FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[footballguy1]

Final in Aurora.  AU 51 WLC 6.  The Spartans dominated on both sides of the ball.  Their defense had 9 turnovers which included 7 interceptions and 2 forced fumble recoveries.  They looked absolutely unstoppable today.

[WLCALUM83]

Other NAthCon football finals:

Concordia-WI 46, Concordia-Chicago 13

Benedictine 20, Rockford 14

Lakeland 29, Maranatha 14

[old 40]

Saw the AU game this weekend and was impressed with all aspects of their team. Looks to have the best "D" hands down in the NAC. Their Offense can score at will. IMHO, they should walk through the next two games. The big questions is who they will play in the playoffs. They most likely will be the 8 seed and might have to face Mount Union or NCC, depending if they move one of those teams out of the North region. Either of those teams would be a huge obstacle to overcome. Speed would be a factor in a game with either of those teams who have great team speed and great skill positions. Good Luck to AU on their finish, chamionship.

Anyone have any thoughts on AU and the playoffs?

MBBC puts 14 on Lakeland. Good to see them score 2 or more TD's in the last 2 weeks. Based on some ofthe articles written, their players play hard and with great emotion. They never quit.

Good Luck to everyones team this week. Picks coming later.

[ftballfan09]

WOW lots of action! and new names! I guess that I was wrong before AU looks to be top dog this year. I saw some very uncalled for comments toward someones former team. I may be off base because I do not know, but that could be the issue at CUC. I saw they upset Lakeland but got killed by CUW. What is going on there? I also don't here much from the Benne, do they still have a team? anyway good luck to all as you hit the home stretch of your season.

[muzzman]

AU and the playoffs:

Its not a done deal yet, they cant fall asleep.  Aurora must win out.  As far as Mount Union. I think they are out pf the picture for a first round apponent for AU just based on distance alone. 

[muzzman]

Old 40 my reasoning for thinking AU will not draw Mount Union distance is 428 miles

Frequently Asked Question 27. How are the playoffs structured?
Posted On
Sep 29, 2005 at 11:00 AM  Since 2005: There are four brackets of eight teams apiece. The brackets are set by the NCAA committee, grouping eight teams together in a roughly geographic manner.
The NCAA reserves the right to seed the bracket in the interest of avoiding having to pay for extra airplane flights in the first round. If two schools are within 500 miles' driving distance, then the road team travels by bus. If the distance is longer than 500 miles then the NCAA must fly one team to play the other.

Generally speaking, the No. 1 seed plays the No. 8 seed, the No. 2 seed plays the No. 7 seed, No. 3 plays No. 6 and No. 4 plays No. 5. But the committee also reserves the right to juggle first-round pairings to satisfy their travel requirements as well as keep conference foes from facing each other in the first round.

In general, the higher seed hosts through to the national semifinals. If two equal seeds from different brackets meet in the national semifinals, the NCAA will determine who hosts. That is announced when the brackets are released

[RFMichigan]

I've enjoyed the banter on this board for the past few weeks and thought I'd throw in my two cents.

I certainly enjoy the reports of "eye witnesses" who saw games and could give a little analysis - something beyond the things you get on the schools' websites. More would be appreciated!

What are thoughts of the differences in the various conferences in the Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan region and the NAthCon? I've seen a few MIAA teams this year, a CCIW team,  and CUC once (and against a MIAA team at that - ouch!). What makes these "established" conferences so strong? Coaches who have been at a school for a long time? Established program?Administration (and dollars) commited to a sports program? Overall campus quality? Let's hear it.

[footballguy1]

Technically, AU does not have to win out.  If AU beats CUC and CUW beats Lakeland this

Saturday then AU will clinch the NAC championship.  Lakeland will have two conference losses and CUW

will have one and since AU beat CUW earlier this season AU has the tie breaker with CUW.

[NuTS]

Regarding the playoffs, IMHO:

The NCAA does not care who wins a first round game.  They do not care who advances week after week.  They don't care who the semifinalists are.  They don't even care who gets second.  Their goal (purpose) is to crown a champion in DIII.  The fans care, the players care, the schools and coaching staffs certainly care, but the NCAA (with the exception of keeping travel expenses down), does not care!

That being said, parings are (with few execptions) designed to get the four best teams (by region) separated in the brackets.  Thus any qualifier from the NAC in any year will not get a favorable first round draw and it will be very hard to break that cycle.

