FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SagatagSam]

I'm still too wounded by the Coe game in 2009 where the Jays laid a giant egg.

Yeah. That wound still feels fresh--even after ten years.

The Johnnies turned the ball over six times that day.  Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Yes, I would say that it feels more like having a generational talent (Erdmann) surrounded by a talented team, which combines to create a contender...not unlike UST and (the Dread Pirate) Roberts.

Both are clearly perennial top 15, maybe even 10 teams, but need something extra to get to the top 4 conversation.

Gotta wait till the post-Erdmann era to make that judgement! 

Certainly.  Hence, "feels".

They certainly may have someone waiting in the wings who can fill his shoes nicely.

[Tesomas]

I'm still too wounded by the Coe game in 2009 where the Jays laid a giant egg.

Yeah. That wound still feels fresh--even after ten years.

The Johnnies turned the ball over six times that day.  Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

I was so sure Boyle was going to pull of the comeback at the end too....him limping back onto the field and leading the team 97 yards down the field was Favre-esque.

[Mr. Ypsi]

A poster on the WIAC board had alluded to being familiar with Aurora so I asked if they could expound. Great insight! Sounds like they have a high-powered offense which will be a test for our secondary. It was also mentioned that their coach, Don Beebe, has already done a great job moving the team in the right direction. I believe they said this is is first season at Aurora. That being said, I would feel much better about our chances to make a deep run if we did win by 6 touchdowns! Should be a great opening round test! Thankful that the committee didn't send Martin Luther back to Collegeville & that there is a path to the semi's for two teams that have not been their in the last number of years. Both UMHB & Mount Union could make it. I ran Versus' Sports Simulator against each matchup all the way through the Stagg Bowl & based on the predictions, it liked Wheaton edging North Central for the title 35-33. It predicted that St John's would fall to Wheaton in the Quarterfinals 36-13. I hope it's wrong obviously!

I love it - an all-CCIW Stagg Bowl!

[TheChucker]

The Versus Sports Simulator that I used to run matchups to see how it felt the bracket would play out had Mount Union falling to North Central 39-35 in the second round & Whitewater falling to Mary Hardin-Baylor 29-18 in the quarterfinals. I don't doubt that UMHB will get past Whitewater, but have a hard time believing Mount will bow out in the second round. Anyone have any idea the last time that Mount Union didn't advance past the second round?

Another topic of discussion, do you think with the phenomenal job that Gary & the rest of the coaching staff have done that St John's will become a perennial contender like UMHB, Mount, & Whitewater have been?

I think it boils down to financial aid. All four schools mentioned have excellent institutional support in facilities and staff, and have great fan support and tradition. UWW has a built in advantage with tuition costs for in-state and reciprocity students - and no competing D2 schools. UMHB has a wide variety of aid/scholarships available to all students that can be very helpful in targeting athletes (St. Thomas has a similar set up I believe). Not sure where St. Johns and Mount Union sit on that scale.

[Boys of Fall]

The Johnnies on this board are being modest (steeped in the Gagliardi tradition). I'm not a Johnnie, so I can afford to say that I think it will be a blow out.

For what it's worth, the Massey Ratings Match Up Tool has St. John's winning 45-19 as the most likely score.

I think the Johnies can put up 31 to 42 points (yes, I'm leaving open the possibility of a FG!) and I think Aurora can probably score three TDs.  So I'm favouring the Johnnies but I'm not thinking monkeystomp and certainly not a double.

I'm still too wounded by the Coe game in 2009 where the Jays laid a giant egg.

With the 45 points for the Jays Oz I was sure if you had them kicking a field goal or missing four extra points.

[BudSJU84]

If the Johnnies win Saturday, will they be home for round 2?

[DuffMan]

If the Johnnies win Saturday, will they be home for round 2?

They don't officially announce it till after Saturday's game.  I suspect SJU would be at Chapman, but Linfield would be at SJU.

[desertcat1]

If the Johnnies win Saturday, will they be home for round 2?

They don't officially announce it till after Saturday's game.  I suspect SJU would be at Chapman, but Linfield would be at SJU.

You never know , it could be more cost$$$ effective to fly from the twin cities ? 

[sju56321]

I would be very surprised if sju doesn't put up 50 in the game-but erdmann could have a CC like game. I don't think Aurora scores more than 17. I could see 27-14 at half and 51-17 final. So I would take the points as well.

[USee]

I would be shocked if STJ doesn't win very comfortably Saturday.

[faunch]

Frank resigned
https://twitter.com/patrick_reusse/status/1196571468668252163?s=12

[OzJohnnie]

Frank resigned
https://twitter.com/patrick_reusse/status/1196571468668252163?s=12

That's a shame, but a chance to change and rise.  I say get some of the wrestlers involved.  They are all over the national championship capability.

[bennie]

Don't forget that playoff games start an hour earlier! Oz, I will let you calculate what that will mean for you. For me it is a 10am start instead of 11am.

[OzJohnnie]

Don't forget that playoff games start an hour earlier! Oz, I will let you calculate what that will mean for you. For me it is a 10am start instead of 11am.

Whoa, that was a good tip.  5am for me then.  I would have been bummed if I had woken up and started watching an hour after the game was underway.