FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

Kudos to the Thunder on a great battle.  Way better Thunder team than I expected. 

[Next Man Up]

Mr Mom, who has been picking spreads on the OAC board longer than most on this board have been around, set the Wheaton @Trininty game at Wheaton +6.5. Almost every participant is taking the bait. I think that spread is about right. Given all the questions and inexperience on this Thunder team (1 returning defensive starter, 2 players on defense with any significant playing time, New QB, new WR's, new kickers) and the fact they are playing Trinity, a 9-0 playoff team with 21 returning starters, on the road, I think Trinity should be the healthy favorite.

Too much uncertainty for me. I don't understand how voters could put this Wheaton team in the top 10 given how little they have returning. Makes no sense to me. I hope they all prove me wrong on Saturday and I hope, for all the inexperience, the Thunder play like veterans in San Antonio.

1. If Trinity is the #9 team (or better now) team in the country I think that based on their performance today, it's entirely plausible that Wheaton is pretty close behind. They traveled all the way to Texas, understandingly didn't have much fan support, played with a bunch of new guys, and acquitted themselves very strongly against a top team.

2. As far as breaking in new players it sure seems like the Wheaties found a very good answer at QB with Bowers. And who the heck is WR Ben Bonga? He played like an All-Star today. Seemed to be everywhere on the field and to pull in any ball thrown near him. Question #2 answered.

[cciwman]

NCC appeared to be off and running early, but Wabash exposed some areas of concern.  The Little Giants defense has not been good for years, but despite the 50+ points, had consistent penetration making it difficult for the Cards to gain the chunk runs they are used to.  Greenfield had to work hard on the day and Hill never had a chance as they were on him at the hand-off.  The loss of Clarke can't be understated early in the season.  As for the passing game, Lehnen was scrambling and making plays, but with a slew of new receivers the comfort level and route running should continue to improve as they prepare for Wheaton.

Penalties and lack of discipline were also a concern in the first half even though some of the hankies seemed to be the result of Wabash's top Theatre Dept student-athletes who flopped to draw 15 yards.

[Cowboy2]

Mr Mom, who has been picking spreads on the OAC board longer than most on this board have been around, set the Wheaton @Trininty game at Wheaton +6.5. Almost every participant is taking the bait. I think that spread is about right. Given all the questions and inexperience on this Thunder team (1 returning defensive starter, 2 players on defense with any significant playing time, New QB, new WR's, new kickers) and the fact they are playing Trinity, a 9-0 playoff team with 21 returning starters, on the road, I think Trinity should be the healthy favorite.

Too much uncertainty for me. I don't understand how voters could put this Wheaton team in the top 10 given how little they have returning. Makes no sense to me. I hope they all prove me wrong on Saturday and I hope, for all the inexperience, the Thunder play like veterans in San Antonio.

1. If Trinity is the #9 team (or better now) team in the country I think that based on their performance today, it's entirely plausible that Wheaton is pretty close behind. They traveled all the way to Texas, understandingly didn't have much fan support, played with a bunch of new guys, and acquitted themselves very strongly against a top team.

2. As far as breaking in new players it sure seems like the Wheaties found a very good answer at QB with Bowers. And who the heck is WR Ben Bonga? He played like an All-Star today. Seemed to be everywhere on the field and to pull in any ball thrown near him. Question #2 answered.

If there is little movement in the top 5 after a loss - top 5 vs top 5,  it should hold true for the top 10 vs top 10 as well. Plus it was an OT loss on the road. I've always admired the Wheaton program. Nothing but class and TU respects them. Goodluck Thunder. You have a great team for this season and should do well! Stinks that game had to end and couldn't go on forever.  That was a hard one to come right out of the gate on.

[Thunderdome21]

"I hope, for all the inexperience, the Thunder play like veterans in San Antonio."

I'm glad to see the Thunder defense, for the most part, played like veterans. But I wasn't surprised because 8 of its starters are 4th and 5th year seniors.I realize that Wheaton lost several all-Americans/All-Region studs from last year, but most of their backups last year, especially among the front seven, would've started for most D-3 teams. And  Wheaton doesn't lose these players to attrition too often.  It was tough losing Wheaton's starting hyrid linebacker/safety to a knee injury on the first series. Although only a sophomore, Lawson Haigler looked impressive at Wheaton's scrimmage and has a very high ceiling. But Haigler's replacement was another 5th year senior that was on the two-deep last year.

