I only saw the first half of the AU game, but from what I saw AU was just unable to get anything going on offense and North Park was dominating the ground game with over 350 yards.  AU was forced to pass the ball 48 times while NP only needed to attempt 3.  While North Park is a much much improved team then recent years, AU didn't really show up for this one.  Give the credit to North Park.  They came to play.  The good news is that this was the first non conference game of a potentially conference championship season for AU.  Spartans have MacMurray next week at home, which should be an easy win if AU shakes off the ugly loss and comes with their heads on right

I would have to agree with just about everybody....it is sad to say but the NAC just can not compete with the top teams in the big conferences....right now....and I would bet my salary that BU gets rolled.....I would also say that things can change and I think they will....Teams and Conferences do not build themselves over night....it takes years and years....The powerhouse conferences that we have now have not always been powerhouses....it took time to build them up and any conference/team can do the same....look at CUC for example, they used to be the "easy win" for any team but with solid recruiting and a great job of keeping good players in the program they have built a respectable program.....Look at WLC....how many years did they go without a win? They to have started to build up a program as well

The balance of power will change but it will take time...Eventually teams like Whitewater and Mt. Union will not be the top teams in the country....this happens in every level of football no doubt about it

Teams in the NAC have done a great job of expanding by playing teams in the bigger conferences....these might not be the top teams but it is still a step in the right direction

Picks for the Week

AU@RC - AU rolls a terrible RC team

BU@LC- No doubt that BU runs it up easily

WLC@CUW- WLC in a close one

CUC@MBBC- Maranatha doesn't stand a chance

I don't think there is any doubt that BU goes up to LC and rolls 'em...after a 2-5 (1-3 in conference) start and no chance of making the playoffs it seems Coach Doherty and the Muskies have packed it in for the season

This is a very interesting website...supposedly this is a very good ranking system that is getting lots of attention...there are some very interesting rankings in there (Mt. Union ranked #62)....there are 3 teams from the NAC in the bottom 8


http://www.sportsmetrix.net/NCAA_DivIII_Football_Ranking.html

Where is Rusty Shackleford?

Week 7 Picks
BU over CUW in a close game
WLC over LC in a tight game
CUC rolls RC
AU gets past MBBC:  If AU comes ready and is not distracted by the weird environment at Maranatha, then AU rolls, but it could be much closer then most would think (at least for the first half)

The AU/BU game is going to be a great one.  It's a huge rivalry and it's AU's Homecoming.  BU has an explosive offense but AU is playing great D and that is what wins big games....AU takes advantage of home field advantage and wins a close game that could come down to the very last play

I think CUC/WLC could be a good game, but in the end the Cougar O will be too much for Lutheran

Quote from: Boss on September 30, 2010, 04:58:33 PM
CUC @ BU

Their defense gets a bad wrap because they have to follow a spread offense that moves the ball up and down the field fairly quick!  Their defense spends a great deal of time on the field as a result of their spread "O" which is extremely difficult on any defense!  Anyone that knows anything about defense knows what a strain a spread "O" can put on it's own defense! 

I have to disagree Boss.  If you consider a defense to be good, then they have to be good with no excuses.  Following a spread offense who scores a TON of points for them in not an excuse.  It's an advantage.  A great defense will play close to a high level no matter how long they are on the field.  Getting gashed for 41 points (I'll give you that BU is a good team) will not win you any defensive awards.  This is not high school football where 9 of the 11 starters are playing both ways.  As of right now, CUC does not have a good defense and it shows.

Week 5 Picks

WLC romps MBBC
      
CUC is too much for BU
      
CUW rolls terrible RC
      
AU squeaks by LC

Week 4 Picks:

Hope in a close game over LC to put the muskies @ 0-3
      
BU bounces back at home over Kalamazoo

I agree....the AU/IWU game should come as a MAJOR warning to the other NAC teams....the last time AU played IWU this close was in 2008 (3 point game)....after that loss, AU ran the table through the conference

Rankings can be tricky....maybe IWU doesn't deserve top 25 but they are still undefeated....until they prove otherwise, they belong there.....if a team deserves/does not deserve a top 25 ranking, their on field play will prove it

Where has RustyShackleford been?

PICKS FOR WEEK 3
RC loses to a weak Alma team            
WLC over Minnesota-Morris               
Carthage sends CUW to 0-3         
CUC bounces back over St. Scholastica    
Macalester over MBBC in a battle of the suckie all stars               
AU surprises Illinois Wesleyan