FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

Things are definitely looking promising for North Park.  Proves coaching and the ability to recruit make a huge difference.

I worry about Elmhurst.  This year was hard on the eyes.   

[USee]

From the National Column on the front page:

Disappointments: Oshkosh Bracket

Ryan Tipps: Wheaton. There's undoubtedly a weight on a team's shoulders when the defending national champions are poised to pounce right around the corner. Many teams can get caught looking ahead in a situation like this. I'm not sure we'll get the blowout win over Lakeland that many people would expect, and Wheaton doesn't seem likely to stay in the dance past the second round.

Keith McMillian: Wheaton. The Thunder have reached the plateau where they're always good enough to make the playoffs and advance, but can't be counted on to beat other elite teams. In Wheaton's 11-8 playoff history, it is 9-0 in first-round games, and the losses have come against Mount Union (six times), John Carroll and Bethel. This year, it could win another first-round matchup and lose in Round 2 to UW-Whitewater (the teams last met in 1937), and it would be a disappointment. The Thunder have a special player in linebacker Adam Dansdill and an outstanding defense as part of a traditionally stout team. But unless it can get through two WIAC teams and get over the Mount Union hump, a trip to Salem will elude the Thunder.

Of course it should be noted that Ryan Tipps is a Wabash grad and he picks Wabash as a "surprise" team in the St Thomas bracket. No surprise there.

Wabash and Wheaton are very similar teams. Great defense, run based offense. Wheaton's offense is a bit more balanced but I would say these are very similar teams. I will be interested to see how they perform in their respective brackets. The article on the front page is a great prep for the weekend!

[79jaybird]

Good luck to Wheaton.  I am sure they will represent us well. 

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Good luck to Wheaton...I want to see you play WW next week...

[wally_wabash]

Of course it should be noted that Ryan Tipps is a Wabash grad and he picks Wabash as a "surprise" team in the St Thomas bracket. No surprise there.

I've got to go to bat for my guy Tipps here.  I think Tipps actually tends to tiptoe around Wabash more than he needs to as to not come off like a Wabash homer with a national column.  I don't think it's fair to see him finally for the first time in two years as the ATN writer say that Wabash has a puncher's chance in this bracket and give him the ol' no surprise there business.  I think Ryan's track record is very objective...and maybe even too much so when it comes to Wabash. 

Long way to go before maybe a game with St. Thomas though.  We'll put a pin in that for now.   

[USee]

sorry Wally, no dice. I read all his stuff and I am quite aware of his PC in regards to Wabash. To look at two very similar teams and call one a disappointment and the other a surprise is not objective to me. I like his stuff but I am not buying what you're selling here.

[wally_wabash]

If Wabash and Wheaton swapped spots in the bracket I think his take probably changes along with it.  I think that piece of commentary is more about Wheaton's difficult position and less about him thinking that Wheaton isn't very good.  I think you're really misinterpreting what he's saying. 

[USee]

If Wabash and Wheaton swapped spots in the bracket I think his take probably changes along with it.  I think that piece of commentary is more about Wheaton's difficult position and less about him thinking that Wheaton isn't very good.  I think you're really misinterpreting what he's saying.

So you think he lists Wabash as a disappointment if they swapped spots? And he says Wabash will struggle with Lakeland? Right. Next you'll say he is going to pick Depauw in next year's Bell game.

[wally_wabash]

If Wabash and Wheaton swapped spots in the bracket I think his take probably changes along with it.  I think that piece of commentary is more about Wheaton's difficult position and less about him thinking that Wheaton isn't very good.  I think you're really misinterpreting what he's saying.

So you think he lists Wabash as a disappointment if they swapped spots? And he says Wabash will struggle with Lakeland? Right. Next you'll say he is going to pick Depauw in next year's Bell game.

