FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

Regarding seeding, etc. It has been mentioned on other boards that the locations of the home field for the 2nd round games and beyond have not been set yet (i.e. if NCC and Wabash win, it's not a sure thing that Wabash would host). Anyone have any insight on this?

Whilst it would be great to have NCC house the 2nd round game, it doesn't seem to me that there should be this confusion. It seems pretty obvious that Wabash is the #2 in the "bottom right" bracket and NCC is #3, which would mean Wabash gets home field for a potential 2nd round matchup.

I don't want to look past Dubuque and their offense, though. Anyone have any thoughts on the game? Is this going to be like the St. Norbert game of last year where a team from a "lesser" conference comes to NCC and gets dismantled? Or does Dubuque have a shot? Every time I hear about a team with an explosive offense I immediately revert back to the Chad Rupp/Franklin vs NCC memories. Those aren't good ones.

Maybe they will try not to have one or two teams host all the way through the semis. I would love to see NCC host a 2nd round game IF they win the first one. But can't complain about a 2 1/2 hour drive, not bad at all.

[Schwami]

Seems that the explanation from the NCAA for not saying where games will be played relates to such things as field conditions or not filing the paperwork to host games in the later rounds.  There have been instances in the past where a team could not host (I seem to recall Concordia-Wisconsin a few years ago).  I don't know why they can't just say where the games will be played, with the qualification that the site is subject to change in the event of unfavorable field conditions or administrative reasons.

[iwu70]

Has anyone seen Monmouth play this year?  Any thoughts, impressions?  They certainly put up some impressive offensive numbers for the year. 

I watched the video of the QBs trick passes . . . pretty funny, pretty good.  Thanks, Q.  Guess they should sign him up for basketball too!  Let's hope his receivers aren't on the flatbeds of pickup trucks this weekend. 

Wilder Field at Tucci Stadium will be ready on Saturday . . . it's a beautiful facility, come rain or shine.

Hope the Titan nation turns out bigtime for the game.

IWU70 

[Pat Coleman]

Seems that the explanation from the NCAA for not saying where games will be played relates to such things as field conditions or not filing the paperwork to host games in the later rounds.  There have been instances in the past where a team could not host (I seem to recall Concordia-Wisconsin a few years ago).  I don't know why they can't just say where the games will be played, with the qualification that the site is subject to change in the event of unfavorable field conditions or administrative reasons.

These things are all filed in advance, too. They know exactly which stadiums, if any, would not be available.

[robertgoulet]

Seems that the explanation from the NCAA for not saying where games will be played relates to such things as field conditions or not filing the paperwork to host games in the later rounds.  There have been instances in the past where a team could not host (I seem to recall Concordia-Wisconsin a few years ago).  I don't know why they can't just say where the games will be played, with the qualification that the site is subject to change in the event of unfavorable field conditions or administrative reasons.

These things are all filed in advance, too. They know exactly which stadiums, if any, would not be available.

Pat - Is it safe to assume that the hosting duties will play out like a normal bracket of this nature? Or is this something where, come Sunday, we will all be scratching our heads as to why some teams are now going on the road for round 2?

[BashBacker#16]

Pat,

I certainly hope Hollett Little Giant Stadium wouldn't be on that short list of facilities not up to par (new pro turf - 2nd season, 5,000 capacity, etc.).     I am curious though, IF Wabash and North Central win in round 1, when would we know?

BB16

[iwu70]

Busy day Saturday, too, around Shirk Center and Wilder Field at Tucci Stadium.  Big IWU Invitational Swim meet that day as well in Shirk, Fort Pool.  Parking could be tight.  Tail-gating at IWU is usually in the lots directly east of the Wilder Field/Tucci Stadium.  Also some in the lots on the SE corner of the Stadium, directly East of the Shirk Center.  There's more parking further south near the Theta Chi House, and also in lots directly East of the Hansen Student Center.  It will be busy and full that day.  Men and women basketball teams are playing that day, too, but both are away:  the men to Jacksonville, IL. and the women in Wisconsin. 

Good luck to the Titans vs. Monmouth and also to NCC.  Make some noise CCIW!!!

IWU70

[emma17]

Regarding seeding, etc. It has been mentioned on other boards that the locations of the home field for the 2nd round games and beyond have not been set yet (i.e. if NCC and Wabash win, it's not a sure thing that Wabash would host). Anyone have any insight on this?

Whilst it would be great to have NCC house the 2nd round game, it doesn't seem to me that there should be this confusion. It seems pretty obvious that Wabash is the #2 in the "bottom right" bracket and NCC is #3, which would mean Wabash gets home field for a potential 2nd round matchup.

I don't want to look past Dubuque and their offense, though. Anyone have any thoughts on the game? Is this going to be like the St. Norbert game of last year where a team from a "lesser" conference comes to NCC and gets dismantled? Or does Dubuque have a shot? Every time I hear about a team with an explosive offense I immediately revert back to the Chad Rupp/Franklin vs NCC memories. Those aren't good ones.

