FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

IWU's biggest test this Saturday vs. CC.  I think the TITANS have to continue their stellar D and get a bit more from their offense.  This will surely be a slugfest, a very physical and high-energy game. Could be a battle of two very good Ds and a kind of field position war.  May come down to special teams, stopping big plays, and, as always, limiting the TOs. 

IWU'70

[GoIrish7]

What a game in Wheaton. A few notes on both teams. I did not catch the 1st half nor had I seen either team play live all season. That being said.... Wheaton has done a fantastic job in recruiting, their OL size/athleticism to hold the line of scrimmage but also get up to the next level to occupy backers was something to see. Wheaton coaching staff had an outstanding gameplan. On defense, DL played very physical and controlled the line allowing the back 7 to play coverage. On the backend, this was very impressive, Wheaton played what is widely known as 4 lock, this is a very very tough scheme to play/execute - it uses NFL/d1 type "pattern match" coverages that requires players on the defense to run different coverages depending on what the offense presents. Hours of work and film room study to run this coverage effectively. The DB/LB unit did a great job communicating with eachother all night and made reads very tough for NCC QB. On Offense - Wheaton's OC did a fantastic job using motions to present coverage and match up problems for NCC's back end. Where NCC prefers to press, Wheaton lining the slot WR up on the ball and the outside WR off the ball and motioning him into stacks makes pressing damn near impossible. Some really nice passing concepts were drawn up as well. I hadn't heard much about the Wheaton QB but was very impressed with his arm and the timing on his throws.

North Central came out with 2 three and outs and after that could not get the momentum back. I was close to the NCC sideline and you can tell why they are successful, up until the last drive their players believed they would come back and win. It was a frustrating night for them but looking at the youth of the roster this may be the best thing that happens to them all year. Rather the youth of the team show mid season rather than having a hiccup in the playoff run. NCC has some really nice looking WR's who are all young and their OL/QB/RB all fit the NCC system very very well. While their defense seemed to be a bit undersized I again credit that to I think WC is just a very very big d3 football team. Against the rest of the country I am sure they stack up fine.

Credit to both teams, it was a good battle - I wish more games were moved to Sunday/Monday or a Thursday/Friday. I understand that is tough to do for staff's and teams especially in conference play. But for the average fan it was night to be able to get out and catch a game I usually would not be able to attend.

[79jaybird]

Wheaton's recruiting is much different than the rest of the CCIW.  Mike Swider looks for a certain type of person.  Agree,  he has put together a wonderful program (coaching makes a world of difference), but keep in mind his mojo for recruiting is much different than others.

I think the battle between IWU and Carthage is going to come down to turnovers.  Who is going to protect the football and/or make that "key" error, that shifts mighty MO to their side.  Both teams are strong and defenses are scary.

[ncc_fan]

Interesting tidbit from NCC sources...

Several days prior to the NCC @ Wheaton game, when it was apparent from weather forecasts that lightning delays were likely, the NCC AD asked to move the kickoff time to 1 pm to increase the likelihood of completing the game on Saturday.  Wheaton AD said no. 

[Neverwas]

Interesting tidbit from NCC sources...

Several days prior to the NCC @ Wheaton game, when it was apparent from weather forecasts that lightning delays were likely, the NCC AD asked to move the kickoff time to 1 pm to increase the likelihood of completing the game on Saturday.  Wheaton AD said no. 

I don't think there is much here.  There were supposed to be Men's and Women's soccer games at 1pm and 4pm at Joe Bean Stadium.  If memory serves me, they usually do not have football and soccer play at the same time.  I would imagine once they cancelled both soccer games the decision to move the football game to a time where soccer had been cancelled would be seen as rather dubious.  Again, I don't think there was a conspiracy to make two teams play a game that was likely to be disrupted.

[AndOne]

Interesting tidbit from NCC sources...

Several days prior to the NCC @ Wheaton game, when it was apparent from weather forecasts that lightning delays were likely, the NCC AD asked to move the kickoff time to 1 pm to increase the likelihood of completing the game on Saturday.  Wheaton AD said no. 

