FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Always.A.Titan]

I don't think IWU has faced a defense as good as NCC's to this point. The Cardinals rank #1 in total defense
I don't think IWU has faced a pass defense as good as NCC's to this point. The Cards also rank #1 in pass defense efficiency.
NCC has a very fast and hard hitting defense.

I will say scoring is more important than yards most Saturdays.

SCORING DEFENSE          G   TD  XP 2XP DXP  FG Saf  Pts   Avg
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Illinois Wesleyan...  6    4   1   0   0   6   0   43   7.2
2. Carthage............  6    9   9   0   0   5   2   82  13.7
3. North Central.......  6   12  12   0   0   2   1   92  15.3
4. Wheaton.............  6   15  10   0   0   2   1  108  18.0
5. Augustana...........  6   17  11   1   0   6   0  133  22.2
6. Elmhurst............  6   19  15   0   0   7   0  150  25.0
7. North Park..........  6   23  21   0   0   3   0  168  28.0
8. Millikin............  6   28  17   1   0   1   0  190  31.7

[Always.A.Titan]

I am all over the place this morning...

Another interesting story will be penalties. From reading the board, NCC has had some hiccups every now and then. But it seems IWU is prone to a couple personal fouls each game. I think discipline will play a big role in this game. In the recent years, IWU-NCC games have not always been the cleanest games. I know the last time Naperville came down to play in Bloomington, there were a lot of words on the field and from the field to the sideline and the sideline to the field.

[lakeshore]

The wind was definitely a factor for wheaton there was a strong breeze across the field and from the Foster end of the field. Meadors throws were definitely affected, most notably on the 4th down in the second half when he tried to throw a deep out cut to Hiben, the nose of the ball got caught in the wind and it fluttered short and out of bounds. Also on the deep ball to Zeller that was nearly picked off, Meador does not underthrow a receiver by 7-8yds unless the wind is a factor.

2.  The wind played a major factor in the game on passes by both teams and punt returns that were bobbled and/or muffed.

Granted, I was in the press box and thus higher up than everyone else in the stands. But I spoke to several people who were down on the field during the game, and they each stated that the wind was not a factor except on the higher punts. NPU's bobbled and/or muffed passes were all minimally-arced spirals that hit the receivers either in the hands or on the numbers.

hmmm...even the scorebook describes the game as "windy"

[lakeshore]

I hate to say this out loud (and it pains me to say it as an NCC alum), but I am leaning towards picking the Weenies this weekend.

Wow, I don't know you came to that choice. IWU was not impressive in their non-conference games. They beat  a middle of the pack Elmhurst team by less than 2 TDs and a Wheaton team by less than 1 TD. Even Mugsy has questioned whether Wheaton really is a top 25 team. Wheaton played closer than expected games against North Park and Olivet. I don't think this is one of the stronger teams from Wheaton.

Dicken hasn't face a top defense, but neither has Gallick.

Wheaton outgained Elmhurst and NCC vs. Olivet this season.

IWU beat Wheaton by 5 points and Wheaton fumbles on the 3rd play of the game inside their own 10 yard line which set up a short TD run and early 7-0 lead for IWU.  Turned out to be the deciding score.  Wheaton also outgained IWU in the game.  I agree with most posters that NCC wins this game in a route. 

[NCF]

I hate to say this out loud (and it pains me to say it as an NCC alum), but I am leaning towards picking the Weenies this weekend.

Wow, I don't know you came to that choice. IWU was not impressive in their non-conference games. They beat  a middle of the pack Elmhurst team by less than 2 TDs and a Wheaton team by less than 1 TD. Even Mugsy has questioned whether Wheaton really is a top 25 team. Wheaton played closer than expected games against North Park and Olivet. I don't think this is one of the stronger teams from Wheaton.

Dicken hasn't face a top defense, but neither has Gallick.

As far as IWU being not impressive...
They were starting a brand new backfield on offense as well as filling in the offensive line. They did what they had to do to win their games. That meant relying on a great defense and grinding games out. Then, they lost their starting running back for a few weeks. They have been just fine in the first 6 weeks of the year. Each snap was another little bit of experience for the offensive players and they are turning into a pretty good unit. They may not be putting up 80 and blowing people out, but they are still undefeated.

