FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

I need some help, folks.  I can't figure out a way to resent the Knights.  With Ralmer as their coach and the grit they have shown these last few years I feel a sence of grudging admiration for the wanna-be Ivy Leaguers from down south (notice me working up resentment there?  Gotta do my best).

Up until now I've been a happy bandwagoneer of any team TWS and TC were calling (I even choked down the bile and did a quiet 'Go Tommies!' two weeks ago), but I'm struggling here.  Say we back the Knights and say they overcome the Johnnies (Oh, the sacriledge I feel just writing those words...)?  Better to die free, than live with a guilty Johnnie conscience, to paraphrase Frederick Douglass.

I just can't bring myself to do it.  Punish me with your scorn if you must.

[stanbob]

Punish me with your scorn if you must.

Only one person worthy of scorn these last few pages Oz, and you are not he. (not you either GHC  )

[chewey]

attendance last year at Carleton vs. the Johnnies: 1027
SJU attendance is down by an average of a little more than a 1000 in home games from 2007.  You've still got the most fans in the MIAC, but the numbers are clearly down.   you've found your quarterback in boyle, and you're playing for the championship on Saturday.  I don't know if "johnnie magic" really describes a move from 1-2 to potential champion, i'd say..........lucky.

I'll agree with you that SJU has had some luck with respect to other teams losing.  But SJU has done what it can to control what it can and that's win games.  They've been close but they've won.  With UST, there was probably some divine intervention.  They've been painful to watch this year, in comparison to other years, but they've managed to be STO in OT and Auggie today.  Fan attendance may be a little down this year but that will not be a consistent thing.   As far fan attendance, you should have been at the UWSP-SJU game in 2001 at SJU or the PLU-SJU game at the Fargodome because they could not host it at SJU or many other such games like SJU vs. Hardin-Simmons in Abilene in 2000 or PLU-SJU over Thanksgiving weekend in Tacoma.  SJU fan attendance was very impressive.  It was worth sitting 4 hours in the rain and ruining a coat and sweater in 2001 against UWSP just to see Elliot house one in the muck for the winning score.  SJU fans will drive 17 hours or pay $300.00 for a plane ticket once or twice a post-season to attend playoff games. 

[OzJohnnie]

attendance last year at Carleton vs. the Johnnies: 1027
SJU attendance is down by an average of a little more than a 1000 in home games from 2007.  You've still got the most fans in the MIAC, but the numbers are clearly down.   you've found your quarterback in boyle, and you're playing for the championship on Saturday.  I don't know if "johnnie magic" really describes a move from 1-2 to potential champion, i'd say..........lucky.

I'll agree with you that SJU has had some luck with respect to other teams losing.  But SJU has done what it can to control what it can and that's win games.  They've been close but they've won. 

As if reason, logic and facts are useable devices with AO, chewey.  He has one mission: denegrate SJU and cackle with mirth (making sure not to disturb his mother upstairs nor upset the neatly stacked pizza boxes and Dr Pepper cans that recreate the 4 of the 7 ancient wonders) when a Johnnie sides with him.  Best beware.  One fact is undeniable, however: Northwestern failed to win this weekend.  Deadbeats.

In other news: CAR will have a live video feed here and livestats here.  Yet one more reason it is difficult to resent them.

[TC]

You're right, Oz, Carleton's the practically perfect program which is why we all need to get on the bandwagon for them this week!

[AO]

chewey:  I agree completely, it's very clear that the Johnnie players never gave up on their season and they are beginning to reach their potential.  I really never thought it was a case of not having enough talent, as I really don't think Carleton or Augsburg has anywhere close to the depth of the SJU talent.  It is precisely the sort of fans who drive or fly to games in mass numbers that makes other schools jealous.  I can't say I'm behind Carleton as the underdog as they throw the ball way too much to be consistently successful in November.  

on a side note, I just enjoyed every minute of the stomping Wayzata gave St. Cloud Tech tonight.  Go Trojans.  I can sympathize with the sort of arrogant views Johnnie fans occasionally have as I've developed into a Wayzata fan.

[chewey]

attendance last year at Carleton vs. the Johnnies: 1027
SJU attendance is down by an average of a little more than a 1000 in home games from 2007.  You've still got the most fans in the MIAC, but the numbers are clearly down.   you've found your quarterback in boyle, and you're playing for the championship on Saturday.  I don't know if "johnnie magic" really describes a move from 1-2 to potential champion, i'd say..........lucky.

I'll agree with you that SJU has had some luck with respect to other teams losing.  But SJU has done what it can to control what it can and that's win games.  They've been close but they've won. 

