FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

There's been a lot of talk over the years about the difficulty of winning on the road in the CCIW (and most posters in pickems have mentioned it more than once in deciding picks).  Well, with but one week to go the score is Home Team 12, Away Team 12!  I dare say the consensus for Saturday is that Augie and Elmhurst will prevail at home, while NCC will win in Kenosha and Wheaton will win in Bloomington.  That would leave the Home-Away standings at a dead heat.

Therefore, it is critical that the RedMen and Titans prevail - the CCIW reputation is on the line!   And to usee, Mugsy, CardAlum, etc. - 15-13 just doesn't protect the image like 16-12, so no splitting the difference!

This important message brought to you by the impeccably 'neutral' folks at "Save the CCIW Home-Field Advantage Committee".

[shepherd]

IMHO:

COY - Eash gets this one with the incredible job he has done taking a team that was picked to finish 7th in conference and doing the damage that he has done in the CCIW

DPOY - Ittersagen really impressed me in the game against North Central.  He was calm, collected, and flat out made plays.  He made things happen when they needed to.

OPOY - Fanthorpe should get this one.  Kam left some big shoes to fill, and he has done a nice job stepping into that difficult role.  A threat both with his arm and legs, he did a very nice job in a spot that everyone agreed was a huge question mark at the start of the season.

I agree with you on every one of those choices

What about Sulo for OPOY?  He leads in nearly every category for a RB.  I have seen three North Central games and he was always the one steady factor.  The other selections I would agree with.

[CardinalAlum]

There's been a lot of talk over the years about the difficulty of winning on the road in the CCIW (and most posters in pickems have mentioned it more than once in deciding picks).  Well, with but one week to go the score is Home Team 12, Away Team 12!  I dare say the consensus for Saturday is that Augie and Elmhurst will prevail at home, while NCC will win in Kenosha and Wheaton will win in Bloomington.  That would leave the Home-Away standings at a dead heat.

Therefore, it is critical that the RedMen and Titans prevail - the CCIW reputation is on the line!   And to usee, Mugsy, CardAlum, etc. - 15-13 just doesn't protect the image like 16-12, so no splitting the difference!

This important message brought to you by the impeccably 'neutral' folks at "Save the CCIW Home-Field Advantage Committee".

Very good!  +K for the effort!

[Mugsy]

Coach Swider among leaders for Coach of Year award...

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/News/football/2007/10/29/FB-LIBMUT.asp?path=football

[matblake]

There's been a lot of talk over the years about the difficulty of winning on the road in the CCIW (and most posters in pickems have mentioned it more than once in deciding picks).  Well, with but one week to go the score is Home Team 12, Away Team 12!  I dare say the consensus for Saturday is that Augie and Elmhurst will prevail at home, while NCC will win in Kenosha and Wheaton will win in Bloomington.  That would leave the Home-Away standings at a dead heat.

Therefore, it is critical that the RedMen and Titans prevail - the CCIW reputation is on the line!   And to usee, Mugsy, CardAlum, etc. - 15-13 just doesn't protect the image like 16-12, so no splitting the difference!

This important message brought to you by the impeccably 'neutral' folks at "Save the CCIW Home-Field Advantage Committee".

Good stuff.  + k, Ypsi.  Incidentally, I found the Save the CCIW Home-Field Advantage Committee's website which speaks volumes about the committee's validity.  See it here. 

[usee]

THere is some great stuff on the Pool C board for those interested in postseason (Carthage and NCC fans + Mr Ypsi). THe latest analysis says pool C could end up somewhere between 1 one loss team not making the playoffs and 6 two loss teams making it.

I would also agree with the thought that NCC as a 2 loss team is stronger than Carthage as a 2 loss because of the SOS numbers.

[Mugsy]

So I got to thinking... <collective sigh and  >

If Wheaton takes care of business this weekend in Bloomington (which I'm hopeful they will), it will be a remarkable accomplishment with all of the injuries Wheaton has had to endure.  I know, I know... we've gone on and on about the injuries.  Enough already...  

The point I want to make is there is a positive note that Wheaton can take away from the rash of injuries during the 2007 campaign.  

Numerous Wheaton players have been asked to step up and fill in for heavily experienced, All-CCIW selections who have been injuried - at least 3 lost for the season.  As a result, guys who weren't expected to see any significant playing time until next year have already performed under fire and have by-in-large played very well.  

There were going to be some serious questions at key positions for the 2008 season that Wheaton has already gotten a glimpse as to how they will be answered.

Q: Who is going to replace Zach Ullrich at QB after his monster 2007 All-CCIW, OPOY season?    (what could have been?)
A:  Sean Norris: (6'0" 195lb Soph) has played in 7 games this year and has lead the #1 offense in the CCIW.
2007 stats: 75-130 for 1150 yards, 10 TD's, 8 INT, 57.7% comp, 164.3 ypg, 145.1 pass eff.

Q:  Who is going to fill the RB position, which was a weakness in 2007?
A: Andrew Hershey (5'10" 200lb Junior) has played in 9 games this year, though often not at 100%.
2007 stats: 115 carries for 582 yards, 4.7 ypc, 5 TD's

Rocky Gingg (5'10" 205lb Fresh) has played in 3 games.
2007 stats: 53 carries for 218 yards, 3.7 ypc, 5 TD's

Other guys who have filled in for injured starters who will play a key role in 2008:
1. Nick Theobald - DT 6'3" 280lb Soph - 8 games, 13 solo, 12 assist, 25 total tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks - probably would not have played much in 2007 if not for injuries.
2. Jon Ryan - OLB 6'3" 222lb Junior - 7 games, 8 solo, 9 assist, 17 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT
3. Grant Roszkowiak - DT 6'0" 270lb Junior - 8 games, 8 solo, 7 assist, 15 total tackles,  6.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT (TD) - would not have seen practically anytime in 2007, if not for injuries
4. Justin Carpenter - OT 6'4" 245lb Soph - would not have played much in 2007 if not for knee injury to Thomas Christner
5. Danny Hindman - WR 6'4" 215lb Soph - 3 games, 2 catches for 100 yards, 1 TD - could be a good one

