FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[usee]

Usee- the 58-0 and 62-0 were way before the current management team was in place.  I don't look at these scores, rather Elmhurst being 7-14 points down the last couple of years.  In fact, 2 years ago at Rock Island Elmhurst had the lead in the 4th quarter, before Augie was able to battle back.  This year's team is different.  They are more talented as a whole and have been very stingy in allowing very few TD's.  (Carthage had to settle for Matt Denny FG's)

Jaybird, I don't think its fair to discredit the 58-0 and 62-0 games and in the same breath claim as a moral victory a 7 pt loss that happened in 2003 under the same "management" that was in charge for the 2 drubbings. So let's look at Journell's record vs Augie:

2004 lose by 22 at Elmhurst
2005 lose by 22 at Augie
2006 lose by 14 at Elmhurst

I like Journell. He is doing a great job at Elmhurst and I believe they will beat Augie eventually. But as I have said before winning at home and winning on the road are 2 entirely different things in the CCIW. Everyone thinks Naperville has Augie's number now but I am not sure if they have every won a game in Rock Island.

At this point in the season I see Elmhurst as the 2nd best team in the CCIW but I think it will be an upset for Elmhurst to win in Rock Island.

[usee]

Usee, of the Wheaton teams that have made it to the playoffs in the recent years, how does the 2007 Wheaton team stack up against them?

I agree with Mugsy here. I think the Wheaton players and coaches expect to win the CCIW title and measure themselves against Mt Union. I think ThunderNation has a lot of confidence going into the CCIW meatgrinder (bell game and Augie back to back w NPU and Elm to follow) and are disappointed they won't have some of their top players entering the playoffs.

The key losses are:

qb Ullrich
LB McKinney
OL Christener

The good news is the program is deep enough to win the conference with their backups but these are 3 1st team all conf players (probable OPOY, leading tackler and starting LT). Add that to losing your starting tailback and starting corner before the season even began and its tough to contemplate going into Alliance (against possibly the best MUC EVER!!) without all your weapons.

[usee]

 I am suprised to have not seen more Cardinal posters this week yet, the week of the bell..Its only monday, but I was sure #62 and the New Tradition would be in full effect...

Sorry about the late response!   Although it will be an incredible dogfight the entire way, I believe that several Cardinal units will need to have the game of their lives in order for NCC to walk away with this one.  First and foremost, the Cardinal o-line needs to play lights out football.   This is definitely something that this unit is capable of.  4 out of the 5 members of this line accomplished this last season when the pressure was on them to perform against Augie to get the AQ for the playoffs (I realize Welnak was injured, but he played in the '05 game against the wheaties, so he has solid big game experience).  They know how to step up when the time is right, and I can guarantee that Ponx will have them ready for any stunts that Wheaton will throw their way.  That being said, the 1 factor that concerns me (naturally) is Studebaker.  Not just because he is a stud, but also, because he is facing the 1 member of the o-line who does not have any experience in a big game like Augie or Wheaton.  Of course, good line surges will be necessary to get Sulo into the second level, but I think that this unit also has to be able to provide Fanthorpe/Kniss with a little extra time to get the ball off.  Being inexperienced quarterbacks, an extra second or 2 to read the defense will be crucial and certainly benefit the Cardinal passing game.  (A healthy Perry Welch will also help).

Secondly, the Cardinal DB's will need to step up this week.  I stated at the start of the season that I was nervous about running a 3-3-5.  My concern, however, was that the Cardinals would not be able to stop the run.  They have certainly proven me wrong on this so far this season, but with 5 DB's, I am having a rough time figuring out how anyone could possibly get so many receivers open against them.  The Cardinals will need a tenacious, healthy (Hoffman 100%) corps of DB's playing their hearts out to stifle the Wheaton passing attack. 

Those are my thoughts for this week.  As I said, I'm sure it will be a dogfight, but IMO, NCC will greatly improve their chances of winning if those 2 units have stellar performances under the lights on Saturday night at Benedetti-Wherli Stadium.

Well said. 

