FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[FatalImpact]

Here's what I don't get.......Lakeland took conference last year....granted......But the year before..after the tiebreaker was Aurora...I don't understand how Aurora falls outta the top 3....and Mac or even Concordia of Chicago...is rated above them......No way they are still definitely in the top 3 if not a Contender

[Pat Coleman]

Aurora's "year before" was under a different coaching staff. That's probably got something to do with why they aren't getting much of a honeymoon effect in the prognostications.

[FatalImpact]

But still last year Aurora was third overall in the conference yet curf....who has been in the bottom three (no offense....every year is a new year) is getting a better or higher "rate).....I believe that much like the past few years that Aurora, CUW, and Lakeland will be fighting it out for the conference crown

[footballisfun]

But Aroura has lost everyone except their QB.  They lost their 3 stud DBs 2 linebackers and their 2 leading recievers.  I mean last year they beat Mac by one touchdown and Mac lost that game Aroura didnt win.  I dont know some people may disagree with me but a team that wasnt that only barely above average last year loses most of their good players and is still expected to preform the same.  That does make much sence to me.  Now I understand that every year is a new year and I wish aroura the best of luck in their season but I just dont see it happening.  However, I also dont see CURF being in the top three either.  I think it will be Lakeland CUW and Mac battleing for the top three spots.

[lovethegame]

With all of this talk of which college this year is going to win, the road goes through two teams to win the title. Lakeland and Concordia Wisconsin, the only way a team not one of these two will win is if they beat both of these teams, as for the rest of the conference, well they really need to pick it up. These two teams have been the most consistant teams in this conference, MacMurray had its run and the only way to get back to that form is to PLAY AS A TEAM!!!!! Greenville, who knows maybe they are a legitamate team now, Auroua they are in a rebuilding process and arent that bad, Benedictine they will be good this year, improved from last year. As for the rest of the conference they just need to stick it out and play for the love and joy to play, that is why all athletes are at a d3 level. If you were any better than you would be somewhere else.

[FatalImpact]

Every team lost key players....Can lakelands offense expect the new QB to hold a candle to Mauri.........Has CUW maintainde their superiority......we dont know I believe that all teams may be "rebuilding"  I believe Aurora won the mac game....mac has improved and the battled everyone including conf champs Lakeland..........Aurora won that game.......Don't get me wrong teams will battle this year but I go with what Ive seen in the past and it will prolly be the top 3 from the last few years...which includes Aurora, Lakeland, and CUW.......Mac and Greenville close behind...

[whodaman]

Ex-MacMurray star charged with sexual misconduct

Tribune news services
Published July 13, 2006


A former All-America running back at MacMurray College has been charged with sexual misconduct and child pornography after police say he had sex with a young girl and filmed it.

Steven Ballinger, 26, of Fairview Heights, was charged Monday with predatory criminal sexual assault with a child and child pornography, as well as with drug possession related to the less than 15 grams of cocaine police say they found in his home.

Ballinger remained jailed Wednesday in Belleville on $350,000 bond, four days after his arrest.

[Pat Coleman]

For the record: Not a D3football.com All-American.

[Reeno10]

yet again we have s person that wants to rip down mac....well my opinon is that he played almost what 5 to 6 years ago....so what how the hell is that relevant to what is going on right now in this conference??? was that post, that really has no meaning to what is happening in the conference this year??  I think that was to try to rip mac down  a little bit bc personally how is the relevant to what mac is trying to do this year?? If you want to talk about something lets talk about a All-American Linebacker that went to mac this Past Arena Football Season made the ALL ARENA TEAM for the 2nd straight year...i think his name is FRANK CARTER!!! lets talks bout that if you want to bring up relevant news...but the deperate call of trying to rip  mac down to what they are trying to do this season and giving people the wrong image of mac players is wrong!! Please dont disrespect these players who read this web site by posting somethign about someone that these players probably never met!!! So with that in mind lets try to stay on topic...Thanks!!! Other than the Ignorance that someone may have towards Mac...i would liek to say that in the past there has been one or two teams that had better chances than other teams to get that ring but  this year its going to be a toss up, These teams i think will be competeing legitamitly this year....CUW, Lakeland, Mac, Greenville....but team that could be sleeper BU!! so i am done trying to argue who is better but i do know that the teams i mentioned will be competeing for one of the last IBFC Confernce Championships........

[FatalImpact]

Woah....Thats some post......Ive already spoke my peace twice on this page I think that Aurora will contend for the Championship....the've been within a game or so every year as far back as I can remember....whether it be against mac or cuw or lakeland.....you cant forget about the past and disagree that aurora wont be in the top three......It is gonna happen

[footballisfun]

The true is that Steve was messed up before he even came to Mac and he stayed messed up after he left.  So he played at Mac but he could have played anywhere.  When he was at Mac he was a pretty good ball player and while playing football good for building character it doesnt mean that if you play you have good character.

[79jaybird]

Interesting tidbits on this board... whew! Some of which I don't think pertains to the spirit of d-3 but oh well.
In the case of the Macmurray player. I am sad to hear that happened, but we are all humans and stuff happens.  For his sake, I hope he is able to get the help he needs to get back on track.
FatalImpact,  you speak highly about Aurora but don't really put down the facts to support your argument.  The CUW team I saw last year had a great defense and a pretty good offense, which is grounds for me to think they will be strong again this year.  I didn't get a chance to see Lakeland, however they must have been strong to play as well as they did in the playoffs.  In the cases of Benedictine and Concordia ILL,  there is only 1 direction those schools can go.  With new coaching staffs I think both programs will improve steadily.
I see this as a two team race (Lakeland/CUW) but what do I know.  IN our conference, I thought Wheaton would win it, and Augie swept the slate clean.

[FatalImpact]

79jaybird, Last year Aurora lost to CUW by five which leads me to believe that as strong as their defense was that holes could be punched in it....Now do not get me wrong they were strong last year....but as Istated before everyone lost a key player or to........but I am not sure who CUW lost but we'll hafta see......Now I believe that the three contenders from the last 3 years or so will contend this year and it will definietly be a battle.....But I have no heard many statements to change my mind

[79jaybird]

FatalImpact-- I understand your points and yes, every team loses players due to graduation, end of eligibility, transfers, etc. 
Lakeland played Augie very tough last year and the Lakeland/CUW game was a good battle also.
This is what makes each week fun and entertaining during fb season.  There is no clear cut favorites and if you don't bring your "A" game each week, you could be in for some trouble.
I think we will get a good clue as to how strong MacMurray is when they host Augie.   

[FatalImpact]

This is true I can not wait to see what this season is gonna look like.......Best of Luck to EC