FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

Does a team with a 55-14 loss that isn't to one of the elite programs deserve an at-large selection?
I have no quarrel with SJF, nor would I with RMC or BW.

CWRU played one team that did better than .500 (6-4 Chicago).  You just can not lose a game on that schedule and get invited..before anybody else with 1 loss and a lot of teams with 2.

I'm alright with CWRU not being invited.  I would have selected two or three of the 2 loss teams before IC though.

Pat, I know you projected CWRU over IC, so you are trying to rationalize what the committee did, but CWRU's national SoS was only 0.006 less than its regional. And you initially also seemed surprised that IWU ("somehow") jumped CWRU.

Actually, that is exactly what he predicted in order to come up with the projected bracket.

I'm surprised they did it. I didn't say it was wrong.

Pat,

You said (in a response to a post of mine) that the projection assumed IWU would 'jump' Case ("it wouldn't make sense not to") and have said on another thread that as a journalist you felt you should try to project what they WILL do, not what they SHOULD do (you'd save that for things labelled 'commentary').

Don't be so modest about your predictive abilities - clearly you thought they WOULD make the adjustment!

[USee]

I'm pretty sure Wheaton stayed behind Case ( and never made it to the table) and IWU jumped them in the final rankings. If Wheaton had been compared to STJF I am also pretty sure they would be in the field. I love this bracket. Bash is a 2 seed and will certainly host NCC in round 2.

Since the NCAA is seemingly moving toward a more national championship with this bracket, I would love to see them modify the T large process so the poo C teams get ranked at the national level. That would keeps good teams from getting stuck behind bad teams. The North committee kept Wheaton behind case while the east committee put STJF ahead of Endicott. Thats inconsistent and could have been addressed nationally. Great bracket though.

[Ralph Lee Wilson]

Quote from Illinois College's website: ""We're excited," said Head Coach Garrett Campbell. "It's fun to be a part of something like this."

The Blueboys held a team meeting shortly after the brackets were revealed Sunday night. The team will practice Monday through Thursday this week.

"I am so delighted for the members of the team that they've been able to reach a goal they've been working towards for many years," Illinois College Athletic Director Gale Vaughn said. "As a former Illinois College football player, I couldn't be prouder."

The playoff bid comes after a record-setting season for the Blueboys. The 2011 team posted a record of 9-1, setting the school record for wins in a season. The team won its final six games of the season, matching the team's longest winning streak in three decades."

This sounds very much like a 'we're just happy to be here' mentality (understandable given their playoff history).  If the Little Giants show up at all, methinks this could be a lovely Saturday in Cville.

[BayernFan]

So it's Blueboys and not Blue Boys?

Blueboys vs. Little Giants.

I hope a lot of Blueboy fans make the trip.  Only 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

[smedindy]

http://www2.northcoast.org/football/AcademicAll-District/2011

I may have missed this, but congrats to Wabash's Pat Clegg and Denison's Nat Kell for being named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-District 7 First-Team Football squad, released by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). And yes, I had to copy and paste that last bit!

[Schwami]

Just noticed that the OWU Bishops now own the second-longest winning streak in the NCAC --- the future looks bright 

[bashbrother]

From the local Jacksonville, IL Fish wrap ...  (I have to admit, I had no clue of where Jacksonville, IL was)

http://varsity.myjournalcourier.com/articles/college-6069-illinois-football.html

[BashDad]

Here are a couple Blueboy highlight packages:

Lawrence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYdQkWugsO4

Ripon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjlqXXMwiIM&feature=related

[wabndy]

Some great bracket reaction video on IC's athletics site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3VdWtJvLWQ

[bashbrother]

Interesting note I just noticed on Illinois College  -   They have got to be one of the few colleges on this planet with less student enrollment than Wabash.   864 (# listed on D3sports.com) to  883 (Wabash Men)....   Their football roster lists 142 players. 

I hope they bring a big group to C-Ville on Saturday.

[smedindy]

They average 1,440 per game at home. Would nice to see a big crowd for them but I'm not totally holding my breath. we'll see.

[smedindy]

Looking at their stats, they outscored their opponents 6-2 in OT. That was the Millikin game.

IC scored a TD but they fumbled the snap and Millikin recovered for the deuce. Still, that wasn't so bad, since a FG wouldn't beat them. And on the first play IC intercepted a Millikin pass to preserve the win.

[Li'l Giant]

Looking at their stats, they outscored their opponents 6-2 in OT. That was the Millikin game.

IC scored a TD but they fumbled the snap and Millikin recovered for the deuce. Still, that wasn't so bad, since a FG wouldn't beat them. And on the first play IC intercepted a Millikin pass to preserve the win.

Had Millikin scored would that have been the first time a team scored 8 points in a single overtime period? It has to be, right?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Looking at their stats, they outscored their opponents 6-2 in OT. That was the Millikin game.

IC scored a TD but they fumbled the snap and Millikin recovered for the deuce. Still, that wasn't so bad, since a FG wouldn't beat them. And on the first play IC intercepted a Millikin pass to preserve the win.

Had Millikin scored would that have been the first time a team scored 8 points in a single overtime period? It has to be, right?

I'm sure there must be some teams that have successfully converted 2-pt conversions in the first OT.  A coach worried that his defense is worn out may go for the win rather than risk a 2nd OT.

[Li'l Giant]

As soon as I read your post I remembered what Boise State did to the Land Thieves. Derp.