FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[FiredCoachesPod]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

[WUPHF]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

[Gregory Sager]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

[WUPHF]

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

Agreed!

[kiko]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

I think more often than not, this will be the case.  The question in my mind is in those instances when a team with strong Pool C aspirations doesn't make the playoffs, and sees this as a consolation prize.  (Example - if Wheaton had not made the tourney field this year.)

I'm glad to see the game and think it is far more positive than not, but there will be years where it tastes more sour rather than sweet for one of the teams competing in it.

[SpartanHouse]

Will be an intriguing matchup in Wheaton. AU will throw the ball 80% of the time and not pound their heads trying to run against that front 7.

I had the same thought. Aurora's seen good teams in SJU and NCC the last several years, but they've yet to get over the hump. Wheaton D is plenty good against the pass as well as the run from the two games I've watched.

My thoughts having seen both teams (AU and Wheaton vs NCC)....AU's biggest issue is going to be stopping the Wheaton run game.  2nd biggest is going to be trying to establish some kind of running game themselves and not let Wheaton pin their ears back rushing the passer.   Wheaton plays the screen/draw game very well so I'm not sure that's the way to go.  Saturday can't get here soon enough!

Any difference in the Wheaton program with Coach Swider not at the helm?

[Thunderdome21]

Will be an intriguing matchup in Wheaton. AU will throw the ball 80% of the time and not pound their heads trying to run against that front 7.

I had the same thought. Aurora's seen good teams in SJU and NCC the last several years, but they've yet to get over the hump. Wheaton D is plenty good against the pass as well as the run from the two games I've watched.

I like Wheaton's chances to make alot of noise in the tournament under Scott. My thoughts having seen both teams (AU and Wheaton vs NCC)....AU's biggest issue is going to be stopping the Wheaton run game.  2nd biggest is going to be trying to establish some kind of running game themselves and not let Wheaton pin their ears back rushing the passer.   Wheaton plays the screen/draw game very well so I'm not sure that's the way to go.  Saturday can't get here soon enough!

Any difference in the Wheaton program with Coach Swider not at the helm?

As a parent of a current Wheaton football player, from my perspective, its been a pretty smooth transition from Swider to Scott. They share the same coaching philosophy but definitely have different personalities as leaders. Swider was the ultimate motivator that wore his heart on his sleeves whereas Scott is more laid back and has an incredible calming presence.  All of the players have bought into what Scott and the Wheaton coaches have been teaching and emphasizing all year. This team has improved alot in all phases of the game since its first 3 or 4 games of the season.  Also, this year's team is much more healthy going into the playoffs compared to two years ago.

Two years ago, when Wheaton entered the playoffs, they had lost two of its starting offensive lineman for the seaon and their SAM linebacker who was having an all-conference year before he tore his ACL. They lost their two wildcat backup QBs (which were used periodically on 3rd or 4th and short down situations), and their all-conference RB was not healing well from his ankle injury that he sustained in October. He wasn't able to accelerate at top end speed nor make the jump-cuts that he was doing during the first 6 games of the season.  Also, their top receiver had been coming off an injury as well by the time the St. Johns game rolled around.   

With this year, the offensive line and running game with Weeks is an absolute monster to stop.  The passing game and I'd even say the play calling, for whatever reason, has really taken off over the last two games. They are using TE Spencer Peterson in passing situations more and it seems as if other receivers are also getting touches besides their top receiver Adam Terrini.

The front seven of Wheaton's Defense is still by far the best in D-3. And the secondary has improved in its coverage. I've especially been impressed with one of their safeties, Caleb Grotelueschen.   

I like Wheaton's chances to make alot of noise in the tournament under Scott.

[Gregory Sager]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

I think more often than not, this will be the case.  The question in my mind is in those instances when a team with strong Pool C aspirations doesn't make the playoffs, and sees this as a consolation prize.  (Example - if Wheaton had not made the tourney field this year.)

I'm glad to see the game and think it is far more positive than not, but there will be years where it tastes more sour rather than sweet for one of the teams competing in it.

