FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

All the numbest will show the Naperville School is a better team than Wheaton. Every common opponent Naperville college has beaten more impressively  than the Thunder. V Carthage, @augie, v IWU, @Olivet, @ elmhurst....all these opponents and locations are similar and Naperville College has won them more convincingly. But that's why they play the games.

wheaton will struggle to score and Naperville will pound the running game. Fiddlerontheroofawicz will have his annual NFL coming out party and Wenger will do what it is he does

My early line is Wheaton +10.5 

I was thinking Wheaton +13.5

[FormerCard]

All the numbest will show the Naperville School is a better team than Wheaton. Every common opponent Naperville college has beaten more impressively  than the Thunder. V Carthage, @augie, v IWU, @Olivet, @ elmhurst....all these opponents and locations are similar and Naperville College has won them more convincingly. But that's why they play the games.

wheaton will struggle to score and Naperville will pound the running game. Fiddlerontheroofawicz will have his annual NFL coming out party and Wenger will do what it is he does

My early line is Wheaton +10.5 

Don't count out Billy Graham's school before the snap Usee.   According to Decision Magazine, the Crusaders may be an early favorite....I would say  NC -1.5, but that is only if I am betting with Wheaton faithful.  In fairness, I like the Cards -9.5


Should be a great weekend of football!

[lakeshore]

I'm a little surprised to see NCC favored by so much already.  Until the Augie game WC had the #1 offense and NCC had the #1 defense in the CCIW.  Both schools rank #1 or #2 in almost all statistical catagories.  NCC has benefitted from an opportunistic special teams and defense where as Wheaton has not given up many of those types of scores.  

The telling stat to me as evidenced by the Wheaton/Augie game is....Wheaton is an amazing +15 in TO margin 2010.  That counts for a lot and will win you big games.

[ncc58]

I think a line of 13.5 is reasonable, although I expect the margin will be greater than that. You can try to find statistics that build a case for a Wheaton victory this week, but North Central has been that much better than every team they play. The game will be hard fought, but NCC has a big edge.

[usee]

I think Naperville has a defense that is playing at a level of Mt Unioin or UWW. Their offense is still suspect in my opinion. They are clearly good enough to win the CCIW but when you look at a matchup against a similar defense as theirs (which they will face in playoffs) they have not developed enough playmakers to win. That doesn't mean they won't, I just don't see it right now. You can win a lot of games with a dominating defense and great kicking game. You need big play guys in the playoffs to make a title run. Naperville is simple on defense and rely's on players that are better to defeat blocks and make tackles. In the playoffs against the top 3-4 teams in the country, those teams will have equal talent which is why you need multiple playmakers on both sides of the ball

This week I think Napereville's ability to run the ball and limit the run are a big advantage. The strength of this Wheaton team is their secondary on defense and their special teams play. If Naperville doesn't turn it over they should win easily. If they do turn it over, Wheaton is good enough to beat them.

[ncc58]

It will be fun to watch the special teams play. Both teams are excellent in that facet of the game.

I agree with Usee's assessment on where NCC is in relation to the top D3 teams. No one will consistently drive the field against them. The focus right now is on the Conference Championship, the AQ, and the Bell.

[usee]

Il Gator- I would be careful with a statement like "no one will consistently drive the field on them". It may happen and it certainly can happen. There are teams equally or more talented than Naperville out there.

[Gregory Sager]

but that is only if I am betting with Wheaton faithful.

Now, there's a phrase you don't see everyday.

[Mugsy]

Il Gator- I would be careful with a statement like "no one will consistently drive the field on them". It may happen and it certainly can happen. There are teams equally or more talented than Naperville out there.

Hopefully the NCC players aren't as high on themselves as ILGator.  That could be trouble right there.   

[TCrawf5825]

All the numbest will show the Naperville School is a better team than Wheaton. Every common opponent Naperville college has beaten more impressively  than the Thunder. V Carthage, @augie, v IWU, @Olivet, @ elmhurst....all these opponents and locations are similar and Naperville College has won them more convincingly. But that's why they play the games.

wheaton will struggle to score and Naperville will pound the running game. Fiddlerontheroofawicz will have his annual NFL coming out party and Wenger will do what it is he does

My early line is Wheaton +10.5 

North Central has more than just the running offense they can hurt you in a number of ways if need be.  they take what is given.  They burned IWU and Carthage with a number of long passes, not only do they run the middle well but they are very tough on the corners with either the option or a sweep, they stalk better than anyone I have seen this year and that enables  the long runs.  the offense is hot and cold but seems to put together a string of scores when needed.  Nobody has been able to run against NCC defense and last week -vs- Elmhurst was the first week I have seen them forced to blitz in order to pressure the QB on the pass.   I have not seen Wheaton play this year but following NCC for a number of years I have never seen them as hungry for a loing time !!  NCC -14

[Mugsy]

New top 25 out.  North Central remains at #5, Wheaton up to #15.

Tough week for the East Region as all 4 teams dropping out from the top 25 are from the East.

[Son of Tailgater]

Carthage (coming off a tough loss I think CC will put up 21+, NP hasn't scored in conference yet)

NPU has scored in conference play; the Vikings just haven't scored against anybody's first team yet.

You were correct on this! They scored on Wheaton and now can say they were in a game into the 2nd half. Gave me a scare for sure and gave me flashbacks to 2004 when they has us been and our defense came through for us to win the game. They have their last shot this week at a conference win as I do not see NCC taking them lightly.

[Son of Tailgater]

Il Gator- I would be careful with a statement like "no one will consistently drive the field on them". It may happen and it certainly can happen. There are teams equally or more talented than Naperville out there.

Hopefully the NCC players aren't as high on themselves as ILGator.  That could be trouble right there.   

Agreed....playoffs in three weeks. There are a few monsters out there that will and can.

[FormerCard]

Il Gator- I would be careful with a statement like "no one will consistently drive the field on them". It may happen and it certainly can happen. There are teams equally or more talented than Naperville out there.

Hopefully the NCC players aren't as high on themselves as ILGator.  That could be trouble right there.   

I am quite certain this a level-headed defense. They are very talented, but good teams are able to put together sustainable drives.  The key will be limiting big plays (not missing tackles and blowing coverages) and timely turnovers. 

[Mugsy]

Il Gator- I would be careful with a statement like "no one will consistently drive the field on them". It may happen and it certainly can happen. There are teams equally or more talented than Naperville out there.

Hopefully the NCC players aren't as high on themselves as ILGator.  That could be trouble right there.   

I am quite certain this a level-headed defense. They are very talented, but good teams are able to put together sustainable drives.  The key will be limiting big plays (not missing tackles and blowing coverages) and timely turnovers. 

I'm sure the NCC players have the correct perspective.  My point was more about ILGators.  If the team did have that mindset, it would be trouble.  Fans do have the latitude to be a bit more hyped up.