FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WW]

Alright fellas, if its okay with everyone else, I want to talk about a big (yes I know its not the Bell game) CCIW ballgame.

Millikin vs Carrol @Frank M. Lindsay Field

This should turn out to be a great competitive contest that is highlighted by the cool connection of Carrol's Coach Buda and Coach Dan Gritti. Buda flurished at Millikin for 3 years 2 of which he spent shattering the offensive record books with nicco stepina. His offense has had success everywhere he has went and if he is ever able to steal recruits from the other WI conference then I think he can scheme with the best in the country. With that said, I think Millikin will have there hands full with a team that is also coming off a big win last week (upset IWU).

I excpect Millikin's offense to be improved from last week and continue to move the ball with a balanced run/pass combo. Millikin's strength is there O-line (have not given up a sack this year) along with there AA WR Colton Lockwood requiring so much of the attention that it opens up the rest of Millikin's talented young WR's. Millikin offense has only been stopped this year when they shoot themselves in the foot. Finally getting to play at home should help them play more relaxed and hopefully turnover free football.


Defensively, Millikin has the advantage on the line of scrimmage and on top of that, Carrol lacks a mobile QB which will allow Gritti to dial up a variety of blitzes/stunts. Carrol's air raid is scary when they are clicking. They have big bodied WR's which will have a big advantage on Millikin's undersized corners. With that said, I think Millikin will create tackles for loss/sacks and will be able to get off the field when ot counts Saturday.

Special teams,
No surprise Coach Gritti leads the CCIW in blocks through 2 games.
-Week 1 (Blocked punt for TD)
-Week 2 (blocked opening punt/blocked game winning field 25 yard field goal)
-Well see if we can one against Carrol but for nothing else, teams having to waste practice time prepping extra for PUNT is point for Millikin.

Turnovers have plagued the Big Blue but I think they find their groove playing at home for first time in really 2 years; Millikin plays their most complete game so far and wins a close shootout at home. Millikin 34-Carroll 29

This may very well be the most Millikin content (and Carroll content, for that matter...) that we've had in one post in the 20-ish year history of this board.

More, please.

More Carroll content: Carroll's Schneider Stadium is the best place I've experienced to watch a college football game. It's not necessarily the best total game-day experience, but as for game-watching, there's no track around the field, and the bleachers are cozied up right to the back of the benches. When the fellas get an ass-chewin, so do the first few rows. Great game environment. Looking forward to the Pios getting a few more Ws this year

[CardinalAlum]

And go a bit lighter on the Norm-bashing.  One big reason why IWU NEVER finishes dead last is stability - they have had exactly TWO head football coaches in the last SIXTY-SIX years (Don Larson for 33 years, and now Norm Eash for 33).

I will give him his props for his years of longevity but it stops there for me.  What goes around comes around. Old school saying but true to this day.

[USee]

And go a bit lighter on the Norm-bashing.  One big reason why IWU NEVER finishes dead last is stability - they have had exactly TWO head football coaches in the last SIXTY-SIX years (Don Larson for 33 years, and now Norm Eash for 33).

I will give him his props for his years of longevity but it stops there for me.  What goes around comes around. Old school saying but true to this day.

The only time I ever saw former Wheaton Head Coach JR Bishop angry, at anyone (well, except maybe me), was Norm Eash. And he was justified. I think Eash is a great coach and his success speaks for itself. But I have personally seen many of his shenanigans over the years so I understand the disdain.

[kiko]

It's a good thing for my spirits and ego that IWU has always been (and probably always will be) a basketball-first school!

Actually, in terms of walnut-and-bronze hardware, Illinois Wesleyan is a women's track-&-field-first school.

I always though it was an opera school... 

[USee]

#1 defense in the CCIW?
North Central? Nope
Wheaton? Nope
WashU is the #1 defense in the league with the #1 pass defense and the #3 rush defense.

They also have the leading quarterback (completion %) at 67%

If the Thunder play like they did @NPU last Saturday the D3 world will see the biggest upset of the season.

Are the Thunder #5 in the country? Well, Wheaton is #5 in scoring defense in the CCIW. Behind Millikin. In 2019 they were #1 in the Nation. They have the same defensive front but those guys have not been dominating the way they were in 2019. The offense seems to be doing better after being throttled by NCC. But they are facing an arguably similar defense this week on the road. And the defense gave up more points to NPU this past Saturday than they have given up to them over the last 5 years combined.

