FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[USee]

IWU v Wheaton game.

The stats that I think are important are the following:

Offensive yards per play
Wheaton 6.7
IWU 7.1

Defensive yards per play
4.0 for both

3rd down conversions defense
Wheaton 30%
IWU 35%

3rd down conversions offense
Wheaton 48%
IWU 42%

Sacks by
IWU 20
Wheaton 6

This looks like a very defensive battle to me.  These teams are similar in some ways (balanced offense, stingy defense) but very different in the details.  IWU has a great run defense and a great pass rusher in Worley (he has 9 of the 20 sacks). Worley is on a DPOY pace this year w 13.5 tackles for loss through 6 games.  On defense the Titans will play 7-8 in the box and dare you to throw.  I have no doubt they will challenge wheatons receivers to win the game by looking to stop the run first.  They like to get you in long yardage situatios on 2nd and 3rd down and them let Worley and company go to work. 

Wheatons defense is a very stingy defense overall.  They have not allowed many big plays and will keep you in front of them.  Very good tackling team with speed at linebacker and in secondary.  They are very good at getting off the field on 3rd down.  The other team often has a 3rd and 6-8 and they will stop you. Not a great pass rush but excellent pass coverage.

IWU offense is systematic.  Gallik is probably the best in conference at reading coverage and he is at his best when he gets a good presnap read and gets the ball out of his hands early.   They use many personnel groups and look for the match ups.  Devonte Jones is a ge changer with his speed and Stinde can get the tough yards.  Very talented group of receivers.  Mussleman is very underrated.

Wheaton will try and run the ball and their best runner is Roberts.  If he can get over 75 yds rushing that's Wheatons key to success IMO. The Wheaton receivers have to step up and take some pressure of JR and the run game if the Thunder are going to succeed.  Watch of Wheaton can keep the chains moving on 3rd down and if they consistently still IWU on 3rd down.

Of course turnovers will play a huge role but neither team has created many or given up many to this point. 

[iwu70]

Thanks Usee. 

Toss-up. 

Containing Roberts key for IWU D.

Hope Gallik and the IWU WRs have a big day.  Agree about Musselman.  Garvey having a great year so far.  Artie Chechin a very pleasant new surprise.

And, hope Devonte Jones and Stinde break one or two. 

TOs key for sure.

Looking forward to a great day @Tucci Stadium @Wilder Field -- partly cloudy and about 60 degrees.

GO TITANS!!!

IWU70

IWU Green/White basketball scrimmage that morning at Shirk -- Jazz Band Halloween Concert @Presser Hall -- 7:30 p.m. 

[Gregory Sager]

Here's the CCIW's record in non-conference play since the expansion to a ten-game schedule in 2000. These are regular-season-only numbers, so as to better reflect the league's top-to-bottom performance and to give us a sound baseline for comparison to the year to date.

2013	14-10 (.583)
2012	17-7   (.708)
2011	18-6   (.750)
2010	22-2   (.917)
2009	20-4   (.833)
2008	19-5   (.792)
2007	16-8   (.667)
2006	15-9   (.625)
2005	21-3   (.583)
2004	17-7   (.708)
2003	19-5   (.792)
2002	15-8   (.652)
2001	15-8   (.652)
2000	19-5   (.792)

That totals out to a 245-87 (.738) record in the three-non-con-games-per-season era, which means that, on average, the CCIW goes just a little bit below 18-6 every season.

It puts this season into perspective a bit.

[79jaybird]

Also something to keep in mind is who the competition is.  We played Benedictine and Concordia (IL) a couple of times who were creampuffs and guaranteed wins.  Some other schools were playing weaker NAC teams too.   

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst is just one team, though. It tends to balance out when all eight teams are taken into consideration.

[izzy stradlin]

Sacks by
IWU 20
Wheaton 6

It seems like Wheaton's sack numbers have decreased since going to the 3-4.    Usually in the a 3-4 defense, the large majority of pressure/sacks comes from the OLB position which are often hybrid DE types while all 3 guys with their hands in the ground are often all in the mold of interior lineman.  Wheaton seems to always be putting their smaller LBs on the outside and they aren't as effective getting pressure.   I am honestly not a football guy so I was curious as to your thoughts on this. 

