FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc_fan]

I was delighted to see the CCIW get TWO home games in round one.  I think CWRU @ IWU is a very fair match-up, but I think both NCC and SJU got hosed - for the 'island' teams, first round match-ups like HSU @ Linfield are, alas, inevitable, but matching up two teams as good as NCC and SJU in the very first round, with all the other options available, is IMO inexcusable.

Too many 10-0 teams in D3 to give the 9-1s cupcakes.  Besides, cupcake games are less fun.

It's all about geographical limitations on building the first-round matchups.  SJU is on the northern edge of D3-land, and there just aren't many playoff teams within their 500-mile radius.  Here's the list, I think:

UW-Oshkosh
St. Thomas
Lakeland
Wartburg
Monmouth
NCC

Given that list I'd say the only other possibility for SJU was Monmouth.

I'm looking forward to the best game of round 1.

[E.115]

Greetings all,

Preliminary article on Case Western Reserve @ Illinois Wesleyan:  http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/iwu-gets-first-round-home-game-against-case-western-in/article_fd078fed-16ff-5620-beaa-89eebb664871.html

[robertthebruce50]

I am new at this. This will be my first ever post on the forum.  I went to Augustana College in the early 80's and saw a dynasty starting to take shape.  Coach Reade's squads were winning national championships 4 years in a row.  Believe me, nothing gets better than that.  Now, since Coach Cushman was hired until the present, the football program goes into a serious decline.  In fact, Coach Cushman's first year ended with their first losing season since 1978, a 33 year run.  They haven't had a winning season since.  Coach Bell has NOT been able to fix the problem.  I agree with all of the past forum members posting about the state of Augustana football,but one thing that was not mentioned. The Augustana defense.  They say offense wins games and defense wins championships. I truly believe that.  These past 7 years under Cushman & Bell have all of the defenses rank in the top 10 in Augustana history.  This year's defense would be the equivalent of a meeting between Dean 'Wermer and the Delta frat, with Dean Wermer saying:  "Mr. 'Blutarsky, zero point zero".  This year's Augustana defense was the worst in school history.  Most points given up, worst scoring % on opponents drives, worst 3rd down rate, worst turnover margin and the list goes on including 3 blowout losses (Carthage, North Central, and Wheaton).  Unfortunately,the same assistant coaches were still in place ALL 3 of Coach Bell's years.  This 7 year stretch by Cushman & Bell produced the most losses in that span in school history. I am not even comparing this to other teams in the CCIW.  Just on Augie's history.  In order to get better on the field, you MUST FIX THE PROBLEM!!!  This current coaching staff, head coach included, needed to address this during their games they played.  As an alum, it makes me sick to my stomach to see this kind of football being played.  I hope that some Augustana administrators as well as personnel in the athletic department read this article which shows, not just me, but SEVERAL Augie alumni feel about the direction of our football program.  I want each administrator and employee of Augustana College to care about this program and to do the absolute right thing to correct the decline of the football program, ONCE AND FOR ALL.

[HScoach]

Yes, IWU has officially announced the playoff game to start at 12 Noon, local time.

Should be a good one.  CWRU looks tough, with a very balanced offense.

IWU'70

You're partially right.  Case is balanced, but hardly tough.  Anything short of a 4 TD win will be disappointing.

[bluestreak66]

Feel like the NCC/SJU match up is much more like a 2nd or 3rd round game, but I'm still thankful that such a good game is happening so close to home! My father was a 1st team CCIW lineman for NC back in the 70s, so I'm going to be at the game cheering the Cards on! 

[wally_wabash]

Yes, IWU has officially announced the playoff game to start at 12 Noon, local time.

Should be a good one.  CWRU looks tough, with a very balanced offense.

IWU'70

You're partially right.  Case is balanced, but hardly tough.  Anything short of a 4 TD win will be disappointing.

Agree here.  CWRU's shot is sheer individual brilliance of Rob Cuda.  Past that, IWU should be able to control this thing physically.  As long as the Titan offense doesn't short circuit, I think this is a multi-TD MOV. 

[CardinalAlum]

Yes, IWU has officially announced the playoff game to start at 12 Noon, local time.

Should be a good one.  CWRU looks tough, with a very balanced offense.

IWU'70

You're partially right.  Case is balanced, but hardly tough.  Anything short of a 4 TD win will be disappointing.

Well....I was thinking the same thing but didn't know enough about CWR.

[iwu70]

I hope you'all are right about your prognostications re:  IWU vs. CWRU. 

