FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

Three CCIW teams in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25.  Cards come in at #6, Wheaton at #15 and Elmhurst at #22.   Elmhurst is a bit of a surprise to me, but what do I know?  .  I was also surprised the Green Weenies of Wesleyan didn't generate more votes.   Lots to debate in the coming weeks!

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Three CCIW teams in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25.  Cards come in at #6, Wheaton at #15 and Elmhurst at #22.   Elmhurst is a bit of a surprise to me, but what do I know?  .  I was also surprised the Green Weenies of Wesleyan didn't generate more votes.   Lots to debate in the coming weeks!

A Bluejay surprise indeed!  Proud of my program and how far its come.

Certainly an unfamiliar position to begin the season for my beloved birds, but know this for sure - a number next to their name won't impact the Blue Collar mentality of Coach Adam and his program - that lunch pail approach has been deeply reinforced down the depth chart and in the coaches office.

The CCIW schedule should be a mine field this year - Wheaton is loaded with offensive firepower, IWU is deep and healthy, and NCC is NCC.  Augie and Millikin also seem to be on the rise.  Can't wait for September!

[NCF]

Three CCIW teams in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25.  Cards come in at #6, Wheaton at #15 and Elmhurst at #22.   Elmhurst is a bit of a surprise to me, but what do I know?  .  I was also surprised the Green Weenies of Wesleyan didn't generate more votes.   Lots to debate in the coming weeks!

it's not where you start, it's where you  finish. North Central has been #4 or #6 for the last five years. I would agree with you on Elmhurst being a stretch, but thought Wheaton might be a little higher. IWU still has some question marks as far as the health of Gallik and Stinde, so not surprised they didn't get more votes. I think the conference race will be between NC and the Wheaties, but a healthy IWU could make it interesting.

[NCF]

Three CCIW teams in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25.  Cards come in at #6, Wheaton at #15 and Elmhurst at #22.   Elmhurst is a bit of a surprise to me, but what do I know?  .  I was also surprised the Green Weenies of Wesleyan didn't generate more votes.   Lots to debate in the coming weeks!

A Bluejay surprise indeed!  Proud of my program and how far its come.

Certainly an unfamiliar position to begin the season for my beloved birds, but know this for sure - a number next to their name won't impact the Blue Collar mentality of Coach Adam and his program - that lunch pail approach has been deeply reinforced down the depth chart and in the coaches office.

The CCIW schedule should be a mine field this year - Wheaton is loaded with offensive firepower, IWU is deep and healthy, and NCC is NCC.  Augie and Millikin also seem to be on the rise.  Can't wait for September!

Love your enthusiasm and if Elmhurst brings it home again I'll be eating my words!:)

[AndOne]

I don't think its a stretch to say that PART of a school's ranking in any pre-season poll is based on PAST success and reputation. Without any disrespect to NCC, Wheaton, or Elmhurst, I'd venture to say this is the case with this season's pre-season rankings as well. NCC has won the conference championship for seven consecutive years and has become a national power, Wheaton regularly excels and is a consistent top 25 team, and Elmhurst has recently burst on the scene in a big way. I'd say both those long term and recent past histories are, again, PARTLY responsible for the current distinguished rankings. The trick is to live up to those rankings and to show that they are deserved. Furthermore, I believe the CCIW is to be commended because almost every week within the conference portion of the schedule, a team is going to face good/above average to great competition.

While having 3 teams in the pre-season Top 25 is impressive, I too was initially pretty surprised by IWU's absence. However, as NCF pointed out, questions involving the Weenies health at QB and RB are the probable cause. Additionally, with regard to my above mention of tough conference competition almost every week, I believe Langhorst_Ghost's comment about improving Millikin and Augie squads also has merit.

[D O.C.]

Hoping Wheaton gets the WR back to health.

Three CCIW teams in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25.

Can just one of them win in Alliance? (please).

[matblake]

I actually wasn't surprised with the CCIW rankings.  IMO, all the CCIW top teams have something to prove.  NCC has to prove they can be more balanced on offense and has to replace some great defense players.  Wheaton needs to prove that it can stay consistent and play the entire game, and that they are not ranked due to reputation (they haven't been to the playoffs since 2010).  Elmhurst needs to prove they were an entire team, not just a good team propped up by a great player and whether a coaching change will have an effect on their mentality.  You can also bet that IWU will come out with a gigantor (sort of like gigantic only larger) chip on their shoulder, especially Gallik.

[matblake]

Outside of North Park, I'm not really sure how the other teams in the conference will hash out.  Will be interesting to see how they get ranked in Kick Off.  If you're at all interested in DIII as far as the national scope goes, I have to recommend it.  Especially the features on players/coaches from all the different regions.  I have definitely appreciated in the past how they have chosen not to just showcase individuals from the "top" programs.

[matblake]

I'm interested in seeing how the Wheaton offense is this year.  They have the firepower, but will they have any stumbling blocks because of the offensive coaching change? 

[NCF]

I'm interested in seeing how the Wheaton offense is this year.  They have the firepower, but will they have any stumbling blocks because of the offensive coaching change?

I'm going to guess Roberts is ready to put it all together this season-especially after beating NC and STILL missing the play-offs. Wheaton's offense will be explosive even with the coaching change.

[79jaybird]

Nice feather in the cap for Elmhurst to be recognized.  Hope this year's squad can step up and pick up where last year's group left off.  I don't put a lot of mo-jo into pre-season rankings. After 3-4 weeks, then I will look deeper into ranks and strengths/weaknesses.   

[emma17]

Hoping Wheaton gets the WR back to health.

Three CCIW teams in the D3Football.com preseason Top 25.

Can just one of them win in Alliance? (please).

Is Hibden injured?
I sure hope not- he is fun to watch.

[shepherd]

A link to the 2013 Wheaton Thunder Football Season Preview.   I think this is going to be a great season.  IMHO: I believe they have the potential to be a legit top five team.    The Thunder are very deep at the receiver position.  If Dykstra is healthy the defense should be good against the run as the offense has to double to triple team him allowing Ilb's to roam free.  We shall see beginning 9/7/13.

2013 Wheaton Thunder Football Season Preview

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2013/7/17/FB_0717132332.aspx

[oldnuthin]

A link to the 2013 Wheaton Thunder Football Season Preview.   I think this is going to be a great season.  IMHO: I believe they have the potential to be a legit top five team.    The Thunder are very deep at the receiver position.  If Dykstra is healthy the defense should be good against the run as the offense has to double to triple team him allowing Ilb's to roam free.  We shall see beginning 9/7/13.

2013 Wheaton Thunder Football Season Preview

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2013/7/17/FB_0717132332.aspx

There is no doubt Dykstra is a load in the middle, but I was more impressed with his pass rush then his run defense when they played the Big Blue last year. Quick into the gap with an impressive push on the 2 linemen blocking him.  Looking forward to another fall of football.

[79jaybird]

How is Wheaton's O-Line?  If they look to be a pass oriented offense, I would hope they have a sturdy O-Line in front.