FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Love the CCIW summer chatter!  As the login-in handle might suggest, thought i'd weigh in on EC's fortunes this fall...

Often labeled a sleeper pick over the past few seasons, the '12 version of the Jays are positioned to capture all that potential and really take a big step forward this year...the key word "potential."

Offensively, the Jays will score points.  Most are back from a top 3 CCIW offense a year ago (445 yds and 29 points per game in conference play), including a 4th year starter at QB, the conference's most dynamic ball carrier, Scottie Williams, and four starters along the O-Line (including 2 all-CCIW). 

The defense struggled last year, no doubt (in the bottom half of all major categories), but they were very young and should be much better this year.  All 3 LBs are back (including all-CCIW Wayne Tuckson), 5 of the 6 D-Linemen that saw significant time return, and everyone but Janus returns in the back half.  Jays gave up 28 ppg in CCIW play - not good (twice as much as 2nd ranked D - IWU) - if they can improve even modestly on that side of the ball, the Jays should be talented enough to hang with everyone on the schedule.

Others nuggets...Coach Lester and his entire staff are in their 5th year, and his first recruiting class are seniors this year, and we all know you win in the CCIW with upper classmen - our first big football graduating class in many, many years.  Beefed-up the non-conference schedule, adding Trine to replace Olivet (upgrade should better prep the Jays for the rigor of conference play).  Coaches love their recruiting class (very geographically diverse and extremely athletic) - maybe one or two contribute on the field, but most should provide good depth and quality practice looks this year.  The schedule is as favorable as it can be - NCC is up first after a bye week and we have 6 total at home including Wheaton and IWU.

Just my take from Langhorst Field.  Should be another great year in the CCIW - really looking forward to September.

[USee]

I don't see Roberts content to ride the bench without a fight. Camp and non-conf games should be interesting.

Of course Roberts won't be "content". Why would he be? He will fight, but unless he significantly outperforms with less reps, he will ride. I think he is a fantastic qb and easily could have been POY himself if he stayed healthy last year. It's a great problem to have but the coaching decision is a no brainer.

[NCF]

I don't see Roberts content to ride the bench without a fight. Camp and non-conf games should be interesting.

Of course Roberts won't be "content". Why would he be? He will fight, but unless he significantly outperforms with less reps, he will ride. I think he is a fantastic qb and easily could have been POY himself if he stayed healthy last year. It's a great problem to have but the coaching decision is a no brainer.

It is a great "problem" to have, and I thought he had a great chance to be POY last year as well. You just never know what will happen during the course of the season.

[shepherd]

As a general rule, the reigning CCIW offensive player of the year doesn't sit the bench. No way Meador is anything but day 1 starter in my view. Jordan Roberts will be a luxury as a backup and will likely have some packages for him as a wildcat QB (and a very capable one at that!) but Garrett Meador is your starter from day 1. I can't imagine any other scenario.

I have to agree with USee here.  Could a one year position change be in the books for Roberts?  I don't see where he would go though.

IMHO: I just hope Roberts doesn't re-injure himself.  This seems to happen a lot with QB's, RB's were they come back re-injure the area and struggle for two years limping off the field.  I think Roberts should take it slow and set up for something special his senior year vs having two mediocre years.  Bones and tendons may feel fine after sitting out a year but they take a long time get back to 100% strength. 

[NCF]

A little off topic, but in light of the new report surrounding Penn State-comments, thoughts? What should the NCAA do?

[79jaybird]

Langhorst Ghost- Trine will most likely beat Elmhurst, however it will be a good barometer for us to see where Elmhurst will fall in the CCIW ladder.  I agree they have some potential, but I've been saying that for 13 years now.

sleeper? More like an annoying shadow that won't go away.  Elmhurst shows signs of life and then (x) happens and we are reminded of the fact that they are just a middle of the CCIW pack team.

Have you ever heard or seen a HC that is not excited about his recruits this time of the year? I sure haven't.   

I think Elmhurst really has to work on getting consistent on the field.  I.E. the UChicago game last year was a dud.  Once they can establish some kind of consistency,  then they will be able to move forward into a top 3 slot.

IMO- I don't see that happening this year.

[Kovo]

A little off topic, but in light of the new report surrounding Penn State-comments, thoughts? What should the NCAA do?

IMHO the NCAA should whack them.  In my mind, I have never seen a more complete and total "lack of institutional control" as what went on at Penn State.  And, now it is clear that the football program was used as a vehicle to harm children, with the knowledge and consent of the coaching staff and the school administration.  So, I believe that it is much worse than Reggie Bush's parents receiving the free use of a house, or kids at Ohio State getting free tattoos.  SMU received the "death penalty" for much much less than the ignoring of the rape of children.

However, D1 is guided by the quest for dollars, and PSU is extremely profitable, so I don't suppose that the NCAA will show much interest, which is disgraceful and embrassing.

[Gregory Sager]

A little off topic, but in light of the new report surrounding Penn State-comments, thoughts? What should the NCAA do?

IMHO the NCAA should whack them.  In my mind, I have never seen a more complete and total "lack of institutional control" as what went on at Penn State.  And, now it is clear that the football program was used as a vehicle to harm children, with the knowledge and consent of the coaching staff and the school administration.  So, I believe that it is much worse than Reggie Bush's parents receiving the free use of a house, or kids at Ohio State getting free tattoos.  SMU received the "death penalty" for much much less than the ignoring of the rape of children.

