FB: Midwest Conference

[MWCfan787]

I am eager to hear any Ripon fans' feelings on the game this week. 

I believe it was said before on this board that Ripon has a pretty good secondary to matchup with the monmouth passing attack.  In my opinion having a great pass rush would be more important.  I really just think that Alex Tanney is one of those quarterbacks that you cannot give time to throw.  He is not a mobile qb so if they can mess up the timing of the MC offense and flush him out of the pocket as much as possible I think it would be in their favor.  Ripon's defensive numbers have been impressive so far and it seems that they are carrying the team right now.

The Scots defense had some trouble stopping the fullback in Ripon's option attack last year, and in that option offense if you have the fullback established it's tough to stop them.  Monmouth's defensive line is much better than it was last year I think though.  We'll see if they decide to bring one or two safties up alot, I think Cole Norman likes to play run defense more than pass defense so it would probably be him while Sean Wells is more of an instinctive free-roamer.  I could definitely see Coach Braun drawing up some good run blitzes for this week.

As far as the playoffs, I can't even think about them until after this week and I hope the players aren't either, this game is too big.  The last 3 games against LFC, IC, and KC I'm confident that the Scots are talented enough to be able to come out sluggish on accident but still be able to turn it on in the second half and chug out a W.

oh and btw, the Green Knights were never #11 last yr.  They were #24 and it might've been for only one week right before they lost in the first round.

[Pat Coleman]

They might've been No. 11 in the other poll. That poll has consistently overrated teams who run the table against unimpressive schedules.

[The Roop]

And should Ripon win out perhaps the Huntingdon Hawks (which also happen to be red) could travel to Ripon. Hawk-a-palooza in the 1st round.

I was giving some thought to the CCIW possibly getting 2 in but then I remembered that UWW and UWEC play each other twice this year. Granted one will be non-conference but it strengthens both of their regional records. So the WIAC probably gets 2 again.

It should only get more interestinger as the season goes on.

[SNCOLDAD]

You are correct on the 11 ranking probably being in "The Other Poll". I think I am understanding better on the strength of opponents within region. Unless you have someone moved to another region, that is what really matters. So if I read this right, any MWC team has a disadvantage almost right away due to the weak football conference overall. (not all teams) where as if you were to have 1 loss but in a conference that is strong, you stand a better chance of an at large. Would it be safe to say that fore the most part a team is not moved from their normal region but if they are chances it is because they are very highly ranked and deserve a #1 seed? Is this what happened last year?

It may be confusing but at least there is a playoff and eventual champion each year. Not this Bowl junk that doesn't come close to determining who has the best team. March Madness in November.

November Madness!
GO GREEN KNIGHTS

[scots05]

I was one of those untellectual Monmouth fans at the Norbert game this past weekend and you guys are really over-reacting.  I will admit that we got carried away at times, but this was the biggest game of the year and I drove 6 hours to see my team win so I will be loud and obnoxious because it was a really big game.

I do apologize when the team and the fans were driving in, we were drunk, get over it.  But you guys keep forgetting the implications of what was on the line so I am not going to apologize for cheering for my team when they were winning.  Sorry sncoldad

[larry_u]

I was one of those untellectual Monmouth fans at the Norbert game this past weekend and you guys are really over-reacting.  I will admit that we got carried away at times, but this was the biggest game of the year and I drove 6 hours to see my team win so I will be loud and obnoxious because it was a really big game.

I do apologize when the team and the fans were driving in, we were drunk, get over it.  But you guys keep forgetting the implications of what was on the line so I am not going to apologize for cheering for my team when they were winning.  Sorry sncoldad

You stay classy, Monmouth Fans....

[gbpuckfan]

Monmouth ranked in AFCA poll:

Through Oct. 12
                               Record  Pts  Pvs
1. Mount Union, Ohio (31)        5-0   991   1
2. Wisconsin-Whitewater (9)      5-0   964   2
3. Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas     5-0   917   3
4. Wabash, Ind.                  5-0   832   5
5. Muhlenberg, Pa.               6-0   804   6
6. North Central, Ill.           5-0   771   7
7. Wheaton, Ill.                 5-0   764   8
8. Washington & Jefferson, Pa.   5-0   673   9
9. Cortland State, N.Y.          5-0   650  10
10. Millsaps, Miss.               6-0   596  11
11. Trinity, Texas                5-0   552  12
11. Wisconsin-Eau Claire          5-1   552  13
13. Case Western, Ohio            5-0   443  16
14. Wesley, Del.                  3-1   432  15
15. Hardin-Simmons, Texas         5-1   426  17
16. Willamette, Ore.              6-0   414  18
17. Capital, Ohio                 4-1   364   4
18. Delaware Valley, Pa.          4-1   335  19
19. Salisbury, Md.                5-1   263  20
20. Hampden-Sydney, Va.           6-0   250  22
21. Otterbein, Ohio               5-0   207  24
22. Occidental, Calif.            4-0   148   -
23. Monmouth, Ill.                6-0   111   -
24. Carleton, Minn.               5-0   101   -
25. Curry, Mass.                  6-0   100   -
     

[MWCfan787]

I was one of those untellectual Monmouth fans at the Norbert game this past weekend and you guys are really over-reacting.  I will admit that we got carried away at times, but this was the biggest game of the year and I drove 6 hours to see my team win so I will be loud and obnoxious because it was a really big game.

I do apologize when the team and the fans were driving in, we were drunk, get over it.  But you guys keep forgetting the implications of what was on the line so I am not going to apologize for cheering for my team when they were winning.  Sorry sncoldad

You stay classy, Monmouth Fans....

