FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[wabashcpa]

Jaybird,

Have to disagree with you about the strength of the non-conference schedules and agree with Mugsy.  Millikin gets my vote for the toughest non-conference schedule with Wabash and Ohio Northern.  Augie is playing a middle of the pack team from a very tough conference (BW), a poor team from a very tough conference (UWP) and an average team from a weak conference (MacMurray).  Although not push-overs, I would agree with Mugsy that Augie's schedule is middle of the pack tough compared to other CCIW teams.

I would agree that Millikin will certainly be battle-tested by the time their conference season starts.

[CardinalAlum]

It actually might be funnier that NCC only has the first week there. Maybe they think they'll make the playoffs and then be Mount Union fodder? 

Harsh!  But at least we have the Little Brass Bell!! 

[Mugsy]

It actually might be funnier that NCC only has the first week there. Maybe they think they'll make the playoffs and then be Mount Union fodder? 

Harsh!  But at least we have the Little Brass Bell!! 

For the first time in a LONG, LONG time!   

[diehardfan]

Argh! Don't remind me... 

Honestly, it never seemed that exciting to win it, especially before NCC started turning their program around and we won it easily. It was just, like, OF COURSE WE HAVE IT.... OBVIOUSLY!!! Even though I knew there was tons of history and that it was supposed to be important, I just didn't care. And then when we didn't have it, it suddenly became torture...

Blah. Since the Augie game is no longer the last game of the season (waaah  ) the NCC game becomes even more important.   

Incidentally, what's up with the Cardinal guys have cute smilies and exclamation points in their signatures? It always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside... 

[Sterny]

Speaking of the little brass bell, I still have warm fuzzy memories of 1988 and holding that little brass bell over my head with my teammates.   
I should have nabbed it so those NCC scoundrels would never get it again!
Oh well, I guess thats football.

[Mac Attack]

The question was asked earlier about how the IBC conference teams would be dispersed. From the SLIAC website, here's a partial explanantion for some of the teams:

SLIAC ADMITS FOUR AFFILIATE MEMBERS; FOOTBALL BEGINS IN 2008

Four Affiliate members have been admitted to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference and will begin play in the conference in the 2008 football season. The four schools, which will only play football in the conference, are Crown College (MN), Martin Luther College (MN), the University of Minnesota-Morris, and Northwestern College (MN). They will join current SLIAC members Blackburn, Greenville, MacMurray, Principia, and Westminster, and Eureka, which becomes a conference member August 1, 2006, as football playing members of the SLIAC. The first conference championship will be contested in 2008 and the conference will become eligible for an Automatic Qualifier to the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2010.

The ten schools will be divided into two divisions with Principia joining the four Minnesota schools in the North Division, and the other five playing in the South Division. The teams in each division will play one another every season, and there will be two games, one at home and one on the road, with teams in the other division on a rotating basis. The winners of the two divisions will meet for the conference championship each year.

Crown, Martin Luther, Minnesota-Morris, and Northwestern are currently members of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and will continue that affiliation in every sport except football. Blackburn, Principia, and Westminster have been Affiliate members of the UMAC in football, and Eureka, Greenville, and MacMurray have been in the Illinis-Badger Conference, a football-only conference that will disband after the 2007 season.

The game for the conference championship between the winners of each division will be played as part of a five game day at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN when the second, third, fourth, and fifth place teams in each division will also play one another. The UMAC has conducted this "Dome Day" the past four years. Plans are being made to play in Minneapolis and St. Louis in alternating years.

In making the announcement, Rich Meckfessel, commissioner of the SLIAC, said, "The four Minnesota schools are very much like our schools in size, character, mission, and athletic philosophy. This is a great step forward for our conference, especially in giving the more than 300 football student-athletes at our schools the opportunity to compete for a conference championship and a berth in the NCAA playoffs. Even the four SLIAC schools that do not play football are enthusiastic about this".

[CardinalAlum]

Incidentally, what's up with the Cardinal guys have cute smilies and exclamation points in their signatures? It always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside... 

Whatever we can do to make you happy! 

[CardinalAlum]

Speaking of the little brass bell, I still have warm fuzzy memories of 1988 and holding that little brass bell over my head with my teammates.   
I should have nabbed it so those NCC scoundrels would never get it again!
Oh well, I guess thats football.

