FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc58]

is NCC that good to throw up 83 on the Vikes?  Maybe they were trying to avenge the 100+ points NPU put on them in the late '60's!  LOL 

Yes, NCC is good enough to throw and run for 83 points. Benedictine, Olivet, and Millikin fared only slightly better.

Well, I don't think there's anyone around the NCC program who really remembers the 1968 104-32 beating. Dennis is probably the only one on this board who was there. During my four years at NCC, they did roll out the story of that game in the week of the North Park game. There was never an effort to avenge that loss though, but it's embarrassing when your school loses a game by giving up more than 100 points.

[ncc58]

It also looks like homecoming games are all figuring to be losses for CCIW teams this year.

Except for Wheaton yesterday.   

And except for NCC on the 24th. 

[Mugsy]

It also looks like homecoming games are all figuring to be losses for CCIW teams this year.

Except for Wheaton yesterday.   

And except for NCC on the 24th. 

Why did I know that was coming?   

[Mugsy]

New Top 25 poll is out.  Both Wheaton and North Central maintain their previous ranks - #4 and #14 respectively.

Carthage is the only other CCIW team receiving votes.

[Son of Tailgater]

Don't know if you caught Keith McMillan's "Around the Nation" comments from October 8th, but this is what he had to say:

"COLLEGE CONFERENCE of ILLINOIS and WISCONSIN (CCIW)
Kickoff '09 ranking: 4th
Playoff prospects: AQ; Pool C bid likely
Intensity of title race: Two-minute drill. What looks like potentially a seven-team race (Illinois Wesleyan and No. 4 Wheaton are 4-0, and five others are 3-1) won't be quite that crowded, but it could be a tight finish. The difficult part is figuring out, based on what we've seen so far, who it's going to involve. Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan and North Central dominated Elmhurst, Carthage and Millikin in the first week of conference play, but that still leaves us a potential four-team race. Augustana goes to Wheaton on Saturday, and hosts Illinois Wesleyan in Week 7. The Little Brass Bell game between North Central and Wheaton in Week 8 could produce a clear-cut CCIW leader, but even then games between the current top four will make every week worth watching. There's two-bid possibility here, big time,"

Do you think that Keith McMillan has enough information to figure out the CCIW after yesterday's results?  I don't think it feels like a seven-team race anymore,  but do believe that there are a few teams in the conference that could beat other Top 25 ranked teams.  Speaking of that, I also wonder if the pollsters will give the top teams in the conference any more love this week, especially after the strong early-season showing by all of the CCIW teams in out of conference play (#4Wheaton defeated Bethel by the same margin that #6 St. Johns did; unranked Augie defeated UW-Platteville by virtually the same score that #2 UW-Whitewater did; all of the CCIW teams did what was expected and put a smack-down on the MIAA and NATHC teams; and even North Park defeated Carroll 17-10 (remember, #12 Monmouth could only put up 43 points on Carroll -- I bet #14 North Central could put up a few more than 43 points on Carroll!!!)).  Or, will we all have to hear more about how great the top three teams are in the country???

North Central is still ranked higher than Ohio Northern who beat them in week 1. Yes Ohio Northern has 2 losses but they were to Mount Union and #13 Otterbein. I posted something on this awhile ago and thought it would correct itself but never did. Just playing a little devil's advocate here but I did notice that UWW received a few more votes this week since the Purple Raiders only won by 7.

[Stagg Again!!]

Don't know if you caught Keith McMillan's "Around the Nation" comments from October 8th, but this is what he had to say:

"COLLEGE CONFERENCE of ILLINOIS and WISCONSIN (CCIW)
Kickoff '09 ranking: 4th
Playoff prospects: AQ; Pool C bid likely
Intensity of title race: Two-minute drill. What looks like potentially a seven-team race (Illinois Wesleyan and No. 4 Wheaton are 4-0, and five others are 3-1) won't be quite that crowded, but it could be a tight finish. The difficult part is figuring out, based on what we've seen so far, who it's going to involve. Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan and North Central dominated Elmhurst, Carthage and Millikin in the first week of conference play, but that still leaves us a potential four-team race. Augustana goes to Wheaton on Saturday, and hosts Illinois Wesleyan in Week 7. The Little Brass Bell game between North Central and Wheaton in Week 8 could produce a clear-cut CCIW leader, but even then games between the current top four will make every week worth watching. There's two-bid possibility here, big time,"

