FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[mac_grad]

What's funny about the stabbing thing, which is not funny, but as usual, the Jacksonville newspaper reported it wrong.  It definitely says it's a current football player and student.  Sad how that towns information works...

[Falcon77]

I'm not sure the o-coordinator is sure about anyone This offense is not running well. He does not have the athletes from last year. He needs to simplify things and get good at that. I don't think Pachiolli was hurt. I think he was looking for a spark.

I agree that he needs to simplify, he is obsessed with coming up with new innovative plays and refuses to go back to the basics.  I think that chart has been underated, im curious to see what happens this weekend.  I think Wisconsin lutheran will be a good tune up game for CUW to start conference play.  hopefully they can get the kinds worked out, because if they cant score touchdowns they cant win this conference.
[/quote]

I agree with the Wisc Luth tune up. I don't know if he will simplify things. I think their offense can be good (not as good as last year.) But it all starts with the o-line. They need some consistancy from them. Defensively, they are solid. Allen is as good of a nose tackle as I've seen in years.

[FormerCard]

It has been a few years since Scott left AU,  what is he doing now?

[Are you Kidding]

Are You Kidding;

Pretty tough statement that Jon Cooper should be replaced if he can't win 6 games. He did not exactly come in to a program like Mt. Union. It will take time, maybe as much as 5 years. He has had to overcome a lot at this school. Attitude be one. He has a very good Frosh QB who will be one of the top QB's by his Junior year. His program will jell. Jon program is certainly not embarassing the University. As a fan, relax and watch the progress each week. There are many 0-2 teams that will take a wind over NPU. 1-1 is a good start. BTW, they will not beat NCC. Their athletes are not as good as NCC athletes.

I have no affliation with Benedictine, just my opinion.

Not really. Considering the schedule he plays and the amount of recruits that are coming in simply for the facilities, he should be thriving. In addition, in the last 2 years, Benedictine has dropped one of the best in the CCIW (Carthage) for the worst (NP).

Why should he be given 5 years? The previous 2 Benedictine coaches were given 2 apiece and were considered "bad" coaches because of it.

I just don't think that in your 3rd year as a head coach you should be getting blown out by 49 points. It's not acceptable. And enough with the "he will be one of the top qb's." Projections are silly and are nothing but that. His team isn't embarrassing the University you say? Well a loss by 49 is pretty embarrassing in my book...especially when you're in year 3.

old40:
    Just a follow up on your comments on North Central.....Benedictine. 
     I sure hope BU doesn`t get big headed over it`s win against North Park.
     A team that has a conference record of 2-54 from 1999-2006. Give them (NP) credit though as they have won some non-conference games. As you
    implied though, a weak team at best.
    As far as North Central and Benedictine.  North Central will beat BU like a
      rented mule.  More on Thursday.
    As far as Coach Cooper is concerned, he was a long timer at Aurora and while there, they (AU) did rather well. I`m with you on..... lets give him
   some time.
     

Nobody at BU is getting big headed over it. They schedule North Park for a reason...because they can't beat anyone else in the CCIW and it's somewhat of a local game. And yes, Cooper was at Aurora for a long time...as an Assistant. He wasn't the head guy there. And there's a reason he wasn't given the head coaching job when the old head coach left. Think about that one.

Are you kidding me?

No seriously.  This kind of post is rediculous and I'm not a BU alum.

Elmhurst has dominated its series with Benedictine before coach cooper by an average score of 48-8.

North Park may be the bottom of the CCIW, but they have a recent coach too (who was also trying to turn around a program).  Many of us in CCIW believed the Vikings had a good chance to win this game.  They are rebuilding a team and an attitude just like the Eagles.  Congrats to Benedictine on a good win, not an iffy win, a GOOD win.  This was a must win game for both teams and Cooper pulled it out.

After allowing 52 points to pitch a shut-out is a great accomplishment.

Next, when was the last time BU saw 110 players in camp? 2000-2001? Maybe.  But don't be fooled by numbers, Benedictine has numbers, but they still lack the size, speed and strength that will put them over the top.  Against Elmhurst thier O-line was dismal at best and the D-line not much better.  The D-line had one guy over 250 that played.  You play with who you have and Benedictine is going to need another year to develope those young kids.  Freshman rarely make an impact when they are not surrounded with leadership from the upper classes that have put in time.

In 2001, BU lost by 8
In 2002, by 3
In 2003, by 31
In 2004, by 46
In 2005, by 46
In 2006, by 34 (and shutout)
In 2007, by 49

Cooper's numbers in bold.

