FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

[Gregory Sager]

North Central bloggers:  You may have followed the latest DePauw University disfunction.  5 head football coaches in the last 9 years with the last 3 "fired" by DePauw administration (all were lawyered up as the result with one formal suit).  The latest was this past Sunday morning just after DePauw got clobbered by Whittenberg.  The athletic director for DePauw (the fire-or person) is Stevie Baker-Watson.  She has issued some beautiful non statements as the basis:  basically not wins/losses but failure of the coach to follow administrative guidlines/responsibilities when told to folloiw them ... whatever that is.  (And this decision made early Sunday morning after his team is pasted?). My question:  What was Stevie's tenure at North Central like?  What is the skinny as to why she would leave North Central, where I would perceive is a good athletic/sports enviornment and decent administration for DePauw?

Are there really multiple North Central football blogs? I'm impressed.

[NCF]

North Central bloggers:  You may have followed the latest DePauw University disfunction.  5 head football coaches in the last 9 years with the last 3 "fired" by DePauw administration (all were lawyered up as the result with one formal suit).  The latest was this past Sunday morning just after DePauw got clobbered by Whittenberg.  The athletic director for DePauw (the fire-or person) is Stevie Baker-Watson.  She has issued some beautiful non statements as the basis:  basically not wins/losses but failure of the coach to follow administrative guidlines/responsibilities when told to folloiw them ... whatever that is.  (And this decision made early Sunday morning after his team is pasted?). My question:  What was Stevie's tenure at North Central like?  What is the skinny as to why she would leave North Central, where I would perceive is a good athletic/sports enviornment and decent administration for DePauw?

Are there really multiple North Central football blogs? I'm impressed.

I didn't even know there was one?

[irisheagle]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

Depending on if wheaton has their starters back I think iwu will be a more likley chance for a w for the jays .. When do they play each team?

[NCF]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

Depending on if wheaton has their starters back I think iwu will be a more likley chance for a w for the jays .. When do they play each team?

Here is Elmhurst"s schedule:
www.elmhurstbluejays.com/schedule.aspx?path=football

[79jaybird]

"depending on if Wheaton has their starters back...etc."
Could be said for any team right now.  What happens to EC if Williams gets hurt? Injuries is something every team is going to have to deal with periodically throughout the season.  It's a grueling sport and tests both endurance and brawn. 

[Langhorst_Ghost]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

Well, certainly everyone in the chat room universe will have their own take and the viral venue to express that view...but with all due respect 79JB, your vision for the 2012 'Jays is definitely not a representation of the broader feeling in and around the program, that's for sure.  It's worth noting that you also had EC losing to Trine at home two weeks ago.

Your assertion is true: optimism and potential have been two buzz words swirling around Langhorst Field for years.  To use your words - "It takes time to graduate out of diapers"... but you can't wear diapers for ever" assumes that moving up to "big boy" underpants will, in fact, happen...inevitably, with time.  In my opinion, there has been no better time than right now. 

All that positive growth and potential has been building momentum and has been gaining financial, logistic, and administrative support for years.  The past can certainly influence, but certainly does not define the present, and yes, the 'Jays DO have to get it done ON the field if that potential is to transform into success.  But to write off these 'Jays as just some 2012 version of the status quo is to simply not recognize that they have outgrown your "diapers."

All that said, your scenario above with the "chalk" picks could possibly play out as you have predicted - NCC, WC, and IWU are certainly all high quality opponents and will each offer tremendous challenges to these 'Jays (heck - Carthage, Augie, and MU may be tough outs, as well).  That is a scenario, however, with which these players, these coaches, and these fans are no longer satisfied.  The raised expectations at EC are not manufactured holograms, they are indicative of a shift in philosophy, approach, and attitude within the program.

Of course, that all sounds great on a chat board, and on this we do agree - the players and coaches have to get it done on the field.  Where you and i differ, however, is that i believe they CAN and WILL get it done.

It's A Great Day to be a 'Jay! 

[NCF]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

Well, certainly everyone in the chat room universe will have their own take and the viral venue to express that view...but with all due respect 79JB, your vision for the 2012 'Jays is definitely not a representation of the broader feeling in and around the program, that's for sure.  It's worth noting that you also had EC losing to Trine at home two weeks ago.

