The Blog is Back!

Howdy Y'all?! I've done changed stations now and work for a country station so now I speak with this southern accent. I bet y'all be wondering what happened to the blog last year? Well shucks... I done had it linked to my old stations email and couldn't get it back till just now! So saddle up partners and let's get ready for week one power rankings!


That's actually really annoying so I'm gonna stop.

Power Rankings to start the year!

1. Saint Scholastica
You can't take them off the top till they get knocked off the top. Scholastica lost a lot from last year in upperclassmen and might be in a little bit of a rebuild phase, but anything other than the top spot would be an insult to their team in the preseason.

2. Northwestern
They continue to get better every year and this might be one of the best teams that they've had in a while. Close call last year with Scholastica, but maybe this is their year to shine. Sounds like a lot of underclassmen are getting starting spots which means either they're really good or they're desperate. Only time will tell on that.

3. Greenville
Look for Greenville to have a huge bounce back this year. I've been carefully watching their twitter accounts and have seen the rise in recruits that they have gotten this year... Now football is a quality over quantity sport, but at the same time you bring in enough guys and a few are bound to be good.

4. Westminster
Maybe I'm still stuck on the Westminster of yesteryear, but I think a solid showing here from Westminster this year and they might even break that top 3 if they get those key wins

5. Eureka
 Still top half of the UMAC, but going to need some big underclassmen to step up to somehow crack that top 3. Kept a lot of games close last year though!

6. Morris
 If you're anything like the Gophers this year tho.... Top 6 is generous. For one of the cheapest (if not the cheapest) school in the UMAC they have a tough time getting a decent team. Maybe this year will be different though!

7. MacMurray
Not much to say about MacMurray... not the worst team in the UMAC but probably won't be contending for the conference anytime soon.

8. IWC
Thought someday this team would turn the corner, but they havn't gotten close the past three years. Not much to expect this year from this team unless they got some crazy new recruits.

9. Crown
Ahhh Crown I might have you a little too low on this list, but I already started typing it before I remembered about you... so just from that sake enjoy the 9 spot.

10. Martin Luther
Nobody goes to your school anymore. Nobody... That's all I Got







Week 1 Match ups!

Maranatha Baptist at Martin Luther

First off let me start this one off by asking how much they pay each person to just go to this game to watch it? I am a man who can be bought, but I'm thinking anything less than a $10 bill to go to this game wouldn't be enough. Now maybe I'm wrong... maybe this battle will be one they talk about for the rest of the year! Mainly due to the fact that it might be the only game Martin Luther has the upper hand in. Good luck to both of these team's fans. Make sure you bring those extra comfy folding chairs to sit on the side of the hill.

Martin Luther 57 
Maranatha Baptist 38



MacMurray at Rockford

Who? Never heard of Rockford... They any good? They were like 4 and 6 last year... I'm gonna give them the nod on this one. Being they had a win over Ripon and also over Concordia Chicago. I'm guessing they'll win easily.

MacMurry 14
Rockford 27



Crown at Hamline

Hamline sounds like a delicious food item you bring to Easter so they get the nod on this one. Also I went Frolfing (Frisbee Golfing) at Crown and wasn't that impressed. Don't ask about my logic... It's foolproof I promise you that.

Crown 6
Hamline 36


Gustavus Adolphus at Westminster (Mo.)

How the heck did Westminster get the Gusties to agree to go all the way over there. Now maybe ol' GA will take their private jet to this one... but wow this shouldn't be close. Gustavus has had some great years since my brother graduated from there. If this is close at all it says a lot about Westminster

Westminster 7
Gustavus 43


Cornell at Iowa Wesleyan

Cornell was like 5-5 last year and from the look of the pictures from their website I've gotta give them this win.

Cornell 32
IWC 18


Augsburg at Northwestern

Augsburg low on the MIAC totem pole and Northwestern high on the UMAC one. This might be a closer game than most MIAC people would expect... that being said inexperience at some positions game one of the season Augsburg will take this one.

