FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Dennis_Prikkel]

DGP & Son thoroughly enjoyed the outcome of Saturday's Homecoming game at NPU.  If ever the momentum of a game swung so fatefully, fully and so early in a game, it was the double-reverse TD pass from one wide receiver to another midway in the first quarter for the victorious Vikings.  From an "Oh No, what in the hell are they running that play for?" to a total feeling of jubilation for the Viking players and fans, to a total deflating and "Here we go again" for the Eagles.  I don't think the Eagles ever fully recovered from that one play.

The Eagles played hard - perhaps not smartly - I thought they could have dominated North Park with their QB and big backs running the ball - but they chose to pass (with disastrous consequences) - and the fact that they could hardly ever hold on to any passes  - there's or the North Park ones they could have intercepted - spelled doom for their chances.

North PArk on the other hand rode the emotion of that first score to a 21-3 halftime lead, then a 28-3 lead, and when the Benedictine TD interception return got called back for roughing the passer even the most die-hard Viking pessimist (Oh, that would be me) had to begin to believe that it might be North Park's day - but I still waited until their was a minute left in the game and North Park's fourth QB of the day was leaving the field, to get the alumni on their feet to salute "Our Boys".

Now - "It's back to reality" - the Vikings face the west suburban juggernauts the next two weeks.

Where's North Park's North Park on the CCIW football schedule when you really need one?

dgp

[wheels81]

2008:
214.7 yds per game
5.2 yds per rush
0 sacks so far

You C,
I thought Hope got  2 sacks  on Wheaton.  On the individual stats for hope defense it records 2 sacks for 6 yards each.   On overall stat list it doesn't.  On the play by play it says Norris was tackled for 6 yard loss on rush attempts.  That's kind of odd for QB or RB for that matter to be tackled for that kind of loss on rushing play?  OK a reverse or option maybe.  I realize that sacks are counted against rushing yards in college.   I think either Wheaton has some really sucky QB rush plays or the Statitsian made a mistake. 

Still  your point is well taken, much improved O-line performance and expected with Coach Whitehead
but let's hope they'll keep it up when they get to the "meat" of the schedule.

[Mugsy]

UC,
I thought Hope got a sack on Wheaton or are you counting the first string?

Even so... level of Wheaton O-Line play is far exceeding last year (to date). 

I have posted several times the breakdown of yards per rush, number of sacks per pass attempt, etc... since 2000.  The years where Wheaton was below 4.0 yards per carry were years they failed to contend for the CCIW or make the playoffs.

[Tailgater]

I'm very excited to see what will happen between Carthage and IWU this weekend!

On one hand, I know Coach Rucks will address the turnover situation that played very prominently into Carthage's defeat this weekend.  He should have his boys ready to go, and I do not believe that they will have 2 down weeks in a row.  We've seen that the offense has the potential to be electrifying if they play their game.

On the other hand, IWU, who is supposed to be on the upswing, had to come from behind to get by Aurora.  Aurora has historically been a solid team, albeit from the former IBFC, but should have been handled by an upper echelon CCIW squad.  I'm sure that this does not sit well with Coach Eash, and he should have his boys fired up as well. 

Furthermore, this week is IWU's homecoming.  I've seen homecomings be both inspirational and a total distraction.  While its good to go out and get one for the alumni, sometimes players get too caught up in the hoopla.  Also, from Carthage's perspective, there is nothing better than coming in and wrecking another school's homecoming by dealing them a crushing defeat. 

As I have not seen either team play yet, I can only speak based on what I've read and what I've seen others post.  For those of you who are more knowledgeable on either team (or both): how do you think these teams match up?

I think the game hinges on Carthage turnovers. 15 turnovers in the first 3 games. That'll kill a lot of drives and/or put your defense in bad situations. There is no question that the Red Men offense has the potential to move the football. Averaging almost 500 yds a game and 124 points in 3 games (even with all the turnovers). In 2006 Carthage staged one of the most exciting comebacks I have ever witnessed at spoil an IWU homecoming. I'm hoping Carthage can continue the roll as spoiler.

Just a spoiler   Ya mean before the first conference game, you've already thrown in the towel on winning the title?!  For shame!

"Spoiler" is only in reference to IWU's Homecoming activities. As in 2006 when the Red Men "spoiled" homecoming for IWU. I'm afraid you stretched the context of my comment a significant distance further than intended.

[Mugsy]

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.

The last time I will post this... but for discussion sake.  Compare this to the first 3 games of 2008, as posted by usee:

2008:
214.7 yds per game
5.2 yds per rush
0 sacks so far

[Gregory Sager]

Congrats to NPU freshman linebacker Rod Ojong upon being named CCIW Defensive Player of the Week. He led the Vikings with ten tackles (five solo) against Benedictine, and contributed a sack and a fumble recovery as well. He's North Park's leading tackler thus far this season, even though this was only his second start.

Ojong is on his way to becoming a very good CCIW football player. He's very quick, he has a real nose for the ball, and he hits hard. Congratulations, Rod!

[usee]

My thoughts on the IWU/Carthage contest:

It is the 2 top offenses (for now--I actually view Wheaton -8 miles as the best offense) statistically in the CCIW as well as the 2 worst defenses. That would seem to indicate we will have some high scoring action but several observations are worth noting in this contest.

-Kraig Ladd's health--there has been no word on his condition as he was last seen being helped off the field v Aurora. I Rooney has shown flashes as a runner but there is no way IWU offense has the same production without Ladd

-IWU secondary-this was an injury decimated group in games 1 and 2 and began to get healthy in game 3. with a week off it would appear they will be as strong as they have been for this shootout.

