FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ExTartanPlayer]

North Park at 3-2 in the CCIW?! Unless I'm reading the records wrong this is the first time that's happened in the history of this site (considering there's only one other season where they won 3 CCIW games). It also looks to me like this is the first time they've won 4 games in a season in history of this site (perhaps Gregory knows the last time it happened, if ever). The road ahead looks somewhat more difficult but it looks like there's one more win out there. Good for the Vikings.

[Pat Coleman]

We mentioned it on the podcast last week and in our wrapup on the site this week -- last time was 1993 for four wins.

[Gregory Sager]

Yep. In 1993 the Vikings went 4-4-1, although only 2-4-1 in the CCIW. The last time that the Vikings were sitting at 3-2 or better in CCIW play was 1979, when they won their first four league contests -- and then proceeded to lose their last four.

That was also the last time that the Vikings won four CCIW games. NPU's prospects look dismal for picking up that fourth win next Saturday in Rock Island, and the Vikings' chances of doing it at home against North Central or Wheaton are pretty far south of dismal. Ah, but that game on November 4 at Elmhurst ...

[WUPHF]

Looks like Augustana proved you wrong in a big way today.

Tip of the cap to Augustana!  They played great yesterday.

I am not ready to drop the Bears down a tier, but let's see how they do in Weeks 9 and 10.

[Gregory Sager]

To answer Greg's previous question, my observation is that there are, of course, mismatches all over the place in D-III. I don't know that the CCIW is significantly more represented in that or not.

I had a reasonably slow work day. Looking elsewhere...

E8: 35.8
CCIW: 34.7
NCAC: 32.6
LAND: 32.0
MWC: 30.7
ARC: 29.8
HCAC: 29.5
NACC: 29.5
ODAC: 28.0
OAC: 26.1
NWC: 26.0
MASCAC: 24.3
MAC: 23.0
USAC: 22.9
MIAA: 22.0
NEWMAC: 21.8
ASC: 21.5
PAC: 20.8
SAA: 19.9
MIAC: 17.9
SCIAC: 17.2
WIAC: 15.9
NESCAC: 15.5
NJAC: 14.8
CC: 14.3
LL: 13.7
UMAC: 12.8

I was originally just going to do the top 10 conferences by Greg Thomas's most up to date conference rankings, but I was on a roll and said screw it. Our mean MOV across all conference play thus far is about 23.4 points; median is 22.9. So on average, we're looking at about a three to four score game. The CCIW is... more than that.

It was 35.4 this week, in spite of the fact that one of the five CCIW games was settled by only two points.

[Gregory Sager]

For the third time this season a North Park defensive player has been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week. This week it's junior DB/KR/PR Juan Nieves, who on Monday was also named a CCIW Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career, this time as Special Teams POW.

[robertgoulet]

There is a non-NP CCIW player that made the D3football.com Team of the Week for the 2nd week in a row. I will not mention the school as I don't want to upset anyone.

[Gregory Sager]

Talk about DeAngelo Hardy all you like. He's a great player having a great year.

[Cardinal773]

North Park @ Augustana
Wheaton @ Carroll
Illinois Wesleyan @ Carthage
Millikin @ Elmhurst
Washington University in St. Louis @ North Central

Guys! We might have our closest slate of games yet!  I'm thinking only two likely CCI-double-ya games this weekend.  Battle tested Augie at home likely will have the better of NP, but not an obscene doubling.  NC will probably want to make an example of WashU.  A drubbing will take the luster of Augie's statement win last week.

So curious about Wheaton @ Carroll.  Carroll's offense can shred and Wheaton can roll up a score for sure.  Shredded Wheaties and a roll anyone?  I can serve up about 10 breakfast puns (buns?) but I'll spare you all and stop.  Stopping being something neither D is going to do on Saturday.

Millikin and Elmhurst get to pretend they're top tier HCAC foes battling it out for an automatic bid.  Is it going to be a shootout or a slobberknocker?  Don't know, but it should be close.

The IWU v CC game could be close.  I'm not as interested in the score as I am looking forward to hearing Norm's take on it.

