FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[TitanBacker]

Sounds like, and looks like, craziness may ensue in the CCIW with the three way tie for first.  NCC does not have a pushover game with IWU, I still think they're going to come out and shock somebody.  Yet, I have to give credit where credit is due and NCC definitely deserves it with a game like that in Naperville!!

To the NCC fans, do you think that the differences in offenses of Augie and IWU will play a role in the game on Saturday?  In other words, will the NCC secondary be flying up to make plays rather than reacting to pass first??

[CardinalAlum]

To the NCC fans, do you think that the differences in offenses of Augie and IWU will play a role in the game on Saturday?  In other words, will the NCC secondary be flying up to make plays rather than reacting to pass first??

TitanBacker,

I think with all of the film that they watch, I don't see them reacting like they did against Augie.  Augie had a very slim chance of completing a pass.  The few times they did throw, they had a couple of people open and couldn't get a pass complete. 

[Comet 14]

usee- I don't see how having less than one year experince has anything to do with it. If Elmhurst wins out which it very well could they will finish with a better record than the last three years. That's called improvement. Also the running back position while important is not as important as the QB position no matter what level of football you are playing. How does it feel to have someone with less than 1 year experince in 2nd place ahead of you in the pick-um's?

[Cardinal_skip]

Cardinal_Skip,

Welcome to the board.  Always good to have another Cardinal!

Thanks for the Karma CardinalAlum!   I'll give another welcome to Cardinal_Skip!

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Regarding North Central's football program, the turning point came at the end of the Elmhurst game. By that time, everyone knew that Auggie had defeated Wheaton and that the Cardinals were back in the hunt. I'm not one for making a lot of predictions, but the renewed spirit, a "second chance" if you will, for North Central seems to have the players back on track to win a conference championship. As I said before, it won't be easy with Wesleyan and Carthage coming up.

[CardinalAlum]

Cardinal_Skip,

Welcome to the board.  Always good to have another Cardinal!

Thanks for the Karma CardinalAlum!   I'll give another welcome to Cardinal_Skip!

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Regarding North Central's football program, the turning point came at the end of the Elmhurst game. By that time, everyone knew that Auggie had defeated Wheaton and that the Cardinals were back in the hunt. I'm not one for making a lot of predictions, but the renewed spirit, a "second chance" if you will, for North Central seems to have the players back on track to win a conference championship. As I said before, it won't be easy with Wesleyan and Carthage coming up.

Very well said!

[Cardinal_skip]

I think Sulo's performance against Augie would solidify him as a 1st team all-CCIW running back behind Black and Wallick.  I'm pretty sure they have always had three 1st team backs.

Sulo has been the difference for North Central all season.

[ncc58]

Sounds like, and looks like, craziness may ensue in the CCIW with the three way tie for first.  NCC does not have a pushover game with IWU, I still think they're going to come out and shock somebody.  Yet, I have to give credit where credit is due and NCC definitely deserves it with a game like that in Naperville!!

To the NCC fans, do you think that the differences in offenses of Augie and IWU will play a role in the game on Saturday?  In other words, will the NCC secondary be flying up to make plays rather than reacting to pass first??

There were a number of players who are part of normal rotations in passing situations who saw zero or limited plays.They should be eager to play against a balanced attack. Cornerbacks wiho actually get to line up on receivers will also be excited to play IWU. IWU, even though they ar ranked near the bottom in most offensive players, have one of the top receivers in the conference and a very good running back. Panno isn't bad either. Plenty to see on film not to be overconfident.

[ncc58]

I don't think it will matter. The all conference voting is about reputation, politics and performance.  Black and Wallick have paid their dues, plus performed and will surely be 1st team.  Sulo has performed well enough to be the third 1st team back.

It could matter. If Black misses another game, the politics becomes important and keeping Black on the first team could impact another Wheaton player from being named all conference, perhaps one of their receivers.

[79jaybird]

Wow! Usee, must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed!  
You half to have a strong backbone and be able to absorb shots on this board. While the majority of the chatter is positive and very statistical related, there are often little puns, shots, sticks, bones, etc. that get tossed around.  That is what CardinalAlum/Mugsy/yours truly etc.  like to do.  
Right now, if I was gambling (which I don't do) I would say Augie is looking like the odd man out.  Wheaton and North Central are poised to make the playoffs as long as they don't self destruct these last 2 weeks.  Both appear to be facing a first round AWAY game also.
Mt. Union debate?   Who cares if you have to face Mt. Union or a team as good as the Bears?  The fact is they are still humans, made of the same flesh and blood as you and me.  As long as you play fundamental football, you are wrapping up on your tackles, hustling to the ball, making your blocks, etc.  the pieces will fall into place.  Execution is the name of the game, not being afraid of who you might face.
I agree Mt. Union is a tough foe.  Annually they are the team to beat in D-3.  But they aren't  GOD.  Mary Hardin-Baylor showed they are able to compete with them, and I see no reason why we (CCIW members) can't either.
The Elmhurst improvement debate is shadowed by the increased strength of the CCIW as a whole.   Since 1985 the Bluejays have had  3 seasons of 5 or more wins (87, 03, 05),  17 seasons of 5 or less wins.  
Now, since Paul Krohn's final year and promotion to AD, along with the uprising led by Tom Journell, the Bluejays have fielded a record of
2003 Paul Krohn   6-4  3-4 CCIW
2004 Tom Journell 4-6  1-6 CCIW
2005 Tom Journell 6-4  3-4 CCIW
2006 Tom Journel  ??
With Millikin and @North Park remaining here in '06  I think there is a very good chance Elmhurst can finish 7-3 and 4-3 in the CCIW.  Millikin will be a very difficult game, but winnable.  The key is obviously containing Wallick.
The last time Elmhurst had a winning CCIW record was 1985 when they were 6-2 under Bruce Hoffmann.  The Bluejays were 4-4 in 1987 also under Hoffmann.
What these stat(s) indicate is that Elmhurst is on the right track to building up a contending program again.  The program was a contender in the late 70's and early 80's after the Art Keller Dynasty and before the Bob Reade Dynasty.

