FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[grboob]

Carthage is 8-27 in conference play since 2010???  What'a up??

[kiko]

The B's and C's went to:

Wesley
Centre
Texas Lutheran
Muhlenberg
John Carroll
Wabash
Delaware Valley
St. Thomas

If I interpreted the language correctly, Wesley and Centre were the B's as they referenced TLU and Muhlenberg as 'at-large' teams.  But don't hold me to that.

Wheaton will likely get John Carroll in Round 2 assuming they take care of business against the Bennies.

There must be a misprint. If not a 8-2 Franklin team with a 145 SOS and a loss  to IWU was selected over NC. If that is the case the Selection Committee is a clueless joke or outright liars as to what is important to the process. Should I go on to St. Thomas and their 105 SOS ?  What clowns. No wonder the NCAA is universally disrespected.

Kovo,

Franklin won their conference and received an AQ. They were not selected above NCC. That's simply not a fact. St Thomas, however was picked. That means Platteville likely dropped out of the West rankings and Concordia Moorehead came in at #10. That means St Thomas had a Regionally ranked win and NCC did not. That was the difference.

I stand corrected on Franklin. But heck St.T lost head to head to Bethel!  Who was their RRO win against?

Bottom line is don't lose to Stevens Point or any other middle of the road team early in the season.  UWSP proved to not be a very strong team when it came down to the end of the season.   NCC was very thin on defense as the season wound down and it surely showed.   One thing this does is gets the coaches on the road earlier for recruiting, which has been a chore when they have been playing into December.  There's my look on the bright side.  Coach Thorne goes out with a win in his last game as the head coach and the greatest football coach in NCC history.  Go Wheaton!   I might even pull out my Navy and Orange for a trip down Naper Blvd. next Saturday!

No, don't schedule WIAC teams because you could lose.  It is better to have a 105 SOS instead of a 30 SOS like NC--that is how you earn an at large bid.  And, yes I would rather go 7-0 and have the AQ EVERY year, but that isn't reality.  So as I have said before, anyone who schedules decent out of conference games is a fool.  The NCAA makes sure of that.

So you'd rather play the Benedictine's and Augsburg's (Sorry Bethel)?  That does nothing to prepare for the conference season which is where you have to win your bid.  This was NOT an NCC team that was going to make a deep run.  Having seen the biggest chunk of the games in person, defense was nowhere near the level needed to make a run in the playoffs.   I'm disappointed that they didn't get a bid but hopefully it puts the pressure on the players to not let your guard down and lay an egg in non conference games.

The answer is yes.  Every year for the past 5-6 years we play a tough non-conference schedule, and all it does is beat our team up, and make us LESS playoff and conference season ready.  We are better off trying to stay healthy going into the big conference games since a solid SOS doesn't help you, and having good programs pounding at your team early in the season doesn't help you either.

Don't give me the old "playing tough competition gets you ready".  Ready for what?  Trips to the ortho doc?  Why do you think Alabama played Florida Atlantic in a non-conference game???!! (I realize that they are in a different division, but college football logic applies),.  Shouldn't they have scheduled Florida State to help them get ready for the SEC play?  Maybe we can get Whitewater, Mount Union, and MHB to open the season next year.  Then we will be really really ready for CCIW play!!

Did it help NPU to go 2-8 this year?  Heck, if I'm calling the shots there I find three tomato cans to knock over, and Wa La---I'm an instant 5-5, and a national success story.  (Apologies to GS for using his guys as an example).

Gonna disagree with you on this one, though I understand your point.

The Cards have really only upgraded their nonconference schedule the past three years, unless you consider Redlands/Bethel (TN)/Olivet  to be an upgrade, or Cornell/Olivet/Eau Claire.  There's a couple of quality programs in those slates, but not a steady stream of them.

I'd say that the jury is still out in terms of whether end-to-end WIAC teams is helping the Cards to make deeper playoff pushes, but that's only because three seasons is a pretty small sample size.  North Central's only semifinal appearance happened in the past three years, as did a second-round berth that involved two West Coast trips and a really tough matchup with Linfield.

If you want to make the case that the minor upgrades (Redlands, etc.) that dotted the schedule from 4-6 years ago represents the start of a scheduling upgrade, then it's fair to point out that this window also included the only other time the Cards have advanced past the second round, and also the heartwrenching loss at Wabash.  So net/net, North Central's deepest playoff pushes have all happened since the Redbirds started making a more concerted effort to upgrade at least part of their schedule.  Yes, they have gotten more beat up by this, but you need quality depth to be an elite team.