I see it as a "rich get richer" scenario.  To get ranking consideration you have to win games against opponents outside of your conference during the season and in the playoffs.  So, any team from the NAC (or looking back to the IBFC for that matter) with no wins in the post season will not get any respect from the ranking committee.  This leads to a first round draw against one of, if not the best, team in the region.  It will take an upset by a NAC team to get any consideration for the next year and more likely several years of upsets before they get any ranking consideration.

Many would argue this is perfectly fair and logical and I, for the most part, agree. You may not like it but it does help to explain why the rich get richer.  By winning playoff games you not only get a more favorable consideration next year you also draw positive attention to your program and thus attract more quality recruits, more college and community support, etc.  And the beat goes on. . .

[old 40]

muzzman;

Good points on Mt. Union. but in 2004 the NCAA sent AU to Wooster the 2 seed and Wooster is in that neck of the woods. If they move Mount to the East like last year then AU goes to NCC, IMHO. It will be a big uphill battle either way.

footballguy1;
You are right on that scenerio. CUW will most likely hammer Lakeland giving AU the title.

[WhatDoIKnow]

I'll bet AU gets North Central in the first round.  Based on the regional rankings, I believe Mt. Union will head to the east once again, leaving NC the top seed in the Midwest and your classic #1 v #8.

[old 40]

RFMicigan;

Great question and obsevations. IMHO, the NAC is trying to make their conference (football wise) better than the IBFC. Many of the teams are scheduling teams that are playoff teams which means if they can win they improve the status of the league and their program. So far it has not worked but will happen in the future. Playing the better schools is still better than playing the Blackburn's, Principia's of the world (No disrespect intended).

As far as comparing the leagues, it is hard at this time to make a case for the NAC to be in the same class as the MIAA and CCIW. This year the NAC teams failed to beat teams from those leagues. IMO, the big diffenerce in the CCIW and the NAC is far apart. The CCIW schools have more money to spend on their athletic programs. Their campuses are more like a big school atmosphere (especially in football). If you have been to a NCC, Carthage or Wheaton game you will see the difference (tailgating, fireworks, halftime shows and a full house).

The NAC schools are trying. They have made improvements in facitities at most schools except MBBC, Rockford and Lakeland. It boils down to a dogfight for the better athletes. The CCIW gets their pick as does the MIAA in their areas. The NAC is making inroads but face a huge uphill battle. IMHO, it boils down to $. The richer more endowed schools have the biggest advantages over the others. I don't think the NAC schools are as endowed as much as the MIAA and certainly not as much as the CCIW. I would like to see one or more of the NAC schools have their administration step up in acquiring $ for endowment and then spend some of it on Athletics and the assets needed to attract better athletes..

One small note. I know most of the MIAA schools playe 6-9 JV games and many of the CCIW schools play the same amount. I think some of the NAC schools play none and some play 2-4 games, but I bet most would like to play a few more.

Enough of the ramblings but it boils down to the more endowed schools can have better financial packages for their students, have a campus that has great student draws (life fitness centers, student centers), larger recruiting/admissions budgets and larger Athletic budgets. These are my ramblings about this subject.

I would be interested in everyones thoughts.

[iitwi88]

I'll bet AU gets North Central in the first round.  Based on the regional rankings, I believe Mt. Union will head to the east once again, leaving NC the top seed in the Midwest and your classic #1 v #8.

it doesnt matter who they get they are going to get killed the first game of playoffs anyway

[NuTS]

Very good points Old 40:

The WIAC is another example.  I was told by a UWW coach that since they cannot offer scholarships to athletes they spend their money on the very best facilities, equipment, uniforms, etc. as a means of attracting top prospects.

I would add that $ is very important but not enough.  Your administration has to make the building of athletic programs, Football in particular, a priority.  I don't feel there are many, if in fact any, schools in the conference with that attitude.

The other factor is time.  These changes don't happen overnight.

[baseman201]

it doesnt matter who they get they are going to get killed the first game of playoffs anyway

iitwi88-

Yeah, I am an NAC supporter but unfortunately I agree with you.  Although back in 04 AU went to Wooster and gave them a run for their money.  Even going against Tony Sutton.....although he did rush for 209 yards and 5 TDs....but that's beside the point.