FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Son of Tailgater]

I have been following this feed when at games and not around the web for updates on my Blackberry. Here is the D3 Twitter link in case anyone was interested: http://twitter.com/d3football

[oldnuthin]

Got back late last night from Decatur after watching the JV game. What a weekend. I did not think MU had a chance Saturday especially after watching IWU the week before. IWU looked like a different team then the prior  week. Too many dropped passes and I think their starting QB got hurt in the game. A very opportunistic MU D came up big at the right times. I saw something in an earlier post regarding officiating. The two games I saw this weekend, JV & varsity, were the worst I have ever seen, Indecisive calls, phantom calls, and some of the worst ball spotting I have ever seen. Is this typical of college? please note my teams went 1-1 this weekend so no sour grapes here, just the worry that bad officiating may cost a deserving team in the future.

[Son of Tailgater]

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.

Kirasdad:
I agree with you on where NCC is currently ranked. I still think that ONU and NCC should be switched but I am beating a dead point with this. I agree that MUC should not have been pre-season ranked #1 but I think at this point they have proven themselves worthy of their current #1 rank.

Mugsy:
Wheaton and NCC should be switched? I could not disagree with you more. Losing to Ohio Northern and beating a combined 6-14 schedule does not merit a top 5 team. While I am not overly impressed with Wheaton's opponents they still have remained undefeated and deserve to be where they are currently at with wins over Bethel and Augustana.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy:
Wheaton and NCC should be switched? I could not disagree with you more. Losing to Ohio Northern and beating a combined 6-14 schedule does not merit a top 5 team. While I am not overly impressed with Wheaton's opponents they still have remained undefeated and deserve to be where they are currently at with wins over Bethel and Augustana.

ssshhh!  I'm trying to soften up NCC.  You know, make them feel comfortable.  Like there is no sense of urgency.  Kinda like they were going into the ONU game.  I'm going "Lou Holtz" on them.  

The real point I was trying to make and failed miserably, was that I don't believe Wheaton is the 4th best team in D3 football right now.  The #4 ranking is more based on where they finished up last year, a large number of returning starters on offense, and they fact they haven't lost yet while having 2 quality wins.  I'm not trying to take a shot at my favorite team, but I would put them more in the teens (kinda where NCC is).  Had NCC not lost to ONU I believe they would be in the #4-6 slot.

[ncc58]

I'm ok with where NCC is currently rated. We've only played half a season. They had a chance to establish itself with a win against ONU and they didn't. They're working their way up the mountain again.

In my view, Wheaton hasn't distinguished themselves in any of their games. Five wins, but nothing spectacular that you might expect from the #4 team.

However, once again, the CCIW comes down to the Game of the Little Brass Bell. Whoever wins that game (NCC)  , if they take care of business during the remainder of the CCIW schedule, they'll earn a high ranking and at least a first round home game. The loser (Wheaton)  will still be in position for an at large berth.

Stagg or Bust, you need to dial it down a notch. North Central, although they have four consecutive playoff appearances, they haven't gotten past the second round. There are a lot of teams with better playoff reputation, including Capital (not to mention the big dogs in DivIII).

[Son of Tailgater]

Mugsy:
Wheaton and NCC should be switched? I could not disagree with you more. Losing to Ohio Northern and beating a combined 6-14 schedule does not merit a top 5 team. While I am not overly impressed with Wheaton's opponents they still have remained undefeated and deserve to be where they are currently at with wins over Bethel and Augustana.

ssshhh!  I'm trying to soften up NCC.  You know, make them feel comfortable.  Like there is no sense of urgency.  Kinda like they were going into the ONU game.  I'm going "Lou Holtz" on them.  

The real point I was trying to make and failed miserably, was that I don't believe Wheaton is the 4th best team in D3 football right now.  The #4 ranking is more based on where they finished up last year, a large number of returning starters on offense, and they fact they haven't lost yet while having 2 quality wins.  I'm not trying to take a shot at my favorite team, but I would put them more in the teens (kinda where NCC is).  Had NCC not lost to ONU I believe they would be in the #4-6 slot.

I know what your saying. I guess my point is that they really haven't done anything to make the voters pull them out of the top 5. Winning close games against Bethel and Augustana shouldn't hurt them. When I look at the rest of the top 10-15 there are really no teams that have had an extremely hard schedule. I think that everyone has had games in there where they were expected to win big and did. As for NCC, they lost their first game and no one else in the top 15 really has lost besides them. It is hard to drop a team in the top 25 especially if they aren't losing. It is also to difficult to make subjective comparisons from one team to another because of "other" factors involved.

PS. Rankings mean nothing in the long run. The ultimate goal is to win the national championship.

[FormerCard]

I'm ok with where NCC is currently rated. We've only played half a season. They had a chance to establish itself with a win against ONU and they didn't. They're working their way up the mountain again.

In my view, Wheaton hasn't distinguished themselves in any of their games. Five wins, but nothing spectacular that you might expect from the #4 team.

However, once again, the CCIW comes down to the Game of the Little Brass Bell. Whoever wins that game (NCC)  , if they take care of business during the remainder of the CCIW schedule, they'll earn a high ranking and at least a first round home game. The loser (Wheaton)  will still be in position for an at large berth.

Stagg or Bust, you need to dial it down a notch. North Central, although they have four consecutive playoff appearances, they haven't gotten past the second round. There are a lot of teams with better playoff reputation, including Capital (not to mention the big dogs in DivIII).

