FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Marmac]

It will be unfortunate if, as GRIZ_BACKER suggests, the NCAC gets two schools in the playoffs.

[Kovo]

AndOne,

There is a big difference between IWU's WR's and NCC's. Both sets of receivers are excellent, for different reasons. Healy and Walsh are dominant one on one guys, able to go up and get balls even when covered. Healy is a lock like NCC's Sorensen from a few years back. If he is in single coverage, Bauer will just throw it to him and he will catch it most of the time.

Kamienski and Sfikas are great receivers, but neither are going to beat guys one on one. They read defenses and find holes in zones and run across the field vs Man better than anyone. And Rutter is completely on the same page. Much of NCC's offense is based on flooding zones and finding the mismatch, at which Rutter excels.  Bauer doesn't often read the coverage, he runs a ton of RPO (run/pass option) which is the old play action pass with a read. Bauer has really excelled at it and it's the reason IWU is so successful. If you cover the pass, Bauer will give it to Alexander or keep it himself. If you react to the run, he will hit Healy and Walsh.

Both offenses are very effective, but for different reasons.

I agree with your ultimate conclusion, the team that finds a little defense (which could be through turnovers, getting a few stops, or even controlling time of possession, will win.

Having called for a high scoring, offensive shootout, I am sure it will end up as a 10-7 contest.

What will be interesting is that IWU's receivers who go 6'5 and 6'2 will be matched up with NCC's corners who are both 6'3. Probably a little bit different look than IWU's guys have seen. But I suspect most corners they have faced are under 6' making it easier to go up and get it. Of course speed makes a difference and I have no idea how they compare. Are any of them track stars?

[USee]

Wheaton's corners are 6-3 and 6-2. UWLAX has at least one corner who is over 6'. I don't think Healy and Bauer are too worried about NCC's corners just like Rutter and Kamienski aren't losing sleep over IWU's corners.

[Kovo]

Wheaton's corners are 6-3 and 6-2. UWLAX has at least one corner who is over 6'. I don't think Healy and Bauer are too worried about NCC's corners just like Rutter and Kamienski aren't losing sleep over IWU's corners.

I don't think anyone is losing sleep but I thought that it makes for an interesting match up. I did not realize that the Cru' had tall corners. When NCC had Sorenson a few years back it was a height mismatch almost every week. Maybe that is no longer the case in this league.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

It will be unfortunate if, as GRIZ_BACKER suggests, the NCAC gets two schools in the playoffs.

Upon further thought, I don't think that will happen.  I wasn't taking into account Pool B (either Thomas More, Merchant Marine, and West NE most likely candidates)  Wabash will be probably be in the "last out" group. (assuming they don't get in on tie-breaker).

My updated Pool C projected short list (assuming those teams in conference driver seats win out.  NCC expected to beat IL Wesleyan in my projection and the loser is out).

[Marmac]

IWU's Healy was held in check against Wheaton, I presume by the 6'3" Sigler. Walsh, though, had by far his best game of the year. USee mentions a 6'2" Wheaton DB who played against IWU, but I'm not sure who that was.

If the weather forecast holds, it will be partly cloudy and a bit windy with temps in the mid-50s for the NCC @ IWU game.

[AndOne]

Let's not forget that a successful hookup between a QB and WR is often not just a question of whether the receiver or DB has a height advantage. A host of variables often plays a role. Maybe the 2" shorter DB can jump 2" higher than the WR. If the DB has inside position and the QB throws inside rather than outside shoulder, the WR's height advantage may be quickly negated. And perhaps most of all, is the DL putting any pressure on the QB, or are they allowing him to stand back, survey the field while going through his progressions, and pick out the open receiver. If there is no pressure up front you basically hang the DB out to dry. If either Rutter or Bauer isn't pressured/hurried, they'll slice and dice the defense quicker than you can say "game over."

[Kovo]

Let's not forget that a successful hookup between a QB and WR is often not just a question of whether the receiver or DB has a height advantage. A host of variables often plays a role. Maybe the 2" shorter DB can jump 2" higher than the WR. If the DB has inside position and the QB throws inside rather than outside shoulder, the WR's height advantage may be quickly negated. And perhaps most of all, is the DL putting any pressure on the QB, or are they allowing him to stand back, survey the field while going through his progressions, and pick out the open receiver. If there is no pressure up front you basically hang the DB out to dry. If either Rutter or Bauer isn't pressured/hurried, they'll slice and dice the defense quicker than you can say "game over."

All true.  But if the WC Box score is correct one of the starting corners against IWU was 5'9.  I would have to say a 6'5 WR has an advantage.  But yes, if the CB can jump 8 inches higher than the WR, the advantage is negated.

[AndOne]

But you might say that if a coach is dumb enough to put a 5'9" DB on a 6'5" WR, and expect the DB to cover the WR one on one, that the loss he gets is exactly what he asked for in employing that "strategy." 🤯

[USee]

Caden Sigler started the game but gave way to 6-1 Spencer Rowland. And 6-3 Tyler Sigler marked Healy most of the game (4 catches for 58 yds). Zach Walsh still had 9 catches for 138 yds and 1 TD. Wheaton held IWU to a season low 17 pts and just 1.7 yds per carry on the ground. I think its safe to say Wheaton's defense is decidedly not the reason they lost that game. In fact, Wheaton has played championship defense and special teams in every game this year, which is why those units are ranked where they are. The Wheaton Offense, averaging 30+ pts a game managed basically zero points agains IWU and 10 against WashU.

Against NCC or IWU's attack, it really doesn't matter what strategy you employ. The players on those offenses are going to get their numbers. Tyler Sigler probably matches up with Healy better than any corner in the league and Wheaton still lost.

[Marmac]

Fwiw: NCC held Healy to 1 reception for 3 yards and Walsh to 3 receptions for 32 yards in last season's game.

[Kovo]

Fwiw: NCC held Healy to 1 reception for 3 yards and Walsh to 3 receptions for 32 yards in last season's game.

Different corners.

[Marmac]

Cravens started at CB last year against IWU and this year will start at safety. Greenberg, the other safety, also started against IWU last year. But my larger point is that, contrary to USee's comment, strategy matters a lot and it's possible that Healy and Walsh can be shut down or at least contained. The duo combined for 45 total receiving yards in IWU's two losses last season.

[USee]

Good luck with that. Did you check Healy vs Wheaton last year? Healy is is a dramatically different player this year as in better.

Look, if your guys can hold those two to less than 100 yds combined your gonna win the game.

[Kovo]

Good luck with that. Did you check Healy vs Wheaton last year? Healy is is a dramatically different player this year as in better.

Look, if your guys can hold those two to less than 100 yds combined your gonna win the game.

2 catches 31 yards.  Point well taken.