FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

Naperville Sun article on tomorrow's North Central @ Millikin game.

Noteworthy is the fact the Cardinals have, due to injuries, yet been unable to have their entire starting offensive line on the field at the same time. Last week they were minus 2 starters on the left side of the O line, including pre-season All-American Jace Werkheiser who has only been able to play part of one game so far this season.   

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/15536436-419/college-football-north-central-faces-cciw-test-at-millikin.html

MU will certainly present a stern challenge to the Cardinal flock, especially with home field advantage. It seems Millikin is, quite possibly, the team Elmhurst thought it was.
The game will feature Millikin's #1 ranked total offense vs NCC's #1 ranked total defense. 

Some keys for NCC:

1. When in the shotgun or wildcat, hike the ball to the intended target rather than to the ground or the air.
2. Limit MU's top ranked rushing offense
3. Play a good mental as well as physical game and eliminate the penalties
4. When in punt formation the Cardinals must block effectively, and the gunners must not miss 1st tackle opportunities. MU is #1 in punt return average.
Good special teams play, or lack thereof, could be the difference in a close ballgame.

That will be the key! Can't wait until kick-off!!

[NCF]

Naperville Sun article on tomorrow's North Central @ Millikin game.

Noteworthy is the fact the Cardinals have, due to injuries, yet been unable to have their entire starting offensive line on the field at the same time. Last week they were minus 2 starters on the left side of the O line, including pre-season All-American Jace Werkheiser who has only been able to play part of one game so far this season.   

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/15536436-419/college-football-north-central-faces-cciw-test-at-millikin.html

MU will certainly present a stern challenge to the Cardinal flock, especially with home field advantage. It seems Millikin is, quite possibly, the team Elmhurst thought it was.
The game will feature Millikin's #1 ranked total offense vs NCC's #1 ranked total defense. 

Some keys for NCC:

1. When in the shotgun or wildcat, hike the ball to the intended target rather than to the ground or the air.
2. Limit MU's top ranked rushing offense
3. Play a good mental as well as physical game and eliminate the penalties
4. When in punt formation the Cardinals must block effectively, and the gunners must not miss 1st tackle opportunities. MU is #1 in punt return average.
Good special teams play, or lack thereof, could be the difference in a close ballgame.

Are you starting to climb on the Millikin bandwagon? :p

[USee]

Naperville Sun article on tomorrow's North Central @ Millikin game.

Noteworthy is the fact the Cardinals have, due to injuries, yet been unable to have their entire starting offensive line on the field at the same time. Last week they were minus 2 starters on the left side of the O line, including pre-season All-American Jace Werkheiser who has only been able to play part of one game so far this season.   

It's amazing they even won with no one on the left side of the line. It's not easy starting a game and running plays with only 3 OL. 

[79jaybird]

This one might have a little more spice to it than the records might suggest (3-1 vs. 1-3).  Both teams are looking to get their conference trains back on the tracks after derailing last week in two blowout losses, so it will be interesting to see where the players' heads are at this week on both sides of the field.  Pair that with the way last year's contest finished in Rock Island (missed 2 pt conversation late) and the 'Jays snapping the 3 decade long losing streak in 2010, and this one has the storyline and the subtext for a good one at 1:00 in the western suburbs.

'Jays need to rebound and get refocused, its a long CCIW season and one game doesn't define the campaign.  With the Wheaties looming next week, EC can't overlook an Augie squad looking for a little redemption.  This one will be defined as much by the mental and emotional maturity we see from the 'Jays as much as their schematic and physical efforts.  Should be a good one!

**One big different L-Ghost.  The Elmhurst Cheerleaders have been boasting about their team to the point where Elmhurst is expected to win this game and be 7-3 plus.  Nobody has been cheerleading from Augie because they no Augie is in the process of rebuilding.  I think EC has a lot to lose if they don't win this game.  That said, I think Elmhurst wins this game pretty easily.  Who would have thought that Elmhurst has a chance for a 3-game winning streak vs. AC, when (while we played) all we wanted was to compete against them for 4 quarters.

[79jaybird]

I would put Millikin not too far behind Elmhurst on the ladder.  In fact in a few weeks EC visits MU and I wouldn't be surprised if this game is very, very close. Historically, Elmhurst has not played well in Decatur.  Millikin has a good nucleus and I think Coach P is starting to put the pieces together that we haven't seen since Neibuhr's early years.   The IWU game just shows you that the players like playing for him and give 110% hustle.  I don't think anybody had picked MU to win that game,  but they nearly stunned IWU.

[iwu70]

On the IWU-MU game, I had it close all the week before.  I said 1 TD but it was much much closer than that, obviously.  I think MU is going to do well, surprise folks this year, perhaps even winning a key game vs. NCC or WC.  79Jaybird, I think MU will beat EC.  Perhaps MU is the "most improved" this year.  Time will tell if they get to 5-2 in conference play. 

Good luck to all the teams / players tomorrow.  Very crisp sunny weather coming . . true football weather.  ISU Homecoming tomorrow, then IWU Homecoming hosting Carthage the following weekend.  The Redbirds are still undefeated, putting together a very nice season so far. 