And who the heck is WR Ben Bonga?

Bonga stood out and was unstoppable at Wheaton's scrimmage as well.

[Pat Coleman]

It's early, just 15 of 25 ballots in, but trend suggests that last week's top five teams are all still in the top five,  and same for the top ten.

[bleedpurple]

It's early, just 15 of 25 ballots in, but trend suggests that last week's top five teams are all still in the top five,  and same for the top ten.

Unfortunate if UW-W doesn't at least move past Hardin Simmons after beating UMHB. I have to believe nearly every voter that cumulatively landed us at #6 last week, did so expecting us to lose yesterday. I know it's for discussion only, so I'm definitely not mad about it, but when is the last time a team beat a unanimous #1 ranked team and not move up?

Although my personal Top 5 might be a bit different, given last week's poll, to me, this would be a logical result for this week's top 5:

1. NCC
2. Mount Union
3. St. John's
4. UW-W
5. UMHB

Just one admittedly biased opinion.

[Next Man Up]

It's early, just 15 of 25 ballots in, but trend suggests that last week's top five teams are all still in the top five,  and same for the top ten.

Unfortunate if UW-W doesn't at least move past Hardin Simmons after beating UMHB. I have to believe nearly every voter that cumulatively landed us at #6 last week, did so expecting us to lose yesterday. I know it's for discussion only, so I'm definitely not mad about it, but when is the last time a team beat a unanimous #1 ranked team and not move up?

Although my personal Top 5 might be a bit different, given last week's poll, to me, this would be a logical result for this week's top 5:

1. NCC
2. Mount Union
3. St. John's
4. UW-W
5. UMHB

Just one admittedly biased opinion.

Bleed,
While you can make certainly an argument for your proposal, i just wonder if the voters will "penalize" HS for having an off week. NCC was the pre-season #2, didn't play the first week, and stayed #2 in the first poll.

[bleedpurple]

It's early, just 15 of 25 ballots in, but trend suggests that last week's top five teams are all still in the top five,  and same for the top ten.

Unfortunate if UW-W doesn't at least move past Hardin Simmons after beating UMHB. I have to believe nearly every voter that cumulatively landed us at #6 last week, did so expecting us to lose yesterday. I know it's for discussion only, so I'm definitely not mad about it, but when is the last time a team beat a unanimous #1 ranked team and not move up?

Although my personal Top 5 might be a bit different, given last week's poll, to me, this would be a logical result for this week's top 5:

1. NCC
2. Mount Union
3. St. John's
4. UW-W
5. UMHB

Just one admittedly biased opinion.

Bleed,
While you can make certainly an argument for your proposal, i just wonder if the voters will "penalize" HS for having an off week. NCC was the pre-season #2, didn't play the first week, and stayed #2 in the first poll.

That would be understandable. if that's the case, then this just might be a case that there's simply no place for UW-W to go. It's one of the things that makes polls fascinating to talk about.  When a team has a ranking, are they "entitled" to that ranking? Or can it be adjusted based on a surprise result having nothing to do with them? All questions that make it fun to discuss!

[Next Man Up]

It's early, just 15 of 25 ballots in, but trend suggests that last week's top five teams are all still in the top five,  and same for the top ten.

Unfortunate if UW-W doesn't at least move past Hardin Simmons after beating UMHB. I have to believe nearly every voter that cumulatively landed us at #6 last week, did so expecting us to lose yesterday. I know it's for discussion only, so I'm definitely not mad about it, but when is the last time a team beat a unanimous #1 ranked team and not move up?

Although my personal Top 5 might be a bit different, given last week's poll, to me, this would be a logical result for this week's top 5:

1. NCC
2. Mount Union
3. St. John's
4. UW-W
5. UMHB

Just one admittedly biased opinion.