As if reason, logic and facts are useable devices with AO, chewey.  He has one mission: denegrate SJU and cackle with mirth (making sure not to disturb his mother upstairs nor upset the neatly stacked pizza boxes and Dr Pepper cans that recreate the 4 of the 7 ancient wonders) when a Johnnie sides with him.  Best beware.  One fact is undeniable, however: Northwestern failed to win this weekend.  Deadbeats.

In other news: CAR will have a live video feed here and livestats here.  Yet one more reason it is difficult to resent them.

They're probably, in most cases, not useful devices with me either which is probably why I lapsed into momentary common ground with him, at least as to the luck argument.      AO and others who may not want SJU to make the post-season, I really think that SJU has been in the playoffs since they lost to Bethel.  Though they have had a little good fortune and though they have made mistakes and though they have been frustrating to watch, they have had a mental toughness of sorts and they have won games.  If they get to the post-season, they will have some thanking to do to STO, GAC and others who have beaten the teams that SJU  needed to have beaten but they will be able to credit themselves for staying the course.  You have to contrast them with CC who were in the driver's seat and just collapsed.  CC's a very good team, for sure, and I do not know what happened to them but I am not saddened that it happened (Sorry CC fans but if it benefits SJU I got to have some good feelings about it).

[chewey]

chewey:  I agree completely, it's very clear that the Johnnie players never gave up on their season and they are beginning to reach their potential.  I really never thought it was a case of not having enough talent, as I really don't think Carleton or Augsburg has anywhere close to the depth of the SJU talent.  It is precisely the sort of fans who drive or fly to games in mass numbers that makes other schools jealous.  I can't say I'm behind Carleton as the underdog as they throw the ball way too much to be consistently successful in November.   

on a side note, I just enjoyed every minute of the stomping Wayzata gave St. Cloud Tech tonight.  Go Trojans.  I can sympathize with the sort of arrogant views Johnnie fans occasionally have as I've developed into a Wayzata fan.

I imagine it's that way somewhat for the AUggie wrestling squad given that program's dominance.  I was impressed with Auggie today.  They had some really good players like that bowling ball running back.  I agree about Carleton.  I don't know if they have the depth to fully finish a season strong.  They usually have a lot of injuries and can't fill the spots adequately.  I hope I just did not jinx SJU for next weekend.   

[OzJohnnie]

Though they have had a little good fortune and though they have made mistakes and though they have been frustrating to watch, they have had a mental toughness of sorts and they have won games.  If they get to the post-season, they will have some thanking to do to STO, GAC and others who have beaten the teams that SJU  needed to have beaten but they will be able to credit themselves for staying the course.  You have to contrast them with CC who were in the driver's seat and just collapsed.  CC's a very good team, for sure, and I do not know what happened to them but I am not saddened that it happened (Sorry CC fans but if it benefits SJU I got to have some good feelings about it).

And the earth moved, the heavens sang, and world looked brighter.  Who woulda thunk it?  Just two weeks after beating each others brains out we find we are in agreement.  For all the complaints we Johnnie supporters have had this year, no one can deny that this team has worked hard and earned themselves a shot at the championship.  Maybe there was a little luck (Providence?) on their side, but you make your own luck as my pappy used to say.  So, leave no doubt that although I wish they executed more cleanly (as I'm sure they do as well), I have great respect (and a good dose of pride) in the effort they have put into recovering this year.  Particularly "my man Stanton!"

So practice hard and stand tall against the Knights, Johnnies!  Time to haul that piano.

[PRF07]

chewey:  I agree completely, it's very clear that the Johnnie players never gave up on their season and they are beginning to reach their potential.  I really never thought it was a case of not having enough talent, as I really don't think Carleton or Augsburg has anywhere close to the depth of the SJU talent.  It is precisely the sort of fans who drive or fly to games in mass numbers that makes other schools jealous.  I can't say I'm behind Carleton as the underdog as they throw the ball way too much to be consistently successful in November.  

on a side note, I just enjoyed every minute of the stomping Wayzata gave St. Cloud Tech tonight.  Go Trojans.  I can sympathize with the sort of arrogant views Johnnie fans occasionally have as I've developed into a Wayzata fan.

300+ passing yards in 20+ mph winds and 25 degree weather.  Bad weather is the least of their worries. 

I heard a Carleton player at their last game of the season last year just after getting stomped by gustavus say that they would be playing St. Johns for the conference title at the end of this year.  I laughed hard at the time.  He wasn't lying.   

Any way you look at it St. Johns is still St. Johns.  It is going to be very tough to pull off the upset next week, but all you can ask for is a chance and Carleton has put themselves in that situation.  I hope to see many St. Johns fans there next week regardless of gas prices.  (How does someone even questions St. John's attendance...stupid)  It will be a great game and it definitely showcases the two best teams in the conference this year regardless of next saturday's outcome. 

