FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Redmen96]

Your right Mugsy.  I forgot about the D3.com pick ems.  Things like that don't last a year in my memory.

[dansand]

Just looking at the final CCIW stats really illustrates what a remarkable turnaround Augie's defense made this year. They led the conference in every major defensive category: rush defense, pass defense, total defense (obviously), scoring defense, pass efficiency defense, red zone defense, and fewest opponents' first downs. They were second in sacks and opponents' 3rd down conversions and third in opponents' 4th down conversions. Considering how tough the Carthage D was this year, that's pretty amazing. Since, other than Anthony (DPOY in my opinion), their defense doesn't really have a lot of stars, it'll be interesting to see how they fair in all-conference selections. I would think Aaron Call and Jeremy Hall on the line and any or all of their linebackers, as well as Shea, should get some recognition. Also, Mike Guzman should be a lock for a first team selection on offense.

[Pat Coleman]

Mugsy
In case you don't read the other board, do you want to do a pick ems for the playoffs?  Same format confidence.

My initial thought was not too have a pick-em's for the playoffs, because Pat & Co. do a playoff "pick-em's" or pool for everyone each year.  I'd assume they will be announcing this on the home page of D3Football sometime within the next few days.  If there are enough people interested in our own pool, I'd do it, but it be redundant to the D3Football pool.

That said... it looks like other boards are holding their own playoff pools.

Yes, we are doing it. We're rolling it out slowly so as not to overload the server. Feel free to jump in whenever:

http://www.d3football.com/pickem/register.php

[augiefan]

I doubt that Augie will be overlooking Lakeland this weekend, since we know LC pushed Carthage to the limit (16-20) in Kenosha early this season. The same Carthage team Augie struggled to beat 7-0. In reality there are no really weak teams in the playoffs these days. Just don't look ahead to next week Augie like some on this board have done

Also, the home field advantage will be minimized as Augie will be starting their Fall break on Thursday after finals conclude, so most of the students other than the diehard fans, will be heading home from the QC before Saturday's game.

Augie should prevail, as they have improved throughout the season. After watching the defense against Central, I was not optimistic, but the team proved me wrong.

Go Augie !!!

[augiefan]

Thorne is a great coach and given the turn around at NCC, he's probably is the best head coach currently in the CCIW. However, Barnes deserves the COY award for exceeding expectations by a considerable margin. NCC was the consensus choice to win it all, and Augie was picked 4th, so Barnes is the obvious choice for this year's award.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Something I haven't seen mentioned - I'm pretty sure the CCIW is the first conference ever to have four different teams in two consecutive playoffs!

I'm sure someone will correct me if I've overlooked a previous instance, but quite a tribute to the depth of the conference.

[Redmen96]

Irish 

My loss as a Patriots fan has surely become your gain along with the rest of the Golden Domers.  Charlie is the MAN.  I know the Irish will have national championships coming very soon.

[cardinal20]

Thorne is a great coach and given the turn around at NCC, he's probably is the best head coach currently in the CCIW. However, Barnes deserves the COY award for exceeding expectations by a considerable margin. NCC was the consensus choice to win it all, and Augie was picked 4th, so Barnes is the obvious choice for this year's award.

You can't go wrong with either Barnes or Thorne, but NCC was never the consenus pick. They finished with the most first place votes (3), but still finished second behind Wheaton and tied with Carthage for second place. I know this sounds nit-picky but after reading all year the Cards need to prove themselves every week, I think they definitely earned that respect and did it with a target on their backs. Again, Barnes did a great job without question, but I think they should share the award.

[augiedogie]

Augiefan:

I don't think home field advantage will be minimized because the students are gone.  The student body doesn't have that great of a showing outside of the diehard fans anyways. Also, there are a lot of students that would rather stay out at school and party then go home. The diehard fans and the parents I know will make more than enough noise especially for a playoff game. I know some of the faithful havn't been as vocal when a IWU or NPU comes to play, but I know it will be a loud intense crowd this weekend.

[augiedogie]

Cardinal20:

I agree that NCC earned respect this year going 9-1, and if they would have shared the Conference title then I can understand sharing the COY award, but Augie ran the table with a perfect 7-0. They are 1 OT point away from a perfect undefeated season.  NCC had 2 of the other "big 3" at home in Wheaton and Carthage. They lost on the road to Augie.  Augie had to go on the road for 2 of the other "big 3" in Wheaton and Carthage and won both of those games. This is another edge for why I believe Barnes should get the COY award over Thorne by a close margin.

[markdamaker40]

Just looking at the final CCIW stats really illustrates what a remarkable turnaround Augie's defense made this year. They led the conference in every major defensive category: rush defense, pass defense, total defense (obviously), scoring defense, pass efficiency defense, red zone defense, and fewest opponents' first downs. They were second in sacks and opponents' 3rd down conversions and third in opponents' 4th down conversions. Considering how tough the Carthage D was this year, that's pretty amazing. Since, other than Anthony (DPOY in my opinion), their defense doesn't really have a lot of stars, it'll be interesting to see how they fair in all-conference selections. I would think Aaron Call and Jeremy Hall on the line and any or all of their linebackers, as well as Shea, should get some recognition. Also, Mike Guzman should be a lock for a first team selection on offense.

Augie's Defense was outstanding.  There are two sets of stats, All Games and CCIW Games. Augie leads in almost everything in CCIW Games, Carthage leads in All Games.  Obviously you would want to stake claim to the CCIW Games.  If Augie's Defense keeps playing to this level they can go a long way, especially because these teams they are about to face have not seen Augie on a year in year out basis. And that the speed at which their Offense runs you can not simulate in practice and makes it hard to prepare for in less than a weeks time.  Congrats to Augie and NCC for the playoffs. I know you will represent the CCIW well. 

[irish21]

Bill...The ND offense is a machine. They can do whatever they want against whomever they want to. The defense cost them their two losses.

Charlie will win national championships.

[CCIWfan1]

http://www.d3football.com/pickem/register.php

I went in to make my "homer" picks and the pool doesn't accept Augustana as the champion.

Pat - a little help for the CCIW fans!

[augiedogie]

markdamaker40;

Augie's D in their non-conference games is also skewed because of the amount of time the 2nd stringers played in the 2nd and 3rd games of the season. However they did improve greatly during the season and should be tough against Lakeland and whoever else they play this postseason. Good luck to both Augie and NCC this weekend!

[Pat Coleman]

http://www.d3football.com/pickem/register.php

I went in to make my "homer" picks and the pool doesn't accept Augustana as the champion.

Pat - a little help for the CCIW fans!

Alright, let me test it out. I'll let you know.