FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[devildog29]

/quote]

Redman04, maybe we should throw Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the hat as a potential new post name for the loser of our bet.

Either myself, or any other prior Marine, would have to argue that name should be reserved for the winner of the bet not the loser.   

[usee]

When did NCC fans turn into such crybabies?

Sticks and stones, chief.  I'm just callin it like I see it.

or like "JT" sees it?

You wouldn't have to be so paranoid if all the refs weren't out to get you.  

[New Tradition]

ALRIGHT.  Not that big of an issue, so I'll drop it.  Bigger fish to fry, i.e.:

I'm intrigued by the Rupp/Ittersagen matchup.  Do you think that the Grizzlies will attempt to game plan around Ittersagen as every other team Wheaton has faced has done, or do you think that they will be gutsy enough to go right at him?  They rely so heavily on the pass, it would almost be impossible to game plan away from his side of the field for the entire game, IMO.  I think he could be afforded the opportunity to have himself a day.

[Mugsy]

ALRIGHT.  Not that big of an issue, so I'll drop it.  Bigger fish to fry, i.e.:

I'm intrigued by the Rupp/Ittersagen matchup.  Do you think that the Grizzlies will attempt to game plan around Ittersagen as every other team Wheaton has faced has done, or do you think that they will be gutsy enough to go right at him?  They rely so heavily on the pass, it would almost be impossible to game plan away from his side of the field for the entire game, IMO.  I think he could be afforded the opportunity to have himself a day.

I think Franklin should be more concerned with Ittersagen as a return specialist.  That is how he may impact the game more than anything.  It also seems as if Franklin has a number of solid WR's, so it doesn't seem as if Ittersagen will be locked on one WR.  I dunno... just my initial thought.

I don't think Rupp will avoid Ittersagen, though he will make sure to understand where he is on the field.

[New Tradition]

I think Franklin should be more concerned with Ittersagen as a return specialist.  That is how he may impact the game more than anything. 

How has he done returning the ball the past couple of weeks?  I know the strains of the season can wear on a returner as the season progresses, and he may lose a bit of that explosiveness, especially if he is also a position player.  Any evidence of that with Pete?

[usee]

ALRIGHT.  Not that big of an issue, so I'll drop it.  Bigger fish to fry, i.e.:

I'm intrigued by the Rupp/Ittersagen matchup.  Do you think that the Grizzlies will attempt to game plan around Ittersagen as every other team Wheaton has faced has done, or do you think that they will be gutsy enough to go right at him?  They rely so heavily on the pass, it would almost be impossible to game plan away from his side of the field for the entire game, IMO.  I think he could be afforded the opportunity to have himself a day.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this. Trine definitely challenged ittersagen and beat him a couple of times. He also made several plays. I don't know if the Franklin WR's are as athletic as a couple of the Trine WR.

I agree with Mugsy, there is no dominant reciever for Franklin, they are all good and Rupp has shared the wealth. Wheaton usually moves ittersagen around on defense so it will be hard to totally gameplan around him but Rupp will know where he is. Everyone challenges him a few times a game. He got beat against wabash on a double move that would have been a TD if the Bash QB had delievered the ball. I am sure Franklin will see that as well as the postcorner the Trine WR beat him on. Franklin will do what they do and Pete will have to make his presence known.

On special teams, its one thing to say "don't kick to him" but these are d3 punters/kickers. some of them are lucky the ball hits their foot let alone controlling where it goes. Pete's punt return v wabash was a low line drive right at him. Not advised.

[Mugsy]

I think Franklin should be more concerned with Ittersagen as a return specialist.  That is how he may impact the game more than anything. 

How has he done returning the ball the past couple of weeks?  I know the strains of the season can wear on a returner as the season progresses, and he may lose a bit of that explosiveness, especially if he is also a position player.  Any evidence of that with Pete?

Umm... he had a 70 yard punt return for TD last weekend against Wabash to make it 14-7 Wheaton and opened the flood-gates towards 28 unanswered points.   

[Augie6]

 As far as NCC football is concerned, the defense really needs to improve significantly if they are to move to the next level.  28 or more points were allowed the last 3 out of 4 weeks of the season!  Not championship material!  Fortunately we're young!  

Couldn't agree with you more on this one.  When I saw them play against Augie, I didn't see their defense as one that would get them deep into the playoffs. 

It will be interesting to see what Wheaton does defensively this weekend.  They have had two very good defensive games in the playoffs so far, but I'm still not convinced that Wabash or Trine would be considered strong teams in the national playoff picture.  If they are able to limit a high powered Franklin offense this weekend and get the W, I'll be a much bigger believer in their chances to make some noise in Alliance the following week. 

[New Tradition]

I think Franklin should be more concerned with Ittersagen as a return specialist.  That is how he may impact the game more than anything. 

How has he done returning the ball the past couple of weeks?  I know the strains of the season can wear on a returner as the season progresses, and he may lose a bit of that explosiveness, especially if he is also a position player.  Any evidence of that with Pete?

Umm... he had a 70 yard punt return for TD last weekend against Wabash to make it 14-7 Wheaton and opened the flood-gates towards 28 unanswered points.   

Ah, I didn't know.  Guess that answers my question, haha.