I suppose so. But, after many years of watching consolation games in the IHSA basketball Final Fours (and a few D3 basketball Final Fours as well), I came to recognize that the teams that clearly and visibly fell into the sour-not-sweet category were typically the ones that lost the game, while the teams that approached it with enthusiasm and a sense of appreciation for the opportunity to lace 'em up one more time were the ones who won. Given that football players get to play their sport fewer times than their peers who play other team sports, making each opportunity to play that much more precious, I'm guessing that teams tapped for the Isthmus Bowl will quickly readjust their attitudes even if they were disappointed on Selection Day.

Besides, I have to imagine that the whole bowl game vibe for which D1 college football is known -- going to a neutral city to take part in an annual event, the growing sense of tradition that will accrue around the Isthmus Bowl, the chance to take on a top-tier opponent from a highly-respected league from the other side of the Cheddar Curtain -- will kick in as well. There's just something special about playing in a game that has a name with the word "Bowl" at the end of it if you're a football player. It's an indelible aspect of the sport. It's not an accident that the D3 football championship game, unlike other team-sport championship games in D3, has a name, and that name ends in "Bowl".

[Next Man Up]

I see the site is altering some of our posts and injecting some martian code in place of what we typed. I tried to change my postings that this happened to and my profile signature but have been unable to do so. Anyone else having this problem?

[Pat Coleman]

There was a site migration for this and the podcast/blog overnight so guessing it's related. We're looking into it. Fairly certain it's not Martian.

[kiko]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

I think more often than not, this will be the case.  The question in my mind is in those instances when a team with strong Pool C aspirations doesn't make the playoffs, and sees this as a consolation prize.  (Example - if Wheaton had not made the tourney field this year.)

I'm glad to see the game and think it is far more positive than not, but there will be years where it tastes more sour rather than sweet for one of the teams competing in it.

I suppose so. But, after many years of watching consolation games in the IHSA basketball Final Fours (and a few D3 basketball Final Fours as well), I came to recognize that the teams that clearly and visibly fell into the sour-not-sweet category were typically the ones that lost the game, while the teams that approached it with enthusiasm and a sense of appreciation for the opportunity to lace 'em up one more time were the ones who won. Given that football players get to play their sport fewer times than their peers who play other team sports, making each opportunity to play that much more precious, I'm guessing that teams tapped for the Isthmus Bowl will quickly readjust their attitudes even if they were disappointed on Selection Day.

Besides, I have to imagine that the whole bowl game vibe for which D1 college football is known -- going to a neutral city to take part in an annual event, the growing sense of tradition that will accrue around the Isthmus Bowl, the chance to take on a top-tier opponent from a highly-respected league from the other side of the Cheddar Curtain -- will kick in as well. There's just something special about playing in a game that has a name with the word "Bowl" at the end of it if you're a football player. It's an indelible aspect of the sport. It's not an accident that the D3 football championship game, unlike other team-sport championship games in D3, has a name, and that name ends in "Bowl".

Do you really think Wheaton would have been excited to play in the game this year?

Not saying they wouldn't try, that they would go through the motions, or that they would not enjoy the accompanying hospitality.  But for some teams, this is unequivocally going to be a consolation prize.

[Gregory Sager]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

I think more often than not, this will be the case.  The question in my mind is in those instances when a team with strong Pool C aspirations doesn't make the playoffs, and sees this as a consolation prize.  (Example - if Wheaton had not made the tourney field this year.)

I'm glad to see the game and think it is far more positive than not, but there will be years where it tastes more sour rather than sweet for one of the teams competing in it.

I suppose so. But, after many years of watching consolation games in the IHSA basketball Final Fours (and a few D3 basketball Final Fours as well), I came to recognize that the teams that clearly and visibly fell into the sour-not-sweet category were typically the ones that lost the game, while the teams that approached it with enthusiasm and a sense of appreciation for the opportunity to lace 'em up one more time were the ones who won. Given that football players get to play their sport fewer times than their peers who play other team sports, making each opportunity to play that much more precious, I'm guessing that teams tapped for the Isthmus Bowl will quickly readjust their attitudes even if they were disappointed on Selection Day.

