FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

Some will probably think this a silly question but................

If a poll is valid and a team plays someone ranked higher, aren't they supposed to lose?   

That would make sense, but from all accounts Wesley did not play well at all. Not a game one would expect when #4 plays #5.

[Mr. Ypsi]

There's a lot of top 25 teams that would get destroyed by Linfield.

I like the statement this makes as much as anything.  It drives me crazy in any sport when (for instance), #1 edges #2, and then #2 drops significantly in a poll.  It's lazy voting.

Totally agree, but the statement is already made by Franklin.  I just don't have the good evidence for Cal Lu yet.  (Yes, they stayed close to Pac Lu, but the main evidence for Pac Lu so far is they beat Cal Lu!)

Some will probably think this a silly question but................

If a poll is valid and a team plays someone ranked higher, aren't they supposed to lose?   

Yes (which is why Franklin is still highly ranked).  At that point it is HOW you lose.  Wesley was eviscerated; when the wholesale subbing began, total yardage was 400+ to 25!!  Cal Lu was destroyed by Linfield.  Franklin was ahead of BOTH UMU and Butler in the 4th quarter (while the Witt/Butler game was over long before halftime).  Hence, Franklin is ranked fairly high, despite starting 0-2 (and having no real chances for redemption in the pathetic HCAC); Wesley and Cal Lu both dropped severely; Witt didn't drop much after losing to Butler until Franklin almost beat 'em; then they dropped several slots.

[formerd3db]

Great analysis, Mr. Ypsi.  That certainly works for DIII, although you and I know "it don't work that way" in DI!

What is your early prediction for the IWU/Hope game?  Are you going to be able to go down for the game?  If Hope plays like we have of recent, I think it will be a good game.  (BTW, check your PM-I sent you one). 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Great analysis, Mr. Ypsi.  That certainly works for DIII, although you and I know "it don't work that way" in DI!

What is your early prediction for the IWU/Hope game?  Are you going to be able to go down for the game?  If Hope plays like we have of recent, I think it will be a good game.  (BTW, check your PM-I sent you one).

Nothing on my messages yet.

Most IWU/Hope games have been nail-biters (I can't make this game); I'm HOPEing for a rerun of 2011, but wouldn't be surprised if it was more 2012.

I'm reasonably confident we will win, but doubt it will be a rout.

And as their doc, I HOPE you will be bored and unnecessary!

[iwu70]

Should be a good game Saturday @Tucci.  I think the Titans win, but not by too too much.  I'll be there, seeing this year's version of the Titans in person for the first time.  Looking forward to it.

On another topic . . . what's going on with Da'Bears.  They are 3-0?  Wonders never cease.

Survived super typhoon Usagi, so counting my blessings today in Hong Kong.

IWU70

[NCF]

Should be a good game Saturday @Tucci.  I think the Titans win, but not by too too much.  I'll be there, seeing this year's version of the Titans in person for the first time.  Looking forward to it.

On another topic . . . what's going on with Da'Bears.  They are 3-0?  Wonders never cease.

Survived super typhoon Usagi, so counting my blessings today in Hong Kong.

IWU70

The Titans need to make a statement with this week's game. No sluggish first half or they may find themselves on the losing end against an improved Hope team.  And...go Bears, 3-0 is always a good way to start the season!

[79jaybird]

Well the bye week can't come soon enough for Elmhurst.  Sloppy game by the Jays.  However, "bumps in the road" are not that uncommon with new coaching regimes and graduation of top talents.  I thought Elmhurst was going to bounce back too.

Elmhurst needs to regroup and get their stride back.  Focus on CCIW game #1.  I think Elmhurst can match up well in week 1, but they need to play a clean game.  And congrats to Chicago who despite being pinned by the Elmhurst defense (which played a respectable game IMO),  was still able to finally peck away at the scoreboard.

[shepherd]

Just one note of interest from the Wheaton - Luther game.  The first string defense looked flawless against the Luther option offense.  No one chasing the QB from behind or being over aggressive.   That wouldn't have been true of last years defense.  They were sliding along the line of scrimmage in perfect pursuit.  It was a huge positive for the team to take away from this game and having a defense that is CCIW ready against the run.  Great job by the coaching staff.

The second and third string which came in the beginning of the 3rd quarter was a different story as we began to see the defense being over aggressive an following the QB.  But as coach Swider said they didn't get the reps and you really need to have an aha moment against the option.

[USee]

Should be a good game Saturday @Tucci.  I think the Titans win, but not by too too much.  I'll be there, seeing this year's version of the Titans in person for the first time.  Looking forward to it.

