FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[matblake]

Wheaton's roster is now online.  Take a look here

[USee]

I'm thinking IWU has a very good shot at the playoffs this year and nobody (NC included) wants to play them, especially in Bloomington.  Nice article on Vince Gabrys about his pre-season All American honor. Hope it translates into success on the field this year.

I think they have a great shot at the play-offs if they go 10-0 or 9-1. If they lose two conference games, I don't think it will happen, especially if Wheaton and NC go 10-0 and 9-1. If all three go 8-2,or 9-1, will be tough to get three teams into the play-offs.

One key for IWU this year is that the Titans get both North Central and Wheaton in Bloomington.  IWU is 4-1 vs North Central and Wheaton (combined) in Bloomington over the course of the last 6 seasons...

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19
NCC 24 IWU 0

2009
IWU 28 NCC 22 (OT)
IWU 20 Wheaton 17

2007

IWU 18 Wheaton 14


Having these games at Tucci Stadium should help the Titans.

I don't believe the preseason separation between IWU and #15 Wheaton is as big as the preseason D3football.com poll would indicate.  In fact, I'm not sure there is really any separation here at all on paper.

I mentioned this before as well but I think this is a big deal. NCC plays @IWu and @Wheaton. Remember the Thunder beat NCC soundly in Naperville last year and were fortunate to beat IWU at home.  I actually think the top 3 in the CCIW (IWU, Wheaton and NCC) have very little separation between them. As I said before, it wouldn't surprise me to see any of the three win the conference and the AQ this year.

[matblake]

Just as an update with regards to Mrs. matblake and her back surgery.  She was discharged from the hospital on Saturday into a physical therapy rehab facility.  The way she's been describing the situation is "Better, but terrible."  However, it appears that the surgery is successful as the nerve pain in her tailbone and running down her legs has dissipated.  It's great to see her be able to move her legs and body and not scream out in pain.  She still has a long road of physical therapy ahead, but she's determined to get out of rehab ASAP.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, and keep them coming.

[matblake]

I'm thinking IWU has a very good shot at the playoffs this year and nobody (NC included) wants to play them, especially in Bloomington.  Nice article on Vince Gabrys about his pre-season All American honor. Hope it translates into success on the field this year.

I think they have a great shot at the play-offs if they go 10-0 or 9-1. If they lose two conference games, I don't think it will happen, especially if Wheaton and NC go 10-0 and 9-1. If all three go 8-2,or 9-1, will be tough to get three teams into the play-offs.

One key for IWU this year is that the Titans get both North Central and Wheaton in Bloomington.  IWU is 4-1 vs North Central and Wheaton (combined) in Bloomington over the course of the last 6 seasons...

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19
NCC 24 IWU 0

2009
IWU 28 NCC 22 (OT)
IWU 20 Wheaton 17

2007

IWU 18 Wheaton 14


Having these games at Tucci Stadium should help the Titans.

I don't believe the preseason separation between IWU and #15 Wheaton is as big as the preseason D3football.com poll would indicate.  In fact, I'm not sure there is really any separation here at all on paper.

I mentioned this before as well but I think this is a big deal. NCC plays @IWu and @Wheaton. Remember the Thunder beat NCC soundly in Naperville last year and were fortunate to beat IWU at home.  I actually think the top 3 in the CCIW (IWU, Wheaton and NCC) have very little separation between them. As I said before, it wouldn't surprise me to see any of the three win the conference and the AQ this year.

Gotta jump on the bandwagon here.  NCC's losses on defense and Wheaton's new offensive coordinator can only affirm my belief that IWU will be right there in the hunt at the end of the year.

[matblake]

If I had to make a game of the week schedule for CCIW play, here's my stab at it preseason:
10/5  North Central v Elmhurst-both teams begin their title defense against one of last years co-champions. 
10/12 Elmhurst v Augustana/Millikin v NC-Just interested in seeing if Augie and Millikin have progressed, or if they are still designated as up and comers. 
10/19 Elmhurst v Wheaton-2 of last years champs battle again.
10/26 Wheaton v IWU-Two of the top preseason favorites play
11/2 NC v IWU-see above
11/9 NC v WC-last game between the tri-champions from last year
11/16 Elmhurst v IWU-Game will probably have championship implications

[79jaybird]

Elmhurst has to go to Augie and IWU and opens up vs. NC so I think if Elmhurst is for real this year,  we will get a good idea early in the CCIW if they can return to 2012's form.  Even when Augie is down, R.I. is a tough place to play.

[AndOne]

I still think that much of Wesleyan's success will depend on how much they can get from Stinde or whoever replaces him if he can't go, and how well Gallik comes back from his injury.

With regard to past results between IWU and NCC, keep in mind that chances are high that NCC wins the 2009 in B-N if they don't lose Fanthorpe for the 2nd half, and last year's game in Naperville is nowhere near the 52-0 score in NCC's favor if Gallik was able to play for IWU, and Stinde was at full strength.

As always, the outcome of this year's contests between NCC, IWU, and WC could well be determined by any injuries that occur before the teams meet. Some as yet unknown star(s) might have to step up. It would be nice if all the teams could be at full strength throughout the season, but as we all know, in the game of football, chances of that happening likely aren't very good. 

[Gregory Sager]

North Park's roster is up.

NPU has 84 players as of now, 39 of whom are returnees. There are 18 seniors -- a very large group by North Park football standards -- and 13 returning starters. Mike Conway and his new staff were able to bring in 29 freshmen, not a bad number considering the coaching turnover, as well as a number of transfers.

