FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Tailgater]

Tailgater...I think the same could of been said about Caps play that day.

True, that's why I said I wasn't all that impressed with them in that particular game. NCC let an opportunity get away.

[keil59]

College Football has lost one of it's legendary Coach's today with the passing of Bo Schembechler. I'm not a Michagan fan, but Bo was one of those guys that was as big as the game. Football fans will always remember him and the great teams he put on the field every year. At beer-30 I'll be toasting one for Bo!

I am a Michigan fan and i can say that he will be missed. He ranks as one of the greatest coaches of all time

[usee]

Also I heard from Tailgater that NCC played very poorly in the playoffs against Capital in a game in which they could have won. I hope they can go out this week and avenge an earlier season loss and establish themselves as a playoff team.

.........and the karma hits will continue, I have angered the Karma Gods

North Central lost to Capital last year 21-19, where they lost their top receiver and playmaker to an injury in the second quarter. Capital was a very good team losing in the next round to to Mount Union ((usee corrected me here). North Central could have played better but I wouldn't use the word poorly.

Taken in context as to how NCC played during the regular season last year, thier performance against Capital in round one was poor in my opinion. They came out sluggish and really never got any momentum going throughout the game. I felt NCC should have beat Capital whom I was also not all that impressed by during this game. Very good team yes, but not better than NCC. Can't use injuries as excuses. Everyone has them by this point of the season.

that game could not have started any worse for Capital. they fumbled their first snap on offense, threw an INT on the 3rd play of their next series and fumbled the first snap away of their 3rd series. all of this produced just 10 NCC points and a 10-0 lead. I will say the Cap defense was the fastest lbs and dbs I had seen in a long time. their defense was really good. that had a lot to do with kniss having an off day. that said Kam nearly won it at the end. Pentello completed a 4th and 4 at the NCC 45 with about 3 minutes to go which allowed cap to run most of the clock off. Kniss still got the ball back with under a minute to play needing a field goal to win. they completed a pass on 4th and 12 down to the cap 10 yd line but it was called back because kniss was a yard over the LOS. that would have won the game for ncc. as it was they lined up for a 50+ yd fg at the end and didn't have enough juice. a very evenly matched game by two good teams. I thought cap's defense was the strongest unit on the field. I do not think ncc was better than Cap. not sure how much if any better cap was than ncc. thats why i think ncc will have a chance in ohio this year because the cardinals are a better team than they were last year IMO. the game is in ohio and cap has their qb back as well. many think he is the best qb in their conference which is saying something.  I think if these two teams get there it will be a great game because both qbs won't let the other team get too far ahead.

[Mugsy]

For Wheaton/MSJ I looked at the stats from their common opponent, IWU. that's pretty telling. based on that I say:

Wheaton 42 MSJ 7

for NCC/Concordia I think this is a whole new ballgame. Kniss throws 4ever, sulo runs wild and the killer B's (bellazini, Bazant, Behemoth--the big guy) stifle CUW:

NCC 37 CUW 17

Wheaton has been firing on all cylinders the last 4 weeks.  Couple that with a much stronger defense this year and an unbelievably strong home record over the past 6 years (40-5, I think).  Wheaton 38 MSJ 14

I think NCC takes care of CUW this time.  They are a much different team since the Wheaton and Millikin games.  NCC 31 CUW 13

[Redmen96]

"Bo knows football."  I know it is not the same one but this Bo actually knew football better than the player.

[SaintsFAN]

Wheaton has posted a preview of the game with MSJ on their website.  There is a neat comparision chart down at the bottom of the page.  Appears as if MSJ is a strong running team with a good defense.  Wheaton appears to have more balance on the offensive side of the ball.  I was surprised to see that Wheaton had given up more points than the Lions, but some pundits might attribute that to overall conference strength.

http://www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/football/msjpreview.html

I'm by no means a MSJ fan, but their game against a very strong Franklin offense I think showed the Lion defense can play against above average competition.  I do agree the conference is not as strong as the CIW, but MSJ has a fighting chance should they force turnovers like they have this season.  The dynamic here that will be the deciding factor if they are competitive or not is their offense.  There are some issues with their lack of ability to throw the ball efficiently as I'm sure Wheatons coaches have noticed on film.  The level of competition allowed them to get by without a passing game and there are also some festering chemistry problems due to an egocentric player or two on this team.  

If this team heals as a team (I sound like Pacino in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY) and surprises everyone associated with the program by throwing the football efficiently, they give Wheaton a hell of an effort and we'll see a close, hard-fought defensive football contest.  

As long as the offense comes to play, they'll hold Wheaton in the 20s.  

Alot of ifs here which doesn't bode well.  

Just thought I'd share a somewhat educated opinoin since I've seen them this year and the MSJ guys are quiet as usual on here (for a big game).

[ncc58]

Also I heard from Tailgater that NCC played very poorly in the playoffs against Capital in a game in which they could have won. I hope they can go out this week and avenge an earlier season loss and establish themselves as a playoff team.

.........and the karma hits will continue, I have angered the Karma Gods

North Central lost to Capital last year 21-19, where they lost their top receiver and playmaker to an injury in the second quarter. Capital was a very good team losing in the next round to to Mount Union ((usee corrected me here). North Central could have played better but I wouldn't use the word poorly.

