FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[HScoach]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

Interesting, and quite educational.   I would have guessed NCC to be more successful than that, though I must admit it's mainly due to my respect for Wheaton and the CCIW as a whole.  Also surprising that most of those L weren't that competitive.

[Marmac]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

The 2-7 record is disappointing -- particularly the losses to Franklin, Wabash, and Wheaton. But given that NCC never made the playoffs pre-Thorne, I tip my hat to the father and son for getting NCC to the 2nd round of the playoffs 10 times the past 13 seasons. That's a tremendous accomplishment.

[USee]

North Central seems to have solved some of their defensive issues. Against Wheaton I thought they structurally relied too much on Beasley, who is a great talent but really just a first year DB and he had a terrible game against Wheaton. I thought 3 or 4 of Wheaton's TD's were Beasley being out of position. Now they seem to be playing a bit more zone with him and sporadically playing MTM. Their LB's are also playing better. We'll see this Saturday and next as the competition will be fierce in the North.

[kiko]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

The 2-7 record is disappointing -- particularly the losses to Franklin, Wabash, and Wheaton. But given that NCC never made the playoffs pre-Thorne, I tip my hat to the father and son for getting NCC to the 2nd round of the playoffs 10 times the past 13 seasons. That's a tremendous accomplishment.

No doubt.  The program is unrecognizable from what it once was, and that is a mammoth accomplishment.  There are a few levels above where they are today, though, and I would love to see them take that next step.

Five of the second round losses have been on the road, where the Cardinals were underdogs.  (There were losses in winnable regular season games a few times that pushed the Cardinals into tougher playoff path assignments.)  The home losses in 2008 and 2016 are games I look at as the biggest missed opportunities, albeit against very good non-purple opponents.  This one is also at home, which is why I regard it as such a critical test of progress for the program.

[thunderdog]

Quick shout out to the following Wheaton Football alums for their coaching accomplishments this past week:

Pedro Arruza (class of 1996) - Head Coach @ Randolph Macon College. RMC posted it's first ever playoff win over OAC opponent, John Carroll, winning 23-20.  RMC also had a 44-16 advantage in time of possession    RMC travels to Muhlenberg next...

Rod Sandberg (class of 1991) - Head Coach @ Whitworth University. Whitworth posted it's first playoff victory in 12 years, defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps by a score of 48-6. Whitworth travels to St. John's next...

Steve Ryan (class of 1989) - Head Coach @ Morningside. Morningside defeated Rocky Mountain College 49-20 in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. Morningside is 12-0 and is the #1 seed in that tournament (I believe).

Collin Quinn (class of 2000) - Head Coach @ SMB (St Paul/Minnehaha/Blake High School in Minnesota). SMB defeated Waseca 23-15 in the 4A Semifinals. They play for the state title on Friday vs Willmar

Jeremiah Chaney (class of 1998) - Jeremiah was named DC @ Aurora University as part of Don Beebe's staff.

I'm sure there are many, many more... but congrats to these fine gentlemen.

[CardinalAlum]

Quick shout out to the following Wheaton Football alums for their coaching accomplishments this past week:

Pedro Arruza (class of 1996) - Head Coach @ Randolph Macon College. RMC posted it's first ever playoff win over OAC opponent, John Carroll, winning 23-20.  RMC also had a 44-16 advantage in time of possession    RMC travels to Muhlenberg next...

Rod Sandberg (class of 1991) - Head Coach @ Whitworth University. Whitworth posted it's first playoff victory in 12 years, defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps by a score of 48-6. Whitworth travels to St. John's next...

Steve Ryan (class of 1989) - Head Coach @ Morningside. Morningside defeated Rocky Mountain College 49-20 in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. Morningside is 12-0 and is the #1 seed in that tournament (I believe).

Collin Quinn (class of 2000) - Head Coach @ SMB (St Paul/Minnehaha/Blake High School in Minnesota). SMB defeated Waseca 23-15 in the 4A Semifinals. They play for the state title on Friday vs Willmar

Jeremiah Chaney (class of 1998) - Jeremiah was named DC @ Aurora University as part of Don Beebe's staff.

I'm sure there are many, many more... but congrats to these fine gentlemen.

Steve Ryan is a great guy and coach.  Really happy for his success at Morningside.  Congrats to the others as well!

