FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[usee]

I would also add I think the best thing for our conference is to have wheaton win out and represent the league in the playoffs. They are the only team who has shown enough potential strength to do well into the post season. My fear is our conference is weaker this year than the past few years (based on our out of conf results) and wheaton winning out would separate them from the rest of the conference and prove we have a top contender. if they lose and either/both cciw reps in the postseason do poorly, it confirms our thoughts the conference is down.

[Mugsy]

I would also add I think the best thing for our conference is to have wheaton win out and represent the league in the playoffs. They are the only team who has shown enough potential strength to do well into the post season. My fear is our conference is weaker this year than the past few years (based on our out of conf results) and wheaton winning out would separate them from the rest of the conference and prove we have a top contender. if they lose and either/both cciw reps in the postseason do poorly, it confirms our thoughts the conference is down.

Although I agree with your premise and logic (and I hope Wheaton wins out from a homer standpoint), I don't think you'll find many posters from other CCIW schools willing to hand over the CCIW title just yet.      I know that wasn't the intent of your post...

If Elmhurst, Augie, Carthage or North Central could win the CCIW title and automatic bid to the playoffs, even if it means little or no chance of a 2nd CCIW representative in playoffs or a further weakened national perception of the CCIW, I think they'd take it in a heartbeat and then take their chances at trying to prove themselves in the playoffs.

Again I know the focus of your post was addressing the perceived drop in strength of the CCIW this year...

[vikes35]

After having a day and a half to ponder over the Augie/Elmhurst game I have come to the conclusion that it was a solid football game that was won by the team that executed better (as other have also said).  Augie was able to control the ball very well against a very disciplined Elmhurst D (Jaybird that D should be proud of their overall performance). Whereas watching the Augie O make some D's look silly through fakes and jukes in past years, the Bluejays were burned only a few times by fakes and made Augie drive 4 yards a play for most of the game. 

As augiedogie and jaybird have said already those potential 14 points that Elmhurst left on the field loomed large at the end.  There is no excuse for not being able to punch the ball in from the 1, and that they tried to push that play off tackle surprised me even more (probably should have kept it between the guards). And the INT was weird because they had the QB roll opposite his strong side and the throw showed that he didn't have the arm strength to make such a tight throw. With those drives the game would have been even more exciting than it already was.

As for the Augie woes that we have talked about over the past few weeks, I didn't see them as much in this game. It wasn't a blowout, but it was a very good game (for the most part) by both sides of the ball for Augie. The O-line is getting its feet under them and they played very well opening up some good holes (which Elmhurst LB and DBs closed quick to stop the big gain from occuring). McGinnis played a solid game, but still had a few flaws. Augiedogie and I commented on how he is very slow to pitch the ball and doesn't do it nearly as in stride as Roe did the past 2 seasons. There were at least 5 plays where he actually slowed to an almost halt before releasing the ball (which I am sure the Elmhurst D read as a sure sign he was going to pitch). Overall however I was pleased with the offense's production and I think that this group is starting to get that experience they needed to get better.    The Defense played good except for the fact that they didn't wrap up very well and they allowed alot of YAC for the WRs and the RBs. Augie is not in the "world of hurt" that many of us thought they might be in, and this tough road win against a very good  Elmhurst squad showed that Augie still has what it takes to be at the top of the CCIW. Next week will be a tough test, but I think that Saturday's game is a good stepping stone for the Thunder this weekend.

Also I would like to make a quick comment about how hospitable the Elmhurst fans were at Saturday's game. Augiedogie and I got there far too late to secure seats on the Augie side so we sat with the Bluejay fans. They were very knowledgable and very friendly, even though they knew the 2 of us were "enemies".  Good showing by the Bluejay FB team and their fans!!!!

Wheaton posters, anyone going out to RI for the game?

[washdupcard]

I should also mention that the highlight of the game at NPU on Saturday was when a squirrel leaped out of one of the trees behind the stadium and into the grandstands and scurried through the feet of spectators for about ten or fifteen minutes. He was by far more elusive than anybody who suited up for either NPU or Millikin.

That gave me a good laugh.  Kinda reminds me of when i played for NCC.

[Mugsy]

Wheaton posters, anyone going out to RI for the game?

vikes35,

Thanks a ton for your thoughts on Augie.  Unfortunately I won't be able to make it to Rock Island for the game.

[Mugsy]

I should also mention that the highlight of the game at NPU on Saturday was when a squirrel leaped out of one of the trees behind the stadium and into the grandstands and scurried through the feet of spectators for about ten or fifteen minutes. He was by far more elusive than anybody who suited up for either NPU or Millikin.

That gave me a good laugh.  Kinda reminds me of when i played for NCC.

This makes me think of Chevy Chase and Christmas Vacation.  "SQUIRREL!  SQUIRREL!"

[usee]

Wheaton posters, anyone going out to RI for the game?

actually a good chance i may make the trip.

