FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Son of Tailgater]

Any picks for this w-end?
All Home Teams???

NCC @ Augie
Millikin @ Elmhurst
NP @ Carthage
Wheaton @ IWU

Yes & then No  

Tailgater,

Good to see you on the boards again. I figured you were done with the boards for this year. Ehhh who am I kidding 

Here are my picks:

Elmhurst wins 21-13
North Central 17-10
Carthage 56-10
Illinois Wesleyan 20-17

[Son of Tailgater]

Around the nation article on the main page from Keith McMillan:

Towards the end of the article it highlights the Ten most significant program turnarounds of the D3football.com era:

4. North Central.
After a 2-7 year in 1999 and a 3-7 2001, the Cardinals became a regular winner. But it was a leap in 2005 that took them from the seven-win class to a regular bet for at least nine wins to and a playoff appearance. A last-second TD pass got them past Franklin in the first round in 2007, a memorable moment among three consecutive seasons with at least one playoff win. After rising as high as No. 2 in the country in 2008, an second-round exit against Franklin might have made 11-1 a disappointment, but it's a far cry from 10 years ago, when one couldn't count on anything approaching national powerhouse from the Chicago-area school.

Another section lists the longest conference losing streak:

In conference, North Park is listed with a 40-game CCIW losing streak, though by hand I count 66 in a row dating from a win against Elmhurst in 2000. I count Cornell for 34 IIAC losses in row, not the 27 they're listed at, dating from a defeat of Dubuque in 2005. I've got Lewis & Clark for 31 NWC losses in row, dating from 2003, not 15 … but you get the picture.

A really neat but longer article on a re-cap of this year along with some history of the D3 teams over the past few years.

[New Tradition]

I count Cornell for 34 IIAC losses in row, not the 27 they're listed at, dating from a defeat of Dubuque in 2005.

And to think I almost went to Cornell over North Central.  Although, at the time they were recruiting me they had had 9 winning seasons in the past 11 years (including a couple of 9 and 10 win seasons) and were coming off of a 7-3 effort in 2001, while NCC posted a 3-7 record.  As Keith pointed out...who could have guessed after the 2001 season where both teams would be now? 

[Tailgater]

Around the nation article on the main page from Keith McMillan:

Towards the end of the article it highlights the Ten most significant program turnarounds of the D3football.com era:

4. North Central.
After a 2-7 year in 1999 and a 3-7 2001, the Cardinals became a regular winner. But it was a leap in 2005 that took them from the seven-win class to a regular bet for at least nine wins to and a playoff appearance. A last-second TD pass got them past Franklin in the first round in 2007, a memorable moment among three consecutive seasons with at least one playoff win. After rising as high as No. 2 in the country in 2008, an second-round exit against Franklin might have made 11-1 a disappointment, but it's a far cry from 10 years ago, when one couldn't count on anything approaching national powerhouse from the Chicago-area school.

Another section lists the longest conference losing streak:

In conference, North Park is listed with a 40-game CCIW losing streak, though by hand I count 66 in a row dating from a win against Elmhurst in 2000. I count Cornell for 34 IIAC losses in row, not the 27 they're listed at, dating from a defeat of Dubuque in 2005. I've got Lewis & Clark for 31 NWC losses in row, dating from 2003, not 15 … but you get the picture.

A really neat but longer article on a re-cap of this year along with some history of the D3 teams over the past few years.

Carthage had quit an impressive turn-around this past decade themselves. After finishing 3-7 in 2003 they put together an 11-2 record in 2004, tied Wheaton for CCIW champions, fell to Mount Union in the North Regional Championship (like most do  ) and finished ranked 5th in the Nation.

[matblake]

Around the nation article on the main page from Keith McMillan:

Towards the end of the article it highlights the Ten most significant program turnarounds of the D3football.com era:

4. North Central.
After a 2-7 year in 1999 and a 3-7 2001, the Cardinals became a regular winner. But it was a leap in 2005 that took them from the seven-win class to a regular bet for at least nine wins to and a playoff appearance. A last-second TD pass got them past Franklin in the first round in 2007, a memorable moment among three consecutive seasons with at least one playoff win. After rising as high as No. 2 in the country in 2008, an second-round exit against Franklin might have made 11-1 a disappointment, but it's a far cry from 10 years ago, when one couldn't count on anything approaching national powerhouse from the Chicago-area school.

Another section lists the longest conference losing streak:

In conference, North Park is listed with a 40-game CCIW losing streak, though by hand I count 66 in a row dating from a win against Elmhurst in 2000. I count Cornell for 34 IIAC losses in row, not the 27 they're listed at, dating from a defeat of Dubuque in 2005. I've got Lewis & Clark for 31 NWC losses in row, dating from 2003, not 15 … but you get the picture.