Probably.  If he's saying that Wheaton might have Whitewater in the back of their minds and the game against Lakeland might be closer than most expect because of it, sure.  That's not a Wheaton specific idea.  I think that line of thinking is reasonable and would apply to whoever got put in that exact spot in the bracket.  I really think all he's saying is that Wheaton got a really tough draw and you're making it out to be something else entirely. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Gonna have to side with wally on this one - I don't think Ryan was dissin' Wheaton, just recognizing that 18-21 year-old 'kids' probably can't help looking beyond Lakeland to the defending national champs, no matter how hard the coaches try to keep their focus where it ought to be.

And, sorry wally, but I've now been a Michigander over two thirds of my life - GO ALBION!   (I think you'll probably win by several TDs, but with their offense [despite your defense] I think they have a 'puncher's chance'.)

[USee]

I'll agree there is a chance you are right but if Wheaton loses to UWW is that really a disappointment? And anyone who paid any attention to the Thunder would see they had no problem with the look ahead issue.  They won by a combined 93-14 in the two games before their biggest games of the year.   I expect Wabash to win their bracket and I think anything less would be a disappointment.  I don't think he would ever refer to Wabash as a disappointment.  And I wouldn't expect him to. But writing your opinion is going to draw disagreements, that comes with the fame and fortune.

[Mr. Ypsi]

If Wabash and Wheaton swapped spots in the bracket I think his take probably changes along with it.  I think that piece of commentary is more about Wheaton's difficult position and less about him thinking that Wheaton isn't very good.  I think you're really misinterpreting what he's saying.

So you think he lists Wabash as a disappointment if they swapped spots? And he says Wabash will struggle with Lakeland? Right. Next you'll say he is going to pick Depauw in next year's Bell game.

Heck, the number of times he's talked about DePauw being on the rise, wally may pick the Tigers in the next Bell game!   (Though somehow I doubt it!)

[wally_wabash]

OH I'm under no illusion here that Albion is a sure thing to get wailed on tomorrow.  Any team that gets 600 yards and 50 points per game can win anytime.  I think we'll know pretty early on how this game will play out, but Albion scoring a bunch of points is definitely on the table. 

Heck, the number of times he's talked about DePauw being on the rise, wally may pick the Tigers in the next Bell game!   (Though somehow I doubt it!)

Not likely to happen.  In the last 15 years, the only time I've honestly thought DePauw might be the better side was in 2010.  They've won a few in there, but in 2010...not so much.  DePauw is on the rise...or at least they were.  But you have to remember where they came from.  Four years ago they bottomed out with something like a 2-8 record and they didn't have squat on that roster.  Lynch has done a good job rebuilding that roster and they're now pretty legitimately a good Division III team.  But then there's a gap that exists between "pretty good D3 team" and "really, really good D3 team".  Wabash has crossed that gap.  DePauw needs more dudes, particularly on the defensive side of the ball and that'll be their next challenge if they want to get closer to Wabash over the next few years. 

[thunderdog]

Congrats to Augie QB Sam Frasco for not only winning the CCIW OPOY award, but for also catching the eye of the AZ Cardinals and receiving an invitation to Northwestern's Pro Day early next year.  Good luck Sam!

http://qctimes.com/sports/college/augustana/nfl-s-arizona-cardinals-reach-out-to-augustana-senior-quarterback/article_052a7ab8-6b29-598a-8226-916be857264c.html

Now back to business...

We've got a beautiful day for football here in Wheaton IL today!  As Mugsy alluded to earlier, it will be interesting to see if Lakeland adjusts their offensive game plan because of the conditions.  I unfortunately won't be able to make the game today, but will be there in spirit.

LET'S ROLL!

[shepherd]

The snow is a 6:1 ratio 1" of water to 6" of snow.  Normal is 1:10.
This is a very slippery heavy snow not unlike the Mount Union NCC game.
NCC played Bethel in a very cold dry icy field that year and tackled great.
But in the wet snow at Mount some of the defensive players were having a hard time and kept falling down without being touched.  Also every time they tackled high they slid off the Mount ball carrier. 
Footing will play a big roll in the game today.

GO THUNDER!!!!!