However, D1 is guided by the quest for dollars, and PSU is extremely profitable, so I don't suppose that the NCAA will show much interest, which is disgraceful and embrassing.

I feel for the kids involved and for their families. It's all made worse by the fact that the Freeh Report is unleashing yet another public bout of "Whither Penn State football?" hand-wringing, when Penn State football shouldn't be seen as having a fraction of the importance of the young lives that have been shattered. But, unfortunately, it's the main topic of conversation for a lot of people, because priorities are out of whack.

It's just another neon-bright illustration of why I don't follow D1 sports anymore.

[emma17]

A little off topic, but in light of the new report surrounding Penn State-comments, thoughts? What should the NCAA do?

IMHO the NCAA should whack them.  In my mind, I have never seen a more complete and total "lack of institutional control" as what went on at Penn State.  And, now it is clear that the football program was used as a vehicle to harm children, with the knowledge and consent of the coaching staff and the school administration.  So, I believe that it is much worse than Reggie Bush's parents receiving the free use of a house, or kids at Ohio State getting free tattoos.  SMU received the "death penalty" for much much less than the ignoring of the rape of children.

However, D1 is guided by the quest for dollars, and PSU is extremely profitable, so I don't suppose that the NCAA will show much interest, which is disgraceful and embrassing.

I don't understand how whacking Penn St football does a bit of good for anything or anybody. Prosecute those that knew. Those from Penn St that had nothing to do with this horror are already being punished enough.

[ncc58]

I don't understand how whacking Penn St football does a bit of good for anything or anybody. Prosecute those that knew. Those from Penn St that had nothing to do with this horror are already being punished enough.

Don't mean to pick on emma who has posted a lot of good things on the boards, but IMO this is the attitude that allows immoral behavior to go on in D1 sports. One year it's Florida State. Then, it's LSU. Ohio State. Auburn. Penn State. Each scandal is different but all have the same tone. That the coaches, players, and staff are somehow above the law. That they generate so much money for their universities that they can't be touched. Whack 'em hard. Piss off the alumni. Loss of significant football revenue will cause College Presidents at other schools to take notice and possibly cleanup their schools.

[02 Warhawk]

I agree with ILGator (he must have a smart kid at a well respected UW school  ). It's impossible to sift through each staff member and just punish those that were involved. Not possible considering no one is exactly lining up at the NCAA's door willing to shoulder some blame.

SMU rightfully got the death penalty, and there were numerous innocent football players affected that had nothing to do the allegations. That's just how it goes to send a message to other programs.

[irisheagle]

Langhorst Ghost- Trine will most likely beat Elmhurst, however it will be a good barometer for us to see where Elmhurst will fall in the CCIW ladder.  I agree they have some potential, but I've been saying that for 13 years now.

sleeper? More like an annoying shadow that won't go away.  Elmhurst shows signs of life and then (x) happens and we are reminded of the fact that they are just a middle of the CCIW pack team.

Have you ever heard or seen a HC that is not excited about his recruits this time of the year? I sure haven't.   

I think Elmhurst really has to work on getting consistent on the field.  I.E. the UChicago game last year was a dud.  Once they can establish some kind of consistency,  then they will be able to move forward into a top 3 slot.

IMO- I don't see that happening this year.

Thrive had their spurts. Beating wheaton in 08 , augie last year, producing many award winning players from Lesters debut, I think the same as said before they just need consistency. Theyve been in games with the top, but then let other teams stay in the game.

[NCF]

 I am so disgusted by the findings in Freeh's report.The thought of all the "adults" in charge doing NOTHING to protect those kids sickens me. Whatever sanctions Penn State receives, they deserve.

[emma17]

I don't understand how whacking Penn St football does a bit of good for anything or anybody. Prosecute those that knew. Those from Penn St that had nothing to do with this horror are already being punished enough.

Don't mean to pick on emma who has posted a lot of good things on the boards, but IMO this is the attitude that allows immoral behavior to go on in D1 sports. One year it's Florida State. Then, it's LSU. Ohio State. Auburn. Penn State. Each scandal is different but all have the same tone. That the coaches, players, and staff are somehow above the law. That they generate so much money for their universities that they can't be touched. Whack 'em hard. Piss off the alumni. Loss of significant football revenue will cause College Presidents at other schools to take notice and possibly cleanup their schools.

Thanks for responding respectfully- I am obviously in the minority on this one. Hate the sin but love the sinner. IMO it doesn't require a death sentence or any other campus wide penalty to ensure Penn St learns the proper lesson from this.  Does anyone really believe that if the NCAA doesn't institute a major penalty that the Penn St Board of Regents won't make the necessary changes to prevent this from ever happening again? Do people envision members of the administration secretly hoping the NCAA won't impose sanctions because they want to commence the committing of horrific crimes?
Penn St will end up implementing greater organizational control and oversight than probably any university without the NCAA issuing a single penalty.

[79jaybird]

I was on the team that beat Wheaton 22-16 and agree that they have had 1-2 surprise W's in recent years, however the end results have been 6-4 at best.  Well until they get to 7, 8, etc. wins a year and 5+ wins in the conference,  I just continue to see them taking a back seat to the top 3 slots in the CCIW.