FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

As someone who played there in the very recent past and also coached there for one year; I feel like I can offer some insight.  The administration has definitely been lacking in its support of athletics and the football program.  Money has been extremely hard to come by, and the administration at the top is not fully committed to putting a winning program out there.  The football field needs various upgrades, but there has been little done.  Additionally, Augie has a hard time competing with the financial packages that other similiar colleges offer.  Time after time Augie isn't even close financially to similar institutions, and although money is not THE deciding factor it has quite the influence with many kids/ their parents and the decisions they make.  As for the facilities, let's be honest, Augie is near the bottom in terms of its football stadium in the CCIW.  Although once again facilities are not THE deciding factor, all this stuff adds up.  Additionally, as many have said the rise of other programs has made it tougher on Augie as it has on all the schools in the CCIW.  I would say do not fault Cushman for the start they have had to this year, he needs a bigger body of work before anyone can judge him.  Maybe it is the players, maybe there's other various factors this year.  All I can say, is that Cushman is a great football mind, and a workaholic.  I believe he will right the ship, but time will tell.  I know some might respond that just because the players like him does not make him a great coach blah blah blah, but I full heartily, as unbiased of an opinion as I can offer,  believe Augie will contend again in the near future.  Lastly, the administration has shown a bit of a turnaround in its' support of Athletics ever since Zapolski took over as AD.  He got the new Lacrosse/ soccer field done and word is that the football field/stadium is next.  It is not as cloudy at Augie as it may seem to many from the outside.  There is hope over at Augie, and let's not forget, 6 games remain on the CCIW slate.  Anything can happen.

As a parent of a recent recruit who visited several schools I can let you know a couple of reasons that were big for him. 1. Program 2. Coaches 3.His place in the program 4. Future teammates 5. Would he be able to compete in two sports 6. Facilities. 7. Distance. All of these considerations came AFTER he looked at the academic side of the school.

[Gotberg]

How many wealthy alums are around who can be persuaded to reach down into their deep pockets and withdraw a bundle of cash for your new athletic facility?

And woe to you if your school mostly turns out teachers, preachers, and nurses -- like a certain institution on Chicago's North Side at the corner of Foster & Kedzie -- rather than a steady stream of captains of industry.

Greg,

I don't think North Park alums can complain too much about lack of donations to the school over the last 10 or 15 years.  If you think about the transformation, it's really quite astonishing.  Between the Brandel library, the Holmgren athletic center, the Helwig Rec Center, the development of the mid-campus green space and the already $30 million committed towards the $40 million science building, that's probably a total of $70 million or so.

North Park is fortunate to draw not just from the alumni, but also from the now defunct academy and also members of the Covenant church. 

EDIT:  I forgot the Anderson Chapel.

[Gregory Sager]

How many wealthy alums are around who can be persuaded to reach down into their deep pockets and withdraw a bundle of cash for your new athletic facility?

And woe to you if your school mostly turns out teachers, preachers, and nurses -- like a certain institution on Chicago's North Side at the corner of Foster & Kedzie -- rather than a steady stream of captains of industry.

Greg,

I don't think North Park alums can complain too much about lack of donations to the school over the last 10 or 15 years.  If you think about the transformation, it's really quite astonishing.  Between the Brandel library, the Holmgren athletic center, the Helwig Rec Center, the development of the mid-campus green space and the already $30 million committed towards the $40 million science building, that's probably a total of $70 million or so.

North Park is fortunate to draw not just from the alumni, but also from the now defunct academy and also members of the Covenant church. 

EDIT:  I forgot the Anderson Chapel.

NPU has received some very nice gifts over the past generation, that's true. But it's giving from a few very wealthy alumni (A. Harold Anderson; the Helwig family), the widow of an alumnus (Bernice Brandel), and the husband of an alumna (Mike Holmgren). It's not very broad-based at the upper giving levels, which is what I meant by saying that NPU doesn't churn out a lot of big-time business entrepreneurs.

[Gotberg]

How many wealthy alums are around who can be persuaded to reach down into their deep pockets and withdraw a bundle of cash for your new athletic facility?

And woe to you if your school mostly turns out teachers, preachers, and nurses -- like a certain institution on Chicago's North Side at the corner of Foster & Kedzie -- rather than a steady stream of captains of industry.

Greg,

I don't think North Park alums can complain too much about lack of donations to the school over the last 10 or 15 years.  If you think about the transformation, it's really quite astonishing.  Between the Brandel library, the Holmgren athletic center, the Helwig Rec Center, the development of the mid-campus green space and the already $30 million committed towards the $40 million science building, that's probably a total of $70 million or so.

