FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Next Saturday the CCIW will play a common non-conference schedule for the first time ever, as the inaugural CCIW/MIAA Challenge gets underway. Since the MIAA only has seven teams, one CCIW team (North Central) will play a non-MIAA foe. In spite of the fact that the games will all be played on the other side of Lake Michigan, and even though the CCIW did not look very good overall on opening day, I still think that the CCIW should come out of this coming weekend with some W's.

Augustana (0-1) @ Hope (0-1)
Carthage (0-1) @ Adrian (1-0)
Elmhurst (0-1) @ Olivet (1-0)
Illinois Wesleyan (1-0) @ Albion (0-1)
Millikin (1-0) @ Trine (0-0)
North Central (0-0) @ St. Norbert (1-0)
North Park (0-1) @ Alma (0-1)
Wheaton (1-0) @ Kalamazoo (0-1)

I'm looking at what Alma did yesterday -- the Scots were eviscerated by Heidelberg, 72-7 -- and I'm thinking that next Saturday could be a setup for an angry North Park team looking to take out its frustration on an undermanned opponent over the CUW loss. I also think that Wheaton is gonna open up a big ol' can of this on Kalamazoo:

[kiko]

Next Saturday the CCIW will play a common non-conference schedule for the first time ever, as the inaugural CCIW/MIAA Challenge gets underway. Since the MIAA only has seven teams, one CCIW team (North Central) will play a non-MIAA foe. In spite of the fact that the games will all be played on the other side of Lake Michigan, and even though the CCIW did not look very good overall on opening day, I still think that the CCIW should come out of this coming weekend with some W's.

Augustana (0-1) @ Hope (0-1)
Carthage (0-1) @ Adrian (1-0)
Elmhurst (0-1) @ Olivet (1-0)
Illinois Wesleyan (1-0) @ Albion (0-1)
Millikin (1-0) @ Trine (0-0)
North Central (0-0) @ St. Norbert (1-0)
North Park (0-1) @ Alma (0-1)
Wheaton (1-0) @ Kalamazoo (0-1)

I'm looking at what Alma did yesterday -- the Scots were eviscerated by Heidelberg, 72-7 -- and I'm thinking that next Saturday could be a setup for an angry North Park team looking to take out its frustration on an undermanned opponent over the CUW loss. I also think that Wheaton is gonna open up a big ol' can of this on Kalamazoo:

I am quite happy that the Cards are not part of this.  I appreciate that a contrived challenge series like this eases the burden of filling up the preseason(*) schedule, but there is little to be gained IMO from playing a slate of games against a conference that historically has not been as strong as the CCIW.

This is not to say we are all that -- we'd be on the wrong end of a CCIW-WIAC challenge -- but rather that this isn't going to do much to help CCIW teams progress from middling to good, or from good to very good depending on where they sit on that spectrum today.

(*) - Hi Gregory!

[sncsid]

Next Saturday the CCIW will play a common non-conference schedule for the first time ever, as the inaugural CCIW/MIAA Challenge gets underway. Since the MIAA only has seven teams, one CCIW team (North Central) will play a non-MIAA foe. In spite of the fact that the games will all be played on the other side of Lake Michigan, and even though the CCIW did not look very good overall on opening day, I still think that the CCIW should come out of this coming weekend with some W's.

Augustana (0-1) @ Hope (0-1)
Carthage (0-1) @ Adrian (1-0)
Elmhurst (0-1) @ Olivet (1-0)
Illinois Wesleyan (1-0) @ Albion (0-1)
Millikin (1-0) @ Trine (0-0)
North Central (0-0) @ St. Norbert (1-0)
North Park (0-1) @ Alma (0-1)
Wheaton (1-0) @ Kalamazoo (0-1)

I'm looking at what Alma did yesterday -- the Scots were eviscerated by Heidelberg, 72-7 -- and I'm thinking that next Saturday could be a setup for an angry North Park team looking to take out its frustration on an undermanned opponent over the CUW loss. I also think that Wheaton is gonna open up a big ol' can of this on Kalamazoo:

I am quite happy that the Cards are not part of this.  I appreciate that a contrived challenge series like this eases the burden of filling up the preseason(*) schedule, but there is little to be gained IMO from playing a slate of games against a conference that historically has not been as strong as the CCIW.

This is not to say we are all that -- we'd be on the wrong end of a CCIW-WIAC challenge -- but rather that this isn't going to do much to help CCIW teams progress from middling to good, or from good to very good depending on where they sit on that spectrum today.

(*) - Hi Gregory!

Actually North Central is a part of this. We (St. Norbert) were looking for a CCIW opponent for this week a couple of years back. The MIAA needed an eighth team to make this arrangement work so we volunteered. St. Norbert hadn't faced a CCIW football opponent in the regular season since 1963 and now it will have faced one in two consecutive weeks.

[iwu70]

Basically agree with Q's assessment of IWU's prospects and talent.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Titan O played overall and especially Warner and Roberts.  Checchin was HUGE.  D will get better.  Titans will likely improve and gain confidence from week to week.  Gotta cut down on penalties and stupid personal fouls and also do something about defending passing plays over the middle.  Still, a great first outing against a quality opponent.

Two games away from Tucci now -- then back home under the lights vs. CC to start the CCIW schedule. 

