FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[FormerCard]

If I was in the business of setting spreads for this weekends games I would say:

NPU (+31pts) @ Wheaton   
Elmhurst @ IWU (+3.5)       
Augie (+2.5) @ Carthage   
Millikin (+29) @ NCC           

If this is the new type of pickems, I take...
NPU
IWU
Carthage
NCC

[CardinalAlum]

31 is not enough.  I say Wheaties by 40! (just for you, Mugsy!). 

[washdupcard]

Mini Swider vs. a Hurricane.  wait wait wait....the Hurricane's name is Swider.  Mini Swider by 42.

[ncc58]

Story on Brad Crackel:  http://bit.ly/91Astt

[lakeshore]

Story on Brad Crackel:  http://bit.ly/91Astt

pretty poor stats and record as a HS starting QB but he is getting the job done so far for NCC.  Not the type of QB Kniss or Fanthorpe was by any means.

[NCF]

Story on Brad Crackel:  http://bit.ly/91Astt

pretty poor stats and record as a HS starting QB but he is getting the job done so far for NCC.  Not the type of QB Kniss or Fanthorpe was by any means.

Why does he have to be like Fanthorpe or Kniss? He just needs to get the job done. The more he plays, the more comfortable he will become with the system and the better he will become.

[Tailgater]

Story on Brad Crackel:  http://bit.ly/91Astt

pretty poor stats and record as a HS starting QB but he is getting the job done so far for NCC.  Not the type of QB Kniss or Fanthorpe was by any means.

Pretty crappy high school football program (Oswego East) Crackel had to endure during his tenure. Crackel was the Wolves first QB in a new varsity program that had little experience. He started his first season with no seniors and never had any size or significant talent on the offensive line to support him. Pretty amazing he was able to generate any wins in a tough non-conference & conference schedule. To date (6 years and counting) Oswego East has yet to beat big brother Oswego in a varsity football game.

[Stagg Again!!]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge Crackel.  If you would recall, Fanthorpe and Kyle Kniss split QB duty for NCC during the first three games of the 2007 season when Fanthorpe was a Sophomore.  It was not until the fourth game of that season that Fanthorpe took over as the starter.  If you look at Fanthorpe's first four games as a starter (against NPU, WC, EC, and MC) and compare it to Crackel's (against OC, UWE, CC, and AC) this is what you find:

Passing              Att.      Comp.      %       INT     Yds.      TDs
Fanthorpe           54        91          .593     4         802      8
Crackel               47        85          .552     0         746      8

Rushing            Att.      Yds      Yds/Carry      TDs
Fanthorpe         57        266        4.66           3
Crackel             22        112        5.09           2

Fanthorpe had a higher completion %, but 4 INTs to 0.  They had similar yardage and the same TD #s.  Obviously, Fanthorpe rushed a lot more, but for a half yard per carry less.  All this against, IMO, a similar level of competition.  Perhaps the main difference is the team around the QB.  The 2010 team may have more depth on the line and in the complementary skill positions -- but I didn't do a comparison of that. 

[robertgoulet]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge Crackel.  If you would recall, Fanthorpe and Kyle Kniss split QB duty for NCC during the first three games of the 2007 season when Fanthorpe was a Sophomore.  It was not until the fourth game of that season that Fanthorpe took over as the starter.  If you look at Fanthorpe's first four games as a starter (against NPU, WC, EC, and MC) and compare it to Crackel's (against OC, UWE, CC, and AC) this is what you find:

Passing              Att.      Comp.      %       INT     Yds.      TDs
Fanthorpe           54        91          .593     4         802      8
Crackel               47        85          .552     0         746      8

Rushing            Att.      Yds      Yds/Carry      TDs
Fanthorpe         57        266        4.66           3
Crackel             22        112        5.09           2

Fanthorpe had a higher completion %, but 4 INTs to 0.  They had similar yardage and the same TD #s.  Obviously, Fanthorpe rushed a lot more, but for a half yard per carry less.  All this against, IMO, a similar level of competition.  Perhaps the main difference is the team around the QB.  The 2010 team may have more depth on the line and in the complementary skill positions -- but I didn't do a comparison of that. 

