FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Neverwas]

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!

I would be shocked if this game was close (10pts or less).  It is very possible I am wrong but I don't believe IWU is on the same level as NCC.  I don't really believe any CCIW school is on the same level.  This doesn't mean they can't drop a game but I just don't see IWU scoring enough to keep it close.  I would be surprised if they score more than 14pts.  IWU needs to create TO's and one or two special teams plays to have a shot.

[USee]

IL Gator- This Wheaton team is better than the one that played NCC last year and made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. I don't think its a top 10 team but they are definitely top 25 and probably top 15. I wouldn't judge IWU based on their non conf performance. Young Qb's have a way of growing up fast and are much tougher to play on the back half of the schedule than early on. IWU defense has been outstanding throughout.

I know this: I would much rather have the 9 seniors starting on defense on their home turf than to be counting on a frosh QB in a CCIW title game on the road. I think NCC is a better team on paper but this game is pretty close to a pickem for me based on the intangibles.

Winning title games on the road in the CCIW is much, much tougher than anyone on here is presuming.

[Neverwas]

IL Gator- This Wheaton team is better than the one that played NCC last year and made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. I don't think its a top 10 team but they are definitely top 25 and probably top 15. I wouldn't judge IWU based on their non conf performance. Young Qb's have a way of growing up fast and are much tougher to play on the back half of the schedule than early on. IWU defense has been outstanding throughout.

I know this: I would much rather have the 9 seniors starting on defense on their home turf than to be counting on a frosh QB in a CCIW title game on the road. I think NCC is a better team on paper but this game is pretty close to a pickem for me based on the intangibles.

Winning title games on the road in the CCIW is much, much tougher than anyone on here is presuming.

USee, I agree with all of what you say, particularly about Wheaton and I don't think it is easy to win road games, especially in Btown.  But, I also think there is something to be said about winning 5 straight CCIW titles.  NCC seems to just be reloading each year.  I know you cannot replace some of the talent they graduated last year but I believe they are a superior team.  That is why I would be shocked if it was closer than 21-10...24-14.  I might be completely wrong come Sunday but hey its my opinion.

[Titan Q]

But, I also think there is something to be said about winning 5 straight CCIW titles. 

Remember, IWU shared 2 of those championships with North Central (2007, 2009).  While not at the elite national level NCC has performed at in recent years, IWU has been a good program the last 4+ years...

CCIW record, 2007 - 2011 (last 4 full seasons plus 3 games this year)
North Central, 29-2 (5 titles)
Illinois Wesleyan, 22-9 (2 titles)
Wheaton, 22-9


During this stretch, IWU is 4-0 vs Wheaton and North Central in Bloomington:

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19

2009
IWU 28 North Central 22 (OT)
IWU 22 Wheaton 17

2007
IWU 18 Wheaton 14


There were some very good Cardinals/Thunder teams in there.

[robertgoulet]

But, I also think there is something to be said about winning 5 straight CCIW titles. 

Remember, IWU shared 2 of those championships with North Central (2007, 2009).  While not at the elite national level NCC has performed at in recent years, IWU has been a good program the last 4+ years...

CCIW record, 2007 - 2011 (last 4 full seasons plus 3 games this year)
North Central, 29-2 (5 titles)
Illinois Wesleyan, 22-9 (2 titles)
Wheaton, 22-9


During this stretch, IWU is 4-0 vs Wheaton and North Central in Bloomington:

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19

2009
IWU 28 North Central 22 (OT)
IWU 22 Wheaton 17

2007
IWU 18 Wheaton 14


There were some very good Cardinals/Thunder teams in there.

It's amazing to me that IWU and Wheaton have identical records in CCIW play (with IWU holding more titles) in the last 4 years, yet for some reason I (and I'm sure I'm not alone) ALWAYS think of Wheaton as a much better program. If you were to ask "Who had the 2nd best CCIW record behind NCC for the last 4 1/2 season?" I would have guessed Wheaton without a second thought.

[iwu70]

Q, some very interesting background.  Thanks you.  Should be a great game with a huge Homecoming crowd.

I'm sticking with my 24-21 IWU over NC this weekend.  I do hope, however, that Norm and the coaches do come up with a few crinkles, trick plays and a little more mis-direction this week on offense.  If anything over the past few years, IWU's offense has been pretty conservative and pretty predictable.  The passing and the receiving have been outstanding so far this year, but a little more trickeration, trapping and misdirection would, it seems to me, make defenses play the Titan offense a little more on their heels, keeping them honest.  Play action has been excellent in the 3 games I've seen to date. 

The Titan defense will, of course, be tested greatly this weekend, but they have been outstanding, marvelous all season -- with a clear "bend but don't break" type of D with everything pretty much kept in front of them, and Green jerseys flying to the ball all over the place.  It has been a beautiful thing to watch. 

This game could be decided by who prevents the "big plays," and which special teams unit comes out on top for kickoffs, punt returns etc.  IWU's kicking game is much much improved over previous years. 

Hope all the DIII chatsters make the trip to Bloomington for the "game of the year," at least so far. 

