FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

usee-- agreed.  During our broadcasts we have classified Wheaton/Augie/IWU/Millikin as the big 4.  Obviously, with the development of NC and Carthage the latter of the big  4 has changed, but Wheaton and Augie are always there.
I think EC and NC have a great chance to finish in the top 1/3 of the conf. with whom they have returning.  I agree with you that until these schools can consistently beat the Wheaties and Auggies, they will still be 3rd/4th placers.

[usee]

do you agree or don't you? your previous post has augie/elm/ncc as the top 3 down the stretch. but now you are saying that's not the case? help me understand what you are talking about.

[Red Reign]

I don't see any reason why elmhurst should be considered in the top 3 or even 4 for that matter. When push comes to shove they've done nothing but come close in some games this year with some big dogs, that doesn't mean anything. Although, NCC has not won a conf championship the past 3 years like AC, WC, and CC but they have been to the playoffs and did fairly well even though they did not win. Next year I think you have to go with AC, WC, NCC, & CC. For the reason that they all have won 8 plus games in one of the last 3 years and still had great records on the years they didn't, Elmhurst has yet to win 7 games since I can remember, or have a winning or even CCIW record and now some want to put them in the TOP 3! Come on, given they showed potential, but potential can get you so far. Elmhurst has high hopes and is hungery. I think adding Barry as recruiting cood. was the best thing to happen to the program how ever like I said top 3, even know is possible, is a bit extreme. For that fact that you'd put them in front of much wrothy and proven teams.

[FormerCard]

When it comes to the top teams in the conference this season, I would say that Augie, Wheaton and NC will be top three.  Shark is right that although Elmhurst seems to have some great talent, 6-4 is just a mark that havent been able to get over.  We know how good Augie and Wheaton have been, and NCC returns the OPOY and a good core this season.  At this point, Augie/Wheaton are reloading schools, which is where I think NC is headed.  Whats the word on recruiting from Augie and Wheaton?

[79jaybird]

Shark  Elmhurst was 6-4, 4-6, and 6-4 the last 3 seasons.  I think their last 7 win season was 1985??  ( I'll have to check, it was under Bruce Hoffmann)
Anyway, with their entire defense returning I see them in the top 4 this year.  (That's just opinion)  I agree that until a team proves themselves ( and this means getting the W's)  they will always be looked down upon.
USee, yes I think Augie/EC/NC are going to be in the top 3 this upcoming season.  I was just mentioning that during my 6 years with EC Radio and as a former player, the big 4 has been  Augie/Millikin/IWU/Wheaton
Recently, it has been Carthage and NC making a strong surge to be in the upper 1/3.  But you're right, I think it will be Augie/EC/NC one of these 3 in the final mix.
News from Elmhurst--  Elmhurst has signed a 4 year contract with Olivet College ( Olivet, MI   MIAA)  2006 @ Olivet 2007 @ EC  2008  @ Olivet 2009 @ Elmhurst.

[CardinalAlum]

I'm confused??

[79jaybird]

FormerCard-- I like the picture    Is she one of the NC Cheerleaders?   

[washdupcard]

Usee,

So losing on a last second field goal, in the rain, eliminates a team from being a front runner for a conference championship?  I'm confused.  I didn't read what you posted carefully...so maybe i'm focusing on the wrong point.

[washdupcard]

As good as elmhurst may be and NCC has been, until one of them wins the cciw title you have to consider augie and wheaton the teams to beat.

This is the quote that i"m talking about.

So Wheaton won two years ago...and that makes them legit.  But losing on a missed field goal makes you a pretender?  I'm just curious.

[usee]

washdup-yeah, its funny that when you win all your games you get to be called the champion. Not sure when that started but its been that way as long as i can remember. 

wheaton has won or shared 4 of the last 6 titles. they have been a factor in the race every year and been in the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. NCC was good last year but not good enough to win the conference championship or win a playoff game at home. you can call it a last second field goal, a fumble on the augie 2 before half, a failure to drive for the win in the last 3 minutes (augie did so), call it what you want....they have never won the conference title. they were as close as they have ever been but no matter how much we all think they have arrived, the bottom line is they haven't done anything. i thought they were a better team than capital in the playoffs but didn't make enough plays in that game either to win.

as you know i was the one who called ncc the frontrunner a year ago. they have a chance, with whom they have returning, to compete for the title again. but you don't get the trophy for just having a chance. you actually do have to win the darn thing. i don't think ncc is a pretender at all. on the contrary, i think they are the real deal, just a play or two away from the hardware.

so, until someone else repeats or wins the conference title, the holders of the last 6 cciw titles will be considered the teams to beat.

[washdupcard]

I guess we essentially agree...we are just differing in symantics.

For the record, regardless of whether or not it involves NCC, I try to recognize that sometimes the ball bounces the other way...and while a great team may sometimes make their own luck...I believe sometimes you just get screwed by circumstance.

[washdupcard]

In terms of NCC v. Wheaton...

I think that both teams have as much to prove as the other.  NCC must prove that they can sustain a great program (ala Wheaton), while Wheaton needs to prove that they haven't fallen a notch...and are still capable of competing for the title.

[washdupcard]

In spite of all that crap I just said....

I think that the current state of the league is a top 3, middle 3, the fallen giant, and perennially bad.

Augie/NCC/Wheaton

Elmhurst/Carthage/Millikin

IWU

NP

In my eyes, the big 4 / little 4 dichotomy is gone.

[79jaybird]

Again this is all speculatoin and as somebody pointed out earlier, until you win the CCIW trophy and "finish" you really can't talk much.
I know about Augie and North Central, but what about Wheaton.  Knowing Coach Swider, I am sure he will get 100% from his players and put out a good squad, but where are they going to wind up?

[FormerCard]

FormerCard-- I like the picture    Is she one of the NC Cheerleaders?   

Yes, she was the middle of the pyramid last year   Her name is Shakira.