FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Nice articles on NCC.  The service at the end of camp sounds just like church camp!  No doubt team chemistry and "selflessness" are important.  Until someone knocks them off, NCC has to be the favorite for the CCIW crown again this year.

Congrats to Rob Gallik on CCIW offensive player of the week -- after his very accurate 83% completion rate, 5 passing TDs performance last Saturday in the Titans opening game win over AU, 48-21.  It was an Artie Checchin coming out party . . .

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Not a single mention here by anybody of yesterday's shocking upset of Millikin by Greenville at Lindsay Field in Decatur. The Big Blue lost a shootout, 48-41, a game in which they gave up 34 unanswered points and at one time trailed by three touchdowns.  The Panthers rolled up 624 yards of offense against Millikin, 446 of it on the ground.

What gives? MU beat Greenville last season by a score of 50-17, and by 51-13 two seasons ago. I don't know how far back the streak goes, but the Panthers had lost at least the last seven times they faced CCIW squads, mostlly by blowout scores.

I thought that if any game had "sure thing" written on it yesterday, it was Greenville @ Millikin.

Millikin is a bottom half CCIW team at best, so not so surprising. Hopefully they'll become more competaive as those young guys develop over the next two seasons.

No, it is surprising, NCF. Millikin's been a bottom-half CCIW team for the past eight years, so that's nothing new. But a Big Blue team that went 2-5 and finished sixth in the league whipped Greenville last season, 50-17, and a 2011 Big Blue team that likewise went 2-5 and finished sixth in CCIW play smashed the Panthers by a 51-13 score. And, as I said, Greenville has not been competitive with CCIW teams for a long, long time when the Panthers have faced them in non-conference play.

I understand that the Big Blue is very young on defense, as oldnuthin said. I figured as much once I saw the score on the CCIW website on Saturday afternoon. Add to that the difficulty of preparing for a triple option team, and one can see how MU was set up to have a tough time stopping the Panthers. Nevertheless, this is still a surprising upset, given the innate disparity between the level of players that Millikin recruits and the level of players that Greenville recruits, particularly since the Big Blue still had some very good players on offense who played on Saturday (some of them very well).

The only thing about the bottom half of the CCIW that would surprise me is one of them beating a team in the top half this season. Now that would be something!:)

The CCIW coaches seem to think that there's only a hairsbreadth of difference between the #4 team (Augustana) and the #5 team (Elmhurst), as only one point separated them in the poll -- with wide gulfs between #3 Illinois Wesleyan and #4 Augie and between #5 Elmhurst and #6 Millikin leading one to suspect that they see the CCIW as a three-tiered system this year, rather than as a top-half / bottom-half setup.

Of course, it's a preseason poll, and those things always need to be taken with, not a grain of salt, but a full shaker's worth. I don't claim to be enough of an authority on CCIW football to prognosticate with conviction as to whether this three-tier idea best describes the CCIW or whether it's the huge gap between the upper and lower divisions that you foresee that best describes 2013 CCIW football. It does make me wonder, though, if the Elmhurst @ Augustana contest on October 12 might be the closest game of the CCIW season.

[USee]

Nice articles on NCC.  The service at the end of camp sounds just like church camp!  No doubt team chemistry and "selflessness" are important.  Until someone knocks them off, NCC has to be the favorite for the CCIW crown again this year.

Congrats to Rob Gallik on CCIW offensive player of the week -- after his very accurate 83% completion rate, 5 passing TDs performance last Saturday in the Titans opening game win over AU, 48-21.  It was an Artie Checchin coming out party . . .

IWU70

IWU70,

You continue to say "until someone knocks them off....", and you continue to ignore the fact that Wheaton beat them last year and they shared the CCIW crown with Elmhurst and Wheaton. I don't want to continue to upset the NCC folks by reminding them of this fact but you should try to have a little more accuracy in your posts. You may well quote the Cardinals record over the past 8 years (51-5 in conference as quoted by AndOne) but I would say from my perspective that their record is 5-3 with Wheaton over those years and if you stretch it out 2 more years it's 5-5. So forgive me if Wheaton fans have a different perspective about knocking off the Cardinals. (the other two losses by the way were IWU in 09 and Augie in 05).

[NCF]

Nice articles on NCC.  The service at the end of camp sounds just like church camp!  No doubt team chemistry and "selflessness" are important.  Until someone knocks them off, NCC has to be the favorite for the CCIW crown again this year.

Congrats to Rob Gallik on CCIW offensive player of the week -- after his very accurate 83% completion rate, 5 passing TDs performance last Saturday in the Titans opening game win over AU, 48-21.  It was an Artie Checchin coming out party . . .

IWU70

But they are still winning conference championships and play-off berths, something Wheaton hasn't done since 2010. iIthink he might mean by "knocking them off" is NO conference championship and no play-offs either. Maybe Wheaton or IWU (or both?) can do that this season.