Bleed,
While you can make certainly an argument for your proposal, i just wonder if the voters will "penalize" HS for having an off week. NCC was the pre-season #2, didn't play the first week, and stayed #2 in the first poll.

That would be understandable. if that's the case, then this just might be a case that there's simply no place for UW-W to go. It's one of the things that makes polls fascinating to talk about.  When a team has a ranking, are they "entitled" to that ranking? Or can it be adjusted based on a surprise result having nothing to do with them? All questions that make it fun to discuss!

Indeed!
It's kind of like if a player who starts gets injured is he automatically "entitled" to his position back when he recovers?
If a team has an off week are they "entitled" to maintain their poll position the next week?

* it's become a moot point. Following their upset win today, the Chicago Bears have just been voted #1 in this week's D3 Poll!     

[Stagg Again!!]

It's early, just 15 of 25 ballots in, but trend suggests that last week's top five teams are all still in the top five,  and same for the top ten.

Unfortunate if UW-W doesn't at least move past Hardin Simmons after beating UMHB. I have to believe nearly every voter that cumulatively landed us at #6 last week, did so expecting us to lose yesterday. I know it's for discussion only, so I'm definitely not mad about it, but when is the last time a team beat a unanimous #1 ranked team and not move up?

Although my personal Top 5 might be a bit different, given last week's poll, to me, this would be a logical result for this week's top 5:

1. NCC
2. Mount Union
3. St. John's
4. UW-W
5. UMHB

Just one admittedly biased opinion.

I agree with bleedpurple on this Top 5, but have learned from many wise UWW and MTU fans over time that these early season polls don't mean much.  Things will shake out by Week #5 or so.  Kudos to UMBH, MC, UWW, SJU, WC, TU, NCC, WC, UWP, and BC for scheduling some fantastic OOC matchups... I found myself watching so many games across the country during the last two weeks.  Now, onto our conference schedules.

[Next Man Up]

New poll;
1.  NCC (14)
2.  St. John's (7)
3.  My. Union (4)
4.  Whitewater
5.  MHB
6.  Harden-Simmons
7.  Trinity (TX)
8.  Linfield
9.  Johns Hopkins
10. Wheaton

[bleedpurple]

New poll;
1.  NCC (14)
2.  St. John's (7)
3.  My. Union (4)
4.  Whitewater
5.  MHB
6.  Harden-Simmons
7.  Trinity (TX)
8.  Linfield
9.  Johns Hopkins
10. Wheaton

I like it.  NCC has been dominant for a couple of years, save one blip in last year's Stagg Bowl.  St. John's rewarded for going 2-0 against ranked teams. Mount may very well be the best team in the country, but how would we know? They haven't played anyone, so St. John's moving ahead of them is appropriate. UW-W gets rewarded for taking down UMHB, who was previously thought to be on a level of their own.  And no way UMHB could drop out of the top 5.  Very defendable top 5. Trinity rewarded for a nice win and Wheaton stays in the Top 10 after playing a Top 10 team to overtime on the road.  With all the craziness and big games the first two weeks, I think the pollsters sorted it out pretty well.

[CardinalAlum]

New poll;
1.  NCC (14)
2.  St. John's (7)
3.  My. Union (4)
4.  Whitewater
5.  MHB
6.  Harden-Simmons
7.  Trinity (TX)
8.  Linfield
9.  Johns Hopkins
10. Wheaton

I like it.  NCC has been dominant for a couple of years, save one blip in last year's Stagg Bowl.  St. John's rewarded for going 2-0 against ranked teams. Mount may very well be the best team in the country, but how would we know? They haven't played anyone, so St. John's moving ahead of them is appropriate. UW-W gets rewarded for taking down UMHB, who was previously thought to be on a level of their own.  And no way UMHB could drop out of the top 5.  Very defendable top 5. Trinity rewarded for a nice win and Wheaton stays in the Top 10 after playing a Top 10 team to overtime on the road.  With all the craziness and big games the first two weeks, I think the pollsters sorted it out pretty well.

Agreed. Well said.

[USee]

My top 5 would be like this:

1. St Johns
2. UWW
3. UMHB
4. NCC
5. Mt Union


That's what the results are telling me.