The coach from 2001 and 2002, who lost 2 games by a total of 11 points? Gone after 2002.
The coach from 2003 and 2004? 2 games by 77 points (38.5 average)? Gone after 2004.
Cooper? A 43 point average. Still here in 2007? Why?

Cooper is on year 3, and is still getting blown out. Why? Maybe it has something to do with him gutting the BU staff completely and bringing in his guys. Maybe there's a reason he was only an Assistant at Aurora for that long.

And please, don't insult anyone's intelligence around here by commending BU for beating North Park 14-0. The more important number should be 14. How did they only score 2 TD's on them? They are LUCKY they aren't playing Carthage anymore.

Finally, what point are you trying to prove with the 100+ numbers in camp comparison? First you sound like it's a great thing, then you say not to be fooled by the numbers. Which is it? Is Cooper recruiting garbage talent? With 100+ guys, you have to have at least 8-9  impact new players. If not, somebody needs to fire the recruiting coordinator.

And what do you mean another year to develop? I've heard that nonsense since Cooper's first year. It's year 3 now. How much longer do you get to develop? These kids are graduating now. Are you talking about them developing after college? In their NFL careers?

Enough already. I've heard enough about this "revampment" of Benedictine Football under the Cooper realm. It's worse than it's ever been...and that includes the two coaches who preceded him.

[NCC_alum62]

You just seemed to miss my points completely AYKM

You originally brought up the fact that he brought in a big recruiting class, I responded by saying it was the first time in a long time I had seen so many players at BU, but was also saying give those freshmen another year to develop.  This may be Joe Coppers third year, but it is his first really big recruiting class, if they stick around and improve they could be better. 

You talk about 8-9 impact freshman, but you miss the point completely.  Freshman do not win college football games by themselves.  It takes upperclassmen surrounding that raw talent to win games.  It takes development to get them to play at a level they need to be at.  Freshmen can start and contribute to a high level, but they can't form the nucleus of a great college football team on any level.

I'm also not touting some big return of BU, (when were they ever really a dominant football team), I am saying that to call for the firing of a coach every two years is why they have been a bottom feeder not only in the IBC but in the region.  They will improve week in and week out and already showed that from week 1 to week 2.

[NCC_alum62]

Elmhurst also has a pretty darn good football team this year with alot of returning players in the trenches (especially on D) not to mention an experienced secondary and two QB's that can run the offense.  Elmhurst is one of the best football teams that BU will play (aside from the Cardinals) all this year.  Either Elmhurst or NCC could win it all in the IBC from what I've seen.

[Timewilltell]

It's Hump Day- What are everyone's picks for this weekend?

Lakeland   at UW-Oshkosh  -  UW gets the win at home, but it will be closer
as Lakeland should start to jell, its their 3rd game. UW-27- LL-24

North Park   at Eureka   - Eureka, even after a week off to prepare, won't be able to hit the win column. NP 38-14
   
Rose-Hulman   at Concordia (Ill.)    - A chance for CUC to prove were they belong against a always stable program. At home, close game, but Rose wins 24-17.  

Wisconsin Lutheran   at Concordia (Wis.)   Offense steps up this week. CUW wins 24-17    

Taylor   at Greenville     Taylor (NAIA) got their only win last year against Greenville. So Taylor will look to repeat that win. GC will need to be tough on defense and score some to take pressure off the Def. In a close one- GC 24-Taylor 21  

Benedictine   at North Central --Bene needs to show some moxy, and step up to some challenges.  My Upset - Bene 27- NP- 24

Good Luck to all IBC teams and be Safe!!

[Gomer Pyle]

Are you kidding:
   Just for conversation sake And  Coach Cooper`s capabilities aside,  lets talk conference wins as they are really what count. Starting
  with 2005 as thats when Cooper took over the BU football program.
  To this point in time (today), nobody has played a 2007 IBFC game.
   That being said, the two years in question are 2005 and 2006.
   All the following are wins/losses in conference play for those 2 seasons.
    Bu is 6-8.  CU-C is 1-13.  Eureka is 1-13. LC is 12-2. Mac is 4-10.
    CU-W is 13-1. Greenville is 9-5.
    CU-W has been the studs. LC was as well. Greenville is on the rise and then there is BU with 6-8. 
    Coopers tenure at Bu as the Head Football Coach is up to the School
    but it seems to me a 6-8 early conference record is not that bad.
    Non conference games (as you well know)  don`t mean squat! Losing
     big ( LC, as an example)  may hurt your pride but means nothing as well.  The only important games are conference ones.   Like I said, 6-8,
    could be a lot worse.
     Your civil retort (in context) is welcomed. 
     

