FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

Except against 'aliens', I am NOT a Wheaton (or NCC) fan.  I'm an IWU and CCIW fan.

And, while so far it is less than a 50-50 chance, I'm dreamin' of an all-CCIW Stagg.  It may be unlikely, but it is infinitely more like than a Stagg involving only any other conference!

[USee]

Hansen puts Wheaten at just under 12 point favourites.  33.2 to 21.8.

The weather forecast for Saturday afternoon in Wheaton is 41 degrees, mostly sunny, no chance of rain and light winds.  Perfect conditions for the Johnnie offense to play at their best. The dynamic Johnnie offense didn't show itself until we faced the Tommies last year and it didn't pop up again until we played UMHB and game one pass short of victory.

This year the offense has been pretty impressive but always with the feeling of running in third gear.  I don't think it's been shifted into overdrive yet except for maybe a few drives in the AU game and the third quarter against STO.  I hope this is the game when the dog is let off the chain and we see what can really happen.

I think Erdmann passes for four TD's and Barber rushes in one more.  So can the Johnnie D keep Wheaton under 35?  Methinks the answer is 'Yes!'

Broc Rutter had FIVE TDs against UMU.  Against Wheaton, he had TWO.  You think the Johnnie defense if THAT much better than "The Machine"?

I can see that Wheaton fans are holding out Rutter as the messiah of quarterbacks, the benchmark against which all but Brett Favre must be compared.  They are nervous about Erdmann.  They should be.  They are nervous about the depth and dynamism of the receiving corp.  They should be.

Wheaton are favourites.  Yes.  True.  Revel in the victory before the first snap.

But if you think SJU should be intimidated or that Johnnies supporters should roll over and piss themselves like cowardly dogs because Broc Rutter did this and Broc Rutter did that but Wheaton still won then you're thinking wrong.

Oz, you make some bold predictions. Do you know what happened in biblical times when someone who made bold public predictions was proven wrong? They stoned him to death. 

Good luck on Saturday.

[sfury]

Last year Erdmann threw for 470 yards and 3 TDs against the No. 1 defense in Division III, St. Thomas. He then threw for 418 and 2 TDs vs. the No. 3-ranked D, UMHB. He's better this year. His receivers are outstanding. Barber and Trost in backfield mean you can't focus on just the pass, not to mention Trost coming out of backfield. I have no idea what'll happen Saturday but people shouldn't be surprised if Johnnie fans are pretty high on their QB and think he is as good as anyone.

Also, if history has taught us anything, it's that anyone can be killed. Oh, sorry, that's The Godfather II. If sports history teaches us anything it's that making scoring predictions, while fun, is pointless. From people saying "Oh, you think St. John's is going to hold Mount Union to 20 when they just scored 66 in the semifinals?" in 2003 to St. John's fans mocking the idea of Aurora scoring more than 21 this year, nothing we say here means anything (which is why I always chuckle when fans get mad at other fans for "looking ahead." Uh, we can do that. We're not playing. It's okay. In fact, I'm already figuring out what SJU needs to do in the Stagg to prevail.) and anything can happen. St. John's might score 49. They might score 10. Wheaton might score 52, they might score 6. Who knows! It's just exciting that so many teams still in it have a legit shot at a national title.

[Schipper Strong]

As a Central fan that has seen us play the Johnnies a few times and Wheaton last week, I have to say Wheaton is really impressive. Their speed was unreal. I don't know that this Central team was as good as or better than the teams that played the Johnnies, but Wheaton really did a number on us. 35 first quarter points to be specific. After the first quarter we played them pretty even, though they did sub in the 4th. If the Johnnies don't start fast, they may have a problem on their hands. Every team we played was able to score on our defense this year, but only one other team was able to stop our offense. Their defense seemed to be in our backfield all day Saturday getting sacks and rushing the passer. I have an affinity for the red and white, particularly when playing an orange team that starts with a W. You will have your work cut out for you.

[OzJohnnie]

Oz, you make some bold predictions. Do you know what happened in biblical times when someone who made bold public predictions was proven wrong? They stoned him to death. 

Good luck on Saturday.

I prefer aggressive/aggressive over passive/aggressive in football cheering.  I reckon the Johnnie players deserve more than hedged support that will help me avoid some embarrassment on these boards.  It would be a shame if the Wheaton players hedged their play the same way on Saturday. 

I'm not really sure it's that bold of a prediction to say the Johnnies will win and that their performance will be good.  What do you want me to say?  They will be crippled under the oppressive weight of the Wheaton front four?  Ok.  They will.  It's a hopeless cause, the Johnnies suck and Wheaton's only challenge is Broc Rutter, who they have beaten already so is no challenge at all really.  In fact, why do we even play these games?  Stupid Johnnie supporters and their feeble-minded support for their teams.

Look, I understand.  Wheaton is a new kid on the block and a bit nervous about whether they really belong there.  Their supporters should be a bit nervous about what is to come in these uncharted waters.  But the Johnnie Nation is well used to the highs and a lows of good competition and big expectations.  We ride the bumps with a grin.  We cheer like mad on the victories and applaud the great effort in defeat.  One day Wheaton will learn to do the same.

