FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

I have been very impressed with WashU so far this year. Their performance against NCC was strong and the win Saturday vs Carthage was impressive. 54 points is really good against that defense. I watcned much of the game and Carthage turned it over in their own territory 3x. WashU capitalized. What I saw was a WashU team that played harder than Carthage and wanted it more. They are well coached, have a senior QB with talent and experience at the skill positions, but more than anything they play hard.

WashU is going to be a tough out for every team in the CCIW.

Completely agree about WashU being a tough out. .  Very glad we dodged that one already.  It's Bell week!  Beat the Wheaties!

[Gregory Sager]

I think it's well understood by everyone at North Park that the Vikings are going to be a significant underdog to Wash U on Saturday at Hedstrand Field, given the respective performances of the two teams to date.

I'm always wary about comparing one game to another, but in this case the difference between NPU's performance against North Central on Saturday and Wash U's performance against North Central the week before is glaring.

[jaybird44]

In a conference like the CCIW, you can't rest on your laurels.  If WashU goes up to North Park and plays poorly, it can suffer a painful loss just like Carthage did this week.

The Bears have had ample time celebrating the win and Head Coach Larry Kindbom's 30th anniversary season.  Coach K would be the first to say that it's time to put the Carthage game on the shelf and get focused on North Park.

[Kovo]

It's early this year but it's here.

Bell week!

A little primer: https://youtu.be/oRm7Ox4Ch0o

How important is this game to the CCIW?  NCC or Wheaton has won or had a share of the last 12 CCIW championships. Since the turn of the century it is 16 of 18. Usually winner gets a ring----unless you dump a game you shouldn't then loser may still get a ring like last year.

I remember when the Big Ten was called the Big Two Little Eight. I don't think the CCIW is quite there especially with IWU in the mix but this has been a very important game in the conference race. I would like to see it at the end of the season.

[79jaybird]

It used to be the big 4 little 4  with Augie/Wheaton/IWU/Millikin  and then the others were quite off the pace.   In Elmhurst's case other than the shocking 22-16 upset of Wheaton,  these schools had long winning streaks against us.   Coaching makes a world of difference.  North Central landed Thorne & Co.  and well we can see the Cards have really soared (no pun intended) to new heights.   

on that note,  I think Elmhurst has to look at the current regime.  Journell/Lester/Adam  had the Jays at 5-5 and showed signs of developing the program on and off the field.   IMO,  I have yet to see the current regime really making an impact,  at least on the field.   I thought Carroll was the Jays best chance at a W.  The rest of the slate is going to be tough.      One can argue the Jays may have been a victim of a questionable call,  but reality is good teams wouldn't put themselves in a position where a call here or there breaks you.   Elmhurst had many chances to win that game. 

When I was at EC,  Carthage was the main rival and who we really hyped up for.   Hope Elmhurst can have a strong showing this weekend. 

[USee]

It's early this year but it's here.

Bell week!

A little primer: https://youtu.be/oRm7Ox4Ch0o

How important is this game to the CCIW?  NCC or Wheaton has won or had a share of the last 12 CCIW championships. Since the turn of the century it is 16 of 18. Usually winner gets a ring----unless you dump a game you shouldn't then loser may still get a ring like last year.

I remember when the Big Ten was called the Big Two Little Eight. I don't think the CCIW is quite there especially with IWU in the mix but this has been a very important game in the conference race. I would like to see it at the end of the season.

If Wheaton wins, IWU is in the driver seat for the CCIW title with a 3 way tie a real possibility (can you say point differential!). If NCC wins then IWU v NCC becomes the defacto 'chip game. for the better part of this century this game has been the marquee game in the CCIW. I don't have any problem playing it early. In fact, both teams appear to be healthy and playing well so it's our best matchup possible. The end of the year brings injuries into play for the outcome. NCC not having Ryan Kuhl last year was a huge factor in NCC's season IMO.

More importantly, this game is big for the CCIW if the champion makes a deep run in the post season. As an example, if Wheaton wins and goes on to get the AQ and then makes the Stagg Bowl, it raises the profile of the CCIW significantly. IWU's loss in the playoffs last year was very damaging to the CCIW.  Just look at the Mt Union v JCU game. Mt Union's place in national pecking order has been secure for a couple decades. When any OAC team upsets, or almost upsets, Mt Union then the OAC is perceived to be a stronger conference. So who the CCIW beats in the post season goes a long way to examining the strength of the conference.

[wally_wabash]

If Wheaton wins, IWU is in the driver seat for the CCIW title with a 3 way tie a real possibility (can you say point differential!). If NCC wins then IWU v NCC becomes the defacto 'chip game. for the better part of this century this game has been the marquee game in the CCIW. I don't have any problem playing it early. In fact, both teams appear to be healthy and playing well so it's our best matchup possible. The end of the year brings injuries into play for the outcome. NCC not having Ryan Kuhl last year was a huge factor in NCC's season IMO.

