FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[FormerCard]

When are All-Region teams announced? 

[BoBo]

After seeing the ONU game play out the way it did one of my major concerns (other than what you all have already voiced) is NCC's ability to come out of the gates fast. It seemed that they were either too amped up or maybe even a bit nervous.

Against a team as good as UWW, one who likely won't have those same jitters, you can't afford to let your nerves get the best of you early.

Now, maybe UWW does come out TOO amped up because of the seeding issue and makes some early mistakes. If that's the case, NCC can't be fighting their own nerves, they will need to take advantage.

I'm not sure what everybody thinks, but in my view, UWW does have the advantage of playing in a number of these higher profile games late into the season. These guys, having played into December the last 6 years, have plenty of experience on game day of directing or channeling that amped up enthusiasm into a positive. If you look for them to get rattled, you may never find it. That seeding issue is out of their system by now, as it should be with NCC, as well. Neither coaching staff is thinking about that at all this week and neither should their players. LL gave his final salvo on the topic at last week's post-game press conference. This week is what's important, not the seeding. As I think HScoach said on the WIAC page a couple days ago, going on the road, especially on such a short trip, might be the best thing the NCAA did for the Warhawks. It gets the team away early, away from any distractions (although how many distractions in a town of 10,000?)

NCC on the other hand is the unknown quantity. If I'm not mistaken, this is their first game ever in December. If any team comes out TOO amped up, perhaps that could be NCC. This might be the biggest game if their careers.

This is going to come down to one team giving their all against another team giving their all - both teams leaving it all on the field. Worry about next week when it comes. Survive, win, and advance. That's the way I think the Warhawks will approach this game & as a well coached team, that's the way I think NCC will prepare is week, too. Should be a great environment; hopefully the weather will not become a factor. I think the crowd on both sides with be the ones the most amped for this one. This weeks tailgating may become legendary.

[Mr. Flynn]

Since NCC has the #1 seed and homefield advantage I would take them by a large margin, I cant see UWW getting more cold ones down.

This week is going to go very slow..  It gives posters plenty of time to talk about the game, but the fact is NCC played UWW in 2007 and that game means very little at this point.  It will be the same talk all week.

1.) The UWW rushing attack vs the NCC rushing defense.  
2.)  Can the Cardinals work the passing game against UWW who has given up an average of 324 yards in the first two playoff game?
3.)  Will Blanchard play and prove to be an X factor?
4.) Which coaching staff will make the best adjustments on the fly?

and the most important factor of all......

Which teams tailgators will put down the most cold ones before the start of the game

[Mugsy]

and the most important factor of all......

Which teams tailgators will put down the most cold ones before the start of the game

Hmm... not a question asked of the Wheaton/Bethel game last week.   

[FormerCard]

and the most important factor of all......

Which teams tailgators will put down the most cold ones before the start of the game

Hmm... not a question asked of the Wheaton/Bethel game last week.   

Haha, +K for an outloud laugh.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Since NCC has the #1 seed and homefield advantage I would take them by a large margin, I cant see UWW getting more cold ones down.

This week is going to go very slow..  It gives posters plenty of time to talk about the game, but the fact is NCC played UWW in 2007 and that game means very little at this point.  It will be the same talk all week.

1.) The UWW rushing attack vs the NCC rushing defense.  
2.)  Can the Cardinals work the passing game against UWW who has given up an average of 324 yards in the first two playoff game?
3.)  Will Blanchard play and prove to be an X factor?
4.) Which coaching staff will make the best adjustments on the fly?

and the most important factor of all......

Which teams tailgators will put down the most cold ones before the start of the game

Although my roots are in Illinois, I would NEVER bet against cheeseheads when it comes to beer consumption!

[robertgoulet]

After seeing the ONU game play out the way it did one of my major concerns (other than what you all have already voiced) is NCC's ability to come out of the gates fast. It seemed that they were either too amped up or maybe even a bit nervous.

Against a team as good as UWW, one who likely won't have those same jitters, you can't afford to let your nerves get the best of you early.

Now, maybe UWW does come out TOO amped up because of the seeding issue and makes some early mistakes. If that's the case, NCC can't be fighting their own nerves, they will need to take advantage.

I'm not sure what everybody thinks, but in my view, UWW does have the advantage of playing in a number of these higher profile games late into the season. These guys, having played into December the last 6 years, have plenty of experience on game day of directing or channeling that amped up enthusiasm into a positive. If you look for them to get rattled, you may never find it. That seeding issue is out of their system by now, as it should be with NCC, as well. Neither coaching staff is thinking about that at all this week and neither should their players. LL gave his final salvo on the topic at last week's post-game press conference. This week is what's important, not the seeding. As I think HScoach said on the WIAC page a couple days ago, going on the road, especially on such a short trip, might be the best thing the NCAA did for the Warhawks. It gets the team away early, away from any distractions (although how many distractions in a town of 10,000?)