[sigma one]

Another Wheaton alumnus, Neal Neathery, is the DC at Eastern Michigan, where former Kenyon QB and Wabash coach Chris Creighton is HC.

[formerd3db]

Speaking of Eastern Michigan...

Mr. Ypsi, what is your perspective so far now? They should not have lost to Akron and, just like last year,  a couple of their losses were by a field goal or so (actually last year it was about 4-5 of those being very close games). They could have had at least two other wins this year were it not for Ackron and SDSU.

As to Akron, do you or anyone think Terry Bowden's job there is in trouble there?

[wally_wabash]

EMU beat Akron 27-7 at The Factory. 

[formerd3db]

Oops! You are always spot on Wally!  I can't believe what an idiot I am in making that mistake.   I actually meant to refer to either of the two close losses they had against Northern Illinois (a 3 point loss in OT) or Western Michigan (also a 3 point loss).  What I was attempting to bring up (as I'm sure you and others got) was the similarities between last season and this in the results of several of Eastern's games.  Overall, I think there has, indeed, been some good progress made there (including in attendance at games), of which, many did not really see happening.

But, also, I did intend to bring up the subject of Terry Bowden at Akron.  Although I think he has been a great coach in his career, he really hasn't had the level of success at Akron that he enjoyed at his other stops.  I am wondering how long it will be before the administration decides to pull out the ax (or axe-take you pick of spelling, both are correct ) there.  Anyway, thanks for the correction! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't really follow EMU much at all - my memories are too mixed, and that's my son's job (son #2 is an EMU grad, and current grad student there).  But I do know they've become bowl-eligible again.  Chris Creighton seems to be just what the doctor ordered!  I never thought it possible, with the Big House just 8 miles away!  (I do know they try to avoid competing head-to-head with UM games - either not schedule home game vs. home games, or at least do day vs. night or vice-versa.)

I'm not sure that EMU football is an appropriate topic on the CCIW page!

[ncc_fan]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

The 2-7 record is disappointing -- particularly the losses to Franklin, Wabash, and Wheaton. But given that NCC never made the playoffs pre-Thorne, I tip my hat to the father and son for getting NCC to the 2nd round of the playoffs 10 times the past 13 seasons. That's a tremendous accomplishment.

No doubt.  The program is unrecognizable from what it once was, and that is a mammoth accomplishment.  There are a few levels above where they are today, though, and I would love to see them take that next step.

Five of the second round losses have been on the road, where the Cardinals were underdogs.  (There were losses in winnable regular season games a few times that pushed the Cardinals into tougher playoff path assignments.)  The home losses in 2008 and 2016 are games I look at as the biggest missed opportunities, albeit against very good non-purple opponents.  This one is also at home, which is why I regard it as such a critical test of progress for the program.

For comparison, here are the 2nd round records of other MIAC, ARC, CCIW, and WIAC teams over the same time period (2006-2017).  I've included only teams with more than one result.

Bethel       3-0
SJU          1-4
UST          7-0
Coe           0-2
Wartburg   3-1
Wheaton   2-4
UWO         4-0
UWW       10-0

[Marmac]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

The 2-7 record is disappointing -- particularly the losses to Franklin, Wabash, and Wheaton. But given that NCC never made the playoffs pre-Thorne, I tip my hat to the father and son for getting NCC to the 2nd round of the playoffs 10 times the past 13 seasons. That's a tremendous accomplishment.

No doubt.  The program is unrecognizable from what it once was, and that is a mammoth accomplishment.  There are a few levels above where they are today, though, and I would love to see them take that next step.

Five of the second round losses have been on the road, where the Cardinals were underdogs.  (There were losses in winnable regular season games a few times that pushed the Cardinals into tougher playoff path assignments.)  The home losses in 2008 and 2016 are games I look at as the biggest missed opportunities, albeit against very good non-purple opponents.  This one is also at home, which is why I regard it as such a critical test of progress for the program.

For comparison, here are the 2nd round records of other MIAC, ARC, CCIW, and WIAC teams over the same time period (2006-2017).  I've included only teams with more than one result.

Bethel       3-0
SJU          1-4
UST          7-0
Coe           0-2
Wartburg   3-1
Wheaton   2-4
UWO         4-0
UWW       10-0

Surprising that UST and Bethel are a combined 10-0 but SJU is 1-4. Noteworthy that, among these top conferences, only UWW has more 2nd round appearances than NCC. I suspect only 3 or 4 schools have more wins than NCC since 2006: Mount Union, UWW, MHB, and ...?