One thing Crackel definitely has going for him is his last name. "Crackel" sounds like a solid QB name.

[Gregory Sager]

One thing Crackel definitely has going for him is his last name. "Crackel" sounds like a solid QB name.

Sure. It's the sound Jay Cutler's bones make as he's getting hit every other time he drops back to pass.

[Son of Tailgater]

If I was in the business of setting spreads for this weekends games I would say:

NPU (+31pts) @ Wheaton   
Elmhurst @ IWU (+3.5)       
Augie (+2.5) @ Carthage   
Millikin (+29) @ NCC           

If this is the new type of pickems, I take...
NPU
IWU
Carthage
NCC

I would go with:

Wheaton
Elmhurst
Carthage
NCC

[79jaybird]

People you can criticize Crackel all you want, but at last check  NC is still perfect and that is the stat I would look at the most.

I hope Elmhurst is for real, but I am still hesitant and want to see if last week's near miss is a sign of "life" or just a one hit wonder because it was Homecoming.  I guess this 2-game road trip down to central IL will tell the story. 

[AndOne]

Story on Brad Crackel:  http://bit.ly/91Astt

pretty poor stats and record as a HS starting QB but he is getting the job done so far for NCC.  Not the type of QB Kniss or Fanthorpe was by any means.

God, man. Did you read the entire article? Crackel led Oswego East to a 3-6 record in only its 2nd year of existence, and improved to 4-5 the following season. I'd say thats pretty good for a school just beginning varsity play.
And, not to put words in his mouth, but regarding his ability to answer the question "What have you done for me lately?" all that matters is Mr. Crackel  can truthfully respond "Gone 4 and 0."

[ncc58]

LOL, Kniss and Fanthorpe have raised the QB expectations for North Central to such a high level.

Crackel is completely different from Fanthorpe. His interception total will be lower - Crackel will throw the ball away in situations when Fanthorpe would try to squeeze a ball to a receiver with tight coverage. He's not the runner that either Kniss or Fanthorpe was, but the coaches don't ask him to be.

[AndOne]

Its no secret that I back North Central. Especially on the basketball side, some posters no doubt think I am sometimes, lets say, overzealous in my praise/support of the Cardinals.
To this end, many of you will likely be surprised at this post. However, I feel compelled to comment. I realize its not very conventional to call out fellow supporters of the same team you root for. But, in this instance, I think its necessary. Also while greatly overstepping my bounds, I would like to offer an apology to the Carthage football team.
You see, the problem I'm referring to was the behavior of some North Central "fans"
during the Cardinal-Red Men football game a couple of weeks ago. Specifically 3 idiots in particular. I don't know who these guys are--they're quite possibly ex NCC footballers. They were occupants of the North end zone during the game. This is territory frequented by many former players during NCC football games, the vast majority of who are ardent NCC backers and also great fans and gentlemen.  Judging from their reactions, I'd say many of them were shocked and irritated to say the least over the behavior by the 3 individuals in question. I noticed many of the other fans vacated the area.
Specifically, at one point NCC was on about the Carthage 3 or 4 yard line. The CC backers and DBs were lined up on the goal line and in the north end zone just a few feet in front of the jackasses in question. These "fans" were hurling insults of a very personal nature at the CC defenders. It was loud, and it was steady over the course of several minutes. I won't repeat what was said here. Suffice it to say they crossed the line in terms of the language they used and the personal nature of said language.
I don't know the names of the 3 jokers, but can describe them:
1. Blue Michigan jacket with "Michigan" in yellow letters across the back.
2. Black shirt with football laces on the front and a tan hat worn backwards. 
3. Shiny black Nike jacket with a Cubs hat worn backwards.

I hope the NCC "security" staff keeps an eye out for these guys in the remaining games and kicks their butts out if there is any such additional insanity.
Again, one NCC fan's apologies to the Red Men.