FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Mugsy,

Do the thunders play Studebaker on a strong or weak side, right or left, or do they like to match him up against a specific tackle?

I have not seen the last 3 games as 2 were on the road and last week I had family celebrations.  From the games I've seen, they lined Studebaker up on the defensive right side.  That said depending on how teams setup their blocking schemes, I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Sandburg & Coach Swider move him around to throw teams off a bit.

Mugsy's got it. Studebaker plays both sides. Against Augie they put him on the defensive right the whole game, which i never understood, but every other game I have seen he switches sides, seemingly at his discretion.

If you map Augie's running plays, there is a large percentage of plays going to the offense's left.  Granted quite a number are between the tackles based on the double-dive...  From my experience, alignment of defensive personnel varies from week to week depending on the offense Wheaton will be facing and the scheme Swider & staff plan to implement.  For most games, Wheaton will based defensive sets based on offensive formation (strength of set).

Every year we played Augie (the 4 years I played and the 5 years I coached), the defensive alignment did NOT change based on strength of set, hash mark, etc...  OLB, DE, DB's, etc... Players lined up on the same side of the field all game.  It is primarily due to the wing-t scheme.

I assume Studebaker aligned on the defensive right side in relation to what plays Augie had been executing most successfully via the film.  If Augie had shown to be most adept at running the double-dive as opposed to the various trap/counter trey plays (ie. inside the tackle to the left side of the offensive formation), then it would make sense to align your best DE on the right.  I can't say for sure because I haven't seen Augie play nor have I watched the film.  

What I can say is that Wheaton historically never switches defensive alignment against Augustana - this frees up Wheaton players to concentrate on a subset of reads based on the plays Augies runs to their left side vs. right side.  This has proven to be rather successful over the years, obviously the level of success has varied based on talent of the personnel.

On other thing (knowing it was probably "tongue in check"), but I doubt Studebaker has had the freedom to use his own discretion to line up on the side he wants.

[Tailgater]

I plan on going to the game at Carthage how long of a drive is it from Wheaton.  Also in continuing my conssesion stand comparison and review what is the lowdown on grilled and fried pork products at Carthage?

About 1 1/2 hr drive. Concessions are typical, but not over stated. If you want style, stop by and see us at the tailgating area just outside the field.

Mugsy, I hope you might be coming to the game as well. Please feel welcome to join us tailgating. I would sure like the opportunity to meet you.

[Tailgater]

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. 

But as Mugsy has stated earlier concerning stats, you can't remove the 2004 season because it did occur.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy, I hope you might be coming to the game as well. Please feel welcome to join us tailgating. I would sure like the opportunity to meet you.

Seeing that it is a big game and it is only 1 1/2 hour drive, I'm working on "the missus" to see if I can make the game - maybe take on of the twins, etc... I'll keep you posted.  I'd love to make the game and it would be great to meet other CCIW posters.

[Mugsy]

But as Mugsy has stated earlier concerning stats, you can't remove the 2004 season because it did occur.

Why do I have a feeling this is going to come back to haunt me later?  At some point I'm going to make a "remove this game", "remove this play" and it looks much different comment.  I try to stay clear of this type of comment, but I know I'll slip up and there will be those who jump on it.   

[CardinalAlum]

but I know I'll slip up and there will be those who jump on it.   

Who would do that? 

[Tailgater]

IBC teams usually don't lose to CCIW teams and certainly not to their top teams. Concordia has proven it is at a different level than the rest of the IBC.

usee:
I assume you ment IBC teams usually lose (not don't lose) to CCIW teams??

[Mugsy]

but I know I'll slip up and there will be those who jump on it.   

Who would do that? 

The profile quote says it all.

[Tailgater]

But as Mugsy has stated earlier concerning stats, you can't remove the 2004 season because it did occur.

