FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[bluejay4ever]

D3Football.com's latest Top 25 is out...what a joke.

Wheaton moves into the #24 spot with two losses while EC is left on the outside looking in, peeking up from the "others receiving votes category".  With all due respect to the Wheaton faithful out there, this is a reputation vote and lazy one at that.

This shouldn't be that complicated...in fact, let's take the names out of this just to illustrate how incredibly ridiculous this situation is...

TEAM A has ONE loss (at the hands of the #7 team in the Nation).  TEAM A defeats TEAM B head to head.

TEAM B has TWO losses, including one to TEAM A.

Anyone with a calculator and a sliver of common sense can figure this one out - Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Thank you Horst!

[Mugsy]

"Tale of the Tape" - Wheaton vs. North Central

Records:
   Wheaton:       6-2, 4-1
   NCC:             7-1, 5-0

Stats from CCIW games only.

Statistical Category	Wheaton	North Central	Comment
Offense Scoring	37.6	47.6
Defense Scoring	20.4	11.8
Off Pass Efficiency	166.8	165.5
Off Pass Completion %	67.4	66.1
Off Pass YPG	342.4	213.2
Off Pass TD's	17	9
Off INT's	4	1
Def Pass Efficiency	104.7	86.1
Def Pass Completion %	48.9	48.6
Def Pass YPG	164.0	142.6
Pass TD's Allowed	6	3
Def INT's	5	9
Kick Return Ave	22.4	22.4
Punt Return Ave	6.1	14.7
Punting Net	34.2	36.1	Wheaton 7 punts, NCC 16
Turnover Margin	0	+7
Off Rush YPG	184.0	280.4
Off Yards Per Carry	4.7	6.6
Off Rush TD's	6	21
Def Rush YPG	140.4	106.2
Def Yards Per Carry	3.9	3.2
Def Rush TD's Allowed	7	2
Total Offense	526.4	493.6
Total Defense	304.4	248.8
Sacks By	10	14
Sacks Allowed	15	4	Wheaton: 193 pass attempts, NCC: 118
1st Downs	131	121
1st Downs Allowed	83	77
Penalty YPG	70.0	61.2
Red Zone Offense	72.0	90.0	Wheaton 12 TDs, 5 FG's : NCC 24 TDs, 3 FG's
Red Zone Defense	70.6	66.7
Off 3rd Down Conv %	55.6	50.8
Opp 3rd Down Conv %	25.4	19.0
Field Goals	7 of 9	4 of 9
PAT's	23 of 23	32 of 32
Time of Pos	32:41	31:27

[AndOne]

Ghost---

With all due respect, you're forgetting that familiarity, popularity, and perception often trump reality.

[iwu4ever]

Hopefully the regional rankings will get it right...First one out this week.

[Mugsy]

Ghost---

With all due respect, you're forgetting that familiarity, popularity, and perception often trump reality.

And that region ranking is more important at this point.  Elmhurst will likely be ahead of Wheaton in that ranking.

[Titan Q]

D3Football.com's latest Top 25 is out...what a joke.

Wheaton moves into the #24 spot with two losses while EC is left on the outside looking in, peeking up from the "others receiving votes category".  With all due respect to the Wheaton faithful out there, this is a reputation vote and lazy one at that.

This shouldn't be that complicated...in fact, let's take the names out of this just to illustrate how incredibly ridiculous this situation is...

TEAM A has ONE loss (at the hands of the #7 team in the Nation).  TEAM A defeats TEAM B head to head.

TEAM B has TWO losses, including one to TEAM A.

Anyone with a calculator and a sliver of common sense can figure this one out - Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Definitely some big-time name brand voting with this Wheaton/Elmhurst situation.  Kind of disappointing from the D3football.com voters.

[AndOne]

"Tale of the Tape" - Wheaton vs. North Central

Records:
   Wheaton:       6-2, 4-1
   NCC:             7-1, 5-0

Stats from CCIW games only.

Statistical Category	Wheaton	North Central	Comment
Offense Scoring	37.6	47.6
Defense Scoring	20.4	11.8
Off Pass Efficiency	166.8	165.5
Off Pass Completion %	67.4	66.1
Off Pass YPG	342.4	213.2
Off Pass TD's	17	9
Off INT's	4	1
Def Pass Efficiency	104.7	86.1
Def Pass Completion %	48.9	48.6
Def Pass YPG	164.0	142.6
Pass TD's Allowed	6	3
Def INT's	5	9
Kick Return Ave	22.4	22.4
Punt Return Ave	6.1	14.7
Punting Net	34.2	36.1	Wheaton 7 punts, NCC 16
Turnover Margin	0	+7
Off Rush YPG	184.0	280.4
Off Yards Per Carry	4.7	6.6
Off Rush TD's	6	21
Def Rush YPG	140.4	106.2
Def Yards Per Carry	3.9	3.2
Def Rush TD's Allowed	7	2
Total Offense	526.4	493.6
Total Defense	304.4	248.8
Sacks By	10	14
Sacks Allowed	15	4	Wheaton: 193 pass attempts, NCC: 118
1st Downs	131	121
1st Downs Allowed	83	77
Penalty YPG	70.0	61.2
Red Zone Offense	72.0	90.0	Wheaton 12 TDs, 5 FG's : NCC 24 TDs, 3 FG's
Red Zone Defense	70.6	66.7
Off 3rd Down Conv %	55.6	50.8
Opp 3rd Down Conv %	25.4	19.0
Field Goals	7 of 9	4 of 9
PAT's	23 of 23	32 of 32
Time of Pos	32:41	31:27