[Gregory Sager]

I agree that this is probably the best set of games the CCIW is likely to get this season.

* While I don't hold out much hope for NPU to win, I'm hopeful that the Park can at least stave off a blowout. They didn't perform well when they had to step up in class at Wash U a few weeks ago, but the Vikings may have gained some confidence from the two CCIW wins they've carved out since then. Still, Augie looks like a team on a mission, and NPU is honestly a lesser obstacle on that mission path.

* Wheaton's visit to Schneider is the most intriguing game of the five, because, as you said, it's a contest between two high-powered offenses paired with defenses that have looked vulnerable at times. I think Wheaton wins it because Wheaton's D will get a few more stops than Carroll's, but it should be interesting.

* I think that IWU has enough weaponry in hand to beat Carthage, but I certainly wouldn't put any money on it. And, yes, because Illinois Wesleyan did not send a radio crew to NPU this past Saturday there was no postgame show for the Titans, and thus no Norm interview ... and I'm sure that that was dearly missed by all of us, strictly for entertainment reasons.

* I think that this is the week that Elmhurst finally breaks through and gets a W in league play. There's nothing impressive about the 'jays aside from an isolated player or three (take a bow, Bryce Gable), but there's more there than Millikin has; the Big Blue are truly awful across the board, and I say that as an observer who's had some experience with witnessing truly awful football. Nevertheless, it's another one I wouldn't put any money on, because you simply cannot rely upon a team like Elmhurst to get it done with no muss and no fuss. I think that this is the Worst Mistake Bowl; i.e., the loser will be the team that makes the worst mistakes, such as a turnover close to its own goal line, a touchdown called back because of a stupid penalty that didn't affect the flow of the play, or a missed PAT or point-blank FG. These really aren't teams that can exploit lesser mistakes the way that a first-division CCIW team can, so I think it comes down to blatant goofs to settle this one.

* I'm confident that North Central will roll over Wash U in Napervegas, and I say that as no insult to the Bears. They may feel that they have something to prove after that upset loss to Augie, but this is not the foe against whom any other CCIW team is going to prove anything outside of the well-we-kept-the-margin-under-four-touchdowns category.

[WUPHF]

NC will probably want to make an example of WashU.  A drubbing will take the luster of Augie's statement win last week.

Let's go beat Washington University extra bad this weekend because you know, the disrespect we have a faced or to let Augustana know we can beat them too a few weeks from now? 

Definitely one of the stranger predictions I have read.

I know nothing of North Central football, but I have to think they are focused on improving on the margins to ensure another deep run in the playoffs.

[Cardinal773]

I suppose I'm just imagining myself in the room.  It's just my thoughts on the matter.  No more. No less.  I'm not pretending to be an expert. 

Just so you know, many CCIW people of a certain age have spent a good chunk of time under Augie's thumb.  Like many, I get a little bugged when I see them swagger a bit nowadays.*  So if demolishing WashU takes the piss out of AC a little, I'm down.


*I understand how irony works.  In this alternative universe I live in, we're the Augie in this situation.

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

Jay Murry
WashU Play-By-Play Announcer
Event Director, Rett Gets Rocked 2023

[CuriousCCIWfan]

Thank you Jay Murry for your care and concern for the Rett Foundation. My sister has had this debilitating condition for over 60 years and it has been a harrowing fight. My son plays for Wheaton and we appreciate the effort you have done at WashU to make this a topic that expands beyond football. Keep up the fight.

I also am hoping WashU puts in a good showing against North Central. It will be a tough one.

[Jay Murry]

Thank you for your well-wishes and compliments, Curious.  They will be a part of what fuels me during my stroll.

Yes, it will be a tough one for WashU tomorrow.  But the best rewards come from overcoming such situations.  Bears will have to play turnover-free football and be razor-focused on all things.  Every run, catch, block, and kick will have to be executed as close to perfect as possible.  An early turnover or two from NCC would be very helpful.  Got to make your own breaks and good fortune, first and foremost.

GO BEARS!!