---

Beyond this, for the Cards to get to the next level (where they sit above the Wabashes, Bethels, and St. John Fishers of the world, rather than arguably alongside them in a second or third tier of power programs), they'll have to take steps to be more consistently competitive with the Purple teams.  And if you are at a level where you can seriously be mentioned in the same sentence as those teams (which means you have to beat them, and not just once), then it shouldn't matter whether your nonconference slate includes Benedictine or Platteville  or Ohio Northern or pick-your-MIAA team.  The Stevens Point loss was the first sign this year that the Cards were a notch below where they were last year, and that played out in a few other ways as the season progressed.

(And as I've said about North Park: progress is not necessarily linear.  Hopefully the Cardinals can build on this season after a smooth coaching transition, and come back even stronger next year.)

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Best of luck to the Thunder as they roll into the post-season - make the CCIW family proud! 

Wheaton was certainly the class of the conference this year, and the most athletic and talented group i saw play all year - i believe they definitely have a chance to make some noise.  i am sure saving Pelz Saturday was just a precaution (Usee - any insight?) - with that kid at the trigger the Thunder O can really rumble.

Great early chances for the Crusaders, should overwhelm BU, setting up a possible match-up with a tough, but winnable 2nd rounder.  As i look around the bracket at who some the "top seeded favorites" may have to deal with on Thanksgiving weekend in round two, can't help but think Swider and the gang got a terrific draw all things considered.  A purple team awaits in a possible December regional final, but as we all witnessed last December, a CCIW champ can definitely hang with the Mount!

I think Wheaton got as tough a draw as there is in these playoffs. The first round is as winnable as can be, but after that they face nothing but top 5 teams. In years past you didn't face top 5 teams til the quarters. 2 games where you are favored if you are the #2 seed. I am not sure Wheaton will be the favorite a week from Saturday if they host JCU. Can they win, sure they can. But it will be a better defense than anything we have seen all year and an offense comparable to NCC's. That's tough duty for round 2.

As for saving Peltz last Saturday I didn't see that. He was 19-30 for 252 yds and 3 TD's. He was also the leading rusher with 12 carries for 68 yds. That was a hard fought win. Score was 7-2 at half and 21-2 final. Carthage never really threatened to score on offense. This is a very good defensive team Wheaton has. It is a much different philosophy than most D3 defensive juggernauts but it very solid. They get off the field on 3rd down and they keep people out of the endzone. Two very important features of a playoff team.

Great insight on the Pelz question, Usee - that's why i defer to you on all things Thunder.  Having not watching/listened to the Carthage game and just glanced through the box scores, it just read like a fairly conservative game plan called vs. an over-matched opponent, didn't seem to cut it loose the way he did v. better defensive units (EC and IWU).  But, credit to Carthage i suppose, playing WC tough on senior day.  Either way, he is an explosive dual threat and with his confidence building each week, Wheaton's offense is increasingly difficult to prepare for - the conference defensive coordinators will loose plenty of sleep the next two years preparing to game plan this kid.

On the bracket draw - i am going to stand firm on this one and respectfully disagree with you.  Truth is - when you get to Thanksgiving weekend...everybody is good - it's the best 16 teams in the Nation - but all things considered, it's a cozier draw than many other programs in the field. As i peruse the bracket and identify at some of the possible second-rounders for the top squads, i see a Linfield team potentially waiting for Mary Hardin Baylor, i see a playoff-tested, top flight program Wittenberg possibly awaiting Mt. union, heck - you could have been Wartburg, go undefeated, hang 80 on Loras in week 10 and draw the most dangerous 2-loss team in the field, two seasons removed from their trip to Salem, St. Thomas.

In 2012, CCIW co-champ EC had to go on the road to beat an undefeated Coe squad and then we bussed up to St. Paul, hanging with the National Runners-up to the last drive of the game - that's a tough draw.  Getting the sacrificial lamb of the tournament round one at home, setting up a possible home match-up with a tough, but winnable, match-up with JC is not what i would consider "the toughest draw in the tournament" - they have a bye week by most reasonable measures for goodness sake.  And while John Carroll has been rolling the past two years and can put up some serious points (over 40 in 8 games), this has not been a perennial powerhouse - they really burst onto the national scene just last year.  Prior to 2013, and for years, they were actually just like Elmhurst - a middle of the road team (5-5/6-4) playing in a well-respected conference.

