FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[USee]

NCC has 3 of 4 secondary players back, 2 of 3 LB's and 3 of 4 DL from a top 20 Defense. Aurora is gonna have their hands full but also returns 8-9 starters from 2019 including some great WR's and the notorious Cam Moore.

On offense the Cardinals are much more organized than St Johns as they have every skill player returning and 3 of 5 OL. They need a QB and the freshman Lehnan has been in the program since Jan 2020 and is a dual threat QB. Aurora is playing 6-7 new starters on defense and a decent St Johns offense scored 39. I think NCC's offense is going to be much higher octane than St Johns. I might be wrong but unless NCC makes some serious miscues, I would be surprised if this game is very close by the 4th quarter.

[WashedUpCard]

I find it interesting that in all these posts about the NCC-AU game that there has been little mention of Ethan Greenfield.  I mean, he only rushed for 2,100 yards and 29 TDs in 2019, was named the Stagg Bowl MVP and is a 1st Team Preseason AA... and from the looks of it he is bigger and faster than he was in 2019.  Terrence Hill will also be back plus they added some exciting young players.  It appears to be a deep backfield.  As they say, the running game is a quarterback's best friend... especially a young QB (or a transfer QB new to the system).

[USee]

I was about to add something to that effect. St Johns ran for 239 yds and 6.8 yds per rush vs Aurora and had to replace 4 of 5 Offensive line starters. Henry Trost was a key part of their team last year at RB and ran for 148 with the QB adding 45 yds.

Ethan Greenfield (D3 AA 144 yds per game, 7.6 yds per rush)  is back behind 3 returning OL and 2 freshmen OL and a running QB (Rutter was not a runner). I don't really care how well the NCC QB can throw, Aurora is gonna have their hands full with a team that runs it 60% when they had Rutter and probably will run it even more with Lehnen/Johnson (the two listed QB's in the 2 deep).

[WashedUpCard]

I didn't realize the 2-deep was out.  I'm really excited to see Maples and Pryor in action... two former Illinois all-state players (2x in Pryor's case).  I think there are a few players not on the 2-deep that will play significant roles this season.  We will see.  I might be wrong but I think this is a faster team than the 2019 squad.

[Next Man Up]

With this being North Central's first game, it will be interesting if they have some early miscues before they really settle in and if they do have miscues, will Aurora take advantage of them.

QB position is the great equalizer. Aurora has the edge there but by how much? Could see this one being like the Franklin/NCC playoff matchup of years ago.

Mat and Robert both make pertinent points here. And putting two and two, or in thus case one and one, together, we see a case of Aurora having an accomplished veteran QB vs NCC's rookie, and Aurora having a game under their belts to work out the kinks vs NCC coming in without benefit of any 2021 game experience.
These facts seemingly present AU with two possibly significant advantages coming in. Again, the question being will it matter or will the Cardinals preparation allow them to negate Aurora's apparent early advantage in these areas. We'll see.

[Next Man Up]

I find it interesting that in all these posts about the NCC-AU game that there has been little mention of Ethan Greenfield.  I mean, he only rushed for 2,100 yards and 29 TDs in 2019, was named the Stagg Bowl MVP and is a 1st Team Preseason AA... and from the looks of it he is bigger and faster than he was in 2019.  Terrence Hill will also be back plus they added some exciting young players.  It appears to be a deep backfield.  As they say, the running game is a quarterback's best friend... especially a young QB (or a transfer QB new to the system).

An excellent point indeed, WashedUp. Greenfield was other world last year, and T. Hill Would be starting on a good many teams.

* Not really sure what "transfer" QB is being referred to?

[Next Man Up]

NCC has 3 of 4 secondary players back, 2 of 3 LB's and 3 of 4 DL from a top 20 Defense. Aurora is gonna have their hands full but also returns 8-9 starters from 2019 including some great WR's and the notorious Cam Moore.

On offense the Cardinals are much more organized than St Johns as they have every skill player returning and 3 of 5 OL. They need a QB and the freshman Lehnan has been in the program since Jan 2020 and is a dual threat QB. Aurora is playing 6-7 new starters on defense and a decent St Johns offense scored 39. I think NCC's offense is going to be much higher octane than St Johns. I might be wrong but unless NCC makes some serious miscues, I would be surprised if this game is very close by the 4th quarter.

Some great, AND................... Hmmmmmm.
Me thinks the "notorious" Mr. Hill better keep his head up all game long, especially on any routes run over the middle throughout the course of the evening. 😏
Notorious indeed. 🙃

[USee]

I find it interesting that in all these posts about the NCC-AU game that there has been little mention of Ethan Greenfield.  I mean, he only rushed for 2,100 yards and 29 TDs in 2019, was named the Stagg Bowl MVP and is a 1st Team Preseason AA... and from the looks of it he is bigger and faster than he was in 2019.  Terrence Hill will also be back plus they added some exciting young players.  It appears to be a deep backfield.  As they say, the running game is a quarterback's best friend... especially a young QB (or a transfer QB new to the system).