[SJU13]

Late to discussions here, but happy to see it's getting chippy  .

Erdmann is the only big name transfer mentioned for the Johnnies, but about half our defense came from D1/2 programs (fun fact).

Rutter may have thrown 2 TDs against Wheaton compared to 5 against UMU, but we're talking week 4 to week 12. Do we think there's a chance he and his offense may have improved in that time? Beyond that matchup what adversity has Wheaton faced this season - Central in what appeared to be less than ideal playing conditions?

Since "concern level" was brought up before the Johnnies game against Chapman based on a 2 outliers games, is it concerning for Wheaton that those are the games we are basing how this Saturday will play out?

All I care about are that the Johnnies played their best and no serious injuries occur at the end of the day.

These playoffs have been fun to watch play out. Hard to believe only 1 of the pre/early season perceived semi-finalists is guaranteed to get there now.

[DuffMan]

With such Wheaton bravado, I assumed they had a long string of Staff appearances, but I've been following D3 football since '97, and I don't recall one. 

Wheaton is making its 11th overall appearance in the Division III Playoffs and first since 2016. Wheaton's 11 NCAA Playoff selections is tied for the second-most in CCIW history.

[OzJohnnie]

With such Wheaton bravado, I assumed they had a long string of Staff appearances, but I've been following D3 football since '97, and I don't recall one. 

Wheaton is making its 11th overall appearance in the Division III Playoffs and first since 2016. Wheaton's 11 NCAA Playoff selections is tied for the second-most in CCIW history.

11 POST SEASON APPEARANCES AND THEY WERE HERE JUST THREE SHORT YEARS AGO!?!?!?!  THESE GUYS ARE UNSTOPPABLE!!!



Of course Wheaton may win.  They've beaten a good team into shape.  Doesn't mean anyone needs to grovel.

[tf37]

Hansen puts Wheaten at just under 12 point favourites.  33.2 to 21.8.

The weather forecast for Saturday afternoon in Wheaton is 41 degrees, mostly sunny, no chance of rain and light winds.  Perfect conditions for the Johnnie offense to play at their best. The dynamic Johnnie offense didn't show itself until we faced the Tommies last year and it didn't pop up again until we played UMHB and game one pass short of victory.

This year the offense has been pretty impressive but always with the feeling of running in third gear.  I don't think it's been shifted into overdrive yet except for maybe a few drives in the AU game and the third quarter against STO.  I hope this is the game when the dog is let off the chain and we see what can really happen.

I think Erdmann passes for four TD's and Barber rushes in one more.  So can the Johnnie D keep Wheaton under 35?  Methinks the answer is 'Yes!'

Broc Rutter had FIVE TDs against UMU.  Against Wheaton, he had TWO.  You think the Johnnie defense if THAT much better than "The Machine"?

I can see that Wheaton fans are holding out Rutter as the messiah of quarterbacks, the benchmark against which all but Brett Favre must be compared.  They are nervous about Erdmann.  They should be.  They are nervous about the depth and dynamism of the receiving corp.  They should be.

Wheaton are favourites.  Yes.  True.  Revel in the victory before the first snap.

But if you think SJU should be intimidated or that Johnnies supporters should roll over and piss themselves like cowardly dogs because Broc Rutter did this and Broc Rutter did that but Wheaton still won then you're thinking wrong.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I am sure that Swider will have the team ready to play and they definitely respect Erdmann and the rest of the SJU offense ( and defense for that matter as well).  They expect a war on Saturday and I think we all look forward to it. 

I think you misinterpret the comparison to NCC and Broc Rutter, I view it as a compliment since they have put up some fantastic numbers this year and throughout his career (again so has Erdmann and SJU).  And I do think comparing the Bell game is not completely fair as well because Wheaton always circles that game ( like I would guess SJU does for STU).

Before the brackets came out, SJU was the last team I wanted Wheaton to face before the semifinals  (other than NCC - mainly because rematches are never easy). 

At the end of the day, I pray both team remain healthy throughout and play to the best of their abilities (even though we know they won't because they are both trying to prevent each other from doing that as well).  And hopefully the winner will get to play a couple of games in Texas.

[shepherd]

JOHNNIES FAMOUS TAILGATING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEUfFMYbLWU&feature=youtu.be&t=491

[MUC57]

OzJohnnie

I responded to your MUC57'ed comment on the previous page.
Loved your comment and Go Johnnies! 

Well, you make an impact.  Much like a dinosaur killing asteroid, but an impact all the same.   

Oz

Is that good?   

[retagent]

Wheaton may well be the team that seemingly came from nowhere, much like UWW about 13 years ago. We will see. Frankly, I don't see the Johnnies getting blown out. Am I nervous though? Oh yeah.

[Tesomas]

Yeah that defensive line scares me....not much Erdmann can do if they're living in the offensive backfield all game long, and I don't think our offensive line has it in them to prevent that.  I hope I'm surprised!

That being said.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq4K1N9XttY

[sjusection105]

JOHNNIES FAMOUS TAILGATING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEUfFMYbLWU&feature=youtu.be&t=491

That's pretty accurate.........

[art76]

That being said.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq4K1N9XttY

Nice vid clip - thought Oz had posted this. +K