FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[usee]

As for NPU the biggest thing I see is what Greg pointed out early this week. NPU, for the first time in forever, has an identity as a football team. We can debate the merits of whether the running attack will work but they now have something to hang their hat on as a team. Their roster appears to have more talent than we have seen since the 2000 team (even if measured soley by the number of returning players). They still have some of the same headwinds they have faced but not as debilitating in my opinion. I thought Rod Ojong was a very serviceable Lb and he has disappeared off the rosteralong with a couple other starters from last years team. But they have a core group of players who have stayed the course. Pantaleo, a sr, is playing at an all conference level and their new scheme on offense will remind folks of Augie in that its uniqueness makes it hard to prepare in just a week. I can't say when but I am standing by my prediction of a conference win this season for NPU. 

[usee]

The NCC-UWEC game also has potentially major ramnifications in the future scheduling strategy of the conference. It's widely known that many of the league's coaches and AD's don't like scheduling top WIAC/OAC schools due to the brutal nature of the CCIW schedule. The predominant strategy has been: schedule 1 challenging but winnable game along with 2 easy ones. The strategy has led to cciw pool c berths numerous times.

North Central has been bucking this trend but it has hurt them. Last year they lost to ONU and after dropping a conference game to IWU they missed a pool C spot they would have almost assuredly have received if they had played Hope or Albion instead of ONU. Fast forward to this year. If they lose to UWEC (who is now expected to challenge for 2nd place in the WIAC) and happen to drop a conference game they face being shut out of the post season a 2nd straight year. This scenario will give the other coaches in the league serious resolve to maintain their stance. However, if NCC beats UWEC and ends up on a deep playoff run, benefitting from the tough scheduling,this may benefit them in recruiting and exposure and allow them to further separate themselves from the rest of the CCIW. This is clearly been Thorne's approach and desire and will put a chink in the armor of the teams in the league that have been scheduling with a different philosophy.

[CardinalAlum]

I say bring em on!!  If you can't beat them in September, you can't beat them in the playoffs!  It shouldn't be about just getting into the playoffs.  The CCIW needs to get away from the creampuff non conference schedule.  I, for one, would love to see NCC play a Mount Union or a UWW in the non conference part of the schedule.  Maybe you do take an ass kicking, but at least you know where you stand and what you need to do to play with the best!    One man's opinion....   Go Cards!!

[robertgoulet]

If you can't beat them in September, you can't beat them in the playoffs!  It shouldn't be about just getting into the playoffs. 

I think the '06 Cards would disagree (L to Concordia 1st game of season, hammered them 1st game of playoffs) 

But I do agree with you on the rest of your post   

[Gregory Sager]

I thought Rod Ojong was a very serviceable Lb and he has disappeared off the rosteralong with a couple other starters from last years team.

I was disappointed that Ojong transferred to Monmouth. He was clearly the standout of the linebacking corps last year for North Park. I've checked the Monmouth site, and although he's still listed on the roster he hasn't played in any of the Scots' three games to date. I wonder if he's hurt.

NPU lost a couple of good athletes on the defensive side of the ball in Ramon Lacey and Calvin Gant, and I think that the move to the option cost the Vikings a pair of experienced receivers in Evan Christensen and Chris Anton. But for the most part the retention has been pretty good this year -- by NPU football's historically anemic standards, at least.

But they have a core group of players who have stayed the course. Pantaleo, a sr, is playing at an all conference level and their new scheme on offense will remind folks of Augie in that its uniqueness makes it hard to prepare in just a week. I can't say when but I am standing by my prediction of a conference win this season for NPU. 

Senior linebacker Lucas DeJong is playing at an All-CCIW level, too, although I hesitate to pronounce someone a sure-fire All-CCIW player before the conference slate even starts. The presence of more seniors and juniors than North Park has seen in ages bodes well for the team, even though most of the offensive players whose size and skills are specifically tailored for the option are underclassmen. Still, I'm gunshy about predicting any CCIW wins for the Park in 2010. The option takes a long time to install and perfect, and patience is the byword this year. I'll settle for incremental improvement from game to game, positive attitudes all around, and continued good retention and recruitment heading into next season.

Of course, if NPU does pull off an upset and snaps the streak, nobody is going to be crowing about it more than me!

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Kudos to the NPU coaching staff for landing frosh QB Tyler Krebs.

Krebs Cary-Grove HS teams run the old Augustana Wing T offense, and while I didn't see Krebs play, I did see CGHS several years ago defeat a good undefeated Rolling Meadows team at RMHS in a state playoff game marching down the field in the closing minutes for the winning score on the last play of the game.

[NCF]

I say bring em on!!  If you can't beat them in September, you can't beat them in the playoffs!  It shouldn't be about just getting into the playoffs.  The CCIW needs to get away from the creampuff non conference schedule.  I, for one, would love to see NCC play a Mount Union or a UWW in the non conference part of the schedule.  Maybe you do take an ass kicking, but at least you know where you stand and what you need to do to play with the best!    One man's opinion....   Go Cards!!

