FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Well I was essentially right on how many points I thought NCC would score, I even gave them an extra point.  With the loss of Wenger and Sulo, I thought Wheaton had a chance if they could hold NCC to 28 points.  What I did not expect was how well NCC played on defense.  The Wheaton D played a very good first half, but gave up nearly 300 yards in the 2nd half.  Ouch!  

Coming into the season I thought NCC was clearly the best team in the CCIW and definitely the team to beat.  I thought Wheaton had some very solid players returning, particularly on offense.  With the nature of the injuries to NCC and the apparent maturation of the Wheaton defense, I thought it might be possible for Wheaton to give NCC a surprise.  My pick was mostly from my heart... my head was telling me NCC was probably a better team.  Turned out to be true...

Hats off to NCC.  Scary to think what they would have done if Wenger and Sulo were healthy.   Norris started off 5-6 for 63 yards, but then went 7-21 for 48 yards the rest of the way.  6 sacks?  Wow...

I also said in my "keys to the game" post that 2nd half adjustments in this game over the past 5 years have proven huge.  Today... 7-7 game with a Norris INT on the NCC 4 yard line to keep Wheaton from a half time lead. 2nd half... Wheaton virtually no offense, NCC nearly 300 yards.

What has worried me all year with Wheaton has been the inability to establish a potent running attack.  Wheaton's OL has not been getting it done as well this year, and Gingg is just too nicked up. The most dangerous Wheaton teams over the past decade have been the ones with over 250 yards per game through the air, but more importantly they pound you for 230+ yards on the ground.  Wheaton has only been averaging 160 yards on the ground.  That is ok against most teams, but not NCC and other upper echelon teams.  Ironic... it is the NCC offense that exhibits that perfect balance on offense that will prove very, very difficult to beat from here on out.  

Oh yeah... 2 redzone turnovers and the inability to score on 4 downs from the 5 yard line just isn't going to get it done against the likes of NCC.

As much as it pains me to say... the better team won.  <Sigh>  I don't want to have to say that again next year.

[cardinaldad]

DING  - A - LING - A - LING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proud of you Cards!!!! A GREAT complete game. Also. nice display of class helping the Wheaties up off the field throughout the game after knocking them down!

[cardinaldad]

Any word on Gingg's status?

And why would I tell you, Mr. "NCC will score 53 on Wheaton"?    

You'll get nothing from me until you can see for yourself at kickoff.  I'm not giving away injury reports unless it is for players already known to be out for the season.

Mugsy, most of us could tell by your response to NT's post that you were nervous and testy earlier in the week.  You are usually more reserved and display more discipline. It was evident you saw it coming!!

NT....your question is finally answered.

Seriously, you are right about the running game, Mugsy. I was very surprised today to see how ineffective it was. Certainly, not a typical Wheaton team. I know the running game has been struggling, but the way the NCC defense played today had something to do with it.

[Titan Q]

Interesting matchup in Bloomington next week.  IWU ranks #2 in Division III in Total Defense...North Central ranks #3 in Total Offense...

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=III&site=org

CCIW-only numbers through 4 games...

Scoring Offense
1. North Central 57.8
2. Carthage 32.2
3. Wheaton 28.2
4. Elmhurst 23.8
5. Illinois Wesleyan 20.5
6. Augustana 20.0
7. Millikin 15.2
8. North Park 7.5

Scoring Defense
1. Illinois Wesleyan 10.5
2. Augustana 13.5
3. Wheaton 14.2
4. North Central 15.5
5. Elmhurst 24.0
6. Millikin 29.8
7. Carthage 46.2
8. North Park 51.5

Offensive Yards per Game
1. North Central 519.8
2. Wheaton 415.8
2. Carthage 415.8
4. Elmhurst 374.2
5. Illinois Wesleyan 347.0
6. Augustana 287.8
7. Millikin 272.5
8. North Park 172.8

Yards Allowed per game
1. Illinois Wesleyan 186.8
2. North Central 282.2
3. Elmhurst 309.2
4. Augustana 312.5
5. Wheaton 326.8
6. Millikin 366.5
7. Carthage 495.8
8. North Park 525.8

[Crutches McGee 87]

I'm going to reitterate a post that I had made earlier.  I had said that NCC always has kids step up and that it was pretty evident this year.  But an extremely good point was made that when I had said that we played 3 teams that aren't very good.  I think now, after playing 2 tough CCIW teams, we are able to see how well the guys are filling the "holes" that were in the defense with the loss of Robert Champion at nose, Wenger, and Sulo.  NCC has a LOT of depth and that is definitely going help with the upcoming games.  KEEP RINGING THAT BELL BOYS!!!!!!  Another great week in Division III football!

[New Tradition]

I'm going to reitterate a post that I had made earlier.  I had said that NCC always has kids step up and that it was pretty evident this year.  But an extremely good point was made that when I had said that we played 3 teams that aren't very good.  I think now, after playing 2 tough CCIW teams, we are able to see how well the guys are filling the "holes" that were in the defense with the loss of Robert Champion at nose, Wenger, and Sulo.  NCC has a LOT of depth and that is definitely going help with the upcoming games.  KEEP RINGING THAT BELL BOYS!!!!!!  Another great week in Division III football!

