FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[matblake]

Thanks, Pat!  Not surprisingly, you have information in one central place.  Sure saves time going from site to site to site just to get information. 

[usee]

The 2006 CCIW schedule, as we have it:

http://www.d3football.com/conference_info.php?conf=CCIW&year=2006&all

(Scroll down past the releases)

interesting stuff on the schedule this year!! to note:

wheaton opens w its first ever home night game v albion (v washU and @hope)
i love the OAC matchups Millikin v ONU, Augie hosts Baldwin wallace.
millikin also takes on Wabash for a tough preseason
augie also faces UW platteville
ncc faces washU the week after wheaton does

some interesting games in the preseason will give us an early read on how our conf stacks up v the best in the biz.

[formerd3db]

usee:

This is not intended as being critical towards you at all, but I just wanted to mention that Wheaton has played home night games before.  In my playing days ("way back when" ,), we played at Wheaton at a night game (it was at the Wheaton H.S. (Tigers stadium as I recall).  So I don't think it is Wheaton's first ever home night game, unless you were referring to it as being the first at Wheaton's on-campus stadium and/or it being the home opener.  If the latter scenario are correct, my apologies.

Anyway, am looking forward to seeing you at the Wheaton @ Hope game this year.  Perhaps we'll finally get a chance to meet in person.

[79jaybird]

I am happy to see that the CCIW has "boosted" the level of competition during the non conf. schedule.  No more cream puffs for our conference.  I think each school plays at least 1 worthy non conf. team.
I think the CCIW is wide open this year with no "clear cut" favorite.  Certainly there are a couple of schools that figure to be near the top, but it is ever increasinly wide open.

[matblake]

I would have to say that North Central, Augustana, and Wheaton would have to be among the favorites.  Carthage and Elmhurst would be at the wait and see stage as far as contending.  Millikin, IWU and North Park are looking to improve.  Of the top 3, who does it appear lost the most?  At first glance it appears to be Augustana.  Although, losing Spencer is certainly a big blow to the Cardinals.

[Jim Matson]

usee was correct that will be Wheaton's first home night game on McCully Field.  The lights were installed 2 years ago and were used a few times last year but never for a night game.

I too am excited about the opponents for our pre-CCIW season.

[augiedogie]

Jaybird:

With your "no more creampuffs" comment are you saying that Elmhurst's first two games are good competition, or were you just saying because they play on the road at Olivet? 

Kind of surprised that Augie scheduled an IBC opponent this season. It is the first game of the season though, and on the road, but still doesn't seem like an opponent they would normally schedule. 

[matblake]

Let's not forget how difficult it can be to get contracts in football.  You basically have 2 to 3 weeks each season to schedule non-conference opponents.  Factor in that each school typically has contracts in existence and you are working several years ahead of time.  Add in the fact that some conferences might not be too excited about playing particular teams from certain conferences. The CCIW probably has an easier time because they have 3 weeks to work with instead of the 1 week that some of the larger conferences such as the OAC have.  Thinking of where Elmhurst was 3 to 4 years ago, Benedictine and Olivet might not have been too bad of a choice at that time.

[formerd3db]

Thanks Hiker Jim for the clarification about Wheaton's first night game at their on-campus stadium.  I thought that is what Usee meant (again, since I played in a previous Wheaton night game as mentioned).  Anyway, that should be an exciting evening.  I hope you have a tremendous crowd for the game.

[79jaybird]

Augiedogie,  "no more creampuffs"  I was referring to the CCIW in general is increasing the level of competition  of their non conf. opponents.
By no means did I mean that Elmhurst is playing a high impact non conf. schedule.  I would love to see them get rid of Benedictine.  Chicago is decent ( not tremendous, but fairly good) and also IWU plays them.  I don't know much about Olivet.
I just see the CCIW as a whole scheduling stronger teams for the first 3 weeks of the year, which I think benefits everybody.

Of Augie, Wheaton, and NC... I think Augie is the strongest of these 3 and will be the strongest on offense.  I still think the race is wide open with 5 of the 8 teams in "shouting distance".

[79jaybird]

Which of these is going to be the most urgent need to take care of? or Which of these is the greatest concern for their respective programs?
Elmhurst losing Luna, Evans, and Brogan.
NC  not having Spencer, Radtke or Holden
NPU  getting started with a new coaching regime
IWU/MIllikin trying to reestablish themselves like  the 1990's
Augie Well, I think they are pretty well intact right now.
Wheaton-- Getting everybody to gel  appears they have the weapons in place
Carthage--Getting the offense going, I think their D will be very good.

[red99]

Carthage has added Whittier College (California) for a home and away.

[Red Reign]

Which of these is going to be the most urgent need to take care of? or Which of these is the greatest concern for their respective programs?
Elmhurst losing Luna, Evans, and Brogan.
NC  not having Spencer, Radtke or Holden
NPU  getting started with a new coaching regime
IWU/MIllikin trying to reestablish themselves like  the 1990's
Augie Well, I think they are pretty well intact right now.
Wheaton-- Getting everybody to gel  appears they have the weapons in place
Carthage--Getting the offense going, I think their D will be very good.

NC might have the worst loss, not only for those listed above they break down like this:

Offense-- 6 returners
QB- Sr.
4 OL- Sr., 3XJr.
WR- Sr.

Defense-- 5 returners
2 DL- Sr., Jr.
LB- Sr.
S- Sr.
CB- Jr.

Hopefully NC had alot of depth last year b/c there are alot of open spot on both sides of the ball condering they only had replace 2 on D last year and 2 on O

[irish21]

Carthage has added Whittier College (California) for a home and away.

Trivia question...

Who is Whittier's most famous alumnus?

[dansand]

Carthage has added Whittier College (California) for a home and away.

Trivia question...

Who is Whittier's most famous alumnus?

This is a "tricky" one. Do you mean famous or infamous?