[jamtod]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

The 2-7 record is disappointing -- particularly the losses to Franklin, Wabash, and Wheaton. But given that NCC never made the playoffs pre-Thorne, I tip my hat to the father and son for getting NCC to the 2nd round of the playoffs 10 times the past 13 seasons. That's a tremendous accomplishment.

No doubt.  The program is unrecognizable from what it once was, and that is a mammoth accomplishment.  There are a few levels above where they are today, though, and I would love to see them take that next step.

Five of the second round losses have been on the road, where the Cardinals were underdogs.  (There were losses in winnable regular season games a few times that pushed the Cardinals into tougher playoff path assignments.)  The home losses in 2008 and 2016 are games I look at as the biggest missed opportunities, albeit against very good non-purple opponents.  This one is also at home, which is why I regard it as such a critical test of progress for the program.

For comparison, here are the 2nd round records of other MIAC, ARC, CCIW, and WIAC teams over the same time period (2006-2017).  I've included only teams with more than one result.

Bethel       3-0
SJU          1-4
UST          7-0
Coe           0-2
Wartburg   3-1
Wheaton   2-4
UWO         4-0
UWW       10-0

Surprising that UST and Bethel are a combined 10-0 but SJU is 1-4. Noteworthy that, among these top conferences, only UWW has more 2nd round appearances than NCC. I suspect only 3 or 4 schools have more wins than NCC since 2006: Mount Union, UWW, MHB, and ...?

UST would have to be also, given the round 2 wins and a few championship appearances. I wonder where Linfield falls given the frequency of facing UMHB.

[bleedpurple]

NCC will officially host Bethel at Noon on Saturday.

From my POV, this will be the most important game the Cardinals play all season, irrespective of how far they do/don't advance in the playoffs.  (No disrespect intended to the folks in Wheaton or Bloomington.)

North Central is 10-1 in opening round games in the Thorne era, but only 2-7 in the second round:

2006, Away - Capital 41, North Central 13
2007, Away - Whitewater 59, North Central 28
2008, Home - Franklin 38, North Central 28
2010, Home - North Central 28, Ohio Northern 9
2011, Away - Wabash 29, North Central 28
2012, Away - Linfield 30, North Central 14
2013, Home - North Central 52, Platteville 24
2016, Home - Wheaton 31, North Central 14
2017, Away - Oshkosh 42, North Central 21

The Cardinals have proven they can consistently win in the opening round... the competition clearly gets better in a hurry in round two in this part of the country, but it's not always purple in quality.  The program has come so far in this era from what it once was, and there is more talent up and down the roster than even 5-6 years ago.  Bethel will be a handful, but this is a great opportunity for the program to start taking that next step up the ladder on a consistent basis.

The 2-7 record is disappointing -- particularly the losses to Franklin, Wabash, and Wheaton. But given that NCC never made the playoffs pre-Thorne, I tip my hat to the father and son for getting NCC to the 2nd round of the playoffs 10 times the past 13 seasons. That's a tremendous accomplishment.

No doubt.  The program is unrecognizable from what it once was, and that is a mammoth accomplishment.  There are a few levels above where they are today, though, and I would love to see them take that next step.

Five of the second round losses have been on the road, where the Cardinals were underdogs.  (There were losses in winnable regular season games a few times that pushed the Cardinals into tougher playoff path assignments.)  The home losses in 2008 and 2016 are games I look at as the biggest missed opportunities, albeit against very good non-purple opponents.  This one is also at home, which is why I regard it as such a critical test of progress for the program.

For comparison, here are the 2nd round records of other MIAC, ARC, CCIW, and WIAC teams over the same time period (2006-2017).  I've included only teams with more than one result.

Bethel       3-0
SJU          1-4
UST          7-0
Coe           0-2
Wartburg   3-1
Wheaton   2-4
UWO         4-0
UWW       10-0

Surprising that UST and Bethel are a combined 10-0 but SJU is 1-4. Noteworthy that, among these top conferences, only UWW has more 2nd round appearances than NCC. I suspect only 3 or 4 schools have more wins than NCC since 2006: Mount Union, UWW, MHB, and ...?

UST would have to be also, given the round 2 wins and a few championship appearances. I wonder where Linfield falls given the frequency of facing UMHB.

Wesley?