Can't complain about Wheaton's defense overall though--   they have been playing as good as I have seen in the last few years. 

[D3MAFAN]

Sacks by
IWU 20
Wheaton 6

It seems like Wheaton's sack numbers have decreased since going to the 3-4.    Usually in the a 3-4 defense, the large majority of pressure/sacks comes from the OLB position which are often hybrid DE types while all 3 guys with their hands in the ground are often all in the mold of interior lineman.  Wheaton seems to always be putting their smaller LBs on the outside and they aren't as effective getting pressure.   I am honestly not a football guy so I was curious as to your thoughts on this. 

Can't complain about Wheaton's defense overall though--   they have been playing as good as I have seen in the last few years.

When a team goes from an even front to an odd front, the team usually substitutes a good pass rush/run defense for better pass coverage, since you now have more players in pass coverage with the extra LB. On the flip side, as you aforementioned, you have the ability to bring a OLB/HDE on a pass rush, similar to what Pittsburgh Steelers do and the Baltimore Ravens. I think for a odd front to be successful in stoping the run, you need a good NT/DT that can demand a double team on every play, that allows the two ILB to fill holes gaps easier.

[Mugsy]

IWU v Wheaton game.

The stats that I think are important are the following:

Offensive yards per play
Wheaton 6.7
IWU 7.1

Defensive yards per play
4.0 for both

3rd down conversions defense
Wheaton 30%
IWU 35%

3rd down conversions offense
Wheaton 48%
IWU 42%

Sacks by
IWU 20
Wheaton 6

This looks like a very defensive battle to me.  These teams are similar in some ways (balanced offense, stingy defense) but very different in the details.  IWU has a great run defense and a great pass rusher in Worley (he has 9 of the 20 sacks). Worley is on a DPOY pace this year w 13.5 tackles for loss through 6 games.  On defense the Titans will play 7-8 in the box and dare you to throw.  I have no doubt they will challenge wheatons receivers to win the game by looking to stop the run first.  They like to get you in long yardage situatios on 2nd and 3rd down and them let Worley and company go to work. 

Wheatons defense is a very stingy defense overall.  They have not allowed many big plays and will keep you in front of them.  Very good tackling team with speed at linebacker and in secondary.  They are very good at getting off the field on 3rd down.  The other team often has a 3rd and 6-8 and they will stop you. Not a great pass rush but excellent pass coverage.

IWU offense is systematic.  Gallik is probably the best in conference at reading coverage and he is at his best when he gets a good presnap read and gets the ball out of his hands early.   They use many personnel groups and look for the match ups.  Devonte Jones is a ge changer with his speed and Stinde can get the tough yards.  Very talented group of receivers.  Mussleman is very underrated.

Wheaton will try and run the ball and their best runner is Roberts.  If he can get over 75 yds rushing that's Wheatons key to success IMO. The Wheaton receivers have to step up and take some pressure of JR and the run game if the Thunder are going to succeed.  Watch of Wheaton can keep the chains moving on 3rd down and if they consistently still IWU on 3rd down.

Of course turnovers will play a huge role but neither team has created many or given up many to this point.

IWU #1 in nation on kick returns at 36.47 yards per return.

[iwu70]

Yes, Jones and Chechin have been great on kick-off returns, with excellent blocking.  IWU has been less than stellar on punt returns, yardage and set-ups. 

Looks like a wonderful game, a great match-up on Saturday @Tucci @Wilder Field.

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU v Wheaton game.

The stats that I think are important are the following:

Offensive yards per play
Wheaton 6.7
IWU 7.1

Defensive yards per play
4.0 for both

3rd down conversions defense
Wheaton 30%
IWU 35%

3rd down conversions offense
Wheaton 48%
IWU 42%

Sacks by
IWU 20
Wheaton 6

This looks like a very defensive battle to me.  These teams are similar in some ways (balanced offense, stingy defense) but very different in the details.  IWU has a great run defense and a great pass rusher in Worley (he has 9 of the 20 sacks). Worley is on a DPOY pace this year w 13.5 tackles for loss through 6 games.  On defense the Titans will play 7-8 in the box and dare you to throw.  I have no doubt they will challenge wheatons receivers to win the game by looking to stop the run first.  They like to get you in long yardage situatios on 2nd and 3rd down and them let Worley and company go to work. 