I don't think there is much here.  There were supposed to be Men's and Women's soccer games at 1pm and 4pm at Joe Bean Stadium.  If memory serves me, they usually do not have football and soccer play at the same time.  I would imagine once they cancelled both soccer games the decision to move the football game to a time where soccer had been cancelled would be seen as rather dubious.  Again, I don't think there was a conspiracy to make two teams play a game that was likely to be disrupted.

I fully concur, Neverwas. I wouldn't, for a second, think there was any type of conspiracy involved.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there was much common sense on the part of the Wheaton AD involved either.
What was an almost a certain interruption could have easily been avoided. Just because soccer had been cancelled football couldn't be moved into that now totally vacant time slot?
Lot of people were inconvenienced big time due to the Wheaton AD's stubbornness. 

[Ryan Stoppable]

Wheaton must be really kicking themselves for losing to Millikin in the last minute.  Otherwise, they just won the AQ if NCC/IWU/Wheaton had all finished 7-1.  But at 8-2 (overall), they are virtually dead-meat.  Kind of a shame - if we had the D1 selection process, they would probably be in the post-season (two last minute losses to solid teams and a blowout of a then top-4 team), but by the D3 criteria I just can't see that they have any realistic chance at all.

Ypsi,

There's a ton of football to be played yet. 1. Kinda early to assume IWU & NCC both finish 9-1 ...we could be looking at one of the craziest CCIW seasons we've ever seen. If you think IWU is just going to walk their way to 9-1 with Carthage and Millikin still on the schedule, I'd say you'd better think twice. Carthage controls their own destiny. I think they roll into B-Town with a huge chip on their shoulder... especially when you consider the very questionable pass interference call on Carthage (on 4th down) that kept the winning drive alive for IWU in 2016. Next Saturday, Carthage @ IWU is gonna be a dogfight!

2. Also, way too early to assume WC is "dead meat" in terms of a playoff birth... IMO.

On a separate note, I'm becoming more and more convinced that the CCIW is the 2nd best conference in the country this year, behind only the WIAC.

1. Absolutely correct.
2. If WC isn't already out of the playoffs, it's hopes are on it's deathbed.

Considering there are only five at large spots, a two-loss Wheaton team, even with a win against the potential CCIW AQ team in North Central, is probably not making it.

What about if there's a five-way tie for the conference title at 6-2? By my calculations, this would require Carthage to beat NCC, and then the Red Men, IWU and Millikin to go 1-1 against each other in their remaining games. (With none of the five losing to anyone else.)

[Kovo]

Interesting tidbit from NCC sources...

Several days prior to the NCC @ Wheaton game, when it was apparent from weather forecasts that lightning delays were likely, the NCC AD asked to move the kickoff time to 1 pm to increase the likelihood of completing the game on Saturday.  Wheaton AD said no. 

I don't think there is much here.  There were supposed to be Men's and Women's soccer games at 1pm and 4pm at Joe Bean Stadium.  If memory serves me, they usually do not have football and soccer play at the same time.  I would imagine once they cancelled both soccer games the decision to move the football game to a time where soccer had been cancelled would be seen as rather dubious.  Again, I don't think there was a conspiracy to make two teams play a game that was likely to be disrupted.

I fully concur, Neverwas. I wouldn't, for a second, think there was any type of conspiracy involved.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there was much common sense on the part of the Wheaton AD involved either.
What was an almost a certain interruption could have easily been avoided. Just because soccer had been cancelled football couldn't be moved into that now totally vacant time slot?
Lot of people were inconvenienced big time due to the Wheaton AD's stubbornness. 

Maybe because his school was on Fall break and NCC was not? 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wheaton must be really kicking themselves for losing to Millikin in the last minute.  Otherwise, they just won the AQ if NCC/IWU/Wheaton had all finished 7-1.  But at 8-2 (overall), they are virtually dead-meat.  Kind of a shame - if we had the D1 selection process, they would probably be in the post-season (two last minute losses to solid teams and a blowout of a then top-4 team), but by the D3 criteria I just can't see that they have any realistic chance at all.

Ypsi,

There's a ton of football to be played yet. 1. Kinda early to assume IWU & NCC both finish 9-1 ...we could be looking at one of the craziest CCIW seasons we've ever seen. If you think IWU is just going to walk their way to 9-1 with Carthage and Millikin still on the schedule, I'd say you'd better think twice. Carthage controls their own destiny. I think they roll into B-Town with a huge chip on their shoulder... especially when you consider the very questionable pass interference call on Carthage (on 4th down) that kept the winning drive alive for IWU in 2016. Next Saturday, Carthage @ IWU is gonna be a dogfight!