     
   

[cudub]

Anybody know anything about Rose-Hulman??  What are con chances against them (preferably unbiased).  Also, I think lakeland has an oppurtunity to make a real statement this weekend, if they can pull off this win, they may be the favorites this year.

[bufan]

Having played for the last 3 coaches at Benedictine...Murray (1 year), Mitchell( 2 year), an Cooper (1 year), allow me to comment.  That last sentence it itself is a good reason why we were not very good.  Anyways, Benedictine's average margin of defeat against teams in 05 and 06 have decreased.  I dont want to do math now, but you can look at the numbers.  Lost to NCC by 55 one year, just 17 coopers first year, which NCC was better that year as well.  Lost to Lakeland i think 14-0 last year...other years have been 73-7, 62-35, etc.  BU has not lost to CUC, Eureka whcih was done each once in Mitchell's years.  Next year will be all of Cooper's recruits so you can judge him then if you want.  They just havent settled on an offense, the wing t is not working as imagined and BU doesnt have ne one to throw the ball with conssitently.  If they can establish some sort of consistency there, ths season and then next year the defense will still be very tough.  However, they did not show it versus Elmhurst.  But im not worried about the D.  They are led by a great group of guys.

[old 40]

BU Fan, Gomer and
NCC Alum62;

Very good comments on the Cooper situation. Time will tell. Perhaps our friend AYKM can swing the school to schedule Principia, Eureka and MacMurray next year as non-conference games. That should bring a smile to his face.

Picks for this weeks game. One week from the conference's final season.

NCC over Benedictine, 31-9, Benedictine Offense looking to come together. NCC has more and better Athletes. Benedictine Defense will be tested.

North Park over Eureka, 11-9, CCIW bottom feeder still better than the Devils. Maybe OT.

Greenville over Taylor(NAIA), 28-10, Too much option and QB plus a stout Defense.

Rose-Hulman over CUC, 28-14, RHI plays in a good conference and is similar to Univ. of Chi. This will be another challenge for CUC.

CUW over Wisconsin Luthern, 24-0, CUW has to much Defense and will start to jell on Offense. They are warming up for the defense of their title.

UW-Oshkosh over Lakeland, 31- 28, 3rd team in D3 top45, Lakeland Offense must find rushing game despite being down to number 4 and 5 RB's. If QB and play makeing receivers come to play it will be close.

AU is open this week.

Good Luck to everyone's teams and no injuries.

[Are you Kidding]

You just seemed to miss my points completely AYKM

You originally brought up the fact that he brought in a big recruiting class, I responded by saying it was the first time in a long time I had seen so many players at BU, but was also saying give those freshmen another year to develop.  This may be Joe Coppers third year, but it is his first really big recruiting class, if they stick around and improve they could be better.  

You talk about 8-9 impact freshman, but you miss the point completely.  Freshman do not win college football games by themselves.  It takes upperclassmen surrounding that raw talent to win games.  It takes development to get them to play at a level they need to be at.  Freshmen can start and contribute to a high level, but they can't form the nucleus of a great college football team on any level.

I'm also not touting some big return of BU, (when were they ever really a dominant football team), I am saying that to call for the firing of a coach every two years is why they have been a bottom feeder not only in the IBC but in the region.  They will improve week in and week out and already showed that from week 1 to week 2.

I didn't miss one point you tried to make. Unfortunately, instead of reading mine, you disregarded them because they were true and you had no response to them. Moving onto your post...

Yes, I did say there was a big recruiting class (which he did not do alone, half of those recruits came for the nationally-known facility). Before you try to go against that point, know that Benedictine's enrollment is at it's highest in years. The new buildings are the reason for it, not the football coach with the losing record.

You have no point regarding freshman...simply because not every new player is a freshman. And Benedictine has plenty of upperclassmen surrounding the freshman. At least 8 of BU's current starters have started for four years on this team, and they are all seniors. How is that not development? They've started their whole careers there!

Also, when was BU football dominant? I'm pretty sure in 2000, they had a nationally ranked defense with 2 All-Americans. The following year they had two more All-Americans.

Finally, if you're going to say that they improved from week 1 to week 2, don't compare apples and oranges. NP is hardly a viable opponent to compare to Elmhurst.

Elmhurst also has a pretty darn good football team this year with alot of returning players in the trenches (especially on D) not to mention an experienced secondary and two QB's that can run the offense.  Elmhurst is one of the best football teams that BU will play (aside from the Cardinals) all this year.  Either Elmhurst or NCC could win it all in the IBC from what I've seen.

