FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

I think if you are fan of D3football, you have to see the Cardinals play this year...they will be fun to watch and #40 will have a great highlight film at the end of year.   But as everyone said, you have to hope that the Cards can stay healthy along with the rest of the CCIW.

I absolutely love watching #40 play, except for one noteable week.   

[Son of Tailgater]

Who is going to be in charge of the CCIW Pick-Ums this year? Mugsy? Ypsi? I am looking forward to defending my title (mostly because that's all I got) 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Who is going to be in charge of the CCIW Pick-Ums this year? Mugsy? Ypsi? I am looking forward to defending my title (mostly because that's all I got) 

I'm willing if Mugsy feels unable to do it, but it's his call.  As far as I'm concerned, Pick-ems is his 'baby' 'till he says otherwise. 

(Maybe 'baby' wasn't the best choice of terms - seems I recall that's how I ended up finishing the season for him! )

[79jaybird]

If you love football and especially defense (as I do), you have to love guys that play the way Randy Wright, Matt Wenger, (going back) John Munch, Andy Studebaker, etc.  play football.  They know only 1 speed and 1 thing in mind.  Get to get QB and 110% hustle.

I don't think anybody is "forgetting" about Augie.  Of any team int he conference, they seem to replenish their graduations quicker than anybody.  I agree though with most posters that it is hard not to think NC is the major favorite going into the season.

[lakeshore]

I think Joe Davis's absence will certainly make a difference. Anytime you change coaches you lose continuity. But I agree the impact at NPU will be mitigated because other factors (retention) are far more important and the improvement you seek will come mainly from that.

From what I hear from inside the program, Joe is not going to be missed. However, I concede that this may be spin. Everyone, be they fans, players, or coaches, always wants to put a good face on a coaching change.

wow Greg I totally disagree with you on this one.  NPU's offense improved every year in yards and PPG that Davis was there and had the most PPG for an NPU team since 2000 last fall. 

More importantly Pethtel raved about his efforts to recruit had at one point told me that Davis had recruited more than half the current team in addition to recruiting and developing the best QB in NPU history in Shelby Wood. 

I do agree however that the most positive spin is always put on a coaching change as to not disrupt the program.  I believe it all depends on if the new OC brings in a totally new offense as NPU's strength is obviously in the offensive skill positions.

[Gregory Sager]

I think Joe Davis's absence will certainly make a difference. Anytime you change coaches you lose continuity. But I agree the impact at NPU will be mitigated because other factors (retention) are far more important and the improvement you seek will come mainly from that.

From what I hear from inside the program, Joe is not going to be missed. However, I concede that this may be spin. Everyone, be they fans, players, or coaches, always wants to put a good face on a coaching change.

wow Greg I totally disagree with you on this one.  NPU's offense improved every year in yards and PPG that Davis was there and had the most PPG for an NPU team since 2000 last fall. 

More importantly Pethtel raved about his efforts to recruit had at one point told me that Davis had recruited more than half the current team in addition to recruiting and developing the best QB in NPU history in Shelby Wood. 

I do agree however that the most positive spin is always put on a coaching change as to not disrupt the program.  I believe it all depends on if the new OC brings in a totally new offense as NPU's strength is obviously in the offensive skill positions.

As I said, this might all be a matter of spin. But those inside the program to whom I've spoken do not seem at all bothered by Davis's departure. As to yardage and points per game, I'm not sure how much significance one can attach to those things; NPU's tended to gain the most yards and score the most points when the game's already been decided and the opposition has the second- or third-teamers on the field, and thus yardage and scoring issues have tended to be moot. The real yardstick for North Park's improvement is in how many CCIW games the Vikes have managed to hang around -- in other words, the true test of how well Pethtel, or Davis, or any of the other coaches have done, is to ascertain at what point the opponent puts in the reserves. And it's been all-too-early in the CCIW games played throughout Joe's tenure as the NPU OC. Whether that's mostly his fault, or someone else's, is up for debate.

In terms of "developing the best QB in NPU history" -- no, he hasn't. John Love was the best QB in North Park history (although if Dennis Prikkel, who was around a long time before I showed up at Foster & Kedzie, wants to put in a word for Swanson or Duesenberg or one of the other old-timers over Love I will defer to him). Shelby Wood could still become the best QB in NPU history, but he's not there yet.

[lakeshore]

Love's numbers were impressive.  We'd take any of the Love bros on the current NP squad.  Swanson made it to the NFL although as a punter.  Good points.  Wood will most likely become the all-time statistical leader in NP history after '09 at the very least.

[Gregory Sager]

I think that if Wood could helm a couple of CCIW wins this season, I'd probably give him serious consideration for my pick as all-time-best-QB in NPU history, since the consensus in this room and among the CCIW's coaches will likely be that NPU won't even win a single game in the league in '09, much less two. That's a steep uphill climb to make, but, then again, you don't hand out the best-ever kudos to just anybody.

