FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[wm4]

I'm openly approaching this topic from a point of ignorance - looking for honest opinions.

With UST not having athletic scholarships, how much better will their players be than high caliber D3 players?  I would think that with the exception of recruits that come from a family where $$ isn't a major issue, any D1 caliber player who has scholarship potential is going to be very heavily influenced by scholarship $'s, and UST might not be much of an option, even if they wanted to.

I might be just not understanding how much having that "I'm going D1" label matters to players, and having the opportunity to test themselves against some scholarship D1 players is important? 

Is UST hoping to be scholarship D1 eventually, and that is part of the sell?

That's a big thing, it matters to kids. 

I've heard it's actually a bit easier to recruit now, because they are now D1.  When you're targeting kids who are super high D3, or lower D1, and you carry the D3 label, it's tough to close on the kids you want.  With that label removed, you connect more with what the kids really want. 

And yes, the long game here is D1 scholarship level for UST.  How long, not sure.

[SJU13]

I'm openly approaching this topic from a point of ignorance - looking for honest opinions.

With UST not having athletic scholarships, how much better will their players be than high caliber D3 players?  I would think that with the exception of recruits that come from a family where $$ isn't a major issue, any D1 caliber player who has scholarship potential is going to be very heavily influenced by scholarship $'s, and UST might not be much of an option, even if they wanted to.

I might be just not understanding how much having that "I'm going D1" label matters to players, and having the opportunity to test themselves against some scholarship D1 players is important? 

Is UST hoping to be scholarship D1 eventually, and that is part of the sell?

That's a big thing, it matters to kids. 

I've heard it's actually a bit easier to recruit now, because they are now D1.  When you're targeting kids who are super high D3, or lower D1, and you carry the D3 label, it's tough to close on the kids you want.  With that label removed, you connect more with what the kids really want. 

And yes, the long game here is D1 scholarship level for UST.  How long, not sure.

With the division hurdle out of the way I imagine playing time is part of the pitch. Beyond scholarship athletes you have a host of walk-ons, preferred walk-ons, gray and shirt guys who'd be more inclined to potentially play and start early rather than wait their turn.

[OzJohnnie]

CON LB Noah Jenson made the d3football.com team of the week.  As did AUG CB Marcus Kimbrough.  The MIAC seems to be having a lot of defensive recognition this year.  That bodes well for the Johnnie offense as they work through the conference schedule.

[Wdavis5]

I'm openly approaching this topic from a point of ignorance - looking for honest opinions.

With UST not having athletic scholarships, how much better will their players be than high caliber D3 players?  I would think that with the exception of recruits that come from a family where $$ isn't a major issue, any D1 caliber player who has scholarship potential is going to be very heavily influenced by scholarship $'s, and UST might not be much of an option, even if they wanted to.

I might be just not understanding how much having that "I'm going D1" label matters to players, and having the opportunity to test themselves against some scholarship D1 players is important? 

Is UST hoping to be scholarship D1 eventually, and that is part of the sell?

OH the D1 label matters to kids. Probably more then it should. And you would be surprised how some parents take it as well. I would think getting the D1 kids with Scholly money on the table would be a bit tougher as usual but keying on the ones with Preferred walk-on offers could help a bit.

[hazzben]

I'm openly approaching this topic from a point of ignorance - looking for honest opinions.

With UST not having athletic scholarships, how much better will their players be than high caliber D3 players?  I would think that with the exception of recruits that come from a family where $$ isn't a major issue, any D1 caliber player who has scholarship potential is going to be very heavily influenced by scholarship $'s, and UST might not be much of an option, even if they wanted to.

I might be just not understanding how much having that "I'm going D1" label matters to players, and having the opportunity to test themselves against some scholarship D1 players is important? 

Is UST hoping to be scholarship D1 eventually, and that is part of the sell?

- Kids care about the D1 label. A lot.
- FBS transfers especially probably really care about still being able to say they are D1 players.
- Walk-on caliber FBS kids don't always have an FCS offer either. Here you can sell playing time.
- UST recruits are getting aid packages that are at least equal to the packages they got during the MIAC days. They were generous, creative packages then. I'm sure that's still the case now.
- Location, location, location. Every Minnesota kid that doesn't want to leave the state, and doesn't have a Gophers scholarship offer, now has a D1 option in the Twin Cities. True to a lesser extent for Wisconsin kids not carrying Badger offers.
- Longterm, I don't think there's any questions UST's goal is to get to the scholarship level. The PFL was just the initial landing spot for FB.

[OzJohnnie]

- Longterm, I don't think there's any questions UST's goal is to get to the scholarship level. The PFL was just the only initial landing spot for FB.

How long do you think they will stay in the PFL?  I was thinking three originally to time with their first recruiting class reaching senior year but it's a huge step up to any other league in this part of the country.

[jamtod]

I'm openly approaching this topic from a point of ignorance - looking for honest opinions.

With UST not having athletic scholarships, how much better will their players be than high caliber D3 players?  I would think that with the exception of recruits that come from a family where $$ isn't a major issue, any D1 caliber player who has scholarship potential is going to be very heavily influenced by scholarship $'s, and UST might not be much of an option, even if they wanted to.

