FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[augiedogie]

Mugsy:

You are right to say about MUC's special teams being very good.  Probably the biggest turning point in the Augie MUC game was when Augie kicked off with just under 2 minutes left in the half.  They tried one of those short high kicks into the wind, and MUC's TE caught the ball and returned it about 30 yards to set up great field position for a score before the half. It would have been 13-7 with Augie getting the kick, but instead was 20-7 which turned out to be huge. MUC only punted 1 time so I didn't see much of those teams, but their coverage team covered decently with all the practice they had against Augie.

[augiedogie]

It will be interesting to see if people still have the same predicitions when it comes closer to fall because by then, most people probably will not pick Augie to win conference.

[augievike]

I don't know how you can pick against augie every year.  I guess if you do every year then finally you might be right but come on.  U, by u i mean most of the people, picked us to be 4th this year gave us no chance.  Then we come out and run the table undefeated.  Heck no one said that could be done even by the champ.  I think augie will be very good next year. Maybe not as dominating on defense but still very good on offense so look out.  Good luck to Augie and I hope you repeat undefeated and have a better run in the playofffs.

[augiedogie]

Augie does lose pretty much their entire backfield next year minus Guzeman. It will take sometime for McGuiness to come up to speed, but he has the potential to be better than Roe. The defense will be hurting because of the loses of Shay and Anthony and the other seniors. I don't think next years team will be as good as this years, but nobody thought this year was going to win like they did, so maybe they will be as good if not better next year.

[RedmenFB44]

I know its early but who would you slot in as they pre-season OPY and DPY for next season? Just for fun and we are all pretty sure that a freshman isnt going to win it however it is possible but very unlikly.

[79jaybird]

I like the proposed Carthage emblem.  As a hockey player it reminds me of the Calgary Flames Logo with the "flaming C".
It's hard to tell and project standings for 2006.  We have a long Summer (without football )  and lots of things can happen during the break. 
I would put Augie, Elmhurst, and Carthage in the frontrunning slots.  NC, Wheaton in the mix right behind these 3. 

[FormerCard]

Augie/NCC/Wheaton fight for the top three spots

With Carthage/Millikin/Elmhurst fighting below them

IWU

NP


I think this is as accurate as anyone can get at this point.  Things can shape up a little better in the fall...but until then there is absolutely no way anyone can make an informed decision on how the conference is going to shape up.

Yes, there is no way anyone can know (which is why I am not sure your prediction is as accurate as anyone can get at this point).  Most people make the predictions on what each team has coming back and I think that it is a fun topic.   You are more than likely making your predictions on what the teams did last year.

Redmen44,

Preseason OPOY-  Kniss
Preseason DPOY-  No Idea on this one.  any other takers?


I really wish we were talking about the upcoming NC/Augie in the playoffs..there is always next year I guess.

[ncc58]

It will be interesting to see if people still have the same predicitions when it comes closer to fall because by then, most people probably will not pick Augie to win conference.

There was good reason not to pick Augie to win the CCIW in 2005. 2004 looked liked changes were coming. Carthage jumped up to claim a playoff spot. NCC beat Augie decisively and closed the gap on Wheaton. Both those schools looked like they were rising. However, going back to the early 70s. every time that Augie looked like it was headed in a downward direction, it has come back stronger than ever.

NCC achieved some accomplishments in the last two seasons that had not been achieved in a while - beating Augie in 2004 and beating Wheaton in 2005. However, they have not beaten both Wheaton and Augie in the same season since 1980. 25 years. If you want to be conference champs, that's what you have to do.

I'd much rather see two CCIW teams playing each other this weekend than two OAC teams playing each other. Rather than talk about how NCC or Carthage or Elmhurst will contend for the CCIW title, I'd like to see these teams as well as perennial contenders Wheaton and Augustana step up their programs to be national champion calibre teams.

[Mugsy]

I'd much rather see two CCIW teams playing each other this weekend than two OAC teams playing each other. Rather than talk about how NCC or Carthage or Elmhurst will contend for the CCIW title, I'd like to see these teams as well as perennial contenders Wheaton and Augustana step up their programs to be national champion calibre teams.

I think we all would love to see that.  Personally I think the reason why we see the Capital vs. Mount Union regional final is defense.  CCIW contenders have had the offensive fire power, but the defense has been proven as lacking once they get to the 2nd round of the playoffs.  Difference is that Capital and Mount Union have the tough defense to compliment their offense.

[79jaybird]

Mugsy good point.  Pat and I were at the UW Whitewater/SJU game and the Warhawks defense was in the Johnnies face all afternoon.  I was a defensive lineman in both h.s/Elm and how we (defense) played usually determined whether we won or lost that game.  You go back in history 85 Bears Pittsburgh's Iron Curtain Defense, etc.  all winning teams had great defenses.

[usee]

i concur on the defenses. the main aspect of defense you see in mt union and capital is speed. they have it and can control offenses with it. cciw defenses really don't have the same team speed we have seen consistently from muc and this year, cap. carthage approached it last year (and poss this year before guys got hurt).

POY-if spencer comes back don't be surprised to see him get it on offense. on defense i am calling for a darkhorse candidate.....pete iitersagen, db from wheaton. you heard it here first.

[Mugsy]

iPOY-if spencer comes back don't be surprised to see him get it on offense. on defense i am calling for a darkhorse candidate.....pete iitersagen, db from wheaton. you heard it here first.

usee, interesting choice for DPOY.  Pete Iitersagen had a great year - 1st Team All-Conference DB as a freshman.  Thought crossed my mind when I reflected on what Wheaton players could be a possibility (I wasn't thinking of other teams just yet because I'm not as familiar with them).  The other remote possibility from Wheaton could be Andy Studebaker.  19 1/2 tackles for loss and 8 sacks as as a sophomore.  He wasn't even a starter until Trey Andrews went down.

[augiedogie]

NCC will also have to win on the road in order to be a main force in the CCIW. I know that Carthage won a split of the title in '04 with a conference loss on the road, but both Wheaton and Augie have proved consistently that they can win on the road.  NCC's win against Augie in '04 was at home same with their win this year against Wheaton. No disrespect to NCC, but until they can consistently win on the road, they will be on the outside looking in.

[Redmen96]

79Jaybird

  I just looked at the Calgary Logo  their flames come directly off the C and are shorter, but your right it is the same principle. 

[Redmen96]

I really hope they like my logo.  It would be nice to think an old guy half way across the country could still have some input on his old team.