FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[oldnuthin]

IMO Closer game than we expect, Millikin v IWU.  Strangely enough, they already have 2 common opponents in Hope and Aurora.  If I remember correctly from the IWU guys, the Titans seemed to check out in the second half against Hope.  That and the road game may explain the closer score.  I'm not sold on Millikin yet, but even a competitive game against IWU might signify the beginning of the return of the Big Blue. 

This is a big week though.  We'll likely see where Elmhurst stands and North Park may have a shot at a win.  Not really sure where to place Carthage yet.

I am using this weekend to see just how far Millikin has improved. In the last 2 years, their preseason games were much closer due to, in my opinion, Hope and Greenville's ability to continue to run the ball. I did not see that in any of their preseason games this year. Millikin scored and continued to score, where in the past the D seemed to let down, or just show a lack of ability to stop the run. this year the D seems to have a different attitude, harder hitting and more cohesive. The front four are youngish, but the DBs and LBs, are mostly seniors who are showing good leadership. While there is no doubt that the level of play will be raised entering CCIW play, I like the maturity that they have shown thus far. If Stinde can't play, IWU will be completely one dimensional, which without a strong pass rush, will put a heavy burden on the back seven.

The QB,  Holmes, has so far shown an increase in confidence and the maturity to avoid bad decisions. IF IWU stops Millikin's 2 big backs, the game will rest on his decision making and running ability. I really like the O line. Left tackle is big and plays with an attitude. interior linemen play with leverage and seem to be maulers. Right tackle has showed marked improvement from last year. They have to have the 2 biggest tackles in the league at 6'6 and 6'7.

  I look forward to a very competitive game,and am hopeful that the Big Blue come out of it at 4-0 for the first time in a long time. gonna be a great game either way.

[iwu70]

Yes, some great games this weekend, allowing us to really see how far ECC and MU have come in possibly rising to the contending tier.  I'm sure NCC and IWU will be ready to play and defend their positions as the CCIW favorites.  Good luck to all this weekend.  Weather here in Btown is cooperating for a lovely evening, under-the-lights game at Tucci @Wilder Field, with a 6 p.m. kickoff. 

IWU will need Stinde or some stronger performances from the other RB backups.  I'm sure some attention has been given to that this week in practice.  I also expect Norm and the O squad to have a bit of trickeration ready this weekend.  He's shown an increased willingness to be more creative and surprising on the O side of the ball this year.  A welcome change from previous, conservative play-calling.  Quite sure the always strong TITAN D will be ready for the Big Blue.   I'm picking IWU by 1 TD over MU and NCC two TDs over ECC.  There's always next year.

That Big Blue front, O line sounds huge!  Hope they are quick too.  Some pressure on Holmes is coming . . .

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Congrats Jaybird.  I also have two daughters.  What really cool about your new one is sharing the birthday with her mother.  I can see some really fun birthday parties ahead in your future.

One less date for a husband and father to have to remember.

[Gregory Sager]

I am using this weekend to see just how far Millikin has improved. In the last 2 years, their preseason games were much closer due to, in my opinion, Hope and Greenville's ability to continue to run the ball. I did not see that in any of their preseason games this year.

Yes, but how about Millikin's non-conference regular season games?

(Don't worry, folks. After the first week of conference play, the annual need for me to pester people about not referring to non-conference games as "preseason games" tends to die down.)

[matblake]

(Don't worry, folks. After the first week of conference play, the annual need for me to pester people about not referring to non-conference games as "preseason games" tends to die down.)

Maybe on the football board, but that debate will be just getting started on the hoops board.   

[Gregory Sager]

Yep. It's like doing laundry or cutting the grass. It's never really finished.

[RFMichigan]

On a happier note, God gave us an ultimate blessing as Mrs. 79Jaybird gave birth to a baby girl. Alexandra 7lbs 14oz. 21" long at 7:59AM 9/24. Mommy and baby are healthy and will share the same birthday.   Alexandra joins big sister Emma (2 1/2) and will hopefully be a CCIW fan someday.

Congratulations 79jaybird! Blessings and health to momma and daughter!

[NCF]

Congrats Jaybird.  I also have two daughters.  What really cool about your new one is sharing the birthday with her mother.  I can see some really fun birthday parties ahead in your future.

One less date for a husband and father to have to remember.

Seriously, I can't believe you just posted that-LOL

[Gregory Sager]

Since sac's tracking the Massey Ratings on the MIAA board, I thought I'd do the same here for the CCIW.

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf&yr=2012&sub=11620

This week's ratings (out of a total of 240 D3 teams) and change from last week's ratings:

North Central	27	-3
Wheaton	39	+9
Elmhurst	53	+24
Illinois Wesleyan	73	+9
Millikin	85	+8
Carthage	123	+2
Augustana	144	-27
North Park	187	+5

... and here's Massey's score predictions and odds of winning:

North Central 32, Elmhurst 21 (NCC 81%, EC 19%)
Illinois Wesleyan 30, Millikin 25 (IWU 65%, MU 35%)
Wheaton 28, Augustana 7 (WC 96%, AC 4%)
Carthage 31, North Park 17 (CC 86%, NPU 14%)

I don't think Ken Massey's computer is foolproof at this point, with only three or four games per team in the books, but it's still interesting reading.

