FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Incidentally, of course NCC is the 'home team'.  They must be at least 30 miles closer to Shenandoah than UWW!

This isn't "a locale" -- it's the NCAA and the number is supposed to be ticket sales.

Shenandoah would owe the NCAA for every person they claim was there.

Thanks, Pat - didn't know that.  OK, I'll predict they fall about 3,000 short of last year.  Partly because it is no longer a 'first', but mainly because there is no Texas team.  Or any team within hundreds of miles of Texas.

[New Tradition]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Incidentally, of course NCC is the 'home team'.  They must be at least 30 miles closer to Shenandoah than UWW!

This isn't "a locale" -- it's the NCAA and the number is supposed to be ticket sales.

Shenandoah would owe the NCAA for every person they claim was there.

Thanks, Pat - didn't know that.  OK, I'll predict they fall about 3,000 short of last year.  Partly because it is no longer a 'first', but mainly because there is no Texas team.  Or any team within hundreds of miles of Texas.

What's more...I'm trying to get down there and airfare is ASTRONOMICAL! I think I'm going to end up renting a car and driving down 16 hours straight leaving Thursday right after work. Not ideal, but there's no way I'm missing this. I'm sure there are many that this is deterring.

[WashedUpCard]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Incidentally, of course NCC is the 'home team'.  They must be at least 30 miles closer to Shenandoah than UWW!

This isn't "a locale" -- it's the NCAA and the number is supposed to be ticket sales.

Shenandoah would owe the NCAA for every person they claim was there.

Thanks, Pat - didn't know that.  OK, I'll predict they fall about 3,000 short of last year.  Partly because it is no longer a 'first', but mainly because there is no Texas team.  Or any team within hundreds of miles of Texas.

What's more...I'm trying to get down there and airfare is ASTRONOMICAL! I think I'm going to end up renting a car and driving down 16 hours straight leaving Thursday right after work. Not ideal, but there's no way I'm missing this. I'm sure there are many that this is deterring.

Did you look at flights into Dallas?  It's about a 3 hour drive...

[robertgoulet]

Dallas, Austin, Houston, Corpus Christi and San Antonio are all within 3-4 hrs drive. Lafayette and Shreveport LA also. Might take some creative thinking but you should be able to find something.

[Gregory Sager]

There's always the old-school method of getting from Illinois to Texas:

[formerd3db]

There's always the old-school method of getting from Illinois to Texas:

Gregory,

I guess you have been watching those Fess Parker-Davy Crockett/Georgie Russell reruns recently!🙂

[formerd3db]

New Tradition,

Airfare is insane for sure. I don't like flying anyway (I'm known as taking after John Madden in that regard around here🙂.) But, my friends, brother and I have done crazy long drives like that to the Stagg Bowl before when it was in Salem and me for other non-football related trips/commitments.   12-14+ hour drives are insane also, but when this type of opportunity comes around, agree with you it is something you don't want to miss. Besides, makes for great memories to discuss fir years to come (including embellishments!🙂.)

Anyway, safe driving to you and have a fantastic time.

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi,

We'll root for and hope that Eastern Michigan can prove their bowl record this time!🙂 Probably will be tough, big would be a big plus and accomplishment if they can pull it off.
I might try to go to the game(would like to)-that depends on the family Christmas plans.🙄🙂

[USee]

Very intriguing Stagg matchup. The Cardinals are on a roll and UWW has been resourceful in getting to Shenandoah. North Central's offense is #2 in the country, with the best QB in D3. They have proven themselves against the #1, #2, #3 and #14 defense in the country scoring 21, 59, 31, and 45 respectively. I think they will put up 30+ against UWW and that's probably a reasonable assumption.

Having said that, Broc Rutter is awesome in large part because they run the ball so well with Ethan Greenfield. 55% run and 45% pass. The matchup is very good for UWW as they boast the #4 rush D in the country and sacked Erdman of StJ 7 times. All that is because they have a very active and talented defensive front. NCC has the best OLine I have seen all year so we are in for a treat to watch those units go to battle. I think the key to this game is the UWW offense vs the NCC defense. NCC is stubbornly man to man in coverage and the coaches obviously think Jake Beasley can cover anyone bump and run for most of a game. A good QB and WR (see Wheaton and Mt Union) will take advantage of that. NCC is also a top 20 defense against the run, in part because they play a lot of man and the safeties get involved in the run game as they are often covering RB/TE. How these teams gameplan that will be interesting to watch. Wheaton put a lot of 2 WR sets into the short side of the field and drew man coverage against the NCC safeties with their best WR's (e.g. Phil Nichols on the 4th down TD catch that turned the game in the 4th Q). UWW is versatile on offense and has weapons.