I hope WashU has this teams attention!

[kiko]

In all seriousness, I've been trying to wait a beat before judging the Titans' season this year.  I don't view the Franklin result as a bad loss, and the Carroll game was a one-point decision.  So while they are oh-for-three, it is not in the same cul de sac as some other teams sporting that record.

This week is pretty much must-win for the Titans or things will spiral badly.  And if their season does spiral, it would for me at least be one of the more surprising storylines of this season given their relative level of success in recent years.

[bleedpurple]

In all seriousness, I've been trying to wait a beat before judging the Titans' season this year.  I don't view the Franklin result as a bad loss, and the Carroll game was a one-point decision.  So while they are oh-for-three, it is not in the same cul de sac as some other teams sporting that record.

This week is pretty much must-win for the Titans or things will spiral badly.  And if their season does spiral, it would for me at least be one of the more surprising storylines of this season given their relative level of success in recent years.

You are a patient guy.  To me losing back to back to Carroll and Carthage and giving up 96 points in the process....they done spiraled. 

[Gregory Sager]

It's a good thing for my spirits and ego that IWU has always been (and probably always will be) a basketball-first school!

Actually, in terms of walnut-and-bronze hardware, Illinois Wesleyan is a women's track-&-field-first school.

I always though it was an opera school... 

I think that the fat lady is in the closet doing her warmup exercises for the version of "I'll Be Seeing You" that she'll be warbling for Norm on November 13.

[Mr. Ypsi]

It's a good thing for my spirits and ego that IWU has always been (and probably always will be) a basketball-first school!

Actually, in terms of walnut-and-bronze hardware, Illinois Wesleyan is a women's track-&-field-first school.

And go a bit lighter on the Norm-bashing.  One big reason why IWU NEVER finishes dead last is stability - they have had exactly TWO head football coaches in the last SIXTY-SIX years (Don Larson for 33 years, and now Norm Eash for 33).

C'mon, Chuck. Nobody here bashes Norm for his success rate*. He gets bashed for reasons other than wins and losses. And you know it.

*That may now be subject to change.

Yes, women's t-and-f has had more national success then basketball (so has golf ), but in terms of student interest, it's basketball (and, increasingly, also women's basketball); at least that was true back in my day (when we dodged mastodons to get to classes), but still seems to be true.

I 'know' from this board that the Norm-bashing is for reasons other than won-loss record, but can't confirm from personal experience.  The only time I met Norm (2010 homecoming), he struck me as a very personable guy.  So I simply don't know what the bashing is really all about.  And I can't recall the bashing ever being at all specific as to cause - just general hatred.  Can anyone clue me in to specifics?  Otherwise, I will put it off to jealousy that he has more conference wins than anyone else will probably ever get (with Don Larson in second place).

[CardinalAlum]

#1 defense in the CCIW?
North Central? Nope
Wheaton? Nope
WashU is the #1 defense in the league with the #1 pass defense and the #3 rush defense.

They also have the leading quarterback (completion %) at 67%

If the Thunder play like they did @NPU last Saturday the D3 world will see the biggest upset of the season.

Are the Thunder #5 in the country? Well, Wheaton is #5 in scoring defense in the CCIW. Behind Millikin. In 2019 they were #1 in the Nation. They have the same defensive front but those guys have not been dominating the way they were in 2019. The offense seems to be doing better after being throttled by NCC. But they are facing an arguably similar defense this week on the road. And the defense gave up more points to NPU this past Saturday than they have given up to them over the last 5 years combined.

I hope WashU has this teams attention!

You going Lou Holtz on me? Wheaton has to be in full playoff mode every week. I saw it two years ago.  It's not easy when everyone wants to beat you but the Thunder has the horses to get through the rest of the league schedule. I have no doubt Wheaton will be more than ready for the Bears!

[Next Man Up]

It's a good thing for my spirits and ego that IWU has always been (and probably always will be) a basketball-first school!

Actually, in terms of walnut-and-bronze hardware, Illinois Wesleyan is a women's track-&-field-first school.

And go a bit lighter on the Norm-bashing.  One big reason why IWU NEVER finishes dead last is stability - they have had exactly TWO head football coaches in the last SIXTY-SIX years (Don Larson for 33 years, and now Norm Eash for 33).