Taken in context as to how NCC played during the regular season last year, thier performance against Capital in round one was poor in my opinion. They came out sluggish and really never got any momentum going throughout the game. I felt NCC should have beat Capital whom I was also not all that impressed by during this game. Very good team yes, but not better than NCC. Can't use injuries as excuses. Everyone has them by this point of the season.

that game could not have started any worse for Capital. they fumbled their first snap on offense, threw an INT on the 3rd play of their next series and fumbled the first snap away of their 3rd series. all of this produced just 10 NCC points and a 10-0 lead. I will say the Cap defense was the fastest lbs and dbs I had seen in a long time. their defense was really good. that had a lot to do with kniss having an off day. that said Kam nearly won it at the end. Pentello completed a 4th and 4 at the NCC 45 with about 3 minutes to go which allowed cap to run most of the clock off. Kniss still got the ball back with under a minute to play needing a field goal to win. they completed a pass on 4th and 12 down to the cap 10 yd line but it was called back because kniss was a yard over the LOS. that would have won the game for ncc. as it was they lined up for a 50+ yd fg at the end and didn't have enough juice. a very evenly matched game by two good teams. I thought cap's defense was the strongest unit on the field. I do not think ncc was better than Cap. not sure how much if any better cap was than ncc. thats why i think ncc will have a chance in ohio this year because the cardinals are a better team than they were last year IMO. the game is in ohio and cap has their qb back as well. many think he is the best qb in their conference which is saying something.  I think if these two teams get there it will be a great game because both qbs won't let the other team get too far ahead.

Excellent memory for usee. But the key play was on NCC's second to last possession. Kniss completed a pass from the Capital 33 to the 9 on a 4th and 14 but was flagged for being beyond the line of scrimmage when the pass was made.

[79jaybird]

Reminder folks,  the North Central vs. Concordia- WI game will be broadcast via the Internet at d3football.com  Join Wes Anderson and me (Mark Roberts) at 11:45 CST (approx.)  for a 12:00 kickoff.  Best of luck to both teams and more luck to NC!

I believe the Wheaton vs. MSJ game will also be broadcast via the Internet on Wheaton's website.  I know their station is WETN and (I think) their website is www.wetn.org ?  Good luck to both teams and let the Thunder roll.

[nccsports891]

www.wonc.org is broadcasting tomorrow's playoff game at noon. pregame at 11:30. An interview with Lou Holtz will air at halftime.

[Pat Coleman]

http://www.d3football.com/audio/ for the NCAASports.com broadcast.

NCAA president Myles Brand will address issues with funding NCAA playoffs at halftime.

[WahooThunder]

I believe the Wheaton vs. MSJ game will also be broadcast via the Internet on Wheaton's website.  I know their station is WETN and (I think) their website is www.wetn.org ?  Good luck to both teams and let the Thunder roll.

WETN will broadcast the game with radio and TV coverage on www.wetn.org... and will send it back to the studio for halftime.

[WLCALUM83]

I'll be away from my machine when the games begin:

      Go, Concordia!!!!

[79jaybird]

Finally!  Go Thunder has written an inspiring, and "non-threatening" message. 
I expect a pretty good turnout at the NC/CUW game.  You will have the NC fans from North Central, the CUW fans from CUW, and (most likely) some WLC fans that are undecided.  Of these undecided WLC fans some might go with the "home state" approach, while others might want to see NC get their revenge from week #2.
Playoff Football and a cool, crisp, frost laden morning!  Ah, you can't beat it.

[matblake]

Good luck to North Central and Wheaton.  I know you will do your darndest to do the CCIW proud.  Here's hoping for safety of all the players, no matter what the school.  Let's go Wheaton! (clap clap   
clap clap clap)  Let's go Cardinals! (clap clap    clap clap clap)

[matblake]

Wheaton has posted a preview of the game with MSJ on their website.  There is a neat comparision chart down at the bottom of the page.  Appears as if MSJ is a strong running team with a good defense.  Wheaton appears to have more balance on the offensive side of the ball.  I was surprised to see that Wheaton had given up more points than the Lions, but some pundits might attribute that to overall conference strength.

http://www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/football/msjpreview.html

I'm by no means a MSJ fan, but their game against a very strong Franklin offense I think showed the Lion defense can play against above average competition.  I do agree the conference is not as strong as the CIW, but MSJ has a fighting chance should they force turnovers like they have this season.  The dynamic here that will be the deciding factor if they are competitive or not is their offense.  There are some issues with their lack of ability to throw the ball efficiently as I'm sure Wheatons coaches have noticed on film.  The level of competition allowed them to get by without a passing game and there are also some festering chemistry problems due to an egocentric player or two on this team.  

If this team heals as a team (I sound like Pacino in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY) and surprises everyone associated with the program by throwing the football efficiently, they give Wheaton a hell of an effort and we'll see a close, hard-fought defensive football contest.  

As long as the offense comes to play, they'll hold Wheaton in the 20s.  

Alot of ifs here which doesn't bode well.  

Just thought I'd share a somewhat educated opinoin since I've seen them this year and the MSJ guys are quiet as usual on here (for a big game).

Thanks SainfsFAN.  Good analysis.  If they are good at forcing turnovers they definitely have a chance.  Wheaton historically has not been good at turnover margin.  If the Lions are able to force turnovers and execute their running style offense, the definately can put away the Thunder.  When Wheaton lost to Augustana the Thunder had several early turnovers and Augie ran the ball effectively.  Granted, the Thunder tried to come back, but fell short in the end.