FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Comet 14]

Usee I agree with you view of the game but I will change the score just a little. Elmhurst 31 NCC 28 in a very exciting contest.

[matblake]

So, moving forward.  Lets hear it - thoughts on this weekend.  Augie vs. Wheaton...

The good news is Wheaton is 33-1 at home going back to the 2002 season. The bad news is the 1 loss was to Augie in 2005.

33-1 at home since 2002 has to be one of the best in the country behind Mount Union.

If you include the playoffs, the Purple Raiders have two home losses in that time period.  One regular season loss to Ohio Northern in 2005 and they also lost in the playoffs to Mary Hardin Baylor in 2004. 

[DIIIinVA]

Any word re. Studebaker's status for Saturday?  What exactly was his injury, does anyone know?

[matblake]

I'm really interested in the Millikin/IWU game.  Millikin always seems to play tough.  IWU is coming around, with another convincing win against what at the beginning of the season seemed to be a team on their tier of competition would prove to me that the Augie game was more than a fluke and the Titans should be reckoned with. 

[79jaybird]

Interesting that Usee and Comet14 think the EC/NC game is going to be high scoring.  IMO, I don't think this is going to be the case as both defenses have been (for the most part) good.  I think this game is going to end up 14-10 or 21-7 with whichever team winning based upon playing turnover free football. 
You have NC mad about losing their lead to Wheaton and EC looking to get back on the winning track after the Augie setback.  Should be a great game.

[cardinaldad]

Interesting that Usee and Comet14 think the EC/NC game is going to be high scoring.  IMO, I don't think this is going to be the case as both defenses have been (for the most part) good.  I think this game is going to end up 14-10 or 21-7 with whichever team winning based upon playing turnover free football. 
You have NC mad about losing their lead to Wheaton and EC looking to get back on the winning track after the Augie setback.  Should be a great game.

I, too, think it will be a high scoring contest. Until last weekend, Elmhurst has been putting some pretty big numbers up on the scoreboard. NCC's defense has played well at times, but I can't get that North Park game off of my mind! I'm saying 36-32 NCC.

[WahooThunder]

Any word re. Studebaker's status for Saturday?  What exactly was his injury, does anyone know?

It was a foot injury.  I am unsure of the severity at this point.  If Studebaker is out, expect to see Eric Theisen move over from DT to DE with Nick Theobald taking Theisen's place at DT.  This would be an interesting move for the Thunder as Theisen is smaller for a DT (6'3, 255) anyway and has been very impressive (5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) so far this year and is a better pass rusher than most Wheaton DTs I have seen.

[WahooThunder]

By the way, for those of you who can't make it to McCully Stadium on Saturday night, the Wheaton Athletics website will have live stats for the game (kind of like ESPN's Gametracker).  You can access it here:

http://livestats.internetconsult.com/wheaton/football/

[WahooThunder]

I'm well aware that statistics are far from the whole story (I taught the course for 32 years and wrote a textbook ), and I haven't seen them play, but this just does not strike me as a vintage Viking running attack.  I never take Augie lightly in any year, but I still feel Wheaton should win fairly easily.

I thought the same thing about the NCC vs. Wheaton match-up - Wheaton should win fairly easily.  With the NCC loss to Wash U. and NPU putting up 30+ points on NCC, I thought the Thunder would run away with this one.  But, the last couple of years, these games have all be fairly close with the leading team at halftime losing in the end.  Plus, throw in a bell and you have a little something extra to play for!

Easy wins are difficult to come by in the CCIW.  In addition, the competitiveness of the conference can be seen in the relatively small number undisputed conference champions.  Since 1999, there have only been three teams to win conference outright with a 7-0 record:

2002 Wheaton
2003 Wheaton
2005 Augustana

Well what do you know, wise words from Billy on this one.  5 out of the last 7 years ('02 and '05 being the exceptions) this game has gone down to the wire and I expect this one to be a defensive struggle that will be decided in the fourth quarter as well.... but then again in college football this year (at any level).... who knows?  We found out last week that this wounded Wheaton team is not, in fact, invincible, and Augie's performance against Elmhurst scares me.  I expect the Thunder to pull this one out in front of the home crowd, but I am anticipating another nailbiter.

[washdupcard]

Made the Wheaton/NCC game....3rd time I have seen this match up and it is always close.  GREAT GAME!!  That being said....having a game so close at the end that the refs can make an impact is not the way either team should have won!!  Hope NCC, who statistically should have won, have learned their lesson!!  Never again leave any conference game so close -- They should have never let them back within striking distance!  Hope Wheaton can overcome their injuries to do the CCIW proud this year--although they did not look as impressive -- They have the W and now the votes!