2. Also, way too early to assume WC is "dead meat" in terms of a playoff birth... IMO.

On a separate note, I'm becoming more and more convinced that the CCIW is the 2nd best conference in the country this year, behind only the WIAC.

1. Absolutely correct.
2. If WC isn't already out of the playoffs, it's hopes are on it's deathbed.

Considering there are only five at large spots, a two-loss Wheaton team, even with a win against the potential CCIW AQ team in North Central, is probably not making it.

What about if there's a five-way tie for the conference title at 6-2? By my calculations, this would require Carthage to beat NCC, and then the Red Men, IWU and Millikin to go 1-1 against each other in their remaining games. (With none of the five losing to anyone else.)

BITE YOUR TONGUE!!

Your scenario is not totally implausible, but I refuse to even think about resolving a five-way tie!

And I strongly suspect the CCIW would be a one-bid conference if the above happened.  And I am not about to solve who would get the AQ - any takers?

[AndOne]

Interesting tidbit from NCC sources...

Several days prior to the NCC @ Wheaton game, when it was apparent from weather forecasts that lightning delays were likely, the NCC AD asked to move the kickoff time to 1 pm to increase the likelihood of completing the game on Saturday.  Wheaton AD said no. 

I don't think there is much here.  There were supposed to be Men's and Women's soccer games at 1pm and 4pm at Joe Bean Stadium.  If memory serves me, they usually do not have football and soccer play at the same time.  I would imagine once they cancelled both soccer games the decision to move the football game to a time where soccer had been cancelled would be seen as rather dubious.  Again, I don't think there was a conspiracy to make two teams play a game that was likely to be disrupted.

I fully concur, Neverwas. I wouldn't, for a second, think there was any type of conspiracy involved.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there was much common sense on the part of the Wheaton AD involved either.
What was an almost a certain interruption could have easily been avoided. Just because soccer had been cancelled football couldn't be moved into that now totally vacant time slot?
Lot of people were inconvenienced big time due to the Wheaton AD's stubbornness. 

Maybe because his school was on Fall break and NCC was not?

And maybe not. Because his school was still on break on Monday as well.
Wasn't like waiting until Monday would result in all the students being back resulting in a big crowd/home advantage (which it turned out they didn't need anyway).

[Kovo]

Interesting tidbit from NCC sources...

Several days prior to the NCC @ Wheaton game, when it was apparent from weather forecasts that lightning delays were likely, the NCC AD asked to move the kickoff time to 1 pm to increase the likelihood of completing the game on Saturday.  Wheaton AD said no. 

I don't think there is much here.  There were supposed to be Men's and Women's soccer games at 1pm and 4pm at Joe Bean Stadium.  If memory serves me, they usually do not have football and soccer play at the same time.  I would imagine once they cancelled both soccer games the decision to move the football game to a time where soccer had been cancelled would be seen as rather dubious.  Again, I don't think there was a conspiracy to make two teams play a game that was likely to be disrupted.

I fully concur, Neverwas. I wouldn't, for a second, think there was any type of conspiracy involved.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there was much common sense on the part of the Wheaton AD involved either.
What was an almost a certain interruption could have easily been avoided. Just because soccer had been cancelled football couldn't be moved into that now totally vacant time slot?
Lot of people were inconvenienced big time due to the Wheaton AD's stubbornness. 

Maybe because his school was on Fall break and NCC was not?

And maybe not. Because his school was still on break on Monday as well.
Wasn't like waiting until Monday would result in all the students being back resulting in a big crowd/home advantage (which it turned out they didn't need anyway).

Not my point.  The Crusaders had nothing to do except focus on football from Saturday night until game time.  Meanwhile NCC went back to school.

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton must be really kicking themselves for losing to Millikin in the last minute.  Otherwise, they just won the AQ if NCC/IWU/Wheaton had all finished 7-1.  But at 8-2 (overall), they are virtually dead-meat.  Kind of a shame - if we had the D1 selection process, they would probably be in the post-season (two last minute losses to solid teams and a blowout of a then top-4 team), but by the D3 criteria I just can't see that they have any realistic chance at all.