[New Tradition]

Secondly, the Cardinal DB's will need to step up this week.  I stated at the start of the season that I was nervous about running a 3-3-5.  My concern, however, was that the Cardinals would not be able to stop the run.  They have certainly proven me wrong on this so far this season, but with 5 DB's, I am having a rough time figuring out how anyone could possibly get so many receivers open against them.  The Cardinals will need a tenacious, healthy (Hoffman 100%) corps of DB's playing their hearts out to stifle the Wheaton passing attack. 

What has the Cardinal pass rush been like this year?  I see that they have 13 sacks so far, but 9 of those were against Benedictine and Concordia.  If the pass rush wasn't effective against WashU, maybe receivers continued to get open coming back to the ball, broken off route, etc.  I'm sure they blitz linebackers/secondary guys, but having the base 3 with 3 backers might be affecting the rush.  Since I haven't seen/heard the Cardinals play this year, I'm just throwing out thoughts.

I didn't get a chance to make it to the NPU game, but against Wash U, with a few exceptions, it did not seem like the quarterback had all day to sit back and throw.  I think with all of the stunts and twisting the the Cards run with their 3-3 make people's heads spin for the first quarter, but as the game continues, the offensive line usually starts to settle in, figure out the blitzes, and start to pick them up.

[matblake]

I think with all of the stunts and twisting the the Cards run with their 3-3 make people's heads spin for the first quarter, but as the game continues, the offensive line usually starts to settle in, figure out the blitzes, and start to pick them up.

Sounds like this will be another key to the game, if Wheaton can figure out the blitzes coming from the defensive side of the ball.  The seven sacks vs. Millikin have me concerned.  The heavy stunting may be a key to the stout run defense of the Cardinals so far. 

[redman04]

I funny little thing for all you getting ready for the little brass bell game!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQJY-pch6FA&mode=related&search=

[79jaybird]

Usee, I am not discredting or putting down the 58 and 62 games.  All I was referring to was that to look at those EC teams and to look at the last 3 EC teams is night and day.  Tom Journell, Paul Krohn, and the entire coaching regime has Elmhurst on the right track.  I can recall when I first started calling games 7 years ago, that there were games that you could ultimately write in an L even before the season began, just because the programs were at different levels.  Nowadays, each week I feel Elmhurst has a shot, just like 7 of the 8 teams in the CCIW.  

Elmhurst has played Augie very close the last 2 encounters and 1 was at home, 1 was away.  Certainly, I give an emotional edge to Augie, but physically and mentally, I would put Elmhurst on an even kiel with AC.

just for grins-  will Augie wear their AUGIE logo on their helmets vs. EC this year?  Last year for (whatever) reason,  AC came into Langhorst Field with no logo on their helmet.

What's with the Cardinals/Thunder fans.  For Little Brass Bell week, the "back and forth" chatter has been relatively light?

[burly]

I understand it is nearly impossible to quantify, but, honestly, in D3 football, where the crowd is virtually not a factor, how much do you think home field advantage comes into play?

I've never attended a football game at Millikin, so I can't answer that. I can tell you that home field advantage at NPU isn't worth a plugged nickel, though.

Is "plugged nickel" an idiom from the late 20s or early 30s during the great depression?  That's vintage...I like it!

[burly]

 I am suprised to have not seen more Cardinal posters this week yet, the week of the bell..Its only monday, but I was sure #62 and the New Tradition would be in full effect...

Sorry about the late response!   Although it will be an incredible dogfight the entire way, I believe that several Cardinal units will need to have the game of their lives in order for NCC to walk away with this one.  First and foremost, the Cardinal o-line needs to play lights out football.   This is definitely something that this unit is capable of.  4 out of the 5 members of this line accomplished this last season when the pressure was on them to perform against Augie to get the AQ for the playoffs (I realize Welnak was injured, but he played in the '05 game against the wheaties, so he has solid big game experience).  They know how to step up when the time is right, and I can guarantee that Ponx will have them ready for any stunts that Wheaton will throw their way.  That being said, the 1 factor that concerns me (naturally) is Studebaker.  Not just because he is a stud, but also, because he is facing the 1 member of the o-line who does not have any experience in a big game like Augie or Wheaton.  Of course, good line surges will be necessary to get Sulo into the second level, but I think that this unit also has to be able to provide Fanthorpe/Kniss with a little extra time to get the ball off.  Being inexperienced quarterbacks, an extra second or 2 to read the defense will be crucial and certainly benefit the Cardinal passing game.  (A healthy Perry Welch will also help).

