Great advice...
I will make the next batch with half the yeast and see how that goes. I currently don't have a thermometer that will go near 550.. but i will maybe move the rack to the highest position and try that. My oven is only a year old, and its a nice one - so i'd imagine it's pretty close... I guess the trick at this point, is messing with yeast amounts, warming times, and cooking positions.
Sounds like a plan...
Thanks again