Your assertion is true: optimism and potential have been two buzz words swirling around Langhorst Field for years.  To use your words - "It takes time to graduate out of diapers"... but you can't wear diapers for ever" assumes that moving up to "big boy" underpants will, in fact, happen...inevitably, with time.  In my opinion, there has been no better time than right now. 

All that positive growth and potential has been building momentum and has been gaining financial, logistic, and administrative support for years.  The past can certainly influence, but certainly does not define the present, and yes, the 'Jays DO have to get it done ON the field if that potential is to transform into success.  But to write off these 'Jays as just some 2012 version of the status quo is to simply not recognize that they have outgrown your "diapers."

All that said, your scenario above with the "chalk" picks could possibly play out as you have predicted - NCC, WC, and IWU are certainly all high quality opponents and will each offer tremendous challenges to these 'Jays (heck - Carthage, Augie, and MU may be tough outs, as well).  That is a scenario, however, with which these players, these coaches, and these fans are no longer satisfied.  The raised expectations at EC are not manufactured holograms, they are indicative of a shift in philosophy, approach, and attitude within the program.

Of course, that all sounds great on a chat board, and on this we do agree - the players and coaches have to get it done on the field.  Where you and i differ, however, is that i believe they CAN and WILL get it done.

It's A Great Day to be a 'Jay! 

So what are your predictions on this conference season?

[ncc58]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

I think this has been the forecast for EC for the last 4 or 5 seasons. The problem is that it seems that every season one of the "W" games turns into a "L." Usee has written that EC could go 9-1. I respect Usee tremendously.  I also respect JB's forecast because he's always been an honest, straight shooter about his team. But once conference play starts, it starts quickly for EC - traveling to NCC. We'll know then if EC has a change to be competitive.

[79jaybird]

It all boils down to- until Elmhurst ACTUALLY WINS a game against a front seat team(s) in the CCIW,  and realistically can sesstain a consistency in beating the upper tiered teams,  nobody (other than EC folks) will be looking at ranking them in the Top 25, or giving them much praise.
L-Ghost- I am curious to see what you think will happen with your picks and how they may be similar/differ from mine.

[79jaybird]

And who knows, maybe this year's batch of Bluejays is different, but history does say alot.  Yes, I had Elmhurst losing to Trine.  So did half the other pollsters... don't see much in this?

The fact is,  at the MOMENT, Elmhurst is just a middle of the pack team, in a well respected conference, with 6-4 marks the past few years.  This label will stay this way until proven otherwise, in the form of wins on Saturdays.

[NCF]

FOR ELMHURST I SEE:
AUGIE- W
CARTHAGE-W
IWU- L
MILLIKIN- W
NORTH CENTRAL- L
NORTH PARK-W
WHEATON- L
AND OF THE L'S LISTED, ONLY THE WHEATON GAME STRIKES ME A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A W.

I think this has been the forecast for EC for the last 4 or 5 seasons. The problem is that it seems that every season one of the "W" games turns into a "L." Usee has written that EC could go 9-1. I respect Usee tremendously.  I also respect JB's forecast because he's always been an honest, straight shooter about his team. But once conference play starts, it starts quickly for EC - traveling to NCC. We'll know then if EC has a change to be competitive.

Usee has said a few times that EC could go 9-1, but who will they lose to: NC, Wheaton or IWU?

[79jaybird]

Usee, Mugsy, CardinalAlum, Titan Q, Greg Sager, We have been around a long time and have been pretty fair with the scope of the conference.  Not just our teams.  I think USee is just saying, like I have been, that Elmhurst has some good looking players that have the potential to have a breakout season.  But that is still potential and not yet reality.

[iwu70]

I wish EC a breakout season, esp. against NC and Wheaton.  Just say'in.    Could happen.  They look sharp, good so far, but gotta go further, do more. 

IWU70

[emma17]

Usee, Mugsy, CardinalAlum, Titan Q, Greg Sager, We have been around a long time and have been pretty fair with the scope of the conference.  Not just our teams.  I think USee is just saying, like I have been, that Elmhurst has some good looking players that have the potential to have a breakout season.  But that is still potential and not yet reality.

Jaybird/other EC fans- any news on the younger Williams- Josh?  For whatever reason the box score stats don't credit him with any carries but the Elmhurst stats show 11 for 42 yards and a TD.  Has he carried the ball while the game was still in doubt?  Has he shown you anything to make you feel he may be a special player down the line?
Thanks