FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[USee]

You can't turn the ball over 5 times in a playoff game and expect to win. Tough day for the Titans.

Very interested to see the Wabash/NCC matchup next weekend.

[devildog29]

I guess Wheaton would have crushed IWU as well then considering Monmouth actually won the game??

If IWU played the way they did today from just before halftime on, as opposed to how they played in the Wheaton game, yes, Wheaton crushes IWU today as well.  Trying not to just sound over-reactionary, but that was a terrible, terrible IWU offense today. 

[Kovo]

Who has seen Wabash this year?  I will take live or net.  Any impression as to just how good they are?  Obviously, when you 11-0 and in the top ten the answer is obvious---but I'm looking for something a little more specific.

[formerscot4]

Monmouth turned the ball over multiple times as well! Yes Wheaton may have beaten Monmouth, but to say they would have crushed them, that may be an overstatement.

[USee]

Last I checked, Wheaton didn't earn a spot to crush anyone. Not sure why they are even in the discussion.

My early line on the NCC/Wabash game ( Assuming the game is in Crawfordsville) Is NCC -12.

[robertgoulet]

Odd as it may seem, the turning point in the game (in my eyes) came when NCC's punter kicked a 70+ yd punt and pinned Dubuque back inside their 10. One of the best punts I'd ever seen (wind aided, as it was) in a D3 game.

Once NCC went into the wildcat with Tassio it was over. I don't recall NCC punting in the 2nd half, I believe they scored on every possession.

[devildog29]

Last I checked, Wheaton didn't earn a spot to crush anyone. Not sure why they are even in the discussion.

My early line on the NCC/Wabash game ( Assuming the game is in Crawfordsville) Is NCC -12.

It's in reference to an earlier comment that unfortunately, there's no perfect format to determine playoff selections.  I was merely making the observation that I think Wheaton is a much better team than some of the other qualifiers, and it's too bad that because they are coming from our conference, they are sitting at home.  In purely my own personal opinion, I think they are a better team than some of the AQ's who do make it.  Not meant to be a debate, and the topic of the 3rd place CCIW team vs. the 1st place team from many other AQ conferences has been covered several times on this board before.  The fact is if you lose 2 games in the CCIW, you are staying home, bottom line.  I don't necessarily even think that is a travesty of justice as it is.  That doesn't mean that I can't have the opinion that Wheaton is a better team than some of the teams that I saw today. 

[hazzben]

Last I checked, Wheaton didn't earn a spot to crush anyone. Not sure why they are even in the discussion.

My early line on the NCC/Wabash game ( Assuming the game is in Crawfordsville) Is NCC -12.

I'd put it at NCC -20.5. Wabash is undefeated but it's been a really weak schedule they've played thus far. Even their 1st rd opponent wasn't real tough, IMO. They'll be making a significant step up in competition next week.

[scottie]

I suspect Monmouth's defense is equal to the defenses in the bottom half of the CCIW this year (Elmhurst, North Park, Augustana, Millikin).  I'll be disappointed if the Titans are not able to put at least 28 points on the board.  I guess the question would be, will 28 be enough?

I'll go:

IWU 34
Monmouth 28

Those IWU turnovers weren't unforced errors. 

[ncc58]

Odd as it may seem, the turning point in the game (in my eyes) came when NCC's punter kicked a 70+ yd punt and pinned Dubuque back inside their 10. One of the best punts I'd ever seen (wind aided, as it was) in a D3 game.

Once NCC went into the wildcat with Tassio it was over. I don't recall NCC punting in the 2nd half, I believe they scored on every possession.

That punt was key in changing field position. What was surprising to me was that the returner (Zweifel) was in position to catch it outside the 20 but let it go and it bounced OOB at the 8. There was another kickoff that landed outside the goalline that UD let go into the endzone, and another where the returner let it hit the ground before picking it up.

The punter for UD seemed to be fear of his life after the 2nd punt. He had a horrible game. From Mugsy's stats, he had 17 punts all season. Today, he had 5 for a 25 yard average and a fumbled snap.

Hanus has 262 yards which seems pretty good, but he was sacked 8 times, and was 26-42.

[DBQ1965]

Just home from a disappointing trip to Naperville.  Congratulations Cardinal fans ... your team played a complete game.  And yes ... the "big" NC punt was crucial.  UD special teams didn't help their cause today ... and the weakness of UD defense was revealed.  Good Luck next week against Wabash.

[robertgoulet]

Odd as it may seem, the turning point in the game (in my eyes) came when NCC's punter kicked a 70+ yd punt and pinned Dubuque back inside their 10. One of the best punts I'd ever seen (wind aided, as it was) in a D3 game.

Once NCC went into the wildcat with Tassio it was over. I don't recall NCC punting in the 2nd half, I believe they scored on every possession.

That punt was key in changing field position. What was surprising to me was that the returner (Zweifel) was in position to catch it outside the 20 but let it go and it bounced OOB at the 8. There was another kickoff that landed outside the goalline that UD let go into the endzone, and another where the returner let it hit the ground before picking it up.

The punter for UD seemed to be fear of his life after the 2nd punt. He had a horrible game. From Mugsy's stats, he had 17 punts all season. Today, he had 5 for a 25 yard average and a fumbled snap.

Hanus has 262 yards which seems pretty good, but he was sacked 8 times, and was 26-42.

I found that surprising as well. I am wondering if he thought he was a bit deeper than he actually was, as the punt did have him retreating a bit.

[Kovo]

I know that this is a football board, but congrats to the North Central cross country team who earned their 14th national championship today!!  Al Carius is a genius, and (back in the day) was a big supporter of the football program.

Now let's get one in football!!!

[ncc_fan]

It was nice to see the Cardinals get flagged only once on Saturday.  Let's hope they can maintain that level of penalty-free play at Wabash.

[CardinalAlum]

Road trip!!!  Wow, what a great game yesterday by the Cards.  We owned the LOS and slowed down #1 a little bit.  He got his yards but overall did a pretty good job.  Looking forward to a great game on Saturday against what appears to be a very good team. 

Any Wabash people have any advice on tailgating?