FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[VOJ]

Those in Collegeville with knowledge of both programs say the Royals might give the Raiders their toughest game of the season, but that said they predict a 21 point Raider win...

[DustySJU]

Those in Collegeville with knowledge of both programs say the Royals might give the Raiders their toughest game of the season, but that said they predict a 21 point Raider win...

VOJ; 

What are the "voices" saying in Collegeville about "the waiver wire"?

Could there be a quarterback in the mix? 

[retagent]

Let's all agree that both Bethel and Mount will be playing the best teams they have faced all year. The question is; Will Bethel be able to do what no other team has done this year? It is doubtful, but if they can get any momentum early by maybe surprising MUC with a competent ground game and a Green Bay style dink and dunk passing game, they have a chance. Although, VERY good UWW teams in the last two years were not able to do so, which doesn't bode well for the Royals.

[LBean]

And the pipeline to Collegeville continues...as reported by The Shooter to Collegeville via Eden Prairie.  Great start to the offseason.

Shooter: Look for 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle Erik Kottom, a freshman, to transfer from the Gophers to Division III St. John's in Collegeville, Minn.

AO: Please go away.

Happy Hannukah everyone!!!

Now the Johnnies need a RB who has cat like moves, break away speed, great hands and is over 165 lbs. They currently have several that fit 3 of 4 criteria. Still looking for a power running game to take over in the adverse weather

tmerts, your  son John,  has he ever played as a running back?      he's fast as hell, isn't he?     And solid.     by the way, how's his recovery coming?        Knee was it?   

[Rugman]

Let's all agree that both Bethel and Mount will be playing the best teams they have faced all year.

Let's hold off on this conclusion until after the game...I remember back in September, three other OAC teams, in addition to Mount were rated in the top 11 in the D-3 site national poll.  Was this some type of bias or an accurate assessment of the strength of the conference?

[tmerton]

tmerts, your  son John,  has he ever played as a running back?      he's fast as hell, isn't he?     And solid.     by the way, how's his recovery coming?        Knee was it?   

  Well, he's played QB (in Pop Warner) and TE (in high school); I always told him I had him pegged for an OG, which did not generate a good response.   If you put him in the backfield, he'd be your traditional FB.  I think he's good where he is - and his leg (not a knee - fractured tibia) is good, thanks for asking.

Too bad we couldn't have gotten a couple of the kids he played with in high school - one or the other would have been great in red and white.

[tmerton]

And the pipeline to Collegeville continues...as reported by The Shooter to Collegeville via Eden Prairie.  Great start to the offseason.

Shooter: Look for 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle Erik Kottom, a freshman, to transfer from the Gophers to Division III St. John's in Collegeville, Minn.

That's good news - always want a solid o-line. 

[jaypeter]

Early Salem, VA weather forcast: Partly Cloudy with a high of 48 and low of 35.  Just a 10% chance of rain and light winds, 5-10 mph.  Glorious day for football!!!

[HScoach]

Let's all agree that both Bethel and Mount will be playing the best teams they have faced all year.

I'm comfortable in saying HALF is this statement is correct.  I still have my doubts about whether Bethel is up to the task of pushing MUC harder than Capital, Baldwin Wallace, Ithaca and St John Fisher did.  If they can, congrats to them, but MUC has a very nasty reputation of killing one dimensional teams. 

The question is; Will Bethel be able to do what no other team has done this year? It is doubtful, but if they can get any momentum early by maybe surprising MUC with a competent ground game and a Green Bay style dink and dunk passing game, they have a chance. Although, VERY good UWW teams in the last two years were not able to do so, which doesn't bode well for the Royals.

Bethel better hope they win the coin flip, take the kickoff and then go on a long scoring drive to start the game.  Otherwise MUC will run them off the field in the 1st quarter. 

Honestly, I hope Bethel is up to the challenge because my only serious concern heading into the Stagg Bowl (especially against WWW) is that Mount will get complacent.  And winning the semi's by 30+ points could lead to this destructive thinking at Salem VA.

FWIW, the spread on the OAC pick-em's is Bethel (+34.5)

[oldbethel27]

Bethel's corners suck.  Carr is really their only star in the backfield.  The pressure they put on the QB with their guys up front is what can make opposing QBs look bad.  With an o-line and QB like Mount has, Bethel will be in for a long day.