IWU 70

[NCF]

Q, some very interesting background.  Thanks you.  Should be a great game with a huge Homecoming crowd.

I'm sticking with my 24-21 IWU over NC this weekend.  I do hope, however, that Norm and the coaches do come up with a few crinkles, trick plays and a little more mis-direction this week on offense.  If anything over the past few years, IWU's offense has been pretty conservative and pretty predictable.  The passing and the receiving have been outstanding so far this year, but a little more trickeration, trapping and misdirection would, it seems to me, make defenses play the Titan offense a little more on their heels, keeping them honest.  Play action has been excellent in the 3 games I've seen to date. 

The Titan defense will, of course, be tested greatly this weekend, but they have been outstanding, marvelous all season -- with a clear "bend but don't break" type of D with everything pretty much kept in front of them, and Green jerseys flying to the ball all over the place.  It has been a beautiful thing to watch. 

This game could be decided by who prevents the "big plays," and which special teams unit comes out on top for kickoffs, punt returns etc.  IWU's kicking game is much much improved over previous years. 

Hope all the DIII chatsters make the trip to Bloomington for the "game of the year," at least so far. 

IWU 70

Will be there early to try and get a spot on the visitor's side. It should be a huge crowd for the Cards also, as NC fans travel well. I'm sticking with my NC victory by any margin. 

[shepherd]

But, I also think there is something to be said about winning 5 straight CCIW titles. 

Remember, IWU shared 2 of those championships with North Central (2007, 2009).  While not at the elite national level NCC has performed at in recent years, IWU has been a good program the last 4+ years...

CCIW record, 2007 - 2011 (last 4 full seasons plus 3 games this year)
North Central, 29-2 (5 titles)
Illinois Wesleyan, 22-9 (2 titles)
Wheaton, 22-9


During this stretch, IWU is 4-0 vs Wheaton and North Central in Bloomington:

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19

2009
IWU 28 North Central 22 (OT)
IWU 22 Wheaton 17

2007
IWU 18 Wheaton 14


There were some very good Cardinals/Thunder teams in there.

It's amazing to me that IWU and Wheaton have identical records in CCIW play (with IWU holding more titles) in the last 4 years, yet for some reason I (and I'm sure I'm not alone) ALWAYS think of Wheaton as a much better program. If you were to ask "Who had the 2nd best CCIW record behind NCC for the last 4 1/2 season?" I would have guessed Wheaton without a second thought.

During this same time the playoff records are as follows:

                 2007                        2008                                    2009                                  2010

IWU             0                             0                                        1-1                                    0
                                                                                           W-Wabash
                                                                                            L-UWW

Wheaton       0                           3-1                                         0                                     1-1 
                                              W-Trine                                                                            W-Coe
                                              W-Wabash                                                                        L-Bethel
                                              W-Franklin
                                               L-MU

NCC             1-1                        1-1                                           0                                     2-1
                   W-Franklin              W-Thomas Moore                                                               W-St Norbert
                   L-UWW                   L-Franklin                                                                         W-Ohio Northern
                                                                                                                                      L-UWW
IWU:       2 playoff games, 1-1 winning 50%
Wheaton: 6 playoff games, 4-2 winning 67%
NCC:        7 playoff games, 4-3 winning 57%     

[Mugsy]

But, I also think there is something to be said about winning 5 straight CCIW titles. 

Remember, IWU shared 2 of those championships with North Central (2007, 2009).  While not at the elite national level NCC has performed at in recent years, IWU has been a good program the last 4+ years...

CCIW record, 2007 - 2011 (last 4 full seasons plus 3 games this year)
North Central, 29-2 (5 titles)
Illinois Wesleyan, 22-9 (2 titles)
Wheaton, 22-9


During this stretch, IWU is 4-0 vs Wheaton and North Central in Bloomington:

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19

2009
IWU 28 North Central 22 (OT)
IWU 22 Wheaton 17

2007
IWU 18 Wheaton 14


There were some very good Cardinals/Thunder teams in there.

Just to show the other side of the coin, IWU is 0-5 against Wheaton & NCC away from Bloomington.   

2010: Wheaton 29 IWU 19
2010: NCC 30 IWU 7
2008: Wheaton 44 IWU 10
2008: NCC 30 IWU 7
2007: NCC 23 IWU 7

While Wheaton hasn't won a CCIW title in that timeframe they did go to the semifinals in 2008 and 2nd round in 2010.   

Unfortunately Wheaton is only 1-3 against NCC in that same period.  I won't go into the freakish amount of injuries sustained by Wheaton during the 2007 & 2009 seasons, since I've do so too many times before and it only leads to more frustration.

[Neverwas]

But, I also think there is something to be said about winning 5 straight CCIW titles. 

Remember, IWU shared 2 of those championships with North Central (2007, 2009).  While not at the elite national level NCC has performed at in recent years, IWU has been a good program the last 4+ years...