Augsburg 21
Northwestern 7


Eureka at Knox 

Knox lost this one last year and I believe will lose again. This one is gonna be a close one though!

Eureka 28
Knox 26



Millikin at Greenville

Millikin takes this one, but this game will tell us a lot about Greenville if they can stay within 15.


Millikin 42
Greenville 14



St. Scholastica at Saint John's

Ouch... I don't want to do this one. There's never been a close match up between Scholastica and a MIAC school. Sorry buddies. Saint John's has this one and it really hurts to even type this.

SJU 60
Scholastica 0



Morris vs Nobody

 I can promise you Morris doesn't lose this game.



I'll break down the actually conference games more than this... but 10 games sucks.

Any disagreements?

Comment below.

Weekly Predictions

Last minute predictions once again... But hey I've got a wedding and stuff to go to. 

So far I'm 4/5 on my picks for the year. Be impressed.

Crown vs Martin Luther

Congrat on the win Crown! Err I mean I'm predicting Crown to win this one, but I think this game will give us a good indicator how good/bad each of these teams are. I just think Crown will win strong coming off two losses.

Crown 32 Martin Luther 14

Scholastica vs Eureka

This one should be a good one, Eureka seems to get a little better every year and Scholastica so far has a slightly down year at least to this point in the season. So I'm think with this one at Eureka it will be a one score game. Similar to the Ripon Game for Scholastica this one will be one if they don't make any turnovers that give up points. Eureka is coming off two wins, but didn't play anyone special yet so a good test for them here.

Scholastica 22 Eureka 18 

Westminster vs Macmurray 

I've seen Macmurray play and I've been impressed, but I think Westminster will get the pass going early and take home the win no problem.

Westminster 32 Macmurray 13

Morris vs Northwestern

Hahahahahahahahaha

Northwestern 32 Morris 7

IWC vs Greenville

Hmmmm I don't know who's going to win this one at all. Greenville coming off a tough loss at Morris and IWC has played 2 decent teams....

Greenville 23 IWC 20

Well, I prob will get 3/5 right on this one. Not a super tough week, but still guessing on some teams ability. 

Weekly Recaps

After messing around a little too much last week I've decided to get back to business on the blog. 

First lets talk about my only wrong prediction for the week. I guess I owe Morris an apology for my "hahaha" prediction for their shot in a game against Greenville. I'm willing to bet nobody gave them a shot after watching them play the last few years. Now before Morris gets too crazy, I think it's probably important to note that Greenville lost a lot from last year and recruitment wise did not go well for them either. That being said I'm not trying to take too much away from them. Big win for the Cougars and the late touchdown was slightly exciting and hopefully Morris can dig themselves out of the pit that the previous teams dug... Before I end this recap tho..

I'm not sure why you specifically called out Scholastica, but I guess name recognition isn't a bad thing. I just think you might want to take a deep breath before you hold up the UMAC trophy in your mind, but hey don't let me rain on your parade after your team's first win since 1923.

You do you though Mike. 

                         You do you.

All mean comment aside. Congrats Cougars! Big win for you guys and you deserve to celebrate. Just not Mike.

Since Morris has that first place wrapped up this year, let's talk about one of the teams fighting for that 2nd place spot. Northwestern as expected beat up on Crown a little bit here this past Saturday. My only question is how can Northwestern play their games at 8pm? Don't they have curfew in those dorms? I like the games under the lights but Northwestern going a little crazy there with an 8pm start. Northwestern's offensive didn't start late though in the game. They had a 21-0 lead early and you already knew this game was over. Northwestern seems to have it all this year. Great balance, great tackling, and play makers they've got a team this year I might have predicted to win it all... If of course it wasn't for Morris. Crown still has some kinks to workout, but I don't see them not being able to get at least 2-3 wins this year. After watching Scholastica play two games this year, I think everyone can look and see that Northwestern at this current time looks better.

