FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[diehardfan]

not yet in the top 4 in the CCIW (Augie, Carthage, NCC, Wheaton in alphabetical order)

So weird... to me, when I started out watching Wheaton football, the top four were Augie, IWU, Millikin and Wheaton... in fact, they were called "the big four" if I remember correctly, and we were having this intense debate of whether any other team would displace one of the big four... my how times change....

[Mugsy]

In a somewhat related story about moms in stands yelling.....I don't mean to be a curmudgeon, but as a defensive player, it always drives me batty to sit in the stands and have mom's yell "get him, get him, get him" to their sons as they play defense.  I just want to say, trust me, they're trying to "get him."  So, I was at the Trinity-DePauw game on Sat. before the storm postponed it, and I got stuck sitting next to a player's mom (I think it was the fact she was wearing his jersey that gave it away, but I digress).  So, now I'm not only subjected to the neverending and unimaginative "get him" chant on every single play, but I also have to listen to it in a high pitched Texas drawl which perverts the phrase to "git 'im y'all, git 'im y'all, git 'im y'all."  I kid you not, she yelled the phrase no less than 5 times between the snap of the ball and the tackle after only a 1 yard gain.  Ok, that's all for my venting.  I just had to get that one off my chest.  Or I mean "git" it off my chest.

Too funny!  Your description put me right there.

[Mr. Ypsi]

not yet in the top 4 in the CCIW (Augie, Carthage, NCC, Wheaton in alphabetical order)

So weird... to me, when I started out watching Wheaton football, the top four were Augie, IWU, Millikin and Wheaton... in fact, they were called "the big four" if I remember correctly, and we were having this intense debate of whether any other team would displace one of the big four... my how times change....

In fact, all the way back to MY days (late 60s - and likely before), it was the big 4 and the little 4.  I got into a discussion with someone (can't recall who, but probably an NCC or Elmhurst partisan) only a year or two ago as to whether that scenario was dead and buried or IWU (and perhaps Millikin) were only temporarily absent.  The debate was inconclusive at that point.

NOW I will acknowledge that 'big 4/little 4' is kaput.  And I don't foresee any immediate replacement with just new teams.  For the moment, it looks to me like 'near' anarchy in the top seven (some MORE likely to win than others), plus NPU.  And I would TRULY welcome NPU into the mix!

[Tailgater]

I'd like to add a couple factors to the Carthage/Elmhurst game which cannot be overlooked. The game is in Kenosha and at night. Kenosha has been a magical place for the Red Men over the last couple of years. Their only loss at home over the past 2 seasons was a heartbreaker, 7-0 to Augie last year. Carthage plays a few night games each season and has already played under the lights at Carroll for their opener. I don't know how much adverse effect that has on a team use to playing in daylight, but it definitley has an effect. I'm guessing Elmhurst hasn't experienced playing under the lights too often? It is always tough for a team to win on the road. Kenosha will be a tough place for any team to conquer.

[redman04]

not yet in the top 4 in the CCIW (Augie, Carthage, NCC, Wheaton in alphabetical order)

So weird... to me, when I started out watching Wheaton football, the top four were Augie, IWU, Millikin and Wheaton... in fact, they were called "the big four" if I remember correctly, and we were having this intense debate of whether any other team would displace one of the big four... my how times change....

DEATH TO THE BIG FOUR!!!!!!!!! 

it is by far a better CCIW now than it was 10 years ago!.

FB44
I hope we have another season like 2004, so that one will become the norm rather than the exception!
---And no the term norm was not named for the great and mighty Norm Eash!!!

[redman04]

I'd like to add a couple factors to the Carthage/Elmhurst game which cannot be overlooked. The game is in Kenosha and at night. Kenosha has been a magical place for the Red Men over the last couple of years. Their only loss at home over the past 2 seasons was a heartbreaker, 7-0 to Augie last year. Carthage plays a few night games each season and has already played under the lights at Carroll for their opener. I don't know how much adverse effect that has on a team use to playing in daylight, but it definitley has an effect. I'm guessing Elmhurst hasn't experienced playing under the lights too often? It is always tough for a team to win on the road. Kenosha will be a tough place for any team to conquer.