Only 4 days, 13 hours and 30 minutes until kick-off--Let the War Games Continue!!!
*To quote my favorite football player "It will be a battle. They are a SOLID team."
The only thing that matters on Saturday is the VICTORY!! You can throw stats out the window with what's at stake this week-end.

[NCF]

I hate to say this out loud (and it pains me to say it as an NCC alum), but I am leaning towards picking the Weenies this weekend.

Wow, I don't know you came to that choice. IWU was not impressive in their non-conference games. They beat  a middle of the pack Elmhurst team by less than 2 TDs and a Wheaton team by less than 1 TD. Even Mugsy has questioned whether Wheaton really is a top 25 team. Wheaton played closer than expected games against North Park and Olivet. I don't think this is one of the stronger teams from Wheaton.

Dicken hasn't face a top defense, but neither has Gallick.

Wheaton outgained Elmhurst and NCC vs. Olivet this season.

IWU beat Wheaton by 5 points and Wheaton fumbles on the 3rd play of the game inside their own 10 yard line which set up a short TD run and early 7-0 lead for IWU.  Turned out to be the deciding score.  Wheaton also outgained IWU in the game.  I agree with most posters that NCC wins this game in a route.

And both Elmhurst and North Central put more points on the board. So your point is...? I would rather outscore than outgain any day

[Always.A.Titan]

You can throw stats out the window with what's at stake this week-end.

As a wise man once said....

"Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that." ~ Homer J Simpson

[robertgoulet]

I hate to say this out loud (and it pains me to say it as an NCC alum), but I am leaning towards picking the Weenies this weekend.

Wow, I don't know you came to that choice. IWU was not impressive in their non-conference games. They beat  a middle of the pack Elmhurst team by less than 2 TDs and a Wheaton team by less than 1 TD. Even Mugsy has questioned whether Wheaton really is a top 25 team. Wheaton played closer than expected games against North Park and Olivet. I don't think this is one of the stronger teams from Wheaton.

Dicken hasn't face a top defense, but neither has Gallick.

Wheaton outgained Elmhurst and NCC vs. Olivet this season.

IWU beat Wheaton by 5 points and Wheaton fumbles on the 3rd play of the game inside their own 10 yard line which set up a short TD run and early 7-0 lead for IWU.  Turned out to be the deciding score.  Wheaton also outgained IWU in the game.  I agree with most posters that NCC wins this game in a route.

Just submitted my picks and picked NCC. I get to keep my old NCC student ID for another week!

[ncc58]

Here's something that I'm a bit concerned about.  How does Dicken respond to playing against a great defense, on the road for their homecoming, IN HIS HOMETOWN!  If he plays well there, it's a huge step for him and the beloved Cards!  This kid is for real.  He will get his money's worth on Saturday!  As much as I dislike stormin Norman, I really feel he's doing a great job with this group of Green Weenies!  Has the potential to be a great game!

Two years ago, Fanthorpe was injured against IWU and Stanek came into the game. It was the first time Stanek played when the games was not decided, and against an extremely good defense. He didn't play poorly but he didn't play great either. NCC was working with a limited playbook. Not so with Dicken.

The whole plan to move Dicken into the starting lineup against Augie was that so he had time to be ready for the IWU game. He played the entire Augie game, even when it was close in the 4th quarter. Last week, Dicken played at Millikin where his cousin was a star QB. He's well prepared to play in his hometown. Dicken has a strong, accurate arm and runs the option well. There's no question that he's the best QB on the NCC roster.

[Gregory Sager]

The wind was definitely a factor for wheaton there was a strong breeze across the field and from the Foster end of the field. Meadors throws were definitely affected, most notably on the 4th down in the second half when he tried to throw a deep out cut to Hiben, the nose of the ball got caught in the wind and it fluttered short and out of bounds. Also on the deep ball to Zeller that was nearly picked off, Meador does not underthrow a receiver by 7-8yds unless the wind is a factor.

2.  The wind played a major factor in the game on passes by both teams and punt returns that were bobbled and/or muffed.

Granted, I was in the press box and thus higher up than everyone else in the stands. But I spoke to several people who were down on the field during the game, and they each stated that the wind was not a factor except on the higher punts. NPU's bobbled and/or muffed passes were all minimally-arced spirals that hit the receivers either in the hands or on the numbers.

hmmm...even the scorebook describes the game as "windy"

And where was the live stats crew that logged the scorebook? In the press box. Seriously, though, that's why after the game I bothered to ask people who were on the field what the wind was like down there during the game. I realize that conditions can be different up high in the press box than they are down on the field.