[Mugsy]

 As far as NCC football is concerned, the defense really needs to improve significantly if they are to move to the next level.  28 or more points were allowed the last 3 out of 4 weeks of the season!  Not championship material!  Fortunately we're young!  

Couldn't agree with you more on this one.  When I saw them play against Augie, I didn't see their defense as one that would get them deep into the playoffs. 

It will be interesting to see what Wheaton does defensively this weekend.  They have had two very good defensive games in the playoffs so far, but I'm still not convinced that Wabash or Trine would be considered strong teams in the national playoff picture.  If they are able to limit a high powered Franklin offense this weekend and get the W, I'll be a much bigger believer in their chances to make some noise in Alliance the following week. 

If you are going to go deep into the playoffs your defense had better be stout, to say the least.  It has been awhile since the CCIW has had any defense that has been outstanding.  There have been numerous good, solid defenses, but nothing like what MUC rolls out every year or what Augie lined up in the 80's. 

That said I believe Wheaton's defense has played better the past 2 weeks than at any point of the year, regardless of the question of how tough their first 2 playoff opponents relative to other playoff teams.  If Wheaton's defense played all year like it has the past 2 weeks, Wheaton would not have been the last Pool C team and the week 7 tilt against NCC would have gone down to the wire (purely speculative, I know).

Will it be good enough to win this week?  It sure is capable.

Would it be good enough to win in Alliance?  Anything can happen, but I don't think so.

[Mugsy]

File in the category of "it doesn't matter at all in comparison to a win on Saturday", but a number of single season Wheaton records could fall on this weekend and a few could end up in top 5.

1. In addition to a solid indication of how likely Wheaton will come out a victor, if Rocky Gingg rushes for 118 yards on Saturday, he will have the 2nd highest season season rushing total in school history at 1263 yards.

2. If Sean Norris goes for his average yardage on Saturday, he will have the 5th highest passing yardage in a single season at 3014 yards.

3. If Sean Norris passes for 3 TD's, he will set the single season record for TD passes, breaking Jeff Browns record of 30.

4. If Alex Pokorny has over 40 yards in receptions, he will break the single season record for receiving yards, currently set at 1338 yards.

5. Pokorny has already set the single season TD receptions mark at 17.  It was 15 held by Mark Loeffler.

6. If Pete Ittersagen has 5 yards in punt returns, he will break the single season record for punt return yardage, current at 451 yards.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Interesting conversation for sure on what FC's strategy may be.  IMO FC will do what they do.  Wheaton is a solid opponent for sure.  Do folks on here think they are better than NCC or Otterbein?  I am thinking they are in the same realm. 

FC will be a tougher test than Wabash or Trine.  The FC loss at Trine was an aberration whereby FC had five turnovers and had 3-4 defense lapses.  Trine led 10-0 after FC's first three touches.  FC still scored 27 points.  Stats are stats. 

FC's defense is much better now than in September.  Some younger guys have matured and the D has generally jelled.

[redman04]

When did NCC fans turn into such crybabies?

Sticks and stones, chief.  I'm just callin it like I see it.

I was able to get a video copy of your reply.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpSfThUv_pc

[usee]

Interesting conversation for sure on what FC's strategy may be.  IMO FC will do what they do.  Wheaton is a solid opponent for sure.  Do folks on here think they are better than NCC or Otterbein?  I am thinking they are in the same realm. 

I think they are comparable. It's hard to say because, as you admit, teams change over the course of the season. One thing is clear, Wheaton is playing its best football right now. That may not be enough. 

FC will be a tougher test than Wabash or Trine.  The FC loss at Trine was an aberration whereby FC had five turnovers and had 3-4 defense lapses.  Trine led 10-0 after FC's first three touches.  FC still scored 27 points.  Stats are stats. 

Using your logic, you can throw out the loss to NCC for Wheaton. Of course you think your loss to Trine was an aberration and Wheaton's loss to NCC was an "indicator".  I don't buy it.

FC's defense is much better now than in September.  Some younger guys have matured and the D has generally jelled.

Every team changes over the course of the year. If winning at Otterbein and at North Central doesn't get your attention, nothing will. Franklin is legit, no doubt. You also can't discount Wheaton. I know Chad Rupp is the real deal. I just don't know what the rest of the Franklin team is like. I wouldn't classify Franklin's defensive perfrormance as dominant, that's for sure. If a defense can get some stops agains Rupp and control the ball on offense, I think that's the key.

[79jaybird]

I know for a fact that Coach Swider & Co. will not overlook Franklin.  That is one thing about Coach Swider is that he treats every opponent, whether first or worst, like they are the toughest team yet to play.
I think Franklin will give Ittersagen a couple of chances to return the ball.  I don't see them sacrificing field position just because Wheaton has the stud horse returning kicks.  I think the Griz kick it deep, and let Ittersagen make "it" happen.
How is this high school field that the game has been relocated to?  Pat, I know Franklin is the better seed, I guess my question is- if Franklin's field is not in game day shape,  why wouldn't they play the game at Wheaton, or another college close to Franklin?  Kind of goes along the lines of Carthage a few years ago, where their press box wasn't "ready" and they were denied a home game?  Just curious but I hope the field does not hinder the play on Saturday.