FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[FormerCard]

If you would ever read the front page you would know d3 AA team is announced during the pregame broadcast at the Stagg this saturday.

As it has been every year since 1999, by the way.

Thanks guys, you really are a blessing.  I don't read the front page enough, you are correct


P.S.
Pat Coleman,
You never responded to my two posts about my Pickems,  is there a glitch in the system, because when I log on, It doesnt show all of my pics, just half of my quarterfinal teams, and I know it isnt because they lost.  Is there anyway I can retrieve them?  

I posted back on November 25th and November 29th

[Red Reign]

Is game on Saturday is at 4pm on ESPN 2? Will the pre-game be shown before hand or at 4? Thanks

[burly]

From Wheaton to the Rose Bowl....

http://pjstar.com/stories/121207/ILL_BF6CDHPP.077.php

"It's the best decision I ever made,'' said Ware, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound senior. "I really love it here.''

Not a lot of guys transfer from Wheaton and play elsewhere - at any level.  Swider has created something pretty special.  Glad he is happy, but somewhat surprised to hear it's the best decision he has ever made. 

[Gregory Sager]

"Somewhat surprised"?  He's a starter on a Big Ten team that's going to the Rose Bowl, Ex-Billy. Are you really so intensely wrapped up in Wheaton football that you can't imagine how Ware could be happier in his present situation?

[Mugsy]

Nice find, Q.  With all the injuries Wheaton had this year, they sure could have used him - Mugsy's probably wondering if he might have been just enough to pull them through!

The inability to run the ball in 2007 hurt more than anything.  I know this is over simplifying things a bit, but I think there is some basic correlation to running the ball and overall success:

Rushing statistics since 1999:

Year	Record	Yards Per Game	TD's	Yards Per Carry	Comment
1999	7-2	141.1	16	3.8	Lost last 2 games after 7-0 start
2000	8-2	152.7	15	3.7	Missed playoffs
2001	6-4	160.1	30	3.5	Worst year in a decade
2002	10-2	224.7	47	4.5	Prolific offense - nearly 500 ypg
2003	12-1	213.5	41	4.2	Quarterfinals in playoffs
2004	10-2	225.2	33	4.6
2005	7-3	220.7	26	4.5	Missed playoffs, rushing not everything
2006	10-2	187.9	25	4.7
2007	8-2	134.7	16	3.2	huge dropoff, very much like 1999

1999 and 2007 were eerily similar. Both seasons undefeated until the last 2 games of the season, both seasons lost last 2 games, both seasons missed playoff, both seasons could not run the ball effectively or control the line of scrimmage.

In 2008 Wheaton had better improve their rushing attack if they wish to compete for the CCIW crown.

[matblake]

I agree Mugsy.  Wheaton could not control the clock as they had in the past because of the lack of running game.  Hence, more time for the defense to spend out on the field.  More time for them to get worn out, etc.  The Wheaton passing offense continued to play competitively throughout the year, but the lack of running game was felt both offensively and defensively.

[burly]

"Somewhat surprised"?  He's a starter on a Big Ten team that's going to the Rose Bowl, Ex-Billy. Are you really so intensely wrapped up in Wheaton football that you can't imagine how Ware could be happier in his present situation?

I didn't see anywhere that he is a starter.

Yes, maybe I'm holding on too tight like Cougar.  But, I haven't lost that Wheaton loving feeling.  And, the guys that sell out for the program, usually don't.

[burly]

"Somewhat surprised"?  He's a starter on a Big Ten team that's going to the Rose Bowl, Ex-Billy. Are you really so intensely wrapped up in Wheaton football that you can't imagine how Ware could be happier in his present situation?

PS Thanks for the Ex-Billy plug.

[redman04]

"Somewhat surprised"?  He's a starter on a Big Ten team that's going to the Rose Bowl, Ex-Billy. Are you really so intensely wrapped up in Wheaton football that you can't imagine how Ware could be happier in his present situation?

PS Thanks for the Ex-Billy plug.

I still laugh everytime I see that new handle!   


I think anyone who puts their heart and soul in to a program has a special feeling for it, but to have a choice of a CCIW school and a Big Ten school, I think there are very, very few that would choose the CCIW

[NCC_alum62]

"Somewhat surprised"?  He's a starter on a Big Ten team that's going to the Rose Bowl, Ex-Billy. Are you really so intensely wrapped up in Wheaton football that you can't imagine how Ware could be happier in his present situation?

I didn't see anywhere that he is a starter.

Yes, maybe I'm holding on too tight like Cougar.  But, I haven't lost that Wheaton loving feeling.  And, the guys that sell out for the program, usually don't.

I believe he sees some significant playing time at DT, but he isn't a starter. He is listed as the backup to David Lindquist according to rivals.

http://illinois.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp

[Gregory Sager]

Mea culpa. I don't follow the Illini, but there was a huge Tribune article on Ware the other day ... so I figured that he must be a starter.

[DIIIinVA]

I met Kehres briefly yesterday morning in Roanoke County, just outside of Salem.  Wished him luck in the Stagg Bowl and told him I played under Swider and Bishop. He had a lot of complimentary things to say about Wheaton and about Swider in particular, who he called "a good friend." I knew there was mutual respect there but didn't realize they had a friendship. He was all class, and very gracious upon being approached by a total stranger. 

Also told a funny story about getting an angry letter one year from a Wheaton fan basically suggesting that the only reason Mt Union kept winning was because they get to play all their playoff games at home, and ranting on against the Mt Union program.  Kehres wrote a polite letter back saying how much he respects Wheaton and asking if the writer was really an alum, because all other Wheaton people he had met had been models of Christian conduct and they won and lost with class, prayed for injured opponents, etc.  The guy wrote him a profusely apologetic letter back.

I didn't tell Kehres I'll still be rooting against Mt. U (usually a futile thing to do) again today. But after having met him, the "rooting against" will be without the former intensity. 

[shepherd]

After looking closely at the Mount Union O-line last week I think Mount will win by more than people are predicting.  I have to say I was amazed at their line play and how long they were able stay locked on to the opponent even the linebackers while being so huge.

Mount Union 48  UWW 10  With majority of Mounts points being scored in the first half.

[usee]

The key to the stagg will be the ability of uww to stop the run. If they are able to do what no one else has done then the uww qb must have a big day running and passing for uww to win.

I say neither happens and agree w go thunder. Mt 42 uww 17

[DIIIinVA]

Mount Union is just too good, too balanced, too strong and athletic.  They have across the board talent (and depth) that nobody in D III can match right now, IMO.  Even if UWW can stop the run, they'll kill you through the air - although with today's predicted weather (still dry here so far) maybe the air attack won't work for them as well.  Still, I've seen them respond to the D taking one thing away by simply switching gears to kill the opponent in a different way too many times in too many Stagg Bowls to pick against them.  I'd love to see UWW beat them, and it's possible - maybe about a 20% chance.  But I won't be expecting it.