FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[wally_wabash]

I find it interesting that Coach Thorne really cares that much (if he really does).  I think you'd have to look long and hard to find any fans of UW-W or Mount Union who care that much about the polls. And the coaches care even less. Because (and Greg, feel free to use this to open a podcast), they only worry about what they can control, not what they can't control.

[Next Man Up]

Just asking............

After perusing the past couple of pages analyzing the North Central victory over Wheaton, and NC Coach Thorne's post game comments, it seems that much of the postulating concerns either whether the coach's comments stemmed from disdain over his team being ranked #4 prior to the game, or (should he not really care about the ranking) whether he intended his comments to be a motivational tool to be used by the team going forward. A third possibility would appear to be that said comments were a combination the above two factors.
Digging a little deeper though presents yet another possibility (possibility emphasized) which doesn't seem to have been addressed as yet. What about Thorne's comments possibly being a reaction to pre-game comments/picks by media members which seemed to discount the possibility of NCC winning the Bell Game despite coming in as the National Champion?
Comments such as;

The Cardinals were, um, persuasive last weekend but I will stay true to my Top 25 ballot and pick Wheaton to keep the Little Brass Bell. Wheaton playing keep away from that explosive North Central offense will be the key, and I like Thunder running back Giovanni Weeks to be the game's MOP.

Stating for the record that I hate predicting games I'll be at because people seem to get unnaturally offended by picks, i'm nonetheless taking Wheaton with Dallas McRae.

Wheaton wins in a close game as the taste from the end of their 2019 season is still prevalent—and the Thunder had to watch the team they beat win the championship. MOP, Wheaton QB Luke Anthony


And, I believe that Wheaton is the more complete more balanced team this year. The Thunder have no weaknesses, and will handle a tremendous NCC team by 10 points. Wheaton QB Luke Anthony will have a monster day throwing the ball and be the MOP. After this game, Wheaton will be gaining a lot more than four 1st place votes. You heard it from this _______guy first.

Could Jeff Thorne's comments have been a reaction to comments like this which seemed to give NCC no chance at a  victory Saturday night despite a long run through very tough competition to the 2019 championship with many the same players returning?
We'll likely never know. But it sure seems like it should be included in the list of possibilities.

[Pat Coleman]

I mean, neither Greg's pick nor mine should come as a surprise. We were up front in a podcast earlier this month as to who we each had on the top of our ballots.

[Pat Coleman]

... comments like this which seemed to give NCC no chance at a  victory

You may have changed your name, but your penchant for hyperbole appears to be the same as usual. Come on now ...

[WashedUpCard]

This whole conversation is a bit overblown but since we are still discussing I thought I'd weigh in...

Thorne spoke about one goal for the program is to consistently show up in the semi's every year vying for a chance to go to the Stagg – like Mount.  IF the team can do that then maybe they would be shown more respect (I think they have been shown plenty of respect but what coach tells their team that the world adores them). 

I take that as meaning if Mount had done what NCC had did in 2019 and returned 15+/- starters would they be ranked 4th in the nation and picked to finish 2nd in their conference?  Of course not!  Why?  Because they have a track record of being in the final mix every year.  Now NCC needs to prove that they can consistently be in the mix, too.

I don't think he was slamming any other team.  I think the message was simply a) people have been doubting you and think you can't repeat what happened in 2019, b) you proved tonight that this year's team is capable of beating the best teams in the country as they did in 2019 and c) this performance should erase any lingering doubt (maybe meant more internally than externally).

I see it being purely motivational – but his goal of continuing to build program so it competes annually for the title is a noble one.

[wally_wabash]

We need to get a sponsor for Quick Hits if it moves the needle that much.   

I was on to something with Gio Weeks though!

[CardinalAlum]

We need to get a sponsor for Quick Hits if it moves the needle that much.   

I was on to something with Gio Weeks though!

