FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[usee]

He was a great WR in the 80's. Caught passes from Brien Rooney's Dad. The Titan family blood runs deep in Btown.

[Mugsy]

Coming into 2010 there had been discussion on how the strength of the Wheaton defense is their secondary.  

Looking at it purely from a statistical point-of-view, one could say that it is proving to be true, minus the yards allow per game  (which would be more impressive if you take away some large plays against the 2nd team - 87 & 54 yard TD's against Olivet when game was already well in hand).

2010 Defensive Pass Stats (4 games):
65-144 for 811 yards, 202.8 per game, 13 INT's, 4 TD's allowed

2 of 13 INT's returned for TD
23.4 yards per INT return (total of 304 INT return yards), this combined with 20.7 punt return average is giving Wheaton a significant field position advantage

Wheaton leads the CCIW in the following defense categories:
1. 45.1% defensive completion rate (10th nationally)
2. 83.6 pass efficiency (10th in nation)
3. 13 INT's (1st nationally)
4. 16 takeaways (5th nationally)
5. +2.0 turnover margin (5th nationally)
6. 14 sacks (13th nationally)

Now compare the INT/TD's allowed stats in 4 games in 2010 to entire season stats since 2001 (already more INT's through 4 games in 2010 than the entire season for 5 of those seasons):

2009: 10 INT, 17 TD's allowed
2008: 18 INT's in 14 games, 20 TD's allowed
2007: 12 INT's, 10 TD's
2006: 14 INT's, 11 TD's in 12 games
2005: 14 INT's, 14 TD's
2004: 11 INT's, 15 TD's in 12 games
2003: 20 INT's, 27 TD's in 13 games
2002: 12 INT's, 12 TD's in 12 games
2001: 12 INT's, 17 TD's

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.  Will it continue?  What will the impact be on the CCIW race if it does?

[lakeshore]

Coming into 2010 there had been discussion on how the strength of the Wheaton defense is their secondary.  

Looking at it purely from a statistical point-of-view, one could say that it is proving to be true, minus the yards allow per game  (which would be more impressive if you take away some large plays against the 2nd team - 87 & 54 yard TD's against Olivet when game was already well in hand).

2010 Defensive Pass Stats (4 games):
65-144 for 811 yards, 202.8 per game, 13 INT's, 4 TD's allowed

2 of 13 INT's returned for TD
23.4 yards per INT return (total of 304 INT return yards), this combined with 20.7 punt return average is giving Wheaton a significant field position advantage

Wheaton leads the CCIW in the following defense categories:
1. 45.1% defensive completion rate (10th nationally)
2. 83.6 pass efficiency (10th in nation)
3. 13 INT's (1st nationally)
4. 16 takeaways (5th nationally)
5. +2.0 turnover margin (5th nationally)
6. 14 sacks (13th nationally)

Now compare the INT/TD's allowed stats in 4 games in 2010 to entire season stats since 2001 (already more INT's through 4 games in 2010 than the entire season for 5 of those seasons):

2009: 10 INT, 17 TD's allowed
2008: 18 INT's in 14 games, 20 TD's allowed
2007: 12 INT's, 10 TD's
2006: 14 INT's, 11 TD's in 12 games
2005: 14 INT's, 14 TD's
2004: 11 INT's, 15 TD's in 12 games
2003: 20 INT's, 27 TD's in 13 games
2002: 12 INT's, 12 TD's in 12 games
2001: 12 INT's, 17 TD's

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.  Will it continue?  What will the impact be on the CCIW race if it does?

those are impressive stats for sure and coupled with Wheaton's rushing attack could make for a special season for the Thunder.  It will be interesting to see that secondary against an elite QB/WR combo which I'm not sure exists in the CCIW this year.  Based on the little online action I witnessed Saturday as I foloowed that game and many others via the web, Wheaton has some of most physically impressive D3 players I have seen in a while.  The 2 safeties are HUGE!

[usee]

Brian McMullen (6-3, 211 lbs) and Jordan Langs (5-11, 208 lbs) are pretty physical as safeties. And they are both just juniors! The key to these db's has been the return of Tyler Langs at corner. He adds so much experience, speed and leadership. It's tough to beat him. He is not as quick, fast or physical as ittersagen but he is arguably a better cover corner. The defense has been playing well. Many of those interceptions have been the result of poor throws by the qb under pressure. This defense is the fastest Wheaton has had in many years. 

[NCF]

Brian McMullen (6-3, 211 lbs) and Jordan Langs (5-11, 208 lbs) are pretty physical as safeties. And they are both just juniors! The key to these db's has been the return of Tyler Langs at corner. He adds so much experience, speed and leadership. It's tough to beat him. He is not as quick, fast or physical as ittersagen but he is arguably a better cover corner. The defense has been playing well. Many of those interceptions have been the result of poor throws by the qb under pressure. This defense is the fastest Wheaton has had in many years. 

