FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Stagg Again!!]

How could Wheaton get left out? They had that signature win against Carroll. Wheaton would lose 3 games in WIAC this year.

Fletch.  Fletch.  Fletch.  Let me start by saying that I support a completely different team in the CCIW (Ahem... Cardinal Pride!).  I had the chance to watch the best of the WIAC tangle with the #2 team in the CCIW in the 2019 Natty and UWW didn't look so good that night at Woodforest Bank Stadium.  I am certainly aware that 12/20/19 is more than a lifetime ago for all of us (thank you COVID), but I did ALSO see NCC defeat Wheaton by 13 on 9/18/21 and Carthage by 51 on 10/9/21. I only mention the Carthage game because UWW had defeated the Redmen by 39 pts on 9/4.  Now, I'm absolutely no fan of circular math (been burned by it way too many times), but I will tell you that NCC is a very good team this year... perhaps even better than they were in 2019 (despite the loss of #9).  The Crusaders fought the Cardinals down to the wire this year and earned a LOT of respect from the NCC faithful by how they handled themselves on the field during and AFTER the game.  All of this said, I am not buying that WC would have three losses in the WIAC.  Hell, I don't think they'd have more losses than they do now.  I have NO idea if Wheaton will make the playoffs due to the limited number of at-large slots, but I will tell you that WC is certainly one of the five best teams in the country this year and deserve to make the field of 32. 

OK, that is absolutely the last time I am coming to the defense of the Crusaders this year or else I'll have USee inviting me out for drinks and dinner!! 

Oh, one more thing... before my WIAC and UWW friends think that I am disrespecting the league and team... not true.  I do believe that the WIAC, as a whole, is the strongest conference top to bottom this year.  I just wouldn't want you to underestimate how strong the top two teams in the CCIW are in this 2021 campaign!!

First of all, I don't think you are disrespecting UW-W or the WIAC. So let's get that out of the way. I think you have opinions, which you are completely entitled to. Regarding UW-W,  your opinions are understandable, but they are wrong.

1. If you think the UW-W 2021 team resembles the 2019 team, you are in for a shock. I pray for the opportunity to show you in person.
2. To compare the UW-W/Carthage score with the NCC/Carthage score and imply that they are anything other than equal is either disingenuous or ignorant.  You conveniently left out the fact that UW-W led 41-0 at halftime and could have named the score. I would submit we learn nothing about the comparative strengths of NCC and UW-W based on that result.

You have every right to form opinions on both outdated and incomplete information if you want. To a degree I suppose we all do that. But the truth is we won't know which team is better in 2021 for a bit yet.

Bleed, I agree with your points completely.  The point I was trying to make had nothing to do with UWW... other than to show that both NCC and UWW both beat Carthage by a wide margin and that WC played NCC well.  I don't know what that translates into as it relates to the comparative strength of NCC and UWW, but it sure as heck doesn't translate into three losses for WC if they had played a WIAC schedule this year.  'Nuf said on this... except for the fact that I would love to see a 2021 rematch of NCC and UWW... I think we both may be surprised at how good these teams have gotten despite key losses.

[D3FLETCH]

Big day for the Thunder! Road games in Elmhurst always a bit scary. Hopefully this game will show that Wheaton deserves a shot. Committee members take notice.

[TrueGreen]

More embarrassment from the Titan "Game Notes" for today. Please stop doing this!

GLASS HALF FULL: Despite a 55-7 loss at North Central this past Saturday, the Titan defense held the No. 1 ranked Cardinals to their second-lowest point total of the season. IWU trailed North Central by six points at halftime, which was the second-closest halftime margin the Cardinals have faced this season. Seven points is also the second most points that the Cardinal defense has given up this year.

[TrueGreen]

This is how huge a NPU victory would be today. I'm one nervous Titan. Again from the "Game Note":

"The Titans have been even more dominant at home, owning a 33-0 record against the Vikings at Tucci Stadium."

[Next Man Up]

More embarrassment from the Titan "Game Notes" for today. Please stop doing this!

GLASS HALF FULL: Despite a 55-7 loss at North Central this past Saturday, the Titan defense held the No. 1 ranked Cardinals to their second-lowest point total of the season. IWU trailed North Central by six points at halftime, which was the second-closest halftime margin the Cardinals have faced this season. Seven points is also the second most points that the Cardinal defense has given up this year.