[usee]

I would also add I think the best thing for our conference is to have wheaton win out and represent the league in the playoffs. They are the only team who has shown enough potential strength to do well into the post season. My fear is our conference is weaker this year than the past few years (based on our out of conf results) and wheaton winning out would separate them from the rest of the conference and prove we have a top contender. if they lose and either/both cciw reps in the postseason do poorly, it confirms our thoughts the conference is down.

Although I agree with your premise and logic (and I hope Wheaton wins out from a homer standpoint), I don't think you'll find many posters from other CCIW schools willing to hand over the CCIW title just yet.      I know that wasn't the intent of your post...

If Elmhurst, Augie, Carthage or North Central could win the CCIW title and automatic bid to the playoffs, even if it means little or no chance of a 2nd CCIW representative in playoffs or a further weakened national perception of the CCIW, I think they'd take it in a heartbeat and then take their chances at trying to prove themselves in the playoffs.

Again I know the focus of your post was addressing the perceived drop in strength of the CCIW this year...

I agree completely. was obviously posting as an "objective" observer. I am sure posters from other boards would say the same thing.

[79jaybird]

Vikes35-- You reecho many of the points that I saw also on the field Saturday.  Augie executed when they had to, and Elmhurst didn't.  I still think if we get those 14 points when WE SHOULD HAVE!  The would have been different.  The shoulda, coulda, wouldas, are getting old though!  Also old, is the conservative (offensive) play calling in the red zone.  1st and goal from (wherever) should be 7.  Good teams make it 7, o.k. teams settle for 3.  I know Tom Journell strives for excellence and would say, we need 7 in those situations.  Oh well, it's on to North Central this week.
Last thing, I agree that the run off right tackle on 4th down was interesting.  He ended up being stopped well short.
Usee, I was just making a point that I don't think Augie (or anybody) has an easy road to the title.  If the last few Wheaton/EC matchups are any indicator, that will be a toughy for both teams in 3 weeks at  McCully.
I think the CCIW gets 2 teams in regardless.
Augie's losses  UWP and BW  are good teams
Elmhurst's loss   if there is such a thing as a "good loss" that is it.
NC- this one hurts.  CUW is a great team, but the IBFC is a horrible conf.
Carthage- Loss to Elmhurst is not as bad as losing to CUW and similar to Elmhurst's loss to Augie.
Again, still a lot of football to be played, but I think the CCIW gets two in.

[usee]

jaybird,

elmhurst and ncc play each other as does wheaton elmhurst, etc. there are limited possibilities to get 2 in. If wheaton wins out the cciw will have 1 rep in the playoffs. period. end of story. we won't get 2 in that case because everyone else will have 2 losses.

check the last 3 scores when elmhurst has played at Wheaton 

[lakeshore]

well with the Vikes new weight and rec facility they shouldn't have any problems getting stronger and adding weight.  The new Helwig center is the creme of the crop among CCIW weight rooms and indoor practice facilities

[CardinalAlum]

Congrats to Wheaton and fans!(Even Mugsy) Sounds like NCC was outplayed and outcoached after halftime.  Wheaton is in the drivers seat!  Tough homecoming game this week with Elmhurst.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I asked a question last night (and Titanbacker expressed interst in the same question this morning):  seemingly the key stat in the Carthage vs. IWU game was Carthage winning the turnover battle, 4-0.  For someone who was there (or, perhaps, even listening if the announcers seemed clear on the distinction) were these more giveaways (in which case IWU's sloppiness is hopefully correctable) or takeaways (which speaks well of the Carthage defense, but where were they the first 50 minutes)?

[Tailgater]

I asked a question last night (and Titanbacker expressed interst in the same question this morning):  seemingly the key stat in the Carthage vs. IWU game was Carthage winning the turnover battle, 4-0.  For someone who was there (or, perhaps, even listening if the announcers seemed clear on the distinction) were these more giveaways (in which case IWU's sloppiness is hopefully correctable) or takeaways (which speaks well of the Carthage defense, but where were they the first 50 minutes)?

The last fumble which led to the game winning score was a take away. 2 carthage defenders met at the point of handoff between the QB and RB, on what appeared was to be a draw, and completely blew up the play. The exchange was never made as all 4 players crashed together in a cloud of dust. The intercepion late in the game returned by Carthage for an apparent TD could be considered either a good coverage play or a forced throw into coverage deep down field. Desperate times require desperate measures at that late stage in the game. I think the IWU QB was trying to force something to happen. Another of the fumbles I assume was the well executed on-side kick that was recovered. The ball did hit the hands of an IWU player before being batted into the hands of Carthage. I can't remember the third fumble recovery, but I'm working on film highlights later tonight and I'll refesh my memory. As a whole I'd have to say the turnovers could be classified as take aways more so than misques by IWU

[augiedogie]

Wow... OAC Pick-em's favors Wheaton over Augustana by 9.5 points!

It's in Rock Island and the game is typically goes down to the wire (except last year and 2002).

Interesting...

I'll take Augie and 9.5 pts.  It's interesting with a team that likes to slow down the game as much as Augie how much of an impact the new clock rules will impact games.    On one hand it will favor Augie trying to kill the clock late in games, but if they ever have to come back from more than 2 scores down, it will be that much harder. What are people's thoughts on the new clock rules?