Speaking of Scholastica... Let's talk about their game against Macmurray. The bar was set a little high coming in this game considering they were playing a team they beat 55-7 last year. Scholastica played what I would say was the most boring offense I've seen in 5 years. I think Scholastica was trying to limit the turnovers by taking this game a little safer. It worked enough to get the win, but didn't make me jump out of my seat. Doesn't need to though... A win is a win. This game should've been 22-3 final score. A Hail Mary that even Mary would've shook her head worked like a charm for a last second touchdown at half for Macmurray. Preston Robinson started the game off a little slow, but really found his groove in the second half. He also had one of the dirtiest runs in Scholatica history that came back because of a hold he probably didn't need. Injuries have been hurting this Saints so far and we will wait and see if they can get a full healthy squad at some point. The best player in this game no doubt was the punter for CSS. Pinned them inside the 5 at least 3 times giving them no chance at driving the whole field. 

Overall Macmurray played the best I've seen in 6 years, but Scholastica didn't get too crazy and just went with a relaxed playbook and took home the win.

Eureka vs Martin Luther

Really tough to recap this game. I really think Martin Luther has fallen to some depths that they might never get out of. Eureka is always a team that is in the mix of things till about midseason, but this is one of those years they could make it a close race. I can never evaluate a team when they play Martin Luther because it's just hard to tell what's good about them and what's bad about Martin Luther.

All in all Eureka with a nice win and they've got a real shot at CSS next week and expect that to be a 1 touchdown game.

Westminster vs IWC

This would've been an interesting game to be at. I had thought after last season IWC was on the way up for this year, which could still be true.... But if it is Westminster is a top notch team this year and we're talking about a 4 team race for first place this year. 

I just read the box score on this one so... Overall Westminster > IWC

well that about wraps up the recaps... Remember what you say on Twitter will be used against you, but please continue to do it so I have something to write about.

Last second predictions!

After a few brews in the parking lot... (A&W) I remember I didn't do predictions... 

Well crap. 40 min till game time... 

Scholastica vs Macmurray 

Scholastica should be able to win this game but so many returners for Macmurray. This won't be a blow out. Could be closer than comfortable with the injuries to some of the saints too. I do expect CSS to win this one, but will be close till at least halfway through the 3rd.

Final Score

32-18

Greenville vs Morris

Hahaha

Final Score

Greenville 30-13 Morris 

Westminster vs IWC

Should be a close one actually, but Westy pulls this off.

Westy 26-20 IWC

Northwestern vs Crown

NW 28 - 0 Crown

Eureka vs Martin Luther 

E 38 M 14

Rant and Recap

Well, I'm back... Let me begin this blog post with this.

Offesive pass interfence?!??! You've got to be kidding me! No really, back up QB comes in for one play... One freaking play! Throws just a perfect pass with a cold arm just tator city and the tripping defensive player (tripping both physically and attitude wise) get the call of his life called on "The Irish blessing" who just mans up and grabs a ball for what most likely would've been the game winner, but no. I've watched the play over and over again (because I'm a radio announcer with no life) and his hands aren't even on the guy when he trips! Listen I know what you're thinking... "Typical Joshua thinks his team always getting screwed" well you're half right... I do, but if you're Ripon and you watch this film and think "That was a great call" you're more delirious than me. The announcers; who were clearly in a battle to take over my reigning champ as the biggest Homer ever, clearly took the play for what they wanted to see instead of what happened. (I'm actually pretty good at that myself) I wasn't even mad about the call until I sat infront of a computer and watched it again and saw the sad truth in slow motion, normal motion, and the less popular fast motion with classic music behind it. All 3 showed the same thing! Clean... Cleaner than the criminal record of the nun coach.

 So now that we've cleared up exactly how I feel... Let's talk about the meaningless games from last week.

