FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigBlue02]

wow, kind of a ridiculous back lash.  My original post was to dispute the claim that Decatur is not in the middle of no where for recruiting purposes.  I went off on the social life tangent, but all in all Millikin is a solid place to go to school, academically and socially.  And I kind of liked the top ten list, very funny (albeit at my own expense)

[Mugsy]

Just reposting from December 12, 2007 to provide context on how much Wheaton missed Coach Whitehead this year - IMO.

The inability to run the ball in 2007 hurt more than anything.  I know this is over simplifying things a bit, but I think there is some basic correlation to running the ball and overall success:

Rushing statistics since 1999:

Year	Record	Yards Per Game	TD's	Yards Per Carry	Comment
1999	7-2	141.1	16	3.8	Lost last 2 games after 7-0 start
2000	8-2	152.7	15	3.7	Missed playoffs
2001	6-4	160.1	30	3.5	Worst year in a decade
2002	10-2	224.7	47	4.5	Prolific offense - nearly 500 ypg
2003	12-1	213.5	41	4.2	Quarterfinals in playoffs
2004	10-2	225.2	33	4.6
2005	7-3	220.7	26	4.5	Missed playoffs, rushing not everything
2006	10-2	187.9	25	4.7
2007	8-2	134.7	16	3.2	huge dropoff, very much like 1999

1999 and 2007 were eerily similar. Both seasons undefeated until the last 2 games of the season, both seasons lost last 2 games, both seasons missed playoff, both seasons could not run the ball effectively or control the line of scrimmage.

In 2008 Wheaton had better improve their rushing attack if they wish to compete for the CCIW crown.

[Gregory Sager]

wow, kind of a ridiculous back lash.  My original post was to dispute the claim that Decatur is not in the middle of no where for recruiting purposes.  I went off on the social life tangent, but all in all Millikin is a solid place to go to school, academically and socially.  And I kind of liked the top ten list, very funny (albeit at my own expense)

BigBlue02, when forced to defend Big Blue football and Millikin in general, you always need to ask yourself this question: WWBMD?

[BigBlue02]

Thanks for giving me some motivation GS, I am going to make bracelets with the WWBMD slogan and send them to the team  ,,,By the way having watched bob play numerous times he was a great player, despite all his shenanigans.

After some early morning research,,

Millikin with Bob Meyer- 1998-2001- 32 wins- 8 losses

Millikin after Bob Meyer- 2002 to 2005- 24 wins- 16 losses

Millikin long after Bob Meyer- 2006 to present- 5 wins - 15 losses

[CardinalAlum]

BigBlue02, when forced to defend Big Blue football and Millikin in general, you always need to ask yourself this question: WWBMD?

Bob Marley?        Ohhhhhhhh, Bob Meyer, now that's much different!!   

[CardinalAlum]

BB02,

On a serious note( ), what kind of team will the Big Blue crayons have for 2008?  Are they returning quality players?

[BIG Orange -Florida Connection]

WOW - People are talking about Millikin now.  I do believe the school realizes that it has fallen behind, and I do believe that is why they are going to be spending several millions of dollars the next couple years to get the campus where it needs to be. 

All programs have swings with their programs - Look at the Irish at ND last year.

Millikin's campus is very impressive overall.  I'm not to worrired about what was said with the drinking aspect that was mentioned earlier.  I went to college just like the rest of you and you all know what it is like.

We will just have to wait and see how things turn out.......

All I know is my son will get a college education and is playing the best game ever(Football). 

GO BIG BLUE

[New Tradition]

Hilarious!  The kids taking a test in my class must think I'm nuts for laughing out loud at the computer.  This is my favorite one:

7. In all fairness, if I was stuck in Decatur for any length of time, I'd probably drink like a fish, too. An atmosphere of total despair does funny things to a man.

[DIIIinVA]

I've been off the board since the Stagg Bowl, and haven't kept up with the progress of Andy's recovery and attempts to garner a shot at the NFl.

I noticed he wasn't invited to the NFL combine and apparently didn't participate in any of the postseason all star games.  Is this because he still isn't 100% physically?  How's he doing and what are Wheaton folks hearing re. his NFL chances?