More importantly, this game is big for the CCIW if the champion makes a deep run in the post season. As an example, if Wheaton wins and goes on to get the AQ and then makes the Stagg Bowl, it raises the profile of the CCIW significantly. IWU's loss in the playoffs last year was very damaging to the CCIW.  Just look at the Mt Union v JCU game. Mt Union's place in national pecking order has been secure for a couple decades. When any OAC team upsets, or almost upsets, Mt Union then the OAC is perceived to be a stronger conference. So who the CCIW beats in the post season goes a long way to examining the strength of the conference.

I don't think I agree with this for a couple of reasons.  First, it's just one game.  It takes more than one game to undo the league's reputation.  Second, IWU wasn't the automatic qualifier from the league.  They were an at-large team playing in what amounted to a 4-5 seeded game against an undefeated team.  Yes, they were very poor in that game, but I don't think reasonable people think significantly less of the entire league because of that single result. 

[GoIrish7]

It used to be the big 4 little 4  with Augie/Wheaton/IWU/Millikin  and then the others were quite off the pace.   In Elmhurst's case other than the shocking 22-16 upset of Wheaton,  these schools had long winning streaks against us.   Coaching makes a world of difference.  North Central landed Thorne & Co.  and well we can see the Cards have really soared (no pun intended) to new heights.   

on that note,  I think Elmhurst has to look at the current regime.  Journell/Lester/Adam  had the Jays at 5-5 and showed signs of developing the program on and off the field.   IMO,  I have yet to see the current regime really making an impact,  at least on the field.   I thought Carroll was the Jays best chance at a W.  The rest of the slate is going to be tough.      One can argue the Jays may have been a victim of a questionable call,  but reality is good teams wouldn't put themselves in a position where a call here or there breaks you.   Elmhurst had many chances to win that game. 

When I was at EC,  Carthage was the main rival and who we really hyped up for.   Hope Elmhurst can have a strong showing this weekend.

Agreed - I was a senior on the 2012 team and as we knew there would be a drop off in 2013 just because of how Senior driven we were, I could not imagine the sudden drop we would see.  Lester and company did a really good job recruiting and in 2012 we had plenty of players to fill in major rolls who were freshmen and sophomores which I thought meant promise for the future. I would have thought the Jays had a shot to go 7-3/8-2 in 2014 and 2015... instead they were 5-5 and 4-6. Where I am currently confused in almost every presser I watch our staff keeps talking about how young and inexperienced the Jays are. This is Planz 5th season so last year was HIS first senior class and this will be HIS second class of seniors. In your 5th season youth should no longer be an issue if recruiting correctly.  It seems like the president is really behind athletics which is a glimpse of shining hope, where as the previous president wanted nothing to do with athletics and football alike. I agree Jaybird, I think that was our last hope at a W this season. None the less, Homecoming as always will be a blast regardless. 

I will be at the NCC vs Wheaton game this weekend. Cant wait to watch some great CCIW football. Also excited to hit downtown Naperville before and after the game - awesome college campus/town. Prediction for the game..... NCC 31 - Wheaton 17.

[USee]

If Wheaton wins, IWU is in the driver seat for the CCIW title with a 3 way tie a real possibility (can you say point differential!). If NCC wins then IWU v NCC becomes the defacto 'chip game. for the better part of this century this game has been the marquee game in the CCIW. I don't have any problem playing it early. In fact, both teams appear to be healthy and playing well so it's our best matchup possible. The end of the year brings injuries into play for the outcome. NCC not having Ryan Kuhl last year was a huge factor in NCC's season IMO.

More importantly, this game is big for the CCIW if the champion makes a deep run in the post season. As an example, if Wheaton wins and goes on to get the AQ and then makes the Stagg Bowl, it raises the profile of the CCIW significantly. IWU's loss in the playoffs last year was very damaging to the CCIW.  Just look at the Mt Union v JCU game. Mt Union's place in national pecking order has been secure for a couple decades. When any OAC team upsets, or almost upsets, Mt Union then the OAC is perceived to be a stronger conference. So who the CCIW beats in the post season goes a long way to examining the strength of the conference.

I don't think I agree with this for a couple of reasons.  First, it's just one game.  It takes more than one game to undo the league's reputation.  Second, IWU wasn't the automatic qualifier from the league.  They were an at-large team playing in what amounted to a 4-5 seeded game against an undefeated team.  Yes, they were very poor in that game, but I don't think reasonable people think significantly less of the entire league because of that single result.

From Kickoff conference rankings:

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
Regardless of the weather, champ gets shut out at home in the first round of the playoffs ...

Maybe you think the guys who run d3.com are not reasonable?

[Gregory Sager]

It used to be the big 4 little 4  with Augie/Wheaton/IWU/Millikin  and then the others were quite off the pace.

