FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Raider 68]

HScoach has the NCC vs. ONU spread at NCC to win by 10.5 pts. This is going to be a real tough game, so the winner could win by one TD. If NCC wins they have UWW at home, but at this point that helps but not a whole lot, IMHO! 

[usee]

A great day for the CCIW, I was most impressed by Wheaton's win.  I didn't think they would get by Coe.  I haven't seen WC play in person, so I don't know how good their starting QB is.  I know he didn't play against NCC, would he have made a big difference in that game? 

As a UWW fan, I'm glad the Warhawks have to play both Franklin and Trine.  If UWW gets past Trine, I'd like to think the pass defense will be geared up for a tough NCC offense.   

Wheaton would not have beaten Coe without their qb Jordan Roberts. He completed 75% of his passes for 221 yds and 2 tds and ran for 89 yds. He definitely would have made a difference vs NCC.  Especially since HD got hurt in practice on Thursday before that game. I can't say if it would have altered the outcome but it would have been a closer game. We'll never know. 

[Mugsy]

A great day for the CCIW, I was most impressed by Wheaton's win.  I didn't think they would get by Coe.  I haven't seen WC play in person, so I don't know how good their starting QB is.  I know he didn't play against NCC, would he have made a big difference in that game? 

As a UWW fan, I'm glad the Warhawks have to play both Franklin and Trine.  If UWW gets past Trine, I'd like to think the pass defense will be geared up for a tough NCC offense.   

Wheaton would not have beaten Coe without their qb Jordan Roberts. He completed 75% of his passes for 221 yds and 2 tds and ran for 89 yds. He definitely would have made a difference vs NCC.  Especially since HD got hurt in practice on Thursday before that game. I can't say if it would have altered the outcome but it would have been a closer game. We'll never know. 

Could not agree more.  In fact I posted virtually the same thing, though not in response to a specific question.  Just a rambling non sequitur.

Not to diminish or eliminate the team aspect to football, but Wheaton would not have won the game today without Jordan Roberts.   Numerous times he avoided the rush, sometimes in spectacular fashion.  The dual threat he provides makes it really tough to defensive game plan against.

PASSING           Cmp-Att-Int  Yds  TD  Long  Sack 
Roberts, Jordan  18-24-0        221  2      46       4

RUSHING           No.    Gain  Loss  Net  TD  Lg  Avg. 
Roberts, Jordan  13     89     37     52    0   36  4.0

Take away the 4 sacks and Roberts was Wheaton's leading rusher.  The 37 yard run to the Coe 1 yard line to setup the last TD giving Wheaton a 2 score lead was something else.

Not bad for someone with an injured throwing hand.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

[usee]

Actually, in basketball, Augie coach Grey G has complained about finals during the March term and its impact on his team. May have been during the CCIW tourney?? I can't remember the details but he certainly felt like it has caused his team to play flat the last couple years. Q? Sager? someone out there remembers better than I.

[Mugsy]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

Maybe so...  still seemed like fishing for an excuse from the way it read and the timing.  Still a part of D3 athletics.  Yes, it'll take a lot of time to study for finals.  Yes, there is significant time between practice, film, weight room, etc... but manage your time, get your sleep and you should be fine.

I could see more of a distraction if they were travelling, but they are at home.

[usee]

Back in June I posted a preview on each of the CCIW teams and prediction for this football season. Here was my post on NCC:

This is based on what I know now. This doesn't include information on injured or non-returning starters nor does it include potential 5th year returners.

North Central
Returning starters: 16: 6 off, 10 def
Key losses: Aaron Fanthorpe, QB; Jim Janacek, DL, Dominic Sulo, RB; Josh Delancy OT, Coach Weinke
Key returners: Matt Wenger, LB; Steve Hlavac, WR; Kyle Antos, OL; Derek Sulo, DB, Robert Champion, DL
Non Conference schedule: @Cornell (Iowa), @Olivet, UWEC
Key conference games: @Augie Oct 19, @Wheaton Nov 6
Outlook: The Cardinals should be the hands down favorite again in the CCIW. Despite losing stars Aaron Fanthorpe and Dominic Sulo they have built imposing depth in the younger ranks and return promising QB Spencer Stanek as well as a dangerous and experienced group of skill players. On Defense they return All American candidate Matt Wenger, All Conference players Robert Champion and Derek Sulo from injury to join Willie Hayes, Joe Schneiderbaur, Josh Mcleod, and 7 other returning starters giving them impressive depth in what should be a nationally ranked defense. The schedule is favorable for the Cardinals as the only long conference road trip is Rock Island. They face Millikin, Carthage, and IWU in Naperville. If they stay healthy and they become a dominant defensive team, I see a deep run into the playoffs for this team.
Prediction: 10-0, conference champs
Post Patterns Regulars: CardAlum, FormerCard, CardinalDad, Hornet, Cardinalfan, AndOne, New Tradition, Shark56, robertgoulet

I thought back then they had a chance to be a dominant team defensively and they have proven to be just that. What NCC fans (and all CCIW fans) must realize is that we haven't sent dominant teams into the post season. UWW fans have seen NCC and IWU live in the past few years and Mt Union has seen several Wheaton versions as well as Carthage. Those teams were good enough to beat many of the top 25 but not anyone in the top 3. Outsiders rightly believe the CCIW is a better than average conference but will fold in the 2nd half of games vs the big guys. I have believed that too. I think people are watching this year's NCC team because they ran through the CCIW unchallenged in a year when the CCIW is actually pretty good. And they did it playing dominant defense. That has people looking, but until they prove they can do it on the big stage NCC won't, and shouldn't, get recognized as being able to compete on the top tier of D3. This is the time of year we have all been waiting for. This week NCC will face its biggest challenge of the season so far against the best team they have played. It's time to put up or shut up. And their prize if they are able to pass this weeks test is a "finals" week that will rival any test they face (on or off the field) this week.