Yes, you were.  You could've proved prophetic!  Heck, you still may!

[Pat Coleman]

I take that as meaning if Mount had done what NCC had did in 2019 and returned 15+/- starters would they be ranked 4th in the nation and picked to finish 2nd in their conference?  Of course not!  Why?  Because they have a track record of being in the final mix every year.

And specifically, Mount Union has proven it can reliably replace an All-American quarterback, each and every time. There are no 8-2's and 7-3's in Mount Union's history now going back decades, and that is something only Mount Union and UMHB can say.

[Kovo]

This whole conversation is a bit overblown but since we are still discussing I thought I'd weigh in...

Thorne spoke about one goal for the program is to consistently show up in the semi's every year vying for a chance to go to the Stagg – like Mount.  IF the team can do that then maybe they would be shown more respect (I think they have been shown plenty of respect but what coach tells their team that the world adores them). 

I take that as meaning if Mount had done what NCC had did in 2019 and returned 15+/- starters would they be ranked 4th in the nation and picked to finish 2nd in their conference?  Of course not!  Why?  Because they have a track record of being in the final mix every year.  Now NCC needs to prove that they can consistently be in the mix, too.

I don't think he was slamming any other team.  I think the message was simply a) people have been doubting you and think you can't repeat what happened in 2019, b) you proved tonight that this year's team is capable of beating the best teams in the country as they did in 2019 and c) this performance should erase any lingering doubt (maybe meant more internally than externally).

I see it being purely motivational – but his goal of continuing to build program so it competes annually for the title is a noble one.

Talk about serving the ultimate nothing burger.  We would be better off with a nice uniform thread (Does anyone hope the Cards break out the black helmets at home this weekend?!)

This is one of the oldest motivational tools in the bag.  Man, I remember being in the Junior High basketball lockerroom (Shout out to the St. Malachy Tigers!) about 40 years ago and the coach screaming at us right before we took the floor against our cross town rivals: "THERE AREN'T 5 PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM WHO THINK YOU CAN WIN THIS GAME!!!!  Or playing as a football independent in Central Illinois back in the Day and before every game against a Big 12 team hearing (loudly) THEY WON'T LET US IN THIS CONFERENCE BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK THAT YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!!!

Not withstanding that both statements were patently false, the coaches thought it would provide some motivation.  Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, but it's good to see some things never change.

[WashedUpCard]

Talk about serving the ultimate nothing burger. 

That sort of felt like a bash on my post.. but I couldn't quite tell.  I guess I got distracted trying to remember if St. Malachy was any good 40 years ago....

(modified by GS for formatting)

[Kovo]

Talk about serving the ultimate nothing burger. 

That sort of felt like a bash on my post.. but I couldn't quite tell.  I guess I got distracted trying to remember if St. Malachy was any good 40 years ago....

Not a bash on your post.  I thought that I was agreeing with you but taking it a step further.

1977 IESA Class B State Runner-ups.  Thanks for asking. (1981 Class B State Champions, but I was worried about beating Big 12 teams that didn't respect me by then).

(modified by GS for formatting)

[New Tradition]

(Does anyone hope the Cards break out the black helmets at home this weekend?!)

According to Twitter, red jersey and pants with black helmets. 

[Kovo]

(Does anyone hope the Cards break out the black helmets at home this weekend?!)

According to Twitter, red jersey and pants with black helmets.

YES!!!  That's the kind of information I'm looking for!!!

[New Tradition]

(Does anyone hope the Cards break out the black helmets at home this weekend?!)

According to Twitter, red jersey and pants with black helmets.

YES!!!  That's the kind of information I'm looking for!!!

My bad, not Twitter.  Instagram.  @ncc_fb21 should have uniform releases every week. 

[USee]

https://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2021/09/20/atn-podcast-286-the-bell-the-poll-and-why-you-arent-ranked/

From this picture it sure didn't take long for NCC players to break the Little Brass Bell!