FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[USee]

Millikin Big Blue

Roster: 119

Sr: 13, Jr: 7, So: 32, Fr: 67

Returning Starters:

Offense: 3 (3 WR). Key Losses: QB Pohrte, WR Lockwood, 5 OL. Key Returners: WR Lipkin
Defense: 4 (2 DL, 2 DB). Key Losses: LB Harrell, DB Teicher

2021 Record: 3-7

Millikin has a new coach and a new roster. Only 7 starters return from last years 3-7 team. Their QB, Aidan Lombardo, has thrown 12 passes in a college game. They don't have an RB who has had a carry in a varsity game and they will start 5 new offensive linemen. Sr WR Sean Lipkin returns (33 receptions). Defensively they get Perkins and Miller back on the defensive line and have only 1 LB and 2 returning DB's with significant experience. New Head Coach Matt Hall brings in 67 freshmen and as of now several of them will be counted on for significant playing time. They host Greenville, NPU, Augie, Elmhurst and Carroll. This team will be better in week 8 than they are in week 1. Last year they averaged 21 ppg and gave up 35 ppg. I have a hard time seeing improvement in either of those numbers.  It could be a long year in Decatur. They could win 1-3 games. Prediction 2-8

[USee]

Carthage Firebirds

Roster: 129

SR: 19, Jr: 12, So: 36, Fr: 62

Returning Starters:

Offense: 9 (4 OL, QB, TE, 3 WR) Key Losses: RB Wright, WR Ell. Key Returners: QB Lowe, WR Campbell and Jarvis
Defense: 7 (2 Dl, 2 LB, 3 DB). Key Losses: DB Dennis and Martin. Key Returners: DB Mitchell and Tomczak, LB Divito

2021 Record 3-7

After starting last year 3-1 with a lot of promise, Carthage finished the year with 6 straight losses amidst some poor play and significant injuries. With 16 returning starters they have some promise of a better season in 2022. QB Bryce Lowe returns (58% completions, 21 TD/8 Int 1865 yds) and 3 of their top pass catchers return along with 2 RB's that combined for over 400 yds rushing. The offense produces 28 ppg last year and should improve on that number with all those starters returning. Defensively they lose Jalen Dennis but leading tackler Garrett Warner (86 tacks, 1 INT) and 7 of the top 10 defenders return. Carthage faces a headwind with a tough schedule. They open with a road game at MIAA runner up Albion (9-2 last year) which will be a tough test that will show us a lot about Carthage. Home games against NCC, WashU, Wheaton and Millikin will be tough.  They could win 4 games but I don't see it. My prediction 3-7

[USee]

North Park Vikings

Roster: 111

Sr: 10, Jr: 9, So: 37, Fr: 55

Returning Starters:

Offense: 9 (3 OL, QB, RB, TE, 3 WR). Key Losses: RB Del Nodal. Key Returners: QB Eck, RB Love, WR Harris
Defense: 9 (3 DL, 2 LB, 4 DB's). Key Losses: DE Tafao, LB Landrau. Key Returners: DB's Nieves, Carter, DE Dalusma

2021 Record: 2-8

North Park only has 19 total upperclassmen but they return a monster Sophomore class, many of them with experience as Kyle Rooker looks to take another step with the Vikings in Chicago. 18 starters return from the 2021 version (2-8). They return Matt Eck at Qb (50% completions, 12 TD's/8 INTs, 1800 yds) who started every game and all of their WR production is back including WR AJ Harris (50 rec, 845 yds). Defensively they return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including DB's Juan Nieves and Mo Carter. They host Manchester, WashU, Carthage, Augie and Elmhurst at Holmgren Athletic Complex.  With all that experience returning, North park should improve on their 17 pts per game production and their 40 ppg defense and I think they could win 3 of their home games as well as 1 road game to get them to my prediction, 4-6.

[USee]

Augustana Vikings

Roster: 128 total

GR: 1, Sr: 29, JR: 29, SO: 28, FR 41

Returning Starters:

Offense: 9 (4 OL, QB, RB, 4 WR). Key losses: None. Key Returners: QB Bhardwaj, RB's Brooks/Rivelli, WR Inserra, Shelton, Vesey. Key Newcomer: Transfer TE Schmitz
Defense: 9 (2 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB). Key Losses: None. Key Returners: DE Tatum, LB Swaney, DB Harper

