FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

At this point, I'm not sure I'd worry too much about the polls.  Polls can be a HUGE distraction if you aren't careful.  It's more important to just keep winning, game by game.  The polls will take care of themselves.

IMO, focus on winning the next game should be priority #1 (with the goal of winning the CCIW).  If a team gets too focused on the polls or future games, that is usually when they lose to a team they shouldn't. (Disclaimer: I'm not implying Carthage in anyway will lose to Benedictine)

You win the CCIW... chances are you will be reasonably high in the polls - CCIW champ typically has home field advantage for at least first round, if not 2nd round of playoffs.

[Pat Coleman]

They beat a much improved Carroll team and they beat a Lakeland team that is favored to win their conference.

A Lakeland team that is favored to win the 24th-ranked conference in Division III. Out of 25. The conference has never won an NCAA playoff game. A top 20 team should not be skating by, and I'm pretty sure the result of tomorrow's Lakeland/UW-Whitewater game will open your eyes.

As for Carroll, are they really better, or did they just appear that way because Carthage struggled? Way too early to make that call.

[Mugsy]

A Lakeland team that is favored to win the 24th-ranked conference in Division III. Out of 25. The conference has never won an NCAA playoff game.

How bad is the IBC conference, that Lakeland is pick to win?  As I stated in an earlier post... try 1-12 so far in non-conference play.  The only win... Lakeland beat Northwestern (Minn.) 27-15.  Northwestern is independent and the independents are 5-24 to this point.  Not exactly a quality win and noteworthy to cause Carthage to jump into the top 10.

I agree that it is too early to gauge just how good Carthage is, but on paper a ranked team should have had much less difficulty beating Lakeland.  Same can be said about Wheaton.  That is why both teams, while they have won their games to this point, have actually dropped in the rankings.

[markdamaker40]

I agree with Mugsy, you concentrate on the polls you will lose and it will be a huge distraction.

Despite what people might think, Carroll is a much better team.  And the Lakeland / Carthage match up has the makings of a rivarly, at least for the past couple of years.
Scores...
2001-  Carthage 21   Lakeland 15
2002-  Lakeland 37   Carthage 34
2003-  Lakeland 17   Carthage 16
2004-  Carthage 18   Lakeland 14
2005-  Carthage 20   Lakeland 16

The proof is right there, Carthage and Lakeland is developing into a rivalry. Carthage shut down their running game and I will be willing to bet that the Lakeland/Whitewater game will be high scoring and that Lakeland will get their rushing yards on Whitewater. Whitewater's offense is way better than Carthage's, but as the old slogan goes DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Plus why is everyone all excited that North Central beat Benedicitne, we knew it would happen but what we didn't know was the Benedictine would put up those types of numbers.  If it wasn't for a score with 3 seconds left in the half that Halftime score would have been 17-14.  And Wheaton coming back to beat Gustavus.  Just stating that teams what a piece of the CCIW this year and just winning games should be good enough. Plus I feel the level of non-conference games the CCIW plays is very good, it gets the teams ready for a BRUTAL conference schedule. Those close wins will help those teams down the road regardless of what you and I are saying about how that team got lucky. The point is that they got the job done.

[markdamaker40]

One way I know Lakeland will get their yards rushing is that last year they had over 300 against Whitewater and Carthage held them to 48 last year.  Last week it was 52 rushing yards for Lakeland, if the formula holds true....watch out Whitewater.

[79jaybird]

First good luck to all CCIW players this weekend.  Glad to hear that Elmhurst (as expected ) extended the contract with University of Chicago for another 4 years.  This has been a great rivalry and I'm happy to see it continue.  I personally like broadcasting from historic Stagg Field.
For those of you who may not know, but are die hard football fans, the first heisman trophy winner came from U of C.
Benedictine, Concordia, and most (not all) of that IBFC conference aren't "quality" wins.  No fault of their own, they are just not the caliber of the CCIW, WIAC or some of the stronger D-3 Conferences.
Elmhurst is 2-0 but they beat IBC and CURF.  This doesn't open my eyes as much if the Bluejays were 2-0 with wins over Ripon, Ohio Wesleyan, or Alma.
I agree with Mugsy that polls are meaningless in the early going and all that matters is how you fair during conference season.

[Redmen96]

Remember last year it was Carthage 18 Lakeland 14 and the Redmen went on to finish the season 5th in the nation.

The Patriots always have close  games and never blow anyone out but still win superbowls.  Its ok.

[couchqb]

To think Carthage is similar or better without Daunte and their QBs is pretty crazy.  I'm with Pat, even if he is usually wrong....

[diehardfan]

Polls, yeah, hmm... since Wheaton has a tendancy to be ranked in them, I usually like them. 

I think the only thing they can tell us right now about our league is that there is an abundance of confusion nationwide when it comes to the CCIW this year.

In addition to the ranked teams - Carthage at 18, and Wheaton at 22, has anyone noticed that there are THREE other CCIW teams receiving votes... NCC, Millikin, and Augie.

That means that there are more CCIW schools receiving votes than not. 

Obviously things will start to become more clear, and a few favorites will emverge, but it is interesting for the moment anyway.

[formerd3db]

79jaybird:

RE:  the first Heisman.  Yes, for those who travel to Chicago, if they get a chance, it is great to see Berwanger's Heisman Trophy in Chicago's historic trophy/athletic room and all the other memorabilia there.  I had a chance to meet and visit with Berwanger a few years ago before he passed away a couple of years ago.  A real neat gentleman.  Also, historic Stagg Field old doors at the entrane to the New Stagg Field is a nice touch.

[b_holmgren]

No surprises at McCully... Wheaton leads 24-0 over Greenville in the second quarter. Touchdown number three courtsey of the Jeremy to Joe Chupp conection.

[sica-sica]

NCC  WOW!!!       65-25 win at Augsburg

[couchqb]

Lakeland 12, No. 15 UW-Whitewater 73

Suuuuure, Carthage really deserves to be in the top 15!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Routs by Wheaton and NCC; wins by Millikin and Elmhurst - so far 'sweep weekend' is on, as nearly everyone expected.

The NP game should long-since be over, but nothing on the scoreboard or here - anyone have a result?  If the Vikes won, the sweep should be assured, since a loss by Carthage to Benedictine would strain belief!

[Pat Coleman]

Like I said, couchqb, it would be an eye-opening result.