On another topic . . . what's going on with Da'Bears.  They are 3-0?  Wonders never cease.

Survived super typhoon Usagi, so counting my blessings today in Hong Kong.

IWU70

I would be very surprised to see Hope keep this game close. They haven't faced anything close to what IWU will bring to the table on Saturday on both sides of the ball.  Their offense has scored a lot of points against North Park, Millikin and Wisconsin Lutheran. I don't think IWU is giving up 30+ to Hope. I also don't think Hope is going to slow down Gallik and co. too much unless the Titans get the flu and turn the ball over multiple times. I think IWU wins by 21+.

[79jaybird]

And to compliment this, I think IWU has a darkhorse shot at winning the CCIW. I think there is a noticeable top 3 team______ big game and then the rest of the conference this year.

[formerd3db]

Should be a good game Saturday @Tucci.  I think the Titans win, but not by too too much.  I'll be there, seeing this year's version of the Titans in person for the first time.  Looking forward to it.

On another topic . . . what's going on with Da'Bears.  They are 3-0?  Wonders never cease.

Survived super typhoon Usagi, so counting my blessings today in Hong Kong.

IWU70

I would be very surprised to see Hope keep this game close. They haven't faced anything close to what IWU will bring to the table on Saturday on both sides of the ball.  Their offense has scored a lot of points against North Park, Millikin and Wisconsin Lutheran. I don't think IWU is giving up 30+ to Hope. I also don't think Hope is going to slow down Gallik and co. too much unless the Titans get the flu and turn the ball over multiple times. I think IWU wins by 21+.

I would have to disagree with you to a degree, USee.  U have not seen Hope play this year (admittedly, I have not seen IWU either  ).  However, from what I've heard/read from those in your CCIW here and others, IWU is as good, if not better than they were last year.  That said, the way Hope keeps this close is if they keep their passing game to the level they have this year.  They are entirely different than in past years.  Atwell at QB has matured tremendously, making good decisions, not freshman mistakes, such as knowing when to throw the ball away and not try to make something out of nothing.  His accuracy of being on target has been very good as well.  The other major difference is that we have WR back to the level we had about 4-5 and 6 years ago who are making not only the catches they should, but above and beyond that.  Our running game is solid as well with Jackson a very quick moving back, although we lost our Sr. fb to a season ending knee re-injury.  The defense has been more solid than in the past, IMO, not getting "run over" or blown-out at the line. 

The key for Hope, and also as opposed from the past, is that Hope's offense has been able to come back and score from a turnover on their part and/or being scored upon.  That did not happen last year or the year before.

You might also recall that last year IWU won only by 23-13; in 2011 Hope got blown out 35-0, the three previous years were close games in which Hope should have won at least one or two of them;  20-16 in 2010; 28-25 in 2009 and the same score the year before in 2008.  Granted IWU's teams then were not the caliber of the past two years.

I do see Hope keeping this close, unless we implode and have that bad game (hopefully, good weather doesn't affect the passing game ).  I would not be surprised to see IWU win, but, of course, I'm not betting against my alma mater. .  I do think it will be a good game otherwise.  Not to sit the fence, but I believe it will either be a close game or a blow-out, not something in between like last year's game score.

[iwu70]

I'll say IWU 38, Hope 24.  We'll see, soon enough.

Love Da'Bears.

GO TITANS!!!

IWU70

[USee]

Should be a good game Saturday @Tucci.  I think the Titans win, but not by too too much.  I'll be there, seeing this year's version of the Titans in person for the first time.  Looking forward to it.

On another topic . . . what's going on with Da'Bears.  They are 3-0?  Wonders never cease.

Survived super typhoon Usagi, so counting my blessings today in Hong Kong.

IWU70

I would be very surprised to see Hope keep this game close. They haven't faced anything close to what IWU will bring to the table on Saturday on both sides of the ball.  Their offense has scored a lot of points against North Park, Millikin and Wisconsin Lutheran. I don't think IWU is giving up 30+ to Hope. I also don't think Hope is going to slow down Gallik and co. too much unless the Titans get the flu and turn the ball over multiple times. I think IWU wins by 21+.