[Mugsy]

Here's something that I'm a bit concerned about.  How does Dicken respond to playing against a great defense, on the road for their homecoming, IN HIS HOMETOWN!  If he plays well there, it's a huge step for him and the beloved Cards!  This kid is for real.  He will get his money's worth on Saturday!  As much as I dislike stormin Norman, I really feel he's doing a great job with this group of Green Weenies!  Has the potential to be a great game!

Two years ago, Fanthorpe was injured against IWU and Stanek came into the game. It was the first time Stanek played when the games was not decided, and against an extremely good defense. He didn't play poorly but he didn't play great either. NCC was working with a limited playbook. Not so with Dicken.

The whole plan to move Dicken into the starting lineup against Augie was that so he had time to be ready for the IWU game. He played the entire Augie game, even when it was close in the 4th quarter. Last week, Dicken played at Millikin where his cousin was a star QB. He's well prepared to play in his hometown. Dicken has a strong, accurate arm and runs the option well. There's no question that he's the best QB on the NCC roster.

Dicken may well be "the real deal", but it is a good thing NCC has "19 RB's" you can hand it to and still get 7 yards a carry.

PASSING AVG/GAME   Team Cl  G Att Cmp Int  Pct.  Yds TD Avg/G
-------------------------------------------------------------
6. Dicken, Tyler..        NCC  FR  6  70  34   0  48.6  565  4  94.2

Dicken only completed 43% of his passes against Millikin, which is dead last in the CCIW in defensive pass efficiency.

Having a freshman take the burden of a game of this magnitude having only thrown the ball 70 times, under 50% completions and 94 yards a game is a tall order.  I'm not sure Coach Thorne does that if he wasn't getting 300 yards a game rushing.

[NCF]

Here's something that I'm a bit concerned about.  How does Dicken respond to playing against a great defense, on the road for their homecoming, IN HIS HOMETOWN!  If he plays well there, it's a huge step for him and the beloved Cards!  This kid is for real.  He will get his money's worth on Saturday!  As much as I dislike stormin Norman, I really feel he's doing a great job with this group of Green Weenies!  Has the potential to be a great game!

Two years ago, Fanthorpe was injured against IWU and Stanek came into the game. It was the first time Stanek played when the games was not decided, and against an extremely good defense. He didn't play poorly but he didn't play great either. NCC was working with a limited playbook. Not so with Dicken.

The whole plan to move Dicken into the starting lineup against Augie was that so he had time to be ready for the IWU game. He played the entire Augie game, even when it was close in the 4th quarter. Last week, Dicken played at Millikin where his cousin was a star QB. He's well prepared to play in his hometown. Dicken has a strong, accurate arm and runs the option well. There's no question that he's the best QB on the NCC roster.

Dicken may well be "the real deal", but it is a good thing NCC has "19 RB's" you can hand it to and still get 7 yards a carry.

PASSING AVG/GAME   Team Cl  G Att Cmp Int  Pct.  Yds TD Avg/G
-------------------------------------------------------------
6. Dicken, Tyler..        NCC  FR  6  70  34   0  48.6  565  4  94.2

Dicken only completed 43% of his passes against Millikin, which is dead last in the CCIW in defensive pass efficiency.

Having a freshman take the burden of a game of this magnitude having only thrown the ball 70 times, under 50% completions and 94 yards a game is a tall order.  I'm not sure Coach Thorne does that if he wasn't getting 300 yards a game rushing.

I'm pretty Coach Thorne would not either.It is nice to have those "19 rb's"to hand the ball off to. Having all those fresh legs make it easier to run the ball. If you watched this qb play against Augie and Milikin, you'd know he still needs some work. He could have put a huge burden on the defense and turned the momentum over to Augie had he been sacked in the end zone late in the fourth quarter. Stanek was a much more poised and efficient qb as a freshman. If NC can keep the running game on track and Dicken is not under pressure to throw, then he'll be OK, if he has to pass, then I'm a little worried. I would not be surprised to see all three qb's at some point in Saturday's game, just to keep the defense guessing. This is IWU, not Augie or  Millikin. Playing in two games does not make you ready for the biggest game of the season(so far).

