FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[HScoach]

^  Ohio Northern is basically the exact same team as last year.  All the key people (QB, WR, etc) are the same.    They're just playing with a little more confidence and consistency this year.

[robertgoulet]

^  Ohio Northern is basically the exact same team as last year.  All the key people (QB, WR, etc) are the same.    They're just playing with a little more confidence and consistency this year.

And I would say that NCC's defense is much better than the one that gave up 28 pts at Aida last year (I believe that was ONU's final, 28-19 or something, with Wenger missing the majority of the game), but I don't think NCC's offense is anywhere near where they were last year.

Why do I find myself not like NCC's chances? Help!

[usee]

Mt Union shut out ONU this year. I think NCC's defense is as good as Mt Unions. I don't know if their offense is as good but it should be, given the UMU youth and inexperience. I know NCC's OLine is experienced and the strength of their offense. Defensively, Garza, Hayes and Clendenning are bringing their 25 sack,32 tfl games against a strong and physical OLine. And Wenger is as fast and physical a linebacker as you will ever see in D3. However, this will be the most physical team NCC has played but I do think they are at least better than ONU by the 10pt spread HSCoach has them in the pickem's. It's the playoffs though and NCC has not played well against good teams in the playoffs. However far they make it from here, they will certainly have to earn it. No one can say they have it easy the rest of the way.

[robertgoulet]

Mt Union shut out ONU this year. I think NCC's defense is as good as Mt Unions. I don't know if their offense is as good but it should be, given the UMU youth and inexperience. I know NCC's OLine is experienced and the strength of their offense. Defensively, Garza, Hayes and Clendenning are bringing their 25 sack,32 tfl games against a strong and physical OLine. And Wenger is as fast and physical a linebacker as you will ever see in D3. However, this will be the most physical team NCC has played but I do think they are at least better than ONU by the 10pt spread HSCoach has them in the pickem's. It's the playoffs though and NCC has not played well against good teams in the playoffs. However far they make it from here, they will certainly have to earn it. No one can say they have it easy the rest of the way.

Thanks USee, I'm off the ledge....for now 

[Mugsy]

Mt Union shut out ONU this year. I think NCC's defense is as good as Mt Unions. I don't know if their offense is as good but it should be, given the UMU youth and inexperience. I know NCC's OLine is experienced and the strength of their offense. Defensively, Garza, Hayes and Clendenning are bringing their 25 sack,32 tfl games against a strong and physical OLine. And Wenger is as fast and physical a linebacker as you will ever see in D3. However, this will be the most physical team NCC has played but I do think they are at least better than ONU by the 10pt spread HSCoach has them in the pickem's. It's the playoffs though and NCC has not played well against good teams in the playoffs. However far they make it from here, they will certainly have to earn it. No one can say they have it easy the rest of the way.

Thanks USee, I'm off the ledge....for now  

Just don't expect him to do the same thing if somehow both NCC and Wheaton "shock the world" and win out the next 2 weeks.  You might get 2 hands pushing in the back.  

[robertgoulet]

Mt Union shut out ONU this year. I think NCC's defense is as good as Mt Unions. I don't know if their offense is as good but it should be, given the UMU youth and inexperience. I know NCC's OLine is experienced and the strength of their offense. Defensively, Garza, Hayes and Clendenning are bringing their 25 sack,32 tfl games against a strong and physical OLine. And Wenger is as fast and physical a linebacker as you will ever see in D3. However, this will be the most physical team NCC has played but I do think they are at least better than ONU by the 10pt spread HSCoach has them in the pickem's. It's the playoffs though and NCC has not played well against good teams in the playoffs. However far they make it from here, they will certainly have to earn it. No one can say they have it easy the rest of the way.

Thanks USee, I'm off the ledge....for now  

Just don't expect him to do the same thing if somehow both NCC and Wheaton "shock the world" and win out the next 2 weeks.  You might get 2 hands pushing in the back.  

Luckily I'm scared of heights so the ledge is only a few feet off the ground. I would be well enough to do the Nelson Muntz "Ha-Ha" after landing and watching NCC beat the Wheaties for the 2nd time this year 

[usee]

another perspective on the Wheaton vs Coe game:

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/4bUunVKucTe/Buffalo+Bills+v+Kansas+City+Chiefs/Jy6Il_nOCGp/Andy+Studebaker

Coe won in this version.

[augiefan]

Since the last of the NCC finals is on Wednesday, all should be well in Naperville. As usual Coach Thoren will have his team mentally reay for ONU game. Both Wheaton and NCC should make it through this weekend with the home field advantage.