Besides, I have to imagine that the whole bowl game vibe for which D1 college football is known -- going to a neutral city to take part in an annual event, the growing sense of tradition that will accrue around the Isthmus Bowl, the chance to take on a top-tier opponent from a highly-respected league from the other side of the Cheddar Curtain -- will kick in as well. There's just something special about playing in a game that has a name with the word "Bowl" at the end of it if you're a football player. It's an indelible aspect of the sport. It's not an accident that the D3 football championship game, unlike other team-sport championship games in D3, has a name, and that name ends in "Bowl".

Do you really think Wheaton would have been excited to play in the game this year?

No, I don't. That's why I said, "I suppose so."

Not saying they wouldn't try, that they would go through the motions, or that they would not enjoy the accompanying hospitality.  But for some teams, this is unequivocally going to be a consolation prize.

Yes, I get that. What I'm saying is that players/teams with the proper mindset will get over it and come to appreciate the opportunity that's been given to them ... and those who don't may find themselves living through their second unhappy football experience in a week.

[WW]

Another sit down with Isthmus Bowl director Mike Shaw.
Saturday, November 20
Wash U and UW River Falls

https://anchor.fm/firedcoachespod/episodes/Bonus-Episode---Mike-Shaw-Pt--2-e1a9isj

Hats off to Mike Shaw who, as he said, is quite an unlikely candidate for starting a bowl game but did it nonetheless.

I know it means a lot for the one team between the two conferences (I believe) that did not get to play in 2020-2021.

I think that as time goes on this is going to be a pretty special thing that CCIW and WIAC football fans will anticipate each year.

I think more often than not, this will be the case.  The question in my mind is in those instances when a team with strong Pool C aspirations doesn't make the playoffs, and sees this as a consolation prize.  (Example - if Wheaton had not made the tourney field this year.)

I'm glad to see the game and think it is far more positive than not, but there will be years where it tastes more sour rather than sweet for one of the teams competing in it.

I suppose so. But, after many years of watching consolation games in the IHSA basketball Final Fours (and a few D3 basketball Final Fours as well), I came to recognize that the teams that clearly and visibly fell into the sour-not-sweet category were typically the ones that lost the game, while the teams that approached it with enthusiasm and a sense of appreciation for the opportunity to lace 'em up one more time were the ones who won. Given that football players get to play their sport fewer times than their peers who play other team sports, making each opportunity to play that much more precious, I'm guessing that teams tapped for the Isthmus Bowl will quickly readjust their attitudes even if they were disappointed on Selection Day.

Besides, I have to imagine that the whole bowl game vibe for which D1 college football is known -- going to a neutral city to take part in an annual event, the growing sense of tradition that will accrue around the Isthmus Bowl, the chance to take on a top-tier opponent from a highly-respected league from the other side of the Cheddar Curtain -- will kick in as well. There's just something special about playing in a game that has a name with the word "Bowl" at the end of it if you're a football player. It's an indelible aspect of the sport. It's not an accident that the D3 football championship game, unlike other team-sport championship games in D3, has a name, and that name ends in "Bowl".

Do you really think Wheaton would have been excited to play in the game this year?

No, I don't. That's why I said, "I suppose so."

Not saying they wouldn't try, that they would go through the motions, or that they would not enjoy the accompanying hospitality.  But for some teams, this is unequivocally going to be a consolation prize.

Yes, I get that. What I'm saying is that players/teams with the proper mindset will get over it and come to appreciate the opportunity that's been given to them ... and those who don't may find themselves living through their second unhappy football experience in a week.

Was hoping for a Wheaton-UWO matchup to give this thing some inaugural juice. Those two would've played hard. Happy for UWRF, though. It's been a quarter century since the Falcons played a post-season game. I expect them to handle the """"regionally ranked"""" (coughs, clears throat) Bears.

[Gregory Sager]

Was hoping for a Wheaton-UWO matchup to give this thing some inaugural juice. Those two would've played hard. Happy for UWRF, though. It's been a quarter century since the Falcons played a post-season game. I expect them to handle the """"regionally ranked"""" (coughs, clears throat) Bears.

Ladies and gentlemen, the first-ever Culver's Isthmus Bowl bulletin-board material.

[WUPHF]

I've watched and read Friday Night Lights enough times to think that the Wheaton coach would have his boys ready to go out with a bang at Butter Burger Bowl but what do I know?