All that said - i am certainly rooting for the team down the westbound Metra Line from Langhorst.  Like i said in a previous post - they are as athletic and as physically impressive a team as i have seen in person in quite some time at this level.  With an explosive offense and a sturdy defense, i can definitely see Swider's gang making a run at this thing.

[Gregory Sager]

The All-CCIW team is posted on the league website. Congrats to the six NPU players who made the team: T.D. Conway and Trevor Forker upon being named first-teamers at QB and DL, respectively; and Devin Childress (WR), Matt Leibforth (DL), Philip Pendleton (DB), and Kenny Pistorius (OL) upon being named second-teamers. That's more representation on the All-CCIW team than NPU has had in decades.

[CardinalAlum]

2014 CCIW All-Conference Football Team




Art Keller Offensive Player of the Year
Peter Sorenson - North Central

Don Larson Defensive Player of the Year
Adam Dansdill - Wheaton

Bob Reade Coach of the Year
Mike Swider - Wheaton

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Yr.  Hometown/High School

Marvin Carr - Elmhurst  DB  5-5  145  Sr.  Chicago, Ill./Mt. Carmel
Jordan Dean - North Central  DB  5-10  186  Sr.  Elgin, Ill./H.S.
Ben Fornek - Augustana  DB  5-11  190  Sr.  Batavia, Ill./H.S.
Michael Risher - Wheaton  DB  6-0  179  Sr.  Palatine, Ill./Fremd
Adam Dansdill - Wheaton  LB  6-0  215  Jr.  Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South
Sean Garvey - Illinois Wesleyan  LB  6-0  220  So.  Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South
Michael Monterrubio - North Central  LB  5-11  200  Sr.  Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South
Mikey Swider - Wheaton  LB  6-2  217  Jr.  Wheaton, Ill./North
Trevor Forker - North Park  DL  6-3  260  Sr.  New Buffalo, Mich./H.S.
Peter Mann - North Central  DL  6-3  270  Sr.  Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South
Logan McRae - Wheaton  DL  6-2  243  Jr.  Crown Point, Ind./H.S.
Kyle Venhuizen - Illinois Wesleyan  DL  6-2  220  So.  Evergreen Park, Ill./H.S.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Yr.  Hometown/High School

T.D. Conway - North Park  QB  6-4  220  So.  Pittsburgh, Pa./California
Oshayne Brown - North Central  RB  5-8  180  Jr.  Skokie, Ill./Niles North
Josh Williams - Elmhurst  RB  5-9  190  Jr.  Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South
Artie Checchin - Illinois Wesleyan  WR  6-1  200  Jr.  Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows 
Peter Sorenson - North Central  WR  6-5  204  Sr.  Dunlap, Ill./H.S.
Luke Thorson - Wheaton  WR  6-6  210  Sr.  Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Academy
Garrett Claxon - Elmhurst  TE  5-11  180  Jr.  Pana, Ill./H.S.
Pat Bolger - North Central  OL  6-4  271  Jr.  Barrington, Ill./H.S.
Spencer Clark - Wheaton  OL  6-0  270  Sr.  Waycross, Ga./Ware County
Drake Hoffman - Elmhurst  OL  6-0  280  Sr.  Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central
Eric Knaperek - North Central  OL  6-2  275  Jr.  Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way North
Matt Snebold - Wheaton  OL  6-4  285  Jr.  Onlaska, Wis./H.S.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Yr.  Hometown/High School

Alex Ulmer - North Central  RS  6-1  180  So.  Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian
Matt Kussmann - Illinois Wesleyan  P  6-3  260  Sr.  Bloomington, Ill./Tri-Valley
Dom Zavaglia - North Central  K  6-1  220  Fr.  Maryville, Ill./Collinsville