A lot of teams have had a hard time playing in K-town at night.   It is a tough place to play at night.  I am hoping for a great atmosphere! 

Since I am abusing my power here's a little Karma for ya!

[FatalImpact]

The way I see it...playing at nite under lights and playing during the day will have little or no effect on the game.....I think this Elmhurst team is waiting to prove itself to the so called "Top 4".....IMO that top 4 should be 5 and include Elmhurst

[RedmenFB44]

The way I see it...playing at nite under lights and playing during the day will have little or no effect on the game.....I think this Elmhurst team is waiting to prove itself to the so called "Top 4".....IMO that top 4 should be 5 and include Elmhurst

If there was a top 5 Elmhurst would be there but if we do a top 5 we might as well list all 8 

Also how do you know that Elmhurst will not be effected by the night game @ Carthage? Have you seen them play or is that just your feeling? Where you play has a part of the outcome of the game. In 2003 we went to Elmhurst and the pounded us 21-0 then the next year they came to Carthage and we all know what happened there. Homefield advantage in college sports can be a huge part of an outcome in a game. I have been wondering how much you have seen Elmhurst or Carthage play the last few years?

[wheels81]

Elmhurst has a lot to prove and just beating Carthage is a mere step to approaching the big 4.  They have won games against pretty average (and thats a nice way of putting it) teams.  Olivet gave them points early by to's.
Carthage is in a down year with little expected.  NC, Wheaton, and Millikin have proven to be more than adequate this year and Augie will be in the win column again this week vs State Farm U.

[wheels81]

I am picking Carthage to win and for Elmhurst to drown their sorrows in the Brawt stop on the way home.

[Gregory Sager]

Your right I'm sorry I made a mistake by going to the SUNY site and not the Alfred site because I have other things to do I thought it would be a good quick refrence but I was wrong.  I work for New York State and should have known that they stake claim to anything and everything they can. 

That's so that they can tax anything and everything that they can. 

[Gregory Sager]

this is a better point. I was thinking of Rucks mainly but admit i did not know the reason for his departure. I also had high hopes for liljegren and even robin cooper initially. but your point is well taken that it is hard to get good coaches to consider north park.

don't know if this was already covered, but Rucks left on his own.  He wanted to go back to coach his alma matar.  Liljegren had done the best job since Rucks.  (No offense to Penthel, but he just got there) His teams were always prepared, even though they were out talented, and played hard.  They gave us several good games while I was at Carthage.  I think if he was supported the way the way they have supported the program the past couple of years, he would still be there.  Just My opinion

I agree. I know Mike Liljegren (he was two years behind me at North Park), and I have a lot of respect for him. I think of him as the poster boy for good football coaches who get trapped in bad situations.

[FatalImpact]

How is carthage in the top ....didnt they only have two good seasons and b4 that they were a mediocre team at best at 3-7 but are given instant credibility...where the other three teams have been pretty substantiated in this conference....but carthage yet good was given credibility after ther breakout season....I don't get the logic behind this so-called "Top 4"

[Mr. Ypsi]

How is carthage in the top ....didnt they only have two good seasons and b4 that they were a mediocre team at best at 3-7 but are given instant credibility...where the other three teams have been pretty substantiated in this conference....but carthage yet good was given credibility after ther breakout season....I don't get the logic behind this so-called "Top 4"

For several decades the CCIW was dominated by Augie, IWU, Millikin, and Wheaton (in alphabetical order) - that was the BIG four.  In recent years (people can debate starting exactly when - a debate I choose not to join), this dominance began to crumble.  Augie and Wheaton have remained near the top; Millikin and IWU have not.  IMO, the conference is now wide open (with Augie and Wheaton always still near the top of the debate), but there are now 7 viable choices, with NPU hopefully becoming a candidate as well, rather than a Hiram or Heidelberg.

[Pat Coleman]

Winning two road playoff games does a lot for the credibility too.