Wheatons defense is a very stingy defense overall.  They have not allowed many big plays and will keep you in front of them.  Very good tackling team with speed at linebacker and in secondary.  They are very good at getting off the field on 3rd down.  The other team often has a 3rd and 6-8 and they will stop you. Not a great pass rush but excellent pass coverage.

IWU offense is systematic.  Gallik is probably the best in conference at reading coverage and he is at his best when he gets a good presnap read and gets the ball out of his hands early.   They use many personnel groups and look for the match ups.  Devonte Jones is a ge changer with his speed and Stinde can get the tough yards.  Very talented group of receivers.  Mussleman is very underrated.

Wheaton will try and run the ball and their best runner is Roberts.  If he can get over 75 yds rushing that's Wheatons key to success IMO. The Wheaton receivers have to step up and take some pressure of JR and the run game if the Thunder are going to succeed.  Watch of Wheaton can keep the chains moving on 3rd down and if they consistently still IWU on 3rd down.

Of course turnovers will play a huge role but neither team has created many or given up many to this point.

IWU #1 in nation on kick returns at 36.47 yards per return.

I haven't taken the time to calculate this without the NPU game, but their 225 yards on four kicks certainly inflated this.   Probably still in the top 10-15 nationally.

[AndOne]

Daily Herald article on WHEATON with comments on the playoff picture by Coach Swider

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131022/sports/710229612/

[thunder38]

USee nailed it by pointing out that the number one match-up in this game will be the Wheaton WRs vs. space. The set of wide outs has struggled to get separation at times this season and has crippled the passing game because of it. Against a fast, veteran group of defensive backs for the Titans, that could result in a loaded box against the run game. IWU's inability to guard Mark Hiben was the biggest factor in Wheaton's victory last season, not a problem this year.

I am also going to be watching how Illinois Wesleyan handles Brandon Dykstra in the middle of the line. Wheaton's success in stopping the run will be predicated on the Titans need to spend two guys on Dykstra. If they can handle the big man with only one blocker than the Titans will be able to have success running the ball as it gives them another man in the second level. Wheaton's Defensive 1's haven't given up a touchdown since the Benedictine game and that has been a large factor in their success.

This game could easily turn into a special teams battle for field position.

[oldnuthin]

USee nailed it by pointing out that the number one match-up in this game will be the Wheaton WRs vs. space. The set of wide outs has struggled to get separation at times this season and has crippled the passing game because of it. Against a fast, veteran group of defensive backs for the Titans, that could result in a loaded box against the run game. IWU's inability to guard Mark Hiben was the biggest factor in Wheaton's victory last season, not a problem this year.

I am also going to be watching how Illinois Wesleyan handles Brandon Dykstra in the middle of the line. Wheaton's success in stopping the run will be predicated on the Titans need to spend two guys on Dykstra. If they can handle the big man with only one blocker than the Titans will be able to have success running the ball as it gives them another man in the second level. Wheaton's Defensive 1's haven't given up a touchdown since the Benedictine game and that has been a large factor in their success.

This game could easily turn into a special teams battle for field position.

Millikin ran a lot of unbalanced sets against IWU using both tackles on one side which allowed them to rush for 167 yards against IWU, more then double their yards against as stated above. I dare say that if Brooks had not been injured in the 3rd quarter, it would have been at least 200 yards and would have relieved some of the pressure on QB Pippin at the end of the game. With Brooks in, it kept the IWU defense from keying completely on Dunning. That being said, I thought with Veiling on the roster, IWU would be at a disadvantage, without him I agree that it is a toss up, having only seen some of Wheaton against Elmhurst.

[Titan Q]

Mid-week article on Rob Gallik and the Titans...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/injury-left-gallik-titans-with-unfinished-business-against-wheaton/article_42f5d33a-3c2a-11e3-8d1f-001a4bcf887a.html

IWU gets senior linebacker Mike Heaton back Saturday (torn ACL during Finland trip practice).

[iwu70]

Glad to see senior LB Mike Heaton returning this week.  Good timing.

IWU70