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Yr.  Hometown/High School

Mike Blakely - Millikin  DB  5-11  175  Sr.  St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood West
Shawntrel Garner - Carthage  DB  5-10  188  Fr.  Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran
Marcus Harnett - Carthage  DB  5-6  141  Sr.  Dolton, Ill./Thornridge
Valdez Honorable - Elmhurst  DB  5-9  160  Jr.  Decatur, Ill./MacArthur
Alex Mendez - Wheaton  DB  6-0  184  Jr.  Hanover Park, Ill./Glenbard North
Philip Pendleton - North Park  DB  5-11  195  Sr.  Chicago, Ill./Martin Luther King
Kevin Slawkowski - Illinois Wesleyan  DB  5-11  180  Jr.  Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East
Jack Asquini - Augustana  LB  5-10  215  So.  Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove
Jake Garabedian - Elmhurst  LB  5-11  205  Sr.  Miami, Fla./Archbishop Carroll
Matt Madrigal - Millikin  LB  6-0  210  So.  Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic
Greg Money - Carthage  LB  5-10  212  So.  Palatine, Ill./Fremd
Josh Aldrin - Wheaton  DL  5-8  245  So.  Woodridge, Ill./H.S.
Thomas Enke - Augustana  DL  6-1  230  Sr.  Omaha, Neb./Millard West
Matt Leibforth - North Park  DL  5-11  253  Sr.  Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove
Nick Spracklen - Elmhurst  DL  6-4  230  Sr.  Pana, Ill./H.S.
Jared Todd - Wheaton  DL  6-1  248  Sr.  Fort Myers, Fla./Evangelical Christian
John Worley - Illinois Wesleyan  DL  6-4  255  Sr.  Elmhurst, Ill./York

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Yr.  Hometown/High School

Joe Camiliere - Elmhurst  QB  5-11  190  Sr.  Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland
Sam Frasco - Augustana  QB  5-11  185  Jr.  Mt. Prospect, Ill./Prospect
Dylan Warden - North Central  QB  6-1  185  So.  Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley
Brandon Price - Augustana  RB  5-5  165  So.  Plainfield, Ill./Providence Catholic
Danny Puknaitis - Wheaton  RB  5-10  190  Jr.  Naperville, Ill./North
Devin Childress - North Park  WR  6-4  190  Fr.  Villa Park, Ill./Willowbrook
Brady Cufaude - Millikin   WR  6-1  180  Jr.  Pekin, Ill./H.S.
Kaylon Miller - Elmhurst  WR  6-1  175  So.  Bolingbrook, Ill./Downers Grove South
Javier Rhoades - Carthage  TE  6-1  235  So.  Chicago, Ill./East Leyden
Dan Barnhart - Wheaton  OL  6-0  308  Sr.  Muskegon, Mich./Reeths Puffer
Anthony Berkman - Millikin  OL  6-6  315  Jr.  Medinah, Ill./Lake Park
Adam Connors - Elmhurst  OL  6-3  280  Sr.  Dyer, Ind./Mount Carmel
Jon Losen - Augustana  OL  6-1  273  Sr.  Morton, Ill./H.S.
Niall Mulcahy - Illinois Wesleyan  OL  6-0  285  Sr.  Elmhurst, Ill./Fenwick
Kenny Pistorius - North Park  OL  6-3  265  Sr.  Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Yr.  Hometown/High School

Grant Shreve - Millikin  P  6-4  200  Sr.  Zionsville, Ind./H.S.

[AndOne]

Starting to think about POY and all conference awards for this year. I think it isn't nearly as obvious as years past. Some of the candidates include;

Offense:
Peter Sorenson
Dylan Warden
Johnny Peltz
Luke Thorson
Josh Williams

Defense:
Adam Dandsdill
Logan McRae
Peter Mann
Sean Garvey
Kyle Venhuizen

COY:
Swider
Planz

Who am I missing?

http://napervillesun.chicagotribune.com/2014/11/15/peter-sorensons-option-pass-keeps-north-central-hunt/

Naperville Sun article featuring NCC's Peter Sorenson, the should be CCIW Offensive POY.
I realize I have the advantage of having seen Sorenson play several times this year as opposed to seeing other great players only once. However, if its 4th and goal from the 10 and there is time for only one more play, the sure-handed 6'5" Sorenson is the guy you want to pull in the fade pattern pass in the back corner of the end zone to give you the W.
Peltz was outstanding for CCIW CHAMPION Wheaton, but I'm sorry, I favor the position that says you don't give the MVP to a designated hitter who spends half his time in the dugout or to the player who is out of this world when he plays, but only plays 1/2 of the season. JMHO, and i realize there are other valid opposing viewpoints. 

As I said, I think the coaches made the right choice for Offensive POY. I think the same applies to Dansdill and Coach Swider. 
In fact, I think it would be pretty difficult to criticize any of the all-conference picks this year. I am a bit surprised not to see Peltz's name on the list.