An excellent point indeed, WashedUp. Greenfield was other world last year, and T. Hill Would be starting on a good many teams.

* Not really sure what "transfer" QB is being referred to?

Alphonso Howard is a transfer Jr QB from Eastern Kentucky for the Cards. He is not listed on the 2 deep.

[USee]

NCC also moved Nic Rummel from WR (10 catches for 75 yds as a freshman) to corner opposite Jake Beesely. Former starting CB Braden Linmark has moved to safety next to returning starter Dakota Cremeens. So 3 returning starters (1 of them at a new position) and one experienced newcomer. Lane Brinkman returns at DT where he started in 2018 and was not on the roster in 2019 so that's 3 of 4 returning DL.

[robertgoulet]

I didn't realize the 2-deep was out.  I'm really excited to see Maples and Pryor in action... two former Illinois all-state players (2x in Pryor's case).  I think there are a few players not on the 2-deep that will play significant roles this season.  We will see.  I might be wrong but I think this is a faster team than the 2019 squad.

Same. After looking at it there are a lot of names I forgot about. It is a very strong team.

[Next Man Up]

I find it interesting that in all these posts about the NCC-AU game that there has been little mention of Ethan Greenfield.  I mean, he only rushed for 2,100 yards and 29 TDs in 2019, was named the Stagg Bowl MVP and is a 1st Team Preseason AA... and from the looks of it he is bigger and faster than he was in 2019.  Terrence Hill will also be back plus they added some exciting young players.  It appears to be a deep backfield.  As they say, the running game is a quarterback's best friend... especially a young QB (or a transfer QB new to the system).

An excellent point indeed, WashedUp. Greenfield was other world last year, and T. Hill Would be starting on a good many teams.

* Not really sure what "transfer" QB is being referred to?

Alphonso Howard is a transfer Jr QB from Eastern Kentucky for the Cards. He is not listed on the 2 deep.

Thanks USee. Obviously I haven't finished all my homework yet. 

[Next Man Up]

NCC also moved Nic Rummel from WR (10 catches for 75 yds as a freshman) to corner opposite Jake Beesely. Former starting CB Braden Linmark has moved to safety next to returning starter Dakota Cremeens. So 3 returning starters (1 of them at a new position) and one experienced newcomer. Lane Brinkman returns at DT where he started in 2018 and was not on the roster in 2019 so that's 3 of 4 returning DL.

I'm sure there are several good reasons for moving Rummell to a corner. Not being familiar with his tackling or other defensively orientated skills, one likely reason still stands out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but one of the chief assets a corner can possess is speed. Obviously, he would never have been deployed as a wideout without an appreciable amount of same. However, in addition to his experience as a WR, Nic was the Cardinals primary punt returner in 2019-another position where speed/quickness is a most valuable attribute. Until proven otherwise, it appears this move is well conceived.

* Rummell is also slotted in to function as the Cards primary punt returner this season. 🏈

[WashedUpCard]

I didn't realize that Daniel Jezik had transferred from Oklahoma State (wrestling) to NCC to play football.  They have him listed at LB.  I remember watching him at Coal City... what a stud.  Great all around athlete.  I'm pretty excited to see him play.   

[cciwman]

Amazing the energy a two-deep lineup announcement can make.  Saturday will be interesting.  In watching the Aurora game, I was not very impressed with St. Johns.  As stated they had success with a young team and ultimately lucked out to win.  With that said, those returning players for NC on that 2-deep were huge contributors in 2019.  The WR core itself is the quarterback's other best friend, as they have threats across the board.

One position not discussed yet, is the TE.  Two graduated who opened holes and had some great grabs in the playoffs.  A new crop will need to make a name for themselves.

Defensively, it appears they have solidified their defensive backfield with athletes with experience.  Best match-up of the game this week, Zimbelman vs the NC secondary.  It is a blowout if he doesn't put on a show.

[WUPHF]

Disagree on the way more experienced part. The Maroons do not have a single super senior on the roster, all 20 guys from the Class of 2021 graduated and moved on. They replaced their entire offensive line (5 new starters). Only 2 starters back on defense. The starting QB only threw 6 career passes before Saturday. 4 of the top 5 tacklers on the day were making their collegiate debuts. Only 1 all-conference player on the roster (RB D'Ambrose, who looks like the next version of Chandler Carroll for them). Brand new kicker and punter.
The fact UChicago came out looking good despite how green they are as a group was pretty impressive.

Both teams have the same number of graduate students (1) and Washington University only has three who returned for a fifth season.

The Bears QB played his first game as a quarterback (he did get for a few minutes in one game two years ago).

I guess if I cared more, I would go position by position...