FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

CardinalAlum-First, hope all is well with you and your family. I think #'s 4 through 6 could be interchangeable.  There are 3 real strong contenders, 3 middle of the packers, and 2 of the "behind a step" category.  It's just a poll and rather meaningless, but I am not shocked at the coaches poll.

For those of you too lazy to click on CardinalAlum's link :

1. North Central	49 (7)
2. Wheaton	43 (1)
3. Illinois Wesleyan	36
4. Augustana	27
5. North Park	26
6. Elmhurst	21
7. Millikin	12
8. Carthage	10

The top three are pretty widely spread out, with North Central an overwhelming favorite; every CCIW head coach whose last name isn't Thorne picked the Cards to win the league, and I'm pretty sure that the NCC coach likes his team's chances as well. And, just as there's a pretty big gap between North Central and Wheaton, there's a pretty big gap between Wheaton and Illinois Wesleyan as well.

You're right about the middle three and the bottom two being more closely clumped together, though, although I'm with CardinalAlum in thinking that Elmhurst isn't getting respect commensurate to the team's performance over the past couple of seasons. If there's any surprise in the bottom five, it's that Elmhurst trails NPU in the poll by a statistically significant five points.

Of course, as you said, it's ultimately meaningless. But it's nice to have something tangibly football-related to talk about in mid-August.

[USee]

This seems right to me. I think NCC is ahead of the rest and Wheaton is comfortably ahead of IWU based on what we know now. 4-6 are pretty close but I think Elmhurst gets the nod among those three. Millikin and Carthage seem to be headed for a long season.

[AndOne]

2014 CCIW Football Poll

Rank    Team               Pts.    1st Place Votes
1.     North Central        49            7
2.      Wheaton              43            1
3.      Illinois Wesleyan  36   
4.      Augustana           27   
5.      North Park           26   
6.      Elmhurst              21   
7.     Millikin                 12   
8.      Carthage             10   

* As Mr. Sager pointed out, there is a 7 point gap between WC and IWU which, IMHO, is a bit surprising. With apologies to USee, I see them as basically neck and neck, with IWU possibly even having a very slight edge.

Here is why---I think the 3 top points of differentiation between closely rated teams are quarterback play, defense, and special teams play. On paper, without being thoroughly knowledgeable about either team, it would seem the the leading candidates for the starting QB positions at IWU and Wheaton are, respectively, Tyler Hook, and Reece Butler.
In his career, junior-to-be Hook is 29 for 72 (40.3%) for 251 yards with 1 TD and 6 INTs. Senior-to-be Butler is 19 for 32 (59.4%) for 281 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Basically a tossup with Hook having a little more game experience due to playing for the injured IWU starter 2 years ago.
As far as returning all-conference players IWU has 3 on defense, 2 on offense, and 3 on special teams for  total of 8. Wheaton has 2 on defense, and 1 on offense for a total of only 3. IWU is especially dominate in the area of special teams stars. 
According, I give IWU a slight edge for 2nd.

* As far as NCC goes, the starting QB position battle may merit watching. Others may have a more in depth perception than myself, but I believe at the conclusion of last season it was widely assumed that this season's starting QB would be Tyler Dicken who made 8 starts 2 years ago. However, I've heard soph-to-be Dylan Warden's stock has risen to the point where Dicken's ownership of the starting position is not a foregone conclusion at this point. One thing is for certain, and that is whoever emerges as the Cardinals' leader will have to go some to approach the excellence provided by Spencer Stanek last year.

NCC definitely lost some high quality pieces of its championship puzzle. However, Coach Thorne and his staff certainly have a track record of being able to find and further develop the quality players to plug the holes on a consistent basis.

[USee]

I will venture to say neither Hook no Butler will be the starters.  Both coaches hinted as much in their video taped remarks.  IWU will have a beastly Dline but lots of inexperience behind it.  They lost all of their offensive skill players besides checcin.  Wheaton has much more experience beyond the all conference players returning. Dandsdill is my preseason pick for DPOY.   Plus the titans travel to Wheaton where they haven't won since Dennie Bridges was an infant.

[AndOne]

Since 2005, North Central is 58-5 in conference (90-18 overall). Their in-conference record over the last 5 years is 33-2. In the last 3 years, its 20-1. 

