FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[TitanBacker]

The early and primary reason for the perspective that the CCIW is down a bit was the 15-9 non-conference record this year.  Actually that isn't too bad, but it is down from 21-3 last year.

Mugsy and others-

Do you think this record is because of the fact that teams in the CCIW are no longer playing all cupcake teams like years ago?  I'd be interested to see how the non-conference wins and losses stack up to the wins and losses of the teams that CCIW teams played.  In effect, I'd like to know if we're playing cupcakes or legitimate contenders and where the wins and losses come.

Below is a table comparing the cumulative records of the non-conference opponents from 2005 to 2006.

CCIW Team	Non-Conf. Record (2005)	Non-Conf. Record (2006)
Wheaton	12-18	14-11
North Central	10-20	18-9
Augustana	13-18	12-12
Carthage	17-14	10-15
Elmhurst	8-21	11-13
Illinois Wesleyan	16-13	19-5
Millikin	19-12	16-9
North Park	6-14	9-17
Totals:	101-130 (.437%)	109-91 (.545%)

At a quick glance, here is what I see:
1. Wheaton picked up 2 new opponents that overall are better.  Upgrading to Albion from Gustavus Adolphus and similar strength from Greenville to WashU.
2. North Central dropped a 1-9 Augsburg and replaced with the 9-0 Concordia (Wisc.).  Thats quite a swing in overall record between 2005 & 2006.
3. Augustana picked up 2 new opponents.  They dropped Central who went 9-2 in 2005 and replaced them with MacMurray who is 1-7 at this point.   UW-Plattville was 1-9 in 2005, but are 5-3 so far in 2006.  Augie replaced Catholic with Baldwin-Wallace, who in addition to beating them are currently at 6-2.  Overall a increase in strength of schedule for Augie, despite adding the woeful MacMurray team.
4. Carthage has virtually the same strength of opponent between 2005 and 2006.  They swapped  Benedictine for Whittier.  That said, Lakeland and Carroll appeared to be stronger last year.
5. Elmhurst replaced a horrible Concordia(Ill) at 0-10 with Olivet.  A significant increase in difficultly by virtue of Olivet being a decent team and how horrible Concordia was.  (Note record in 2005 at 8-21 and this year it is 11-13 to date)
6. Illinois Wesleyan had arguably the toughest schedule in 2006.  All 3 of the non-conference opponents in 2006 are new and currently have a 19-5 record - Coe, Olivet and Mt. St. Joseph.  Much tougher schedule than in 2005.
7. Millikin had 3 new opponents as well, 2 of 3 were very tough opponents in ONU and Wabash.  That said their 2005 opponents weren't pushovers - Wartburg, Franklin and Albion.
8. North Park replaced 2 of their patsy opponents with some better opponents, but not significantly so (Kent. Wesleyan and Chicago out, Benedictine and Rose-Hulman in)

IMO, the 2006 schedule represents a tougher schedule overall.  This is really tough to track year to year as opponents change and even common opponents can have hugh swing seasons (ie. UW-Plattville 1-9 in 2005, 5-3 in 2006).

Sorry I don't have time to disect this more, but I'm at work and things need to get done.  Feel free to add your thoughts.

Didnt' have time to dissect?!  I think you've done an outstanding job and have shown what I believed.  Basically, the CCIW as a whole has picked up tougher non conference opponents and the reality is that we, as a whole, will lose more of those games.  Yet, by winning, the strength of our conference against others shows through.

On a side note, I'm starting to believe it's the year of the Cardinal.  St Louis wins the world series with the losingest team to ever get there (I'm a Cubs fan).  Louisville upsets WVU in a big game last night (arguably WVU had not been tested like that all year and I didn't think they were that good to begin with).  NCC in first place in the CCIW.  With all this, I might have to jump on the NCC bandwagon and place some bets.

[CardinalAlum]

On a side note, I'm starting to believe it's the year of the Cardinal.  St Louis wins the world series with the losingest team to ever get there (I'm a Cubs fan).  Louisville upsets WVU in a big game last night (arguably WVU had not been tested like that all year and I didn't think they were that good to begin with).  NCC in first place in the CCIW.  With all this, I might have to jump on the NCC bandwagon and place some bets.

