FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fredfalcon]

Cmon guys, it's only Blaha's 6th year!

[hazzben]

Bethel's preseason report to our Top 25 voters had 1 starter returning on defense.

Pretty sure Art's numbers are based on the letter Coach Mac sends out to alumni FB players. Letter said 5 and 3. I'm guessing there are two guys who played a ton of snaps but weren't listed as 1 on the depth chart and that's the discrepancy? Similarly, Geebli isn't listed as a returning starter, but he was their top back by the back half of the season once he was back to form from injury.

[Pat Coleman]

Because some places like to be squishy on the number of returning starters, I specify that we want to know about people who started more than half of the games at a position, or if none, whoever started the most. That way there can only really be one starter at a position.

[hazzben]

Totally Pat, in the macro I think you have to approach it that way. So Bethel's numbers are a maybe little better than advertised, but a lot of teams probably feel a little better than what was reported under the strict criteria.

[HansenRatings]

Totally Pat, in the macro I think you have to approach it that way. So Bethel's numbers are a maybe little better than advertised, but a lot of teams probably feel a little better than what was reported under the strict criteria.

They're not any better. With ~75% of all rosters analyzed as of 8/29 (Bethel was part of that 75%), Bethel ranks 227th out of 239 teams in returning defensive production. Sixth fewest games started returning in the country. They also rank among the 10 lowest in returning TFLs and Sacks.
https://hansenratings.github.io/2025%20Returning%20Production.html

[DuffMan]

Suck it, Bethel.   

[USee]

Any inside info on Matt Jung at Wisconsin? Didn't look like he played in their opener. He shows up in the participation section of the box score but no stats. He's listed as backup safety on 2 deep.

[Pat Coleman]

He didn't register any stats but someone in the comments on the preseason All-America team said Jung got playing time in the Badger opener and played well.

[BigMark]

What does everyone think of the Cobbers this year? Coming off a 7-3 year and giving the Johnnies all they wanted, I think they are the sleeper in the MIAC this year. I have been following the MIAC for 20+ years and hoping that Coach Horan can take a big step this year. Excited to see they have added lights to their field and get a chance to open up with an NAIA opponent at 7pm to show it off!

I see it as follows:
St Johns
Concordia
Bethel
Gustavus
Augsburg
Carleton
St. Scholastica
St. Olaf
Hamline
Macalester