FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Now that we talked about Wheaton's 2007 squad, I am really curious about the future of the Titans.  I can't remember Illinois Wesleyan football ever being this bad.  Does anyone know what next year looks like for them?  I thought the conference was more fun when the Titans were competitive.

I don't think the Titans have EVER been this bad, this long.  As recently as the 1995-01 stretch, they were actually BETTER than Augie or Wheaton.  (IWU 39-10, Wheaton 38-11, Augie 36-13.)  I have no clue what has happened (but I obviously agree that the conference was more fun when they were competititive! )

[SonsofThunder]

Well CCIW friends, I couldn't help myself.  My karma will be going south for I could no longer sit idly by and let the IBFC compare themselves to the CCIW in quality.  Mugs, I feel your pain.

[ncc58]

I was the one that commented on Ullrich and I wasn't criticizing him.  I meant that Ullrich has big shoes to fill in Chupp who has been a fixture at QB for a few years.  I think the Thunder offense needs a QB to take charge of the offense which is why I said Ullrich needs to step up and be there #1 guy at QB.

Wheaton will have a much tougher schedule next season --- they have to play AT North Central. 

I was just reflecting on how much more fatigue Wheaton coaches and players will have to deal with when they have to lug the Bell both to AND FROM Naperville.

Nicely said. But I don't think you'll have to lug the bell back to Wheaton. and if lugging the bell is such a labor for Wheaton, maybe NCC can send over of their cheerleaders to pick it up. Maybe you should spend some of the next 297 days in the weight room, so you can lift that bell.

Now, the Monon Bell --- that's a bell. The Bell that UCLA-USC play for --- that's a bell.

It's December and we're already talking smack about the bell. 

[CardinalAlum]

Well CCIW friends, I couldn't help myself.  My karma will be going south for I could no longer sit idly by and let the IBFC compare themselves to the CCIW in quality.  Mugs, I feel your pain.

SOThunder,

Quite the contrary!  +K from me!   

[TitanBacker]

Now that we talked about Wheaton's 2007 squad, I am really curious about the future of the Titans.  I can't remember Illinois Wesleyan football ever being this bad.  Does anyone know what next year looks like for them?  I thought the conference was more fun when the Titans were competitive.

I don't think the Titans have EVER been this bad, this long.  As recently as the 1995-01 stretch, they were actually BETTER than Augie or Wheaton.  (IWU 39-10, Wheaton 38-11, Augie 36-13.)  I have no clue what has happened (but I obviously agree that the conference was more fun when they were competititive! )

I haven't heard much from the Bloomington-Normal area since the end of the season except that this season was a disappointment.  IWU is returning Panno (QB), Dunlop (All conference RB) and Ceisel (All conference WR) but I don't know much about their offensive line.  The FB is also back but the tight end has craduated along with some of the O line.

On the defensive side, IWU returns most of their secondary but very few linebackers.  All conference DT Hoyland is also back along with some of the linemen, but I believe their front seven is taking a hit.

Really, IWU has seen a lot of attrition these past few years.  There have also been a few unfortunate incidents (I can explain further with a PM if you don't already know) that have put a damper on IWU football.  I believe their keys to next year are a strong offensive line and defensive front seven.  in the years past, it seems the O line just hasn't played up to their potential.  Yet, they must be the core group working fluently together in order to make the offense successfully.  Too many time this year it seemed like they missed assignments and weren't working as a cohesive unit.

IWU has the potential to be a playoff caliber team, but they NEED TO PLAY UP TO THEIR POTENTIAL on a consistent basis.

[Mugsy]

Well CCIW friends, I couldn't help myself.  My karma will be going south for I could no longer sit idly by and let the IBFC compare themselves to the CCIW in quality.  Mugs, I feel your pain.

SOT-II,  Nice post over on the IBFC board.  I'm sure there will be some colorful replys.

[matblake]

Now that we talked about Wheaton's 2007 squad, I am really curious about the future of the Titans.  I can't remember Illinois Wesleyan football ever being this bad.  Does anyone know what next year looks like for them?  I thought the conference was more fun when the Titans were competitive.

