FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

I'd expect a very good game for GAC @ BU. Dramatic win the first time around when the gusties had us on the ropes. We also have Kidder and Farm back from injury this time around. With Pool A in the line I expect a playoff type atmosphere and intensity from the players.

[sju56321]

Ok Duff: but I have watched this team all year -in person and on video-I just think the D is lacking this year-but if they win next week and get selected-I will look forward to seeing them at Aurora maybe.
Wonder if SJU could end up a higher seed than the pool A team-miac champ?

[art76]

Ok Duff: but I have watched this team all year -in person and on video-I just think the D is lacking this year-but if they win next week and get selected-I will look forward to seeing them at Aurora maybe.
Wonder if SJU could end up a higher seed than the pool A team-miac champ?

Equal record, higher SOS, and a win head to head - yeah, they might be seeded higher...

[art76]

OK, was I the only one that saw during the Gustavus game this afternoon, that for a short spell when showing the score, instead of the Knights it said Royals? I was able to do spot checks today while working and only saw it for a little while - and when I came back  to see it again, it had been fixed.

[corn horn]

Ok Duff: but I have watched this team all year -in person and on video-I just think the D is lacking this year-but if they win next week and get selected-I will look forward to seeing them at Aurora maybe.
Wonder if SJU could end up a higher seed than the pool A team-miac champ?

Equal record, higher SOS, and a win head to head - yeah, they might be seeded higher...

Again, SJU has to win another game too for this to (potential) happen. I'm sure SJU will be at least a two TD favorite next week in Moorhead, but they do need to play and win. Concordia is a better team than they were a month ago.

[DuffMan]

I just think the D is lacking this year...

I agree and personally don't think they're that great, but the criteria exist for a reason, and if the committee feels that, based on the criteria, SJU is one of the top 4 at-large candidates, then so be it.

[bleedpurple]

I just think the D is lacking this year...

I agree and personally don't think they're that great, but the criteria exist for a reason, and if the committee feels that, based on the criteria, SJU is one of the top 4 at-large candidates, then so be it.

I guess you know you have an elite program when so many loud voices are clamoring for their team to get picked for a Pool C (from like 10 schools) and you are able to say, "Eh, we really aren't that great this year."  Maybe not an elite team this year, but defiinitely a fan base that has experienced their share of elite.

[DuffMan]

I totally agree, bleed.

[faunch]

So with a win on Saturday does SJU get a playoff spot?
Cast your vote: yea or nay?

[OzJohnnie]

So with a win on Saturday does SJU get a playoff spot?
Cast your vote: yea or nay?

Yea, if BU also win. 2-1 gains RRO with a super strong SOS. Pool C.  Road Warriors. Maybe to Aurora.

[Ice Bear]

I just think the D is lacking this year...

I agree and personally don't think they're that great, but the criteria exist for a reason, and if the committee feels that, based on the criteria, SJU is one of the top 4 at-large candidates, then so be it.

I guess you know you have an elite program when so many loud voices are clamoring for their team to get picked for a Pool C (from like 10 schools) and you are able to say, "Eh, we really aren't that great this year."  Maybe not an elite team this year, but defiinitely a fan base that has experienced their share of elite.

I think this is right on bleed. IMHO there are MAYBE two handfuls of schools out there that can have that assessment of their team and still have their team being in place to receive 1 of only 4 pool C bids. Personally I appreciate and respect any program that has had enough realistic success to have this be true. The Johnnies are certainly one of them.

Another nice W for the Royals yesterday. I was pleased to see Ellingson rush for over a 100. I'll take that 5 yard avg any day. Having admittedly not watched Bolt seemed to do enough, which makes me smile. A TD AND ONLY 1 INT. It's as if he just needs to almost facilitate the game from behind center and keep his game balanced, not trying to do to much, to create the right recipe for success. Good for him and the Royals. I'll also credit the D for the 3 turnovers. Overall a good day for the Royals with their eyes on the MIAC prize next week.