IWU70,

You continue to say "until someone knocks them off....", and you continue to ignore the fact that Wheaton beat them last year and they shared the CCIW crown with Elmhurst and Wheaton. I don't want to continue to upset the NCC folks by reminding them of this fact but you should try to have a little more accuracy in your posts. You may well quote the Cardinals record over the past 8 years (51-5 in conference as quoted by AndOne) but I would say from my perspective that their record is 5-3 with Wheaton over those years and if you stretch it out 2 more years it's 5-5. So forgive me if Wheaton fans have a different perspective about knocking off the Cardinals. (the other two losses by the way were IWU in 09 and Augie in 05).

But they are still winning conference championships and play-off berths (something Wheaton hasn't done since 2010). I think he might mean by "knocking them off" is NO conference championship and no play-offs either. Maybe Wheaton or IWU (or both?) can do that this season.

[robertgoulet]

Nice articles on NCC.  The service at the end of camp sounds just like church camp!  No doubt team chemistry and "selflessness" are important.  Until someone knocks them off, NCC has to be the favorite for the CCIW crown again this year.

Congrats to Rob Gallik on CCIW offensive player of the week -- after his very accurate 83% completion rate, 5 passing TDs performance last Saturday in the Titans opening game win over AU, 48-21.  It was an Artie Checchin coming out party . . .

IWU70

IWU70,

You continue to say "until someone knocks them off....", and you continue to ignore the fact that Wheaton beat them last year and they shared the CCIW crown with Elmhurst and Wheaton. I don't want to continue to upset the NCC folks by reminding them of this fact but you should try to have a little more accuracy in your posts. You may well quote the Cardinals record over the past 8 years (51-5 in conference as quoted by AndOne) but I would say from my perspective that their record is 5-3 with Wheaton over those years and if you stretch it out 2 more years it's 5-5. So forgive me if Wheaton fans have a different perspective about knocking off the Cardinals. (the other two losses by the way were IWU in 09 and Augie in 05).

USee, the way I read that IWU70 is correct. Co-champs or not, NCC has had the word "Champion" next to their name for a while. So they haven't been knocked off, IMO.

[79jaybird]

I don't think anybody on this board who is more than just a cheerleader with a skirt, would say North Central is not the 800 lb gorilla in the conference at the top of the hill.  Wheaton, IWU, and perhaps 1 or 2 others depending on X year have come close,  but reality is NC is the Augie of the 80's Wheaton of the 50's, Carthage of the late 60's/70's, etc.  they have sesstained a level of play for a streak of years, that has not week in/week out been matched by others. 

[NCF]

I don't think anybody on this board who is more than just a cheerleader with a skirt, would say North Central is not the 800 lb gorilla in the conference at the top of the hill.  Wheaton, IWU, and perhaps 1 or 2 others depending on X year have come close,  but reality is NC is the Augie of the 80's Wheaton of the 50's, Carthage of the late 60's/70's, etc.  they have sesstained a level of play for a streak of years, that has not week in/week out been matched by others.

That is a very good assessment. Many people think that Wheaton and IWU have closed the gap and by the end of the regular season-we will know for sure.

[79jaybird]

I notice on Pick em's board, a number of people have picked Trine. I will admit I was pretty close to picking them too, and if confidence was a part of the pick, my confidence would be 1.

This week's road trip poses an interesting threat to Elmhurst.  Trine is a developing team and I really don't think we know yet, what type of team this year's Jays are going to be.  Loras was not much of a test. 

However, Elmhurst has fared pretty well in the non conference the last 10 years.

[AndOne]

Nice articles on NCC.  The service at the end of camp sounds just like church camp!  No doubt team chemistry and "selflessness" are important.  Until someone knocks them off, NCC has to be the favorite for the CCIW crown again this year.

Congrats to Rob Gallik on CCIW offensive player of the week -- after his very accurate 83% completion rate, 5 passing TDs performance last Saturday in the Titans opening game win over AU, 48-21.  It was an Artie Checchin coming out party . . .

IWU70

IWU70,

You continue to say "until someone knocks them off....", and you continue to ignore the fact that Wheaton beat them last year and they shared the CCIW crown with Elmhurst and Wheaton. I don't want to continue to upset the NCC folks by reminding them of this fact but you should try to have a little more accuracy in your posts. You may well quote the Cardinals record over the past 8 years (51-5 in conference as quoted by AndOne) but I would say from my perspective that their record is 5-3 with Wheaton over those years and if you stretch it out 2 more years it's 5-5. So forgive me if Wheaton fans have a different perspective about knocking off the Cardinals. (the other two losses by the way were IWU in 09 and Augie in 05).

USee, the way I read that IWU70 is correct. Co-champs or not, NCC has had the word "Champion" next to their name for a while. So they haven't been knocked off, IMO.