I don't think the Titans have EVER been this bad, this long.  As recently as the 1995-01 stretch, they were actually BETTER than Augie or Wheaton.  (IWU 39-10, Wheaton 38-11, Augie 36-13.)  I have no clue what has happened (but I obviously agree that the conference was more fun when they were competititive! )

I haven't heard much from the Bloomington-Normal area since the end of the season except that this season was a disappointment.  IWU is returning Panno (QB), Dunlop (All conference RB) and Ceisel (All conference WR) but I don't know much about their offensive line.  The FB is also back but the tight end has craduated along with some of the O line.

On the defensive side, IWU returns most of their secondary but very few linebackers.  All conference DT Hoyland is also back along with some of the linemen, but I believe their front seven is taking a hit.

Really, IWU has seen a lot of attrition these past few years.  There have also been a few unfortunate incidents (I can explain further with a PM if you don't already know) that have put a damper on IWU football.  I believe their keys to next year are a strong offensive line and defensive front seven.  in the years past, it seems the O line just hasn't played up to their potential.  Yet, they must be the core group working fluently together in order to make the offense successfully.  Too many time this year it seemed like they missed assignments and weren't working as a cohesive unit.

IWU has the potential to be a playoff caliber team, but they NEED TO PLAY UP TO THEIR POTENTIAL on a consistent basis.

One thing that I think would be disturbing about the trend at IWU is that the current players have never experienced a over .500 season in the CCIW and only one .500 season since 2002 (could be a couple medical redshirts left around).  The lack of winning starts to spread. I'm definitely not saying they can't get it turned around, if you think about how woeful North Central, Wheaton (at times), and Carthage have been in the past and they have been able to become competitive.  So a few lean years should be a cause for concern, but not at this point.  In 2007 it will have only been 6 years since they last won the conference (share with Augie in 2001).   I think plenty of teams in DIII would love to have won their conference only 5 years ago.  However, some quality conference wins and a over .500 season might be extremely helpful to turning them around at this point.

[79jaybird]

The Monon Bell needs 3-4 strong stalwarts to hoist the bell.  It is an old locomotive bell and weighs a ton.  If you ever get a chance to go and see the Monon Bell Game, do!  That is an exciting game, filled with tradition and emotion.  The entire town(s) get involved and basically stops to watch the big game.

IWU's problem is not their "skilled players".  I think their main focal point should be improving their lines, specifically their O-Line.  The 2 IWU games I saw this year The Titans O-Line was struggling to gain leverage and protect Panno.
I think IWU is going to be better next year and is my sleeper team in the CCIW.

[TitanBacker]

mb and jaybird-

Both very good insight and I agree on both accounts.  The 2006 seniors were freshmen when they had a winning season.  It is very upsetting to see, but every team has to go through a little bit of a lull.  I'm confident that IWU can turn it around with the right personnel.

[79jaybird]

I think the biggest reason why IWU is not as they were back in the late 90's early 2000's is because of the recent rises of Carthage/North Central/Elmhurst.
Prior to (I would say) 2003, the Car/NC/EC teams were not very good and many hs Seniors did not want to come and play here. They would choose the Augie/IWU/Wheaton/Millikin's over the other 4.
I think both Journell at EC and Thorne at NC have focused on recruiting from the suburban Chicago HS confs.  (DVC, MSL, CSL, Catholic Leagues, etc.) which has increased the competition for good talent for the "long distance" schools.
Let's face it, winning opens up a lot of eyes and doors.  The rise in the 3 school's programs after years of struggling have made the competition greater.

[washdupcard]

"The trophy for the alternates is in the ladies room!"

Is that how you saw it?

[ncc58]

The Monon Bell needs 3-4 strong stalwarts to hoist the bell.  It is an old locomotive bell and weighs a ton.  If you ever get a chance to go and see the Monon Bell Game, do!  That is an exciting game, filled with tradition and emotion.  The entire town(s) get involved and basically stops to watch the big game.

The Game for the Monon Bell was carried on our cable system. I watched the opening of the game, when they wheeled the bell to the field. I was amazed at how big it is --- I just assumed all the talk about the bell was an exaggeration.

[Pat Coleman]

Well CCIW friends, I couldn't help myself.  My karma will be going south for I could no longer sit idly by and let the IBFC compare themselves to the CCIW in quality.  Mugs, I feel your pain.

If it's any consolation, most of the biggest mouths on that board have not posted enough times to give or take karma.

[SonsofThunder]

Nice...Thanks Pat.

[devildog29]

Wow, that IBFC board is something else.  Here, we just get Mugsy and NCC with their rather innocent jabs back and forth.  On that board, they're throwing haymakers at their own teammates.