Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 07, 2020, 01:23:16 PM

Quote from: formerd3db on January 07, 2020, 01:11:40 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 06, 2020, 02:59:18 PM

Quote from: Mugsy on January 06, 2020, 02:12:26 PMWouldn't it be crazy if the CCIW poached both coordinators from EMU?

That would be a big happening.  Yet, where would he possibly go at this time, i.e. aren't all the open HC positions in the CCIW now filled?

Mike Swider announced his retirement shortly after Wheaton was eliminated from the playoffs and Wheaton has not announced a replacement as of yet.

I'd expect an announcement on that to come some time next week, perhaps earlier in the week.

Quote from: USee on December 11, 2019, 10:16:04 PM
From what I know the process will happen somewhat quickly I would expect a coach to be named sometime in mid to late January. Probably a good bet that many of the names mentioned are candidates.

Another name I'd add that I don't believe I saw, former Thunder DL coach Andy Studebaker.

Quote from: USee on December 11, 2019, 12:02:34 AM
Great stuff Thunderdog.

I was reminded that several of the senior Wheaton players have fifth year possibilities. Among them are:

Dallas McCrae, DPOY
Daniel Herber, LB
Spencer Rowland, CB
Jake Hibben, C
Adam Terrini, WR
Spencer Peterson, QB/WR

If all those guys return, Wheaton will return 8 starters on defense and 7 on offense.

Sounds like all but one will be back.

Quote from: BigRedScots on December 10, 2019, 01:15:23 PM
Who will his replacement be? Jesse Scott? Would think Don Beebe down the street in Aurora would be considered.

Rod Sandberg at Whitworth has a lot of ties to Wheaton. I'd think Jesse Scott gets it, however.

Quote from: WashedUpCard on December 05, 2019, 03:39:10 PM

Quote from: Go Thunder on December 05, 2019, 03:30:33 PM

Quote from: WashedUpCard on December 05, 2019, 03:13:09 PM

Quote from: robertgoulet on December 05, 2019, 03:09:54 PM

Quote from: CardinalAlum on December 05, 2019, 03:01:07 PM

Quote from: USee on December 05, 2019, 02:09:37 PM

Quote from: mdrem7 on December 05, 2019, 01:48:46 PM
Real question: If you are Wheaton, would you even want to see North Central again in the Stagg Bowl? On one hand, you've beaten them once already, and are 4-1 against Rutter as the starting QB. But on the other, parallels to 2017, where NCC beat Wheaton (Rutter's only win over the Thunder) and then the Thunder came back and beat them the next time around. They do say it's hard to beat a good team twice. Ideally for Wheaton, someone else would knock off the Cardinals as they take care of business on their end. Also, if it did end up with the two of them in the Stagg, does Swider put the Bell on the line? I recall Thorne would not put it up for the playoff game. Thoughts?

I for one would be thrilled to play NCC again because that means we won the next 2 and made it to the Stagg. There is no statistical validity to the wives tale of beating a good team twice. It stems from the idea if you have a 50% chance to beat a team and play them twice the expected result is 1-1. But if you flip a coin 2x you could easily get 2 heads as often as you get 2 tails. So if these two play again, the percentages will be what they are and the first matchup has nothing to do with it, statistically speaking. Probably a pickem game if it happens

I wouldn't put the Bell up. Its a regular season game trophy. They lost, we won. See you in Naperville next year.

Completely agree on the Bell!  We can take it back at home next year!      

I'll gladly let them keep the Bell and we will take the Stagg trophy this year. Deal? Deal.

100%

Wheaton plays St Johns sat. One game at a time. You win you move on to the next opponent.  That's it nothing more. Always have your hands full with the opponent your playing.

Sadly, whatever I do will have ZERO impact on the outcome of the game on Saturday.  So I have the luxury of looking ahead.

"Don't look ahead" message board posters are the best. As if us commenting on a hypothetical affects the actual players. Hilarious.

Quote from: astro9046 on December 05, 2019, 12:13:39 PM

Quote from: OzJohnnie on December 04, 2019, 08:14:01 PM

Quote from: emma17 on December 04, 2019, 06:32:38 PM
The passing game can be the great equalizer.
I don't imagine the Johnnie fans see their team this way, I see St. John's as the Aurora and NCC of the tournament.
Those teams went 1-1 to this point, and nearly 2-0.

Yeah, you're right.  I see Aurora and NCC as the Aurora and NCC of the tournament.

Observers are reading far too much into the Concordia loss and the SJU tendency to sleepily enter games this year.  I also think the MIAC's appetite for runaway destruction of the lower half is much less, this year in particular.  I think there are a few factors which have led to SJU not meeting expectations for a point-a-minute offense and a point-a-quarter defense.  But I have little doubt that this year's Johnnies are more dangerous than last year's Johnnies and I think most people recognize that last year's team was pretty damned dangerous.

But we'll see on Saturday.  We'll be the team in the distance leaving a dust trail in our wake as we streak away to the end zone, in case anyone was having trouble seeing us.