I agree here and unfortunately that is what an early loss to a good team will do to you.    I do feel that NCC will end up in the top 7 by the end of the year (with the help of some large point spreads against good teams (Augie, IWU, Wheaton)     This may be a gut feeling, but I think NCC will continue to put up alot of points and turn even more heads in the pollsters.    It feels like they are playing very inspired football since their loss to ONU.  It was like an instant Hangover (without the fun night before) when Wenger got hurt in the 2nd quarter in Week 1. 

This may sound bad, but I think NCC needs to beat teams really bad and score alot of points to be considered a top team in Division 3.    The standard has always been Mount Union and that is what they have always managed to do.

It is great to see guys stepping up on defense, along with Fanthorpe and Sulos eye-popping stats, and they will need to continue that to be considered an elite program in the country

[Mugsy]

I know what your saying. I guess my point is that they really haven't done anything to make the voters pull them out of the top 5. Winning close games against Bethel and Augustana shouldn't hurt them. When I look at the rest of the top 10-15 there are really no teams that have had an extremely hard schedule. I think that everyone has had games in there where they were expected to win big and did. As for NCC, they lost their first game and no one else in the top 15 really has lost besides them. It is hard to drop a team in the top 25 especially if they aren't losing. It is also to difficult to make subjective comparisons from one team to another because of "other" factors involved.

PS. Rankings mean nothing in the long run. The ultimate goal is to win the national championship.

Yes on all you points.  I wouldn't expect the voters to drop Wheaton based on their performance thus far.  It is just that they probably started higher than they actual are IMO - time will tell.

I don't get hung up on Top 25 rankings at this point.  While it gives some relative weighting between teams, it doesn't really matter too much until the end of year. It is good for discussion.  

Region rankings will carry greater significance it terms of who makes it as at-large bids, seedings, etc...  By the time Regional rankings come out, we should have a better idea of which teams are true contenders.

[Tailgater]

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.

Wow a lot of RedMen getting Conference recognition the past few weeks. Most impressive is Jeff Koeneman. His Dad told us during the tailgate that Jeff was dressing for the game, but wouldn't see any action unless absolutely necessary due to an injury 2 weeks ago. He sat out the IWU game last week. It apparently was absolutely necessary for him to be on the field and thank goodness for his production. Congrats to Josh Ingold and Tyler Funk as well.

[Tailgater]

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.

Nice to visit with you as well Jaybird. The game kinda went down just like we talked it through at the tailgate. Both teams have their work cut out for them looking forward.

[robertgoulet]

This may sound bad, but I think NCC needs to beat teams really bad and score alot of points to be considered a top team in Division 3.    The standard has always been Mount Union and that is what they have always managed to do.

It is great to see guys stepping up on defense, along with Fanthorpe and Sulos eye-popping stats, and they will need to continue that to be considered an elite program in the country

I agree with you to an extent, but when push comes to shove we need to advance in the playoffs (consistent Quarters/Semi's/Title games) to be considered a top dog nationally. Don't get me wrong, I love that we're throttling CCIW teams and hope that it continues, but until we start taking care of business in the post-season it's pretty much all for naught.

[Pat Coleman]

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 doesn't need 100 points, it needs 10. But it needs them to be in Week 1 against Ohio Northern. Otherwise it's tough to move them up.

[Crutches McGee 87]

Pat- couldn't agree with you more.

It is great to see that players are stepping up to fill in for Wenger.  Schneiderbauer is back to the position where he played his high school ball and is doing well.  Word on the street is that Robert Champion tore his ACL.  Huge hit for NCC being that Champ is a very good nose tackle with a pass rush to be reckoned with.  Injury bug hits NCC yet again, nothing new here.

[ncc58]

Pat- couldn't agree with you more.

It is great to see that players are stepping up to fill in for Wenger.  Schneiderbauer is back to the position where he played his high school ball and is doing well.  Word on the street is that Robert Champion tore his ACL.  Huge hit for NCC being that Champ is a very good nose tackle with a pass rush to be reckoned with.  Injury bug hits NCC yet again, nothing new here.

I have to disagree just a little with your comment. We can't really say that anyone has stepped up to fill in for Wenger or Sulu, and now Champion. NCC has yet to play a team with an offense that will test them (since ONU). We'll see a little bit of a test this weekend with Carthage and then the big test on the 24th against  Wheaton. Let's not be premature.

[Crutches McGee 87]

Pat- couldn't agree with you more.

It is great to see that players are stepping up to fill in for Wenger.  Schneiderbauer is back to the position where he played his high school ball and is doing well.  Word on the street is that Robert Champion tore his ACL.  Huge hit for NCC being that Champ is a very good nose tackle with a pass rush to be reckoned with.  Injury bug hits NCC yet again, nothing new here.

I have to disagree just a little with your comment. We can't really say that anyone has stepped up to fill in for Wenger or Sulu, and now Champion. NCC has yet to play a team with an offense that will test them (since ONU). We'll see a little bit of a test this weekend with Carthage and then the big test on the 24th against  Wheaton. Let's not be premature.

Midwest, I see where you are coming from.  And you make a valid point.  Let me re-phrase by saying that it's nice to see that NCC is able to find people with the talent to fill in.  I've played with both of the replacements and they are very good ball players.  I definitely think it's good that we haven't seen Wheaton or Augie yet so these guys have time to settle into their role.  It seems like Schneiderbauer is a little more comfortable being back at linebacker compared to safety, although I like him in both positions.