We used to talk about the Big Four / Little Four syndrome all the time on this board. However, the Big Four / Little Four hasn't been a thing for almost an entire generation. The last time that Augie/Wheaton/IWU/Millikin finished one thru four in this league, in whatever order, was 2001. That's seventeen seasons ago, which means that a large percentage of current CCIW football players were still in diapers when the Big Four / Little Four last existed.

Bottom line, Mark, is that you're getting old ... just like the rest of us.

[79jaybird]

Greg- you know it!  I'll be 39 in December.   

Irish-  my wife is  Prof on campus so I hear bits and pieces Adminstratively.  Yes,   the new President has a heart for Athletics and will give all members everything he can to help.   But, I think the real root problem for Elmhurst is coaching.  IMO,  Elmhurst being in a tough spot with North Central a neighbor who's very attractive right now (recruiting) with their success,  plus a history of being a 500 or worse team,   some of our facilities while improved, are a notch below in quality compared to others in the conference, etc.   Elmhurst needs a coach with some proven, past success.   I realize finding a coach to lead a D-III program with a track record of success is often hard to find, but the current regime just seems "green".   Like you mentioned GoIrish7,  Planz is not a rook anymore.  It's time to see the fruits of his labor.   

[Gregory Sager]

Agreed - I was a senior on the 2012 team and as we knew there would be a drop off in 2013 just because of how Senior driven we were, I could not imagine the sudden drop we would see.  Lester and company did a really good job recruiting and in 2012 we had plenty of players to fill in major rolls who were freshmen and sophomores which I thought meant promise for the future. I would have thought the Jays had a shot to go 7-3/8-2 in 2014 and 2015... instead they were 5-5 and 4-6. Where I am currently confused in almost every presser I watch our staff keeps talking about how young and inexperienced the Jays are. This is Planz 5th season so last year was HIS first senior class and this will be HIS second class of seniors. In your 5th season youth should no longer be an issue if recruiting correctly.

I wonder if the sanctions imposed upon the program have had an adverse effect upon Planz's recruiting.

It seems like the president is really behind athletics which is a glimpse of shining hope, where as the previous president wanted nothing to do with athletics and football alike. I agree Jaybird, I think that was our last hope at a W this season.

NPU is most certainly not going to consider Elmhurst to be a walk in the park, especially since the game between them will be played at Langhorst this year. Much as I'd love to experience the novelty of walking out of Langhorst afterwards without hearing that stupid bell going off, the fact of the matter is that, right now at least, the Vikings really aren't in any position to see themselves as a favorite for that game.

On the other hand, if Ron Planz has to keep throwing green quarterbacks into the fray on a regular basis, things could change in terms of who is favored to beat whom.

[New Tradition]

Agreed - I was a senior on the 2012 team and as we knew there would be a drop off in 2013 just because of how Senior driven we were, I could not imagine the sudden drop we would see.  Lester and company did a really good job recruiting and in 2012 we had plenty of players to fill in major rolls who were freshmen and sophomores which I thought meant promise for the future. I would have thought the Jays had a shot to go 7-3/8-2 in 2014 and 2015... instead they were 5-5 and 4-6. Where I am currently confused in almost every presser I watch our staff keeps talking about how young and inexperienced the Jays are. This is Planz 5th season so last year was HIS first senior class and this will be HIS second class of seniors. In your 5th season youth should no longer be an issue if recruiting correctly.

I wonder if the sanctions imposed upon the program have had an adverse effect upon Planz's recruiting.

It seems like the president is really behind athletics which is a glimpse of shining hope, where as the previous president wanted nothing to do with athletics and football alike. I agree Jaybird, I think that was our last hope at a W this season.

NPU is most certainly not going to consider Elmhurst to be a walk in the park, especially since the game between them will be played at Langhorst this year. Much as I'd love to experience the novelty of walking out of Langhorst afterwards without hearing that stupid bell going off, the fact of the matter is that, right now at least, the Vikings really aren't in any position to see themselves as a favorite for that game.

On the other hand, if Ron Planz has to keep throwing green quarterbacks into the fray on a regular basis, things could change in terms of who is favored to beat whom.

There's a bell?

[Gregory Sager]

Just because you've never heard it ring doesn't mean that it's easy to miss.

I've seen Buddhist shrines that were less conspicuous.

[79jaybird]

Speaking of the bell and with regards to the context of the earlier passage... when we upset Wheaton 22-16.  We kept the score on the scoreboard all night.   A few of us with a little bit of Mary Jane in us,   were ringing that bell in the middle of the night.  Campus police finally came by and escorted us back to the dorms (thankfully not the Police Station).  It was arguably our biggest win since 1980 when the Jays last won the conference. 

IMO,  it's not about injuries, depth, etc. for Elmhurst on the large scale.  There are some visible gaps right now that expose how we have dropped a few rungs on the ladder, since their predecessors.