FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

My new gameday gear finally arrived.  Too soft, Oz? 

Nah, it's hard as nails.

[DuffMan]

Nah, it's hard as nails.

[MadRedFan]

Perhaps someone in Wisconsin knows more about the back story in this news story: https://www.weau.com/2021/11/02/undefeated-edgewood-high-football-forfeit-all-games-out-playoffs/?fbclid=IwAR2lF4DtyOB018D1_1xq9hHDIGo8mtp0RO9T8dkHohwETYZaRBqg80C5G2E

Hope you and others can access this article from the Madison paper.  it's the best I can do for now - my "go-to local sports insider" guy is out of the country unfortunately (well, not for him). The gist of it seems to be the kid in question needed two waivers - one so he didn't have to sit out a year after transferring, and another to be allowed to have a fifth year of eligibility. The WIAA seems to be accusing the school of purposely avoiding requesting the fifth year waiver and planning to use the "sit out" waiver, which was granted, as the basis for the kid's eligibility. Still a little muddy for me! At first glance seems like a bureaucratic blunder, yet the WIAA seems to be saying the "oversight" was in fact intentional, hence the serious punishment.

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/high-school/football/why-madison-edgewood-football-was-forced-to-forfeit-season-and-why-it-is-suing-to/article_a6f56467-53aa-5146-834c-138f89228c5d.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

[OzJohnnie]

Perhaps someone in Wisconsin knows more about the back story in this news story: https://www.weau.com/2021/11/02/undefeated-edgewood-high-football-forfeit-all-games-out-playoffs/?fbclid=IwAR2lF4DtyOB018D1_1xq9hHDIGo8mtp0RO9T8dkHohwETYZaRBqg80C5G2E

Hope you and others can access this article from the Madison paper.  it's the best I can do for now - my "go-to local sports insider" guy is out of the country unfortunately (well, not for him). The gist of it seems to be the kid in question needed two waivers - one so he didn't have to sit out a year after transferring, and another to be allowed to have a fifth year of eligibility. The WIAA seems to be accusing the school of purposely avoiding requesting the fifth year waiver and planning to use the "sit out" waiver, which was granted, as the basis for the kid's eligibility. Still a little muddy for me! At first glance seems like a bureaucratic blunder, yet the WIAA seems to be saying the "oversight" was in fact intentional, hence the serious punishment.

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/high-school/football/why-madison-edgewood-football-was-forced-to-forfeit-season-and-why-it-is-suing-to/article_a6f56467-53aa-5146-834c-138f89228c5d.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Ah, so it sounds like they transferred in a player who was over the age limit.  Did they hide the age or at least stay quiet so it would slip through the cracks?  It looks like that's what the league has concluded.  The appeal result will be interesting.

EDIT: Could open incognito.  The appeal was denied so the school has gone to court.  The school is asking that the team can continue even without the ineligible player.

[Texas Ole]

Sounds like what we saw a few years ago with Dallas Carter.  I remember when HS football consumed me.  I love seeing my teams do well, but the losses and shortcomings don't have an impact on me much now.  Today I miss the days of just going to the field and playing a pick up game whether we had 7 on 7 or whatever. 

Can you imagine being told to get ready to practice and prepare for a game in 2 days after turning all your gear?  Yikes!

[art76]

Perhaps someone in Wisconsin knows more about the back story in this news story: https://www.weau.com/2021/11/02/undefeated-edgewood-high-football-forfeit-all-games-out-playoffs/?fbclid=IwAR2lF4DtyOB018D1_1xq9hHDIGo8mtp0RO9T8dkHohwETYZaRBqg80C5G2E

Hope you and others can access this article from the Madison paper.  it's the best I can do for now - my "go-to local sports insider" guy is out of the country unfortunately (well, not for him). The gist of it seems to be the kid in question needed two waivers - one so he didn't have to sit out a year after transferring, and another to be allowed to have a fifth year of eligibility. The WIAA seems to be accusing the school of purposely avoiding requesting the fifth year waiver and planning to use the "sit out" waiver, which was granted, as the basis for the kid's eligibility. Still a little muddy for me! At first glance seems like a bureaucratic blunder, yet the WIAA seems to be saying the "oversight" was in fact intentional, hence the serious punishment.

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/high-school/football/why-madison-edgewood-football-was-forced-to-forfeit-season-and-why-it-is-suing-to/article_a6f56467-53aa-5146-834c-138f89228c5d.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Thanx for the info MRF!

[SagatagSam]

Saturday looks like fantastic weather again in Northfield for football—low- to mid-60s with little wind and a decent amount of sun.

It's been a great fall in the Upper Midwest for football watching.

[hazzben]

Wally breaks down the regions and ranks the teams.

I thought of this another way, how would we compare the quality and depth of the regions to each other? An interesting exercise since this is the first year of 6.