[robertgoulet]

Here's something that I'm a bit concerned about.  How does Dicken respond to playing against a great defense, on the road for their homecoming, IN HIS HOMETOWN!  If he plays well there, it's a huge step for him and the beloved Cards!  This kid is for real.  He will get his money's worth on Saturday!  As much as I dislike stormin Norman, I really feel he's doing a great job with this group of Green Weenies!  Has the potential to be a great game!

Two years ago, Fanthorpe was injured against IWU and Stanek came into the game. It was the first time Stanek played when the games was not decided, and against an extremely good defense. He didn't play poorly but he didn't play great either. NCC was working with a limited playbook. Not so with Dicken.

The whole plan to move Dicken into the starting lineup against Augie was that so he had time to be ready for the IWU game. He played the entire Augie game, even when it was close in the 4th quarter. Last week, Dicken played at Millikin where his cousin was a star QB. He's well prepared to play in his hometown. Dicken has a strong, accurate arm and runs the option well. There's no question that he's the best QB on the NCC roster.

It's amazing the 180 from the pre-season when the mention of the possibility that one of the freshmen QBs may have to play due to Stanek's departure was met with "Thorne wouldn't do that with the #4 ranked team", and now Stanek Dicken is the best QB on the roster. Now, I realize that it wasn't Gator or CardAlum who said that (I believe it was AO), but it's nuts how things change.

[NCF]

Here's something that I'm a bit concerned about.  How does Dicken respond to playing against a great defense, on the road for their homecoming, IN HIS HOMETOWN!  If he plays well there, it's a huge step for him and the beloved Cards!  This kid is for real.  He will get his money's worth on Saturday!  As much as I dislike stormin Norman, I really feel he's doing a great job with this group of Green Weenies!  Has the potential to be a great game!

Two years ago, Fanthorpe was injured against IWU and Stanek came into the game. It was the first time Stanek played when the games was not decided, and against an extremely good defense. He didn't play poorly but he didn't play great either. NCC was working with a limited playbook. Not so with Dicken.

The whole plan to move Dicken into the starting lineup against Augie was that so he had time to be ready for the IWU game. He played the entire Augie game, even when it was close in the 4th quarter. Last week, Dicken played at Millikin where his cousin was a star QB. He's well prepared to play in his hometown. Dicken has a strong, accurate arm and runs the option well. There's no question that he's the best QB on the NCC roster.

It's amazing the 180 from the pre-season when the mention of the possibility that one of the freshmen QBs may have to play due to Stanek's departure was met with "Thorne wouldn't do that with the #4 ranked team", and now Stanek is the best QB on the roster. Now, I realize that it wasn't Gator or CardAlum who said that (I believe it was AO), but it's nuts how things change.

Do you mean Dicken?

[robertgoulet]

Here's something that I'm a bit concerned about.  How does Dicken respond to playing against a great defense, on the road for their homecoming, IN HIS HOMETOWN!  If he plays well there, it's a huge step for him and the beloved Cards!  This kid is for real.  He will get his money's worth on Saturday!  As much as I dislike stormin Norman, I really feel he's doing a great job with this group of Green Weenies!  Has the potential to be a great game!

Two years ago, Fanthorpe was injured against IWU and Stanek came into the game. It was the first time Stanek played when the games was not decided, and against an extremely good defense. He didn't play poorly but he didn't play great either. NCC was working with a limited playbook. Not so with Dicken.

The whole plan to move Dicken into the starting lineup against Augie was that so he had time to be ready for the IWU game. He played the entire Augie game, even when it was close in the 4th quarter. Last week, Dicken played at Millikin where his cousin was a star QB. He's well prepared to play in his hometown. Dicken has a strong, accurate arm and runs the option well. There's no question that he's the best QB on the NCC roster.

It's amazing the 180 from the pre-season when the mention of the possibility that one of the freshmen QBs may have to play due to Stanek's departure was met with "Thorne wouldn't do that with the #4 ranked team", and now Stanek is the best QB on the roster. Now, I realize that it wasn't Gator or CardAlum who said that (I believe it was AO), but it's nuts how things change.

Do you mean Dicken?

That is correct, sir! oops.