Guys who have really stepped it up a notch in the absense of Andrew Studebaker and should provide the foundation for a strong DL in 2008.
1. Ben Kuenzle - DE 6'3" 270lb Junior - 22 solo, 11 assist, 33 total tackles 13.5 TFL, 9.0 sacks - Can you imagine the carnage on opposing QB's with both Kuenzle and Studebaker at 100% health?  Kuenzle is a 1st Team All-CCIW candidate.
2. Eric Theisen - DT 6'3" 255 Junior - 25 solo, 15 assists, 40 total tackles, 13 TFL, 3.5 sacks - another 1st or 2nd Team All-CCIW candidate.

[matblake]

Good synopsis, Mugsy.  I'm sure the Wheaton fans are looking for some more noise this week from these guys who have played and stepped up.  I'm sure IWU, North Central, and Carthage fans are hoping for the opposite.

[Mugsy]

Incidentally if Wheaton wins saturday and takes the CCIW crown, they might have the least number of All-CCIW selections of any recent champion due to injuries (guys playing only part of the CCIW schedule).  Apart from Pete Ittersagen, Ben Kuenzle, and Geoff Rowson, I'm not sure of any other 1st Team All-CCIW candidates on Wheaton this year.

Noah Dryer WR - 2nd or 3rd Team?
Chris Fossum WR - 2nd Team?
Tim Ellingsen PK - 2nd Team (after Dennis at Carthage), 10-13 FG, 42-42 PAT
Jonathan Toal OLB - 2nd or 3rd Team?
Tyler Lang CB - 2nd Team?
Jessie Laizure OLB - 3rd Team? (filled in for McKinney)
Ben Kuenzle DE - 1st Team (I'll be shocked if he isn't)
Eric Theisen DT - 1st Team?
Geoff Rowson OG - 1st Team? (has he played enough?, Wheaton's OL hasn't had a great year)
Pete Ittersagen CB - 1st Team (DPOY?)

[redman04]

Good synopsis, Mugsy.  I'm sure the Wheaton fans are looking for some more noise this week from these guys who have played and stepped up.  I'm sure IWU, North Central, and Carthage fans are hoping for the opposite.

From a redmen view I also would like Wheaton to win.  If they do and carthage wins then they would have a chance at a pool C bid

[Mr. Ypsi]

Good synopsis, Mugsy.  I'm sure the Wheaton fans are looking for some more noise this week from these guys who have played and stepped up.  I'm sure IWU, North Central, and Carthage fans are hoping for the opposite.

From a redmen view I also would like Wheaton to win.  If they do and carthage wins then they would have a chance at a pool C bid

I'm not at all sure that the Wheaton-IWU result affects the RedMen's chances.  Wheaton would be below Carthage if a pool C aspirant (h-to-h), yet would (probably) still be regionally ranked.  The ONLY negative effect it might have would be if IWU was then regionally ranked (loss to ranked team), but with 3 losses, I doubt it.

EDIT: BTW, just saw your pickems - Bethel over SJU would DEFINITELY hurt Carthage's chances more than IWU over Wheaton!

[matblake]

Good synopsis, Mugsy.  I'm sure the Wheaton fans are looking for some more noise this week from these guys who have played and stepped up.  I'm sure IWU, North Central, and Carthage fans are hoping for the opposite.

From a redmen view I also would like Wheaton to win.  If they do and carthage wins then they would have a chance at a pool C bid

I'm not at all sure that the Wheaton-IWU result affects the RedMen's chances.  Wheaton would be below Carthage if a pool C aspirant (h-to-h), yet would (probably) still be regionally ranked.  The ONLY negative effect it might have would be if IWU was then regionally ranked (loss to ranked team), but with 3 losses, I doubt it.

Doh, you are correct sirs!

[lakeshore]

IMHO:

COY - Eash gets this one with the incredible job he has done taking a team that was picked to finish 7th in conference and doing the damage that he has done in the CCIW

DPOY - Ittersagen really impressed me in the game against North Central.  He was calm, collected, and flat out made plays.  He made things happen when they needed to.

OPOY - Fanthorpe should get this one.  Kam left some big shoes to fill, and he has done a nice job stepping into that difficult role.  A threat both with his arm and legs, he did a very nice job in a spot that everyone agreed was a huge question mark at the start of the season.

I agree with you on every one of those choices

What about Sulo for OPOY?  He leads in nearly every category for a RB.  I have seen three North Central games and he was always the one steady factor.  The other selections I would agree with.

I agree that Sulo should be the OPOY hands down.  He is a step above ALL the other skill players in the CCIW.

As for our young and building Vikes;

WR Chris Durr has garnered 1st team attention as NPU's last 3 opponents have double and triple covered him for most of not all of the game, therefore expsoing the Vike's lack of depth and playmakers.

QB Shelby Wood and RB Kelvyn West had fast starts to conference play but have tailed off as of late.  Physically they are as talented as anybody in the league but I don't think they will have the numbers to back up all conference nominations

SS Jerwane Ford and DE Ray Decatur might get some nods from the defense.

[CardinalAlum]

I agree that Sulo should be the OPOY hands down.  He is a step above ALL the other skill players in the CCIW.

I wouldn't quite go that far.  Ceisel and Fanthorpe have been pretty good skill players as well.

[Wags]

And Mugsy, if Wheaton doesn't take care of business this weekend, please don't be making excuses about losing because of all the injuries they had this year!