[79jaybird]

All Conference picks?  Still a little early with 2 weeks and some big matchups left to play but here is what I would name if I was the voter
pos.  1st team       2nd team           3rd team
QB     Kniss             Panno                 Chupp
RB     Wallick           Black                  Dunlop
WR    Haldeman      Cooley Jr.          Chupp/Young
TE     Klein               Augie's TE

[usee]

usee- I don't see how having less than one year experince has anything to do with it. If Elmhurst wins out which it very well could they will finish with a better record than the last three years. That's called improvement.

The fact that you may be right doesn't have anything to do with the irony of you stating elmhurst is improved over 5 years when you haven't seen even 1 full season of CCIW football.

Also the running back position while important is not as important as the QB position no matter what level of football you are playing.

Those of us who have been watching CCIW football for more than 5 yrs will also remember wheaton went undefeated while their starting qb didn't play 3 conference games or when wheaton beat the #6 ranked, undefeated Augie team in the last game of their season with their scout team qb.

How does it feel to have someone with less than 1 year experince in 2nd place ahead of you in the pick-um's?

It feels like you guess non conference games better than I do. And if the ability to guess outcomes of football games was any indicator of intelligence I would be making a lot more money than I do now.

[usee]

Since 1985 the Bluejays have had  3 seasons of 5 or more wins (87, 03, 05),  17 seasons of 5 or less wins.  
Now, since Paul Krohn's final year and promotion to AD, along with the uprising led by Tom Journell, the Bluejays have fielded a record of
2003 Paul Krohn   6-4  3-4 CCIW
2004 Tom Journell 4-6  1-6 CCIW
2005 Tom Journell 6-4  3-4 CCIW
2006 Tom Journel  ??
With Millikin and @North Park remaining here in '06  I think there is a very good chance Elmhurst can finish 7-3 and 4-3 in the CCIW.  Millikin will be a very difficult game, but winnable.  The key is obviously containing Wallick.
The last time Elmhurst had a winning CCIW record was 1985 when they were 6-2 under Bruce Hoffmann.  The Bluejays were 4-4 in 1987 also under Hoffmann.
What these stat(s) indicate is that Elmhurst is on the right track to building up a contending program again.  The program was a contender in the late 70's and early 80's after the Art Keller Dynasty and before the Bob Reade Dynasty.

I actually agree Elmhurst is moving in the right direction. Jaybird and others with bluejay colored glasses on had hopes it would have fallen into place this year. Elmhurst has clearly made major improvements (facilities, staffing, recruiting) but it takes time for those to show up on the field. While I was skeptical Elmhurst was quite ready this year, it is also clear they are improving and adding resources necessary to conistently win in this league.

[79jaybird]

Usee- I agree with you on the last post.  I would say ease up on Comet14, he still has the training wheels on and hasn't completely familiarized himself with the CCIW/D-3 rules/regs etc.
I agree that going into the 2006 season Elmhurst had high hopes with the  18 seniors leading the team.  18 Seniors was a dream when I was in a Bluejays uni.
The team, the facilities, the recruits, the coaches, etc.  have all been upgrading.  It goes without saying that building up a program ah, a contending program takes time, suffering, despair, and guts.  Elmhurst has fallen short in the 3 big statement games this year, but that doesn't mean the team is not improving. 
If Elmhurst beats Millikin and North Park (which I think they should) they will end the season 7-3 4-3 CCIW which would be their best finish since 1985.

[CardinalAlum]

All Conference picks?  Still a little early with 2 weeks and some big matchups left to play but here is what I would name if I was the voter
pos.  1st team       2nd team           3rd team
QB     Kniss             Panno                 Chupp
RB     Wallick           Black                  Dunlop
WR    Haldeman      Cooley Jr.          Chupp/Young
TE     Klein               Augie's TE

FYI, Stuedemann was the 2nd team TE last year.  He is a lock 1st team this year!  And Sulo is still better than Dunlop! 

[79jaybird]

Soooo you would have it 1st team Wallick 2nd team Black  3rd team Sulo 4th team Dunlop?   
That's your opinion and fair enough.