Perhaps the author forgot that a game consists of two halves. 

[Gregory Sager]

Big day for the Thunder! Road games in Elmhurst always a bit scary.

[Next Man Up]

Ya, how are the Crusaders ever going to contend with the irresistible force from Elmhurst? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Gregory Sager]

Illinois Wesleyan's color commentator is very good. He's clearly a former player who knows what to look for on a play. I always respect football colormen who identify and discuss blocking and line play.

[kiko]

Seven points is also the second most points that the Cardinal defense has given up this year.

This is by far the best part.

[D3FLETCH]

Norm calling an inspired game for the Titans 

[D3FLETCH]

The Titans are playing possessed! Can't even imagine the post game headlines.

[blue_jays]

More embarrassment from the Titan "Game Notes" for today. Please stop doing this!

GLASS HALF FULL: Despite a 55-7 loss at North Central this past Saturday, the Titan defense held the No. 1 ranked Cardinals to their second-lowest point total of the season. IWU trailed North Central by six points at halftime, which was the second-closest halftime margin the Cardinals have faced this season. Seven points is also the second most points that the Cardinal defense has given up this year.

Yeahhhhh they'd be better off saying as little as possible about the NCC beatdown. It also reeks of desperation. Just take the L and move on.

[Gregory Sager]

More embarrassment from the Titan "Game Notes" for today. Please stop doing this!

GLASS HALF FULL: Despite a 55-7 loss at North Central this past Saturday, the Titan defense held the No. 1 ranked Cardinals to their second-lowest point total of the season. IWU trailed North Central by six points at halftime, which was the second-closest halftime margin the Cardinals have faced this season. Seven points is also the second most points that the Cardinal defense has given up this year.

Yeahhhhh they'd be better off saying as little as possible about the NCC beatdown. It also reeks of desperation. Just take the L and move on.

Again, credit to the IWU color commentator (dunno his name, but his nickname is "Pup") in this matter. When IWU's PBP guy made reference to how well the Titans are playing today against NPU by saying, "They've clearly cleaned up their mistakes from last week. They played very well in the first half against North Central, but in the second half made a lot of mistakes ... although North Central's a good team ...", Pup jumped right in and said, "Yeah, it wasn't a matter of mistakes. North Central is just a great team. They showed why they're the best."

Clearly, not everybody in Bloomington has a chronic case of Normitis.

[blue_jays]

More embarrassment from the Titan "Game Notes" for today. Please stop doing this!

GLASS HALF FULL: Despite a 55-7 loss at North Central this past Saturday, the Titan defense held the No. 1 ranked Cardinals to their second-lowest point total of the season. IWU trailed North Central by six points at halftime, which was the second-closest halftime margin the Cardinals have faced this season. Seven points is also the second most points that the Cardinal defense has given up this year.

Yeahhhhh they'd be better off saying as little as possible about the NCC beatdown. It also reeks of desperation. Just take the L and move on.

Again, credit to the IWU color commentator (dunno his name, but his nickname is "Pup") in this matter. When IWU's PBP guy made reference to how well the Titans are playing today against NPU by saying, "They've clearly cleaned up their mistakes from last week. They played very well in the first half against North Central, but in the second half made a lot of mistakes ... although North Central's a good team ...", Pup jumped right in and said, "Yeah, it wasn't a matter of mistakes. North Central is just a great team. They showed why they're the best."

Clearly, not everybody in Bloomington has a chronic case of Normitis.

Credit to Pup, glad he avoided the kool-aid. NCC imposes its will on teams, they set the terms. Anyone who watches football knows that the Cardinals are a destructive force, and the second half wave was inevitable. And even if the first half literally repeated itself, IWU still loses by multiple scores.
As a corrolary, Grinnell and UChicago were tied 3-3 after the first quarter today. By halftime, it's now 43-3 UChicago. Anyone can look good for a quarter.

[D3FLETCH]

Wow!
429 Rushing Yards. Congrats to the Titans. They showed last week they could do it for a half. This week they looked liked the defending national champs. One of the most impressive wins in the Norm era. Lots of special players developing at Tucci. These kids will compete for a title in 2022/2023.