Scholastica vs Ripon

Good learning lesson for the team replacing a starting QB. Defense seems to be solid still, and CSS just has to control and they'll bounce back.

Northwestern vs St. Olaf 

Not bad Northwestern. Once again you play the same team from the MIAC and make it a close game. You lost this one, but clearly you're a force for the UMAC once again.

Morris vs Hamline

You got on the board at that's all that matters.

Good effort.

Westminster vs Who?

Ok so I'm not even going to bother looking this team up... But you lost and it looks like you went to Texas to do it. Cool.

Greenville vs Milkville 

Played a tough team and lost. Boom your recap.

Crown vs Gustavus

Two crown logos (technically Gustavus has three themselves) not even a remotely close game but Gustys prob good and stuff.

Martin Luther vs Saint Mary's school of the blind, poor, deaf and weak.

Congrats, for a school of Preachers you sure enjoy beating up of the meek and poor of heart. 

Eureka vs The Lack of Hard Knox 

Too lazy to congratulate you on winning the Abe's ax or face throphy thing.

Welp, that's it... I'll break stuff more down in the previews for this week but I really don't care right now.

It was clean! Clean I tell you!

Go Saints!

*spelling errors are intended and add to my uneducated opinions.  

Playoff Preview!

First off let me start by patting myself on the back for a solid regular season of predictions! I finished off the season at like 80% and that means I graduated and can predict the playoff game for Scholastica!

Fourth time is the charm? Scholastica as usual has a really tough match-up the first round against St. Johns. As I really don't need to point out, but I will... The MIAC is significantly better than the UMAC is. This causes teams like St. Johns to be prepped and ready for the playoffs, while Scholastica hasn't really had an opponents close to that caliber all season. To sum up what people think St. Scholastica's chances are here is a picture.

If only... and I mean if only there was someone who could help the snowball from going to 

hell... Oh wait, one of the coaches is a nun! Check mate Hell! Though the Saints might need a little more than a great Nun coach to be able to pull off a win here. Perfect Football is the only way the saints will pull off this game. St. Johns is just a great established program and they're a relatively rounded team too. This game will hopefully have a lot of fans too with that warm 34 degree game time temps. So what do I think is going to happen here? Tyler Harper is just a QB that wins games and he has shown that all season. He has some of his targets figured out and even against a top team like St. Johns, Scholastica has some WR that are bigger than their corners. That high ball will be Scholastica's best chance of moving the ball down the field. I expect the running game to be relatively non-exsistant as it has been for every NCAA game in school history. Robinson and "The Gas" are special backs though and if anyone can end that drought it might be them. Defense wise Scholastica is going to need some bad turnovers and a little bit of luck to happen to keep this score low. If there's a fumble or a pick you've got to take it to the house. Defensive points would give Scholastica a higher chance of pulling off the biggest upset in Div 3 history. I will streak across the field if they win, so that could either be motivation or could be demotivating maybe... Anything can happen in a football game and that's what I'm holding out for. Hey you never know what can happen!

  

Final Score

Scholastica 26 St. Johns 22

ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS!

Here we go folks... For 95% of you seniors playing on Saturday this will be the last game of your college football career. For a lucky 5% they've got a shot at one more game and most likely play a top 5 team in the nation. "WE WANT WHITEWATER!" -said no UMAC team. Some teams are just clawing at one more win this year to consider themselves not a complete loser or maybe to just get that bad taste out of their mouths from the whole season. All eyes are clearly on one game this week, but that doesn't mean I wont post all the games for those guys who are still playing for sentimental value. Sadly this will likely be my last predictions of the season and I hopefully will stroll out the season with another 5 for 5.

