Here are three signs that this week’s game has the entire MIAC feeling rather bored:
- No one from Hamline wrote a “View from Snelling Avenue” preview.
- TC handed over the prediction compilation task to me of all people.
- I’ve got a grand total of five predictions to present. There will be a whopping six if Dusty adds his at some point.
With that said, I’ve got the saddest, least interesting pile of insight you can possibly imagine. Whether that’s a function of the big win last week over a highly-touted Gustavus team building an overabundance of confidence in Johnnie fans, I don’t know. It could just be because we all think Hamline is really, really bad. It’s up to you, dear reader, to decide. Without further ado, commence boredom…
DuffMan: Hamline hasn’t shown the ability to keep up with us in the past decade, and I don’t think things are going to be any different this Saturday. Granted, if the team is looking past the lowly Pipers they could play with us, but even if the crew has an off day, I foresee this game getting out of hand. This should be a good weekend for the back-ups to get some valuable game reps. St. John’s 55, Hamline 7
DustySJU: The perfect storm is brewing…. a sleepy and unbeaten St. John’s team traveling to another second tier MIAC team in St. Paul. A Hamline Piper team motivated by decent showings at Concordia, vs Carleton and a new head coach with ties to one of the most heralded DIII programs in the country. Maybe all the noise makers are right and the MIAC is just a weak sibling to the mighty power conferences of the OAC and the WIAC. And maybe, just maybe Hamline’s defensive coordinator and former Stout head man Todd Strop’s familiarity with the Stiftungsfest crew and the cover 2 defense is enough to disrupt a sometimes shaky road performer and soon to be All-Time MIAC passing leader “AK-11”. Could it be? Nah, you’re right, ain’t gonna be. Johnnies in a major monkey stomp. SJU 54, Hamline 3
Finsleft: Thank God for the fake turf or things could be closer in the mud. But the skies should part by Saturday to allow the sun to continue to shine on Johnnie football. Look for a double stomp on the nose: St. John’s 49, Hamline 7
Mr.Shoes: First, a confession: I read everyone else’s predictions before writing mine. Secondly, I haven’t a thing more interesting to say than what you’ll get from anyone else. I’m completely underwhelmed for this game—and yet, I’ll be there anyway. Despite the fact that it is Hamline and things should get ugly, I really do want to see Alex Kofoed have a big game on the road on grass. What’s that? Hamline installed turf? Yikes. Sorry, Pipers. St. John’s 62, Hamline 10
sjusection105: There has been a trend in the Hamline/SJU series over the past 15 or so years and I don’t see it changing this year. The Johnnies will dominate the Pipers. My hope is that the Johnnies keep focused and work on some new wrinkles in their offense. The main thing that I hope for is that nobody gets an injury in a game that should be decided by halftime.
With the fact that the game is at Hamline and SJU has their travel roster I see that the score could be a little bit out of control because of the lack of depth for SJU. I do see the SJU second unit playing a more competitively matched game with the Pipers. I don’t see SJU throwing the ball very much in the second half with a comfortable halftime lead. My prediction is St. John’s 52, Hamline 7 with the SJU reserves playing most of the second half.
Touchdown Tommy: This week should be a overwhelming Johnnie win. Hamline is overmatched unless the stars align. The only way I see this game staying within 20 points is if it absolutely pours rain and the Big Red is forced to run the ball all day long. I expect Hamline to bring blitzes and pressure in an attempt to fluster Alex Kofoed and force poor decisions. This one is over at the half. St. John’s 48, Hamline 14