Nobody said Elmhurst didn't have a good football team. That still doesn't give BU the excuse to lose by 7 touchdowns and their defense not stop them ONE time. Also, Elmhurst or NCC would not win the IBC. They would have to beat Conc-Wisc and Lakeland, which wouldn't happen.

Are you kidding:
  Just for conversation sake And  Coach Cooper`s capabilities aside,  lets talk conference wins as they are really what count. Starting
 with 2005 as thats when Cooper took over the BU football program.
 To this point in time (today), nobody has played a 2007 IBFC game.
  That being said, the two years in question are 2005 and 2006.
  All the following are wins/losses in conference play for those 2 seasons.
   Bu is 6-8.  CU-C is 1-13.  Eureka is 1-13. LC is 12-2. Mac is 4-10.
   CU-W is 13-1. Greenville is 9-5.
   CU-W has been the studs. LC was as well. Greenville is on the rise and then there is BU with 6-8.  
   Coopers tenure at Bu as the Head Football Coach is up to the School
   but it seems to me a 6-8 early conference record is not that bad.
   Non conference games (as you well know)  don`t mean squat! Losing
    big ( LC, as an example)  may hurt your pride but means nothing as well.  The only important games are conference ones.   Like I said, 6-8,
   could be a lot worse.
    Your civil retort (in context) is welcomed.  

Let's get this straight...you're trying to talk Cooper up because he has a 6-8 record? Beating CURF, Eureka, and 2 more scattered games is hardly something to brag about in the IBC.

And non-conference games do count. Just because you get blown out by a non-conference team doesn't mean you get a pass.

Having played for the last 3 coaches at Benedictine...Murray (1 year), Mitchell( 2 year), an Cooper (1 year), allow me to comment.  That last sentence it itself is a good reason why we were not very good.  Anyways, Benedictine's average margin of defeat against teams in 05 and 06 have decreased.  I dont want to do math now, but you can look at the numbers.  Lost to NCC by 55 one year, just 17 coopers first year, which NCC was better that year as well.  Lost to Lakeland i think 14-0 last year...other years have been 73-7, 62-35, etc.  BU has not lost to CUC, Eureka whcih was done each once in Mitchell's years.  Next year will be all of Cooper's recruits so you can judge him then if you want.  They just havent settled on an offense, the wing t is not working as imagined and BU doesnt have ne one to throw the ball with conssitently.  If they can establish some sort of consistency there, ths season and then next year the defense will still be very tough.  However, they did not show it versus Elmhurst.  But im not worried about the D.  They are led by a great group of guys.

If you'd like to play the comparison game, by all means, let's dance.

Yes, BU lost by 55 in 2003. In 2004, they lost by 34. Did you look back to 2002? They beat NCC by 12.

Don't act like it was really a 17 point game either. If you were actually on the team, you know full well that NCC yanked it's starters or else that would've been a 30+ point loss. So don't pull out scores if you don't remember what happened.

Also, BU may have only lost to Lakeland by 14 last year...but Lakeland had a down year. They were average. What happened the year before when they were good? BU lost by 38.BU did lose to Eureka under Mitchell...but they also beat MacMurray one year after their title.

And what do you mean next year Cooper can be judged? What, in year 4? Murray and Mitchell were judged after 2 years and people were calling for their heads.

Also, you're not worried about the D? I'd be. Any defense that can give up 49 points and not make one stop all game would worry me a tad.

So, before you try to jump on Cooper's side and play stat nazi, realize that I have stats too. It's not hard to pull them up.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Are you Kidding,

Um, are YOU kidding (or just memory impaired)?  "...NCC would not win the IBC.  They would have to beat Conc-Wisc and Lakeland, which wouldn't happen."

September 8, 2007 (remember 4 days ago?): NCC 28, CUW 7.  Carthage (picked behind NCC in the CCIW Coaches' Poll) 35, Lakeland 16.

OOPS!

[Pat Coleman]

AYK -- not sure who named those guys All-Americans in 2000 and 2001 but I see one D3football.com All-American in those years and none from the AFCA.

No other All-American team is worth the paper it's printed on.

[baseman201]

Mr. Ypsi-

Um, are YOU kidding (or just memory impaired)?  "...NCC would not win the IBC.

Uhm.....of course NCC would win the IBC, are you kidding me man?  You said they would have to beat CUW (which they easily did) and Lakeland (NCC would make Lakeland look silly). 

NCC would have no competition in the IBC, hands down winner every single year.  So I have no idea what you are talking about Ypsi.

Also realize preseason coaches rankings and polls mean absolutely nothing.  Need I remind you of a team out of Ann Arbor that was #5 in the nation in the preseason polls then got blown out 2 weeks in a row.......

thank you, predictions forthcoming.