10-0 is still 10-0 -- so we'll see.  I have great faith in the IWU's D, of course, but IWU's O hasn't always been stellar. 

A big win at home would be grand.

IWU'70

[robertgoulet]

Tough draw for NCC. Battle of two teams who have both been in the Top-10 all season.

Any chance Kuhl makes his return or is his season over?

[attilathehun]

Tough draw for NCC. Battle of two teams who have both been in the Top-10 all season.

Any chance Kuhl makes his return or is his season over?

He's done for the season.

[Kovo]

I am new at this. This will be my first ever post on the forum.  I went to Augustana College in the early 80's and saw a dynasty starting to take shape.  Coach Reade's squads were winning national championships 4 years in a row.  Believe me, nothing gets better than that.  Now, since Coach Cushman was hired until the present, the football program goes into a serious decline.  In fact, Coach Cushman's first year ended with their first losing season since 1978, a 33 year run.  They haven't had a winning season since.  Coach Bell has NOT been able to fix the problem.  I agree with all of the past forum members posting about the state of Augustana football,but one thing that was not mentioned. The Augustana defense.  They say offense wins games and defense wins championships. I truly believe that.  These past 7 years under Cushman & Bell have all of the defenses rank in the top 10 in Augustana history.  This year's defense would be the equivalent of a meeting between Dean 'Wermer and the Delta frat, with Dean Wermer saying:  "Mr. 'Blutarsky, zero point zero".  This year's Augustana defense was the worst in school history.  Most points given up, worst scoring % on opponents drives, worst 3rd down rate, worst turnover margin and the list goes on including 3 blowout losses (Carthage, North Central, and Wheaton).  Unfortunately,the same assistant coaches were still in place ALL 3 of Coach Bell's years.  This 7 year stretch by Cushman & Bell produced the most losses in that span in school history. I am not even comparing this to other teams in the CCIW.  Just on Augie's history.  In order to get better on the field, you MUST FIX THE PROBLEM!!!  This current coaching staff, head coach included, needed to address this during their games they played.  As an alum, it makes me sick to my stomach to see this kind of football being played.  I hope that some Augustana administrators as well as personnel in the athletic department read this article which shows, not just me, but SEVERAL Augie alumni feel about the direction of our football program.  I want each administrator and employee of Augustana College to care about this program and to do the absolute right thing to correct the decline of the football program, ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Welcome to the Board.  I'm always glad to see more posters.

And, while everything you say may be true, it is equally true that nothing lasts forever.  While you were at Augie in the early 80's lifting championship trophies, I was at NCC during that time getting the stuffing knocked out of me by those teams.  The world has changed my Viking friend, from recruiting to media to the fact we are on the internet posting about D3 football.  Sure Augie, can be relevant once again.  But the 80's along with Big hair, new wave music, Miami Vice and Augie winning every year are long gone.

As with NCC, the change starts at the top.  You need a committed President, a smart AD and lots of luck.

[USee]

Took a look at St Johns.  They look decent.  Could be a good game.

[CardinalAlum]

Took a look at St Johns.  They look decent.  Could be a good game.

First of all, what a bummer for Wheaton not getting in.  If Carnegie Mellon could properly take a knee, I have to think Wheaton is in and one of the top teams would've been in for a heck of a first round game. Secondly, I know you have more than "they look decent" in you and hope you'll go into more depth as the week goes on.  All the best!

[AndOne]

I am new at this. This will be my first ever post on the forum.  I went to Augustana College in the early 80's and saw a dynasty starting to take shape.  Coach Reade's squads were winning national championships 4 years in a row.  Believe me, nothing gets better than that.  Now, since Coach Cushman was hired until the present, the football program goes into a serious decline.  In fact, Coach Cushman's first year ended with their first losing season since 1978, a 33 year run.  They haven't had a winning season since.  Coach Bell has NOT been able to fix the problem.  I agree with all of the past forum members posting about the state of Augustana football,but one thing that was not mentioned. The Augustana defense.  They say offense wins games and defense wins championships. I truly believe that.  These past 7 years under Cushman & Bell have all of the defenses rank in the top 10 in Augustana history.  This year's defense would be the equivalent of a meeting between Dean 'Wermer and the Delta frat, with Dean Wermer saying:  "Mr. 'Blutarsky, zero point zero".  This year's Augustana defense was the worst in school history.  Most points given up, worst scoring % on opponents drives, worst 3rd down rate, worst turnover margin and the list goes on including 3 blowout losses (Carthage, North Central, and Wheaton).  Unfortunately,the same assistant coaches were still in place ALL 3 of Coach Bell's years.  This 7 year stretch by Cushman & Bell produced the most losses in that span in school history. I am not even comparing this to other teams in the CCIW.  Just on Augie's history.  In order to get better on the field, you MUST FIX THE PROBLEM!!!  This current coaching staff, head coach included, needed to address this during their games they played.  As an alum, it makes me sick to my stomach to see this kind of football being played.  I hope that some Augustana administrators as well as personnel in the athletic department read this article which shows, not just me, but SEVERAL Augie alumni feel about the direction of our football program.  I want each administrator and employee of Augustana College to care about this program and to do the absolute right thing to correct the decline of the football program, ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Welcome to the Board.  I'm always glad to see more posters.