Ypsi,

There's a ton of football to be played yet. 1. Kinda early to assume IWU & NCC both finish 9-1 ...we could be looking at one of the craziest CCIW seasons we've ever seen. If you think IWU is just going to walk their way to 9-1 with Carthage and Millikin still on the schedule, I'd say you'd better think twice. Carthage controls their own destiny. I think they roll into B-Town with a huge chip on their shoulder... especially when you consider the very questionable pass interference call on Carthage (on 4th down) that kept the winning drive alive for IWU in 2016. Next Saturday, Carthage @ IWU is gonna be a dogfight!

2. Also, way too early to assume WC is "dead meat" in terms of a playoff birth... IMO.

On a separate note, I'm becoming more and more convinced that the CCIW is the 2nd best conference in the country this year, behind only the WIAC.

1. Absolutely correct.
2. If WC isn't already out of the playoffs, it's hopes are on it's deathbed.

Considering there are only five at large spots, a two-loss Wheaton team, even with a win against the potential CCIW AQ team in North Central, is probably not making it.

What about if there's a five-way tie for the conference title at 6-2? By my calculations, this would require Carthage to beat NCC, and then the Red Men, IWU and Millikin to go 1-1 against each other in their remaining games. (With none of the five losing to anyone else.)

BITE YOUR TONGUE!!

Your scenario is not totally implausible, but I refuse to even think about resolving a five-way tie!

And I strongly suspect the CCIW would be a one-bid conference if the above happened.  And I am not about to solve who would get the AQ - any takers?

Oh, what the heck. It's been a while since I've been ypsied, so I'll indulge you:

Football
CCIW has an automatic qualification for the NCAA Football Championship. If the conference ends in a tie or is unable to finish the season due to some type of disaster, the representative will be chosen in the following manner:

1. Head-to-head competition
2. Best record by tied teams against the next best team or the next best tied teams in conference standings
3. Point differential between tied teams in conference
4. The fewest defensive yards given up versus tied teams in conference
5. Random drawing by CCIW commissioner.

[kiko]

Oh, what the heck. It's been a while since I've been ypsied, so I'll indulge you:

Sucker... 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg, to be properly Ypsied (note the capital Y ) you must then give an actual answer.

So who WOULD win a five-way tie?

No way am I wading through that rule, as I think the scenario is plausible but highly unlikely.

For now, at least, I'm sticking with NCC 9-1, AQ; IWU 9-1 Pool C.  For other options, I'm waiting ...

[wheatie barefooter]

Okay ... for a 5-way tie of 6-2, with each team going 2-2 vs. the other 4 ... Wheaton would be the HUGE favorite to win the AQ.  As someone mentioned already, with CC beating IWU and NCC but losing to MU and IWU beating MU, this scenario would be a reality (although, not likely IMO).  Wheaton is done with the other 4 teams and has a point differential of +37.  North Central has just 1 game left, and assuming that to be a loss to Carthage, the best they can finish is +20.  IWU would have 2 games remaining with the other 4 tied teams with a current differential of -9.  Assuming one being a win and the other a loss, unless the win is a big blowout, besting +37 is not likely.  Millikin is at -26 with a win and loss remaining to finish at 6-2.  Again, besting +37 is not very probable.  Carthage, with 3 games remaining with these potential 6-2 tied teams, is currently at -23.  Even with a 2-1 finish, besting a +37 differential is again, very unlikely. 

Now, throw an upset in the mix by Carroll, North Park, Elmhurst or Augie and that could change everything.  There could then be a 4-way or 3-way tie for 1st and removing a team or two from that 6-2 tie scenario would change the point differential situation, possibly drastically.  It should be fun to follow the action over the next 4 weeks as things could get very interesting.  Huge game for IWU and CC this Saturday.  We will know more about the possibility of all of this happening by Saturday afternoon.

My gut (prediction) says:  NCC 7-1, WHT, IWU and CC tied at 6-2 and MU finishes at 5-3.  And then my hope would be that a 6-2 team gets invited to the dance (but that is dependent on so many other things which could then be discussed more intelligently in 3 weeks over at the Pool C board).