[Mugsy]

I've been off the board since the Stagg Bowl, and haven't kept up with the progress of Andy's recovery and attempts to garner a shot at the NFl.

I noticed he wasn't invited to the NFL combine and apparently didn't participate in any of the postseason all star games.  Is this because he still isn't 100% physically?  How's he doing and what are Wheaton folks hearing re. his NFL chances?

I think the primary reason Andy Studebaker did not participate in the combine or any postseason games was due to the fact he was recovering from ankle surgery.

There is some talk about the fact he could be drafted in the 5th to 7th round, but at this point it is difficult to tell how much of that is hype from an agent.  Clearly he has the physical, mental and character traits that the NFL covets.  It'll come down to how much he'll be able to show coming off the surgery and if he can overcome the D3 "project" label.

It does seem more likely that he will be viewed as a OLB rather than a DE.

[CardinalAlum]

It does seem more likely that he will be viewed as a OLB rather than a DE.

Do you think he has the speed to play OLB in the NFL?  I have no idea how fast he is.  He is obviously big enough and strong enough and he can definitely play.  I am so going to miss him!!  Well, not really!!   

[matblake]

Just reposting from December 12, 2007 to provide context on how much Wheaton missed Coach Whitehead this year - IMO.

The inability to run the ball in 2007 hurt more than anything.  I know this is over simplifying things a bit, but I think there is some basic correlation to running the ball and overall success:

Rushing statistics since 1999:

Year	Record	Yards Per Game	TD's	Yards Per Carry	Comment
1999	7-2	141.1	16	3.8	Lost last 2 games after 7-0 start
2000	8-2	152.7	15	3.7	Missed playoffs
2001	6-4	160.1	30	3.5	Worst year in a decade
2002	10-2	224.7	47	4.5	Prolific offense - nearly 500 ypg
2003	12-1	213.5	41	4.2	Quarterfinals in playoffs
2004	10-2	225.2	33	4.6
2005	7-3	220.7	26	4.5	Missed playoffs, rushing not everything
2006	10-2	187.9	25	4.7
2007	8-2	134.7	16	3.2	huge dropoff, very much like 1999

1999 and 2007 were eerily similar. Both seasons undefeated until the last 2 games of the season, both seasons lost last 2 games, both seasons missed playoff, both seasons could not run the ball effectively or control the line of scrimmage.

In 2008 Wheaton had better improve their rushing attack if they wish to compete for the CCIW crown.

I think these stats are really important.  Despite April not liking how he yelled at players, I think that Coach Whitehead will get the o-line back on track.  

[matblake]

It does seem more likely that he will be viewed as a OLB rather than a DE.

Do you think he has the speed to play OLB in the NFL?  I have no idea how fast he is.  He is obviously big enough and strong enough and he can definitely play.  I am so going to miss him!!  Well, not really!!   

According to the 40 times and shuttle run listed on page 23 of the Wheaton Football Yearbook looks like he might have the speed to do it, but as most athletic testing it has the potential to be "liberal" in its assessment.

[Mugsy]

It does seem more likely that he will be viewed as a OLB rather than a DE.

Do you think he has the speed to play OLB in the NFL?  I have no idea how fast he is.  He is obviously big enough and strong enough and he can definitely play.  I am so going to miss him!!  Well, not really!!   

I believe he has been clocked in the 4.4 to 4.5 range in the 40 at 240-245 lbs.  That holds up quite well by NFL standards for OLB's.  From an agility standpoint, I believe he was in #1 in the shuttle drill for Wheaton last year.  So he can move laterially as well.

[Mugsy]

Just a few other stats on Studebaker from last year (most of which can't be fudged too much - like can be done with the 40):

Parallel Squat: 615 lbs.
Power Clean: 400 lbs.
Bench Press: 435 lbs.
Overhead Jerk: 415 lbs.
Pro-Agility Shuttle: 4.05
40-Yard Dash: 4.43

I'm certain his vertical jump rates well against NFL standards.  The guy has all the tools and ability, comes down to if he'll be healthy, if he'll get the chance to show off what he can do and a bunch of luck.