Do you think that Keith McMillan has enough information to figure out the CCIW after yesterday's results?  I don't think it feels like a seven-team race anymore,  but do believe that there are a few teams in the conference that could beat other Top 25 ranked teams.  Speaking of that, I also wonder if the pollsters will give the top teams in the conference any more love this week, especially after the strong early-season showing by all of the CCIW teams in out of conference play (#4Wheaton defeated Bethel by the same margin that #6 St. Johns did; unranked Augie defeated UW-Platteville by virtually the same score that #2 UW-Whitewater did; all of the CCIW teams did what was expected and put a smack-down on the MIAA and NATHC teams; and even North Park defeated Carroll 17-10 (remember, #12 Monmouth could only put up 43 points on Carroll -- I bet #14 North Central could put up a few more than 43 points on Carroll!!!)).  Or, will we all have to hear more about how great the top three teams are in the country???

North Central is still ranked higher than Ohio Northern who beat them in week 1. Yes Ohio Northern has 2 losses but they were to Mount Union and #13 Otterbein. I posted something on this awhile ago and thought it would correct itself but never did. Just playing a little devil's advocate here but I did notice that UWW received a few more votes this week since the Purple Raiders only won by 7.

Capital loses by 7 points to #1 Mount Union and moves to #16, and Augie loses by 7 to #4 to the Thunder in the last minute and gets ZERO votes.  Don't say the Vikings-West have two losses, because Bethel has two losses and has 41 votes.  Also, I guess that North Central has to get a 100 points to move in the polls.  Looks like another week with no love for the CCIW!! 

[Mugsy]

Don't know if you caught Keith McMillan's "Around the Nation" comments from October 8th, but this is what he had to say:

"COLLEGE CONFERENCE of ILLINOIS and WISCONSIN (CCIW)
Kickoff '09 ranking: 4th
Playoff prospects: AQ; Pool C bid likely
Intensity of title race: Two-minute drill. What looks like potentially a seven-team race (Illinois Wesleyan and No. 4 Wheaton are 4-0, and five others are 3-1) won't be quite that crowded, but it could be a tight finish. The difficult part is figuring out, based on what we've seen so far, who it's going to involve. Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan and North Central dominated Elmhurst, Carthage and Millikin in the first week of conference play, but that still leaves us a potential four-team race. Augustana goes to Wheaton on Saturday, and hosts Illinois Wesleyan in Week 7. The Little Brass Bell game between North Central and Wheaton in Week 8 could produce a clear-cut CCIW leader, but even then games between the current top four will make every week worth watching. There's two-bid possibility here, big time,"

Do you think that Keith McMillan has enough information to figure out the CCIW after yesterday's results?  I don't think it feels like a seven-team race anymore,  but do believe that there are a few teams in the conference that could beat other Top 25 ranked teams.  Speaking of that, I also wonder if the pollsters will give the top teams in the conference any more love this week, especially after the strong early-season showing by all of the CCIW teams in out of conference play (#4Wheaton defeated Bethel by the same margin that #6 St. Johns did; unranked Augie defeated UW-Platteville by virtually the same score that #2 UW-Whitewater did; all of the CCIW teams did what was expected and put a smack-down on the MIAA and NATHC teams; and even North Park defeated Carroll 17-10 (remember, #12 Monmouth could only put up 43 points on Carroll -- I bet #14 North Central could put up a few more than 43 points on Carroll!!!)).  Or, will we all have to hear more about how great the top three teams are in the country???

North Central is still ranked higher than Ohio Northern who beat them in week 1. Yes Ohio Northern has 2 losses but they were to Mount Union and #13 Otterbein. I posted something on this awhile ago and thought it would correct itself but never did. Just playing a little devil's advocate here but I did notice that UWW received a few more votes this week since the Purple Raiders only won by 7.

Capital loses by 7 points to #1 Mount Union and moves to #16, and Augie loses by 7 to #4 to the Thunder in the last minute and gets ZERO votes.  Don't say the Vikings-West have two losses, because Bethel has two losses and has 41 votes.  Also, I guess that North Central has to get a 100 points to move in the polls.  Looks like another week with no love for the CCIW!!  