CCIW record, 2007 - 2011 (last 4 full seasons plus 3 games this year)
North Central, 29-2 (5 titles)
Illinois Wesleyan, 22-9 (2 titles)
Wheaton, 22-9


During this stretch, IWU is 4-0 vs Wheaton and North Central in Bloomington:

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19

2009
IWU 28 North Central 22 (OT)
IWU 22 Wheaton 17

2007
IWU 18 Wheaton 14


There were some very good Cardinals/Thunder teams in there.

Just to show the other side of the coin, IWU is 0-5 against Wheaton & NCC away from Bloomington.   

2010: Wheaton 29 IWU 19
2010: NCC 30 IWU 7
2008: Wheaton 44 IWU 10
2008: NCC 30 IWU 7
2007: NCC 23 IWU 7

While Wheaton hasn't won a CCIW title in that timeframe they did go to the semifinals in 2008 and 2nd round in 2010.   

Unfortunately Wheaton is only 1-3 against NCC in that same period.  I won't go into the freakish amount of injuries sustained by Wheaton during the 2007 & 2009 seasons, since I've do so too many times before and it only leads to more frustration.

ugh, don't remind me about 2007, such a bummer...

[Always.A.Titan]

Q, some very interesting background.  Thanks you.  Should be a great game with a huge Homecoming crowd.

I'm sticking with my 24-21 IWU over NC this weekend.  I do hope, however, that Norm and the coaches do come up with a few crinkles, trick plays and a little more mis-direction this week on offense.  If anything over the past few years, IWU's offense has been pretty conservative and pretty predictable.  The passing and the receiving have been outstanding so far this year, but a little more trickeration, trapping and misdirection would, it seems to me, make defenses play the Titan offense a little more on their heels, keeping them honest.  Play action has been excellent in the 3 games I've seen to date. 

The Titan defense will, of course, be tested greatly this weekend, but they have been outstanding, marvelous all season -- with a clear "bend but don't break" type of D with everything pretty much kept in front of them, and Green jerseys flying to the ball all over the place.  It has been a beautiful thing to watch. 

This game could be decided by who prevents the "big plays," and which special teams unit comes out on top for kickoffs, punt returns etc.  IWU's kicking game is much much improved over previous years. 

Hope all the DIII chatsters make the trip to Bloomington for the "game of the year," at least so far. 

IWU 70

I don't know about any crinkles going in. I am sure every coach has their favorite trick plays here and there. IWU tried to come out with a new crinkle on 09 and due to some extenuating circumstances (zebras trying to spot the ball after the opening kickoff while IWU was lined up in the new formation). By the time the ball was blown into play, NCC had recognized it and pretty much ruined the plan. Anyway, that was with a far more experience qb running the the show. For the most part, I see IWU sticking to the guns. If Stinde is back, I would look for a heavy dose of him and Coach Eash/Dicken maneuvering their wide outs and tight end to get them favorable matchups. That being said, I see NCC trying to pressure Gallik from the first snap which creates some 1 on 1 opportunity on the outside. Might be a big day for a couple of IWU receivers.

As long as Mike Martz doesn't call plays for either side, I see this as a physical battle for 4 qtrs (and maybe some extra time again?). I'll take IWU 21-17.

[Titan Q]

...Coach Eash/Dicken maneuvering their wide outs...

Hopefully IWU wins the battle of the Dickens!

http://www.iwusports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=211&path=football

http://northcentralcardinals.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4114&path=football

[NCF]

...Coach Eash/Dicken maneuvering their wide outs...

Hopefully IWU wins the battle of the Dickens!

http://www.iwusports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=211&path=football

http://northcentralcardinals.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4114&path=football

It would be better NC can beat the Dickens out of you

[matblake]

...Coach Eash/Dicken maneuvering their wide outs...

Hopefully IWU wins the battle of the Dickens!

http://www.iwusports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=211&path=football

http://northcentralcardinals.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4114&path=football

It would be better NC can beat the Dickens out of you

Oliver Twist,
Even David Copperfield could not beat this Tale of Two Cities that could happen this weekend.  Great Expectations are brewing for both sides.  Perhaps the battle in Bloomington would create enough lore to be chronicled in A Christmas Carol, but Nicholas Nickleby would have to be the judge of that.  For The Uncommercial Traveller, this game would definitely be worth the trip.  The final score will not be known until the final chime of Master Humphrey's Clock.

[NCF]

...Coach Eash/Dicken maneuvering their wide outs...

Hopefully IWU wins the battle of the Dickens!

http://www.iwusports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=211&path=football

http://northcentralcardinals.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4114&path=football

It would be better NC can beat the Dickens out of you

Oliver Twist,
Even David Copperfield could not beat this Tale of Two Cities that could happen this weekend.  Great Expectations are brewing for both sides.  Perhaps the battle in Bloomington would create enough lore to be chronicled in A Christmas Carol, but Nicholas Nickleby would have to be the judge of that.  For The Uncommercial Traveller, this game would definitely be worth the trip.  The final score will not be known until the final chime of Master Humphrey's Clock.
[/quote

Oh no--I've opened a Pandora's box o' Puns. And the drive down 55 is the easiest road trip to make, but very boring. Drink lots of caffeine.