North Park is fortunate to draw not just from the alumni, but also from the now defunct academy and also members of the Covenant church. 

EDIT:  I forgot the Anderson Chapel.

NPU has received some very nice gifts over the past generation, that's true. But it's giving from a few very wealthy alumni (A. Harold Anderson; the Helwig family), the widow of an alumnus (Bernice Brandel), and the husband and father of an alumni (Mike Holmgren). It's not very broad-based at the upper giving levels, which is what I meant by saying that NPU doesn't churn out a lot of big-time business entrepreneurs.

Well, we can discuss this further when we see each other the next time.  In the meantime, I had to make a small correction to your previous statement

[Gregory Sager]

How many wealthy alums are around who can be persuaded to reach down into their deep pockets and withdraw a bundle of cash for your new athletic facility?

And woe to you if your school mostly turns out teachers, preachers, and nurses -- like a certain institution on Chicago's North Side at the corner of Foster & Kedzie -- rather than a steady stream of captains of industry.

Greg,

I don't think North Park alums can complain too much about lack of donations to the school over the last 10 or 15 years.  If you think about the transformation, it's really quite astonishing.  Between the Brandel library, the Holmgren athletic center, the Helwig Rec Center, the development of the mid-campus green space and the already $30 million committed towards the $40 million science building, that's probably a total of $70 million or so.

North Park is fortunate to draw not just from the alumni, but also from the now defunct academy and also members of the Covenant church. 

EDIT:  I forgot the Anderson Chapel.

NPU has received some very nice gifts over the past generation, that's true. But it's giving from a few very wealthy alumni (A. Harold Anderson; the Helwig family), the widow of an alumnus (Bernice Brandel), and the husband and father of an alumni (Mike Holmgren). It's not very broad-based at the upper giving levels, which is what I meant by saying that NPU doesn't churn out a lot of big-time business entrepreneurs.

Well, we can discuss this further when we see each other the next time.  In the meantime, I had to make a small correction to your previous statement

I will further correct your correction by pointing out that, since his wife and daughters are North Park graduates but he has no sons that are North Park graduates, he is the husband and father of alumnae, since proper grammatical inflection dictates that "alumni" is used only in the case of plural males, plural mixed gender, or plural unknown gender.

(Carthage and/or North Central fans complaining about my Latin lesson in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...)

[Augie6]

As someone who played there in the very recent past and also coached there for one year; I feel like I can offer some insight.  The administration has definitely been lacking in its support of athletics and the football program.  Money has been extremely hard to come by, and the administration at the top is not fully committed to putting a winning program out there.  The football field needs various upgrades, but there has been little done.  Additionally, Augie has a hard time competing with the financial packages that other similiar colleges offer.  Time after time Augie isn't even close financially to similar institutions, and although money is not THE deciding factor it has quite the influence with many kids/ their parents and the decisions they make.  As for the facilities, let's be honest, Augie is near the bottom in terms of its football stadium in the CCIW.  Although once again facilities are not THE deciding factor, all this stuff adds up.  Additionally, as many have said the rise of other programs has made it tougher on Augie as it has on all the schools in the CCIW.  I would say do not fault Cushman for the start they have had to this year, he needs a bigger body of work before anyone can judge him.  Maybe it is the players, maybe there's other various factors this year.  All I can say, is that Cushman is a great football mind, and a workaholic.  I believe he will right the ship, but time will tell.  I know some might respond that just because the players like him does not make him a great coach blah blah blah, but I full heartily, as unbiased of an opinion as I can offer,  believe Augie will contend again in the near future.  Lastly, the administration has shown a bit of a turnaround in its' support of Athletics ever since Zapolski took over as AD.  He got the new Lacrosse/ soccer field done and word is that the football field/stadium is next.  It is not as cloudy at Augie as it may seem to many from the outside.  There is hope over at Augie, and let's not forget, 6 games remain on the CCIW slate.  Anything can happen.