[corn horn]

So with a win on Saturday does SJU get a playoff spot?
Cast your vote: yea or nay?

Yea, if BU also win. 2-1 gains RRO with a super strong SOS. Pool C.  Road Warriors. Maybe to Aurora.

Yea, if Johnnies win Saturday they will be in, and likely as the higher seed from the MIAC for the same reasons they've stayed in the top 20 all season and no one else could hardly capture a vote. What those reasons are remain a mystery.

[faunch]

Ruesse says the Johnnies will miss the playoffs...it would be fun to prove him wrong.

[art76]

Week 11 MIAC games

1. St. Scholastica at Macalester: This is a rematch of their September 30th meeting, and there isn't really much changed to expect a different outcome, putting the Scots in the basement of the conference this year.

2. St. Olaf at Hamline: This is also a rematch from the same date earlier in the year and one would expect similar results.

3. Carleton at Augsburg: This is the only game this week that is not a rematch from earlier in the season. They both come in with identical records in their divisions, the conference, and overall, pointing to the possibility that this might be a pretty close game.

4. St. John's at Concordia: While this is a rematch from earlier in the season, the home field advantage goes to the Cobbers this time around. Even so, probably not enough of an advantage to turn the tides of fortune.

5. Gustavus at Bethel: The third game to be a rematch from the September 30th schedule – kind of like deja vu all over again. While the Gusties would like to get their revenge from their early season loss at the hands of the Royals, as has already been mentioned on this board, BU is much healthier this go-round and I would expect to see a larger spread of difference in the final score, in favor of Bethel.

So, if the games go as expected, how does it affect the play-offs? First off, will the Johnnies make it as a Pool C at-large team? If they do, I think it hurts the chances of BU getting any home games. Historically, the Mid-West teams have been geographically limited to playing one another early on, when we all know that if the tourney had no monetary limitations, some of the teams that will face off in the earlier rounds wouldn't see one another until further in the play-offs.

So let's just set the table from what we know: historically, the NCAA doesn't like to send teams to face off in the post-season if they've already played earlier in the season until as late as possible in the tourney. With that as a backdrop, BU does not go to Wartburg, nor does St. John's go to Whitewater in the first couple of rounds. I haven't kept up, and am not now going to take the time to see what other teams destined for the play-offs this year "can't play one another in the first couple of rounds" that are geographically (within the 500 mile radius) near to the two MIAC teams. We also know that the committee doesn't match teams up until the pool is selected.

So, back to my earlier comment when I said it hurts BU's chances for home games if the Johnnies also make the dance. The Jays have a better SOS and have won head-to-head against Bethel. If the committee decides that BU, as MIAC champ "deserves" a home game, well it stands to reason, then so must St. John's because of their selection criteria. If the committee does lean in this direction, are there enough teams to "go around" also in the play-offs that don't have the resumes to warrant home field advantage in the first couple of rounds? If there are not, then who is sent packing? I'm guessing the selection criteria takes precedence over the conference championship, so BU would travel before the Johnnies.

One nice thing is that the committee will most likely set BU and SJU in opposing brackets so that they couldn't meet again until at least week 3 or 4 of the tourney. Likewise, Wartburg and Whitewater would also most likely be tied together in like manner. This probably puts La Crosse in St. John's bracket. But maybe not, as they may not want North Central in the same bracket as Wartburg. It'll be interesting to see how the committee "disentangles" the pairings because of all the inter-conference play that has occurred here in the upper-Midwest.

[sjusection105]

Bethel will stomp GAC.

Curious why you think this? These two teams played close in Arden Hills earlier. Looks like the Gustie passing game is still clicking with 2 guys over 100 yds with Breitbach 200+.

Answer: Would you want to be a 18-22 year old young man playing to send off Steve Johnson with his last chance for a MIAC Championship and fall short of that goal? The Royals will be laser focused and will prevail by two or more scores.