Oz I think you're right, having watched Wheaton on film this is a classic match up of johnnies speed D concept against Power Grit football. I don't think Wheaton has seen a D like this, this year. The key will be for our D to provide the offense time to take off, and Jackson to release quickly and use that pass rush against them. this is going to be an epic battle on the field. 
Look forward to hanging with a Wheaton alumi Player from the 80's that I coached with.
This will be a defensive game in the 1st half for dominance.
Go JOHNNIES

Hard to use the "pass rush against them" when Wheaton doesn't really bring pressure that much. They rush 4 before they're exceptional at getting pressure with just those 4. Quite a different concept than using the quick game to find holes behind blitzing linebackers.

Real question: If you are Wheaton, would you even want to see North Central again in the Stagg Bowl? On one hand, you've beaten them once already, and are 4-1 against Rutter as the starting QB. But on the other, parallels to 2017, where NCC beat Wheaton (Rutter's only win over the Thunder) and then the Thunder came back and beat them the next time around. They do say it's hard to beat a good team twice. Ideally for Wheaton, someone else would knock off the Cardinals as they take care of business on their end. Also, if it did end up with the two of them in the Stagg, does Swider put the Bell on the line? I recall Thorne would not put it up for the playoff game. Thoughts?

Quote from: Toby Taff on December 04, 2019, 11:06:22 AM

Quote from: mdrem7 on December 02, 2019, 04:20:15 PM
Predictions this weekend:

#2 Mary Hardin-Baylor 38, #7 UW-Whiterwater 31

#3 Wheaton 41, #8 St. John's 38

#4 Muhlenberg 30, #6 Salisbury 23

#5 North Central 45, #9 Delaware Valley 23

Setting up another Wheaton trip to Texas, and a North Central trip () to Pennsylvania. Just assuming NCC travels in this one.

This made me curious so I had to look and see the last time a team scored 30 on UMHB. It was in 2013. It has also been over 2 years since a team has scored 20, so the 31 for UWW might be ambitious.

Personally an advocate of "go big or go home". Gimme the points!

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 02, 2019, 05:02:13 PM
Agreed -- Salisbury and Muhlenberg are the 1 and 2 seeds out there and are unbeaten. Either one would host.

Got ya. Wasn't sure if they re-seeded or not round by round.

Predictions this weekend:

#2 Mary Hardin-Baylor 38, #7 UW-Whiterwater 31

#3 Wheaton 41, #8 St. John's 38

#4 Muhlenberg 30, #6 Salisbury 23

#5 North Central 45, #9 Delaware Valley 23

Setting up another Wheaton trip to Texas, and a North Central trip () to Pennsylvania. Just assuming NCC travels in this one.

Quote from: formerd3db on November 30, 2019, 11:59:06 PM

Quote from: mdrem7 on November 30, 2019, 09:43:05 PM
Oddly enough, now that the Cardinals beat Mount Union, I think they have an easier path to the title game than Wheaton does. I'd take Muhlenberg & Salisbury over St. John's & Mary Hardin-Baylor everyday. Cardinals earned it with that win.

It was a great win, without question, for North Central today. However, there is no easy path to the title game for anyone. I believe that both Wheaton and North Central have a good chance, but it will be a tough challenge. I do think we will see some good 3rd and 4th round games the next two weekends.

"Easier" does not mean easy. It means relatively easier.

Quote from: USee on November 30, 2019, 11:50:44 PM
Yea, but yesterday would you have taken "win at mount and then..." over home against StJu and UMHB? I wouldn't

No, thus, why I added that they earned it with that win. Simply put, going forward, NCC has the better path out of the CCIW schools. I think Wheaton beats St. John's but not UMHB.

Oddly enough, now that the Cardinals beat Mount Union, I think they have an easier path to the title game than Wheaton does. I'd take Muhlenberg & Salisbury over St. John's & Mary Hardin-Baylor everyday. Cardinals earned it with that win.

Good bracket for Wheaton. Should easily handle Martin Luther. Then those next two will be tough, with Central/Oskosh/St. John's/Chapman. My guess is Oshkosh & St. John's, and I think they can handle both of them.

Then down to Texas for a rematch of the 2017 Quarterfinals, though hopefully Wheaton's QB doesn't break his ribs the week before this one. Little nervous about Wheaton's secondary against the speed of Mary Hardin-Baylor, but if that DL can shut down the run, then they should be fine.

Ultimately, would love to see a Wheaton-North Central matchup in the Stagg Bowl. NCC has a legit chance to beat Mount Union. They are the top 2 offenses in DIII, and then Mount's D is a little bit better, but both are great units. Gonna be game of the week in Alliance in two weeks. Winner of that game goes to the championship against Mary Hardin-Baylor/UWW or winner of Wheaton's bracket.
'

Quote from: Jim Matson on November 17, 2019, 05:43:20 PM
Interesting to see UMHB and Whitewater in the same section.

Should be a really fun quarterfinal matchup. Also, North Central going to Mount Union could be a fun one.