[AndOne]

Someone previously said if NCC would have schedule Alma instead of UWSP, they would be going to the playoffs. Truer words were never spoken because where the NCAA is concerned its "just win baby," especially if you don't win your conference and an accompanying AQ.
I understand there is sentiment for scheduling tough/semi-tough non-confetence teams under the theory that they get you ready for a tough conference schedule. However, in so doing you open yourself to the possibility of being a very good 8-2 team, but staying home while 7-3 and even 6-4 teams that you would kill get to go to the playoffs.
Wheaton scheduled an average team and 2 cupcakes for its non-conference games. Very smart! And that does nothing to detract from the fact that they are an outstanding team. They are going to the playoffs as they should. But they smartly used part of their schedule to help assure that.
You can say a tougher non-con schedule prepares you for conference. You can also say YOU prepare yourself because if you prepare yourself properly, you'll take care of your conference business, cupcake non-con schedule or not. 

[kiko]

Well, it's pretty clear Greg and Q weren't at the IWU-NPU game.  With the one changed INT on the deflection which led to a NP score, the final easily could have been 42-14, not the final which was 35-21.  Greg, the last time I checked 4 TDs is 28 points and had that scored happened the Titans would have won by 4 TDs.  I think most would consider a 35-21 win, surely a 42-14 win a pretty good smackdown.

Mugsy and Mr. B have already refuted your points, Mark. But I want to reiterate what Mr. B said. I broadcasted the game, so I know what I'm talking about -- and there's about a dozen dead flies lying in the windowsill of the Tucci Stadium press box as mute witness of my presence there on Saturday. I was swatting them left and right before the game like King Kong knocking down biplanes while perched atop the Empire State Building.

Seriously, it was totally bizarre how many flies there were in that pressbox, particularly since the weather outside was freezing and the windows were closed. They were all over the windows. The WJBC radio guy said that the press box had been filled with flies the previous time that he had called a Titans game as well. This is not a reflection upon IWU SID Stew Salowitz, a great guy and a genial host who was very generous in offering the NPU broadcaster (me) access to the press box deli platter, but somebody really needs to stock the Tucci press box with a flyswatter.

You DO realize, don't you, that among those flies were the third-, fourth-, and fifth-string QBs still healthy enough to play based on the Titans' depth chart?

[USee]

Congratulations to the all conference picks. I can only nitpick over a few selections all of these players are deserving. My biggest beef is having 15 players on the 2nd team. Just create 3 teams then. It's stupid to have three 2nd team QB's. Makes no sense at all. It makes the award far less meaningful in my opinion.

I was a bit surprised by the QB picks. JP11 played against 5 CCIW teams and beat two of those QB's head to head, outperforming them. I actually thought he had a chance at first team QB so i was surprised he got nothing. It may have been Mike Swider didn't nominate him because he didn't play there the whole year.

[kiko]

Congratulations to the all conference picks. I can only nitpick over a few selections all of these players are deserving. My biggest beef is having 15 players on the 2nd team. Just create 3 teams then. It's stupid to have three 2nd team QB's. Makes no sense at all. It makes the award far less meaningful in my opinion.

I was a bit surprised by the QB picks. JP11 played against 5 CCIW teams and beat two of those QB's head to head, outperforming them. I actually thought he had a chance at first team QB so i was surprised he got nothing. It may have been Mike Swider didn't nominate him because he didn't play there the whole year.

I'm not sure if the accolades are decided by a vote, but if they are, it is possible that there were three second-team QBs because there was a three-way tie.

Absent that, I agree that selecting three second-teamers instead of one seems silly.

[USee]

Congratulations to the all conference picks. I can only nitpick over a few selections all of these players are deserving. My biggest beef is having 15 players on the 2nd team. Just create 3 teams then. It's stupid to have three 2nd team QB's. Makes no sense at all. It makes the award far less meaningful in my opinion.

I was a bit surprised by the QB picks. JP11 played against 5 CCIW teams and beat two of those QB's head to head, outperforming them. I actually thought he had a chance at first team QB so i was surprised he got nothing. It may have been Mike Swider didn't nominate him because he didn't play there the whole year.

I'm not sure if the accolades are decided by a vote, but if they are, it is possible that there were three second-team QBs because there was a three-way tie.

Absent that, I agree that selecting three second-teamers instead of one seems silly.

They vote.  Tough to have a 3-way tie with 8 coaches voting.