Mugsy---

Without oversimplifying the situation, do you think the possibility exists that WC's passing prowess and NCC's superior rush offense basically cancel each other, and the winner will be the team thet plays the best defensive game?

[Mugsy]

Mugsy---

Without oversimplifying the situation, do you think the possibility exists that WC's passing prowess and NCC's superior rush offense basically cancel each other, and the winner will be the team thet plays the best defensive game?

If it is that simple, then NCC has the advantage as their defense is better than Wheaton's.

However I don't think that Wheaton has a passing prowess over NCC, they just rely on it more.  Looking at the pass efficiency numbers, Wheaton and NCC are basically in a dead heat.  Difference being that Wheaton has thrown the ball 75 times more in 6 conference games.  I do give Wheaton an edge on the relative strength of the receiving corp, but NCC has been very effective when they do throw the ball (likely helped by how much teams need to focus on stopping the run).

I think Wheaton would love to be as efficient running the ball as NCC, but in that case would opt to run a bit less than NCC does. If you were to look back on Wheaton's best teams over the years, they ran the ball more effectively than they have the past 2-3 years.  Wheaton isn't a bad rushing team, just not as good as in years past.  I do like what they've been doing with Velling the past couple of games, but there is a question as to whether they can attain the same success as against NCC.

No doubt that NCC needs to focus on controlling Hiben, but they can't forget other Wheaton receivers.  Morgan Cook's numbers are very complimentary to Hiben's and represent a significant 1-2 punch.  Roberts and Meador are mature, veteran QB's who will look to 5-8 different receivers a game. They will throw to the open man.

What has really frustrated me the past few games, especially against Millikin has been Wheaton's complete lack of pass rush.  A significant % of the time Wheaton rushed only 3 giving Millikin ALL DAY to pass and Holmes made them pay again and again on 3rd and long and even 4th down (Millikin was 3 for 3 on 4th down).  That said, I'm more concerned about Wheaton's ability to slow down the NCC rushing attack, that has 2 RB's averaging more than 8 yards per carry in conference play (Kukuc is averaging 9.4 per carry!!!!).

Is Wheaton capable of beating NCC?  Absolutely, but it will take Wheaton cashing in on NCC mistakes (at least 2 or 3 turnovers) and the Wheaton defense playing their best game in several years.

In my heart I'm rooting all the way for Wheaton and I put a lot of faith in the staff and players putting together a solid scheme and executing on it.  At this point in the week my head tells me NCC over Wheaton 42-17.

[Mr. Ypsi]

D3Football.com's latest Top 25 is out...what a joke.

Wheaton moves into the #24 spot with two losses while EC is left on the outside looking in, peeking up from the "others receiving votes category".  With all due respect to the Wheaton faithful out there, this is a reputation vote and lazy one at that.

This shouldn't be that complicated...in fact, let's take the names out of this just to illustrate how incredibly ridiculous this situation is...

TEAM A has ONE loss (at the hands of the #7 team in the Nation).  TEAM A defeats TEAM B head to head.

TEAM B has TWO losses, including one to TEAM A.

Anyone with a calculator and a sliver of common sense can figure this one out - Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Thank you Horst!

IF Wheaton is higher in the regional rankings (VERY doubtful), then you should gripe.  The poll rankings have NOTHING to do with tourney selection.

In fairness, Elmhurst is the equivalent of #26 - hardly buried deep in ORV-land.  Also, Wheaton had a win over then-#12 IWU (before injuries knocked IWU WAY out of the Top 25); Elmhurst has no signature wins (except, of course, Wheaton).  IMO, you are quite correct that Elmhurst should be ranked above Wheaton, but unless the regional committee fails to do it, it's no big deal.

(And I suspect it will all be moot after Saturday when Wheaton likely gets loss #3. )

[CardinalAlum]

D3Football.com's latest Top 25 is out...what a joke.

Wheaton moves into the #24 spot with two losses while EC is left on the outside looking in, peeking up from the "others receiving votes category".  With all due respect to the Wheaton faithful out there, this is a reputation vote and lazy one at that.

