FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[thunderdog]

North Central has some similarities to the White Sox... everything is going there way (keep in mind, this is coming from a somewhat bitter Cubs fan's perspective). Not to take away from what they've accomplished on the field, but all the intangibles... specifically, being ranked #1 in the region.

When's the last time a CCIW champ got this much respect? In the last 10ish years, out of the 5 schools that have made the playoffs (Wheaton , IWU, Augie, MU, Carthage), hardly any of these teams received a ranking as high as #2.

I realize NCC still has to win it's remaining 3 games to keep that spot AND I realize that Mt. Union losing once every 10 years is the reason the #1 spot is never available, but why not reward the team that knocked off Mt. Union with the #1 spot?  Instead, NCC, a team that has only cracked the "top 4" in the conference the past 2 years and has yet to win a conference title, gets it.

I don't need to remind everyone that the CCIW hasn't faired too well vs. the OAC.  Wheaton's win over Baldwin-Wallace in '03 is our only victory (I think???)  Most games vs. Mount have been lob-sided at best and 2nd place Ohio Northern destroyed 1st place Millikin in 98.  Yet, here's NCC cashing in on ONU huge upset.

Am i bitter? YES! Bitter that Wheaton turned the ball over 5 times in the 2nd half vs NCC...bitter that Wheaton lost to the 1-5 titans (my least favorite team)... bitter the Sox won it all when they might not even be a .500 team next year... bitter that NCC, a team that's only begun to build a winning tradition, is ranked #1 in the region.

Sorry to rain on the love-fest going in in here, but since when does losing to your rival mean you have to turn around and start rootin' for 'em?

[augiedogie]

Thunderdog:
From Pat's explanation when the ranking came out,  an undefeated team will be ranked higher than a team with a loss. That's why ONU isn't number 1 in the region. Hopefully Augie will take care of NCC next week and you won't have to worry about them being #1 in the region.  Hopefully Augie does not look past an improved Elmhurst team that has upset on their mind.


Is the Bluejays D-line that improved or are the stats somewhat inflated against the run because they havn't faced Milikin or Augie. The same can be said about the amount of points Augie has given up in conference because they havn't played NCC or Wheaton yet who have the best chances of putting up big numbers. It should be a great final 3 weeks good luck to all in the CCIW

[FormerCard]

North Central has some similarities to the White Sox... everything is going there way (keep in mind, this is coming from a somewhat bitter Cubs fan's perspective). Not to take away from what they've accomplished on the field, but all the intangibles... specifically, being ranked #1 in the region.

When's the last time a CCIW champ got this much respect? In the last 10ish years, out of the 5 schools that have made the playoffs (Wheaton , IWU, Augie, MU, Carthage), hardly any of these teams received a ranking as high as #2.

I realize NCC still has to win it's remaining 3 games to keep that spot AND I realize that Mt. Union losing once every 10 years is the reason the #1 spot is never available, but why not reward the team that knocked off Mt. Union with the #1 spot?  Instead, NCC, a team that has only cracked the "top 4" in the conference the past 2 years and has yet to win a conference title, gets it.

I don't need to remind everyone that the CCIW hasn't faired too well vs. the OAC.  Wheaton's win over Baldwin-Wallace in '03 is our only victory (I think???)  Most games vs. Mount have been lob-sided at best and 2nd place Ohio Northern destroyed 1st place Millikin in 98.  Yet, here's NCC cashing in on ONU huge upset.

Am i bitter? YES! Bitter that Wheaton turned the ball over 5 times in the 2nd half vs NCC...bitter that Wheaton lost to the 1-5 titans (my least favorite team)... bitter the Sox won it all when they might not even be a .500 team next year... bitter that NCC, a team that's only begun to build a winning tradition, is ranked #1 in the region.

Sorry to rain on the love-fest going in in here, but since when does losing to your rival mean you have to turn around and start rootin' for 'em?

Bitter is an understatement thunderdog.  Carthage received alot of attention after they went so far in the playoffs last year and were highly touted this season.  They only gave up 7 points to Augie!  They gave up 43 points to 6 teams COMBINED all year, except........   NORTH CENTRAL put up 43 on them.  This is a good team and would not be #1 if Mount Union hadnt lost, but they did, so give the Cards the respect they have earned this year.  They need to win this weekend before we start talking about playoffs. 
Also Thunderdog, I was equally suprised that North Central FORCED 5 turnovers against Wheaton...Great Defense

[thunderdog]

FormerCard,
You talk as if NCC has been dominating... they haven't.  Yesk NCC scored 43 vs Carthage, yet you failed to mention that Carthage led 24-23 with 5 min left and the cards scored their final 2 TD's because of Carthage turnovers inside their own territory.  Last week, NCC trailed Elmhurst 21-14 with 6 min left, before pulling it out.  But hey, a win is a win.  But don't act like NCC has been rolling over their opponents.