And, while everything you say may be true, it is equally true that nothing lasts forever.  While you were at Augie in the early 80's lifting championship trophies, I was at NCC during that time getting the stuffing knocked out of me by those teams.  The world has changed my Viking friend, from recruiting to media to the fact we are on the internet posting about D3 football.  Sure Augie, can be relevant once again.  But the 80's along with Big hair, new wave music, Miami Vice and Augie winning every year are long gone.

As with NCC, the change starts at the top.  You need a committed President, a smart AD and lots of luck.

And lets not forget the role money/funding plays.
Specifically, with regard to Augie, we've been hearing rumblings here on the boards for some time with regard to the fact that over the past several years, the AC administration has decreased expenditures over most, if not all, of the athletic spectrum while increasing the amount spent on academic programs, salaries, scholarships, etc.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I am new at this. This will be my first ever post on the forum.  I went to Augustana College in the early 80's and saw a dynasty starting to take shape.  Coach Reade's squads were winning national championships 4 years in a row.  Believe me, nothing gets better than that.  Now, since Coach Cushman was hired until the present, the football program goes into a serious decline.  In fact, Coach Cushman's first year ended with their first losing season since 1978, a 33 year run.  They haven't had a winning season since.  Coach Bell has NOT been able to fix the problem.  I agree with all of the past forum members posting about the state of Augustana football,but one thing that was not mentioned. The Augustana defense.  They say offense wins games and defense wins championships. I truly believe that.  These past 7 years under Cushman & Bell have all of the defenses rank in the top 10 in Augustana history.  This year's defense would be the equivalent of a meeting between Dean 'Wermer and the Delta frat, with Dean Wermer saying:  "Mr. 'Blutarsky, zero point zero".  This year's Augustana defense was the worst in school history.  Most points given up, worst scoring % on opponents drives, worst 3rd down rate, worst turnover margin and the list goes on including 3 blowout losses (Carthage, North Central, and Wheaton).  Unfortunately,the same assistant coaches were still in place ALL 3 of Coach Bell's years.  This 7 year stretch by Cushman & Bell produced the most losses in that span in school history. I am not even comparing this to other teams in the CCIW.  Just on Augie's history.  In order to get better on the field, you MUST FIX THE PROBLEM!!!  This current coaching staff, head coach included, needed to address this during their games they played.  As an alum, it makes me sick to my stomach to see this kind of football being played.  I hope that some Augustana administrators as well as personnel in the athletic department read this article which shows, not just me, but SEVERAL Augie alumni feel about the direction of our football program.  I want each administrator and employee of Augustana College to care about this program and to do the absolute right thing to correct the decline of the football program, ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Welcome to the Board.  I'm always glad to see more posters.

And, while everything you say may be true, it is equally true that nothing lasts forever.  While you were at Augie in the early 80's lifting championship trophies, I was at NCC during that time getting the stuffing knocked out of me by those teams.  The world has changed my Viking friend, from recruiting to media to the fact we are on the internet posting about D3 football.  Sure Augie, can be relevant once again.  But the 80's along with Big hair, new wave music, Miami Vice and Augie winning every year are long gone.

As with NCC, the change starts at the top.  You need a committed President, a smart AD and lots of luck.

And lets not forget the role money/funding plays.
Specifically, with regard to Augie, we've been hearing rumblings here on the boards for some time with regard to the fact that over the past several years, the AC administration has decreased expenditures over most, if not all, of the athletic spectrum while increasing the amount spent on academic programs, salaries, scholarships, etc.

As a (retired) college educator, I applaud that they've gotten their priorities straight!

As a sports fan, geez, Augie, get your priorities straight!