Secondly, the Cardinal DB's will need to step up this week.  I stated at the start of the season that I was nervous about running a 3-3-5.  My concern, however, was that the Cardinals would not be able to stop the run.  They have certainly proven me wrong on this so far this season, but with 5 DB's, I am having a rough time figuring out how anyone could possibly get so many receivers open against them.  The Cardinals will need a tenacious, healthy (Hoffman 100%) corps of DB's playing their hearts out to stifle the Wheaton passing attack. 

Those are my thoughts for this week.  As I said, I'm sure it will be a dogfight, but IMO, NCC will greatly improve their chances of winning if those 2 units have stellar performances under the lights on Saturday night at Benedetti-Wherli Stadium.

How good is your strong safety/rover?  One of the most demanding positions in a 3-3-5 defense is on your strong safety/rover and his ability to both run and hit.

[WahooThunder]

Of the Wheaton teams that have made it to the playoffs in recent years, how does the 2007 team compare?

I'm going to have to side with Mugsy on this one and say that over the summer I had every hope that this Wheaton team was going to be as good, if not better, than ever.  Even without McKinney, I still think the defense may be the best they have ever had, but the offense just doesn't have the same firepower without Ullrich, and the offensive line, although better with Rowson back, has been a disappointment as well, particularly in pass protection.  That said, the receiving corps is still very good and I think Bradley and Norris will improve as the season goes on, and so will the running game.  Unfortunately, while defense is good enough to get them through the CCIW, they are not going to compete with the likes of Mount Union unless they are the best they have ever been on both sides of the ball, and right now I just don't see it.  Only time and CCIW competition will truly tell, but right now I see them being slightly better defensively and slightly worse offensively than in years past, and thus about equal overall.

[WahooThunder]

Thunderstoned, re-read the following: "I picked Elmhurst last week, which wasn't too risky, but each week I'm going to try and find an upset in the CCIW."  Yes, we have already covered this.

"Milikin isn't as bad as you think"  - compared to North Park or Carthage?   These may be the only two CCIW W's for the Big Blue this year.  And, Carthage usually plays Milikin tough, so lets see what happens.

Granted, it would take a lot for North Park to pull off a W this week, but it's possible and worth talking about.

I'm not saying it is not worth talking about. I am a big fan of pre-game discussion and speculation in general, regardless of who is playing. That is, after all, part of what this board is for, right?  I'm just voicing my opinion that Millikin, being the only CCIW team besides Wheaton that I have seen play, should not be taken lightly.  IMO, if you are going to pick an upset this week I would be just as inclined to look at any of the other three games as I would this one, and I happen to find the game in Rock Island most intriguing.

[usee]

I funny little thing for all you getting ready for the little brass bell game!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQJY-pch6FA&mode=related&search=

Ringing the bell was against the pledge when I was at Wheaton!

[WahooThunder]

I funny little thing for all you getting ready for the little brass bell game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQJY-pch6FA&mode=related&search=

Wow, that was very enlightening.  Thank you.

[WahooThunder]

I funny little thing for all you getting ready for the little brass bell game!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQJY-pch6FA&mode=related&search=

Ringing the bell was against the pledge when I was at Wheaton!

Fortunately it is not an issue for Naperville, because they don't have any bells to ring.

[Gregory Sager]

Is "plugged nickel" an idiom from the late 20s or early 30s during the great depression?  That's vintage...I like it!

We didn't say "twenties" back then. We had to say "dickity", because the kaiser had stolen our word for "twenty". I chased that rascal to get it back, but I had to give up after dickity-six miles.