21,

I appreciate your loyalty to Cushman, but how can you not place blame on the head coach's shoulders.  If he has such a great football mind, how can the defense be giving up 24 pts and 365 yards per game when there are seven starters returning from a decent defense in 2010?  Must be the fault of the completely inexperienced D coordinator who, I'm sure, Coach Cushman had no say in hiring.  How can you not place blame on the coaching staff when you lose two games in consecutive weeks by giving up 30+ yard completions with seconds left in the game to allow a field goal to beat you?  If he is such a great coach and the players will play so hard for him, how come they weren't  ready to play in the season opener when they give up 300 yards in the first half and fell behind Dubuque by three touchdowns?  Obviously, the 0-4 start isn't all on the coaching staff, but they certainly shoulder a significant portion of the responsibility for the season to date. 

I haven't forgotten there are 6 games left in the season, but the reality is that Augie will be lucky to win 3 of those.  I know we played at different times in Augie's history, but 3-7 or 4-6 isn't getting it done, regardless of when you played.  I believe you are only a couple of years out of school, so from a history perspective, the last time Augie had a losing record was 1978. 

I agree that 4 games doesn't make a career and, who knows, maybe things will turn around at Augie.  However, Coach Cushman's 10+ year record as a head coach (now under .500), witnessing games when he was Augie's D Coordinator, and his hiring of two completely inexperienced coaches to run the O and D, doesn't give me any confidence that he will be the coach to lead Augie back to prominence at the national level.  It may be an impossible task for any coach, if the administration is as uncommitted to fielding a strong program as many alum seem to think that they are (one point that we do agree on). 

[oldnuthin]

The game this week will be a pivotal point to see if Millikin can finish in the black this season. After 4 games, the Millikin offense is averaging 34.5 points per game compared to Carthage putting up 18.5 per game. The Millikin O is averaging 388 ypg compared to Carthage which is at 256 per game. The big difference here is in the passing where by Millikin is over 100 ypg more than Carthage.

   The defense is more favorable statistically to Carthage. The Carthage D is very stout against the run allowing a stingy 2 yards a carry. The Millikin D is allowing 2x that amount. Last year the Millikin D  all but shut down the vaunted Carthage passing game, only to have the Redmen adjust and just run the ball off tackle the rest of the day. If Millikin can do the reverse on D and make Carthage a passing team, the defense will have done its share.

  On offense, it looks statically like they will have a hard time running the ball. A strong dose of thunder and lighting, Rousch and Dunning, will allow for Millikin to control the clock. Sprinkle in some timely passing, without any ints, and I think you have the recipe for a Millikin win. I expect this to be a low scoring hard fought game. GO BIG BLUE

[Veinteuno]

As someone who played there in the very recent past and also coached there for one year; I feel like I can offer some insight.  The administration has definitely been lacking in its support of athletics and the football program.  Money has been extremely hard to come by, and the administration at the top is not fully committed to putting a winning program out there.  The football field needs various upgrades, but there has been little done.  Additionally, Augie has a hard time competing with the financial packages that other similiar colleges offer.  Time after time Augie isn't even close financially to similar institutions, and although money is not THE deciding factor it has quite the influence with many kids/ their parents and the decisions they make.  As for the facilities, let's be honest, Augie is near the bottom in terms of its football stadium in the CCIW.  Although once again facilities are not THE deciding factor, all this stuff adds up.  Additionally, as many have said the rise of other programs has made it tougher on Augie as it has on all the schools in the CCIW.  I would say do not fault Cushman for the start they have had to this year, he needs a bigger body of work before anyone can judge him.  Maybe it is the players, maybe there's other various factors this year.  All I can say, is that Cushman is a great football mind, and a workaholic.  I believe he will right the ship, but time will tell.  I know some might respond that just because the players like him does not make him a great coach blah blah blah, but I full heartily, as unbiased of an opinion as I can offer,  believe Augie will contend again in the near future.  Lastly, the administration has shown a bit of a turnaround in its' support of Athletics ever since Zapolski took over as AD.  He got the new Lacrosse/ soccer field done and word is that the football field/stadium is next.  It is not as cloudy at Augie as it may seem to many from the outside.  There is hope over at Augie, and let's not forget, 6 games remain on the CCIW slate.  Anything can happen.

21,

I appreciate your loyalty to Cushman, but how can you not place blame on the head coach's shoulders.  If he has such a great football mind, how can the defense be giving up 24 pts and 365 yards per game when there are seven starters returning from a decent defense in 2010?  Must be the fault of the completely inexperienced D coordinator who, I'm sure, Coach Cushman had no say in hiring.  How can you not place blame on the coaching staff when you lose two games in consecutive weeks by giving up 30+ yard completions with seconds left in the game to allow a field goal to beat you?  If he is such a great coach and the players will play so hard for him, how come they weren't  ready to play in the season opener when they give up 300 yards in the first half and fell behind Dubuque by three touchdowns?  Obviously, the 0-4 start isn't all on the coaching staff, but they certainly shoulder a significant portion of the responsibility for the season to date. 