IMO Dubuque is significantly more dangerous than St. Norberts.  Dubuque likley isn't a team that can go toe to toe physically, but they can do real well in a track meet.  They put up serious points against a conference of pretty good teams.  I would caution against reading too much into the close score with Auggie. 
If anyone saw UWW vs Trine last year, I see several similarities.  Like Trine, Dubuque has more than one reciever and they also have pretty good running backs- so the offense may be more balanced than people think.  Their defense is not strong.  For 3 quarters last year, UWW mistakenly (IMO) played fast break football with Trine, and found themselves tied at 31.  To me, the key to preventing an upset from Dubuque is for NCC to use its offense as defense.  NCC should not be in a hurry to score- rather, they should drive the length of the field and make Dubuque impatient.   

[BoBo]

ILGator, you beat me to it.  Can d3 sue the Big Ten for copyright infringement?!

The Stagg Family has given the Big Ten their approval to use the name.

[Mr. Ypsi]

ILGator, you beat me to it.  Can d3 sue the Big Ten for copyright infringement?!

The Stagg Family has given the Big Ten their approval to use the name.

Yeah, I assumed that (assuming they were even polite enough to ask).  I seriously doubt that d3 could 'copyright' a real person's name!  (I assume you noted the  ?)

I suppose the more relevant question is whether or not Wisconsin is gonna hog BOTH 'Stagg Trophies'?  I think it is highly likely that the Big Ten version will be a rematch of MSU/Wisconsin, with the result likely to be the reverse of the first game.  UWW probably has the 'easiest' route to OUR Stagg (not that any route is truly easy ); will they make it a threepeat?  My guess would be that it is nearly 70% that both Staggs have Wisconsin representation, and just under 50% that both win.

[bashbrother]

Here's to NCC & Wabash both having success in their first round games.   If they do both win, then Wabash will have the facility in shape for round 2 



Seriously,  this would be a game I, as well as almost all Wabash fans, have wanted to see for some time.   Both tremendous programs with wide open styles.

[AndOne]

Regarding seeding, etc. It has been mentioned on other boards that the locations of the home field for the 2nd round games and beyond have not been set yet (i.e. if NCC and Wabash win, it's not a sure thing that Wabash would host). Anyone have any insight on this?

Whilst it would be great to have NCC house the 2nd round game, it doesn't seem to me that there should be this confusion. It seems pretty obvious that Wabash is the #2 in the "bottom right" bracket and NCC is #3, which would mean Wabash gets home field for a potential 2nd round matchup.

I don't want to look past Dubuque and their offense, though. Anyone have any thoughts on the game? Is this going to be like the St. Norbert game of last year where a team from a "lesser" conference comes to NCC and gets dismantled? Or does Dubuque have a shot? Every time I hear about a team with an explosive offense I immediately revert back to the Chad Rupp/Franklin vs NCC memories. Those aren't good ones.

IMO Dubuque is significantly more dangerous than St. Norberts.  Dubuque likley isn't a team that can go toe to toe physically, but they can do real well in a track meet.  They put up serious points against a conference of pretty good teams.  I would caution against reading too much into the close score with Auggie. 
If anyone saw UWW vs Trine last year, I see several similarities.  Like Trine, Dubuque has more than one reciever and they also have pretty good running backs- so the offense may be more balanced than people think.  Their defense is not strong.  For 3 quarters last year, UWW mistakenly (IMO) played fast break football with Trine, and found themselves tied at 31.  To me, the key to preventing an upset from Dubuque is for NCC to use its offense as defense.  NCC should not be in a hurry to score- rather, they should drive the length of the field and make Dubuque impatient.

Should Dubuque wish to engage in a track meet, North Central shouldn't have much trouble keeping up, on either side of the ball. Defenders Stewart Charles, Joe Michals, Noah Pressley, and receiver Bai Kabba, and possibly others are all members of the NCC national championship track team. Kabba is an especially explosive weapon, having previously won the Illinois state HS 400 meter championship and attended U of Illinois on a track scholarship.

Naperville Sun article on Bai Kabba:

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/8678460-419/kabba-becoming-big-play-threat-for-ncc.html

[spencer1988]

North Central will win their first game by three touchdowns and will beat Wabash by two touchdowns.

[CardinalAlum]

North Central will win their first game by three touchdowns and will beat Wabash by two touchdowns.

You really shouldn't be drinking on a Monday night.   One game at a time......

[Mr. Ypsi]

North Central will win their first game by three touchdowns and will beat Wabash by two touchdowns.

You really shouldn't be drinking on a Monday night.   One game at a time......

It's OK for the fans.  Just so the coaches aren't doing it!