Why do I have a feeling this is going to come back to haunt me later?  At some point I'm going to make a "remove this game", "remove this play" and it looks much different comment.  I try to stay clear of this type of comment, but I know I'll slip up and there will be those who jump on it.   

It's ok by me to create any scenerio that works for discussion. I was much earlier told that these board discussions are all about what if's, speculation, second guessing and all that. Ring a bell usee? Sorry to NCC folk about a bell reference.

[CardinalAlum]

There's always two things that i vividly remember about bells.  #1, obviously is the Little Brass Bell, whether you are receiving it or giving it back to Wheaton, there is always something memorable about it. #2 is losing a game at Elmhurst.  I only had to listen to that once as a player, but it is something you don't forget and it motivated us not to want to listen to it again.  It is a bit much to deal with after a loss.

[79jaybird]

Millikin is probably the best 2-6 team in the the NCAA.  They are a physical, hard nosed team that has a good D-Line and some good linebackers.  Wallick IMO is the best RB in the CCIW and Albin is good at QB.  Elmhurst has to come out ready to play tomorrow.

[79jaybird]

Auugh, CardinalAlum you don't like the Langhorst Victory Bell?  What's not to like about it? 
Tomorrow is Elmhurst Senior Recognition Day and they will honor the 18 Bluejay Seniors.  This group has more wins in a 4 year span since the class of 1985 and really deserve a lot of credit to help steer the ship back to respectability. 

[TrueAugieAlum]

TruAugieAlum,

I'm curious what you base your opinion on that there are several players, particularly offensive lineman, that should be playing at Augie but aren't.  The one thing you keep referring to is looking at the size of the players who are playing vs. those that aren't.  I can tell you from my experience at Augie that we had plenty of guys who looked more like football players than some of our starters, but their performance on the field didn't measure up to those who were playing.  In 1986, our offensive line was very small compared to prior year's teams, but they were able to dominate some very good defensive lines on our way to a 4th championship. 

We all get the fact that you don't like the coaching staff at Augie. 

Okay, here goes:
Augie loses two non-conference games early in the season due in large part to a weak offense.
Are any attempts to correct this made. NO
Are any other players given a chance to compete for a spot NO
Does Augie practice defense against passing offense, even when they are scheduled to play a team known for their passing game NO
Does Augie offense practice passing plays - one or two plays in a week of practices
Is the offense this year comparable with any offense from the glory years of the 80's NO

My beef is not with the players, but definately with the coaching.  I think that the coaching has been out of touch for a number of years - it is beginning to really show this year, but because of non-parity in the CCIW they have been able to win conference.   Parity seems to be gaining in this conference.  Could they possible have won a national title with these teams NO

It is high time that the coachs quit relying on past glory in their play selection and start actually coaching for the future.   The other teams in the conference have caught on to how to defend and play against Augie's running game.

My feeling is this - Coach JohnsEn has been an asset to Augie football, but he is waiting for retirement.  The offensive coaching staff is hand tied in their ability to try any changes because of this.  My fear is that as long as he runs offense the other coachs will get/have the same mindset and we can look forward to coming years of mediocre and ineffective offensive play by Augustana.

My postings might seem harsh, but they are gaining attention!!  Change is needed and it is needed now.

[79jaybird]

TrueAugieAlum you make some good points, but you do seem a little overly anxious with the decision to give the coaching staff a pink slip.  Look at your team,  Augie is tied at the top and has a chance at post-season.  The coaching staff must be doing SOMETHING right 
(Now I know and we have discussed before many times) that Augie places an uncommon, extraordinary level of expectations on their staff/football team, but I think the Vikings are o.k. right now.

[79jaybird]

Hey CardinalAlum-- I was looking at the Little Brass Bell yesterday when I was talking to Coach Hardy at Wheaton,  how come the Cardinals did not put up the tag with 2005's score on it?  I can understand Wheaton not putting 2006's tag on the trophy yet, but I would think NC would have put the 2005 tag on it already.  Have you heard anything about it?