As if there is a button to push or a level to pull to make sure that doesn't happen.

[usee]

Interesting that Usee and Comet14 think the EC/NC game is going to be high scoring.  IMO, I don't think this is going to be the case as both defenses have been (for the most part) good. 

As I explained, I think Elmhurst and NCC have both struggled defensively this year with the areas that NCC and Elmhurst are best at offensively. e.g. NCC has a strong running game and elmhurst got hammered by the run last saturday. Elmhurst passes the ball a lot and NPU/wheaton/washU all hurt them through the air. I think this makes for an offensive battle. I don't see the argument for a defensive struggle in this game. It could happen, I just don't see the rationale.

[wheels81]

So the conventional wisdom is that since Studebaker is injured Wheaton's defense will be diminished.  That makes semse against an offense that can pass the ball regularly such as NCC.  But I don't think Augie had plans of double teaming him before since they don't rely on a 7 step qb drop.   Also, their trouble containing qb's on the run will not be as apparent because they are expecting this Viking qb to run.  So I expect the Wheaton defense to hold their own.  
The trouble with Wheaton will be the offensive line which has been ravaged by injuries and they are relying on some underclassmen.  This line got manhandled, from what was written, last week and they gave up 5 sacks.
So the big question will be Wheaton's offense.  


ps. Andy was spotted on campus w/o crutches/cast or limp. so who knows.

[SonsofThunder]

As I posted earlier on the board:  If Augie can find a way to keep the ball for 44 minutes like they did last week, they'll make it tough on any team they play.  If Wheaton plays both halves like they played the second half at North Central, it's going to be a long day for the Vikings.  Obviously, I'm hoping and believing the latter will happen. 

Prediction:  Norris to Dreyer....twice.

Wheaton 28
Augie       14

Beat Augie

[redman04]

Wheaties, I have not seen Wheaton play this year, but from what I hear their Defense is something special. True?? What is the strong point of it?  Is it their pass rush or is their Dline superior in all aspects?  Also we hear a lot about the front, but how is the secondary?  How do you think they match up against Augie?

[Mugsy]

Wheaties, I have not seen Wheaton play this year, but from what I hear their Defense is something special. True?? What is the strong point of it?  Is it their pass rush or is their Dline superior in all aspects?  Also we hear a lot about the front, but how is the secondary?  How do you think they match up against Augie?

I know this isn't how the coaching staff or players think (and rightfully so), but as a fan I look at the Wheaton defense and say "what could have been..."  Even so they are a very talented bunch who are playing very well.

What impresses me most at this point is their depth.  They have lost a 1st Team All-CCIW OLB for the season in Mike McKinney.  Their All-American DE (Andy Studebaker) has been nicked up for a good piece of the season.  They lost another of the DE's for the season that was rotating in who was a transfer from Air Force (Aaron Reyes).  The starting strong safety missed 1 1/2 games due to injury.  The starting MLB has missed at least one game (Steve Pagh).  I'm sure I'm missing a few other injuries on the defense.  Despite all this the defense unit has played exceptionally well.  They've had a few periods of time where they looked questionable (like 1st half against NCC).

Here is my high level impressions:
1) They are experienced - lot's of juniors & seniors who have seen playing time due to much more rotation and substitution than in years past
2) Coming into the season the front 7 was definitely seen as the strength since virtually all were returning starters, many who were All-Conference.  They definitely pressure the QB (even when Studebaker isn't playing).  LB's are big and can bring it.
3) Ittersagen is an early DPOY candidate in my mind.  An unbelieveable player.  Great coverage, sure tackler, and makes the big plays when Wheaton needs it.
4) The "other corner" has been a pleasant surprise in my book.  Tyler Langs has been a solid corner for a sophomore.
5) The safeties (Tokar, McKenney, Woodward) are big and physical.  All three have seen serious playing time for at least 2 seasons.
6) I don't think it is a defense where you can easily point out a glaring weakness (you know "like the front 7 is strong, but the secondary is questionable").  I think as a unit they are very consistent and strong as a whole.  Their defense against the run to this point has been exceptional (59.0 yards per game) - though it will be seriously tested this week against Augie.
7) I think the jury is still out as to where this defensive unit ranks all time for Wheaton, but they have a chance to be considered one of the best - injuries have left the door open on that topic.