FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[wally_wabash]

Wouldn't best case scenario be NCC winning Saturday and then Wheaton beating IWU on 11/7?  That would, likely, give Wheaton the extra regionally ranked result.  Or, 10-0 is 10-0 and they won't have the extra meat on the resume regardless to jump any other team? 

Maybe I need to take USee's advice and find the Pool C discussion but it sure looks like UST, Linfield, Wabash, Mount, Wesley, UMHB and DIII undefeated UW-O will be favorites in their remaining games to finish undefeated, not to mention a few teams behind Wheaton in the rankings.  That is a lot of possible/probable 10-0 (9-0) teams to fit into the bracket.  Feel free to tell me to come back in two weeks...

Clearly Wheaton winning next week against IWU is the ideal scenario, and yes IF that happens, then North Central winning this weekend and being regionally ranked would help Wheaton as far as seeding and home field preference goes.  I think what USee was talking about is the scenario where Wheaton loses to IWU- in which case it's best for Wheaton if IWU also beats North Central. 

That got a little convoluted.  In any case, in the scenario where Wheaton wins the CCIW at 10-0 my guess is that they would have two home games available to them in the tournament regardless of what happens this weekend between IWU and NCC. 

[USee]

On the podcast today Pat and Keith mentioned Wheaton might have an outside shot at a top 4 seed at 10-0 depending on how the other regions shake out.

[USee]

Let's not forget that NCC has dominated the CCIW for the past 10 years with a 67-7 record. .... NCC's loss to Wheaton last week was just their 3rd conference loss since the aforementioned loss to IWU in 2009.

Those 3 losses were all to Wheaton. 3 in the last 4 years. And of the 7 losses over the past 10 years, 5 of them are to the Thunder. #BellIsHome

[79jaybird]

And I think a major factor of the NC/WC/IWU successes  is *coaching*  All (3) have longstanding, proven winners (NC I'm referring to John Thorne). 

[Pat Coleman]

On the podcast today Pat and Keith mentioned Wheaton might have an outside shot at a top 4 seed at 10-0 depending on how the other regions shake out.

Yeah. Mostly Keith.

[USee]

On the podcast today Pat and Keith mentioned Wheaton might have an outside shot at a top 4 seed at 10-0 depending on how the other regions shake out.

Yeah. Mostly Keith.

So you're saying there's a CHANCE?

[Mr. Ypsi]

A question for anyone who is familiar with both Artie Checchin and the NCC defense:  do the Cards have anyone who could reasonably be expected to contain Artie one-on-one, or will they have to double-team him (or perhaps a 'shadow' and otherwise zone coverage)?

[USee]

Brandon Kibby can guard Checchin. North Central plays a lot of zone though and IWU puts Checchin in motion a lot or in the slot to move him around so it's harder to play zone against him. He can beat most people in man coverage but Kibby covered Wesley's best guy admirably so my guess is he would draw the assignment when they play man

[shepherd]

Thunder strikes D3football.com Play of the Week.

Each team had been held to a field goal with halftime looming, so points were at a premium. On the last play of the half, though, thunder struck as quarterback Andrew Bowers found tight end Zach Lindquist down the field. The catch and lunge are the D3football.com Play of the Week.
http://www.d3football.com/awards/playoftheweek/2015/week8

[USee]

One player I think merit's highlighting is Kevin Slawkowski for IWU. Garvey, Roth, and Fahey get the headlines but Slawkowski is quietly having a huge year. If you watch him play he is very disruptive as a safety who plays the deep middle or deep half of the field most of the time. He is in the top 3 in tackles for the Titans.  One of the better tacklers I have seen and he hits people. His hit on an Elmhurst receiver Saturday that resulted in a fumble and turnover for the Titans was one of the key plays in the game. One of the reasons IWU's defense is so good is the tackling on the perimeter. If an opposing RB gets past the front 7, which doesn't happen much, Slawkowski is there. Great player.

[iwu70]

Agreed, USee, he's having a good year.  Also IWU's corners are very good, experienced. 

Conditions on Saturday likely to be wet -- could be a factor in ball security.

IWU70

[iwu70]

Guess this week and next are the times we find out really how good IWU is this year.  Should be great games vs. NCC and WC, both at home.  Weather on Saturday to be raining and about 50 -- 90% chance of rain. 

I still have IWU over NCC by one TD, though expect a very close, hard-fought game. 

I'm sure AC14 and the other IWU receivers are ready for some big plays.  Nice this year that IWU has a great running attack to compliment Warner and his good cadre of talented receivers.

IWU70

[Mugsy]

Guess this week and next are the times we find out really how good IWU is this year.  Should be great games vs. NCC and WC, both at home.  Weather on Saturday to be raining and about 50 -- 90% chance of rain. 

I still have IWU over NCC by one TD, though expect a very close, hard-fought game. 

I'm sure AC14 and the other IWU receivers are ready for some big plays.  Nice this year that IWU has a great running attack to compliment Warner and his good cadre of talented receivers.

IWU70

I don't question the talent at the IWU receiving corp.  Nor do I question the notion that IWU has a much stronger rushing attack this year, which benefits the overall effectiveness of their offense.

But I'm not sure it can be characterized as a "great running attack" just yet.  IWU is ranked #68 in the country in rushing yards per game - 197.3 yards.  That puts IWU at approximately the 72% percentile. 

Take into account the strength of the rushing defenses IWU has faced so far and I think the "great" designation is over stepping a bit at this point.

Team	Rushing Defense Rank	Rushing YPG Allowed
Franklin	#61	125.5
Alma	#199	212.1
Simpson	#77	134.1
Carthage	#82	137.6
Millikin	#175	190.1
Augustana	#130	163.7
Elmhurst	#121	159.1

The best rushing defense IWU has faced is #61 in the country.  3 of the rushing defenses are ranked in the bottom half of the country.

[Neverwas]

What is the QB situation for North Central?

I believe Warden gives NCC the best shot at winning on Saturday, regardless.  If weather is an issue, a ground and pound approach would seem more prudent... especially if Hunniford is hurting.  Warden is a good player.  However, IMO, rarely did he sit in the pocket and make reads.  It was read #1, run around and try to make something happen.  If it is raining/wet maybe they lean even more heavily on the run.

Also, for discussion, how far down do we believe NCC is this year?  Looking back of the last ten years NCC is 9-1.  The average score of that game, 35.5 to 12.5.  I expect this game to be close but is there anything to one team having another team's number (see Wheaton in Bloomington)?  It sure seems NCC has handles IWU fairly easily.  It has been even worse the last five years, 39.4 to 9.6 with two shutouts.  Past results don't predict the future but that is why I ask... how far down does the board believe NCC is and how up is IWU?

[ncc_fan]

What is the QB situation for North Central?

I believe Warden gives NCC the best shot at winning on Saturday, regardless.  If weather is an issue, a ground and pound approach would seem more prudent... especially if Hunniford is hurting.  Warden is a good player.  However, IMO, rarely did he sit in the pocket and make reads.  It was read #1, run around and try to make something happen.  If it is raining/wet maybe they lean even more heavily on the run.

Also, for discussion, how far down do we believe NCC is this year?  Looking back of the last ten years NCC is 9-1.  The average score of that game, 35.5 to 12.5.  I expect this game to be close but is there anything to one team having another team's number (see Wheaton in Bloomington)?  It sure seems NCC has handles IWU fairly easily.  It has been even worse the last five years, 39.4 to 9.6 with two shutouts.  Past results don't predict the future but that is why I ask... how far down does the board believe NCC is and how up is IWU?

My sources say that NCC plans to use a QB again this week.