I've only seen 2 Wheaton games this year, NCC and MU.  Millikin dominated Wheaton for 3 1/2 quarters, and Wheaton somehow pulled out the W.  The NCC game was much more evenly matched.  That said, I'm calling for the upset this weekend,  MU over NCC, Millikin is a much more physical team.

My argument about the #1 ranking is this, there have been some DOMINANT, undeafeted teams in the past (95 Wheaton, 96 IWU, 00 or 01 Augie, 02 & 03 Wheaton) who went into the playoffs seeded 3rd or 4th.  Just saying that NCC has some of that White Sox "right place at the right time" going on.  Millikin will take care of that though...

[79jaybird]

augiedoggie, I know we haven't played "tough" teams in the non conf. portion of the schedule, however Elmhurst's front line (Keaton, Irps, Heffernan, etc.) and their linebackers (Brady, Spears) are some of the quickest guys I have seen wear a Bluejay jersey in years.  They handcuffed NC in the 3rd quarter, shut down Wheaton in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and have given our offense a chance to make something happen each week.
Not to take anything away from our offensive guys, but our offense hasn't been able to come up with that "clutch" drive. (like the Astros not getting that man on 3rd in to score).  I still think we should be 7-1 or 8-0 but our Offense has been inconsistent.
I'm looking forward to the game this weekend at Ericson.  We have played you guys tough/close the last 3 years, so it should be a good one.  Good luck to all CCIWsters this weekend.

[washdupcard]

I think NCC knocks off Millikin this weekend.  NCC will be very motivated due to their last second loss to Millikin last year on a prayer last second play.

Oh man...am I nervous about the Augie game.  NCC's O is going to have to score on every possession if they want to win.  Time of possession in that game could be 4 to 1 augie.  After seeing NCC with my own eyes for the first time this season, the Defense makes me very, very nervous.

Here are my thoughts on the D:

1.  Serious depth issues in the secondary.  They need to get their starters back.

2.  I noticed a significant lack of "big hits."  As a former Defensive player...I was very unimpressed with the lack of pop from the Card Defenders.  Maybe it was an off day...maybe it was because of injuries...maybe it was because the Cards were in a vanilla scheme...but man....if they are going to beat augie...they need to lay the wood on Augie's RB's, and not allow significant yrds after contact.

3.  Radke is a D-3 version of Urlacher.  The kid has amazing range for a LB.

[washdupcard]

Thunderdog,

While I understand your point....how do you measure "dominant."  It is a subjective determination based on any number of factors.  You act as though a great team has to blow out every team it plays to be considered dominant.  I completely disagree, look at USC...look at the Patriots (not this year)....I think the great teams are those that find a way to win....that know that they are going to win....that force turnovers in key situations of games....that induce the other team to commit stupid mistakes when the pressure is on.

You can take your "dominant" wins....I'll take the team that consistently finds a way to win.

[augiedogie]

79 Jaybird:
not to be nitpicky,  but didn't you mean that Elmhurst has played Augie tough the past 2 years and not 3? 3 years ago it would have been a tough 58-0 loss for the BlueJays. That is a little tougher than the 62-0 win the previous year.  The last time the Bluejays came to Ericcson (horrible way to spell that name but that's a different story) they only lost by a TD. Elmhurst also had Augie figured out last year for 1 half of football before Augie scored on 6 or 7 straight possessions.  I do feel like it will be a good game this weekend, and unfortunately I won't be able to make it out there.

[FormerCard]

FormerCard,
You talk as if NCC has been dominating... they haven't.  Yesk NCC scored 43 vs Carthage, yet you failed to mention that Carthage led 24-23 with 5 min left and the cards scored their final 2 TD's because of Carthage turnovers inside their own territory.  Last week, NCC trailed Elmhurst 21-14 with 6 min left, before pulling it out.  But hey, a win is a win.  But don't act like NCC has been rolling over their opponents.

I've only seen 2 Wheaton games this year, NCC and MU.  Millikin dominated Wheaton for 3 1/2 quarters, and Wheaton somehow pulled out the W.  The NCC game was much more evenly matched.  That said, I'm calling for the upset this weekend,  MU over NCC, Millikin is a much more physical team.

My argument about the #1 ranking is this, there have been some DOMINANT, undeafeted teams in the past (95 Wheaton, 96 IWU, 00 or 01 Augie, 02 & 03 Wheaton) who went into the playoffs seeded 3rd or 4th.  Just saying that NCC has some of that White Sox "right place at the right time" going on.  Millikin will take care of that though...

