The cupboard is not bare at UST. Their D was solid because the Cobs are not designed for quick strikes/big plays. I will still maintain they do not have the horses they have had in the past. Pretty much a carbon copy of last years team. My guess (now) is that they will win the games they should and 6-4 is the worst they'll do. I will also predict they will beat one of SJ2, Bethel or GAC and general wisdom would say that it will be GAC but I'm not so sure.... 

Griff and I are going to Montevideo for the pheasant opener, hoping the weather reports are totally off!

You cannot best U$T running the ball.