[HScoach]

Someone previously said if NCC would have schedule Alma instead of UWSP, they would be going to the playoffs. Truer words were never spoken because where the NCAA is concerned its "just win baby," especially if you don't win your conference and an accompanying AQ.
I understand there is sentiment for scheduling tough/semi-tough non-confetence teams under the theory that they get you ready for a tough conference schedule. However, in so doing you open yourself to the possibility of being a very good 8-2 team, but staying home while 7-3 and even 6-4 teams that you would kill get to go to the playoffs.
Wheaton scheduled an average team and 2 cupcakes for its non-conference games. Very smart! And that does nothing to detract from the fact that they are an outstanding team. They are going to the playoffs as they should. But they smartly used part of their schedule to help assure that.
You can say a tougher non-con schedule prepares you for conference. You can also say YOU prepare yourself because if you prepare yourself properly, you'll take care of your conference business, cupcake non-con schedule or not. 

I agree.   The selection of the non-conference games is very important to the overall success of most of D3.   The Purple Powers are currently immune to the pro's and con's of non-conference scheduling as they're 99% sure of winning those games unless they schedule each other, but most don't have that luxury.

In my opinion the strength of schedule #'s that the NCAA uses are flawed as not all records and conferences are the same.   Franklin is the perfect non-conference game for a really good team.   Franklin has a 90+% chance of finishing with a 8-2 or better record, winning their conference and being regionally ranked.   All things that make them look really strong in the NCAA's eyes which boosts your playoff resume.   But does anyone really think they're better than a 5-5 or 6-4 team from the WIAC that wouldn't bump the SOS numbers or typically be regionally ranked? 

My theory on the scheduling of non-conference games depends on the individual team's status within their own conference, the depth/competitiveness of the conference, and the team's overall goals (such as are you trying to compete nationally, trying to compete within your conference or simply trying to rise a program from the ashes?).

Assuming the goal is trying to make and compete in the playoffs, then I'd attempt to schedule as such:

If I'm the big dog within a crappy conference but want to compete nationally like Franklin is trying to do, then I'm scheduling games against teams like Mount/UWW/Bethel/Wheaton/NCC/etc because I need to measure myself against playoff caliber teams because my conference is going to do nothing to help.   Unless you're really experienced, if the first good team you see comes in the playoffs you're likely to get drilled.  Not always, but it's not a recipe for consistent success.

If I'm in the CCIW, MIAC or E-8, then I need to schedule winnable games early because my conference slate is going to be tough enough to win by itself and will by default prepare me for the playoffs.   Plus you're coming from a stronger conference where 9-1 should always get you a Pool C bid.   If possible, schedule someone like St Norbert that is an average team that will typically win 7+ games to make your SOS look better.

If you're in the OAC, WIAC or ASC where one of the purple powers reside, then you can NOT under any circumstances schedule a 50/50 non-conference game because you're looking at 8-2 at best if you lose the opener.   

I respect the crap out of the teams (like NCC this year) that don't schedule cupcakes, but you might be shooting yourself in the foot.

[Pat Coleman]

Congratulations to the all conference picks. I can only nitpick over a few selections all of these players are deserving. My biggest beef is having 15 players on the 2nd team. Just create 3 teams then. It's stupid to have three 2nd team QB's. Makes no sense at all. It makes the award far less meaningful in my opinion.

I was a bit surprised by the QB picks. JP11 played against 5 CCIW teams and beat two of those QB's head to head, outperforming them. I actually thought he had a chance at first team QB so i was surprised he got nothing. It may have been Mike Swider didn't nominate him because he didn't play there the whole year.

I'm not sure if the accolades are decided by a vote, but if they are, it is possible that there were three second-team QBs because there was a three-way tie.

Absent that, I agree that selecting three second-teamers instead of one seems silly.

They vote.  Tough to have a 3-way tie with 8 coaches voting.

Depends on the voting structure.

[USee]

Someone previously said if NCC would have schedule Alma instead of UWSP, they would be going to the playoffs. Truer words were never spoken because where the NCAA is concerned its "just win baby," especially if you don't win your conference and an accompanying AQ.
I understand there is sentiment for scheduling tough/semi-tough non-confetence teams under the theory that they get you ready for a tough conference schedule. However, in so doing you open yourself to the possibility of being a very good 8-2 team, but staying home while 7-3 and even 6-4 teams that you would kill get to go to the playoffs.
Wheaton scheduled an average team and 2 cupcakes for its non-conference games. Very smart! And that does nothing to detract from the fact that they are an outstanding team. They are going to the playoffs as they should. But they smartly used part of their schedule to help assure that.
You can say a tougher non-con schedule prepares you for conference. You can also say YOU prepare yourself because if you prepare yourself properly, you'll take care of your conference business, cupcake non-con schedule or not. 

