FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Pat Coleman]

I looked at Massey Ratings for last season. The Division III net average rating was equivalent to where Ripon was ranked -- 130th in Division III. The NAIA average rating was higher, but just barely -- they fell between the average rating of No. 121 Defiance and No. 122 Case Western Reserve.

Division II's average, understandably, is significantly higher -- their average fell between our No. 39 St. Lawrence and No. 40 Dickinson.

[Carthage Fan]

OK, well good then I wasn't just talking out my......

[Comet 14]

I know it's early but it would be interesting to see what peoples early predictions are for the order of finish in the CCIW.

[football2007]

Since I am new to the conference, it's just a total guess and hope.
Carthage
Wheaton
Augustana
North Central
Elmhurst
IWU
Millikan
North Park
We'll see how close i am!!!!!
Did I see Carthage and Augustana are rated in the top preseason poll and that is it from the conference.  Maybe the newbie will be right.

[NCC_alum62]

1. Wheaton
1A. North Central

I think these two teams are going to be tops in some way.  I gotta give an edge to Wheaton they return alot of talent, NCC's Major losses are Kniss, Spicer and Studeman on offense, but they return a ton of talent in the trenches on OL, Sulo is a great spread back, and they have returning talent at reciever in MacIntosh and Welch.  Defense has some upside here and there and a new coordinator and Weinke's offseason program will have these guys physically ready to play ball.

3. Augustana

Auggie has some questions and some holes to fill. OL was not nearly as dominant this year as years past and Defense had issues as well.  NCC and Wheaton both have the advantage against them going into next year.  I know Auggie beat Wheaton last year but I think that isn't going to happen this year.  NCC has to visit, but Thorne will have them prepared to play.

4. Elmhurst
4. Carthage
4. IWU
4. Millikin

The middle of the pack is hard to call. Carthage returns talent at the skill positions and some intangibles, but the trenches are an untested unproven group especially on offense.  They need to come together in a hurry.  If they do they will make noise.  Elmhurst gets the "benefit" of a padded spring and a euro-trip.  I wasn't impressed by the game tape, but the early chance to evaluate and practice full go gives them an edge.  IWU returns talent like Carthage and like Carthage has alot of questions in the trenches.  They haven't gotten it done the past few years.  Millikin is a very physical football team and I have always respected that, but there hasn't been much off-season talk of good recruits and a solid spring for me to feel they are going to be a contender for the conference crown come fall.

8. North Park

North Park is making steps, but way too much ground to make up, maybe a conference win this year?  They don't exactly have a bare cubboard, but I wouldn't try to make a meal of it just yet.

[79jaybird]

1) Wheaton
2) Augustana
3) Elmhurst
3)Carthage
5)North Central
6)Millikin
7) IWU
8) North Park
W- I don't see the Thunder struggling much in the conference
Augie- McGinnis is a strong QB,  their defense is decent, and their O-Line is perennially strong
EC/Car-  Lot of talent, looking for consistency and to stay off the injury bug.
NC- How will the Cards operate post-Kniss?  I think Kniss' talents made the other players shine,  I think life without Kam is going to be difficult for NC.
Millikin- post Wallick?  Needs to fill some big gaps
IWU- I think Dunlop is a great running back and Panno is a great ballplayer, but the IWU I saw needed help in the trenches
NPU- I don't see them getting out of the cellar this year, but I DO see them winning a game here in 2007!
To go even further with the predicts-  Wheaton and Augie make the playoffs.  Augie goes traveling, Wheaton gets the home game. 

[usee]

Since I am new to the conference, it's just a total guess and hope.
Carthage
Wheaton
Augustana
North Central
Elmhurst
IWU
Millikan
North Park
We'll see how close i am!!!!!
Did I see Carthage and Augustana are rated in the top preseason poll and that is it from the conference.  Maybe the newbie will be right.

I have typically asked for preseason predicts in mid august and usually keep them until late in the year for a repost. I will do so again. I won't count these early entries. when I make the call in august you can repost these then if you wish. no one is ever right btw.

[usee]

from Street and Smiths (aka the clueless press):

Mt. Union is #1; Wabash 7th; Wheaton 9th; Millsaps 15th; Hope 19th

I agree on 1 of these picks.  8)

[79jaybird]

USee,  #9 Wheaton plays #19 Hope this year, which should be a very good non-conference test.    I don't know much about the Street & Smith poll, but I would say a #9 Wheaton ranking would be where I would have them also.  Perhaps this is the year Coach Swider gets rid of that goosegg in his quest to topple Mr. Kehres at MUC.

[formerd3db]

usee:
Which one is that, friend?  I would think it would be either your Wheaton or Mount Union .  Any chance we'll be able to visit at the Hope/Wheaton game this year?  Seems like one of these years we should be able to make that happen

[usee]

usee:
Which one is that, friend?  I would think it would be either your Wheaton or Mount Union .  Any chance we'll be able to visit at the Hope/Wheaton game this year?  Seems like one of these years we should be able to make that happen

D3db,

if you are making the trek to Wheaton this year I will make a point of being there to greet you.

[usee]

USee,  #9 Wheaton plays #19 Hope this year, which should be a very good non-conference test.    I don't know much about the Street & Smith poll, but I would say a #9 Wheaton ranking would be where I would have them also.  Perhaps this is the year Coach Swider gets rid of that goosegg in his quest to topple Mr. Kehres at MUC.

The only ranking I feel good about is Mt. Union at #1. I think that's a pretty safe bet.  While I think Wheaton has a chance to have a special season, like NCC 2 yrs ago and Carthage a few years back, they have to prove to the pollsters they are a top 10 team. Given their reputation the last 10 yrs or so they don't have as much to prove as NCC or Carthage did, but I would not put Wheaton in the top 10 straight away. They will have the opportunity get there but I would rank them more in the 10-20 range. I think they are worthy of a top 20 pre-season selection given their success last year and who they have coming back. 

[Carthage Fan]

football 2007,

Where did you see that preseason poll?  Please give us the link. 

Not knowing too much about the CCIW, other than Carthage is the only WI team and my son played a year in HS with Brad Thornton  (kid's a stud he was IL State HS Hurdle Champ) I am not qualified to comment on any ranking. 

Of course I would like to see Carthage on top.  Understand we graduated our OLine, but hoping the returning guys got enough playing time to give them some experience and that they want to prove something this year.  Our QB looks very solid, we have a stable of RB's with some returning guys and some pretty impressive freshmen coming in.  Some returning WR's, seems like they will be busy this year.  On D some guys that were out on injury last year return and that makes the D look pretty solid to me.  Guess like I have read on here, we have to avoid injuries (who doesn't?) and its a matter of our guys stepping up and making plays.  How bad do we want it? 

[Pat Coleman]

Even Street & Smith's has finally managed to learn that picking anyone other than Mount Union No. 1 in the preseason is foolish.

They had a stretch of two or three years at the beginning of the decade where they picked anyone other than Mount Union and looked pretty silly.

[football2007]

Under the general football board there were rankings for 25 preseason.  first page had a poll listing carthage.