FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[redman04]

What is the "Karma" deal  I know I post a lot but never understand what the karma is and how to give it.  Sorry for my ignorance

[Pat Coleman]

That's one of our Frequently Asked Questions.

[vikes35]

Even though the Carthage upset last year was a surprise I wouldn't say that it make this year's game the game of the year. I would say that if any game outside of the NCC/ Wheaton game is the game of the year based on last year's play it would have to be the Augie/ Wheaton game. There are many Wheaton posters that saw that game and know that the game was filled with excitement and drama as it was only decided in the last minute of the game and only by 1 point. Also the year before that was the same way, decided on a Wheaton score in the waning moments of the game giving Wheaton another 1 point win. Outside of the 2002 Wheaton/Augie game  that game has been a great game for a while now, with a lot riding on it and I would not say that is going to be any different this year. I think in order to be a game of the year type game it has to be hyped up the way NCC/ Wheaton has been since the off-season or has to involve 2 teams that play each other hard each year with something at stake (such as Wheaton and Augie).

[Mugsy]

vikes35,

I've often commented on how the Wheaton/Augie games over the past 5 years, with the exception of 2002 (which I still enjoyed  8)), could be considered for CCIW game of the year.  Factor in how close these games have been (multiple OT games, games won on 2pt conversions, games won on last play of the game, missed FG on last play of game, etc...), but then add to it almost all of these games would decide the CCIW champion and automatic bid to the playoffs.  What is more remarkable is that despite the high stakes, these games have been very well played - hotly contested, cleanly played - all the best of D3 football.

Unfortunately, starting next year the Augie/Wheaton game will not be the last game of the season.  I believe Wheaton and Augie play the 1st or 2nd week of the CCIW schedule.

[Mugsy]

Nice article in Chicago Sun-Times about Wheaton:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/campus/cst-spt-small29.html

[Redmen96]

Do you guys think that our CCIW representative will have to make another trip to Alliance to meet the Purple Raiders again?


Hopefully Redmen

[Redmen96]

Or do you think M U might slip up this season?

[markdamaker40]

I don't think there is anyway Mount Union will slip up this year.  Especially if ONU is not allowed in the playoffs after their appeal is heard.  But I have a feeling that there will be two teams from the CCIW again in the playoffs, and as of now either one of them will give the Raiders a fight just like the Thunder and the Redmen did last year.

[Mugsy]

It's hard to conceive Mount Union not being there in the North bracket.  However in each of the last few years, they appear a bit more vulnerable -  a brutally tough opponent, but not invincible.  Both Wheaton & Carthage played them tough last year.

I'm hoping the CCIW once again sends 2 representatives to "the show", especially since there are additional spots open.  I think it's about time a CCIW team advances a bit further.  I'd love to see it.

[usee]

with the expanded playoffs a couple things happen:

it is likely a conf like cciw will get 2 teams in, provided they are worthy.
it eliminates 1st round bye which had been a big advantage for teams like muc

[usee]

not much chatter on the darkhorse game of the week, carthage at millikin.

this will be an interesting battle and will tell us a lot about the cciw race (keep in mind millkin comes to wheaton next week). millikin has a bruising running game and tailback and has shown a penchant for long scoring plays thru the air. both of these elements are risks for the type of defense carthage plays in my opinion. so, if millikin scores on big pass plays or is able to pound it on carthage they likley will win. we don't know much about the millikin defense or the carthage offense at this point. I haven't seen either play this year. i am looking forwad to getting a look at millikin next week at wheaton.

[blue_balls]

Something will give this weekend in Decatur...Either the running game of the Big Blue or the Redmen's run defense.  Here is to hoping Nathan Wallick runs wild.
Millikin 28  Carthage 17

[matblake]

I think that the North Region will again be settled in Alliance.  The Purple Raiders have been good for a long time and have been excellent in not becoming complacent.  After that drubbing of John Carroll University I think they may be viewing this year as a "statement year" ie we are still the top program in the country (Linfield as last years champs and St. John's and UMHB as the last 2 teams to beat Mount might disagree) so c'mon down to Alliance and we will settle it on the field.

[matblake]

This is going to be a great game in Decatur.  Very exciting to have 2 top games right away.  Another thing is that with a lot of teams that are viewed as contenders for the conference title, there will be a lot of different scenarios to be discussed on this board. 

[vikes35]

Mugsy,

It is very disappointing to see that the Augie/Wheaton game is no longer going to be the final Saturday of the year for a while. I will miss going out to the stadium and watching a great game that has at least my previous 3 years at Augie determined the champ. All I can say about the game now is that it is going to be a momentum game, albeit a good one, and is going to show each team their chances, but lets face it, it makes the game a lot more exciting when it is 2 good football teams battling it out for 60 minutes to see who moves on and who goes home. I can say with confidence, as well as disappointment, that even though those games haven't gone Augie's way, Wheaton has had to earn each trip into the play-offs, whether in a hostile Rock Island environment or by defending their home field. Gonna miss that end of the year game, as they have been some of the best rivalry games I have seen ever, at any level.