So if NCC and Wheaton both take care of business, the Nov 6 game will be HUGE, with both defenses having great speed this season. Hoping it works out that both are still undefeated, but on any given Saturday...

[bleedpurple]

Speaking of NCC and Wheaton,

The BPD3 Level System Top 25 unveiled:

NOTE:
BPD3 Level System Top 25
To add to the intrigue and fun of the ranking system, I am creating "Levels" within the Top 25. In the "Level System", I will be grouping teams that are reasonably comparable in my opinion and exposing where I believe there is a drop-off of some kind between ranks. 

Is there anyone "intruding" on Level 1 with UW-W and Mount Union?

Does North Central and Wheaton occupy the same level?

Where do the "breaks" occur between levels?

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com

[matblake]

There is no one in my opinion that intrudes on Level 1.  By and far the top 2 programs in the country.  Fans might find it annoying, but both will be in the Stagg again this year.

As far as this year goes, it might be safe to put Wheaton and North Central in the same level.  Assuming Wheaton wins against Elmhurst and North Park and North Central wins against Millikin and IWU, this won't start to sort itself out until the end of October when Wheaton plays Carthage and Augustana in successive weeks.  Then the comparison game between the Thunder and Cards might come into play.

[thunder38]

you're definitely asking a lot to be pointing to McCully on Nov. 6 already, but on the other hand that's what we as fans do.  the wheaton defense has certainly been impressive at times this year but they have yet to play a full four quarters which is a little bit of a scary scenario heading into Elmhurst this week where they have struggled in the past.  the defensive streaks are what has put up the gaudy numbers but they have definitely had their let downs in the tackling game as evidenced by two of the long touchdowns for IWU last Saturday.

Thus far I've been very impressed with North Central's defense which is undoubtedly good enough to make a very strong postseason run with only an average offense.  I followed the NCC-UW Eau Claire on live stats and was impressed with their ability to shut down Sweeney.  My thoughts coming out of the that game was that they could easily shut down the run but after seeing them shut down Air Carthage as well this is a team that's scarily close to separating themselves from the rest of the conference.


This Saturday provides a very interesting possibility for Elmhurst and Augie to really present themselves as threats in the conference race if they can put a scare into or beat Wheaton and NCC with both teams playing on the road this week.  October football always makes things interesting in the CCIW.

[Son of Tailgater]

UWW and Mount Union are Level 1 alone and matblake is right, they will be in the Stagg Bowl again this year.

I do see a couple of teams that are close but not quite there yet but definitely level 2:
Wesley, Mary-Hardin Baylor and Central.

I think that North Central and Wheaton would be both in a level 3 category IMO.

I am basing this off of the past 5 years, schedules and losses.

[Son of Tailgater]

Also now that I am able to give Karma+ some of you will be noticing some +'s in the coming days. I have promised quite a few in the past and need to catch up  ....one day at a time. I actually found the notepad where I was keeping track last week. I didn't keep tracks of smite's though so everyone is off the hook on those 

[New Tradition]

Also now that I am able to give Karma+ some of you will be noticing some +'s in the coming days. I have promised quite a few in the past and need to catch up  ....one day at a time. I actually found the notepad where I was keeping track last week. I didn't keep tracks of smite's though so everyone is off the hook on those 

Congrats on the karma power, SoT.  Always fun to throw some karma out.  K+!

[sflzman]

Also now that I am able to give Karma+ some of you will be noticing some +'s in the coming days. I have promised quite a few in the past and need to catch up  ....one day at a time. I actually found the notepad where I was keeping track last week. I didn't keep tracks of smite's though so everyone is off the hook on those 

How do you even get "karma power" anyway? I've been wondering about that.....

[Mr. Ypsi]

Also now that I am able to give Karma+ some of you will be noticing some +'s in the coming days. I have promised quite a few in the past and need to catch up  ....one day at a time. I actually found the notepad where I was keeping track last week. I didn't keep tracks of smite's though so everyone is off the hook on those 

How do you even get "karma power" anyway? I've been wondering about that.....

The karmic secrets will be revealed unto you when you make your 200th post, young grasshopper.

[CardinalAlum]

Also now that I am able to give Karma+ some of you will be noticing some +'s in the coming days. I have promised quite a few in the past and need to catch up  ....one day at a time. I actually found the notepad where I was keeping track last week. I didn't keep tracks of smite's though so everyone is off the hook on those 

How do you even get "karma power" anyway? I've been wondering about that.....

You send Pat a note with 25 reasons you should be allowed to give or take karma points!   

[sflzman]

Also now that I am able to give Karma+ some of you will be noticing some +'s in the coming days. I have promised quite a few in the past and need to catch up  ....one day at a time. I actually found the notepad where I was keeping track last week. I didn't keep tracks of smite's though so everyone is off the hook on those 

How do you even get "karma power" anyway? I've been wondering about that.....

The karmic secrets will be revealed unto you when you make your 200th post, young grasshopper.

Thank you Master Po....