FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[usee]

On the other side it's clear wheaton has very good receivers and some talented but inexperienced qb's. It's likely the Naperville school will bring a heavy dose of stunt and blitz to force the Thunder into some negative plays and turnovers (an area they lead the conference in).

Isn't Wheaton using shotgun formation more than ever this year?  If so, for the most part, where did the sacks given-up come from vs. Milikin - O-line blocking mistakes or QB indecision?

looked like a little of both. qb held the ball too long a few times and protection broke down on others. new qb's and inexperienced linemen playing are the reasons I believe.

[burly]

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.

Mr. Sager, you are truly old school.  I love it!

[burly]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

When was the last time an RB from IWU made 1st Team All-CCIW?  It has to be before 1999.

[usee]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

When was the last time an RB from IWU made 1st Team All-CCIW?  It has to be before 1999.

correct. I can't remember if Deon Hornsby was 1st team or not but it would have been around 1996. since then there have been a few 2nd teamers (Marcus Dunlop in 2006, Aaron Telford in 2001, Max Millincovich in 2000). IWU is much more well known for their Qb's and recievers than rb's over the years.

[cardinaldad]

North Central - nothing until 1975 - so you walked the sideline - the first time they used it in 1975 there was no pressbox just a concrete slab on top of cinderblock box - it was a night game and the lights weren't focused real well.  I remember North Central had a 99-yard scoring drive in the final minute to win the game, compliments of three 15-yard personal fouls on the Millikin Big Blue, all called by umpire Kevin Donlan.

dennis_prikkel - how the heck can you remember the umpires name in that game? Did you know Kevin Donlan?

[cardinaldad]

NCC's offense concerned me during the Wash U. game (it kind of has since the beginning of the season). But, after the numbers put up by North Park's offense, my concern about the defense is now double that of the offense.

New Tradition - You stated your concern about the defensive scheme from the beginning. I was unsure what to think....but after this last game, I'm very concerned. I know the defense has excellent personnel. Hopefully, they just had a bad game and can and will elevate their level of play. Not many teams play the 3-3-5. Why is that? Anyone?

I hope the coaches stick with Fanthorpe. IMO, he has the edge...he gives NCC the best chance to win.

NCC will have to bring it's A game to compete on Saturday. They can do it, but they have to play error free. That is very difficult to do, paticularly against an excellent team.

Let's take it to 'em Cards. PLAY CARDINAL FOOTBALL.

[cardinaldad]

Over the past four years or so the Cards, I believe, have lost at home to Augie, Wheaton, Capital and now Wash U.? Another concern!

[usee]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

When was the last time an RB from IWU made 1st Team All-CCIW?  It has to be before 1999.

correct. I can't remember if Deon Hornsby was 1st team or not but it would have been around 1996. since then there have been a few 2nd teamers (Marcus Dunlop in 2006, Aaron Telford in 2001, Max Millinkovich in 2000). IWU is much more well known for their Qb's and recievers than rb's over the years.

upon further review, max millinkovich was a 1st team rb in 1998, Dana smith in 1997, and Deon Hornsby in 1996. Chris Humbles (1991) was the only other IWU RB since 1981 to be a 1st team selection.

[burly]

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.

I'm with Usee here. 

Elmhurst hasn't beat Augie since insert a date [XXXX] a long time ago.  Furthermore, the Bluejay program has done nothing this year or in recent years to make me think they will be able to steal one in Rock Island this weekend.

Granted, North Park's only two victories in CCIW play since 1999 are vs. Elmhurst in both 1999 and 2000, I still think they have a shot to win one, maybe two games this year.  Those games include Milikin, Carthage and Elmhurst.   I'm not ready to take NP over Milikin, but if they play Milikin tough, I will take them over Carthage.  And, if they beat Carthage next week, they have a good shot (with the way they are improving week-to-week) at Elmhurst on Nov. 10th.

[burly]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

When was the last time an RB from IWU made 1st Team All-CCIW?  It has to be before 1999.

correct. I can't remember if Deon Hornsby was 1st team or not but it would have been around 1996. since then there have been a few 2nd teamers (Marcus Dunlop in 2006, Aaron Telford in 2001, Max Millinkovich in 2000). IWU is much more well known for their Qb's and recievers than rb's over the years.

upon further review, max millinkovich was a 1st team rb in 1998, Dana smith in 1997, and Deon Hornsby in 1996. Chris Humbles (1991) was the only other IWU RB since 1981 to be a 1st team selection.

Good work.  Where are you digging for this information?

[burly]

I would take NP and 10 points.  Maybe 6 by Friday.

Keep it at NPU and ten, BP.

Good analysis – I'm just overly optimistic for NP to win a CCIW game.

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?

Between comparable teams, home field advantage is huge, especially in D3.  You don't have the same kind of crowd noise, but you have much larger behind the scenes hurdles.  2+ hour bus rides on the day of the game, unfamiliar facilities, if you do stay over night 4 guys are in a room, more limited choices as far as getting the pre-game meal, and more are all things that the traveling teams have to face.  With the limited budgets most d3's have traveling can be a difficult thing.  If there is a talent differential between the teams, some of these issues probably won't come into play.
[/quote]

My understanding is that most programs send their starters and top reserves on Friday night unless the distance is relatively close. 