NCC on the other hand is the unknown quantity. If I'm not mistaken, this is their first game ever in December. If any team comes out TOO amped up, perhaps that could be NCC. This might be the biggest game if their careers.

This is going to come down to one team giving their all against another team giving their all - both teams leaving it all on the field. Worry about next week when it comes. Survive, win, and advance. That's the way I think the Warhawks will approach this game & as a well coached team, that's the way I think NCC will prepare is week, too. Should be a great environment; hopefully the weather will not become a factor. I think the crowd on both sides with be the ones the most amped for this one. This weeks tailgating may become legendary.

That's what I was getting at when I said UWW likely won't have the same jitters.

I understand that the coaches have put the seeding issue out of their mind, but I think you would be crazy if you didn't think the coaches aren't saying "the NCAA picked these guys to be the #1 seed, let's go show them they were wrong" in as many different ways as possible during this week. Teams can thrive when they don't think they get the respect they deserved, but teams can also get too excited trying to prove those people wrong, thus causing mistakes.

That being said, I don't think UWW will have early issues dealing with nerves or too much energy, but I do think it's possible that it could happen....not nerves, but too much energy.

[bleedpurple]

Have watched a few NCC highlight packages on Youtube. The players interviewed after the game all seem like really nice kids! Anyone have a link to a kid that's a jerk? Overall, NCC is kind of hard to hate! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Have watched a few NCC highlight packages on Youtube. The players interviewed after the game all seem like really nice kids! Anyone have a link to a kid that's a jerk? Overall, NCC is kind of hard to hate! 

If you played in the CCIW, you'd find a way!

[Stagg Again!!]

I'm not sure what everybody thinks, but in my view, UWW does have the advantage of playing in a number of these higher profile games late into the season. These guys, having played into December the last 6 years, have plenty of experience on game day of directing or channeling that amped up enthusiasm into a positive.

This may be the first time I've said this, but I think you have an excellent point Bobo.  Not only the high profile games against top-notch competition, but also the extra weeks of practice preparing for (theoretically) the best offenses and defenses in the country year after year have made the UWW upperclassmen a stout bunch of competitors.  The experiences that they have had will certainly come in handy well after their playing days are over.  I am certainly looking forward to seeing how the Cardinals fare their first time into the third round of the playoffs.  It should be an interesting matchup.

[BoBo]

Mr. Goulet, my point is that if either team has issues with nerves or too much energy (& I don't know if it will happen or not), NCC will be the ones showing it, not UWW, JMO.

[CardinalAlum]

Mr. Goulet, my point is that if either team has issues with nerves or too much energy (& I don't know if it will happen or not), NCC will be the ones showing it, not UWW, JMO.

Agree with you, BoBo.  Not having been in this situation before is definitely a negative for the Cards.  Hopefully, for NCC fans, it doesn't play a huge role!

[CardinalAlum]

Have watched a few NCC highlight packages on Youtube. The players interviewed after the game all seem like really nice kids! Anyone have a link to a kid that's a jerk? Overall, NCC is kind of hard to hate! 

Mugsy got his Masters at NCC!  Hate him!!!   

[WarhawkDad]

I don't think they have missed too much as Brekke, the backup, has led them to 50+ and 45+ pt performances.

the only big difference is the two QB's ability to scramble in the pocket. blanchard is great at it, and is a threat to run if nothing's there. Brekke is a pure drop back passer and can't illude pressure nearly as well as blanchard.

Most UWW fans would agree that they would rather see blanchard back, just so there's a two dimensional QB taking the snaps.

02, I actually think Brekke has been quite mobil and has made good decisions.   I do think Matt might have made a couple quicker decisions to run or get rid of the ball that might have avoided sacks, but I think the O-Line has done a great job of protecting both QB's and will continue to do so.   

[bleedpurple]

I don't think they have missed too much as Brekke, the backup, has led them to 50+ and 45+ pt performances.

the only big difference is the two QB's ability to scramble in the pocket. blanchard is great at it, and is a threat to run if nothing's there. Brekke is a pure drop back passer and can't illude pressure nearly as well as blanchard.

Most UWW fans would agree that they would rather see blanchard back, just so there's a two dimensional QB taking the snaps.

02, I actually think Brekke has been quite mobil and has made good decisions.   I do think Matt might have made a couple quicker decisions to run or get rid of the ball that might have avoided sacks, but I think the O-Line has done a great job of protecting both QB's and will continue to do so.   

There's no doubt about that. They will also continue to make room for Coppage.  The advantage UW-W has on the line of scrimmage is usually quite decisive.  NCC has some great athletes on defense, but I've not seen a defensive line hold up for 4 quarters against UW-W in five years. And that INCLUDES Mt. Union.  Throw in the best running back in the country and that's a challenge for ANY defense!