[OzJohnnie]

As we're going about the O line a bit, I thought it would only be right of me to take a look at the roster and confirm a niggling suspicion...  It's a pretty young line.  Three juniors, one sophomore and one senior.

It only seems reasonable to think that next year this line will be pretty strong after getting a year under their belts.  As I remember there was only one returning starter this year.  Next year there will be four.  Those in the know may want to set me straight, but that seems pretty promising.

And Boyle's a sophomore as well with only the last three games really being his.

(now in the great Carrie Bradshaw/Sex in the City tradition) "Does waiting for the perfect man mean waiting for no man at all?".    No, no.  I didn't mean to type that.  What I meant to ask was are we missing the forest for the trees here ("Run Forrest, run!")?  If we're scraping the bottom of the barrel, then it's pretty shallow and things don't look all that bad.

Fair statement?  Or am I gazing through Cardinal colored glasses?

[Rugman]

A couple of observations and a question from yesterday's game.

I thought we did a real good job on Winford, even though he had 3 TD passes.  He was on a pace to catch over 100 balls this year and was already over 1,000 yards receiving.  Yet we held him to 6 catches.  Al-Hameed also came in with 63 receptions for 678 yards and we held him to only 3 catches for 27 yards.

My question.  As good a passer as Jordan Berg is, in their offense, wouldn't you want a QB that could run a bit so there are two running threats out of the backfield?  Berg seems very immobile.  I would think that the way they spread out a defense there must be some good gaps at times.  Berg only has a gross running yardage of 70 yards in 9 games, to go with his losses of 126 yards (presumably most through sacks) for a net loss of 56 yards.  He is the only starting QB in the MIAC with a net loss on the ground.

[Rugman]

What has happened to the Cobber defense?  After giving up an average of 12 points a game to SJU, Bethel, UST, Augsburg and Hamline, they have given up 69 points to St Olaf and Carleton at home.  Exact same guys on defense in the last two as the previous five.  Northfield to Moorhead is the longest drive in the conference.  Some mental thing with schools in Northfield?

What a backasswards season.  1-3 at home and 3-0 on the road.

[57Johnnie]

I predict that Northfield will have its biggest shootout since 1876 

I believe that was John's 4th year as JOHNNIE coach 
Oops - maybe that was 1956  8)

[chewey]

Though they have had a little good fortune and though they have made mistakes and though they have been frustrating to watch, they have had a mental toughness of sorts and they have won games.  If they get to the post-season, they will have some thanking to do to STO, GAC and others who have beaten the teams that SJU  needed to have beaten but they will be able to credit themselves for staying the course.  You have to contrast them with CC who were in the driver's seat and just collapsed.  CC's a very good team, for sure, and I do not know what happened to them but I am not saddened that it happened (Sorry CC fans but if it benefits SJU I got to have some good feelings about it).

And the earth moved, the heavens sang, and world looked brighter.  Who woulda thunk it?  Just two weeks after beating each others brains out we find we are in agreement.  For all the complaints we Johnnie supporters have had this year, no one can deny that this team has worked hard and earned themselves a shot at the championship.  Maybe there was a little luck (Providence?) on their side, but you make your own luck as my pappy used to say.  So, leave no doubt that although I wish they executed more cleanly (as I'm sure they do as well), I have great respect (and a good dose of pride) in the effort they have put into recovering this year.  Particularly "my man Stanton!"

So practice hard and stand tall against the Knights, Johnnies!  Time to haul that piano.

That's true.  Has anyone seen Jesus?    I have not seen Him so that must mean the Tribulation is in store for me.  As of today, it appears as if a few people have been raptured off the board: OAS, Johnnie Red, Veek, TDT, (Well, maybe not TDT) because we have not seen them in awhile.

I agree.  This team could have cashed it in weeks ago but they've played hard, even with lots of mistakes, and hung in there.  That shows character, regardless of next week's outcome.  I think that there will be many intangibles taken from this year that will immensely help the guys/team coming back next year.  I'd probably give Boyle a "B" for yesterday's performance.  The QB-RB handoffs and the pitching out need work but he showed a lot of moxie with his TD run, among other things.   The team should hopefully be solid next year.

I don't know what happened to Concordia.  Any suggestions from the Cobber fans on the board?  Like someone else said 1-3 at home and 3-0 on the road seems strange. 

With respect to the recruiting issue, the Star Tribune had a pretty good article about it.


http://pd.startribune.com/sp?eId=92&gcId=578524419&rNum=7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Fsports%2Fgophers%2F33875849.html%3Felr%3DKArksUUUU&siteIdType=2