Just a few comments on this... there is a huge difference between #1 MUC and #4 Wheaton.  Wheaton is currently #4 in large part on where they ended up in 2008 (the semi-finals) and that in the last decade or so they almost always been in the top 25.  No way Augie would receive a similar jump in the standings for losing by 7 to Wheaton, compared to Capital's 7 point loss to Mount Union.  For one Capital was 4-0 going into the game with MUC and was already ranked #21.  Augie had a early season loss to Coe and wasn't even receiving votes previously.  That is why Augie isn't even on the radar right now.  

You say "don't tell me Augie has 2 losses, because Bethel has 2 and has 41 votes.  Umm... when was the last time Augie had a significant playoff run?  Bethel was in the semi-finals a couple of years ago.  Furthermore Bethel lost on the last play of the game to #4 Wheaton and a last second FG to #6 St. John's.  No way you can compare a loss to Coe to Wheaton & St. John's.

Just because Wheaton is ranked #4 does not mean they are currently the four best team in all of D3 football.  There are a number of teams currently ranked higher or lower than they should, but the further we get into the season, wins/loses will reslot teams to more appropriate ranks.  For what it is worth, I'd probably swap Wheaton & North Central rankings for a truer picture of where those teams are at.  Yes, that was a brutally painful comment to admit.  But to be completely objective...

I believe there is a really good chance that Wheaton could end up with at least 2 losses in CCIW play (very young Wheaton defense, a number of key injuries, and a very, very competitive conference).  Of course it is also quite possible they could run the table.  I believe the 1 or 2 loss scenario is much more likely.

I also don't foresee many other CCIW teams being highly ranked because I believe teams will be knocking each other off.  There will be at best 2 CCIW teams ranked this year.  More than likely it'll be North Central and either Wheaton if they win all but one CCIW game, or another current 4-1 CCIW team that wins all the remaining CCIW games (IWU, Millikin, Carthage) and I honestly can't see Carthage or Millikin going undefeated the rest of the way.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Capital loses by 7 points to #1 Mount Union and moves to #16, and Augie loses by 7 to #4 to the Thunder in the last minute and gets ZERO votes.  Don't say the Vikings-West have two losses, because Bethel has two losses and has 41 votes.  Also, I guess that North Central has to get a 100 points to move in the polls.  Looks like another week with no love for the CCIW!! 

North Central Opponent's Records
ONU  3-2 (both losses to ranked teams)
Benedictine  2-3
Olivet  0-6
Milikin 4-1
North Park 1-4

Total: 9-16

Not real good strength of schedule there.  Also, if they would have taken care of business in week one, they would still be ranked in the top 5.  I'd say they are ranked right where they deserve based on current performance.  I also think that MUC should not be ranked #1, and have said that since the preseason poll came out.  Too much to replace Micheli and Kmic on O and UWW had more returning.

[robertgoulet]

For what it is worth, I'd probably swap Wheaton & North Central rankings for a truer picture of where those teams are at.  Yes, that was a brutally painful comment to admit.  But to be completely objective...

Quick, everyone to the panic room!

You feeling ok, Mugsy?

[Stagg Again!!]

Don't know if you caught Keith McMillan's "Around the Nation" comments from October 8th, but this is what he had to say:

"COLLEGE CONFERENCE of ILLINOIS and WISCONSIN (CCIW)
Kickoff '09 ranking: 4th
Playoff prospects: AQ; Pool C bid likely
Intensity of title race: Two-minute drill. What looks like potentially a seven-team race (Illinois Wesleyan and No. 4 Wheaton are 4-0, and five others are 3-1) won't be quite that crowded, but it could be a tight finish. The difficult part is figuring out, based on what we've seen so far, who it's going to involve. Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan and North Central dominated Elmhurst, Carthage and Millikin in the first week of conference play, but that still leaves us a potential four-team race. Augustana goes to Wheaton on Saturday, and hosts Illinois Wesleyan in Week 7. The Little Brass Bell game between North Central and Wheaton in Week 8 could produce a clear-cut CCIW leader, but even then games between the current top four will make every week worth watching. There's two-bid possibility here, big time,"

