FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Norm Eash has 164 wins (t28 for D3); since the guys immediately ahead are all retired, he'll be top 25 before the season ends.

He's never gonna be Gagliardi or Kehres (duh! no one will!), and in percentage of wins he'll never catch Bob Reade, but he IS getting into rarefied territory.

(IWU's Don Larson is still the CCIW leader in wins, but apparently most of them were counted as NAIA wins as he is not on the D3 list.  Stability DOES have its advantages - Larson and Eash have combined for 60 years; Horenberger and Bridges combined for about the same in men's basketball with even better results.)

[79jaybird]

Whether you like stormin' Norman or not, you have to give him his props indeed.  He is consistent and he always gets IWU to play tough home or away. 

[Naperick]

I remember Norm from his days at Dwight Township High.  The guy can coach.  And I think they will be in the D3 playoffs this year. 
I'm thinking 10-2 this year for the Titans.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I remember Norm from his days at Dwight Township High.  The guy can coach.  And I think they will be in the D3 playoffs this year. 
I'm thinking 10-2 this year for the Titans.

I like the way you think!  That would mean 9-1 regular season (I'll assume you think the loss is NCC; but that means a win over Wheaton, as well as Elmhurst and Augie and whoever they face in round one of the playoffs).  My prediction is 8-2, with just under the bubble for the playoffs.

I'll root for your prediction over mine.   And if we make 10-1, I'll root for 11-2, 12-2, 13-2, then 14-1!

[iwu70]

Titans have to stay healthy, esp. at the skills positions.  They will be strong, lots of experience, but 'til someone beats NCC, it's still everyone chasing the many-times CCIW champs.  At least the Titans get some of the tough CCIW games at home this season and they also have lots and lots of senior experience.  I'm sure some of these guys have a chip on their shoulders and want to go out on a good note -- esp. after starting out 6-0 last season before losing 4 in a row.  That was rough, esp. after Galik went down.  Sure would be nice to have these skilled and experienced guys healthy and robust all season -- esp. Stinde.  Hope the training and weight work as all been done, so that everyone comes into the season in top form and shape. 

GO TITANS -- looking forward to some great CCIW clashes this fall -- esp. IWU vs. WC and IWU vs. NCC at Tucci. 

IWU70

[NCF]

I remember Norm from his days at Dwight Township High.  The guy can coach.  And I think they will be in the D3 playoffs this year. 
I'm thinking 10-2 this year for the Titans.

I like the way you think!  That would mean 9-1 regular season (I'll assume you think the loss is NCC; but that means a win over Wheaton, as well as Elmhurst and Augie and whoever they face in round one of the playoffs).  My prediction is 8-2, with just under the bubble for the playoffs.

I'll root for your prediction over mine.   And if we make 10-1, I'll root for 11-2, 12-2, 13-2, then 14-1!

You better root for 9-1, as 8-2 would mean you most likely lose to BOTH of the TOP DOGS at HOME and would be watching the play-offs from the comfort of home. Even if IWU goes 9-1, they are not winnining a National Championship, but it is fun to dream and if you dream might as well dream big:). That said I do think we could have a three-way tie at the top again.

[Titan Q]

Article on IWU RB T.J. Stinde...

http://www.pantagraph.com/blogs/kindred/kindred-titan-at-heart-stinde-unable-to-skip-season/article_81f53260-07a5-11e3-a121-001a4bcf887a.html

[Titan Q]

And an article on IWU's large senior class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/big-iwu-senior-class-eager-to-close-out-with-special/article_a3b47e58-06f4-11e3-b2e7-001a4bcf887a.html

[NCF]

Article on IWU RB T.J. Stinde...

http://www.pantagraph.com/blogs/kindred/kindred-titan-at-heart-stinde-unable-to-skip-season/article_81f53260-07a5-11e3-a121-001a4bcf887a.html

Great article! Hope he has a good season and stays healthy. He's a winner whose teammates should be inspired by his dedication and determination to make their senior year a memorable one.

[iwu70]

Sure doesn't sound like the Titans can't expect too too much out of Stinde this year, however much his dedication and loyalty to the program may be admirable.  So many injuries over his career.  Gotta wonder if it is wise for him longer term to play, what impact it will have on him when he's 30 or 40.  I'd bet we'll see many others running out of the Titan backfield this season. Titans have surely had major injury bugs in the last several season -- of key players.  Let's hope this year is better on that score, though, I know, "injuries are a part of the game."  Blah, blah, blah, blah . . .

IWU70

[79jaybird]

I'm thinking IWU has a very good shot at the playoffs this year and nobody (NC included) wants to play them, especially in Bloomington.  Nice article on Vince Gabrys about his pre-season All American honor. Hope it translates into success on the field this year.

[NCF]

I'm thinking IWU has a very good shot at the playoffs this year and nobody (NC included) wants to play them, especially in Bloomington.  Nice article on Vince Gabrys about his pre-season All American honor. Hope it translates into success on the field this year.

I think they have a great shot at the play-offs if they go 10-0 or 9-1. If they lose two conference games, I don't think it will happen, especially if Wheaton and NC go 10-0 and 9-1. If all three go 8-2,or 9-1, will be tough to get three teams into the play-offs.

[79jaybird]

NCF- Very true.  I think the big word is "If", but of the other teams (outside of NC and Wheaton), I think IWU has the next best shot at postseason on paper, prior to any games played.

[Titan Q]

I'm thinking IWU has a very good shot at the playoffs this year and nobody (NC included) wants to play them, especially in Bloomington.  Nice article on Vince Gabrys about his pre-season All American honor. Hope it translates into success on the field this year.

I think they have a great shot at the play-offs if they go 10-0 or 9-1. If they lose two conference games, I don't think it will happen, especially if Wheaton and NC go 10-0 and 9-1. If all three go 8-2,or 9-1, will be tough to get three teams into the play-offs.

One key for IWU this year is that the Titans get both North Central and Wheaton in Bloomington.  IWU is 4-1 vs North Central and Wheaton (combined) in Bloomington over the course of the last 6 seasons...

2011
IWU 24 Wheaton 19
NCC 24 IWU 0

2009
IWU 28 NCC 22 (OT)
IWU 20 Wheaton 17

2007

IWU 18 Wheaton 14


Having these games at Tucci Stadium should help the Titans.

I don't believe the preseason separation between IWU and #15 Wheaton is as big as the preseason D3football.com poll would indicate.  In fact, I'm not sure there is really any separation here at all on paper.

[iwu70]

Agree with Q's assessment.  I think NCC is the favorite, then IWU and WC pretty much even.  Those will be big games at home for IWU this year, esp. if they have a good record up to those weekends.

IWU70 -- looking forward to the season.