FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Pat Coleman]

Obviously the pollsters don't have time to do the extensive research that we have! 

No, but we do it for them and send it to them.

[NCC_alum62]

I think it's a reach to have NCC ranked preseason wise.  They lost a lot of talented Seniors last year, not just AA Kniss.  I would have had Augie ranked much higher (IMO) because their defense is most likely going to be one of the best in the CCIW this year, along with Wheaton's.

I too agree that Wheaton should have been higher.  I would have had them in the top 10,  but that gives the Thunder something to shoot for.

I still think this is going to be a 2 team race between Wheaton and Augie.

We could not disagree more.  Pat hit it on the head 17/22 starters 19/24 if you include the kickers.

Auggie returns talent its true, but that talent went 7-3 last year and when it really mattered against NCC they got blown out 27-0.  Now I'm not trying to insult them, but that was the game that would have given Auggie the AQ and a trip to the NCAA play-offs not to mention an outright CCIW championship.  They didn't come out and play good football that day.  They have alot returning on D and an OL, those are good steps, but they seemed to have an off year in the trenches last year and thats surprising.

NCC is a top 20 team and if they solve some questions and Kyle plays anything like his brother they could be a top ten team.  The OL is big, strong, and experienced.  They have good backs, and recievers, albeit no Tyke Spencer, Chuck Earnst, or Eric Studeman, but kids with speed and big upsides in Welch and MacIntosh as well as some kids who have been in the program a bit and have been lower on the depth charts and its thier turn to make an impact.

The defense returns two excellent LB's in Wenger and Kostellic, two good DB's, and three experienced DL in Imbordino, Eric Schmidt, and John Guzaldo.

I believe that this team will continue the winning ways and challenge Wheaton for the conference title.  I believe Wheaton is the best team returning on paper comming into next year (and I say on paper because there are so many things that can happen between now and the first game) Auggie will be in the mix no doubt, but I would not consider it a two horse race between them and Wheaton.

Alm, is Kyle going to start? Do you know something we don't?

Hey its my opinion that Kyle will be the starter.  He's a D-1 transfer that was considered a bit of a better athlete than his brother Kam...now Kam worked his butt off every season and off season to get better and that is to his credit so hopefully Kyle has that same ethic.

to really answer that question though, no I don't know any more than the next poster who will start next year. 

I do know this:
The Cardinals ONLY quarterback recruit listed for this year was Kyle Kniss transfering from EIU, to me that says alot.  They've had a couple QB's come in every year (that Kam has been the starter) on paper and some have picked up the clip board and some have found a new position.  The two kids they have comming back that saw the majority of action in spring ball are unproven at best so there isn't the whole returning starter verses D-1 transfer that Wheaton had last year, but I have to think that Kyle will be the Cardinals feature QB come fall (baring injury knock on wood and all that lot)

Heck...I could be flat out wrong, I'm not counting that out, but I have to believe that Jeff Thorne (having been an alum of EIU) is gunna go with his fellow Panther and younger brother of his star pupil for the last four years.

[CardinalAlum]

Alm, is Kyle going to start? Do you know something we don't?

Barring injury, there is NO WAY that Kyle is not the man come Game 1!  Kyle's talent is head and shoulders above the two returnees.  I like both young kids, especially Fanthorpe, who I think could play in the secondary and excel there.

[matblake]

Speaking of North Central, are they going to scrimmage anyone this year?  Someone had hoped last year that not scrimmaging wouldn't hurt the Cardinals against Concordia in the season opener and it appeared that it did, especially when you consider how North Central dominated in the playoff rematch between the teams.

Any word on any other scrimmages?

[matblake]

(Matt) maybe Wheaton is a bit OVER rated. 

(Gasp)  Overrated??? 

Good point Hiker.  In 2005 everyone, with possibly the exception of North Central Fans, was predicting a Wheaton v Augie showdown in the final week for the AQ for the playoffs.  The loss to an decent but playoff bound North Central team showed the chinks in Wheaton's armor and both IWU and Augustana took advantage that year.  Ugh, I still want to puke because of that IWU game.

[79jaybird]

Wheaton overrated?  no not at all.  4 of the last 5 CCIW rings, playoff experience and success, nope IMO Wheaton is not overrated at all.
Alum62 fair enough to disagree, but remember what happened to Carthage?  They won the conference with a great team, then fell back into the 2-4 slots.  I have a gut feeling this is going to happen to NC also.  The only real perennial 1-2 teams are/have been Augie/Wheaton and I do think these 2 will fight for the 1-2 slots.  But again, it's only July 27 and anything can happen by the time the CCIW slate rolls around.

