FB: Region 4 fan poll

[CollegeGolf18]

I swear the IWU vote has become bizarre by the week.

That was me. I had CCIW on my mind and accidentally typed in Illinois Wesleyan rather than Washington U...dumbfounded at what crossed my mind when I did that.

Everything would have stayed the same though regardless.

[Sir Battlescars]

I told you Hope wasn't that good.

[formerd3db]

I told you Hope wasn't that good.

Okay, FWIW, here is my assessment.  I will be the first to admit that Wartburg was the much better, more experienced playoff tested team than Hope-I already said (posted) that elsewhere. However, Hope is really better than you believe (I think I'm qualified to say that after having seen them play-up close-all season🙂 and honestly putting my bias aside.) They simply did not play like they had the past 4 games. Too many missed assignments such as in the secondary (wide open receivers, and simply just not making the plays despite being in position), poor offensive blocking unlike they had been doing in recent games (essentially none as the second half progressed). Hope had one of those games that happens to a lot of good teams when it comes to a big game i.e. having a bad, an off day.

Personally, I think that as the game went on-and unfortunately this happened very early in the game-Hope's players were kind of "shellshocked" in the mindset of playing in their first post season game of their careers as compared to Wartburg's players. You could see that especially after the false start penalty that forced having to settle for a field goal instead of a potential TD from the 1 yard line. I'm not making excuses because obviously the great teams rise above such game situations, and again, Wartburg was the better team.  Our (Hope's) players just did not play up to their potential and giving Wartburg a more competitive, close game as initially predicted and possibly even pulling the upset.

Yet, in the overall view of this, it once again comes back to what I (and some others) have been saying for several years now. And that is, until our MIAA decides to go back to allowing its teams to independently schedule their non-conference games such that schools can choose to play more upper tier teams (such as Hope going back to playing old, tough rivalries such as Wheaton, Wabash and perhaps an occasional DII team like we did years ago), the mindset in helping our teams being able to compete and go beyond the first round of the playoffs is not going to happen. That takes a long time to develop but is something that does occur as has been proven by several examples in all four sub-divisions in the NCAA.

Anyway, again congratulations to Wartburg and best of luck to them as they continue on. And congratulations to Hope's players and Coach Stuursma and his staff for a very fine season. At least we are back to very successful seasons similar to years ago. But, the goal is to "press on" to even better results.🙂

Edit: for spelling/punctuation. I really need to stop posting from my cell phone-too small of a keyboard, which leads to that well known "fat finger syndrome."🙂

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Yet, in the overall view of this, it once again comes back to what I (and some others) have been saying for several years now. And that is, until our MIAA decides to go back to allowing its teams to independently schedule their non-confetence games such that schools can choose to play more upper tier teams (such as Hope going back to playing old, tough rivalries such as Wheaton, Wabash and perhaps an occasional DII team like we did years ago), the mindset in helping our teams being able to compete and go beyond the first round of the playoffs is not going to happen. That takes a long time to develop but is something that does occur as has been proven by several examples in all four sub-divisions in the NCAA.

I've thought for a while that a NACC/HCAC week would be a good idea but that won't happen while there's still a NACC/MIAA one. Also, who gets left out when St Norbert joins the NACC and they have 9 teams to the MIAA's 8? If Earlham resumes football (no idea if they will) that'd put the HCAC back to 9 as well.

[Pat Coleman]

Wartburg was the much better ... team than Hope.

They simply did not play like they had the past 4 games.

These two things go together. Playing Olivet, Alma, Kalamazoo and Adrian is not the same as playing a 9-1 Top 25 team.

[formerd3db]

Yet, in the overall view of this, it once again comes back to what I (and some others) have been saying for several years now. And that is, until our MIAA decides to go back to allowing its teams to independently schedule their non-confetence games such that schools can choose to play more upper tier teams (such as Hope going back to playing old, tough rivalries such as Wheaton, Wabash and perhaps an occasional DII team like we did years ago), the mindset in helping our teams being able to compete and go beyond the first round of the playoffs is not going to happen. That takes a long time to develop but is something that does occur as has been proven by several examples in all four sub-divisions in the NCAA.

I've thought for a while that a NACC/HCAC week would be a good idea but that won't happen while there's still a NACC/MIAA one. Also, who gets left out when St Norbert joins the NACC and they have 9 teams to the MIAA's 8? If Earlham resumes football (no idea if they will) that'd put the HCAC back to 9 as well.

