FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

Bethel hosts because they are deemed to be the higher seed.  If NCC prevails, a trip to Alliance is most likely the reward.

Do we know for sure Bethel was considered the higher seed when the bracket was built?  Did the national committee come out and say that, or is that speculation?

D3football.com said, "Top seeds appear to be, in order: Mount Union, UW-Whitewater, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Bethel. That's based on their placement in the bracket -- it has been a few years since the NCAA has been willing to admit to the seedings they put on teams."  http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/11/playoff-bracket-released

Was this ever confirmed by the committee?  Or is it possible NCC is the overall #4 seed?

I guess we will find out very soon when they announce the location of NCC vs Bethel.

[USee]

Bethel hosts because they are deemed to be the higher seed.  If NCC prevails, a trip to Alliance is most likely the reward.

Do we know for sure Bethel was considered the higher seed when the bracket was built?  Did the national committee come out and say that, or is that speculation?

D3football.com said, "Top seeds appear to be, in order: Mount Union, UW-Whitewater, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Bethel. That's based on their placement in the bracket -- it has been a few years since the NCAA has been willing to admit to the seedings they put on teams."  http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/11/playoff-bracket-released

Was this ever confirmed by the committee?  Or is it possible NCC is the overall #4 seed?

I guess we will find out very soon when they announce the location of NCC vs Bethel.

Good clarification.  I used the word "deemed" to reflect the uncertain, speculative assumption that Bethel was the 1 seed.  It is possible that's not the case. 

A case could be made for NCC to be the host.  I have no inside info on this.

[HScoach]

Regardless of the location, the timing of a certain QB injury makes NCC even more sure in my mind.  Should be a good game, but I would guess NCC was a TD favorite even before the injury. 

[DBQ1965]

On this link, click on the NCC - Bethel quarterfinal and it shows the game being played at Bethel.

http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/football/d3

[Stagg Again!!]

On this link, click on the NCC - Bethel quarterfinal and it shows the game being played at Bethel.

http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/football/d3

Thanks DBQ.  Bethel better have parking lined up and room for tailgating.  Merely busing football fans in from a remote location is not good enough.  I know they have a sold out Christmas concert at the same time.

[CardinalAlum]

Ok, well, I had hope for a short period of time.  I did get confirmation that we will be traveling to Bethel.

[NCCAlum48]

Regardless of the location, the timing of a certain QB injury makes NCC even more sure in my mind.  Should be a good game, but I would guess NCC was a TD favorite even before the injury.

I respect your opinion but I don't see it that way.  From what I've seen Bethel has an outstanding team. I don't see the QB situation having a big impact.  Taking into account the weather, field conditions, travel, etc. I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game.  But I'm sure our boys will make it a competitive contest... and maybe even pull off an upset

It should be a great game! Go Cards!!

[Stagg Again!!]

Regardless of the location, the timing of a certain QB injury makes NCC even more sure in my mind.  Should be a good game, but I would guess NCC was a TD favorite even before the injury.

I respect your opinion but I don't see it that way.  From what I've seen Bethel has an outstanding team. I don't see the QB situation having a big impact.  Taking into account the weather, field conditions, travel, etc. I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game.  But I'm sure our boys will make it a competitive contest... and maybe even pull off an upset

It should be a great game! Go Cards!!

I have heard that the field conditions in Arden Hills have been poor, at best.  Does the NCAA have a screening process for the safety of the players?  Why doesn't the game get moved to another Minneapolis area school?  I will be really pissed if there are injuries due to field conditions!!!

[USee]

Regardless of the location, the timing of a certain QB injury makes NCC even more sure in my mind.  Should be a good game, but I would guess NCC was a TD favorite even before the injury.

I respect your opinion but I don't see it that way.  From what I've seen Bethel has an outstanding team. I don't see the QB situation having a big impact.  Taking into account the weather, field conditions, travel, etc. I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game.  But I'm sure our boys will make it a competitive contest... and maybe even pull off an upset

It should be a great game! Go Cards!!

Nice Lou Holtz move. Bethel has an outstanding team for sure but to say the QB situation won't have a big impact is simply not rational. The backup is a senior and came in and had a great day yesterday vs Wartburg, but Erik Peterson was one of the top 4-5 QB's in the country this year. His absence is a huge deal for Bethel.

And even with Peterson playing NCC is not even close to a double digit underdog. Come on man.

These two teams are pretty close in my opinion. I haven't studied it much yet but I would think this is a pretty close matchup across the board with Peterson playing. Without him it swings NCC's way.

[Titan Q]

I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game. 

"C'mon man!"

[lfter]

I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game. 

"C'mon man!"

I think whether or not NCC wins depends on the Defense.  They can not give up as many yards as they did against either Wheaton or Platteville

[USee]

NCC has played and beaten 4 of the top 6 WIAC schools by an average of 23 pts (UWW beat the same teams by an average of 24.5pts) s well as beating every team in the CCIW by an average of 35 pts.  We can be pretty confident they have the ability to play against any team in the country. That's a pretty impressive resume.

[USee]

I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game. 

"C'mon man!"

I think whether or not NCC wins depends on the Defense.  They can not give up as many yards as they did against either Wheaton or Platteville

Why not? I think it's more important how many pts they give up vs how many yards don't you? Wheaton ran for 200 yds and scored 16 pts. Platteville had over 400 yds and scored 24. Teams in the tourney at this point are pretty good on offense. You aren't going to keep Bethel, Mt Union or Linfield from getting 400 yds when you get to this stage of the season. Those are all good teams. These games will hinge on turnovers and limiting big plays (big returns, missed tackles, blocked kicks, big sacks w fumble, etc).

[NCCAlum48]

I think NCC has to be a double digit underdog in this game. 

"C'mon man!"

HAHA!!  Hey, just my opinion.  I appreciate the fact that you guys don't agree.  But hey, they are the top seeded team, right?  That's why we are traveling, right? And nobody knows for sure what the QB situation is exactly.  Is he out?  Is that confirmed?  I am a Cardinal fan through and though but I have no problems with NCC going into this game being an underdog. 

[USee]

Appreciate it all you want in your own mind.  NCC is decidedly not an underdog this week. This is a pickem with a healthy Bethel QB.