[bleedpurple]

Mt Union shut out ONU this year. I think NCC's defense is as good as Mt Unions. I don't know if their offense is as good but it should be, given the UMU youth and inexperience. I know NCC's OLine is experienced and the strength of their offense. Defensively, Garza, Hayes and Clendenning are bringing their 25 sack,32 tfl games against a strong and physical OLine. And Wenger is as fast and physical a linebacker as you will ever see in D3. However, this will be the most physical team NCC has played but I do think they are at least better than ONU by the 10pt spread HSCoach has them in the pickem's. It's the playoffs though and NCC has not played well against good teams in the playoffs. However far they make it from here, they will certainly have to earn it. No one can say they have it easy the rest of the way.

Wow, you did a GREAT job in talking Robert in from the ledge! This may be the strongest I've ever heard NCC described.  I'm not challenging the veracity of the statement, it just took me a bit by surprise. If accurate, I certainly feel a whole lot better about them being seeded over UW-W.   NCC should not only be fairly big favorites against ONU (Mount shut them out 27-0).  They should also be the favorites over UW-W if the Warhawks are able to advance past Trine. Mount would certainly be be favored in Alliance against UW-W.  As has been conversed to death, past years' performances enter little into this equation, so NCC's past playoff disappointments really should not be factored in.  The Cardinals MORE than held up their end of the bargain in round 1!

[usee]

Bleedpurple,

If you are offering to give UWW and points for next week I am definitely interested!! While I stand by my comments I don't think you will be seeing anyone suggest UWW is remotely close to an underdog in any game this season. Interesting theory though.

[Raider 68]

Bleedpurple,

If you are offering to give UWW and points for next week I am definitely interested!! While I stand by my comments I don't think you will be seeing anyone suggest UWW is remotely close to an underdog in any game this season. Interesting theory though.

If you look at the top teams going into round two, they are all close to the top of the NCAA stats for both offense and defense. For the playoffs, it will be the coaching and preparation that will determine the final four, IMHO!

[footballfan413]

Mt Union shut out ONU this year.  I think NCC's defense is as good as Mt Unions. I don't know if their offense is as good but it should be, given the UMU youth and inexperience. I know NCC's OLine is experienced and the strength of their offense. Defensively, Garza, Hayes and Clendenning are bringing their 25 sack,32 tfl games against a strong and physical OLine. And Wenger is as fast and physical a linebacker as you will ever see in D3. However, this will be the most physical team NCC has played but I do think they are at least better than ONU by the 10pt spread HSCoach has them in the pickem's. It's the playoffs though and NCC has not played well against good teams in the playoffs. However far they make it from here, they will certainly have to earn it. No one can say they have it easy the rest of the way.

Yes, the Raiders shut out of ONU, 27-0,  but in two other similar scores, the Raiders gave up 10 points to Otterbien winning 28-10 and 14 points to Marietta winning 28-14.  Hard to look at score alone and draw any reliable conclusions about ONU.  I'd still be way more nervous playing 8-1 ONU than a 5-4-Otterbien or a 1-8 Marietta.  

[ncc58]

I don't think that Finals is either an excuse or a distraction. But it does affect individual and team schedules. I think that was the point that TCrawf5825 was trying to make. It can affect when team meetings occur. It can affect when players watch film. It can affect when they come up to speed on this week's game plan.

Most players have a set routine at this point in the season. Some may not reflect well when that changes. Others may welcome a change. Who knows.

Other schools have similar academic calendars. Stanford, for one, has exams during the first week of the NCAA Basketball calendar. And, there is also a story on some player who is a Biochem major, or some other similar major, and the number of finals he had earlier in the week plus preparing for his team's first round games. So, at least the media thinks a student athletes "day job" can affect their athletic performance.

UWW has Finals beginning the Thursday before the Stagg Bowl. I would imagine that some players reschedule exams to occur after the Stagg Bowl, although that could interfere with their celebrations.

I don't know if anyone commented on TCrawf's other points. That, NCC and ONU have played the last two seasons. That gives them two extra game films on each other. The home team has won both games. And for the seniors, they have seen some of the key players. There should be less of a feeling out process in this game.

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.  

[ncc58]

Bleedpurple,

If you are offering to give UWW and points for next week I am definitely interested!! While I stand by my comments I don't think you will be seeing anyone suggest UWW is remotely close to an underdog in any game this season. Interesting theory though.

Bleedpurple is the Prince of Sarcasm.

[footballfan413]

Bleedpurple,

If you are offering to give UWW and points for next week I am definitely interested!! While I stand by my comments I don't think you will be seeing anyone suggest UWW is remotely close to an underdog in any game this season. Interesting theory though.

Bleedpurple is the Prince of Sarcasm.

He'd probably prefer King.