2021 Record: 5-5

Augie is coming off a 5-5 year and has a monster senior and junior class in the program (29 in each). They return 18 starters, 9 on both sides of the ball including all of their QB, RB and WR production. They played a game in Germany in May and won 49-16. Tyler Rivelli and Jacob Brooks combined to run for over 1,100 yds last year and both return. QB Cole Bhardwaj (60% completions, 1,300 yds 10 TD/3 INT) returns as does backup Thomas Hall. 4 starting OL returning I expect Augie to improve on their 24 ppg in 2021. Defensively they have 9 starters back including CCIW sack leader Chase Tatum (11 sacks) all 4 DB's who, as a group, were near the top of the conference in interceptions last year (15). They had the 4th best scoring defense in the conference and should improve on that side of the ball. They host Rhodes, Wheaton, WashU, IWU and Carthage. Key road game is Oct 1 @Carroll. With their extra practice and the game in Germany, if their offense can be more consistent, Augie can be one of the top 4 teams in the league this year and should improve on their 5-5 campaign.  6-4 or even 7-3 is possible. Prediction: 6-4

[Thunderdome21]

Wheaton may not have their 2022 Roster online yet, but they did release their 2022 season preview yesterday.

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2022/9/2/football-2022-thunder-football-season-preview.aspx

[USee]

Today's results so far:

UWRF 63 Elmhurst 0
Greenville 7 Millikin 28
Carthage 0 Albion 52
Rhodes 28 Augie 34
Manchester @NPU 6pm

[Gregory Sager]

Manchester 23
North Park 14

Down by two and driving at midfield with three minutes to go, the Vikings had the ball and the momentum. But a tip-drill INT turned into a pick-six, and that was all she wrote.

It's early, and never say never, but 4-6 looks like a million miles away right now. Speaking of which:

I expect the CCIW to be much stronger overall this year. Although I suspect our OOC record will be around 6-4 the teams should be much stronger that they were a year ago overall.

... I watched a lot of CCIW football today -- all of the game I called, and large chunks of three other games -- and I'm not seeing this "much stronger" business at all.

[Next Man Up]

Manchester 23
North Park. 14

I thought the Parkers would post a W today. Based on the CCIW Pick 'Em poll, it looks like several others did too.
Without better efforts in upcoming contests, they might have a real problem getting those 4 wins that USee projected.

[USee]

Manchester 23
North Park 14

Down by two and driving at midfield with three minutes to go, the Vikings had the ball and the momentum. But a tip-drill INT turned into a pick-six, and that was all she wrote.

It's early, and never say never, but 4-6 looks like a million miles away right now. Speaking of which:

I expect the CCIW to be much stronger overall this year. Although I suspect our OOC record will be around 6-4 the teams should be much stronger that they were a year ago overall.

... I watched a lot of CCIW football today -- all of the game I called, and large chunks of three other games -- and I'm not seeing this "much stronger" business at all.

It's pretty easy to say after having watched 4 games. Try making a call before any snaps are played. 

I would point out you watched the 4 worst teams in our conference and we were 1-3. I had us at 6-4 for the non conference. We are on track for that.

[Gregory Sager]

It's pretty easy to say after having watched 4 games. Try making a call before any snaps are played. 

I'm not pointing fingers at anybody. I'm simply relating what I saw.

I would point out you watched the 4 worst teams in our conference and we were 1-3. I had us at 6-4 for the non conference. We are on track for that.

What difference does it make whether I saw the top of the league or the bottom? The league is the league. Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst, and North Park are as much a part of it as anybody else. And none of them were noticeably stronger than what I saw of those teams last year, to say nothing of "much stronger".

Yes, it's only the first weekend, but non-conference play is a traditional yardstick for this sort of thing.

[USee]

It's pretty easy to say after having watched 4 games. Try making a call before any snaps are played. 

I'm not pointing fingers at anybody. I'm simply relating what I saw.

I would point out you watched the 4 worst teams in our conference and we were 1-3. I had us at 6-4 for the non conference. We are on track for that.

What difference does it make whether I saw the top of the league or the bottom? The league is the league. Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst, and North Park are as much a part of it as anybody else. And none of them were noticeably stronger than what I saw of those teams last year, to say nothing of "much stronger".

Yes, it's only the first weekend, but non-conference play is a traditional yardstick for this sort of thing.

Well you certainly pointed your mouse at me. It was my post you quoted me thinks.