I haven't forgotten there are 6 games left in the season, but the reality is that Augie will be lucky to win 3 of those.  I know we played at different times in Augie's history, but 3-7 or 4-6 isn't getting it done, regardless of when you played.  I believe you are only a couple of years out of school, so from a history perspective, the last time Augie had a losing record was 1978. 

I agree that 4 games doesn't make a career and, who knows, maybe things will turn around at Augie.  However, Coach Cushman's 10+ year record as a head coach (now under .500), witnessing games when he was Augie's D Coordinator, and his hiring of two completely inexperienced coaches to run the O and D, doesn't give me any confidence that he will be the coach to lead Augie back to prominence at the national level.  It may be an impossible task for any coach, if the administration is as uncommitted to fielding a strong program as many alum seem to think that they are (one point that we do agree on).

Augie 6,
Let me start out by saying I am not trying to have an argument with you, by any means.  However, I would like to address a couple of your points. I shouldn't have said don't fault him because what I meant is that he should not shoulder all the load; obviously blame has to be placed on him, as well as the players, and other coaches.  As for the Defense's numbers right now I can't argue with you, but I would argue this does not necessarily reflect his football mind, but maybe the players are not getting it done.  I have not seen them play this year so I could not tell you, but as a coach you know that you can put your players in the right position and sometimes plays just are not being made.  At the same time you might be putting them in the wrong position and it is on you.  Yet I am sure there are various factors in this.  As for the new defensive coordinator, I realize this will not help out any point that I am trying to make, but Cushman still runs the defense, not the co defensive coordinators just wanted to clarify this.  As for the 30+ yard completions I really cannot put that on the coaches, not one bit.  That one I put fully on the players; I am sorry but as a player I think there is no excuse for this at the end of the game.  I am not at all in any shape or form condoning a losing record for Augie.  I too want to see Augie return to national prominence, but the reality is D3 football is not the same landscape it once was.  Furthermore, it would take an unyielding support from the administration to move in that direction, and as of right now it does not look that way as we both agree on. 

Now, I completely understand where your post was coming from because I was wrong in making it seem like I thought he deserved no blame.  As i said earlier, I just wanted to hammer home the point that the players must be accountable too.  Here's to hoping Augie turns it around this year.  Are you attending the game on Saturday?

[emma17]

CCIW folk,
I noticed on your Pickem's that Elmhurst did not receive any picks. 
I don't know the team well but did have them ranked at one point and they are still on my watch list for top 25.  Am I way off on their ability?
   

[HoosierRedMan]

The game this week will be a pivotal point to see if Millikin can finish in the black this season. After 4 games, the Millikin offense is averaging 34.5 points per game compared to Carthage putting up 18.5 per game. The Millikin O is averaging 388 ypg compared to Carthage which is at 256 per game. The big difference here is in the passing where by Millikin is over 100 ypg more than Carthage.

   The defense is more favorable statistically to Carthage. The Carthage D is very stout against the run allowing a stingy 2 yards a carry. The Millikin D is allowing 2x that amount. Last year the Millikin D  all but shut down the vaunted Carthage passing game, only to have the Redmen adjust and just run the ball off tackle the rest of the day. If Millikin can do the reverse on D and make Carthage a passing team, the defense will have done its share.

  On offense, it looks statically like they will have a hard time running the ball. A strong dose of thunder and lighting, Rousch and Dunning, will allow for Millikin to control the clock. Sprinkle in some timely passing, without any ints, and I think you have the recipe for a Millikin win. I expect this to be a low scoring hard fought game. GO BIG BLUE

I too expect a low scoring game.  The Carthage D has played very well this season and have helped them win their 3 games.  The Carthage O is still looking for consistancy, last week against NC they had a couple of decent drives.  However, once they got near the NC 30 yard line the NC defense just up and stuffed them.

I am looking forward to an entertaing football game.

[Mugsy]

CCIW folk,
I noticed on your Pickem's that Elmhurst did not receive any picks. 
I don't know the team well but did have them ranked at one point and they are still on my watch list for top 25.  Am I way off on their ability?