Hiker, how have you been?  I look forward to seeing you through the course of the year.  I think Elmhurst is going to have a year where they really have to step up and fight.  They lost a lot of talent on defense, but do get a boost with Kudyba returning.  We do have Augie/Mill/IWU on the road which are the long rides.  I think the real key is going to be can Elmhurst continue to have/build up a strong defensive pressure, and can our O-Line protect the QB.  I saw the game film from Italy, and you really can't gauge (much of anything) from that video because the Italian team was so poor.

[Comet 14]

I don't think Wheaton is over rated nor do I think that NCC is. Returning 17 of 22 starters warrents the ranking until proven otherwise. I think that Wheaton, NCC and Augie will be so solid at the line of schrimmage on both sides of the ball it will be hard for the rest of the conference against any of them.

[Comet 14]

p.s. Titananwatcher: I am staying out of the Kniss discession.( ha, ha)

[NCC_alum62]

Wheaton overrated?  no not at all.  4 of the last 5 CCIW rings, playoff experience and success, nope IMO Wheaton is not overrated at all.
Alum62 fair enough to disagree, but remember what happened to Carthage?  They won the conference with a great team, then fell back into the 2-4 slots.  I have a gut feeling this is going to happen to NC also.  The only real perennial 1-2 teams are/have been Augie/Wheaton and I do think these 2 will fight for the 1-2 slots.  But again, it's only July 27 and anything can happen by the time the CCIW slate rolls around.

Hiker, how have you been?  I look forward to seeing you through the course of the year.  I think Elmhurst is going to have a year where they really have to step up and fight.  They lost a lot of talent on defense, but do get a boost with Kudyba returning.  We do have Augie/Mill/IWU on the road which are the long rides.  I think the real key is going to be can Elmhurst continue to have/build up a strong defensive pressure, and can our O-Line protect the QB.  I saw the game film from Italy, and you really can't gauge (much of anything) from that video because the Italian team was so poor.

I would agree that a let down is possible if it were not for the fact that NCC has been 6-1 in conference the past two seasons (Not just one great season sandwhiched between a bad and a decent one).  

Now I'm not ready to call it the new CCIW dynasty or anything, but I think Thorne has got his team firing and he isn't going to let it drop down.  Carthage had an amazing year the year they won conference, but unlike Carthage NCC didn't have a terrible season the year before, they almost had a better one.  They lost by two to a Capital team that gave MU all it could handle, got the bell, and came within 3 of Auggie on a penalty. 

This past year they blow a 1st half lead to wheaton after dominating the first half and locked Auggie down when they absolutly needed a 21 point victory to get the AQ.  Plus they had two 7-3 seasons before the two 9 win seasons. Carthage's best was 6 wins in 2001 before going 11-2 in 2004.  I think NCC has shown a more sustained growth the past five years under thorne that tells me it isn't a fluke season or a lucky season and that it is more than one player or a small group of players, but that Thorne has upped the talent level from top to bottom first string to reserve player.

It is early, but NCC has made the change from bad to good to conference contender and I don't see Thorne, Wienke or the Cardinals giving that up any time soon.

[Titanwatcher]

p.s. Titananwatcher: I am staying out of the Kniss discession.( ha, ha)

And spelling class too. small laughs for small people

[washdupcard]

Alm, is Kyle going to start? Do you know something we don't?

Barring injury, there is NO WAY that Kyle is not the man come Game 1!  Kyle's talent is head and shoulders above the two returnees.  I like both young kids, especially Fanthorpe, who I think could play in the secondary and excel there.

What do you know about the secondary?  I thought you were a dirt eater?

[Titanwatcher]

Alm, is Kyle going to start? Do you know something we don't?

Barring injury, there is NO WAY that Kyle is not the man come Game 1!  Kyle's talent is head and shoulders above the two returnees.  I like both young kids, especially Fanthorpe, who I think could play in the secondary and excel there.

What do you know about the secondary?  I thought you were a dirt eater?

God Loves the dirt eaters. The heart and soul of every team

[ncc58]

I thought the statement about Wheaton perhaps being overrated was just a dig that we could make a lot of statements about any team for the next month. We don't know for sure until they actual start playing games. Which team will surprise? Maybe North Park ruins someones season. Maybe Carthage or Elmhurst or IWU are real contenders. And which if Wheaton, NCC, or Augie drops a tier this season. Let's not go crazy because anyone makes a wild statement in July.

Given the statements that John Thorne made at the end of last season (that not scheduling a scrimmage was a big mistake), it is very very unlikely that North Central won't have a scrimmage before the first game.

[CardinalAlum]

What do you know about the secondary?  I thought you were a dirt eater?

I know short, slow, Cub fan DB's when I see them!!   

[raiderguy]

Just a shout out from the OAC...Congratulations to the CCIW on page 700! I know I need a life. See you in December in Alliance I hope.