Ok, I'm sure that what they did on Saturday was mild compared to stuff you see anywhere that has a great football atmosphere, I didn't know Monmouth fans had to treat SNC like their grandma.   

You're St. Norbert we are Monmouth, we hate you, we want to kick your butt every year, that's what a rivalry is.  I never heard any SNC fans complaining about sportsmanship when they won the last 2 years and I'll tell you I'm sure there was people tailgating saying similar things.  Get off your high horse if you think there is no drunk tailgaters at your games.  Oh wait, sorry larry u if you're from Lawrence like I'm guessing from your name....there probably isn't anyone at your games and if there is they don't care enough because they know there is no point. 

And btw, I watched the actual game...and I never complained about the Green Knights lack of sportsmanship on the field (a few occasions SNC players pushed MC players after they had made a big play long after the whistle) because I knew they were frustrated, it's a big game so I could understand.

Sorry that's my first really negative post, but I couldn't just sit there and let someone bash my Monmouth College

....and  The Roop: I'm not so sure anyone would travel to Ripon even if they won the conference I think a MWC champion has to be 10-0 to have a chance at hosting a game

[sncfballfan]

There's a big difference between 3,000 fans and 100,000 fans when you compare a "great football atmosphere."  No need to treat anyone like a grandma, you just stick out that much more and make yourself and program look like a jack @$$.  It is what it is and the top dog of the conference will get that everywhere they go, it's what is expected.  A similar situation occured in 2004 when SNC traveled to Monmouth and beer cans were being thrown at the players from kids in the dorms while walking onto the field.

[MC17]

I also was one of those "Unintellectual" Scots fans at the game. And it really wasn't as bad as you all would like to make it sound. We drove 6 hours as seniors to go watch our friends play and start their pursuit of conference this year. And in case you didn't notice for every Scots fan standing up yelling at the fence you had equally as many Norbert fans in our faces as well. And as for when you guys were pulling into the game I didn't know that telling every car, "Norbert forfeited you might want to turn around was bad in anyway. I guess we just have a sense of humor and maybe u need to find one.

It was a great game but as I predicted we came out on top like we were supposed to. After talking to our players us in the stands were nothing compared to how unsportsmanlike like the SNC players were. Also a lot of the players said that they felt like they had not played up to their full potential. I can think of two main things that even kept SNC in the game. First was a kickoff fumble, and second a blocked extra point.

Sncfballfan. This is quite unlikely that fans were throwing beer cans at players from their dorms since our dorms do not surround our field!!!

Oh one more thing, that bell sounds a lot louder after a WIN!

[scottie]

Gentlemen....gentlemen!  And, gentlewomen!   

I don't think either side of this particular argument is representing themselves very well.  The game is over, let's move on.

Whichever way this race pans out, we should all cheer loudly for the MWC representative.  And, yes, I've cheered for SNC in the past.  The conference needs a win or two, to say the least!

Good luck to all this weekend.

p.s.  On the normal route taken from the MC locker rooms to the field (and back), it is almost physically impossible to hit a player with a beer can - or any other type of can.  Either the recepticle must be full and likely launched from one of those three-person-operated slingshots (or a potato gun...you get the point), or the can must be empty and VERY windy.

[sncfballfan]

I'm not sure if they were dorms or apartments or what, but there were a ton of rowdy kids inside & outside the building (right next to the entrance where the visitors take the field).  You can sit on your perch from the stands and claim that this didn't happen, but I was in uniform and yes, it did happen.  Like I said, it is what it is, it's college football, it's college kids. 

[sncfballfan]

http://www.monm.edu/slideshows/football%2Dfield/football-field5.htm

(left corner of picture)

http://www.monm.edu/slideshows/football%2Dfield/football-field9.htm

(ride side of picture)

[scottie]

Oh, you went THAT way?  You're not supposed to go that way.   

Sorry, just kidding....back to my perch.    8)

S     C     O     T     S

[Scots4]

I did not make the trip to St. Norbert this year. However, I went the last time Monmouth won in De Pere and the Green Knight fans were less than classy. While we were tailgating a group of students kept constantly throwing a football into our group, yelling obscene things, etc. Then at halftime of the game (SNC leading 20-7) the PLAYERS for St. Norbert turned around and starting jeering us and taunting us in the stands. We didn't think it was a big deal, just dont let the pot call the kettle black.

However, who cares? We are all proud of our schools and want them to win. American sports are indoctrinated with the idea that you give the other fans hell until the game is over then get over it and get ready to do it next game. If you think some of the stuff up there that was said was bad, then come to a Monmouth-Knox basketball game where everyone is confined in a tiny gymnasium. If you dont like what someone is saying, don't sit by them. If you are that offended by it, ask an official to move them or to remove them. Don't wait about it and then cry on a message board ex post facto. I just think it sucks that when people are loud, rowdy and cheering on their team they get chastized for it.

Fans are what make it fun. It is hard to get people to travel 6 hours to watch their team play at the Division III level. Lets face it, it is hard to get people to travel ONE hour to watch a Division III team play (any sport.) I hated playing home games because of the lack of hostility. The loyalty to your school is the biggest thing I miss from high school ball.

I just love that this many people felt that MC and SNC were too good enough teams to stir up some controversy. This is sports, there is going to be disagreements. You go out on the field/court, smack him in the mouth, then shake his hand after the game.  Just like the players from these two teams did.