None of the three quarterbacks who saw time after Tyler Krebs was moved to slotback in the middle of the 2012 season -- Jon Williams, Ruben Cruz, and Austin Mowatt -- returned. Only JV quarterback Daniel Markin came back for 2013. The other two QBs listed are freshmen. Of course, the obvious starter at that position, T.D. Conway, was a D2 scholarship recipient who redshirted last season.

Since the triple option has been scrapped, the returning slotbacks have all been reassigned to different positions. Krebs is now a wide receiver, as is John Barnabee. Chris Broadway has bulked up and is now a tight end. Drew Walkington is now a running back, while Brian Palmer, who backed up Matt Hassan at RB last season, has moved to defensive back. Similarly, Dominic Schiavo, who saw a lot of time at WR and also returned kicks, is now a DB. A few returning defensive players have switched positions as well.

It looks like NPU has added Trinity International's kicker from last season, Noah Moore. He's a Virginia native, which speaks to the far-flung nature of this roster: 16 states are represented, as well as Canada, Sweden, and American Samoa.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Article on IWU RB T.J. Stinde...

http://www.pantagraph.com/blogs/kindred/kindred-titan-at-heart-stinde-unable-to-skip-season/article_81f53260-07a5-11e3-a121-001a4bcf887a.html

Q, thanks for posting this.  WOW, I never realized his injuries were SO severe.  Here's hoping he can go tolerably well much of the time - the season may depend on it.  But even if he simply can't go on, here's hoping everyone realizes the extent of his dedication, and is inspired by it.

But, geez, chicken cartilage just isn't the right image for a college running back.  Couldn't they at least do jackrabbit cartilage (or better yet, cheetah cartilage)!

[AndOne]

North Park's roster is up.

NPU has 84 players as of now, 39 of whom are returnees. There are 18 seniors -- a very large group by North Park football standards -- and 13 returning starters. Mike Conway and his new staff were able to bring in 29 freshmen, not a bad number considering the coaching turnover, as well as a number of transfers.

None of the three quarterbacks who saw time after Tyler Krebs was moved to slotback in the middle of the 2012 season -- Jon Williams, Ruben Cruz, and Austin Mowatt -- returned. Only JV quarterback Daniel Markin came back for 2013. The other two QBs listed are freshmen. Of course, the obvious starter at that position, T.D. Conway, was a D2 scholarship recipient who redshirted last season.

Since the triple option has been scrapped, the returning slotbacks have all been reassigned to different positions. Krebs is now a wide receiver, as is John Barnabee. Chris Broadway has bulked up and is now a tight end. Drew Walkington is now a running back, while Brian Palmer, who backed up Matt Hassan at RB last season, has moved to defensive back. Similarly, Dominic Schiavo, who saw a lot of time at WR and also returned kicks, is now a DB. A few returning defensive players have switched positions as well.

It looks like NPU has added Trinity International's kicker from last season, Noah Moore. He's a Virginia native, which speaks to the far-flung nature of this roster: 16 states are represented, as well as Canada, Sweden, and American Samoa.

Geographically at least, the NPU roster looks like that of CCIW rival Wheaton. 

Popular cheer on American Samoa---Guava, papaya, passion fruit, give that ball a great big boot!     

[matblake]

Popular cheer on American Samoa---Guava, papaya, passion fruit, give that ball a great big boot!     

Best cheer when complaining about a bad call with regards to any referee:  "If you had one more eye, then you would be a cyclops!" First heard it from the Wheaton swim team, but have heard it in many different venues since then.

[AndOne]

Popular cheer on American Samoa---Guava, papaya, passion fruit, give that ball a great big boot!     

Best cheer when complaining about a bad call with regards to any referee:  "If you had one more eye, then you would be a cyclops!" First heard it from the Wheaton swim team, but have heard it in many different venues since then.

Those Wheaton lads are such radicals. And we always thought Wheaton was such a conservative institution!       

[NCF]

Popular cheer on American Samoa---Guava, papaya, passion fruit, give that ball a great big boot!     

Best cheer when complaining about a bad call with regards to any referee:  "If you had one more eye, then you would be a cyclops!" First heard it from the Wheaton swim team, but have heard it in many different venues since then.

Those Wheaton lads are such radicals. And we always thought Wheaton was such a conservative institution!       

I guess looks can be deceiving

[RFMichigan]

North Park's roster is up.

NPU has 84 players as of now, 39 of whom are returnees. There are 18 seniors -- a very large group by North Park football standards -- and 13 returning starters. Mike Conway and his new staff were able to bring in 29 freshmen, not a bad number considering the coaching turnover, as well as a number of transfers.

Lots of seniors = good. I think 18 seniors is pretty good by most dIII standards. Good luck to NPU this year.
(Just curiously, how many frosh does NPU usually bring in?)

[Gotberg]

North Park's roster is up.

NPU has 84 players as of now, 39 of whom are returnees. There are 18 seniors -- a very large group by North Park football standards -- and 13 returning starters. Mike Conway and his new staff were able to bring in 29 freshmen, not a bad number considering the coaching turnover, as well as a number of transfers.

Lots of seniors = good. I think 18 seniors is pretty good by most dIII standards. Good luck to NPU this year.
(Just curiously, how many frosh does NPU usually bring in?)

It seems like their skilled positions should be pretty strong.  One of their new WR previously played for the Lobos of New Mexico.  It will be interesting to see the rest.....