Non-Con play is definitely a traditional yardstick and there are 5 games to go. We have a real shot at 6-4 or 7-3, which would be "much better" (to me) than the 4-6 from last year. (though it will be against a weaker slate of opponents)

To be clear, my assessment (given before a single snap was played) was based on the fact that on paper the league had the following returning starters:

NCC: 15 (9off/6 def)
Wheaton: 6 (5 off/1 def)
IWU 8 (3 off/5 def)
Augie 18 (9 off/9 def)
WashU 15 (9 off/6 def)
Carroll 15 (7 off/8 def)
NPU 18 (9/off/9 def)
Carthage 16 (9 off/7 def)
Millikin 7 (3 off/4 def)
Elmhurst 14 (9 off/5 def)

7 of the 10 teams have between 14 and 18 returning starters. Normally, that strength on paper will translate into better play. I was surprised that the team with the fewest returning starters on offense scored 28 pts while two teams with 9 returning starters were shut out (though both were expected to lose). I also expected NPU to beat Manchester, given their returning experience.

We can assess this again after this weeks games.

[Gregory Sager]

I'm not disputing your preseason conclusion at all in terms of your reasoning. Given what each team is returning, it's a logical extrapolation to predict a better league across the board. But you know what they say about the difference between the way teams look on paper and the way they look on game day.

[USee]

I'm not disputing your preseason conclusion at all in terms of your reasoning. Given what each team is returning, it's a logical extrapolation to predict a better league across the board. But you know what they say about the difference between the way teams look on paper and the way they look on game day.

Again, let's assess after this coming week. Only half the data is currently in.

[USee]

Carroll Pioneers

Roster 111

SR: 3, Jr: 15, So: 48, Fr: 45

Returning Starters:

Offense 7 (3 OL, RB, 3 WR). Key Losses: QB Johnson. Key Returners: WR Eichstadt, RB Legnaioli
Defense: 8 (2 DL, 3 LB, 3 DB). Key Losses LB: Kontny, DB Gaulke. Key Returners: DB Rau, DB Loker

2021 Record: 6-4

Carroll beat IWU in Waukesha last season in the first conference game and that started what was a surprising season (to me) for the Pioneers. They finished 6-4 overall but weren't really competitive against the top 3 teams in the league. They return key players on an offense that averaged 25 ppg including 1st team all conf WR Austin Eichstadt (72 receptions) but will need to find a QB to throw it to him. 3 OL return to open holes for returning RB Nick Legnaioli (389 yds, 24 receptions). On defense 8 Starters return from a squad that gave up 33 ppg, had 17 takeaways and 16 sacks. 8 of the top tacklers return including leading tackler Jonathan Rau (69 Tackles, 8 PBU) and Damon Loker (59 tackles, 2.5 sacks). Improving on their offensive production of 25 ppg while reducing their defensive effort from 33 ppg will be a key to improving on their record. The schedule is lukewarm for the Pios as an opening contest with Wisconsin Lutheran (picked 6th in the NACC) and home games against NPU, Augie, NCC, and Carthage looks like 3- 4 wins and road contests @IWU, @Elmhurst, @Wheaton and @Millikin might yield 1-2 more. A lack of seniors on this team will hurt the Pios. Prediction 5-5

[USee]

Washington University Bears

Roster 97

GR: 2, SR: 24, Jr:11, So: 28, Fr: 32

Returning Starters:

Offense: 9 (4 OL, WB, 4 WR). Key Losses: RB Ebrim. Key Returners: QB Matt Rush, WR Okmin
Defense: 6 (3 DL, 1 LB, 2 DB). Key Losses: LB Harvey, DB Streepy. Key Returners: S Shcoeder, DE Streater

2021 Record 7-4 (Loss in Isthmus Bowl)

WashU has 15 returning starters and a large senior class. 9 starters are back on offense including QB Matt Rush (64% completion 27 TD, 5 INT, 134 eff) as well as all of his top WR targets Okmin (49 receptions), Goldberg (36 receptioins, and Hoyhtya (35 receptions). The biggest hole in the offense is at Running back where Emmanual Ebrim and Tennyson Holmes (923 yds comined) will be tough to replace but Kenvorris Campbell (238 yds) returns. Defensively WashU has the most holes to fill. They lose their sack leader in DE Jamel Streater and almost all of their INT production. Only 2 of their top 10 tacklers are back including leading tackler Kyle Scroeder (57 tackles, 2 INT) and LB Connor Burke (51 tackles). Offensively I expect the Bears to improve on their 31 ppg (3rd in the CCIW) but defensively it will be hard to repeat the 24 ppg and 25 takeaways from last year. WashU starts with a home game against Southern Athletic Assoc Hendrix, and with other home games Millkin, NCC and Wheaton they get their toughest games in St Louis. Only a trip to Waukesha in week 11 looms as a potential pitfall. Prediction 6-4