This shouldn't be that complicated...in fact, let's take the names out of this just to illustrate how incredibly ridiculous this situation is...

TEAM A has ONE loss (at the hands of the #7 team in the Nation).  TEAM A defeats TEAM B head to head.

TEAM B has TWO losses, including one to TEAM A.

Anyone with a calculator and a sliver of common sense can figure this one out - Seems pretty straight forward to me.

It's not always that easy as using a calculator.  Whitewater has three losses.  I'll take them over many teams in the top 25.   Polls are opinions.  They have no bearing on the D3 playoffs.  If Elmhurst wins out, they will get a little bit of the respect you so desperately crave.  Its great that you're representing your school with pride but the whining about polls is too much. 

[NCF]

D3Football.com's latest Top 25 is out...what a joke.

Wheaton moves into the #24 spot with two losses while EC is left on the outside looking in, peeking up from the "others receiving votes category".  With all due respect to the Wheaton faithful out there, this is a reputation vote and lazy one at that.

This shouldn't be that complicated...in fact, let's take the names out of this just to illustrate how incredibly ridiculous this situation is...

TEAM A has ONE loss (at the hands of the #7 team in the Nation).  TEAM A defeats TEAM B head to head.

TEAM B has TWO losses, including one to TEAM A.

Anyone with a calculator and a sliver of common sense can figure this one out - Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Have you read :ATN's mock regional rankings? Elmhurst is ranked #6 in the North. The first regional rankings come out on Wed. which will provide a much better indicator of Elmhurst's success this season, as that is from the NCAA not D3.

[NCF]

If it comes down to the best defense-NC"s first team defense has only given up four TD's this season and have only played one four quarter game as well.I think Wheaton will be the toughest team left in the regular season. Both teams need to win or pack it in. Looking forward to a tough, physical battle. Hoping NC puts it away early in the 2nd half. Not only is it the Bell game, but Senior Day as well.

[79jaybird]

So anybody who doesn't vote for Elmhurst and/or stays pessimistic is a joke?  Why should Elmhurst be ranked?  They were hammered by North Central and barely beat a 500 or so Augie team at home.  Then yes they beat Wheaton barely, but Wheaton was depleted with injuries too.  If Elmhurst just shuts up and wins out, I think they will be a good position to get a pool C. 

Ahh bell week, however I think the bell will stay with the Naper Settlement another year.  I love Coach Swider and his staff/school,  but just don't them (nor anybody in the CCIW this year), being able to stop the NC train.

Everybody is dinged up or short staffed this time of the year.  If not, then perhaps there are some other issues.  This is the time of the year you have to see what you're made of with heart, endurance, and hustle.

Shocked to see UWW just fade out of the picture.

Congrats who are poised to have one of their best years ever in terms of W's and L's. I still give 1978 and 1980 the CCIW conf. champs years as their 2 best years though.

[Pat Coleman]

D3Football.com's latest Top 25 is out...what a joke.

Wheaton moves into the #24 spot with two losses while EC is left on the outside looking in, peeking up from the "others receiving votes category".  With all due respect to the Wheaton faithful out there, this is a reputation vote and lazy one at that.

This shouldn't be that complicated...in fact, let's take the names out of this just to illustrate how incredibly ridiculous this situation is...

TEAM A has ONE loss (at the hands of the #7 team in the Nation).  TEAM A defeats TEAM B head to head.

TEAM B has TWO losses, including one to TEAM A.

Anyone with a calculator and a sliver of common sense can figure this one out - Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Have you read :ATN's mock regional rankings? Elmhurst is ranked #6 in the North. The first regional rankings come out on Wed. which will provide a much better indicator of Elmhurst's success this season, as that is from the NCAA not D3.

No. Why would they read? Not as fun as complaining.

I agree, Elmhurst would be better in the Top 25 than Wheaton, but Mr. Ypsi is right -- it will be moot come Saturday.

[ncc58]

Is Wheaton capable of beating NCC?  Absolutely, but it will take Wheaton cashing in on NCC mistakes (at least 2 or 3 turnovers) and the Wheaton defense playing their best game in several years.

In my heart I'm rooting all the way for Wheaton and I put a lot of faith in the staff and players putting together a solid scheme and executing on it.  At this point in the week my head tells me NCC over Wheaton 42-17.

Agreed, Wheaton is capable of beating NCC. Wheaton is a good team, with very good skilled athletes.  But Wheaton has to do what no other team has done - force turnovers and protect the ball.

The stats are interesting. What they don't account for is the large margins that NCC has had over Elmhurst, IWU, and Millikin. In those games, NCC played mostly 2s and 3s in the fourth quarter in those games. So, the offensive stats especially would be more gaudy. Roberts has earned a lot of praise for his play this season. Stanek has quietly had a very good season, after the game 1 disaster. His stats compare well against the passing numbers that Wheaton has put up.