I knew you guys were smart!!

[CardinalAlum]

Sidenote to your sidenote is that the NCC men's basketball team is the preseason #1 in the conference!

[TitanBacker]

And Illinois State is ranked in the top 5 in D-I AA.    But they're the Redbirds, does that count?  If so, I need some Cardinal outer wear

[Mugsy]

Sidenote to your sidenote is that the NCC men's basketball team is the preseason #1 in the conference!

How about that NCC men's soccer team?  0-20-0!

[CardinalAlum]

Sidenote to your sidenote is that the NCC men's basketball team is the preseason #1 in the conference!

How about that NCC men's soccer team?  0-20-0!

Now you're reaching!   

[CardinalAlum]

Sidenote to your sidenote is that the NCC men's basketball team is the preseason #1 in the conference!

How about that NCC men's soccer team?  0-20-0!

It's not as bad as it seems.  A field goal or touchdown here or there and they win most of their games!      OMG, I'm starting to sound like Jaybird! 

[Mugsy]

Sidenote to your sidenote is that the NCC men's basketball team is the preseason #1 in the conference!

How about that NCC men's soccer team?  0-20-0!

Now you're reaching!   

Just trying to make sure the CCIW Football board doesn't turn to a shade of color associated with a single school, like the D3Hoops CCIW board.

[CardinalAlum]

A 100% guarantee that Augie does not win in Naperville this weeekend.  Money back guarantee.

[TitanBacker]

Sidenote to your sidenote is that the NCC men's basketball team is the preseason #1 in the conference!

How about that NCC men's soccer team?  0-20-0!

Now you're reaching!   

Just trying to make sure the CCIW Football board doesn't turn to a shade of color associated with a single school, like the D3Hoops CCIW board.

TIT-ANS!!

I had to...

[Augie6]

Jaybird,

I'm not saying Carthage hasn't improved over the past few seasons, because they have.  I'm saying they have slipped from their great year in 2004.  If you remove the 2004 season, they are 8 - 11 in the CCIW from 2003 on.  This year they are one win out of first place right now, but still have to play Wheaton and NCC.  I'm not saying they can't win these games, but my money goes on Carthage finishing this year with 4 losses in the CCIW. 

At the beginning of the year, all of the teams in the CCIW have a "shot" at the conference championship.  Having a good nucleus of talent does not mean you have a "legitimate shot" at the conference title.  The 3 teams that most people predicted would compete for the championship are the ones who are actually doing it. 

[Augie6]

Comet 14,

Elmhurst and Carthage have improved their programs, but Millikin is actually going in the opposite direction.  Their conference record from 1999 - 2002 was 20 - 8.  Since then, they have gone 11-15 in the CCIW.  In my mind, they may have fallen below IWU in the rankings of teams within the conference.

[Augie6]

Mugsy,

Great post and analysis on the comparison of 2005 and 2006 non-conference schedules.  Olivet playing both Elmhurst and IWU helps make the schedule look tougher, but I wonder how weak the MIAA is when one of our bottom tier teams (IWU) beats the MIAA second place team (Olivet) fairly easily and the MIAA leader (Hope) has only beaten teams within the conference (Non-conference losses to Central, Depauw and Wheaton). 

[Mugsy]

Mugsy,

Great post and analysis on the comparison of 2005 and 2006 non-conference schedules.  Olivet playing both Elmhurst and IWU helps make the schedule look tougher, but I wonder how weak the MIAA is when one of our bottom tier teams (IWU) beats the MIAA second place team (Olivet) fairly easily and the MIAA leader (Hope) has only beaten teams within the conference (Non-conference losses to Central, Depauw and Wheaton). 

Yeah, the MIAA appears to be a mess this year in terms of relative strength.  Actually the perception is that the MIAA has been on the decline the last few years.

The fact that Hope lost all 3 non-conference games isn't too big of a surprise, nor should it be a slight on Hope given the teams they played.  Wheaton (7-1), Central (8-0), and DePauw (5-3).  Not bad competition in that schedule.

[Comet 14]

Augie 6, thanks for the clarification. That's why I love this board. Most posters are very informative. If I don't know something about CCIW all I have to do is ask.