1. Region 6 - Even after moving UMHB and HS out, still far and away the best quality and depth. 3 teams with a case for a 1 seed, 6 teams that no one would be shocked to see in a region final or beyond.
2. Region 3 - A power, two more very good teams to close out the top 3, and then a bottom 3 that probably max out at 1 playoff win unless the get favorable matchups.
3. Region 2 - What it lacks in elite teams, it makes up for in depth. No one screams semi-final team (if the brackets were totally balanced and not geographically constrained), but you could talk me into any one of these teams making a run to the region finals.
4. Region 5 - An elite team, a nearly elite team, a Central team that looks good but hasn't played anyone, and the rest. (I'm still not totally sold on Central coming out of a down ARC.)
5. Region 4 - Top heavy. Mount then a drop to DePauw, then another drop to a group of teams that probably max out at a single playoff win.
6. Region 1 - very weak IMO. You have DelVal at 10, and then no one else in the region even receiving votes in the Top 25. A lot of meh SOS + a ton of 2 loss teams in pillow fights.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Lol, I've never actually watched SJU's.  Plenty to do around the house this weekend (and I haven't even been pheasant hunting yet... GASP!), but I'd like to watch a bit of the game (before it gets outta hand  ).

In that case, I'd recommend tuning in at kickoff and you should be able to move on to chores (or hunting) by 1:45

[carletonknights]

Carleton stream image was better last week than it was against Concordia. Radio announcer is a bigger homer than Paul Allen and sometimes just goes off on odd tangents, so I tend to watch on mute. Two camera angles, small scoreboard at the bottom. My biggest complaint is that they don't include the time on the bottom, which means you sometimes have to unmute to figure out the situation. Overall, its serviceable with no frills.

Side note: I appreciate how admissions is always free for Carleton (non-playoff) sporting events. Anytime I go to St. Olaf or Macalester, I always forget that I need to pay.

Lol, I've never actually watched SJU's.  Plenty to do around the house this weekend (and I haven't even been pheasant hunting yet... GASP!), but I'd like to watch a bit of the game (before it gets outta hand  ).

In that case, I'd recommend tuning in at kickoff and you should be able to move on to chores (or hunting) by 1:45

I'm not sure what I'm realistically hoping to see out of the game. In 2019 the Johnnies won 56-10 in Northfield. So using that as a reference, I think a few good goals would be 1. force the Johnnies to play their starters into the 4th quarter (does that mean it needs to be within 28?), 2. score an offensive touchdown, 3. finish within 35, 4. Hold SJU to 42 points. If Carleton manages to achieve 3 out of those 4, I'd turn off the stream feeling pretty satisfied.

Whatever you think of the program, Carleton is undeniably on the right trajectory at the moment. In 2017 they were 0-10. They brought in a new coach and are now on the cusp of 7-3. Can they be consistent? Do they follow up this season with another winning season or do they slip back to a 3 win team with the occasional winning season? Assuming they continue to improve, what is their ceiling? Is a 9-1 record in years where they don't match up against Bethel, the best they can reasonably hope for? It's exciting to see the growth and change in mindset within the program, it's a fun year to be a fan. I talk with a lot of friends, even ones who didn't play football, who have followed the team this year.

I don't think Tom Journell gets enough recognition. He took over a program that was left in a terrible state by the previous coaching staff. In the three seasons prior to his arrival, Carleton had combined to win three games. Journell in his first three seasons now has them in a position to win 14 games. He deserves MIAC Coach of the Year.

[Texas Ole]

What is St. Olaf charging these days?  I remember when all events were free.  I think towards the end they started charging visiting fans.  Alums, locals, and St. Olaf fans were typically free.

I've long thought Laird Stadium was the best in the MIAC for watching games.  It just had a great feel permanent stands and the fieldhouse underneath.  Also enjoyed that I could carry a case of beer in to the stadium without anyone caring!  We used to even have someone run to Tiny's at halftime for Chicago dogs!

[carletonknights]

I can't remember exactly, but I do recall St. Olaf students being free, but everyone else having to pay various amounts. I also remember a group of very confused Carleton students when the gatekeeper told them they couldn't bring their box of bud light into the game with them.

I'm glad you said that, I also really like Laird and was very proud of it. It could use a few cosmetic/QoL improvements here and there (the chain link fence). If you ever get to see the original plans for the stadium it's quite cool. The back side of the building was actually supposed to be a built-in train stop. So fans could catch a train and be dropped off right inside the stadium.

[AO]

Unless things have changed recently, Macalester doesn't charge either.

[carletonknights]

Now I'm questioning myself

[Texas Ole]

I can't remember exactly, but I do recall St. Olaf students being free, but everyone else having to pay various amounts. I also remember a group of very confused Carleton students when the gatekeeper told them they couldn't bring their box of bud light into the game with them.

I'm glad you said that, I also really like Laird and was very proud of it. It could use a few cosmetic/QoL improvements here and there (the chain link fence). If you ever get to see the original plans for the stadium it's quite cool. The back side of the building was actually supposed to be a built-in train stop. So fans could catch a train and be dropped off right inside the stadium.

Several Carleton students over the years supplied me at Manitou!  I would love to see the original plans for Laird.  Do you know where I could see them?  I know there was a time when Carleton was seeking to join the Big Ten.