Do you think that Keith McMillan has enough information to figure out the CCIW after yesterday's results?  I don't think it feels like a seven-team race anymore,  but do believe that there are a few teams in the conference that could beat other Top 25 ranked teams.  Speaking of that, I also wonder if the pollsters will give the top teams in the conference any more love this week, especially after the strong early-season showing by all of the CCIW teams in out of conference play (#4Wheaton defeated Bethel by the same margin that #6 St. Johns did; unranked Augie defeated UW-Platteville by virtually the same score that #2 UW-Whitewater did; all of the CCIW teams did what was expected and put a smack-down on the MIAA and NATHC teams; and even North Park defeated Carroll 17-10 (remember, #12 Monmouth could only put up 43 points on Carroll -- I bet #14 North Central could put up a few more than 43 points on Carroll!!!)).  Or, will we all have to hear more about how great the top three teams are in the country???

North Central is still ranked higher than Ohio Northern who beat them in week 1. Yes Ohio Northern has 2 losses but they were to Mount Union and #13 Otterbein. I posted something on this awhile ago and thought it would correct itself but never did. Just playing a little devil's advocate here but I did notice that UWW received a few more votes this week since the Purple Raiders only won by 7.

Capital loses by 7 points to #1 Mount Union and moves to #16, and Augie loses by 7 to #4 to the Thunder in the last minute and gets ZERO votes.  Don't say the Vikings-West have two losses, because Bethel has two losses and has 41 votes.  Also, I guess that North Central has to get a 100 points to move in the polls.  Looks like another week with no love for the CCIW!!  

Just a few comments on this... there is a huge difference between #1 MUC and #4 Wheaton.  Wheaton is currently #4 in large part on where they ended up in 2008 (the semi-finals) and that in the last decade or so they almost always been in the top 25.  No way Augie would receive a similar jump in the standings for losing by 7 to Wheaton, compared to Capital's 7 point loss to Mount Union.  For one Capital was 4-0 going into the game with MUC and was already ranked #21.  Augie had a early season loss to Coe and wasn't even receiving votes previously.  That is why Augie isn't even on the radar right now.  

You say "don't tell me Augie has 2 losses, because Bethel has 2 and has 41 votes.  Umm... when was the last time Augie had a significant playoff run?  Bethel was in the semi-finals a couple of years ago.  Furthermore Bethel lost on the last play of the game to #4 Wheaton and a last second FG to #6 St. John's.  No way you can compare a loss to Coe to Wheaton & St. John's.

Just because Wheaton is ranked #4 does not mean they are currently the four best team in all of D3 football.  There are a number of teams currently ranked higher or lower than they should, but the further we get into the season, wins/loses will reslot teams to more appropriate ranks.  For what it is worth, I'd probably swap Wheaton & North Central rankings for a truer picture of where those teams are at.  Yes, that was a brutally painful comment to admit.  But to be completely objective...

I believe there is a really good chance that Wheaton could end up with at least 2 losses in CCIW play (very young Wheaton defense, a number of key injuries, and a very, very competitive conference).  Of course it is also quite possible they could run the table.  I believe the 1 or 2 loss scenario is much more likely.

I also don't foresee many other CCIW teams being highly ranked because I believe teams will be knocking each other off.  There will be at best 2 CCIW teams ranked this year.  More than likely it'll be North Central and either Wheaton if they win all but one CCIW game, or another current 4-1 CCIW team that wins all the remaining CCIW games (IWU, Millikin, Carthage) and I honestly can't see Carthage or Millikin going undefeated the rest of the way.

Thanks for your comments -- very insightful -- but I don't necessarily agree with one of your comments.  I do believe that there are a number of teams that are over- or under-ranked today.  Unfortunately, many of those teams play in weak conferences and will most likely win out.  As such, if North Central does beat the Thunder in two weaks, I fear that neither of the two teams will be ranked in the upper half of the Top 10 (as pollsters will continue to hang the first game North Central loss to Ohio Northern around North Central and then WC).  Generally, I don't care where teams are ranked today, but it may have an impact on future rankings, selections, and seedings.  Do you really think that WC has a chance to lose to anyone other than North Central??

[Mugsy]

For what it is worth, I'd probably swap Wheaton & North Central rankings for a truer picture of where those teams are at.  Yes, that was a brutally painful comment to admit.  But to be completely objective...

Quick, everyone to the panic room!

You feeling ok, Mugsy?

Signs of the end times... dog and cats sleeping together, Mugsy admitting NCC should possibly be ranked higher than Wheaton...