CHART SHOWING THE CONFERENCE RECORDS OF ALL CCIW TEAMS OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/2013/6/20/FB_0620132812.aspx?path=football&tab=additionallinks-clickfordrop-down

[AndOne]

The currently posted NCC roster (http://northcentralcardinals.com/roster.aspx?path=football) is certainly a preliminary list as its inconceivable that at least a few of this year's freshmen won't earn varsity jerseys.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

2014 CCIW Football Poll

Rank    Team               Pts.    1st Place Votes
1.     North Central        49            7
2.      Wheaton              43            1
3.      Illinois Wesleyan  36   
4.      Augustana           27   
5.      North Park           26   
6.      Elmhurst              21   
7.     Millikin                 12   
8.      Carthage             10   

* As Mr. Sager pointed out, there is a 7 point gap between WC and IWU which, IMHO, is a bit surprising. With apologies to USee, I see them as basically neck and neck, with IWU possibly even having a very slight edge.

Here is why---I think the 3 top points of differentiation between closely rated teams are quarterback play, defense, and special teams play. On paper, without being thoroughly knowledgeable about either team, it would seem the the leading candidates for the starting QB positions at IWU and Wheaton are, respectively, Tyler Hook, and Reece Butler.
In his career, junior-to-be Hook is 29 for 72 (40.3%) for 251 yards with 1 TD and 6 INTs. Senior-to-be Butler is 19 for 32 (59.4%) for 281 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Basically a tossup with Hook having a little more game experience due to playing for the injured IWU starter 2 years ago.
As far as returning all-conference players IWU has 3 on defense, 2 on offense, and 3 on special teams for  total of 8. Wheaton has 2 on defense, and 1 on offense for a total of only 3. IWU is especially dominate in the area of special teams stars. 
According, I give IWU a slight edge for 2nd.

* As far as NCC goes, the starting QB position battle may merit watching. Others may have a more in depth perception than myself, but I believe at the conclusion of last season it was widely assumed that this season's starting QB would be Tyler Dicken who made 8 starts 2 years ago. However, I've heard soph-to-be Dylan Warden's stock has risen to the point where Dicken's ownership of the starting position is not a foregone conclusion at this point. One thing is for certain, and that is whoever emerges as the Cardinals' leader will have to go some to approach the excellence provided by Spencer Stanek last year.

NCC definitely lost some high quality pieces of its championship puzzle. However, Coach Thorne and his staff certainly have a track record of being able to find and further develop the quality players to plug the holes on a consistent basis.

IF IWU can find a competent QB (and it is probably not Tyler Hook), I think they are the favorite over Wheaton.  But that is a big if.  Any chance they can lure TD Conway away from his dad?

[USee]

Ypsi

Why do you think a qb makes the difference? There are lots of other holes for both teams.

[79jaybird]

I think losing Gallik's experience and athleticism is going to be tough to replace right way.   What has happened to Millikin?  Once a solid part of the big 4-little 4, now the Big Blue struggle to stay afloat.  Is it difficult recruiting, coaching?  Any Big Blue posters have an ideas?

[Son of Tailgater]

It is looking like another long year in Kenosha.  Only 6 Seniors on the roster with an incoming class of 86 Freshmen.
I believe it is hard to win in the CCIW without good Senior and Junior leadership. IMHO

Eighty-six freshmen? Holy crap.

I wonder what the retention rate on those 86 guys is going to be.

I was thinking the same thing.  Hopefully at least half are back next season.   

Carthage has also been increasingly strict on the tailgating rules which in turn has lowered attendance of us alums in Kenosha. The one bright spot this year is that we are recognizing the 2004 11-2 season during homecoming this year. We had 6 seniors in 2003 when I came in and we went 3-7. The following year we were 11-2 and rallied so there is promise that good things can happen. The homecoming game will be against Elmhurst and that may be the only Carthage game I attend all year sadly. Other CCIW games, you betcha.

[badgerwarhawk]

Ypsi

Why do you think a qb makes the difference? There are lots of other holes for both teams.

Yipsi will have to answer for himself but my response is because he's the most important offensive player on the field.

[USee]

Ypsi

Why do you think a qb makes the difference? There are lots of other holes for both teams.

Yipsi will have to answer for himself but my response is because he's the most important offensive player on the field.

To be fair, the context is that both teams lost their 3 year starter at QB so, presumably, they both have to fill the void and it would make sense the team that does so may have the upper hand. My question really should have been "Isn't that true for Wheaton as well?". Since they both have to find a qb (and the team who finds a better one may have the advantage" it stands to reason the other holes each team is filling are as important or more in determining who wins the battle of 2nd place.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ypsi

Why do you think a qb makes the difference? There are lots of other holes for both teams.

Yipsi will have to answer for himself but my response is because he's the most important offensive player on the field.

