FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[blue_jays]

When you're playing the #1 team in the country, ball placement matters. Early in the game his throws were off. He certainly looked a lot better later in the game.

He's got 3 years of good tape, I'm willing to cut him slack for having nerves against an archrival on the road in a #1 vs. #2 game...

[sjujohnnie]

When you're playing the #1 team in the country, ball placement matters. Early in the game his throws were off. He certainly looked a lot better later in the game.

He's got 3 years of good tape, I'm willing to cut him slack for having nerves against an archrival on the road in a #1 vs. #2 game...

Don't take it personally! I was actually hoping that Wheaton would upset North Central. Fortunately those poorly placed passes early on didn't cost them.

[hazzben]

So this week all of us BU fans are also Cobber fans, because the only way the Royals get a "decent shot" at going into the 40 team bracket at the end of the season is for Concordia to get the upset against the Johnnies this week, and then Bethel would have to beat the Cobbers later in the season.

Without doing a deep dive, I disagree Art. SJU beating Concordia is better for Bethel. Concordia and SJU at 9-1 and BU at 8-2 doesn't help us. Concordia gets the AQ and now a 9-1 SJU is added to the At Large field. Bethel should be cheering for chalk, AQ's with as few losses as possible and lots of 2 and 3 loss conference runners up.

[DuffMan]

Might as well just start cheering for SJU now, Hazzben, since your son will end up a Johnnie soon, anyways.

[hazzben]

Might as well just start cheering for SJU now, Hazzben, since your son will end up a Johnnie soon, anyways.

Time will tell, the unholy seduction will probably be taking place end of this month. 

[Boys of Fall]

Are we going to mention the Vikings at some point?  Surely the worst 5-0 team in the history of the league.  I don't even feel any sense of dread about this team disappointing me.  The hammer is coming for them with that offence.  The only question is, how long do they avoid the reckoning?

0% emotionally invested at this point.  Can't get excited about them with the offense they have.  I really wish I could, I just really don't think Kyler is the guy.

Or, should we pay attention to these guys.  If the offense can figure its way to even being average they might be able to put together a good run with the defense and special teams they have.  Being 5-0 playing the way they are might give some optimism if they can better figure out how to move the ball.  Plus, who else in the NFC should be feeling good right now??

[Boys of Fall]

There hasn't been much mention of the Johnnie defense this season.  Going into the season I think this was an area of question.  Only two years removed from Jerry retiring and first year without Novak opened the team up for some big changes.  So far I think the defense under Herberg has answered the questions.  It's early, but the energy he's bringing to that side of the ball is encouraging.

[Retired Old Rat]

There hasn't been much mention of the Johnnie defense this season.  Going into the season I think this was an area of question.  Only two years removed from Jerry retiring and first year without Novak opened the team up for some big changes.  So far I think the defense under Herberg has answered the questions.  It's early, but the energy he's bringing to that side of the ball is encouraging.

They were exploited in the first half against UW La Crosse. Since then they've been lights out.

[faunch]

Interesting stat comparison for the Johnnies from the BU to Mac game.

Versus BU 21 for 3.6 yards per carry.

Versus MAC 24 attempts for 1.6 yards per carry.

Also the little shuffle (shovel) pass that was so effective against BU didn't seem to work as well against the Scots.

[DuffMan]

A shovel pass counts as passing yardage, not rushing yardage, but yes, Mac was definitely prepared to stop it.

[MadRedFan]

There hasn't been much mention of the Johnnie defense this season.  Going into the season I think this was an area of question.  Only two years removed from Jerry retiring and first year without Novak opened the team up for some big changes.  So far I think the defense under Herberg has answered the questions.  It's early, but the energy he's bringing to that side of the ball is encouraging.

Yes.