I think the UWW defensive gameplan will be similar to what they employed against St Johns. Stop the run with the front, get after the QB and protect against big plays. NCC is a much better running team than St Johns so that will be a battle to watch.

Rutter is going to get his yards and probably their points. Can UWW run, control the clock, and keep pace with the Cards? Both teams will try to dictate pace and impose their will. Looking forward to a great game of contrasting styles (again).

[AndOne]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Current forecast for Friday in Shenandoah, TX is showers, with a high of 67 and a low of 46.

The Cardinals say "let it rain." After all, they did rather well in the drizzle and showers in Allentown on Saturday.  🌧  😉

[DBQ1965]

I remember driving over to Naperville from GR, Michigan a few years ago to watch a playoff game between NCC and UWW.  It was a great game as I recall, but I don't remember the year or the outcome.   Who can help me out?

Here are the highlights of the 2010 quarterfinal game.

I was at that game. Probably one of my top 5 games I've seen in person.

I was there as well. Was oddly comfortable considering the weather. Must have been the Irish hot chocolates!

My dad and I came down in the blizzard too, it wasn't that cold since it was snowing.

Thanks to all of you who helped me out on this.  Knowing it was 2010 reminded me that I made the drive the following year when UD was embarrassed by NCC.  Oh well.

[bleedpurple]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Current forecast for Friday in Shenandoah, TX is showers, with a high of 67 and a low of 46.

The Cardinals say "let it rain." After all, they did rather well in the drizzle and showers in Allentown on Saturday.  🌧  😉

The Cardinals could have beaten that team on the North Pole.  We hope to provide you a different type of challenge on Friday night.

[02 Warhawk]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Current forecast for Friday in Shenandoah, TX is showers, with a high of 67 and a low of 46.

The Cardinals say "let it rain." After all, they did rather well in the drizzle and showers in Allentown on Saturday.  🌧  😉

The Cardinals could have beaten that team on the North Pole.  We hope to provide you a different type of challenge on Friday night.

Elmhurst could have given them a different type of challenge than Muhlenberg.

[CardinalAlum]

Any guestimates as to what this year's Stagg Bowl attendance might be? I suspect it might be a little lower due no Texas or closer regional located team playing this year as was UMHB. However, you never know.

Depends largely on how they count attendance.  Some locales count all players, sideline personnel, gate and concessions workers, etc.  Some count only 'fans in the stands'.  If the latter I'll guess several thousand less than last year.  (Of course, who can predict how many northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin fans just want a few days away from the cold?!)

Current forecast for Friday in Shenandoah, TX is showers, with a high of 67 and a low of 46.

The Cardinals say "let it rain." After all, they did rather well in the drizzle and showers in Allentown on Saturday.  🌧  😉

The Cardinals could have beaten that team on the North Pole.  We hope to provide you a different type of challenge on Friday night.

Elmhurst could have given them a different type of challenge than Muhlenberg.

Haha   You guys didn't see Elmhurst this year!

[blue_jays]

As this year's playoffs have proven to me, fandom can create weird conundrums.

As someone who has a rooting interest in Wheaton football, this year felt particularly crushing due to the nature of how it ended. That team was good enough to win it all and was the best Wheaton team they've ever had IMO, which makes it even tougher mentally.

That said, I am not one who will root for a conference blood rival to succeed just because of the conference affiliation. However, due to a combo of factors, this NCC team has won me over (ugh). Most of it is due to Rutter and his four years of sustained excellence. You see it enough over the years that I can't help but hope that it gets rewarded with the postseason run they've had. The other factor that has me in NCC's corner is the region. I'm always going to support the Midwest cadre of schools when it comes to matchups against any outside regions, mostly because I believe this region of the country produces great D3 talent that should get accolades/results to match. NCC's smashing of its last two opponents proves that to me again – these Midwest schools are a tough bunch and the margins of victory over those highly ranked teams didn't surprise me at all due to NCC's talent and the fact they are battle tested.

Gotta say I was rooting for UWW to advance, mostly due to some SJ supporters who can't keep their feet out of their own mouths. The griping about Swider's post-game comments was annoying and the ensuing Sager-gate proved how salty some of them are. They can dish it out in victory but can't take it in a loss, evidently.

So here's hoping Rutter and Co. get the job done and finish the title run.