Not to put words in his mouth, but I think what IWU70 was referring to when he used the phrase "until someone knocks them off," was not the result of a single game, but rather the final result of the entire body of work over the entire (conference) schedule. While Wheaton certainly downed NCC last season as you said, they did lose to Elmhurst who NCC soundly defeated. Additionally, while Wheaton failed to even make the national playoffs last season, the Cardinals not only did so, but, I believe, were the only team in last year's playoffs that was forced to fly to its first round opponent who they defeated way out in California.   

Lastly, I'm not sure any team can really claim to have "knocked off" anyone until they have done so to everyone or, at minimum, captured sole possession of the conference title. 

[79jaybird]

From And One's quote

Not to put words in his mouth, but I think what IWU70 was referring to when he used the phrase "until someone knocks them off," was not the result of a single game, but rather the final result of the entire body of work over the entire (conference) schedule.   agreed
While Wheaton certainly downed NCC last season as you said, they did lose to Elmhurst who NCC soundly defeated. Yes but Elmhurst had a lot of lady luck on their side to win that game. Some costly mistakes cost Wheaton. I still think that Wheaton team would have destroyed EC at McCully or in a 3- game series.   Additionally, while Wheaton failed to even make the national playoffs last season, have easily been chosen if the committee wanted to add a 3rd CCIW team.*At large* Meaning they could    NC had the AQ and Elmhurst was chosen over Wheaton.   the Cardinals not only did so, but, I believe, were the only team in last year's playoffs that was forced to fly to its first round opponent who they defeated way out in California.   

Lastly, I'm not sure any team can really claim to have "knocked off" anyone until they have done so to everyone or, at minimum, captured sole possession of the conference title.    *Huh?



« Last Edit: Today at 03:25:04 pm by AndOne »

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[AndOne]

79jaybird----

Just a difference in how we interpret "knocked off."
WC beat NCC, NCC beat EC, EC beat WC. They all beat each other and wound up sharing the conference title. They ALL stood at the top of the mountain.

I'm viewing "knocked off" in the context of one knocking the others off the top, and being the sole outright champ. Thats all. No big deal. 

[79jaybird]

Ok I see. Yeah it's no big deal because all (3) schools can call themselves 2012 champs.

I still think for those who may not want to admit it.. that NC is the present power at the top of the conference and has been for some time. 

I think Wheaton & IWU are there, but a few steps behind at the moment.  And with a new staff at Elmhurst and key "skilled positional" graduations, the verdict is yet to be determined with Elmhurst.  I am hopeful they are not following the same script as the Dante Washington Carthage team did.

[AndOne]

CCIW teams go 4-2 in the first weekend of football season.  Millikin and NP on the wrong end.  EC, WC, IWU and Augie the winners.

. . . . . . . and who is . . . . . . . Artie Checchin?

IWU70

I thought everyone knew that R-TEE is R2-D2's cousin. 

[Kovo]

Nice articles on NCC.  The service at the end of camp sounds just like church camp!  No doubt team chemistry and "selflessness" are important.  Until someone knocks them off, NCC has to be the favorite for the CCIW crown again this year.

Congrats to Rob Gallik on CCIW offensive player of the week -- after his very accurate 83% completion rate, 5 passing TDs performance last Saturday in the Titans opening game win over AU, 48-21.  It was an Artie Checchin coming out party . . .

IWU70

IWU70,

You continue to say "until someone knocks them off....", and you continue to ignore the fact that Wheaton beat them last year and they shared the CCIW crown with Elmhurst and Wheaton. I don't want to continue to upset the NCC folks by reminding them of this fact but you should try to have a little more accuracy in your posts. You may well quote the Cardinals record over the past 8 years (51-5 in conference as quoted by AndOne) but I would say from my perspective that their record is 5-3 with Wheaton over those years and if you stretch it out 2 more years it's 5-5. So forgive me if Wheaton fans have a different perspective about knocking off the Cardinals. (the other two losses by the way were IWU in 09 and Augie in 05).

Of course, Thorne started 1-5 against Wheaton in his program's 1st six years, and has gone 4-1 in the past five years---so yes the schools are 5-5 in the past 10 years and NC is 5-6 in the Thorne era against Wheaton, BUT 4 of the past 5 is pretty darn good.

[kiko]

I don't think anybody on this board who is more than just a cheerleader with a skirt, would say North Central is not the 800 lb gorilla in the conference at the top of the hill.  Wheaton, IWU, and perhaps 1 or 2 others depending on X year have come close,  but reality is NC is the Augie of the 80's Wheaton of the 50's, Carthage of the late 60's/70's, etc.  they have sesstained a level of play for a streak of years, that has not week in/week out been matched by others.

I appreciate the general point you're trying to make here, and I wear quite a bit of red and white.  But without sporting a whole lot more bling than they currently wear, North Central absolutely should not be put in the same class as those Augie teams from the 80s.  Sustained CCIW excellence is only the beginning of what those Viking teams achieved.