From time to time over the years, I wished the Johnnies would/could have some bigger boys in the front seven.  Lots of years went to war with 230 lb DT's, 200 lb LBs etc.  This year, they've got a nice size front four, at least front 3, 285/270/265 and off the bench with 270/270/250, good crew of LB's around 220-225 lbs.  I think that helps! Maybe the new DC favors size a little more than the old "speed" emphasis.

[faunch]

There hasn't been much mention of the Johnnie defense this season.  Going into the season I think this was an area of question.  Only two years removed from Jerry retiring and first year without Novak opened the team up for some big changes.  So far I think the defense under Herberg has answered the questions.  It's early, but the energy he's bringing to that side of the ball is encouraging.

Yes.

From time to time over the years, I wished the Johnnies would/could have some bigger boys in the front seven.  Lots of years went to war with 230 lb DT's, 200 lb LBs etc.  This year, they've got a nice size front four, at least front 3, 285/270/265 and off the bench with 270/270/250, good crew of LB's around 220-225 lbs.  I think that helps! Maybe the new DC favors size a little more than the old "speed" emphasis.

And he seems to be mixing guys in and out which helps keep our guys fresh while the opposition o-line wears down. Offenses like UWRF do a good job of neutralizing that by running their extreme hurry up offense although I'm not sure they go as fast this season as they did last.

[OzJohnnie]

Well, the free agent/trade session just closed for the AFL, and the Hawks picked up two fantastic, A-grade players who go straight into the starting 23.

Essendon's former Captain, consecutive seven-time Essendon best and fairest, and three-time All-Australian midfield/utility, Zach Merrett.

And Coleman medalist (most goals in a season) runner-up, and the most accurate kicking key forward in the league, the Gold Coast's Ben King.

Additionally, we picked up a phenomenally talented runner, Josh Goater, from North Melbourne for a packet of chips.  He's a third-year player who tore his Achilles in his first season and has suffered a string of soft-tissue injuries since then, keeping him out of North's side for the last two years.  If our fitness staff can get him healthy, oh boy.

And, amazingly, we didn't lose a single top-30 player and retained a very strong draft hand.  It's been a masterful session by the Hawthorn list management team.

The Hawks are primed for next season.  I can't believe I need to wait five more months before the season starts.

[repete]

There hasn't been much mention of the Johnnie defense this season.  Going into the season I think this was an area of question.  Only two years removed from Jerry retiring and first year without Novak opened the team up for some big changes.  So far I think the defense under Herberg has answered the questions.  It's early, but the energy he's bringing to that side of the ball is encouraging.

Yes.

From time to time over the years, I wished the Johnnies would/could have some bigger boys in the front seven.  Lots of years went to war with 230 lb DT's, 200 lb LBs etc.  This year, they've got a nice size front four, at least front 3, 285/270/265 and off the bench with 270/270/250, good crew of LB's around 220-225 lbs.  I think that helps! Maybe the new DC favors size a little more than the old "speed" emphasis.

Could be good test with Cobbers, who have some solid guys with size in the o-line.

[sjujohnnie]

Well, the free agent/trade session just closed for the AFL, and the Hawks picked up two fantastic, A-grade players who go straight into the starting 23.

Essendon's former Captain, consecutive seven-time Essendon best and fairest, and three-time All-Australian midfield/utility, Zach Merrett.

And Coleman medalist (most goals in a season) runner-up, and the most accurate kicking key forward in the league, the Gold Coast's Ben King.

Additionally, we picked up a phenomenally talented runner, Josh Goater, from North Melbourne for a packet of chips.  He's a third-year player who tore his Achilles in his first season and has suffered a string of soft-tissue injuries since then, keeping him out of North's side for the last two years.  If our fitness staff can get him healthy, oh boy.

And, amazingly, we didn't lose a single top-30 player and retained a very strong draft hand.  It's been a masterful session by the Hawthorn list management team.

The Hawks are primed for next season.  I can't believe I need to wait five more months before the season starts.

Now you'll have more time to put together insightful analysis of all things Johnnie football!