FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

W4life,

I understand where you're coming from (and have some empathy for the position, having seen CCIW bball teams passed over that would have beaten some tourney teams by 40 points), but I also love the Cinderellas.  No way in the world would NC Wesleyan have gotten the opportunity for that 'upset' if not for the AQ.  Like it or not, the d3 philosophy is inclusion - if a team wins its conference, it should have a chance at glory.  While it is usually true, just because a team comes from a bad conference does not always mean it is a bad team.

[old 40]

Warrior4life;

Your right  Stevens Point could beat any team in the NAC, IMO most every WIAC team could beat all the NAC teams. The same could be said for the OAC and the CCIW. They are all stronger football conferences. The Pointers can get in if they get a pool B or C bid. John Carroll from the OAC and Capital from the OAC has done this is past years.

You mentioned that Lakeland has not beat Carthage in the last 3 years. Its not like Cartage is a bottom feeder in the CCIW, they are very good team. This is very true and they have not won a non conference game since they upgraded their non conference schedule, several years ago. However they have had very good conference records.   

There will never be a 100% fair way to qualify for the playoffs. This is what exist and it works, maybe tweaked a bit but it allows for every team to have a chance. Win your conference AQ, Pool A or PoolB, and your in to start the drive to Salem. 

Good discussions and everyone has good points. How is your team shaping up for this year? How do you see the NAC versus the MIAA?

[WLCALUM83]

NAthCon's got the following early opportunities to make '08 statements vs MIAA teams:

Concordia-Chicago takes on MIAA '07 Co-Champ Olivet :

Rockford tangles with Alma:

Rockford battles Kzoo:  (Kzoo has a new coach, I hear).

[Ralph Turner]

Well I guess if thats what it takes to stir the pot around here I will continue to express my opinion.  Believe me when I tell you, I don't need a history lesson when it comes to D3 football. I know there have been great games in the early rounds. I know that everyone who plays wants to compete against the best.
Since you mention it, lets look at Lakeland. Probably the best team in the NAC. However, in the past 3 years they have lost to Whitewater 3 times and have been outscored 189-33. I understand that is against one of the best teams in the country. Then again they have not been able to beat Carthage in that 3 year span either. So if this is the best team in the NAC ,  what does that say about the rest of the league.
So I don't believe that the NAC should recieve a AQ. A team like Stevens Point, who would destroy any team from the NAC, might not get in get in because they play in an elite conference. How is it fair to those kids? Should they go play for weaker teams because they might have a better shot at the playoffs?
Anyway thats my opinion and you can like or not like it.

MAN THIS IS FUN, you guys are great.

Good points warrior!

Now, let me come back to you!

What are you guys in the WIAC doing in D-III?  If the WIAC were located in Texas and Oklahoma, they would be the Lone Star Conference!  Look at the size of the schools!  State schools with lower tuitions and different missions and visions than the ASC or the SCAC or the NAC or the MWC or CCIW.  All but one school is a state school.

In the south, the Gulf South Conference where 12 of the 15 schools are state.

In Pennsylvania, the PSAC.  It goes on and on.   

[Pat Coleman]

And if they were in New York or New Jersey they would be Division III. So?

[Ralph Turner]

And if they were in New York or New Jersey they would be Division III. So?

The members in those conferences are predominantly state schools who have gone to D-II and even D-I (FCS).  I think that the PSAC schools have always been NCAA, but some of the schools in those other conferences were peer institutions of WIAC (WSUC) members in the NAIA back in the '70's and '80's.   I understand that the WIAC has chosen D-III as their model, but historically they are to be unique among the major conferences from that era in their determination of the D-III model.  I would hate to compete against the LSC schools for student-athletes in D-III.   

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[baseman201]

So I don't believe that the NAC should recieve a AQ.

So if this is your thinking, then you are saying that the smaller schools in D-I college basketball shouldn't be in the tournament. 

Ohio State didn't make the NCAA tournament, but yet Mount St. Marys made it.  Is that fair to Ohio State because they could probably plow through any of the 16 seeded teams?

Just making comparisons to what you said.

[old 40]

baseman201

Great point. I for one am glad the NAC has the AQ. How is your team going to be this year? I beleive you are a CUC supporter. I am sorry if thats the wrong school. Just was interested in what up in Chicago.

Any AU folks seen the progress of their new field and stadium?  On their web site it looks really good and long overdue. How is their recruiting and their 2008 season look at this time?

2 months and everyone will be starting practice. Should be quite a year.

[baseman201]

Don't know many details on how recruiting is going, but I know Pries is going strong to Florida once again. 

They had about 30 or so players from Florida last year, so hopefully they can get a few more and start building up a great team.  One of the WRs from Florida last year (Maurice Tisdale) was the 2nd or 3rd best in the league if I am not mistaken, next to White from Lakeland of course.

Other than that, I have no idea what's going on in Cougar land, haven't been back since the basketball season, but hoping to make some games this year.  I just hope they can build on their 3-7 season, and maybe get to .500 for the first time in who knows how long, the mid 80s I think was the last winning season???

[WLCALUM83]

Here's an update on Ryan Maiuri (played for Lakeland):

http://www.ragefootball.com/newsPage.php?RAGE_WIN_PLAYOFF_OPENER-101/

[lakelandfootball]

The season is about two months away and i was just wondering what the predictions are this year and who feels will be on the top? player of the year? best offense defense? coach?

[CU Alum]

CUW has a tough Non Conf sked for this year.
@Bethel
@ Valparaiso
and Wheaton at home.

Despite the seemingly lopsided score from last years playoffs - I still believe that CU can beat Bethel -- Valpo is who knows, they are I AA as far as I recall but not up there with Delaware and the like --  CU has nothing to lose playing up and so I bet they use that to their advantage.

Wheaton -- tough.

good sked to get better -- I am glad the conf season starts with Maranatha.

[Pat Coleman]

Valpo, Wheaton, CUW and Bethel all offer the same number of football scholarships.

[CU Alum]

Thanks for helping me keep it all in perspective --   

[old 40]

CU Alum;

Valpo is 1AA non-scholarship but they recruit some good athletes. AU has played them in the past and did not fare well against them. The Falcons should hold their own with them. Nice to see that CUW and Lakeland have stepped up with their non-conference schedule this. Not they each play week sisters last year but this year they both have their hands full. Early prediction from me has CUW and Lakeland knocking off one of their non-conference foes. Good luck to CUW in 2009.