FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Yes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how that works now.

Yes, discussed in a number of podcasts in the last two seasons.

Sorry, I don't listen to podcasts.

Well, we also referenced this when we wrote about our projected bracket each of the past two years. For example:
https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/our-projected-bracket

[sjujohnnie]

Any word on how the search for two teams to fill the non-conference slate next fall are going for St John's? Has anyone heard of any changes in approach that the staff/team will be taking between now & next season to be more competitive?

[RoyalsFan]

Yes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how that works now.

Yes, discussed in a number of podcasts in the last two seasons.

Sorry, I don't listen to podcasts.

Well, we also referenced this when we wrote about our projected bracket each of the past two years. For example:
https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/our-projected-bracket

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone reads everything you put out. It just ins't that important to me. I asked a question and someone answered it, end of story.

[faunch]

Any word on how the search for two teams to fill the non-conference slate next fall are going for St John's? Has anyone heard of any changes in approach that the staff/team will be taking between now & next season to be more competitive?

Why would they need to fill two teams /games?

[Pat Coleman]

Yes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of how that works now.

Yes, discussed in a number of podcasts in the last two seasons.

Sorry, I don't listen to podcasts.

Well, we also referenced this when we wrote about our projected bracket each of the past two years. For example:
https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/our-projected-bracket

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone reads everything you put out. It just ins't that important to me. I asked a question and someone answered it, end of story.

OK. Well, you said you didn't listen to podcasts, and it made me go double-check to make sure we talked about it in print form. Think we have it covered.

[CHUBBS PETERSON]

Any word on how the search for two teams to fill the non-conference slate next fall are going for St John's? Has anyone heard of any changes in approach that the staff/team will be taking between now & next season to be more competitive?

Don't see any news about any MIAC members dropping football, so only one non-conference opponent required.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone reads everything you put out. It just ins't that important to me. I asked a question and someone answered it, end of story.

It feels like the right time of year to drag this post out again.

Ok, I see that my comments here are no longer welcome and I am not going to participate when I am criticized for every comment I make. I am done with this board - don't need the aggravation. Hasta la vista.

[Retired Old Rat]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone reads everything you put out. It just ins't that important to me. I asked a question and someone answered it, end of story.

It feels like the right time of year to drag this post out again.

Ok, I see that my comments here are no longer welcome and I am not going to participate when I am criticized for every comment I make. I am done with this board - don't need the aggravation. Hasta la vista.

He did abstain for seven days.

[sjujohnnie]

Any word on how the search for two teams to fill the non-conference slate next fall are going for St John's? Has anyone heard of any changes in approach that the staff/team will be taking between now & next season to be more competitive?

Why would they need to fill two teams /games?

St John's website shows that there are two open dates to start each of the next two seasons. I didn't consider a bye week. I would love to see two non-conference opponents to start the season and a bye later on as opposed to playing one non-conference game followed by a bye or not playing in the first week of the season and then one non-conference opponent. If the team plays well enough they have the opportunity to be rewarded with a bye to start the postseason.

[Pat Coleman]

Any word on how the search for two teams to fill the non-conference slate next fall are going for St John's? Has anyone heard of any changes in approach that the staff/team will be taking between now & next season to be more competitive?

Why would they need to fill two teams /games?

St John's website shows that there are two open dates to start each of the next two seasons. I didn't consider a bye week. I would love to see two non-conference opponents to start the season and a bye later on as opposed to playing one non-conference game followed by a bye or not playing in the first week of the season and then one non-conference opponent. If the team plays well enough they have the opportunity to be rewarded with a bye to start the postseason.

Yes, teams in the MIAC may well advertise for an open date in Week 1 and Week 2, but can only fill one of those.

[sjujohnnie]

That's good to know! Thank you, Pat!

[DuffMan]

Huge loss in Collegeville as Brandon Novak is rumored to be announced as Loras College head coach (via Twitter).

[Retired Old Rat]

Potential huge loss in Collegeville as Brandon Novak is rumored to be announced at Loras College head coach (via Twitter).

That really sucks.  Yes, huge loss.  I don't blame him.  He's been kind of stuck where he is and is certainly more than qualified to be a head coach.  Steep hill to climb at Loras.  Hope he's got some guarantees of institutional buy in.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Potential huge loss in Collegeville as Brandon Novak is rumored to be announced at Loras College head coach (via Twitter).

That really sucks.  Yes, huge loss.  I don't blame him.  He's been kind of stuck where he is and is certainly more than qualified to be a head coach.  Steep hill to climb at Loras.  Hope he's got some guarantees of institutional buy in.

As the board's resident Duhawk I can confirm this to be true as there was an email sent to all alums yesterday introducing him as the new head coach. Everyone in the program and administration feels that it is a home run hire. There is legitimate excitement around the program for the first time in a while.

As for the institutional buy in part... Loras recently got a new president last year and many have stated that football is now a top priority at the College. The president himself told alums at a fundraising event that the handcuffs are coming off the program. The future remains to be seen...

[gobigred425]

Good for Novak. A beloved Johnnie who I wish nothing but the best for! Hopefully he will cut his teeth down in Loras and maybe set himself up to be next in line when Gary retires in 2-3 years.

Plenty of qualified coaches still on staff who can fill his shoes on the field, but his personality and energy will be missed.