Let start the show off with a good one

Morris vs MacMurray

This one is actually going to be a good game. If only the Morris football players showed as much enthusiasm in their games as they do watching their volleyball team, they would have a few wins. Morris is coming off basically a shut out to Scholastica and Macmurray is coming off a shellacking from Northwestern. So which team has been defeated more by that big loss? I've already seen MacMurray jump off a big loss against Scholasica earlier in the season and then came the next week with a strong game. I will have to assume the same thing will happen here against the non-existent offense for Morris.This is one of those games though where Morris once again has a shot at their first win, but since they lose to Martin Luther they shouldn't win this one

Final Score
MacMurray 26 Morris 13



Northwestern vs IWC

Last week I picked IWC to win and I was correct. Which if they were playing anyone besides one of the top three teams in the UMAC I would pick them again, but alas they play Northwestern and I think they'll lose this one. Northwestern does have to travel to the land of the corn for this game, but I think they'll be hoisting up the coveted "Corn Stalk" after this big win. So with IWC ending this season with a loss what does that mean for the future? That I couldn't tell you... but I will say they seem to be on the up and up. ("seem to be" being a key phrase here) Northwestern took the first steps towards being at the top again this year and I think they might top it next year.

Final Score
Northwestern 30 IWC 18


Westminster vs Martin Luther

Do I even really have to talk about this game? OK, Alright I will... quit twisting my arm. Martin Luther doesn't have a shot in this game here in this game. If by some chance they did that would be on Westminster completely screwing it up.

Final Score
Westminster 32 Martin Luther 16


Eureka vs Crown

Another tough match-up here with these two lower teams. Crown has done enough here this season though to make me believe they can win this game. With a win here I would be willing to say that Crown hasn't been a complete disappointment this year, but still a little bit of one. Eureka not much to play for here besides a little bit of pride. Crown is beatable for you in this match-up, but not easily

Final Score
Crown 30 Eureka 24


Greenville vs Scholastica

Every year we talk about the other teams that have a shot at winning the UMAC since the AQ started, but it has always come down to these two teams in the pack. The fact that they continue to make these two teams face off the last game of the season always adds to suspense of the UMAC AQ. Last year when these two teams faced off I was covering it down in Greenville, and it was a close one almost all game. The big break in that game was when Harper with seconds left on the clock to half elected not to throw an incomplete pass and kick the field goal and just ran it. He avoided one tackle and rushed in for a big touchdown as time expired, and I think that really was the deciding factor in that game. Greenville has an advantage in this game because of the previous three teams that they played (Westminster, IWC, and Northwestern) have set them up for a tougher game. Scholastica on the other had faced off against Martin Luther, Eureka, and Morris. These three teams are bottom of the barrel in the UMAC and I think it might take Scholastica a ways into the first quarter to get acclimated to a real opponent again. Callaway for Greenville will be basically impossible to keep out of the end-zone this game, but the question is how many times are they going to get him in there. This might be a drive for drive game where both teams need to score every time they get the ball if they want to keep this close. It's not that I don't think Scholastica will be able to stop the option of Greenville, but I think the speed at first will be enough to put some points on the board and when Scholastica starts to get the hang of that option Greenville will have to convert 3rd down passes if they want to keep up those points. Scholastica obviously will have home field advantage in this game and will also have an advantage when it comes to the weather. Game time temperature is going to be 32 degrees in Duluth and Scholastica is currently practicing in that weather. Greenville has been practicing in the mid 50s all week and that might play a little factor in this game, but than again... it might not affect a dang thing. You better expect that Greenville has set up a game plan first and foremost to stop the run game of Scholastica. Robinson's five touchdowns didn't make it easy to fly him under the radar. That means Scholastica's offense might come down to the pass and inevitably the ability of Harper. Harper is going to have to do what he does best in this game and just win it. Spreading the ball around this game is going to be a must and I hope to see some big hitters for Scholastica for some quick points. No predictions for this game beside the final score... because in this week that's all that matters.

Final Score
Scholastica 34 Greenville 30


Well there you go, it was a fun season of predictions and I look forward to next years battles! If you're looking for me on Saturday I will be the guy in the press box with the AED right next to him.