I would have to disagree with you to a degree, USee.  U have not seen Hope play this year (admittedly, I have not seen IWU either  ).  However, from what I've heard/read from those in your CCIW here and others, IWU is as good, if not better than they were last year.  That said, the way Hope keeps this close is if they keep their passing game to the level they have this year.  They are entirely different than in past years.  Atwell at QB has matured tremendously, making good decisions, not freshman mistakes, such as knowing when to throw the ball away and not try to make something out of nothing.  His accuracy of being on target has been very good as well.  The other major difference is that we have WR back to the level we had about 4-5 and 6 years ago who are making not only the catches they should, but above and beyond that.  Our running game is solid as well with Jackson a very quick moving back, although we lost our Sr. fb to a season ending knee re-injury.  The defense has been more solid than in the past, IMO, not getting "run over" or blown-out at the line. 

The key for Hope, and also as opposed from the past, is that Hope's offense has been able to come back and score from a turnover on their part and/or being scored upon.  That did not happen last year or the year before.

You might also recall that last year IWU won only by 23-13; in 2011 Hope got blown out 35-0, the three previous years were close games in which Hope should have won at least one or two of them;  20-16 in 2010; 28-25 in 2009 and the same score the year before in 2008.  Granted IWU's teams then were not the caliber of the past two years.

I do see Hope keeping this close, unless we implode and have that bad game (hopefully, good weather doesn't affect the passing game ).  I would not be surprised to see IWU win, but, of course, I'm not betting against my alma mater. .  I do think it will be a good game otherwise.  Not to sit the fence, but I believe it will either be a close game or a blow-out, not something in between like last year's game score.

D3DB,

I can confirm I have not seen Hope play this year, nor have I seen much of IWU (except a little on video feed). I have a pretty good feel for how good IWU is (based on 30 years of watching D3 football) and I am fairly confident they are going to compete for the CCIW title this year. I have also seen about a dozen different Hope teams over the past couple decades, including some with pretty good QB's and receivers (see 2003 when Hope put up 71 pts in 2 games vs the Thunder--and lost both times). I think its fair to say the #1 (or potential #1) CCIW team would beat the #1 MIAA team 9 out of 10 times over the past 15 years. The best MIAA team I have seen in the last 10 years is the 2008 Trine team (although from what I hear, 2010 Trine was pretty good too). If you are saying Hope is as good as those two Trine teams, then I might agree it will be close. If this Hope team isn't one of the best in the past 15 years, then in my opinion, they will lose to this IWU team by 21+, especially in Bloomington. 

I could be wrong but that's what my experience tells me.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I think its fair to say the #1 (or potential #1) CCIW team would beat the #1 MIAA team 9 out of 10 times over the past 15 years. The best MIAA team I have seen in the last 10 years is the 2008 Trine team (although from what I hear, 2010 Trine was pretty good too). If you are saying Hope is as good as those two Trine teams, then I might agree it will be close. If this Hope team isn't one of the best in the past 15 years, then in my opinion, they will lose to this IWU team by 21+, especially in Bloomington. 

I could be wrong but that's what my experience tells me.

I think this is very well said.  I do have "Hope" (pardon the pun) that either Trine or Hope will emerge as a legitimate contender from the MIAA this year; that stretch from 2008-2010 when Trine was pretty good was good for the North Region, it's always better when more conferences are capable of producing playoff-contending teams.  However, Usee is right that the top CCIW teams have generally had their way with top MIAA teams, and thus it's reasonable to predict a blowout here unless Hope is the best MIAA team since 2010 Trine.

[AndOne]

Several extraordinary statistics in association with NCC's dominating 41-14 victory over UW-Stout today. However, the most outstanding may be the passing stats compiled by last week's CCIW offensive player of the week Spencer Stanek who today hit on 24 of 26 attempts for 278 yards and 4 TDs. For good measure he ran 6 times for 50 yards (8.3 average) and another TD. On the surface, it sounds like there is a pretty good possibility of Stanek being named offensive player of the week for the 2nd week in a row.

------  Over 674 and 585 total yards in past 2 weeks,  love Spencer but I'll hope for the Offensive line as Off Player(s) of the Week

The O line did a very commendable job, but when a QB hits 24 of 26 passes for 4 TDs, it seems like it would require a very long stretch to present the award to anyone but Stanek. While its certainly possible the award might go to another player(s), his performance was superior to the point that its doubtful that Manning, Brady, Rodgers, or any other PRO QB could have compiled a higher completion percentage or efficiency rating than did Stanek yesterday. And for the topper, he added a rushing TD to initiate the afternoon's onslaught.

As (easily) predicted, NCC's Spencer Stanek wins his 2nd CCIW Offensive Player Of The Week award in a row. Erik Westerberg of Augie is the Defensive POW. NO Special Teams POW was selected.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2013/9/23/FB_0923132850.aspx