[Mugsy]

Do you really think that WC has a chance to lose to anyone other than North Central??

Given what I've seen of Wheaton thus far compared to years past, realizing how many sophomores are starting and considering how competitive the CCIW is... yes, to be completely objective it is a real possibility.  I am not the only Wheaton alum who is recognizing this possibility.  On Saturday against Augie, there was 1 (yes ONE) senior starting on defense for Wheaton.  Unheard of!  (and yet they played a great game)

Possible games include on the road against IWU (particularly if IWU wins all games between now and then), at home against Carthage (since Carthage whooped Wheaton at Wheaton 2 years ago and not many other teams have beaten Wheaton at McCully field recently) and Elmhurst more than any other team has surprised Wheaton with an upset late in the season.

Note: I'm not saying it is a given.  I did say it is also quite possible Wheaton could win out, including North Central (and this is what I'm pulling for).  I don't ever rule out the character and heart of Coach Swider, the coaching staff and the players.  All you need to do is look at the win against Bethel and Augie to realize that you should never count this team out until the clock hits 0.

[79jaybird]

Tailgater-Great to see you again Saturday.  Thank you for the suds   You have a very nice family and I enjoyed spending the pre-game with you.
I enjoyed everything about the day except the final result.

This game was totally unexpected.  Nothing I predicted going into the game occurred. Having said this- what I originally thought would happen, proved to be the difference maker.  Carthage's D-Line stepped up and EC did not have a solution in the pivotal 4th quarter.

I see EC/Carthage as two teams with a lot of talent, but still missing some puzzle pieces to really become a contender.

Furco in his first start played extremely well despite being hounded all day.  He made some Freshy mistakes launching the ball into no man's land, but he gave EC a chance to win  which is all you can ask from a QB.

Both QB's really showed their guts staying in the pocket and taking their lumps.  There were a few hits by both teams that I didn't think the QB was going to be able to get back up on.

Carthage ended our 3-game winning streak  over the Red Men. 

All in all a very good "wild west shootout" gave vs. arch rivals.

[Stagg Again!!]

Do you really think that WC has a chance to lose to anyone other than North Central??

Given what I've seen of Wheaton thus far compared to years past, realizing how many sophomores are starting and considering how competitive the CCIW is... yes, to be completely objective it is a real possibility.  I am not the only Wheaton alum who is recognizing this possibility.  On Saturday against Augie, there was 1 (yes ONE) senior starting on defense for Wheaton.  Unheard of!  (and yet they played a great game)

Possible games include on the road against IWU (particularly if IWU wins all games between now and then), at home against Carthage (since Carthage whooped Wheaton at Wheaton 2 years ago and not many other teams have beaten Wheaton at McCully field recently) and Elmhurst more than any other team has surprised Wheaton with an upset late in the season.

Note: I'm not saying it is a given.  I did say it is also quite possible Wheaton could win out, including North Central (and this is what I'm pulling for).  I don't ever rule out the character and heart of Coach Swider, the coaching staff and the players.  All you need to do is look at the win against Bethel and Augie to realize that you should never count this team out until the clock hits 0.

Whew!!!  I thought I'd pack it in for the season.   

[Mugsy]

CCIW players of the week announced:

Carthage's Jeff Koeneman, Millikin's Josh Ingold and Carthage's Tyler Funk were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Players of the Week Monday.

Koeneman, a senior wide receiver from Barrington, Ill., and Fremd High School, caught 13 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns during Carthage's 45-38 win over Elmhurst on Saturday. The Red Men totaled 508 passing yards en route to their first conference win of the season. Koeneman is a business administration major.

Ingold, a sophomore linebacker from Fisher, Ill., and Fisher High School, played a key role in Millikin's 19-13 win over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday. He was the Big Blue's top tackler with 12 including seven solo stops. Ingold had 2.5 tackles for loss including two sacks that resulted in 19 yards in losses for the Titans. Both of Ingold's sacks came on third down, ending Illinois Wesleyan drives. Ingold is a fitness and sport major.

Funk, a senior kicker/punter from Racine, Wis., and Horlick High School, punted three times and averaged 45.3 yards per punt during the Red Men's win over Elmhurst on Saturday. He was also six-for-six in point-after conversions, and he kicked a 44-yard field goal. Funk is a special education major.