Although Champion was limited, he did play yesterday.  He isn't completely lost just limited.  His ACL is not completely torn, according to the WONC announcers, but just has a slight, nagging rip.

[NCF]

My first bell ringing experience!! Loved it!! Great job cards. It was a great game on both sides of the ball. My son said it was an awesome game to play in!

[FormerCard]

Cards move up to #9,   Wheaton down to #14

http://www.d3football.com/top25/2009/week-8

[Mr. Ypsi]

Perhaps the hoariest cliche in sports is "Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships".  I suspect this is going to sorely test posters this week!

In both overall and conference-only stats, IWU is the conference leader in both total defense and scoring defense.  NCC is the (runaway) leader in all those categories for offense.

Somehow I suspect I may be the Lone Ranger on pickems if I stick with my current inclination to go with the Titans!   [I'd be a close second in pickems right now were it not for a premature 'Hail Mary' - being the only one to pick UD over Coe several weeks ago ; now I could really use a 'Hail Mary'! ]

[And, yes, I am fully aware that if the Cards come anywhere near their past offense, the Titan lead in defense may disappear after Saturday! ]

[FormerCard]

Perhaps the hoariest cliche in sports is "Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships".  I suspect this is going to sorely test posters this week!

In both overall and conference-only stats, IWU is the conference leader in both total defense and scoring defense.  NCC is the (runaway) leader in all those categories for offense.

Somehow I suspect I may be the Lone Ranger on pickems if I stick with my current inclination to go with the Titans!   [I'd be a close second in pickems right now were it not for a premature 'Hail Mary' - being the only one to pick UD over Coe several weeks ago ; now I could really use a 'Hail Mary'! ]

[And, yes, I am fully aware that if the Cards come anywhere near their past offense, the Titan lead in defense may disappear after Saturday! ]

I did not realize how good IWU's defensive numbers have been.   This should be a great matchup next week in Bloomington.   IWU has not faced an offense this good all year so they have their work cut out for them.  I think Wheatons defense was pretty good and NC still put up nearly 30 points.     

I was very happy with the way NC's defense contained Norris, Gingg and the many weapons Wheaton had.  I think this was a breakout game for Willie Hayes in that he has solidified himself as the leader of this defense in 2009.  He had been making plays all year, but made some really great stops in the 4th quarter when Wheaton was threatening in the Red Zone.   Looking forward to watching him and Wenger play together next year...that will be a tough middle to run on.

I like making predictions for the game so here goes...

NCC    24
IWU      3

[Crutches McGee 87]

I'm going to reitterate a post that I had made earlier.  I had said that NCC always has kids step up and that it was pretty evident this year.  But an extremely good point was made that when I had said that we played 3 teams that aren't very good.  I think now, after playing 2 tough CCIW teams, we are able to see how well the guys are filling the "holes" that were in the defense with the loss of Robert Champion at nose, Wenger, and Sulo.  NCC has a LOT of depth and that is definitely going help with the upcoming games.  KEEP RINGING THAT BELL BOYS!!!!!!  Another great week in Division III football!

Although Champion was limited, he did play yesterday.  He isn't completely lost just limited.  His ACL is not completely torn, according to the WONC announcers, but just has a slight, nagging rip.

This is true.  But that was limited time, and he did not play against Milikin or Carthage.  So there were a few guys who stepped in as nose and got the job done.  Any tear in a ligament is not "nagging".  It pretty much hurts.  At the Carthage game Champ was favoring his knee just walking around.

[New Tradition]

Boy, not much love from the pollsters for such a strong showing against the #3 team in the country...

[Mugsy]

Boy, not much love from the pollsters for such a strong showing against the #3 team in the country...

Oh boy... here we go.

North Central jumps 4 spots and is 14 points from another 2 spots.  Do you honestly expect the voters to vault a 1 loss North Central past all of the other unbeaten teams?

[New Tradition]

Boy, not much love from the pollsters for such a strong showing against the #3 team in the country...

Oh boy... here we go.

North Central jumps 4 spots and is 14 points from another 2 spots.  Do you honestly expect the voters to vault a 1 loss North Central past all of the other unbeaten teams?

Not past ALL of them, just most. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Boy, not much love from the pollsters for such a strong showing against the #3 team in the country...

Oh boy... here we go.

North Central jumps 4 spots and is 14 points from another 2 spots.  Do you honestly expect the voters to vault a 1 loss North Central past all of the other unbeaten teams?

No.  But with the way they have been destroying everyone in sight (and since, while it obviously can't be ignored, I heavily discount first games), I personally would say they are now top 5.  I'm planning to throw a 'Hail Mary' and pick the Titans to beat them Saturday, but if they win out I think they would deserve a #1 seed.  (It AIN'T gonna happen, with a loss, but I think they would be deserving of it.)

BTW, IMO if there are no more major upsets, I believe MUC goes 'East', UWW comes 'North' (only an undefeated Wheaton could have prevented that, I think), while the other #1s look to be Wesley and a dogfight of Linfield, St. John's, and Central.