Yes, we did have 14 points off turnovers, resulting from Defense and Special Teams..2 more key components of a game....none of the other 6 teams were able to generate these points like NCC did.  I wasnt just boasting on the offense, I was saying this is a good football team, and yes, Wheaton had some Good teams in 02,03, but NCC's ranking is deserved because of a loss by Mount Union. 
Good chance NCC wins by 21 this week @ home...

[FormerCard]

I think NCC knocks off Millikin this weekend.  NCC will be very motivated due to their last second loss to Millikin last year on a prayer last second play.

Oh man...am I nervous about the Augie game.  NCC's O is going to have to score on every possession if they want to win.  Time of possession in that game could be 4 to 1 augie.  After seeing NCC with my own eyes for the first time this season, the Defense makes me very, very nervous.

Here are my thoughts on the D:

1.  Serious depth issues in the secondary.  They need to get their starters back.

2.  I noticed a significant lack of "big hits."  As a former Defensive player...I was very unimpressed with the lack of pop from the Card Defenders.  Maybe it was an off day...maybe it was because of injuries...maybe it was because the Cards were in a vanilla scheme...but man....if they are going to beat augie...they need to lay the wood on Augie's RB's, and not allow significant yrds after contact.

3.  Radke is a D-3 version of Urlacher.  The kid has amazing range for a LB.

I agree with your 3 points Washedup.  To bad we wont see Mario back till maybe the playoffs.  We have had a great defense set up for augie the last 2 years we have played them.  We played well defensively 2 years ago @ augie and gave up 2 big plays (both passes), and quite honestly faced a defense that we couldnt move the ball on.  Kam was a freshman facing a great defense and that didnt help our cause at all.  Lasts year game was dominated by NCC and even though our defense has been suspect this season, look for a low scoring game close game @ augie next week. 

First things first, beat the Big Blue whom we have lost to the last 2 years, both down in Decatur....Time to return the favor for last years debacle play that beat us.
NC 35
MU 14

[usee]

washdup-keep in mind 14 of ncc's pts vs carthage were not scored by their offense and only 2 of their other 6 scoring drives started on their own side of the 50. that said your point is well taken, they have figured out a way to win. honestly, their win at elmhurst is the most impressive win this year in my mind since it was on the road and they had to overcome some serious adversity. we will know how ready ncc is for the playoffs based on their play at augie next week. (btw-i wouldn't say the 5 turnovers v wheaton was great defense. 2 of those were good plays but for the most part chupp gave the ball away as he has done in a few other games)

[usee]

I don't think ncc or wabash is a #1 seed. one of them likely will be by virtue of no losses (possibly neither as both have at least 1 tough game left).  Mt Union is still the team to beat in our region. (or ONU if they get in). the OAC has proven to be as tough a place to win as any. last year the cciw sent two teams to alliance and came home emtpy handed and that muc team doesn't appear to be much better than this years version. the fact that our 1 loss champion beat the undefeated version of the NCAC's champ doesn't argue much for a #1 seed there either.

if wabash or ncc were able to secure the #1 seed, i do think that is a significant advantage. MUC on the road in the playoffs other than salem?? that will make things interesting.

one arguement for three teams:

augie beats elm, ncc loses to wheaton
ncc beats mill, loses to augie, beats np
carthage wins out

this gives augie the AQ and gives us a team with 2 losses to playoff teams

even in this scenario we don't get 3 teams. the OAC has a better chance of 3 teams than the cciw and that won't happen either.

[matblake]

Remember that Mount Union's loss did not eliminate them from playoff contention.  It did end one heck of a run, but the road to the Stagg bowl for any North Region team runs through Alliance, even if the game isn't taking place there.

I gotta believe that Wallick will cause some problems with the North Central defense.  He does that for every team.  That being said, one of the things I have noticed about the Cardinal defense is that they have been able to make adjustments.  Will this be the week that the adjustments fail?  That will be played out on the field.

If I was Augie, I would be very wary of Elmhurst, they seem to be improving each week, which is the sign of an improving program and good coaching. 

[Mugsy]

I gotta believe that Wallick will cause some problems with the North Central defense.  He does that for every team. 

I'd agree that Wallick gives virtually every team fits.  Augie sure didn't have problems with him last week - 18 yards on 15 carries for a 1.2 yard average doesn't approach "giving fits". 

[dansand]

Thunderdog,

I'm not sure if you're including games this long ago when talking about CCIW-OAC matchups, but Augie had playoff wins at Baldwin-Wallace in the '82 and at Mt. Union in '86 and at home against Mt. Union in '85.