That is a good question, FCGrizz if the current NACC/MIAA arrangement were to be in place.  However, it appears like that won't happen or need to be addressed as according to the a link posted over on the MWC board, Monmouth is scheduled to play Hope next year on September 12, 2020 at Hope. So perhaps an NACC/HCAC arrangement could be done.  I have not heard anything about that and for some reason, apparently missed that the MWC/MIAA arrangement has been made? At least I haven't heard anything about this being an independently scheduled game and would assume, until I find out otherwise, that an MWC/MIAA arrangement for the next probably 4 years has been agreed to.  I have also tried to find out online about Hope's future football schedules, however, none are posted like they were a few years ago, the last being 2017.  I will just have to ask our HC and AD!

BTW, any guesses on who your FC might be considering for the new HC?  Current staff member or will they decide to bring on board someone from the outside?

[formerd3db]

Wartburg was the much better ... team than Hope.

They simply did not play like they had the past 4 games.

These two things go together. Playing Olivet, Alma, Kalamazoo and Adrian is not the same as playing a 9-1 Top 25 team.

I didn't say it was Pat, obviously it is not. My point was that they were playing better fundamentally than they did on Saturday and had they done so, I believe it would have been a closer game like you and your colleagues had thought it initially might be.

[formerd3db]

BTW Pat, do you perhaps know if there has been a MWC/MIAA arrangement made?  You, understandably,  usually know those things well before most of us and, as I mentioned, if that has been previously announced, somehow I missed it.  Thanks.

[Pat Coleman]

I don't think there is an arrangement in place, no. My understanding is that the MIAA only "controls" the two NACC games and the schools are free to do what they like with the other. That would be the date with which Olivet scheduled Wilmington, Finlandia scheduled Ripon and Hope scheduled Millikin this year.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Yet, in the overall view of this, it once again comes back to what I (and some others) have been saying for several years now. And that is, until our MIAA decides to go back to allowing its teams to independently schedule their non-confetence games such that schools can choose to play more upper tier teams (such as Hope going back to playing old, tough rivalries such as Wheaton, Wabash and perhaps an occasional DII team like we did years ago), the mindset in helping our teams being able to compete and go beyond the first round of the playoffs is not going to happen. That takes a long time to develop but is something that does occur as has been proven by several examples in all four sub-divisions in the NCAA.

I've thought for a while that a NACC/HCAC week would be a good idea but that won't happen while there's still a NACC/MIAA one. Also, who gets left out when St Norbert joins the NACC and they have 9 teams to the MIAA's 8? If Earlham resumes football (no idea if they will) that'd put the HCAC back to 9 as well.

That is a good question, FCGrizz if the current NACC/MIAA arrangement were to be in place.  However, it appears like that won't happen or need to be addressed as according to the a link posted over on the MWC board, Monmouth is scheduled to play Hope next year on September 12, 2020 at Hope. So perhaps an NACC/HCAC arrangement could be done.  I have not heard anything about that and for some reason, apparently missed that the MWC/MIAA arrangement has been made? At least I haven't heard anything about this being an independently scheduled game and would assume, until I find out otherwise, that an MWC/MIAA arrangement for the next probably 4 years has been agreed to.  I have also tried to find out online about Hope's future football schedules, however, none are posted like they were a few years ago, the last being 2017.  I will just have to ask our HC and AD!

BTW, any guesses on who your FC might be considering for the new HC?  Current staff member or will they decide to bring on board someone from the outside?

Right now, no idea. Very few people even knew he was going to retire. I've heard no indication yet of how things will go. Right now listed as the interim HC is Ryan McElwain who has been with Franklin for a couple years. He was the DC at Kalamazoo from 09-17.

[formerd3db]

Thanks Pat.  If I find out anything otherwise in the next week or two when I see the Hope staff (or I may just email someone ahead of time), I will forward the info on to you. But, again, you might even know before me if anything has changed or changes!  Likely, however, it remains the same as you have outlined.

Thanks also FCGrizz.

[Li'l Giant]

Well, NCC is going to make the end of the season ballot interesting.

[CollegeGolf18]

Well, NCC is going to make the end of the season ballot interesting.

How? NCC #1, Wheaton #2 - depending on finish, Mount #3,

[USee]

Well, NCC is going to make the end of the season ballot interesting.

How? NCC #1, Wheaton #2 - depending on finish, Mount #3,

Hmmm. Seems to me your #2 already beat your #1. Though you and Smed went to the same school right? That explains it.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Well, NCC is going to make the end of the season ballot interesting.

How? NCC #1, Wheaton #2 - depending on finish, Mount #3,

Hmmm. Seems to me your #2 already beat your #1. Though you and Smed went to the same school right? That explains it.

Yeah, right now it would be #1 Wheaton, #2 NCC, #3 UMU.

IF NCC and Wheaton meet in the Stagg, winner is #1.