I would not put them in a top 25 category.  Elmhurst historically starts off strong (3-0 or 4-0) due to a relatively soft non-conference schedule and then finishes the CCIW slate with a below .500 record.  Since 1999 only once has Elmhurst had a CCIW record greater than .500 (2008, 4-3 in CCIW).  Every year Elmhurst shows promise up until week 5, then when they hit the tough part of the conference schedule they come back down to earth.  Seems like every year they start getting some comments (both in CCIW board, as well as nationally) as to whether or not "this is the year."

Elmhurst does have a very solid running game, experienced QB and solid defense.  As such I could see them knocking off one of the perceived CCIW contenders (NCC, IWU or Wheaton), but at this point I don't see them doing better than 1-2 against those teams.  That would not be a top 25 team.

Here are the Elmhurst records since 1999:
2011 (3-1, 1-0 CCIW)
2010 (6-4, 3-4 CCIW) - Started 4-0, lost to Wheaton & IWU consecutively (in very close games)
2009 (4-6, 1-6 CCIW)
2008 (7-3, 4-3 CCIW)
2007 (6-4, 3-4 CCIW) - Started 4-0, lost to Augie, NCC, IWU & Wheaton consecutively
2006 (6-4, 3-4 CCIW) - Started 4-0, lost to Augie & NCC consecutively
2005 (6-4, 3-4 CCIW) - Started 5-0, lost to Wheaton, NCC & Augie consecutively
2004 (4-6, 1-6 CCIW)
2003 (6-4, 3-4 CCIW)
2002 (3-7, 1-6 CCIW)
2001 (2-8, 1-6 CCIW)
2000 (2-8, 1-6 CCIW)
1999 (2-7, 1-6 CCIW)

As you can see, between 2003 and 2010 Elmhurst went 3-0 in non-conference games, only to stumble in conference play. They have had the occasional upset here and there (Wheaton a few times), but they haven't had a break out year.

[79jaybird]

Ah Mugs included the year of the  22-16 win  which I was a part of and probably my single most memorable game at EC.
Emma17-  (I like your screen name as that is my daughter's name) 

Elmhurst has not played anybody in the non conference that would be viewed as a "strong top25 team" since Ohio Wesleyan and without looking at a score sheet, can tell you we lost both games big.

Back when Journell was the HC, we had some of our non-taped pregame talks and he wanted to schedule a lower tier UW school.  Then he accepted his current position, and well you can see those talks have obviously ceased at present. 

Why would you even think of putting Elmhurst in the Top25?  Whom have they beat and/or competed well against for an extended period (other than 1 "lucky" game)? 

Elmhurst continues to be a 3rd or 4th place team right now.  Back in 1999, we had some star athletes (i.e. Dallas Till at LB  or Chris Welter RB) but as a team,  we were not that good.  The 2011 squad seems to have more star caliber athletes in the deck of cards,  but until they actually (and consistently) beat some of the stronger teams in the CCIW,  they will be a 3rd or 4th slotted team.

[Mugsy]

Ah Mugs included the year of the  22-16 win  which I was a part of and probably my single most memorable game at EC.
Emma17-  (I like your screen name as that is my daughter's name) 

Elmhurst has not played anybody in the non conference that would be viewed as a "strong top25 team" since Ohio Wesleyan and without looking at a score sheet, can tell you we lost both games big.

Back when Journell was the HC, we had some of our non-taped pregame talks and he wanted to schedule a lower tier UW school.  Then he accepted his current position, and well you can see those talks have obviously ceased at present. 

Why would you even think of putting Elmhurst in the Top25?  Whom have they beat and/or competed well against for an extended period (other than 1 "lucky" game)? 

Elmhurst continues to be a 3rd or 4th place team right now.  Back in 1999, we had some star athletes (i.e. Dallas Till at LB  or Chris Welter RB) but as a team,  we were not that good.  The 2011 squad seems to have more star caliber athletes in the deck of cards,  but until they actually (and consistently) beat some of the stronger teams in the CCIW,  they will be a 3rd or 4th slotted team.

I would say solely looking at scores Elmhurst's 2010 season was close to a breakout season, though you know what "close" gets you.

Overall: 6-4 - Conference: 3-4
9/4 at Loras •  W, 26-14   
9/11 at Olivet •  W, 37-7 
9/18 vs. Chicago •  W, 31-20
10/2 at North Park * •  W, 45-0   
10/9 vs. Wheaton (Ill.) * •  L, 27-24
10/16 at Illinois Wesleyan * •  L, 30-26   
10/23 at Millikin * •  W, 40-34
10/30 vs. North Central (Ill.) * •  L, 47-13
11/6 vs. Augustana * •  W, 35-21
11/13 at Carthage * •  L, 28-6 

Without stretching too far, 8-2 was possible.  Two tough losses to Wheaton & IWU.  Elmhurst had Wheaton on the ropes in Elmhurst, leading 24-14 at the half.

