FB: Midwest Conference

[WW]

I agree with Pat on this topic. The MWC is not strong enough to dream of two bids.

I watched the first half of the SNC at LU game last Saturday. The final score was predictable but SNC really did not impress on offense. Why are they trying the triple option?

True, but I like that Monmouth has committed to a challenging N-C slate and I'm guessing will have Wheaton again for a home-and-home next year. They win both out-of-league games in the future and they might earn a level of playoff insurance should they not win the league.

Regarding the SNC offense, my guess is because there's a new OC who's running his thing and it fits the QB's skill set. Rhodes is not the kind of passer they've had in that position in the past. Staehling, their pre-season All-American WR, is only averaging half the yardage per game he did last year.

[gbpuckfan]

SNC holds on to beat Macalester 17–15. A win next week against Beloit sends SNC to the title game.

Lawrence beats Beloit 32-27

Monmouth beats LFC 30-3


IC leads poor Grinnell 55-7 with 8:29 left

Cornell beats Knox 22-7

[gbpuckfan]

apparently today's action locks in the title game: Monmouth at SNC.

[scottie]

'Fan: How did the Knights look to you on Saturday?  Looking at Mac as a worthy opponent comparison, I'm wondering if Monmouth's 37-0 win (vs 17-15) means anything.  Probably not.

[judgetrainer]

I did not see Monmouth play this season, and I only held out for a one half of the SNC at LU game (must wear more clothes in the wind). That title game is at DePere but I would still pick Monmouth. SNC has not really dominated this season (let's just toss that Grinnell game as not good football) as they have in other years. The offense never seems to really click. D is pretty good. Monmouth has pretty much stepped on most of their conference opponents.

[TheGreenKnight920]

'Fan: How did the Knights look to you on Saturday?  Looking at Mac as a worthy opponent comparison, I'm wondering if Monmouth's 37-0 win (vs 17-15) means anything.  Probably not.

It seems more like it was a matchup thing. SNC's defense is for real, but the offense is totally stagnant (they run the triple option for gods sake, despite having an All-American wideout, as well as many other talented pass catchers) and relies for the defense to get them the ball in the opponents territory to do anything. Macalester came out throwing well in the second half, only for some drives to stall near the red zone. I think the title game will ultimately come down to the wire, but I don't know if the SNC offense will be able to muster anything if the defense is not playing absolutely lights out.

[WW]

'Fan: How did the Knights look to you on Saturday?  Looking at Mac as a worthy opponent comparison, I'm wondering if Monmouth's 37-0 win (vs 17-15) means anything.  Probably not.

It seems more like it was a matchup thing. SNC's defense is for real, but the offense is totally stagnant (they run the triple option for gods sake, despite having an All-American wideout, as well as many other talented pass catchers) and relies for the defense to get them the ball in the opponents territory to do anything. Macalester came out throwing well in the second half, only for some drives to stall near the red zone. I think the title game will ultimately come down to the wire, but I don't know if the SNC offense will be able to muster anything if the defense is not playing absolutely lights out.

The best SNC can hope for is another 9-6 type game like last year's, hope the D gets them short fields, and hope Thomson-Meyers' big leg can be a difference maker. Otherwise it's hard to see them scoring a touchdown on Monmouth.

[TheGreenKnight920]

'Fan: How did the Knights look to you on Saturday?  Looking at Mac as a worthy opponent comparison, I'm wondering if Monmouth's 37-0 win (vs 17-15) means anything.  Probably not.

It seems more like it was a matchup thing. SNC's defense is for real, but the offense is totally stagnant (they run the triple option for gods sake, despite having an All-American wideout, as well as many other talented pass catchers) and relies for the defense to get them the ball in the opponents territory to do anything. Macalester came out throwing well in the second half, only for some drives to stall near the red zone. I think the title game will ultimately come down to the wire, but I don't know if the SNC offense will be able to muster anything if the defense is not playing absolutely lights out.

The best SNC can hope for is another 9-6 type game like last year's, hope the D gets them short fields, and hope Thomson-Meyers' big leg can be a difference maker. Otherwise it's hard to see them scoring a touchdown on Monmouth.

I think you hit the nail right on the head. STM will be the X factor, here. Monmouth will have a tough time running the ball, so if (and this is a big IF) the pass D can step up, SNC could see relatively short fields on offense. Special teams always seems to win these types of games, and having a kicker being looked at by NFL scouts isn't a bad thing when you need clutch field goals. Final will be 13-10 SNC, IMO.