[AndOne]

Congrats Jaybird.  I also have two daughters.  What really cool about your new one is sharing the birthday with her mother.  I can see some really fun birthday parties ahead in your future.

One less date for a husband and father to have to remember.

Seriously, I can't believe you just posted that-LOL

I love it. My mom and dad were married on my dad's birthday. He always said (half smiling) that was so he didn't forget their anniversary. One less date to remember. 

[AndOne]

Since sac's tracking the Massey Ratings on the MIAA board, I thought I'd do the same here for the CCIW.

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf&yr=2012&sub=11620

This week's ratings (out of a total of 240 D3 teams) and change from last week's ratings:

North Central	27	-3
Wheaton	39	+9
Elmhurst	53	+24
Illinois Wesleyan	73	+9
Millikin	85	+8
Carthage	123	+2
Augustana	144	-27
North Park	187	+5

... and here's Massey's score predictions and odds of winning:

North Central 32, Elmhurst 21 (NCC 81%, EC 19%)
Illinois Wesleyan 30, Millikin 25 (IWU 65%, MU 35%)
Wheaton 28, Augustana 7 (WC 96%, AC 4%)
Carthage 31, North Park 17 (CC 86%, NPU 14%)

I don't think Ken Massey's computer is foolproof at this point, with only three or four games per team in the books, but it's still interesting reading.

So, according to Guru Massey, the team that has recently generated the most commentary regarding their possible improvement is the underdog team with the best chance of posting a W. If Massey's odds are correct, there seems a high degree of potential for a close and exciting game. Dare I say upset?
One thing I'm wondering is whether, in feeding his computer its data, he figured T.J. Stinde would be playing a full strength role. As we have been reminded by the Wesleyan experts, IWU's chances are significantly improved if Stinde plays a regular role. It seems that without him, Wesleyan's ground attack is virtually nonexistent, as evidenced by last week's 33 net yards rushing.

I for one have never been much of a Massey fan. I don't think you need a computer analysis to know Wesleyan is the obvious pick. I'm sure that same opinion will be expressed by the vast majority of Pick 'Ems posters. The game might be close if Stinde doesn't play. Again, it would be interesting to know how that variable figured in the data used in determining the 65/35 percent split.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

(Don't worry, folks. After the first week of conference play, the annual need for me to pester people about not referring to non-conference games as "preseason games" tends to die down.)

Maybe on the football board, but that debate will be just getting started on the hoops board.   

+K - some litanies never die (unfortunately) 

[NCF]

Congrats Jaybird.  I also have two daughters.  What really cool about your new one is sharing the birthday with her mother.  I can see some really fun birthday parties ahead in your future.

One less date for a husband and father to have to remember.

Seriously, I can't believe you just posted that-LOL

I love it. My mom and dad were married on my dad's birthday. He always said (half smiling) that was so he didn't forget their anniversary. One less date to remember. 

Well, I've always said, if it weren"t for women, families would fall apart (and guys would never have to leave their couches on a Sunday afternoon )

[USee]

If I were setting lines on this weekend I would say

Millikin @ IWU -6
Wheaton @ Augie +24
NPU@Carthage -10
Elmhurst @ NCC -6

[CardinalAlum]

IMO Closer game than we expect, Millikin v IWU.  Strangely enough, they already have 2 common opponents in Hope and Aurora.  If I remember correctly from the IWU guys, the Titans seemed to check out in the second half against Hope.  That and the road game may explain the closer score.  I'm not sold on Millikin yet, but even a competitive game against IWU might signify the beginning of the return of the Big Blue. 

This is a big week though.  We'll likely see where Elmhurst stands and North Park may have a shot at a win.  Not really sure where to place Carthage yet.

I am using this weekend to see just how far Millikin has improved. In the last 2 years, their preseason games were much closer due to, in my opinion, Hope and Greenville's ability to continue to run the ball. I did not see that in any of their preseason games this year. Millikin scored and continued to score, where in the past the D seemed to let down, or just show a lack of ability to stop the run. this year the D seems to have a different attitude, harder hitting and more cohesive. The front four are youngish, but the DBs and LBs, are mostly seniors who are showing good leadership. While there is no doubt that the level of play will be raised entering CCIW play, I like the maturity that they have shown thus far. If Stinde can't play, IWU will be completely one dimensional, which without a strong pass rush, will put a heavy burden on the back seven.

The QB,  Holmes, has so far shown an increase in confidence and the maturity to avoid bad decisions. IF IWU stops Millikin's 2 big backs, the game will rest on his decision making and running ability. I really like the O line. Left tackle is big and plays with an attitude. interior linemen play with leverage and seem to be maulers. Right tackle has showed marked improvement from last year. They have to have the 2 biggest tackles in the league at 6'6 and 6'7.

  I look forward to a very competitive game,and am hopeful that the Big Blue come out of it at 4-0 for the first time in a long time. gonna be a great game either way.

Sorry but I just don't see it beng competitive.  Weenies are too deep for the Blue Crayons.  Blue might be on the right path but they're not ready for this game.  Just my two cents.  Weenies by three touchdowns. 


-CA