IWU70

[USee]

Next Saturday the CCIW will play a common non-conference schedule for the first time ever, as the inaugural CCIW/MIAA Challenge gets underway. Since the MIAA only has seven teams, one CCIW team (North Central) will play a non-MIAA foe. In spite of the fact that the games will all be played on the other side of Lake Michigan, and even though the CCIW did not look very good overall on opening day, I still think that the CCIW should come out of this coming weekend with some W's.

Augustana (0-1) @ Hope (0-1)
Carthage (0-1) @ Adrian (1-0)
Elmhurst (0-1) @ Olivet (1-0)
Illinois Wesleyan (1-0) @ Albion (0-1)
Millikin (1-0) @ Trine (0-0)
North Central (0-0) @ St. Norbert (1-0)
North Park (0-1) @ Alma (0-1)
Wheaton (1-0) @ Kalamazoo (0-1)

I'm looking at what Alma did yesterday -- the Scots were eviscerated by Heidelberg, 72-7 -- and I'm thinking that next Saturday could be a setup for an angry North Park team looking to take out its frustration on an undermanned opponent over the CUW loss. I also think that Wheaton is gonna open up a big ol' can of this on Kalamazoo:

I am quite happy that the Cards are not part of this.  I appreciate that a contrived challenge series like this eases the burden of filling up the preseason(*) schedule, but there is little to be gained IMO from playing a slate of games against a conference that historically has not been as strong as the CCIW.

This is not to say we are all that -- we'd be on the wrong end of a CCIW-WIAC challenge -- but rather that this isn't going to do much to help CCIW teams progress from middling to good, or from good to very good depending on where they sit on that spectrum today.

(*) - Hi Gregory!

Actually North Central is a part of this. We (St. Norbert) were looking for a CCIW opponent for this week a couple of years back. The MIAA needed an eighth team to make this arrangement work so we volunteered. St. Norbert hadn't faced a CCIW football opponent in the regular season since 1963 and now it will have faced one in two consecutive weeks.

Exactly. NCC doesn't get to "opt out". They are in the conference and will be playing MIAA opponents going forward, like it or not.

[Mr. Ypsi]

But let's hope NCC plays an opponent like St. Norb rather than any of the MIAA schools.  The result would be at least as bad as Alma taking on Heidi (a 72-7 loss).

[Gregory Sager]

I wasn't implying that NCC had opted out of the CCIW/MIAA crossover. I merely stated that the numerical imbalance between the two leagues meant that somebody from the CCIW wasn't going to face an MIAA foe this coming week, and this season the supernumerary team from our side of the lake happened to be NCC. But I didn't realize until today that SNC was contractually locked in to fill the MIAA's missing slot in the crossover.

[kiko]

I had assumed we'd drawn a lucky straw that meant, in the inaugural year of the crossover games, we didn't have to take part in the  Mitten challenge.  Obviously this was wrong.

I still think this is not helpful for North Central and not helpful for most CCIW schools.  I get that I'm not the guy having to dial endlessly for out-of-conference opponents, but the MIAA is a step down from many other options that are out there.

If we're stuck with this arrangement -- and I hope the return of Carroll to the CCIW makes it impractical -- then I would rather play St. Norbert than one of the MIAA schools.  It's a stronger opponent and will better prepare the Cards for the rest of their schedule.

[USee]

I had assumed we'd drawn a lucky straw that meant, in the inaugural year of the crossover games, we didn't have to take part in the  Mitten challenge.  Obviously this was wrong.

I still think this is not helpful for North Central and not helpful for most CCIW schools.  I get that I'm not the guy having to dial endlessly for out-of-conference opponents, but the MIAA is a step down from many other options that are out there.

If we're stuck with this arrangement -- and I hope the return of Carroll to the CCIW makes it impractical -- then I would rather play St. Norbert than one of the MIAA schools.  It's a stronger opponent and will better prepare the Cards for the rest of their schedule.

This is not a new argument and there is another side to this. 

[79jaybird]

Well, the Planz era had a rough start.  Hopefully he can regroup and get the Jays on track.  Two glaring stats caught my eye immediately was their 3rd down efficiency (or lack there of) and 7 turnovers.  Ouch!  The inability to keep their offense on the field and extend drives is going to be a problem.   The good news is that it's only 1 game, but sheesh! I had this marked down as a W for Elmhurst comparing it to what they will see on the CCIW slate.

[ncc_fan]

Ugh.  St. Norbert seats the home & visitor's fans on the same side of the field.
http://www.snc.edu/tickets/venues/schneiderstadiumseating.html

[USee]

New Poll is out:

NCC #6
Wheaton #20
IWU #21

Those numbers will likely creep higher until these 3 play each other.

[shepherd]

Ugh.  St. Norbert seats the home & visitor's fans on the same side of the field.
http://www.snc.edu/tickets/venues/schneiderstadiumseating.html

So does Il Benedictine and they have one of the best d3 stadiums.  Many people including me who have visited have stated how pleasant an atmosphere it was to watch a game there.  I don't know about  St. Norbert but it may be a good atmosphere also.
http://www.snc.edu/athletics/facilities/schneiderstadium.html

[badgerwarhawk]

St. Norbert's  football facility is relatively new having opened in 2010.

http://www.snc.edu/athletics/facilities/schneiderstadium.html

If NCC doesn't win this game by several touchdowns I'll be surprised.

[79jaybird]

Benedictine's Stadium (and really their entire athletic complex) is very nice and high quality.   The only thing I didn't like about Benedictine was having a night game and having to battle the sun from the pressbox looking west.  I also thought they should have considered putting stands or risers on the west side (if feasible).