FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I'm also suspicious of the claims that Mount Union is "down" this year. For them "down" means they're not a lock to win it all.

For all of you who think that MUC is "down" this year, Reality Check posted this on the OAC board a week or so ago. Last Year MUC vs. This Year MUC. I, for one, was a bit "scared" that MUC would be down this year with the loss of the DC (Coach Montgomery) to Emory & Henry, but was pleasantly surprised. If it wasn't for the off game vs. ONU (don't get me wrong, ONU played a great game and deserved to win) without their top WR, this would have ended up as another great regular season for the Purple Raiders.

2004  vs.  2005
42.1 PPG  vs.  43.9 PPG
10.9 PPG against  vs.  7.5  PPG against
213.8 YPG passing  vs.  313.2 YPG passing
454.5 total offense  vs.  541.6 total offense
223.1 total defense  vs.  200.6 total defense

[79jaybird]

I was at the NC/Cap game and what a great environment for football at Benedetti. Obviously, I would have liked to see NC advance however Capital is a great team, and very classy after their win.
I agree strongly with some earlier posters that the difference was NC's inability to put the game away after receiving turnovers.  POT (points off turnovers) were minute in comparison to the opportunitities.
I did not notice the officiating baffs towards the end of the game.  Still quite a season for North Central.
Congrats to Augie (and thank god a CCIW team won, so I can continue to cheer for a conf. team).  From the posts it seems the Augie/Lakeland game was much closer than people may have thought.  I think Lakeland surprised some people.
I would be eager to see a CCIW team be able to knock of Mt. Union in Alliance.  Hopefully Saturday will be the day.
Want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving, good luck to my alma mater (Prospect HS) downstate versus another Mount-  Carmel  and how about those Bears??   They are showing signs of the 85 Bears D. 

[matblake]

The Cap-NCC game sounds like it was really fun.  Too bad I was stuck in Michigan setting up Christmas decorations.  NCC had an awesome year and did amazing things for their football program this year.  Sounds like they had some difficulty in getting into the end zone when the turnover bug bit Capital.  Too bad about Spencer.  It always hurts when playmakers go down.

Kudos to Lakeland for hanging with the Vikings.  Sounds like the nothing to lose mentality pays off again.  However, the Vikings stepped it up when necessary again.  Gonna be a great test for Augie.  Mount is still the premier D3 football school.  The Mount offense versus the Augie D will where this game will take shape.  If Mount is able to get the quick scores as they have against the Vikings in the past, it might be a long afternoon for CCIW fans.

[matblake]

On a completely unrelated note, I expect fireworks between the NCAC and the OAC boards this week.  The Cap-Wabash match-up should spark some good banter fueled by the feelings about the other conference between these 2 conferences .

[vikes35]

dansand & kirasdad,

I agree with the idea that the game being even at MUC is a big stretch and I don't think that Mount Union is down this year. With that said I do believe that they are more beatable this year than they were in the past, and I think that is just as much Augie's doing than anyone else's. Augie will have to play a near perfect game, but I think this might be the year that we win. I agree with all when they say it should be one heck of a game.

[FormerCard]

Great game to watch on Saturday, NCC could never really find its mark and Capital earned the victory by making the plays when they needed to. 
I believe that the Cardinals will again be knocking on the playoff door next year.  NC will be losing alot of key seniors on both sides of the ball. On a positive note, it is nice to have some experience back @ the quarterback spot and in the defensive backfield because in non conference games (and conference games alike) those are the two places where alot of mistakes can occur and cost a team some early losses.

This team does have some quality seniors returning in Kniss, Bellazini, Bazant and Stuedemann (probably the captains for next year) that have all been playing since their freshman year.  I am pretty sure the entire O-Line is going to be back as well.

The departing seniors will be greatly missed.

[matblake]

Don't know much about the Augie versus Central game at the first of the year.   Being the Vikings only loss, anything from that particular game that caused the defeat (ie fumbles, poor clock management, one big play by Central) that Mount Union might focus in on when game planning?

[vikes35]

matblake,

The defense didn't show up when it needed to. The offense played fine, the game was back and forth, the D just didn't play like they did during the CCIW season. MUC might be able to get Augie on some draws and PA. Augie needs to work on that a little bit, but other than that the D just played horrible v. Central compared to most of their other games.

[matblake]

Thanks vikes

[OU#25]

I'm fortunate enough to be able to make the trip up from Cincinnati this weekend to see what should absolutely be a classic.  Former Augie Ken Anderson is still highly respected in these parts of Ohio.  I've followed Mount for over 20 years and am interested in seeing Augustana's O-Line vs. the MUC defense.  I really think that's where the game will be won.  Mount has not had too many problems scoring this season but has had some issues with strong rushing teams.  Mount has been very successful over the years by taking teams out of their gameplan and forcing them to play catchup.  The other thing about Mount is that they have been known in the past as a strong running team OR strong through the air and this year they've been effective at both.  Finally, I don't think that MUC is down this year but I do believe that the competition (OAC) is stronger than in recent years and therefore it appears that other teams are gaining on them or somehow they've weakened a bit.  Mount can be beat but it takes error free ball while winning the turnover battle.

[cufan]

First chance to post regarding the game.  WOW alot of big hits in the game.  Caps D played very well while missing 2 starters in the secondary.  Caps MLB is nasty!!!  I was impressed with NCC WR,s alot of YAC  and the D put alot of pressure on Rocky.  Just a great game.

Congrats on a great season.

[vikes35]

Go Thunder,

That is some major respect for Augie's big uglies. I have seen this group play all year and another thing to mention is they do not get tired. They have been 100 percent since game one. That is part of the reason that I have said on the OAC board that 5 down linemen would probably be a bad idea for MUC. They are extremely quick and 5 DL aren't going to fare too well against them. As for the running backs, they flat out like to hit. Whether they have the ball or are making a block they like to take it to the D. It should be an interesting game.

Interesting you mention the Augie team not being down big to anyone. They were down 7-0 and 42-36 to Elmhurst, and those were their biggest deficiets of the year. This is going to be one heck of a game if both teams show up and give it their all, which this fan fully expects.

[usee]

i would not go so far as to call this augie line the best oline ever. they are good, but thats a strong statement to make.

I think there is a sizeable competetive advantage for mt union in the film exchange. mt union gets wheaton, ncc, and elmhurst to review in preparation for augie. i don't think you could have picked 3 better films than those to prepare. LK is sure to take advantage. in the elmhurst game he will see how augie had trouble defending the shotgun spread w 5 in the box. they will also see a good defense get trampled. in ncc they will see how augie adjusted to the spread offense as well as how ncc adjusted to a good defense getting trampled. v wheaton LK will see again how to shut down the vaunted augie running attack and how not to lose a game (turnovers).

for its efforts, augie recieves two blowouts and a lackluster game against a sub 500 bw team. if muc doesn't come out smoking it won't be because they weren't prepared.

[Jim Matson]

I watched the St. John's/Mount Union game a few years ago.  Augie can beat Mount Union if they play their game and make no mistakes.

I also watched the Wheaton/Mount Union game a few years ago.  Mount Union will kill you if you make any mistakes.

[79jaybird]

I didn't know that the 7 point margins against Elmhurst were their largest deficits during the year.  The Augie conditioning and stamina were evident in that 4th quarter when Elmhurst was trying to pull away.  Augie's relentlessness prevented Elmhurst from pulling away and allow the offense to win the game.
I don't see Mt. Union being able to "stop" Augie's offense.  It's one of those situations where you try to "contain" it.  Should be a fun one in Alliance