To be fair, the context is that both teams lost their 3 year starter at QB so, presumably, they both have to fill the void and it would make sense the team that does so may have the upper hand. My question really should have been "Isn't that true for Wheaton as well?". Since they both have to find a qb (and the team who finds a better one may have the advantage" it stands to reason the other holes each team is filling are as important or more in determining who wins the battle of 2nd place.

History.  Two years ago, Gallik was injured mid-season.  With him, they were 6-0; without him, they were 0-4.  I just have seen no indication that anyone on the current roster can be even a decent CCIW qb.

I can't speak for Wheaton, but suspect their back-up qb is vastly better than ours.  I'm hoping one of the incoming freshmen will be the man.  I hate to rely on a freshman qb, but it worked out pretty well for NPU last year.

[USee]

While I think, based on what we know now, that the top of the conference is NCC, Wheaton, IWU in that order, I also believe the gap between the top 3 is as tight as its been this year. NCC lost a lot of players and we know, based on the recruiting and playing-time philosophy of Thorne, they will reload with plenty of talent to win the conference. That is the main reason I think they are the favorite. IWU lost 32 seniors and has just 2 offensive players (Mulcahy and Checcin) to build around and 3 defensive stars (Worley-DPOY canidate, Connor Klein at LB and Bolden at C). There are many unkowns for IWU and its not clear that either Wheaton or IWU can "reload" the way NCC has proven they can. But if either of them have the talent in the program, this is a year when someone could challenge for the CCIW with so many question marks at NCC. It's really wide open this year more than recent years.

The main reason I pick the Thunder over IWU is Wheaton has as much talent coming up in their program as they have had in some time. Swider loves the young QB's Johnny Peltz and Andrew Bowers (Johnny Peltz turned down a D1 scholarship to attend Wheaton) who will compete w Reece Butler. Wheaton's 3 QB's are also returners to the program where IWU has Hook and 2 freshman competing for the job. Unless one of those frosh is the football equivalent of Kent Raymond or Stevie D, I can't recall a freshman qb leading a CCIW team to the title.  Swider describes  his freshman offensive linemen "...as good a group as we have ever recruited". Strong words from a guy who has been doing this for 30 years. I know a couple of the OL guys also turned down scholarships to come to Wheaton. Wheaton also has 4 returning starters in the secondary and Adam Dandsdill will be a junior LB who has POY potential.

They have a new Defensive Coordinator which is a young Jordan Langs. His game experience is light but he has been in the system and has given Coach Swider new enthusiasm for the game. Swider will be more involved in game planning and in-game calls than he has in several years (Rod Sandberg had taken over that role and had a lot of autonomy).  On offense the thunder have 5 recievers who have all caught balls and had significant playing time in CCIW games. they return 3 starters on the offensive line and Jesse Geary is an explosive, physical returning starter at RB. Puknaitis and Fain got some game experience last year and are talented.

At IWU meanwhile, Norm Eash's own words are "...we will have a lot of young talent playing". They have 2 returning offensive linemen and Checcin at receiver. Everyone else on offense is new. Defensively their Dline should be among the best in the conference. Worley is a beast and led the conference in sacks and TFL. Jeff Jerome returns and Will James played in 7 games last year. Eash really likes a sophomore named Kyle Venhuizen and Gary Eppinger was a junior who played in 10 games last year. Bolden should be a top DB in the conference and Ben Bouie played in every game a year ago and will start at the other C. 2 new safeties.

Wheaton has many rising juniors and seniors who have had playing time and IWU just doesn't have the same level of experience. It is pre-season so a lot can happen and young players change their body and motivation over the course of a year so this is all really speculation. IWU has a great schedule set up. They play Franklin (which will be a tough opener) followed by Albion and Simpson. Then they could be 4-0 in conference play opening with Carthage, Millikin, Augie and Elmhurst before back to back road trips to Naperville and Wheaton. 7 games for the youngsters to mature is a lot of time. The experience factor will be moot by week 8.

[USee]

I also think NPU has a chance to finish as high as 4th in the conference as the 4-6 spots are pretty tight in my estimation. Wouldn't that be something to see NPU with a winning record in the conference this year? It's not at all unreasonable.

Their non-conference schedule won't be a picnic so we will know early what the prospects are. they open at home vs Concordia, WI who was picked to win the NACC this year and is on a 10 game win streak. Then they travel to Alma, who is picked last in the MIAA and should be a win for the Vikings. Their final pre-season tune up is in St Louis vs Wash U, who was an NCAA playoff team last year. 1-2 is likely and 2-1 should be cause for much optimism in Chicago.