C'mon, Chuck. Nobody here bashes Norm for his success rate*. He gets bashed for reasons other than wins and losses. And you know it.

*That may now be subject to change.

Yes, women's t-and-f has had more national success then basketball (so has golf ), but in terms of student interest, it's basketball (and, increasingly, also women's basketball); at least that was true back in my day (when we dodged mastodons to get to classes), but still seems to be true.

I 'know' from this board that the Norm-bashing is for reasons other than won-loss record, but can't confirm from personal experience.  The only time I met Norm (2010 homecoming), he struck me as a very personable guy.  So I simply don't know what the bashing is really all about.  And I can't recall the bashing ever being at all specific as to cause - just general hatred.  Can anyone clue me in to specifics?  Otherwise, I will put it off to jealousy that he has more conference wins than anyone else will probably ever get (with Don Larson in second place).

One, evidently of many, reason(s) might be instances like that recently cited by lmitzel wherein an opponent
hung a rather substantial 69 points on Norm's boys only to have him utter some nonsense about the opponent not being that much better than his team who managed a comparatively meager 14 points.
I'm guessing that regularly dissing superior opponents, rather than losing graciously, could well be one of the reasons he generally hasn't earned many plaudits from opposing coaches or fans of their teams. 🤔

[Thunder Vet]

#1 defense in the CCIW?
North Central? Nope
Wheaton? Nope
WashU is the #1 defense in the league with the #1 pass defense and the #3 rush defense.

They also have the leading quarterback (completion %) at 67%

If the Thunder play like they did @NPU last Saturday the D3 world will see the biggest upset of the season.

Are the Thunder #5 in the country? Well, Wheaton is #5 in scoring defense in the CCIW. Behind Millikin. In 2019 they were #1 in the Nation. They have the same defensive front but those guys have not been dominating the way they were in 2019. The offense seems to be doing better after being throttled by NCC. But they are facing an arguably similar defense this week on the road. And the defense gave up more points to NPU this past Saturday than they have given up to them over the last 5 years combined.

I hope WashU has this teams attention!

I didn't watch the North Park game but while the number of points the Vikings put up caught my attention, I think a let down immediately following the Bell game was to be expected considering the emotion, stakes, and build-up.  It seems like the Thunder really focused on the run game last week, which they strayed from, and the line play on both sides will hopefully be decisive.  That said, it's a long drive to St. Louis and the Bears topped a good Thunder team on their last trip down there in 2018.

[Next Man Up]

Despite giving up an unexpected number of points to NPU, it's hard to believe any teams are looking forward to facing the Wheatonites. Did NPU score primarily through the air or on the ground? In addition to the D playing up to their expected level, might the WC offense be enhanced by having Weeks pound the rock more often, and/or targeting Spencer Peterson more often, given his usual height/weight advantage over less physically imposing D backs?

[cciwman]

#1 defense in the CCIW?
North Central? Nope
Wheaton? Nope
WashU is the #1 defense in the league with the #1 pass defense and the #3 rush defense.

They also have the leading quarterback (completion %) at 67%

If the Thunder play like they did @NPU last Saturday the D3 world will see the biggest upset of the season.

Are the Thunder #5 in the country? Well, Wheaton is #5 in scoring defense in the CCIW. Behind Millikin. In 2019 they were #1 in the Nation. They have the same defensive front but those guys have not been dominating the way they were in 2019. The offense seems to be doing better after being throttled by NCC. But they are facing an arguably similar defense this week on the road. And the defense gave up more points to NPU this past Saturday than they have given up to them over the last 5 years combined.

I hope WashU has this teams attention!

BUT... Wash U's opponents in the first three weeks contained the projected worst two teams in the CCIW and U Chicago.  They lost to Chicago which is 3-0 but against lower level competition.  I hope Wash is improved to provide competition during the year to all, but I do not see them able to handle a Wheaton team with their back to the wall.  Different animal.

[Pat Coleman]

Despite giving up an unexpected number of points to NPU, it's hard to believe any teams are looking forward to facing the Wheatonites. Did NPU score primarily through the air or on the ground? In addition to the D playing up to their expected level, might the WC offense be enhanced by having Weeks pound the rock more often, and/or targeting Spencer Peterson more often, given his usual height/weight advantage over less physically imposing D backs?

North Park opened the game with an onside kick and recovered it, then went on to score. Love that play call. It was 58-13 after three quarters.