After pulling out what can only be described as a “miracle victory” (or, rather, an entirely predictable instance of St. Thomas falling on its face) last week in St. Paul, the Johnnies look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in Northfield. The Oles are in the midst of a disappointing season themselves, so tensions and emotions will be high on both sides of Manitou Field. Will St. John’s continue to do just enough to pull off victories or will St. Olaf rebound from three consecutive losses that weren’t particularly close? After two trips to St. Paul, lets see what our prognosticators see happening in the first of two trips to Northfield.
DustySJU: There are many elements to today’s game creating the case for an Ole victory. The normally swift-footed Johnnies have grown accustomed to the proliferation of artificial surfaces around the league and throughout DIII. Even the natural surface at Bethel this season was incredible and provided superb footing. The 2004 loss to St. Olaf in Northfield was played in a sloppy mess with the Johnnies committing turnovers all day long. Last weekend the Johnnies committed 4 turnovers and with the turf expected to be soft in Northfield tomorrow, be sure to keep your fingers crossed. St. John’s 17, St. Olaf 13.
finsleft: I doubt if the Ole’s will score much on the Johnnie D, but I’m as optimistic about the Johnnie offensive game plan lately as I am about the stock market. Unless the J’s change their approach, look for a low scoring affair. St. John’s 6, St. Olaf 0.
JohnnieEsq: After last week’s, well, debacle, I have to think the Johnnies will come out with a strong game. The question I have is how much will the wind be a factor — if it is gusty, the Johnnies will be in trouble, as the Oles #1 rushing defense in the MIAC will stop the struggle Johnnie ground game cold. But if the Jays can pass the ball, they should be able to run right by the Oles. The Johnnie defense should have a good week — the Oles are last in the conference in putting the ball in the end zone, so I think the Jays should pull this one out. St. John’s 20, St. Olaf 7.
Johnnie Tats: This year’s Johnnie/Ole tilt in Northfield should not be marred by a field that is unplayable, as it was in 2004. So with the classic even playing field in effect for what some might say are two teams not really enjoying “expected” results for their 2008 campaigns, I see the outcome as a classic example of both teams being fully aware of what they need to do. And what needs to be done is not complicated. We all know that the game is a mix of blocking, tackling, executing and possessing the ball. With the probable start of Joe Boyle and the mobility factor that brings to the Offense SJU should be able to stop experiencing so many 3 and out series. Also with Jakob Redding back behind what is becoming a cohesive and comfortable O-line the Johnnie Offense should effectively control the ball, the clock and give our Defense a bit of a break this week! St. John’s 27, St. Olaf 9.
Mr.Shoes: We’re not losing to ****ing St. Olaf. St. John’s 31, St. Olaf 10.
(Why mess with success?)
sjusection105: The Johnnies are about to enter the classic trap game. They just came off an emotional and controversial win over St. Thomas in St. Paul. They are on the road again and are playing on grass today. To complicate things even more, next week is a bye week. The Johnnies have to come out and play mistake free football. The Johnnie offensive unit needs to put together several long clock eating ball control drives.The offense also needs to finish drives in the Red Zone. The defense needs to keep doing what they have been doing and part of that includes holding St. Olaf to less than 14 points. The special teams needs to find a way to break open a big return and to cover like a blanket when kicking the ball. St. John’s 21, St. Olaf 10.
TC: The St. Olaf Oles spent the last handful of collecting the kind of athletic talent that had never been seen in Northfield, leading to three straight program-best 8-2 seasons. One of those losses last season was a one point heartbreaker to St. John’s that almost assuredly cost the Oles the school’s first playoff game. The problem with ammassing talent in college is that it is fleeting. Few teams know this better than the Oles. After losing three key team members to the pros (head coach Chris Meidt and wide receiver Horace Gant left for the NFL’s Washington Redskins and wide receiver Andrew Schmiesing is in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league system) the 2008 Oles hardly resemble last fews teams that have given the Johnnies troubles. I still expect St. John’s to struggle to score points but I don’t see the Oles doing anything offensively this weekend. St. John’s 16, St. Olaf 7.
Touchdown Tommy: The Oles are coming off their bye week after 3 straight losses after starting the season with 3 wins. You can bet they had eyes in the bleachers last weekend at St. Thomas and will have a solid gameplan with 2 weeks to prepare. They are exactly as their record indicates…an average football team. This is a squad that SJU should handle with ease, however, the QB shuffle continues with Joe Boyle getting the start. The Johnnie defense will play their usual outstanding D and hold the Oles to under 17 pts (check it out SJU would be undefeated if they could have scored at least 18 pts in every game this season…UNREAL). Can the offense muster some rhythm and consistency moving the ball while turning that into touchdowns? This is the time of year to keep the pedal to the metal and the pressure on the rest of the MIAC. St. John’s 27, St. Olaf 15.