Tonight it's Normal West vs. Bloomington High, a good cross-town rivalry game . . . a block from my home, so guess I gotta head out, bundle up and enjoy the high energies of top-notch HS football.

Good weekend to all CCIW chatsters.

IWU70

[iwu70]

Gentlemen, what say you?

I say:

EC over AC by 3 TDs
IWU over NPU by 3 TDs
NCC over MU by 1 TDs
WC over CC by 2 TDs

Here we go . . . another great Saturday of CCIW football.  Greg, I'll be watching your coverage of the Sagerites vs. the Green Weenies, via video.  Hope the weather is nice for the game.

IWU70

[bleedpurple]

Naperville Sun article on tomorrow's North Central @ Millikin game.

Noteworthy is the fact the Cardinals have, due to injuries, yet been unable to have their entire starting offensive line on the field at the same time. Last week they were minus 2 starters on the left side of the O line, including pre-season All-American Jace Werkheiser who has only been able to play part of one game so far this season.   

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/15536436-419/college-football-north-central-faces-cciw-test-at-millikin.html

MU will certainly present a stern challenge to the Cardinal flock, especially with home field advantage. It seems Millikin is, quite possibly, the team Elmhurst thought it was.
The game will feature Millikin's #1 ranked total offense vs NCC's #1 ranked total defense. 

Some keys for NCC:

1. When in the shotgun or wildcat, hike the ball to the intended target rather than to the ground or the air.
2. Limit MU's top ranked rushing offense
3. Play a good mental as well as physical game and eliminate the penalties
4. When in punt formation the Cardinals must block effectively, and the gunners must not miss 1st tackle opportunities. MU is #1 in punt return average.
Good special teams play, or lack thereof, could be the difference in a close ballgame.

That will be the key! Can't wait until kick-off!!

Now you guys are starting to sound like the UW-W fans of past years.  This is interesting to read and sound reasoning, but it's a little bit like picking apart a foot race between Usain Bolt and some kid who beat all the other kids in his neighborhood.  NCC will provide some context to MU's good start to the season.  NCC by 24. At least.

[NCF]

Naperville Sun article on tomorrow's North Central @ Millikin game.

Noteworthy is the fact the Cardinals have, due to injuries, yet been unable to have their entire starting offensive line on the field at the same time. Last week they were minus 2 starters on the left side of the O line, including pre-season All-American Jace Werkheiser who has only been able to play part of one game so far this season.   

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/15536436-419/college-football-north-central-faces-cciw-test-at-millikin.html

MU will certainly present a stern challenge to the Cardinal flock, especially with home field advantage. It seems Millikin is, quite possibly, the team Elmhurst thought it was.
The game will feature Millikin's #1 ranked total offense vs NCC's #1 ranked total defense. 

Some keys for NCC:

1. When in the shotgun or wildcat, hike the ball to the intended target rather than to the ground or the air.
2. Limit MU's top ranked rushing offense
3. Play a good mental as well as physical game and eliminate the penalties
4. When in punt formation the Cardinals must block effectively, and the gunners must not miss 1st tackle opportunities. MU is #1 in punt return average.
Good special teams play, or lack thereof, could be the difference in a close ballgame.

That will be the key! Can't wait until kick-off!!

Now you guys are starting to sound like the UW-W fans of past years.  This is interesting to read and sound reasoning, but it's a little bit like picking apart a foot race between Usain Bolt and some kid who beat all the other kids in his neighborhood.  NCC will provide some context to MU's good start to the season.  NCC by 24. At least.

LOL as fans we can always find something to pick apart. I think they win big as  well. Looking forward to meeting up with friends whose son will be playing for MU.

[oldnuthin]

It will be interesting to see how the Big Blue stack up against the Cardinals. Some questions can be answered; were the Big Blue just up for a rivalry game? or can they put the poundings they have received the last 3 years behind them and acquit themselves against  the top team in the conference for the last several years? How much of a difference is there between #14 and #11? We will find out today at 1pm.

  The respect shown on the board this week, except for bleedpurple , indicates at the very least from some long time CCIW watchers, we have turned in the right direction, and that recognition is great, but the offense has to perform at a very high level against a stout defense, and the defense must stay mentally tough against a veteran group that has a ton of experience performing in big games at home and away.

Nice link below, some good stuff besides football.


http://herald-review.com/sports/millikin/millikin-faces-another-tough-challenge/article_054f5a2a-0f6b-11e2-9506-001a4bcf887a.html

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, I'll be watching your coverage of the Sagerites vs. the Green Weenies, via video.

"Sagerites"?

You'll be watching a blank computer, '70. We're audio-only today.

Here's the link.

[iwu70]

Thanks, Greg.

IWU and NP tied 7-7 in the 1st QTR.

IWU70

[iwu70]

IWU up 14-7 mid 2nd QTR. 

CC and WC 3-3.

IWU70

[iwu70]

IWU up 21-7 at the half in Chicago.

IWU70

[Mugsy]

Despite 5 Wheaton turnovers in the 1st half, Wheaton still leading 17-10.  Rare to have that many turnovers and still lead.