FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

Is there a conference that's the Alpha and Omega in D3 football?

I realize that UWW won the last three Staggs, but with Mt. Union at the top and Wilmington at the bottom I'd vote (respectfully, of course) for the OAC.

I think this is a reason why the OAC is NOT at the top.

Oh dear. Not much in the way of classic greek or religious interpretation classes guys? Alpha and Omega refers to the first and LAST letter of the Greek alphabet. So the phrase alpha and omega can be taken 2 ways. One as a synonym for "be all and end all" which is usually the way a pastor refers to it from the Book of Revelations. I think that is how most of you are thinking of it in this context, but it is also understood as "the first and the last".

If you treat it as "the first and the last" then the OAC could be the Alpha and Omega because UMU is clearly the best over a long period of time and Wilmington is somewhere near the bottom...

And that skips a whole lot of the contextual nuances that point to one interpretation or the other.

Well, at least somebody got it.   

In defense of this board:  Given that tomorrow is game day, it's asking a lot of us to think at a deeper level than X's vs O's.     

[jknezek]

In defense of this board:  Given that tomorrow is game day, it's asking a lot of us to think at a deeper level than X's vs O's.   

That makes sense. HSCTiger74 and I are both visiting from our very quiet ODAC board. Sadly we have had a few weeks to move off the Xs and Os...

[hazzben]

Is there a conference that's the Alpha and Omega in D3 football?

I realize that UWW won the last three Staggs, but with Mt. Union at the top and Wilmington at the bottom I'd vote (respectfully, of course) for the OAC.

I think this is a reason why the OAC is NOT at the top.

Oh dear. Not much in the way of classic greek or religious interpretation classes guys? Alpha and Omega refers to the first and LAST letter of the Greek alphabet. So the phrase alpha and omega can be taken 2 ways. One as a synonym for "be all and end all" which is usually the way a pastor refers to it from the Book of Revelations. I think that is how most of you are thinking of it in this context, but it is also understood as "the first and the last".

If you treat it as "the first and the last" then the OAC could be the Alpha and Omega because UMU is clearly the best over a long period of time and Wilmington is somewhere near the bottom...

And that skips a whole lot of the contextual nuances that point to one interpretation or the other.

Well, at least somebody got it.   

I was tracking with you. But then again, I was a Koine Greek minor in undergrad. 

[USTBench]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

[02 Warhawk]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

I like the CCIW. Considering the #2 CCIW team gave the #1 MIAC team all they could handle two weeks ago. When looking at the top three teams in each conference, I think the CCIW is the strongest in DIII.

[emma17]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

Hmm. I give the NWC 2 out of 3 vs MIAC.
I give the CCIW 3 out of 3 vs MIAC.

Now, if St Thomas rolls UWO tomorrow I'll have to change my thinking.

[02 Warhawk]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

Hmm. I give the NWC 2 out of 3 vs MIAC.
I give the CCIW 3 out of 3 vs MIAC.

Now, if St Thomas rolls UWO tomorrow I'll have to change my thinking.

I agree

And the NWC and CCIW? We already saw Linfield take down NCC a few weeks ago.

Wheaton/Elmhurst against Pac. Lutheran/Willamette would be some close games.

[emma17]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

Hmm. I give the NWC 2 out of 3 vs MIAC.
I give the CCIW 3 out of 3 vs MIAC.

Now, if St Thomas rolls UWO tomorrow I'll have to change my thinking.

And the NWC and CCIW? We already saw Linfield take down NCC a few weeks ago.

Wheaton/Elmhurst against Pac. Lutheran/Willamette would be some close games.

Wheaton is the hard one to figure- a bit like NCC. I've always felt NCC is capable of beating any team in the country if they get their mental stuff worked out. Wheaton seems to have the offensive ability to play anyone in the country as well. But for 2012 I'll take the NWC in 2 of 3 vs CCIW. Linfield already won and Pac Luth over Wheaton (the price they pay for inconsistent play). 

[Pat Coleman]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

I like the CCIW. Considering the #2 CCIW team gave the #1 MIAC team all they could handle two weeks ago. When looking at the top three teams in each conference, I think the CCIW is the strongest in DIII.

How did you determine Elmhurst as the No. 2 team in the CCIW?

[emma17]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

I like the CCIW. Considering the #2 CCIW team gave the #1 MIAC team all they could handle two weeks ago. When looking at the top three teams in each conference, I think the CCIW is the strongest in DIII.

How did you determine Elmhurst as the No. 2 team in the CCIW?

I won't answer for 02. 
It's an interesting question though.  I think most observers, including CCIW folk, would say Wheaton is the #2 (or #1) team even though Elmhurst beat them.  From a talent standpoint, I've looked at the CCIW best as two tiered- NCC and Wheaton, and then IWU and Elmhurst. 
NCC and Wheaton continue to have mental lapses that even their talent can't overcome.   

[02 Warhawk]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

I like the CCIW. Considering the #2 CCIW team gave the #1 MIAC team all they could handle two weeks ago. When looking at the top three teams in each conference, I think the CCIW is the strongest in DIII.

How did you determine Elmhurst as the No. 2 team in the CCIW?

They lost to NCC and beat Wheaton

So I would rank them:
1. NCC
2. Elmhurst
3. Wheaton (yes the beat NCC, but they didn't make the playoffs)

I figured we were just looking at this season alone. But looking at the past 5 years or so, Wheaton would be #2.

[ncc58]

It seems like I fell onto the CCIW board. Only the first post on the deal actually discusses the WIAC. 

[emma17]

It seems like I fell onto the CCIW board. Only the first post on the deal actually discusses the WIAC. 

Went off on a tangent I guess.
Anyway, I consider the MIAC and CCIW as WIAC cousins. 

[WarhawkDad]

I'm an OAC guy and even I wouldn't rank us higher than the 4th or 5th best conference.
WIAC
CCIW
MIAC
NWC
OAC
E-8

My top 6 would be slightly different.

WIAC
MIAC
NWC
CCIW
OAC
E-8

I would very much like to see a MIAC/NWC/CCIW challenge this year between Concordia/Bethel/St. Thomas (MIAC), Pac. Luth/Williamette/Linfield (NWC) and NCC/Wheaton/Elmhurst.

I think the MIAC would win, but the CCIW and NWC seem pretty even - the X factor would be Linfield to give the NWC the slight edge.

Hmm. I give the NWC 2 out of 3 vs MIAC.
I give the CCIW 3 out of 3 vs MIAC.

Now, if St Thomas rolls UWO tomorrow I'll have to change my thinking.

And the NWC and CCIW? We already saw Linfield take down NCC a few weeks ago.

Wheaton/Elmhurst against Pac. Lutheran/Willamette would be some close games.

Wheaton is the hard one to figure- a bit like NCC. I've always felt NCC is capable of beating any team in the country if they get their mental stuff worked out. Wheaton seems to have the offensive ability to play anyone in the country as well. But for 2012 I'll take the NWC in 2 of 3 vs CCIW. Linfield already won and Pac Luth over Wheaton (the price they pay for inconsistent play).

While I like the CCIW, I think the mental stuff impacts the top three.  This year was truly an example.  For the top 3 CCIW teams, you did not know what you were going to get week to week.    Now, injuries did not help, but every team experiences that.   I might have been a little rash ranking the MIAC #2, but I have a problem separately years as I think of Conferences.   Just me.   

[retagent]

I think if you rate the conferences Top to Bottom, as opposed to just the top 3 or 4, I would have:


         1.) WIAC
         2.) MIAC
         3.)  CCIW
               NWC (tie)