[HScoach]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

Mount usually has finals during Stagg week, so I think it's over blown as an excuse or distraction.  Though I would agree that having 100% of your school work done with nothing to focus on but football would be an advantage.   I just don't see school being a disadvantage in D3. 

[NCF]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

Mount usually has finals during Stagg week, so I think it's over blown as an excuse or distraction.  Though I would agree that having 100% of your school work done with nothing to focus on but football would be an advantage.   I just don't see school being a disadvantage in D3. 

If a player has waited until now to study for finals-it's too late. There is no way NC is going to use finals as an excuse for anything. They have a tough road from here on out-it's time to put up or shut up.

[robertgoulet]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

Mount usually has finals during Stagg week, so I think it's over blown as an excuse or distraction.  Though I would agree that having 100% of your school work done with nothing to focus on but football would be an advantage.   I just don't see school being a disadvantage in D3. 

If a player has waited until now to study for finals-it's too late. There is no way NC is going to use finals as an excuse for anything. They have a tough road from here on out-it's time to put up or shut up.

I actually found myself to be less busy at NCC on finals week than a regular week. 

[Son of Tailgater]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

Mount usually has finals during Stagg week, so I think it's over blown as an excuse or distraction.  Though I would agree that having 100% of your school work done with nothing to focus on but football would be an advantage.   I just don't see school being a disadvantage in D3. 

If a player has waited until now to study for finals-it's too late. There is no way NC is going to use finals as an excuse for anything. They have a tough road from here on out-it's time to put up or shut up.

I actually found myself to be less busy at NCC on finals week than a regular week. 

I just remember being upset that we were eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Old Country Buffet  but it was an all you can eat and I am pretty sure we cleaned them out.....of everything

[robertgoulet]

Some factors in the ONU - NCC game is that NCC players have to take finals Monday - Wednesday so for some of them the game will be hard to focus on for the next few days not to mention the ones who cram and then don't get much sleep for a few days. Another factors that the last time these teams played ONU won in Ohio and many NCC players are still on the team (NCC won at home the year before), not to mention NCC is at home this year.  I believe NCC should win but just want to point out a few intangibles that factor into the game preps

Finals is a lame excuse.  

Most NCC posters would not have posted this.  TCrawf5825 is newer to the board.

My first reaction was the post smacked of paving the way for excuses in the event things don't go as planned.  All D3 players are student athletes.  All are responsible for taking care of business both on the field and in the classroom.  Should not have to be stated as if this is unique to NCC.

And in the event ONU beats NCC on the field, you would NOT hear the players or coaches complain that "well we had finals this week, so we could not prepare the way we wanted and we are tired because we had to stay up studying".

Mugsy, I think both you and HScoach are being a bit harsh.  Finals during the week before Thanksgiving IS a rarity (in d3 or elsewhere).  I concur that if NCC loses (heaven forbid! ), neither the coaches or the students will use it as an excuse, but (unlike some places) they ARE student-athletes.  Of course finals will interfere with preparation this week!  For most student-athletes, how could they not?

(On the flip side, IF they make it to the semis or the Stagg, the OTHER team has finals looming and they do not! )

Mount usually has finals during Stagg week, so I think it's over blown as an excuse or distraction.  Though I would agree that having 100% of your school work done with nothing to focus on but football would be an advantage.   I just don't see school being a disadvantage in D3. 

If a player has waited until now to study for finals-it's too late. There is no way NC is going to use finals as an excuse for anything. They have a tough road from here on out-it's time to put up or shut up.

I actually found myself to be less busy at NCC on finals week than a regular week. 

I just remember being upset that we were eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Old Country Buffet  but it was an all you can eat and I am pretty sure we cleaned them out.....of everything

I'm sure they were ecstatic about that!

I prefer Golden Corral, personally!

[formerd3db]

rg:

I know what you mean.  Although, either of those eatery places (i.e. Old Country Buffet and Golden Corral) can be a "crap shoot" at times with regards to how good of experience the food is at that particular visit!

[Mr. Ypsi]

rg:

I know what you mean.  Although, either of those eatery places (i.e. Old Country Buffet and Golden Corral) can be a "crap shoot" at times with regards to how good of experience the food is at that particular visit!

When discussing eateries, "crap shoot" takes on a whole new meaning!

[robertgoulet]

As fun as the food talk has been, I need to get back on task here (no breakfast this morning, still a couple hours until lunch, food talk must stop!):


How different are the NCC/ONU teams that are facing off this weekend than the ones that faced off last year in Aida,OH? What are everyone's thoughts on this game?

ONU's only loss this year came via Mt. Union, and were 2nd in what is regarded as probably the toughest conference in the country. ONU averaged 38 ppg (if you remove the 27-0 loss to Mt Union) and had a stingy defense (13ppg, including Mt Union).

NCC hasn't lost and ran right through a CCIW that was on an "up" year. We all know about NCC.

Can NCC's D hold down what seems to be a pretty legit ONU offense? If NCC can hold ONU to under 20 pts, can the NCC offense score more than 20 on this ONU defense?

I have to say that I think a low scoring game probably benefits NCC more than a high scoring game.

Thoughts?