Sterny, I had that same warm, fuzzy in 1987!!  Who missed the tackle close to the endzone by the way?? (Sorry Mugsy, I couldn't resist) 

[FormerCard]

New topic, or just a question I guess.  What is the QB situation going into preseason at Wheaton?  I know they had the Wheaton North kid transfer back from NIU.  Isnt the QB from last year coming back as well?  Wheaton Alum, what are your thoughts?

[Mugsy]

Sterny, I had that same warm, fuzzy in 1987!!  Who missed the tackle close to the endzone by the way?? (Sorry Mugsy, I couldn't resist) 

DOH!  Thanks alot CardinalAlum.  I was having a good day...  

[Mugsy]

New topic, or just a question I guess.  What is the QB situation going into preseason at Wheaton?  I know they had the Wheaton North kid transfer back from NIU.  Isnt the QB from last year coming back as well?  Wheaton Alum, what are your thoughts?

FormerCard,

Yes, Chupp is back for Wheaton.  He had a awesome year in 2004 and there were high expectations for 2005. That said he didn't have a great season last year.

My thoughts from a couple of months ago regarding the QB situation:

I'd expect there to be open competition at the QB position.  I would doubt Swider & Hardy would come out and say anyone was the starter just yet.  I would assume it is Chupp's job to win or lose since he is the returning starter. 

Regardless it is a nice position for Wheaton to be in - having a 2 year starter in Chupp (who had one excellent year, but struggled last year) and a very talented D-I transfer to either backup or come in as a starter.  Coming into the 2006 season, QB would have been somewhat of a question for me.  Which Chupp would Wheaton get?  Now this question doesn't loom as large as there will be some serious competition for the position.

Again having 2 strong QB candidates is a better position to be in than only one.

Regarding Zach Ullrich:

Ullrich is a high quality athlete and from what I hear he is an incredible leader as well.  A very good recruit for Wheaton.

He was actually 2nd string for a bit at NIU.  2nd string QB from a top 30 DI program... I doubt there would be many D3 schools who wouldn't be happy to bring him into the program.  While he may not be a strong runner, that doesn't mean he isn't an excellent QB.  He has a very strong arm and is a VERY strong leader.

While he won't just walk in and take over right away, if Chupp struggles at all, don't be surprised if Ullrich is given the job.

IMO, key to Wheaton is not the QB's... it's the "D":

I'm not as concerned about the QB position as Wheaton has 2 good options.  My only concern would be if there isn't a clear cut starter between the two -  I'm not in favor of the 2 platoon QB.  I completely agree with usee that it is the Wheaton receivers who need to step up.  Last year they were horrible at creating space off the ball and could not avoid the bump from the physical DB's in the CCIW.  IMO that is part of why Chupp struggled so much (among other reasons).  Futhermore I don't remember nearly as many big plays by receivers last year.  I'm willing to bet the YAC (yards after catch) was way, way down from previous years.  The returning receivers need to get off the ball and make some plays this year.

That all said... Wheaton's defense needs to be much more stout if Wheaton has any hope of winning the conference.

[matblake]

Regarding the QB situation, I think having a clear cut starter is extremely important.  I am sure that both Chupp and Ullrich are capable of playing the position.  Incidentally, since I've never heard the guy's name pronounced, does anybody know if it phonetically "Ull-Rick"  or "Ull-Rich" or maybe even "Oool-Rick" or "Oool-Rich"?

Defense does seem to be the larger question mark for the Thunder.  Similar to Augustana, the top Wheaton teams were excellent on defense despite being overshadowed by some explosive offenses.

[FormerCard]

Mugsy,

Thanks for the breakdown,  I think we can all agree that a little competition will get any athlete's adrenaline going and provide for more focus and effort as opposed to being a clear cut favorite.

[CardinalAlum]

I'm hearing rumbles that NCC is NOT playing a pre-season scrimmage this year??  I don't see the sense in that.

[matblake]

Since the Augie game is no longer the last game of the season (waaah  ) the NCC game becomes even more important.   

Add the fact that this year it is the Homecoming game.  Should be a good one, not to mention that this will be my 10 year reunion.