A really neat but longer article on a re-cap of this year along with some history of the D3 teams over the past few years.

Carthage had quit an impressive turn-around this past decade themselves. After finishing 3-7 in 2003 they put together an 11-2 record in 2004, tied Wheaton for CCIW champions, fell to Mount Union in the North Regional Championship (like most do  ) and finished ranked 5th in the Nation.

While the Carthage turn around was impressive in 2004, I don't think that they have been consistently involved in the national picture since the turn around like North Central has. That being said, that was a great Carthage team and unfortunately gets overlooked sometimes in light of the tradition of Augie, and the dominiance of the CCIW of Wheaton and North Central in recent years. That running game they had was suffocating, you couldn't make any mistakes and you definitely couldn't fall behind, you might not have the chance to see the ball again..

[Titan Q]

A couple Pantagraph articles leading up to the IWU/Wheaton game...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/article_1552b422-cb2a-11de-a51f-001cc4c002e0.html

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/article_a6689294-c99d-11de-ad5e-001cc4c03286.html

[hyrooster]

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

Here's video I found of Mugsy fighting off the pain back in the late 80's!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usd4z9rxbys

What? No love for this great post? I'm still laughing and it was a great movie. Come on Mugsy, gotta throw the guy a bone.

Predicitions sure to go wrong:
NCC - 35 AUG - 7 Fanthorpe
NCC - 24 AUG - 14 Stanek or other
WC - 21 IWU - 20 nicer weather this week which will make field more playable for WC - Go Thunder
MU - 28 EC - 27 Another close game Go Big Blue
CC - LOTS of POINTS NPU - Not many at all

May all player come out healthy this week.

[Titan Q]

71 and sunny today in B-N...

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/61761?dayNum=0

Windy though - says 19 MPH from SW.  (The field runs straight E/W with visitor sideline on the north.)

[Mugsy]

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

Here's video I found of Mugsy fighting off the pain back in the late 80's!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usd4z9rxbys

What? No love for this great post? I'm still laughing and it was a great movie. Come on Mugsy, gotta throw the guy a bone.

Predicitions sure to go wrong:
NCC - 35 AUG - 7 Fanthorpe
NCC - 24 AUG - 14 Stanek or other
WC - 21 IWU - 20 nicer weather this week which will make field more playable for WC - Go Thunder
MU - 28 EC - 27 Another close game Go Big Blue
CC - LOTS of POINTS NPU - Not many at all

May all player come out healthy this week.

Then you don't know my history with CardinalAlum.  I can never, ever given him credit for anything. 

[Titan Q]

Special thanks from this alum to the 21 IWU seniors on Senior Day.  This group was recruited in the midst of IWU's worst football stretch in school history:

2002: 3-4 CCIW
2003: 3-4
2004: 2-5
2005: 2-5

The current senior class was instrumental in IWU's 2007 CCIW championship (shared with NCC) and, obviously, in this year's successful season.  

Win or lose today, thank you! (But feel free to win today.)

[hyrooster]

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

Here's video I found of Mugsy fighting off the pain back in the late 80's!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usd4z9rxbys

What? No love for this great post? I'm still laughing and it was a great movie. Come on Mugsy, gotta throw the guy a bone.

Predicitions sure to go wrong:
NCC - 35 AUG - 7 Fanthorpe
NCC - 24 AUG - 14 Stanek or other
WC - 21 IWU - 20 nicer weather this week which will make field more playable for WC - Go Thunder
MU - 28 EC - 27 Another close game Go Big Blue
CC - LOTS of POINTS NPU - Not many at all

May all player come out healthy this week.

Then you don't know my history with CardinalAlum.  I can never, ever given him credit for anything. 

Well then I'll do it for you. How's that old saying go... 2 cardinals of a feather stick together.. I think you know what I mean!

[Titan Q]

Final from Bloomington...

IWU 20
Wheaton 17

With IWU's senior QB leaving with injury early in the 1st half, junior backup Brien Rooney was thrown into the biggest game of his career.  Rooney was a hero today for the Titans.  His father was one of the best QB's in IWU history.

Hope that injury to Ladd's non-throwing shoulder is not a season ender.

[Titan Q]

By the way, WETN's broadcast duo is outstanding...one of the best I've heard on a D3 broadcast.  Kudos.

[Mugsy]

Key stat in my mind... Time of Possession: IWU +9.  Wheaton defense was just on the field too long and ran out of steam in the 2nd half.  IWU scores all 20 points in the 2nd half.  Wheaton critical turnovers in the 2nd half, including INT in IWU endzone.

IWU will be the AQ.  North Park has lost 67 straight conference games.  I don't see that ending next week.

[petemcb]

Congratulations Roman.  You've been a big part of a big turnaround.