FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc58]

I have been surprised that John Thorne hasn't been CCIW COY yet, but one coach seems to always trump his achievements.

There is a precedent for naming Norm Eash COY. In 2004, Carthage was 7th in the pre-season poll and finished with a share for the title. The accomplishments for IWU have been impressive. But the cupboard wasn't completely bare. With players like Dunlop, Ceisel, and Osborn, IWU had a good nucleus to base their 2007 team.

[usee]

Looking at the FC/NCC game:

Franklin has scored a lot of points but has given up a lot also. They have a stud qb (31tds on only 6 picks) and judging by the 5 different receivers with double digit receptions, looks like they play a spread, shotgun offense. They have an excellent running back who averages over 100+ yds a game. They have only given up 6 sacks this year but also average 200yds a game on the ground to go w 300 yds per game passing. rushing attempts are 40 per game to 30 passing attempts. This will be a significant challenge to NCC defense.

Their defense looks average at best. Only 16 sacks and giving up 370 yds a game. NCC should be able to move the ball and score but will they be able to stop Franklin? From the wabash game it looks like Franklin really killed wabash on the ground but wabash's qb had a 475 yd passing day! NCC has a better running game than wabash.

I expect this game to be high scoring and if NCC can figure out how to slow down a potent Franklin attack they should come out on top.

[FormerCard]

When does the All-conference meeting take place?  Isnt it this week?

[CardinalAlum]

When does the All-conference meeting take place?  Isnt it this week?

I believe it takes place on the Tuesday after the regular season by conference call.

[FormerCard]

When does the All-conference meeting take place?  Isnt it this week?

I believe it takes place on the Tuesday after the regular season by conference call.

I think you are right.

I guess we can pretty much agree on anything right now after this great weekend for NCC football. 

How many other Cardinal fans (or other posters) are going to make the trip to Franklin this week?

With a victory, coupled with a UWW win,  we would be traveling to UWW the next week? or playing a home game?

[usee]

When does the All-conference meeting take place?  Isnt it this week?

I believe it takes place on the Tuesday after the regular season by conference call.

I think you are right.

I guess we can pretty much agree on anything right now after this great weekend for NCC football. 

How many other Cardinal fans (or other posters) are going to make the trip to Franklin this week?

With a victory, coupled with a UWW win,  we would be traveling to UWW the next week? or playing a home game?

winner of your game is @UWW, unless capital pulls the upset then your winner hosts.

[Carthage Fan]

I have never seen a team decimated by injuries to so many key people as Wheaton had this year. 

Tailgater covers the Carthage injury problems very well in a post on this page.  

http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=4077.13275

Wheaton wasn't the only team that had injury issues and not the only one that had injuries at key postions.

[FormerCard]

When does the All-conference meeting take place?  Isnt it this week?

I believe it takes place on the Tuesday after the regular season by conference call.

I think you are right.

I guess we can pretty much agree on anything right now after this great weekend for NCC football. 

How many other Cardinal fans (or other posters) are going to make the trip to Franklin this week?

With a victory, coupled with a UWW win,  we would be traveling to UWW the next week? or playing a home game?

winner of your game is @UWW, unless capital pulls the upset then your winner hosts.

Odds aren't good of that...but I have seen stranger things happen.   It would be nice to have another shot at Capital after the loss in 2005. 

First things first, contain Franklins offense, get Sulo healthy and play solid special teams next week.

[usee]

I have never seen a team decimated by injuries to so many key people as Wheaton had this year. 

Tailgater covers the Carthage injury problems very well in a post on this page.  

http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=4077.13275

Wheaton wasn't the only team that had injury issues and not the only one that had injuries at key postions.

Carthage certainly had its share of injuries, for the second year in a row as well. I think the biggest difference is that Wheaton was picked to finish first and lost 5 1st team all conference players including all four of its captains. even still, there are no complaints, Wheaton had a team talented enough to win every game and they couldn't get it done in the last two.

[fc_alum_84]

Good statistical analysis Usee re the Franklin offense and defense.  One thing to keep in mind is the number of times the first string was pulled in the third quarter as a result of blow-outs.  FC had Rose Hulman down 56-13, Defiance 45-7, Hanover 55-7, Anderson 48-0, etc early in the third quarter.  Several of the yards given up were in garbage time.  I would not get too over confident related to the Franklin defense. The first string held their own.  Still it should be a fun game. FC has not had a knock down drag out game since Wabash.  MSJ hung tough for three quarters.

[ncc58]

I was just going to comment that FC scored 50 points in five games, so they may have given up many yards late.

But it does bring up an interesting question, especially when you consider the reduced roster size for playoff games. It looks like the last competitive game for FC was back on October 13 against MSJ. Have they kept their conditioning level high, since some many players will now have to play special teams as well.

NCC has given up 67 ypg rushing and 200 ypg passing. I'm sure NCC is optimistic that they can shut down the FC running game. Could be a lot of passing...

Good statistical analysis Usee re the Franklin offense and defense.  One thing to keep in mind is the number of times the first string was pulled in the third quarter as a result of blow-outs.  FC had Rose Hulman down 56-13, Defiance 45-7, Hanover 55-7, Anderson 48-0, etc early in the third quarter.  Several of the yards given up were in garbage time.  I would not get too over confident related to the Franklin defense. The first string held their own.  Still it should be a fun game. FC has not had a knock down drag out game since Wabash.  MSJ hung tough for three quarters.

[usee]

Good statistical analysis Usee re the Franklin offense and defense.  One thing to keep in mind is the number of times the first string was pulled in the third quarter as a result of blow-outs.  FC had Rose Hulman down 56-13, Defiance 45-7, Hanover 55-7, Anderson 48-0, etc early in the third quarter.  Several of the yards given up were in garbage time.  I would not get too over confident related to the Franklin defense. The first string held their own.  Still it should be a fun game. FC has not had a knock down drag out game since Wabash.  MSJ hung tough for three quarters.

I took all that into account in my complicated algorithm prior to providing my analysis.  8)

[fc_alum_84]

good point about conditioning.  I know in the defiance game, the starters stayed in longer than normal and the defense played into mid to late third quarter at Hanover.  Based on my dime store analysis, NCC appears to have been in tighter contests (CCIW is stronger top to bottom IMO than HCAC) and that will be an advantage plus the prior playoff games in the past. 

I dont see FC scoring 50 points this week. I am thinking both team will play in the high 20's and it will be very close either way.

[CardinalAlum]

Good statistical analysis Usee re the Franklin offense and defense.  One thing to keep in mind is the number of times the first string was pulled in the third quarter as a result of blow-outs.  FC had Rose Hulman down 56-13, Defiance 45-7, Hanover 55-7, Anderson 48-0, etc early in the third quarter.  Several of the yards given up were in garbage time.  I would not get too over confident related to the Franklin defense. The first string held their own.  Still it should be a fun game. FC has not had a knock down drag out game since Wabash.  MSJ hung tough for three quarters.

Wow, from the sound of things, we better have the bus warmed up so we can take our beating and come home!  

[ncc58]

fc_alum,

Care to comment on the pass protection? 30 pass attempts per game and only 6 sacks for the season is pretty impresssive.

Also, has FC faced a 3-3-5 defense at any point?