Quote from: "The Roop" on September 04, 2006, 01:19:49 PM
With the high octane/"system football"  Monmouth Scots getting blanked I see no reason why St. Norbert shouldn't be considered the favorite this year. However, while the MWC may be improving I still  think we're a first round bye for whomever we meet in the playoffs. I wish that would change but I've wished that for a long time.

Don't forget SNC's first round win a couple years ago, and how they dominated UW-Lacrosse in the first half of their first round playoff two years ago that never should have gotten away.  As the talent level of the conference rises, the playoff teams will be stronger.  I think it is a matter of playing teams of higher talent levels consistently that will help.  In the past, the playoff team has been able to stroll through their schedule with the exception of a couple games a year, and then get shocked by a team that is used to high levels of competition week in and week out.  That is what it will take to boost this conference in the national playoffs.  Look at Monmouth last year.  After beating SNC in week 3, they had 6 weeks of relatively easy wins over the rest of the conference, and then walked into St. John's, and, well, yeah....

I was just pointing out that when SNC lost their stranglehold on the conference last year, even if just by one game, and then graduated almost their entire offense, you cannot help but to see how skeptics and fans alike were left with question marks on how the team could react and play this year with an unproven and unexperienced offense, moreover the offensive line.  SNC fell off the D3 map with their 2 loss season last year in the preseason poll, while that certain other team got 10 votes.  When you graduate your school's all-time leading rusher and his line, it is a huge void to fill.  I was just saying that the team responded well, and even though they have much to improve on, the offense looked good for their first game together.  The other teams around the MWC are raising their talent level also, that is becoming evident, but I'm so sick of the MWC vs. WIAC fights that are always on this board.  Its beating a dead horse.  Yes, historically, the WIAC has had the stronger conference over the past decade or more, but they also don't have the $30,000 private school tuition and selective ACT admission scores.  With all respect to Ripon, they have not been listed with the powerhouses of the conference, so to use their game vs. UWO as a barometer of MWC vs. WIAC isn't really realistic.

Quote from: Maverick on September 03, 2006, 05:58:34 PM

Quote from: KnightsBackOnTop06 on September 03, 2006, 12:02:00 PM
I think, more than anything, that game should come as a message to the MWC, Norbert's isn't dropping talent wise and are out to get their title back...

Not trying to be a wise-ass, but has there been talk by people about SNC's talent level dropping recently?  I hadn't thought anything like that and hadn't heard it from anyone else that I can remember either.  If there has been, I don't know where it would come from...I mean, it's not like they lost a bunch of MWC games last year that would make people think that way--just the one against Monmouth and that was a close game.

If anyone listened to the Norb's game, they simply dominated both sides of the ball, for the most part.  The defense seemed strong, and got some help by ONU by dropping some balls, including an early touchdown.  Like I thought, the Knights had trouble starting the run game, but got enough going to keep ONU's safeties in the box to open up the top for O'Connell and Forstrom.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and say O'Connell will come from nowhere and turn into the best receiver in the league this year, if the Knights can balance their attack and get some help from the other receivers.  I believe he ended yesterday with 6 rec., 209 yds, and a TD.  Like I said before the game, Craig has matured tremendously and made a ton of wise decisions yesterday, and the team functioned well at the mid point of the game.  The Knights had the ball twice inside the 15 in the first quarter and fumbled and had a field goal blocked, but the drives that got them there were impressive for the first couple on the year.  I think, more than anything, that game should come as a message to the MWC, Norbert's isn't dropping talent wise and are out to get their title back...

I wouldn't be too quick to say Olivet is too good in the game with Norbs.  They have been right around the .500 mark for the past couple years.  Granted, they are a D2 scholarship school, a look at last year's team doesn' t give them a huge edge, if an edge at all.  Look for Norb's to try to establish their running game early to test their young line.  If the line gels early, I think the Knights will tear Olivet's D apart if they run a similar defense to last year (with safeties being run first mentality).  If Norbs can establish any run early, look for Cody Craig to have a big passing day with the new receivers.  I've heard Craig has had a hell of a camp and has improved his game tremedously.  The defense is really strong, with almost no holes in the lineup, and maybe even a little dose of Schussler, who I heard has picked up where he left off as far as intesity and raw strength...

Quote from: JUSTINTYEM on August 30, 2006, 06:42:38 PM

Quote from: PapaSmurf on August 01, 2006, 08:41:43 AM
My son, the couch potato, says Schussler is on SNC's roster this year.  He also told me that they have a running back coming back who started ahead of Meehan a few years ago.

I see is on the roster, and not on the 2-deep.WOW that surprises me.But who is this tail back you talked about.I see two familier names on the 2-deep at tailback and both are young guys.Word on the guys name??

Schussler isn't on the 2-deep because he just arrived at SNC a couple days ago and hasn't even put on pads yet.  He did, however, practice Tuesday with the team, but didn't participate in the team contact drills.  It really is up in the air to when/if he will play this week.  The guy has been in Iraq for the past year, so don't look for Purtill to jump on his back and ride him onto the field against Olivet, although I could see him doing that.  The tailback's name is Alec Getschow, which I saw someone put up his name earlier.  The TB position is going to be interesting to see who comes out on top.  Getschow is more of a power runner while Phillips is a speedy guy.  Phillips has an edge, but its all going to depend on whether he can take the beating with his small body (only in the 170 lb. range)