Of course, NPU could acquire some sort of fantastic RB who could win those two games upon the strength of his legs, but methinks it's far more likely that if the Vikings were to wildly exceed expectations in '09 it'd be because of Shelby Wood's arm and decision-making.

[Mugsy]

Who is going to be in charge of the CCIW Pick-Ums this year? Mugsy? Ypsi? I am looking forward to defending my title (mostly because that's all I got) 

I'm willing if Mugsy feels unable to do it, but it's his call.  As far as I'm concerned, Pick-ems is his 'baby' 'till he says otherwise. 

(Maybe 'baby' wasn't the best choice of terms - seems I recall that's how I ended up finishing the season for him! )

Mr. Ypsi, if you want it, you got it.  You did a great job with it last year.  I'll help out in any way or fill in if you have a busy week.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Who is going to be in charge of the CCIW Pick-Ums this year? Mugsy? Ypsi? I am looking forward to defending my title (mostly because that's all I got) 

I'm willing if Mugsy feels unable to do it, but it's his call.  As far as I'm concerned, Pick-ems is his 'baby' 'till he says otherwise. 

(Maybe 'baby' wasn't the best choice of terms - seems I recall that's how I ended up finishing the season for him! )

Mr. Ypsi, if you want it, you got it.  You did a great job with it last year.  I'll help out in any way or fill in if you have a busy week.

I have a feeling we've started an Alphonse and Gaston skit here!

I said I was was willing, not that I wanted it.   Even though my youngest is now 17, I remember infants/toddlers - I suspect you could use a break.  But it is still yours if you want it.

[raiderguy]

Who is going to be in charge of the CCIW Pick-Ums this year? Mugsy? Ypsi? I am looking forward to defending my title (mostly because that's all I got) 

I'm willing if Mugsy feels unable to do it, but it's his call.  As far as I'm concerned, Pick-ems is his 'baby' 'till he says otherwise. 

(Maybe 'baby' wasn't the best choice of terms - seems I recall that's how I ended up finishing the season for him! )

Mr. Ypsi, if you want it, you got it.  You did a great job with it last year.  I'll help out in any way or fill in if you have a busy week.

I have a feeling we've started an Alphonse and Gaston skit here!

I said I was was willing, not that I wanted it.   Even though my youngest is now 17, I remember infants/toddlers - I suspect you could use a break.  But it is still yours if you want it.

Be careful what you wish for.........

[Mugsy]

Who is going to be in charge of the CCIW Pick-Ums this year? Mugsy? Ypsi? I am looking forward to defending my title (mostly because that's all I got) 

I'm willing if Mugsy feels unable to do it, but it's his call.  As far as I'm concerned, Pick-ems is his 'baby' 'till he says otherwise. 

(Maybe 'baby' wasn't the best choice of terms - seems I recall that's how I ended up finishing the season for him! )

Mr. Ypsi, if you want it, you got it.  You did a great job with it last year.  I'll help out in any way or fill in if you have a busy week.

I have a feeling we've started an Alphonse and Gaston skit here!

I said I was was willing, not that I wanted it.   Even though my youngest is now 17, I remember infants/toddlers - I suspect you could use a break.  But it is still yours if you want it.

Ok... I'll handle it.

[FormerCard]

I think if you are fan of D3football, you have to see the Cardinals play this year...they will be fun to watch and #40 will have a great highlight film at the end of year.   But as everyone said, you have to hope that the Cards can stay healthy along with the rest of the CCIW.

I absolutely love watching #40 play, except for one noteable week.   

Well he usually plays his worst against North Park, so don't worry this year...

[lakeshore]

Can anyone think of a stronger year for CCIW QBs?

1.  Fanthorpe - NCC
2.  Norris - WC
3.  Wood - NPU
4.  Ladd - IWU
5.  Jones - CC

2008 average = 2,451 yards, 25 tds

IMO these QB's could start for any D3 in the country and are among the best in the nation.  Elmhurst, Augie and Millikin all with QB question marks in '09 however I believe Dicken started all 10 games for MU last year and returns.

[CardinalAlum]

Can anyone think of a stronger year for CCIW QBs?

1.  Fanthorpe - NCC
2.  Norris - WC
3.  Wood - NPU
4.  Ladd - IWU
5.  Jones - CC

2008 average = 2,451 yards, 25 tds

IMO these QB's could start for any D3 in the country and are among the best in the nation.  Elmhurst, Augie and Millikin all with QB question marks in '09 however I believe Dicken started all 10 games for MU last year and returns.

Pretty bold statement!!  How many teams have you actually seen outside of the CCIW?