You have absolutely no grounds for this statement.  First, I'm assuming you saw them play ONE time all season (please correct me if I'm wrong).  The only long pass SJU completed against them was the TD pass just after halftime, and they were in cover 2, which means the corners did not have "don't get beat deep" responsibility on that play.  I could break down each game for you, but in the end it's my opinion against yours, and frankly yours is wrong .  All three (Ryan Herm - SR, Nate Holm - JR, and Tim Cornish - SO) are great cover guys as well as great playmakers, with different strengths: Herm is the most disciplined and being a senior, understands the defense as well as anyone on the team.  Holm is tough as nails, and is as good against the run as any corner I've seen, as well as being an excellent cover corner.  Cornish is just a flat-out playmaker (who reminds me of my old comrade and All-American Ben Matthews), who has 2 pick-sixes on the season and made an SJU special-teamer look FOOLISH on a kick return he took to the house.

You're right on two things: 1) Carr is a star, and 2) Pressure on the QB is any team's best "pass coverage."

But you don't have to be pre-season all-american to not suck, so back off Bethel's corners... please.

[skunks_sidekick]

In the first three play-off games for Mount....the opposing defenses deployed a "don't let Garcon get deep at any cost" type pass defense.  The corner played about 12-14 yards off the line of scrimmage, and they always had a safety rotated over to double.  Against SJF every time Mount wanted to get a first down and gain 8-12 yards Garcon just ran a 10 yard out.  Because all three teams that Mount played used this philosophy.....Garcon has caught a lot of short balls that he then took for longer gains. 

I HOPE Bethel thinks they can cover him with one guy who plays press coverage.  It will be brutal, but at least it would be a quick death rather than a slow, steady, agonizing death.   

[TC]

And the pipeline to Collegeville continues...as reported by The Shooter to Collegeville via Eden Prairie.  Great start to the offseason.

Shooter: Look for 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle Erik Kottom, a freshman, to transfer from the Gophers to Division III St. John's in Collegeville, Minn.

AO: Please go away.

Happy Hannukah everyone!!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have him (potentially) aboard, but...   He was at Wyoming in 2006, the U of M in 2007--what's the story?  He hasn't played a down of competitive football since 2005 and he can't seem to make up his mind about where he wants that next play to be. 

Regardless, I like the idea of this kid delivering soul-crushing blocks in Collegeville for the next 4 seasons.  He was a Scouts.com 2-Star recruit out of high school in 2006, showing interest in BCS-Conference schools Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Iowa State, along with a couple top I-AA schools (NDSU and UNI), before originally choosing Wyoming.  He was a Tight End out of high school, but has since added 45 pounds and made the move to tackle.

Only Ben Dimond and Dan Gamache return as starters on the OL next year for the Johnnies.  There are a few other guys who have shown the ability to compete for a spot--Blaine Anderson, Greg Sowden, and Drew Percival, in particular--but there should be playing time available for people who show they can play.

[cobbernation]

Heisman time!

Who will win the Heisman trophy?  I believe it will be Tebow, then Brennan, McFadden, and Daniel will be 6th or 7th.  I believe there will be more write in votes for players such as Dennis Dixon and Reesing (QB Kansas).  If Dixon would have not torn his ACL, would he be the front runner for the Heisman?

OH and nice pickup for the johnnies today.  Where is this new O-Lineman from? 

[02 Warhawk]

What's up MIAC!

So what seems to be the general consensus over here for the Bethel faithful. Do you think they can pull off the unthinkable, or atleast make the game close on Saturday. Or is this going to be another Mount Union route? I was just curious on what everyone thought about this upcoming game.

I know UWW has their handsful this week against MHB. Best of luck against the Purple Raiders. I'll be pulling for you!!!

[sfury]

And the pipeline to Collegeville continues...as reported by The Shooter to Collegeville via Eden Prairie.  Great start to the offseason.

Shooter: Look for 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle Erik Kottom, a freshman, to transfer from the Gophers to Division III St. John's in Collegeville, Minn.

AO: Please go away.

Happy Hannukah everyone!!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have him (potentially) aboard, but...   He was at Wyoming in 2006, the U of M in 2007--what's the story?  He hasn't played a down of competitive football since 2005 and he can't seem to make up his mind about where he wants that next play to be. 

Regardless, I like the idea of this kid delivering soul-crushing blocks in Collegeville for the next 4 seasons.  He was a Scouts.com 2-Star recruit out of high school in 2006, showing interest in BCS-Conference schools Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Iowa State, along with a couple top I-AA schools (NDSU and UNI), before originally choosing Wyoming.  He was a Tight End out of high school, but has since added 45 pounds and made the move to tackle.

Only Ben Dimond and Dan Gamache return as starters on the OL next year for the Johnnies.  There are a few other guys who have shown the ability to compete for a spot--Blaine Anderson, Greg Sowden, and Drew Percival, in particular--but there should be playing time available for people who show they can play.

Maybe he'll be on the Keating six-year college plan.