FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Augie6]

bufan,

Just a little history lesson.  We won 4 straight national championships in the 1980's running the same offense you saw yesterday at Wheaton.  During that time, we averaged about 5 pass attempts per game.  We have run this offense since 1979 when Bob Reade took over the program.  The past few years, the biggest problem with Augie (and the reason the couldn't beat Wheaton and win the CCIW) was an average to below average defense.  The defensive play has improved dramatically this year as you saw yesterday at Wheaton.  That is the primary reason Augie was able to go undefeated through an extremely tough CCIW schedule.

[fishguy]

Augie is clearly the big favorite here. One interesting point is the Lakeland coaches are all familiar with Augie - their head coach and defensive coordinator were at Millikin and their offensive coordinator was at North Park. Now, that will mean squat if Lakeland's defense cannot stop the run. But the point it, Lakeland's coaches have experienced Augie's running game. Not that it's any surprise - basically Augie says 'Ok, you stopped us once, now try to do it for the whole game.' I think it will be a low scoring, very quick dandy of a game.

[augiedogie]

Fishguy:
There are a lot of teams that have seen Augie's offense over the years and havn't faird to well even after knowing what is coming at them.

A couple of quick stats for you:
Augustana has averaged over 26 points each of the last 26 straight seasons and often over 300 yards rushing a game

The Vikings have ranked in the top 10 in rushing according to the latest NCAA Division III statistics for 24 of the last 25 seasons dating back to 1980 (Nationally - #2 in 2000, #1 in 2001, #5 in 2002, #14 in 2003, #4 in 2004)

Before the last game of the season they were ranked 2nd in the nation in running as well.  You are exactly right with your comment you've stopped us once, now do it again. Most teams they have played havn't been able to do that the whole game which is a huge factor come the 4th quarter when players get tired. It should be a good game this weekend, and I look forward to the match up at the Rock.

[baseman201]

Bufan,

Ok, well, Lakeland is EXTREMELY lucky with the team they have to play.  If Lakeland was paired with Linfield, Mr. Union, Whitewater, St. Johns, etc...then it would have been an ugly game.  

But, back to Bufan, I think 38-7 is a reasonable score, they lose by 25+ points, and I get my free Taco Bell.  Teams out of our conference are just to tough for an IBFC team to have a chance, I am sorry, but it's the truth.  Good luck to Lakeland on sunday, but don't be surprised to see a lopsided score at the end of the game.

I may head on over to Augustana to check out the game on Saturday, it isn't horribly far away from River Forest

Ok fine, I will make the score a little better bufan...

Auguastana - 45
Lakeland - 17


The non-conference foes are just to strong, it's the truth.

[baseman201]

Ok, well, Lakeland is EXTREMELY lucky with the team they have to play.

Ok, that was a quote from myself.

I take that back, Augustana is a good team, Lakeland isn't lucky

[Soulsenda]

so maddog is the father of Lakeland's QB huh....hmm...very interesting...

[aufb05]

Baseman201

Teams out of our conference are just to tough for an IBFC team to have a chance, I am sorry, but it's the truth.  The non-conference foes are just to strong, it's the truth.

2004 1st round PO - AU v No. 6 Wooster - 4th QTR win by Wooster 41-34. IBFC teams can hang.

Soulsenda-

You must be the only one who didn't know who Maddog is. By the way his son had a hellava season, so did the whole LAKE team for that matter. His son has my vote for Player of the Year. 

[bufan]

Baseman- unfortunately, you are right the CCIW is too strong for IBFC team this season and several other seasons in the past.

AUFB-  I understand the score was very close against wooster, but you guys had an exceptionally good team last year.  In the two years b4 that mac and conc wis got it handed to them if im not mistaken(in the playoffs).  You guys just had an extremely good team that year, better than those MAC and conc wis teams of 02 and 03.  So in correction to your statement, the IBFC cannot hang, AU 2004 could hang.

[Da One]

I wish Lakeland the best.  I grew up in Northwest ILL and all I heard about was how great Augie is.  They are far removed from the old days of domination.  They are very battle tested.  But not superhuman.  I just hate the fact they think their s**t doesn't stink and there untruthful recruiting habbits .  I never thought I would say this but, GO FISH.  Maddog, I might see you there.  Can choose between this game or the North Central game.

[zorbadagreek]

Im a cciw guy, but the fact is that I think that Auggie is going to dismantle Lakeland. Auggie has played a helluva tougher schedule than Lakeland and has beaten up those cciw teams pretty well along the way! Who does Lakeland play, Eureka?? CURF??

[baseman201]

Zorbodagreek-

You are right, the reason Lakeland is 8-2 is because they play teams like CURF, BU, and Eureka. 

Does anyone think that Lakeland would be 8-2 in the CCIW??? Aurora???  CUW???  If any "top" team from the IBFC was in another conference, any one of them would be fighting for a 500 season each and every year.  I mean, Augustana had to beat 4 teams in their own conference with winning records, and only lost their first game by one in overtime to a 9-1 non-conference team (Central). 

I think that's why maybe our teams get killed (with exception to the 2004 Aurora team) in the first round of the playoffs.  They are used to beating the crap out of IBFC teams, that they have no idea what to expect from the better schools from the powerhouse conferences. 

Why do you think the IBFC hasn't gotten any respect?  We lose all or most of our non-conference games, then get blown out in the playoffs (with exception again of course to the 2004 Aurora team). 

But whatever, I am heading to the game this Saturday, and am going to enjoy some D-III playoff football.  I am looking forward to see the kind of talent that lies in the big conferences.

[aufb05]

Baseman201-

AU was a good team last year but they lost to a LAKE team that was not as good as their team this year. That said, I'm not going to predict the outcome against the Augie's but I will say this - Lakeland is going to show in a big way. Win or lose they will make us as proud that they are the IBFC reps. the same as AU did last year. There is something about this LAKE team that makes me think that they might pull this off.

[zorbadagreek]

My prediction- Auggie 45 - Lakeland 21
Auggie will play its style of football and rush for over 400 yards, as usual.

[formerd3db]

baseman:
Easy friend!  Your teams got to take the first step and get there first!  Takes along time to get attitudes changed and conference(s) to get competitive.  It can happen, but won't overnight.  Trust me, we (MIAA) know!  Certainly, no one likes playoff blowouts, but I'd be happy just to get there first, then eventually keep working on getting better in successive years.  On the other hand, with the IBC changing, perhaps the various teams, whatever conferences they end up in will get more competitive.  But I know where you're coming from regarding your commentary.  Anyway, good luck this weekend.

[baseman201]

Haha, ok I am sorry, I will take it easy.

here is my prediction again.

Augustana - 45
Lakeland - 17

BUT, if Lakeland does pull this off, you can expect a  big old picture on the front page of D3football.com for sure

Or hopefully