[emma17]

Ah Mugs included the year of the  22-16 win  which I was a part of and probably my single most memorable game at EC.
Emma17-  (I like your screen name as that is my daughter's name) 

Elmhurst has not played anybody in the non conference that would be viewed as a "strong top25 team" since Ohio Wesleyan and without looking at a score sheet, can tell you we lost both games big.

Back when Journell was the HC, we had some of our non-taped pregame talks and he wanted to schedule a lower tier UW school.  Then he accepted his current position, and well you can see those talks have obviously ceased at present. 

Why would you even think of putting Elmhurst in the Top25?  Whom have they beat and/or competed well against for an extended period (other than 1 "lucky" game)? 
Elmhurst continues to be a 3rd or 4th place team right now.  Back in 1999, we had some star athletes (i.e. Dallas Till at LB  or Chris Welter RB) but as a team,  we were not that good.  The 2011 squad seems to have more star caliber athletes in the deck of cards,  but until they actually (and consistently) beat some of the stronger teams in the CCIW,  they will be a 3rd or 4th slotted team.

My rationale (or irrational):
First, I have no allegiance to Elmhurst, but I like the CCIW as a conference and believe it is one of the top 4 conferences in the country (not 1 and not 4).
The mere fact that NCC, Wheaton and IW could beat Elmhurst isn't reason enough for me not to rank Elmhurst.  I figure a team in the top 20-25 should lose to a team in the top 15.       
Mugsy's last post hit on a good part of why I consider them top 25 potential- they played very tough in 2010 except NCC.
I like Tim Lester- he knows how to win.  I watched him play football at WWS HS for NCC Coach Thorne- that's a great teacher to have.
They have 18 returning starters from a team that played very tough last year.
Their loss to Chicago seems like a fluke (no disrespect to Chicago) given the statistics.   

[Mugsy]

Ah Mugs included the year of the  22-16 win  which I was a part of and probably my single most memorable game at EC.
Emma17-  (I like your screen name as that is my daughter's name) 

Elmhurst has not played anybody in the non conference that would be viewed as a "strong top25 team" since Ohio Wesleyan and without looking at a score sheet, can tell you we lost both games big.

Back when Journell was the HC, we had some of our non-taped pregame talks and he wanted to schedule a lower tier UW school.  Then he accepted his current position, and well you can see those talks have obviously ceased at present. 

Why would you even think of putting Elmhurst in the Top25?  Whom have they beat and/or competed well against for an extended period (other than 1 "lucky" game)? 
Elmhurst continues to be a 3rd or 4th place team right now.  Back in 1999, we had some star athletes (i.e. Dallas Till at LB  or Chris Welter RB) but as a team,  we were not that good.  The 2011 squad seems to have more star caliber athletes in the deck of cards,  but until they actually (and consistently) beat some of the stronger teams in the CCIW,  they will be a 3rd or 4th slotted team.

My rationale (or irrational):
First, I have no allegiance to Elmhurst, but I like the CCIW as a conference and believe it is one of the top 4 conferences in the country (not 1 and not 4).
The mere fact that NCC, Wheaton and IW could beat Elmhurst isn't reason enough for me not to rank Elmhurst.  I figure a team in the top 20-25 should lose to a team in the top 15.       
Mugsy's last post hit on a good part of why I consider them top 25 potential- they played very tough in 2010 except NCC.
I like Tim Lester- he knows how to win.  I watched him play football at WWS HS for NCC Coach Thorne- that's a great teacher to have.
They have 18 returning starters from a team that played very tough last year.
Their loss to Chicago seems like a fluke (no disrespect to Chicago) given the statistics.

I see your rationale, but I have reservations. 

Even if Elmhurst beats Wheaton this week I still don't put Elmhurst in the top 25.  Instead I would have serious questions as to whether or not Wheaton is truly a top 25 team (I currently already have a few concerns with regards to that).

Now... if Elmhurst follows up a win over Wheaton with a win over IWU.  Then you've got a stronger case.

Right now I've got a decade worth of results that gives me little confidence that this year will be anything different for Elmhurst.  Until they break through, I don't seem them as more that 6-4 or 5-5 (7-3 at best).