Although factors to consider, I think you may be blowing these "behind the scenes hurdles" out of proportion...

[usee]

My understanding is that most programs send their starters and top reserves on Friday night unless the distance is relatively close. 

Although factors to consider, I think you may be blowing these "behind the scenes hurdles" out of proportion...

the statistics are hard to argue against. I think its a fact that away games are more difficult because of unfamiliarity. You simply have a lot of other inputs compteting for your attention on the road that keep concentration away from the game. It makes perfect sense to me. teams like the san francisco 49ers in the 80s used to be great road teams because they would travel first class and go to great lengths to create a repeatable environment for their players on the road. In fact they were a better road team than a home team because they concentrated more on the road due to the exceptional treatment.

[WahooThunder]

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.

I'm with Usee here. 

Elmhurst hasn't beat Augie since insert a date [XXXX] a long time ago.  Furthermore, the Bluejay program has done nothing this year or in recent years to make me think they will be able to steal one in Rock Island this weekend.

Granted, North Park's only two victories in CCIW play since 1999 are vs. Elmhurst in both 1999 and 2000, I still think they have a shot to win one, maybe two games this year.  Those games include Milikin, Carthage and Elmhurst.   I'm not ready to take NP over Milikin, but if they play Milikin tough, I will take them over Carthage.  And, if they beat Carthage next week, they have a good shot (with the way they are improving week-to-week) at Elmhurst on Nov. 10th.

North Park over Elmhurst.... now that would be an upset.

Do you seriously think that Carthage and Elmhurst are that bad?  And if so, on what basis?  Sure, Elmhurst hasn't shown enough yet to warrant picking them to win at Augie, but to say they've done nothing in recent years to think they have a shot is unfair.  IMO, the Elmhurst program has made significant strides towards competing at the top of the conference and I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest the possibility of them beating Augie...

And you are comparing them to North Park... Carthage and Elmhurst are light years ahead of North Park.  If the non-conference schedule (not to mention CCIW history) wasn't evidence enough of that, I don't know what is.  I'm all for rooting for the underdog and seeing everyone become competitive, but let's take it one step at a time and be a little more realistic with our expectations here.

[burly]

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.

I'm with Usee here. 

Elmhurst hasn't beat Augie since insert a date [XXXX] a long time ago.  Furthermore, the Bluejay program has done nothing this year or in recent years to make me think they will be able to steal one in Rock Island this weekend.

Granted, North Park's only two victories in CCIW play since 1999 are vs. Elmhurst in both 1999 and 2000, I still think they have a shot to win one, maybe two games this year.  Those games include Milikin, Carthage and Elmhurst.   I'm not ready to take NP over Milikin, but if they play Milikin tough, I will take them over Carthage.  And, if they beat Carthage next week, they have a good shot (with the way they are improving week-to-week) at Elmhurst on Nov. 10th.

North Park over Elmhurst.... now that would be an upset.

Do you seriously think that Carthage and Elmhurst are that bad?  And if so, on what basis? 

Yes I do.  On what basis, I'll get back to you.

Agree - Both Carthage and Elmhurst a light years ahead of NP.  But, I think this is the year NP steals one and it will happen against Carthage, Elmhurst or Milikin (in that order of most likely to least likely).

I'm all-in for the underdog and taking it one step (or win) at a time.

[burly]

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.

I'm with Usee here. 

Elmhurst hasn't beat Augie since insert a date [XXXX] a long time ago.  Furthermore, the Bluejay program has done nothing this year or in recent years to make me think they will be able to steal one in Rock Island this weekend.

Granted, North Park's only two victories in CCIW play since 1999 are vs. Elmhurst in both 1999 and 2000, I still think they have a shot to win one, maybe two games this year.  Those games include Milikin, Carthage and Elmhurst.   I'm not ready to take NP over Milikin, but if they play Milikin tough, I will take them over Carthage.  And, if they beat Carthage next week, they have a good shot (with the way they are improving week-to-week) at Elmhurst on Nov. 10th.

North Park over Elmhurst.... now that would be an upset.

Do you seriously think that Carthage and Elmhurst are that bad?  And if so, on what basis?  Sure, Elmhurst hasn't shown enough yet to warrant picking them to win at Augie, but to say they've done nothing in recent years to think they have a shot is unfair.  IMO, the Elmhurst program has made significant strides towards competing at the top of the conference and I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest the possibility of them beating Augie...

And you are comparing them to North Park... Carthage and Elmhurst are light years ahead of North Park.  If the non-conference schedule (not to mention CCIW history) wasn't evidence enough of that, I don't know what is.  I'm all for rooting for the underdog and seeing everyone become competitive, but let's take it one step at a time and be a little more realistic with our expectations here.

Last thing, despite Elmhurst beating Carthage this year, I might offer that Carthage beating Augie is a better bet than Elmhurst beating Augie.  Carthage, traditionally speaking, plays Augie tough.