Amen to that. If you want to be the best you have to play the best! The easy non-conference games do not make you ready for the conference schedule.

[dansand]

Kudos to the NPU coaching staff for landing frosh QB Tyler Krebs.

Krebs Cary-Grove HS teams run the old Augustana Wing T offense, and while I didn't see Krebs play, I did see CGHS several years ago defeat a good undefeated Rolling Meadows team at RMHS in a state playoff game marching down the field in the closing minutes for the winning score on the last play of the game.

Cary-Grove won the 6A state championship last year. It should be quite a reunion when Augie comes to Chicago on October 23. All three running backs who lined up behind Krebs at C-G (Alex Hembrey, Eric Chandler and Steve Hapanovich) are at Augie, although Hapanovich is playing baseball instead of football. Hembrey has started to get some time in the backfield and rushed for over 100 yards Saturday at Adrian. A.J. Hoger, who I think was Krebs' predecessor at QB for C-G, is a running back at Augie also.

[matblake]

Keith prognosticates about Wheaton in the triple take.  Oh, and something else about North Central too.   

[matblake]

The NCC-UWEC game also has potentially major ramnifications in the future scheduling strategy of the conference. It's widely known that many of the league's coaches and AD's don't like scheduling top WIAC/OAC schools due to the brutal nature of the CCIW schedule. The predominant strategy has been: schedule 1 challenging but winnable game along with 2 easy ones. The strategy has led to cciw pool c berths numerous times.

North Central has been bucking this trend but it has hurt them. Last year they lost to ONU and after dropping a conference game to IWU they missed a pool C spot they would have almost assuredly have received if they had played Hope or Albion instead of ONU. Fast forward to this year. If they lose to UWEC (who is now expected to challenge for 2nd place in the WIAC) and happen to drop a conference game they face being shut out of the post season a 2nd straight year. This scenario will give the other coaches in the league serious resolve to maintain their stance. However, if NCC beats UWEC and ends up on a deep playoff run, benefitting from the tough scheduling,this may benefit them in recruiting and exposure and allow them to further separate themselves from the rest of the CCIW. This is clearly been Thorne's approach and desire and will put a chink in the armor of the teams in the league that have been scheduling with a different philosophy.

This week's around the nation covers the concept well: http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2010/september-to-remember

[02 Warhawk]

I say bring em on!!  If you can't beat them in September, you can't beat them in the playoffs!  It shouldn't be about just getting into the playoffs.  The CCIW needs to get away from the creampuff non conference schedule.  I, for one, would love to see NCC play a Mount Union or a UWW in the non conference part of the schedule.  Maybe you do take an ass kicking, but at least you know where you stand and what you need to do to play with the best!    One man's opinion....  Go Cards!!

Amen to that. If you want to be the best you have to play the best! The easy non-conference games do not make you ready for the conference schedule.

I would love to see that as well...I hate that UWW has to play these NAIA teams each year. I would rather play solid teams in the region.. a NCC/UWW series would be great..if only we can get the NCC athletic staff to agree with us..

[Wags]

Looks like is Crackel for NCC tomorrow...

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/1726947-417/cardinals-college-season-crackel-olivet.html

GO CARDINALS!!! 

[footballfan413]

Looks like is Crackel for NCC tomorrow...

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/1726947-417/cardinals-college-season-crackel-olivet.html

GO CARDINALS!!! 

I am soooo struggling with this game in my pick em's.  Big kudos to NCC for taking on a upper level WIAC team.  Could be big for them if they handle the BluGolds.  My head says they will but my heart..........I am just not sure.....................

[usee]

Cardalum and Newcardfan. Your testosterone levels aside, the reality is if you don't beat them in september you don't get to play them in December. NCC is clearly in the minority in the scheduling and despite your bravado, if they lose to UWEC and end up missing the playoffs for the second year in a row because of it, don't be surprised to see Thorne and co. Conform. Playing extra games with extra practices is invaluable to a program. Win in November and you will get youyr shot at Mt Union and UWW.

[formerd3db]

I say bring em on!!  If you can't beat them in September, you can't beat them in the playoffs!  It shouldn't be about just getting into the playoffs.  The CCIW needs to get away from the creampuff non conference schedule.  I, for one, would love to see NCC play a Mount Union or a UWW in the non conference part of the schedule.  Maybe you do take an ass kicking, but at least you know where you stand and what you need to do to play with the best!    One man's opinion....   Go Cards!!

CardinalAlum:
You do have a point there...some people do need (or deserve ) a good "ass kicking" at times!   All joking aside, there are two theories to this issue: some believe as you do that by "scheduling up" for the non-conference portion of one's schedule, that in the long run will improve the program to the point where they can competitively compete in the playoffs.  The other theory is as USee has related and he has a legit point also.  Perhaps scheduling one non-conf game against an upper tier team is the best way to intially approach "the challenge" for some programs, then go on from there over a few years.  Just an additional thought for the discussion.