I might be just not understanding how much having that "I'm going D1" label matters to players, and having the opportunity to test themselves against some scholarship D1 players is important? 

Is UST hoping to be scholarship D1 eventually, and that is part of the sell?

- Kids care about the D1 label. A lot.
- FBS transfers especially probably really care about still being able to say they are D1 players.
- Walk-on caliber FBS kids don't always have an FCS offer either. Here you can sell playing time.
- UST recruits are getting aid packages that are at least equal to the packages they got during the MIAC days. They were generous, creative packages then. I'm sure that's still the case now.
- Location, location, location. Every Minnesota kid that doesn't want to leave the state, and doesn't have a Gophers scholarship offer, now has a D1 option in the Twin Cities. True to a lesser extent for Wisconsin kids not carrying Badger offers.
- Longterm, I don't think there's any questions UST's goal is to get to the scholarship level. The PFL was just the only initial landing spot for FB.

And for those Minnesota kids who aren't cut out for the Gophs, the opportunity to stay somewhat close to him but get to travel to Orlando, San Diego, North Carolina, and even flippin' Poughkeepsie vs Moorhead, Arden Hills, Collegeville, and Northfield (Duluth is cool though, go Schollies!)

[jamtod]

- Longterm, I don't think there's any questions UST's goal is to get to the scholarship level. The PFL was just the only initial landing spot for FB.

How long do you think they will stay in the PFL?  I was thinking three originally to time with their first recruiting class reaching senior year but it's a huge step up to any other league in this part of the country.

We aren't even out of the probationary/transitional period allowing for post-season qualification for 5 years, so I wouldn't expect anything until then.
Based on absolutely nothing, I would anticipate a conference move between 5 and 10 years and within 3 years some sort of football facilities upgrade (other sports will be prioritized first, I think) which could telegraph the direction we are heading.

[wm4]

- Longterm, I don't think there's any questions UST's goal is to get to the scholarship level. The PFL was just the only initial landing spot for FB.

How long do you think they will stay in the PFL?  I was thinking three originally to time with their first recruiting class reaching senior year but it's a huge step up to any other league in this part of the country.

A big step up for sure, but achievable.  I think it's more a 5 year horizon, at a minimum, building up depth and experience on the roster (and...raising money).

On balance, the bottom of FCS is certainly better than the top of the PLF, but there are game results where you can see the bridge is not far.  This year, PLF Dayton beat scholly FCS Eastern Illinois, 17-10.

UST has it's sights on the Missouri Valley.  They will take some big lumps from the big boys for a while. 

[hazzben]

The biggest hurdle to playing scholarship FCS football will be actually landing an invite from the MVFC. It's a bit of a catch 22 IMO. Lets say UST becomes the top dog in the PFL and is closing the gap with scholarship FCS programs. That looks like a program that could compete in the Valley ... and that's exactly why the teams that make up the Valley (and recruit MN) wouldn't want to see an ascendant UST in the conference.

[art76]

So, what do I know? I quipped last week that of the three "trap games" the Concordia-Bethel game would be the least likely to be one – extra egg on my face this week as the Cobbers found a way to stay in the game.

This week, the cross divisional game has those same Cobbers visiting Northfield and the Carleton Knights. And this week, they'll be victorious over the team with one loss. The Knights are facing an uphill climb as they have Concordia, Gustavus, and St. John's, in that order at the end of their season. Depending on who they face on the final MIAC playoff week, they may struggle to keep a .500 season.

The most lopsided game has to be Macalester visiting Bethel this coming Saturday. The Scots have one or two competitive games left in their season, when they take on the "Schollies" of Duluth. (Thanx jamtod, for the MIAC-ing nickname!) The Royals coast, and many players will get some playing time in front of their home town crowd.

The third game has St. Scholastica traveling to Northfield as well to take on St. Olaf. This is a do or be last in the Northwoods Division for both teams. I suspect the Oles welcome the Saints to the MIAC, with another loss in this, their inaugural season.

Can the Johnnies pitch another shut-out down at Gustavus to make it four in a row? We shall see. Can the Gusties keep St. John's under 45-ish points? Again, we shall see. Most likely, at least a Monkey Stomp.

The game of the week in the MIAC this week will be for the Hammer when Hamline visits Augsburg. Both teams sport 3 and 3 records. This game also starts sorting out the middle of the Skyline Division and the MIAC Conference as a whole. I could see this game going down to the team that has last possession, or even becoming an OT game.

[DuffMan]

Is Schollies pronounced with a short O as in scholarship or a long O as in scoliosis?

#pronounciation101

[OzJohnnie]

Is Schollies pronounced with a short O as in scholarship or a long O as in scoliosis?

#pronounciation101

I thought it was with an ow sound like in scowl.

[DuffMan]

Hmmm.  Wdavis5, care to weigh in?

[OldAuggie]

If Keith Jackson were alive he would call this as CSS ran onto the field: "The St Scholastica 'Schewlies' from Duluth Minnesota"