I didn't expect to change my rankings this week due to the lack of games. However, I also keep expecting Mount Union to be Mount Union again. And although a win is a win, a six-point win against Marietta was underwhelming enough that I took away some benefit of the doubt I had been giving them.

Not quite as exciting, but Wabash @ Denison, Mount St Joseph @ Hanover, and Calvin @ Adrian are all really good barometer tests as well. It's a fun weekend for football!

I'm B. I still expect to have Mount Union at 3 by the end of the regular season. But I couldn't ignore Calvin's 66-20 shellacking of Olivet.

I'll admit it now. I voted for Calvin this week.

And yes, it felt gross.

Completely fair. But as a voter, I can only go off each team's 3 game resume. And outside of Hope's wins at Hanover and Denison, Washington's win against DePauw, and Berg's win at Mount, I'm not sure there's another result in R4 as impressive as that loss at Wheaton... which is why, for now, Mount stays in my rankings...

I came late to the party, but am in fact column E. I get those leaving Mount off their rankings... but a one point loss at Wheaton is a very quality result against one of the best teams in the country. I have no faith whatsoever that anyone outside of John Carroll, Hope, or Wash U could fare as well... Unfortunately, embarrassing Muskingum, Marietta, Capital, and Wilmington collectively 300-13 isn't going to move the needle.

He not only catches the ball, he twists and pitches the ball. It is a fumble, was called a fumble, and should have remained a fumble. Rough way to lose what could very well have been the de facto MIAA Championship game.

For what it's worth, at the end of regulation, Hope failed to convert on a fourth and goal play that would have ended the game but Alma was called for holding. The hold was one that could easily have gone uncalled.

Still, I just simply can't understand how 8 refs all huddled together and decided to overturn the call on the field to an incomplete pass.

I am column 6. I am currently unfairly punishing Alma for losing at UWRF and not JC for losing at Johns Hopkins. Alma has a trip to Holland a week from Saturday. John Carroll gets both Wabash and DePauw in October. It'll work itself out :)p

Just for fun...

Massey - Mount 2, Hope 12, DePauw 15, John Carroll 22, Alma 24, Marietta 27, Baldwin Wallace 36, Wabash 42, Adrian 47
Matt Snyder's NPA Data - Baldwin Wallace 4, Mount 18, Hope 19, Etta 28, Wabash 33, DePauw 61, Calvin 65,

I'm still the outlier in column 4. I debated long and hard putting Marietta at 2, not 3. That beat down of BW was impressive. I decided they'll have their chance to move up the last two games of the season.

The most points Hope has given up this season is 18 against Kalamazoo (and that was after going up 35-3 and treating the rest of the game like a scrimmage)... When splitting hairs trying to decide who should be ranked higher between Marietta, Hope, and DePauw, I really start splitting hairs. Berry lost again and Denison dropping 34 on DePauw both make me lean Hope. If Hope struggles against Albion or DePauw blows Wabash out of the water, I'll surely flop again. I'm slightly surprised I'm the only one that's voting Hope and now Marietta ahead of DePauw. Perhaps and orange and blue tinted glasses are distorting things for me.

Quote from: FCGrizzliesGrad on October 23, 2024, 08:24:07 PMAccording to the current NPI ranking, the Region 4 order is DePauw, Hope, Mount Union, Marietta, Adrian, Alma, John Carroll, Albion, Wabash, Mount St Joseph in the top 10.

Hope's next two are Adrian and Albion. Mount still has Marietta. Let's say both teams win out. Is it possible a potential playoff game between the two would be in Holland and not Alliance?!

I'm the contrarian this week. I flopped back to Hope 2 and DePauw 3. I just think they remind me a lot of last year DePauw and Alma. As for the seven spot, I game my vote to BW. Holding a two score lead over John Carroll at halftime impressed me in a spot no one really had yet...

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on October 16, 2024, 07:27:42 AMI'm voter 1, 6 or 7 this week.  I flip flopped Wabash and BW this week.  Tough week to move anyone with the MIAA off last Saturday.

Same on being 1, 6, or 7. I moved Hope and DePauw based on a reassessment of DePauw's win over Berry. I also bumped Marietta ahead of JCU and Alma, rationale being the losses of UWW and UWRF... still think JCU and Alma might actually be better, but, for now...

I was the lone Hope vote at 2 and DePauw at 3. I flipped them this week. But... I reserve the right to flip back if Trinity beats the tar out of Berry next week. I'm still skeptical at how good of a win Berry is. And without that win, their resume is suspect.

Anyone have insight on DePauw's win against Berry and how I should be quantifying it? Admittedly, I have zero knowledge of Berry football. Should I be giving that win more value than I currently am?

Quote from: bluestreak66 on October 04, 2024, 10:14:01 AMbut what exactly is the thought process behind the two Albion voters?...

Admittedly, I was one. I was trying to quickly get my votes in while tailgating for the MNF game in Detroit. I hastily made my vote at 7 for Albion. I spent more time and consideration this week and fixed the "error".