FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Today's trivia (I think, maybe):

Which former Wheaton coach attended Franklin?

Coach Bishop

[matblake]

Today's trivia (I think, maybe):

Which former Wheaton coach attended Franklin?

Coach Bishop

Crap, Mugsy was a little faster on the trigger finger.

[wheatie barefooter]

I'm going with Coach Bishop, regardless what everyone else thinks! 

[usee]

Wheaton Coach Mike Swider was seen at the press conference yesterday with this message for Franklin Coach Mike Leonard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynKoZD-sFi4

[matblake]

Actor Ralph Macchio seen hanging around Wheaton locker room.  Rumors of giving the pregame speech before next weeks game:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NfkH3Q4JOQ

[wheatie barefooter]

Just some thoughts ...

How brilliant was the selection committee?

Of the 6 conferences that got 2 teams into the playoffs, all of them had a team play in the 2nd round and 5 of them have made it to the quarterfinals (save NEFC).  But, the CCIW stands alone as the only conference to have both of their representatives play in the round 2.  How I wish that I could've said, "in the 3rd round".

I wish tomorrow was Saturday ... although I'm sure the Thunder are thankful they have all week to prepare for "the machine powered by Rupp".  Any of you Thunder backers headed down next weekend?

[wheatie barefooter]

Actor Ralph Macchio seen hanging around Wheaton locker room.  Rumors of giving the pregame speech before next weeks game:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NfkH3Q4JOQ

I've heard the same ... but I'm hearing rumblings that the entire cast of The Outsiders will making an apppearance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-XtG0TkV60&NR=1

[usee]

Interestingly enough, Franklin is a 7.5pt favorite over Wheaton on the OAC pickems.

It looks to me like NCC lost mainly because they couldn't score as much as I would have suspected. Franklin scored about what people thought they would but no one thought NCC would only put up 28 pts.

Wheaton will have to run Rocky Gingg early and often to control the clock and keep Rupp off the field. Wheaton doesn't want a shoot out this week I don't think.

[HScoach]

How close relationship-wise are the Wheaton and NCC coaching staffs?  If the CCIW strings are tight, I would assume the film of Franklin/NCC was in Swider's hands before midnight. 

Usee:   I had a heck of a time setting the spread on Franklin/Wheaton.  Both are playing much better than I expected when the pairings came out.  Obviously Franklin has had a much tougher path to the regional finals than Wheaton did, and therefore gets the benefit of the doubt on the spread.  Plus they're at home.

As a MUC guy, I'd like to see Franklin in the semi's for 2 reasons:
1.  new opponent for Mount
2.  to see first hand exactly how good Rupp would look going against an attacking defense designed to stop the spread



FormerCard:  The Millsaps and NCC losses killed my bracket too.....UGH

[usee]

I don't think Wheaton will be seeing the Franklin/NCC film anytime soon.

Wheaton has been playing very will since their loss at Elmhurst. As a Wheaton guy I would like to see the Thunder v MUC in the semi's. 

[themadswede]

If it's Tombstone you want, it's Tombstone you'll get...

Johnny Tyler: Is something on your mind?
Wyatt Earp: Just want to let you know you're sittin' in my chair.
Johnny Tyler: Is that a fact?
Wyatt Earp: Yeah, it's a fact.
Johnny Tyler: Well, for a man who don't go heeled you run your mouth kind of reckless, don't you?
Wyatt Earp: No need to go heeled to get the bulge on a tub like you.
Johnny Tyler: Is that a fact?
Wyatt Earp: Mm-hmm. That's a fact. [Johnny Tyler stands up.]
Johnny Tyler: Well, I'm real scared.
Wyatt Earp: Damn right, you're scared. I can see that in your eyes. [Wyatt walks up to Johnny as Johnny reaches for his gun.]
Johnny Tyler: All right now.
Wyatt Earp: Go ahead. Go ahead, skin it. Skin that smoke wagon and see what happens.
Johnny Tyler: Listen, mister, I-I'm gettin' awful tired of your-- [Wyatt slaps Johnny hard in the face.]
Wyatt Earp: I'm gettin' awful tired of your gas. Now jerk that pistol and go to work. [Johnny doesn't do anything and Wyatt slaps him in the face again.]
Wyatt Earp: I said throw down, boy. [Wyatt slaps Johnny harder and when Johnny turns to look at Wyatt his mouth is bleeding.]
Wyatt Earp: You gonna do somethin' or just stand there and bleed? [Johnny still doesn't do anything.]
Wyatt Earp: No? I didn't think so.

[79jaybird]

Grizbacker- Have you seen the Carthage road/home tailgates?  IMO, Carthage's tailgate is tough to beat whether they are at home or on the road.
Interesting Saturday to say the least.  I thought the most dramatic game was the Wartburg Monmouth game.  I was pulling for Monmouth so 2 IL teams would advance.
For Wheaton to make it 3 for 3 in the "Crossroads of America"  (IN license plate) they will need to establish a pass rush and plug up the running lanes.  I think this game is won/lost at the LOS.  I think both teams have skilled players very capable, but the lines are going to make the difference.

Thunderdog- I agree with you.  I was listening to WONC for awhile and they proved to me again, why WONC is not a "quality" broadcast.  How can you rip your own coaching staff like that?  Especially, when you're in the second round of the playoffs?  Unreal.  Even if you feel that Thorne is not doing well and/or calling a correct play,  you leave those personal attacks OFF THE AIR.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

79Jaybird: No I haven't seen the Carthage spread. Maybe we will just FC's organized tailgate has to be one of the best (The D3football.com folks think so).

I was at the NC/FC game but did not hear any of the broadcast.  Something tells me the two jokers ripping the coaching staff may not be calling games next season (if I were the AD they would not).

I look for the Wheaton/FC game to be a war just like the last two. FC's LOS has held up well on both sides of the ball the last two weeks against stellar competition.  I am sure Wheaton is just as good.  My take is the spread is near even of FC by 3.5 (home).

FC plays on grass and the last game of the season was played in the rain/mud.  Not sure what has been done to condition the field as FC was slated to play on the road for at least 2 weeks of the playoffs.  I am not a grounds keeper by but hopefully they will be able to work some sort of magic.  The weather leading up to the game is not bad but Saturday may bring some rain/snow with temps in the 30's.  The previous three weeks FC played in bad conditions on grass so it should not be that huge a deal

[formerd3db]

Mugsy:
If they get that far, do you think that Wheaton could pull it off?

[altor]

Thunderdog- I agree with you.  I was listening to WONC for awhile and they proved to me again, why WONC is not a "quality" broadcast.  How can you rip your own coaching staff like that?  Especially, when you're in the second round of the playoffs?  Unreal.  Even if you feel that Thorne is not doing well and/or calling a correct play,  you leave those personal attacks OFF THE AIR.

Not just the coaches, but the officials too.  Early in the game, one guy said, "I don't like to complain about the officials," (or something to that effect).  Then he ripped the officials the rest of the game for what he perceived to be late hits and pass interference penalties that went uncalled.

Now, I don't know if he had a legitimate gripe or not.  The fact that nobody on this board has mentioned them yet is either a testament that they did not happen or that y'all are very good sportsmen.  But, the broadcasters certainly have a lot to learn in some regards.