[formerscot4]

The 130th Bronze Turkey game! Throwback Jersey from the 100th game. Roll Scots!

[scottie]

Pat Coleman:  Please log on to the Monmouth game and look at the camera quality from the host team.  Is this really acceptable?

[formerscot4]

Pat Coleman:  Please log on to the Monmouth game and look at the camera quality from the host team.  Is this really acceptable?

Horrible, lost feed several times.

[WW]

'Fan: How did the Knights look to you on Saturday?  Looking at Mac as a worthy opponent comparison, I'm wondering if Monmouth's 37-0 win (vs 17-15) means anything.  Probably not.

It seems more like it was a matchup thing. SNC's defense is for real, but the offense is totally stagnant (they run the triple option for gods sake, despite having an All-American wideout, as well as many other talented pass catchers) and relies for the defense to get them the ball in the opponents territory to do anything. Macalester came out throwing well in the second half, only for some drives to stall near the red zone. I think the title game will ultimately come down to the wire, but I don't know if the SNC offense will be able to muster anything if the defense is not playing absolutely lights out.

The best SNC can hope for is another 9-6 type game like last year's, hope the D gets them short fields, and hope Thomson-Meyers' big leg can be a difference maker. Otherwise it's hard to see them scoring a touchdown on Monmouth.

I think you hit the nail right on the head. STM will be the X factor, here. Monmouth will have a tough time running the ball, so if (and this is a big IF) the pass D can step up, SNC could see relatively short fields on offense. Special teams always seems to win these types of games, and having a kicker being looked at by NFL scouts isn't a bad thing when you need clutch field goals. Final will be 13-10 SNC, IMO.

I think the Scots win this game comfortably enough, presuming Wright is healthy. And given that he had a reasonably full workload against Knox, I'm guessing he is. That said, this MC team is hardly an offensive juggernaut if Wright is contained. Force them to pass and that's a huge swing in SNC's favor. MC couldn't get it done through the air vs the two quality defenses they faced in their NC games. I don't see them lighting up SNC through the air either.

As for SNC offense, short fields will sure help. Both the NC teams MC faced had big air games, but SNC just doesn't, even with a preseason AA WR. So it'll have to be ground and pound for the Knights, who may be dinged up at RB? In any case, they sure have a bunch of guys getting carries, although maybe that's a product of just trying to spread the wealth and keep guys healthy vs injuries forcing them deep into their depth chart.

So I'll go with 14-3, Scots. But SNC's got a puncher's chance, for sure.

[Pat Coleman]

Pat Coleman:  Please log on to the Monmouth game and look at the camera quality from the host team.  Is this really acceptable?

Horrible, lost feed several times.

Sorry -- wasn't watching this board on game day but I know Stretch Internet had a ton of issues on Saturday. The camera quality isn't Stretch's issue but losing the feed is.

[formerscot4]

Pat Coleman:  Please log on to the Monmouth game and look at the camera quality from the host team.  Is this really acceptable?



Horrible, lost feed several times.

Sorry -- wasn't watching this board on game day but I know Stretch Internet had a ton of issues on Saturday. The camera quality isn't Stretch's issue but losing the feed is.

The worst part was the camera placement and view.

[hazzben]

I agree with Pat on this topic. The MWC is not strong enough to dream of two bids.

True, but I like that Monmouth has committed to a challenging N-C slate and I'm guessing will have Wheaton again for a home-and-home next year. They win both out-of-league games in the future and they might earn a level of playoff insurance should they not win the league.

Agree with Pat as well, but also agreed that I like Monmouth's approach to this. If they could get SNC to go along with it, it could give them a shot at a Pool C sometime down the road. It would boost both their profiles, both their SOS, and in a year like this, means they are really only playing 2-3 difficult games during the year.

If they beat the ARC champ and a CCIW, MIAC, or WIAC champ/contender, it gives them a chance at Pool C, and really does nothing to hurt them. If they win those NonCon games and the MWC, they still get the Pool A, but now have a resume that might get them a few games at home. If they lose one of those NonCon games, they can still have a shot at the Pool A, and nothing is really lost, except maybe a 1st rd home game. 2-1 vs. RRO's will only happen in this type of world and offsets SOS, which is out of a teams control to a greater degree.