I agree.   The selection of the non-conference games is very important to the overall success of most of D3.   The Purple Powers are currently immune to the pro's and con's of non-conference scheduling as they're 99% sure of winning those games unless they schedule each other, but most don't have that luxury.

In my opinion the strength of schedule #'s that the NCAA uses are flawed as not all records and conferences are the same.   Franklin is the perfect non-conference game for a really good team.   Franklin has a 90+% chance of finishing with a 8-2 or better record, winning their conference and being regionally ranked.   All things that make them look really strong in the NCAA's eyes which boosts your playoff resume.   But does anyone really think they're better than a 5-5 or 6-4 team from the WIAC that wouldn't bump the SOS numbers or typically be regionally ranked? 

My theory on the scheduling of non-conference games depends on the individual team's status within their own conference, the depth/competitiveness of the conference, and the team's overall goals (such as are you trying to compete nationally, trying to compete within your conference or simply trying to rise a program from the ashes?).

Assuming the goal is trying to make and compete in the playoffs, then I'd attempt to schedule as such:

If I'm the big dog within a crappy conference but want to compete nationally like Franklin is trying to do, then I'm scheduling games against teams like Mount/UWW/Bethel/Wheaton/NCC/etc because I need to measure myself against playoff caliber teams because my conference is going to do nothing to help.   Unless you're really experienced, if the first good team you see comes in the playoffs you're likely to get drilled.  Not always, but it's not a recipe for consistent success.

If I'm in the CCIW, MIAC or E-8, then I need to schedule winnable games early because my conference slate is going to be tough enough to win by itself and will by default prepare me for the playoffs.   Plus you're coming from a stronger conference where 9-1 should always get you a Pool C bid.   If possible, schedule someone like St Norbert that is an average team that will typically win 7+ games to make your SOS look better.

If you're in the OAC, WIAC or ASC where one of the purple powers reside, then you can NOT under any circumstances schedule a 50/50 non-conference game because you're looking at 8-2 at best if you lose the opener.   

I respect the crap out of the teams (like NCC this year) that don't schedule cupcakes, but you might be shooting yourself in the foot.

Well said. The current format does not reward teams from good conferences, who will get RRO outcomes via their own conference schedule, to play "up" on the non conference. Wabash is a great example. Last year they were left out at 9-1, this year they made it at 9-1. The difference? Last year they played Hanover and this year they played Hampden Sydney. HSC was regionally ranked and in the top 25 when Wabash won, so they benefited greatly from that game. Without it, I think they were much more of a question mark (although their conference was better in the non conference this year than last so they may have still gotten in).

This all may be changing though. As the Pool C bids shrink (almost certainly from 6 this year to 5 next year) it becomes really important to have a strong SOS. You can schedule Middle tier teams and hope for the best (a strategy that has helped Wheaton more than hurt them) or you can play tough teams and roll the dice.

The idea that playing WIAC teams in non conference makes you tougher is myth and fallacy to me though. The CCIW most years is plenty tough to prepare you for the playoffs. And I don't see any evidence it helps in recruiting either.

[USee]

Congratulations to the all conference picks. I can only nitpick over a few selections all of these players are deserving. My biggest beef is having 15 players on the 2nd team. Just create 3 teams then. It's stupid to have three 2nd team QB's. Makes no sense at all. It makes the award far less meaningful in my opinion.

I was a bit surprised by the QB picks. JP11 played against 5 CCIW teams and beat two of those QB's head to head, outperforming them. I actually thought he had a chance at first team QB so i was surprised he got nothing. It may have been Mike Swider didn't nominate him because he didn't play there the whole year.

I'm not sure if the accolades are decided by a vote, but if they are, it is possible that there were three second-team QBs because there was a three-way tie.

Absent that, I agree that selecting three second-teamers instead of one seems silly.

They vote.  Tough to have a 3-way tie with 8 coaches voting.

Depends on the voting structure.

Yes it does and I don't think the CCIW's voting structure allows for a 3 way tie for 2nd team QB. They may have changed it but I am pretty sure that was a conspiracy more than a vote.