-IWU and Carthage have both been decent vs the running game so its the pass defense that has been suspect and IWU has an excuse. Carthage gave up the first points Lakeland has scored all season and gave up more points to Campbell than they had scored in their first 4 games combined. The Titans have given up an average of 29 pts a game to the likes of Hope, Alma and Aurora.

-the titans have a more balanced and consistent offense than Carthage. The Redmen had just 76 yds and no points in the first half against Campbell with a minute to go and had just 12 in the 4th quarter against Lakeland. Their 70 pt output against Hope is seeming more like an aberration than the norm.

-Both teams have turned the ball over (did I mention these are the 2 worst teams in TO ratio also? IWU -5, Carthage -9) but Carthage seems to be getting worse, not better. You can't just hope the turnovers go away.

For this game, if Ladd is healthy I don't think this game will be close. If he's not, it could be a shootout with the team making the fewest mistakes winning. Carthage has a dangerous but volatile offense and a bad defense right now. IWU has a veteran group of offensive players and healthier defense than they have had in the first few weeks. If Carthage can figure out how to not turn the ball over they could keep it close but I believe IWU will score plenty and Carthage will shoot itself in the foot just enough for a Titans victory.

But What do I know? The OAC pickem guru, HSCoach, has IWU as a 6.5pt underdog at home.  8)

[usee]

As far as the regular season, which is set to get under way on Saturday, here is how I would handicap the field, along with question marks:

1. The school from Naperville-They have done nothing to show any weakness so far this young season and have to remain the team to beat. I know their offense is the real deal and it appears their defense is pretty good. I don't think their defense has faced a potent offense yet though so we don't know yet how they will hold up

2. Wheaton-Offensive line production has been a key to their consistency but their defense is heart of this team. They have put up good numbers on special teams and defense, which should keep them in most games. Can Norris become a playmaker on offense? will the OLine hold up against some excellent CCIW defensive fronts?

3. IWU-Ladd has come out and answered the bell with an NCAA leading 12 TD's in 3 games. With a very talented recieving core and a healthier defense and this team will only get better as the season progresses. Can their secondary hold up against some talented passing attacks? Can they solve their turnover problem? Turnovers and an inconsistent defense will kill a team's title hopes.

4. Augie-Their defense has come to play in the pre season. Their offense doesn't have much of an identity yet and they turnovers are what has cost them. Which Augie team will show up? I think their defense will keep them in most games and if their offense can find themselves they may have something to say as the race heats up in October.

5. Elmhurst-We don't know a lot about the Bluejays and their midseason cliff jumping has been well documented. But I like the look and feel of this team coming into the season. They have a veteran qb and the #1A defense so far this season. They haven't played against great competition yet but with good defense, a new coach and new system, they are gaining confidence that will pay off and keep games close. Do they have the playmakers to win those games down the stretch?  Will their defense hold up against the CCIW onslaught?

6. Carthage-The spread offense and a small but aggressive defense are their signature lines and their achilles heel. The Redmen have felt the growing pains so far this season with inconsistency and turnovers. They also are not forcing turnovers the way they were the last few years which had been a signature card for the Redmen D. If they don't solve the turnover problem and find a way to be more consistent in all phases this may be a disappointing year in Kenosha. On the other hand, if they are clicking, they have enough talent to surprise anyone in the league on a given Saturday.

7. Millkin-not sure what to make of this team. 2 solid pre season wins sandwiched around an enigmatic, blowout loss. I do know they have a very good defensive front 7 and 2 excellent recievers which will make them dangerous.

8. North Park-we all wish we would have seen more production from the Vikings in the preseason. I hope the performance against Benedictine is not their only highlight this season. We all hope the best and fear the worst for Scott Pehetel and company.

[robertgoulet]

New rankings around out:

Wheaton #6
North Central #8


IWU - Others recieving votes.

I would love to see Wheaton and North Central run the table to set up their matchup in Wheaton!

[usee]

New rankings around out:

Wheaton #6
North Central #8


IWU - Others recieving votes.

I would love to see Wheaton and North Central run the table to set up their matchup in Wheaton!

That's not impossible but won't be easy.

(41.775376,-88.143667) has:

v Millikin
@NPU
v Carthage

Wheaton has:
v. NPU
@Augie
v Millkin

[AndOne]

But What do I know? The OAC pickem guru, HSCoach, has IWU as a 6.5pt underdog at home.  8)

Usee---

I'll give you a bump here----You probably know as much or more about the CCIW as HS Coach as evidenced by your team by team analysis above.   

"The school from Naperville"  is NORTH CENTRAL that hard to type?     

[usee]

"The school from Naperville"  is NORTH CENTRAL that hard to type?     

I will remind everyone here just this once:

When the regular season begins and up until the time the battle for the Little Brass Bell is decided, any mention of said school will only include reference points based on geography or status. Acceptable references include:

-The school from Naperville
-Those guys 8 miles South
-41.775376,-88.143667
-The Little Brass Bell Losers
-The school with the good track team

Any deviation from these strict regulations will result in -K for first offense, suspension of access to the pickem's for offense #2, and eviction from the CCIW board forever for a 3rd offense.

Hopefully that clarifies things for you. 

[CardinalAlum]

"The school from Naperville"  is NORTH CENTRAL that hard to type?     

I will remind everyone here just this once:

When the regular season begins and up until the time the battle for the Little Brass Bell is decided, any mention of said school will only include reference points based on geography or status. Acceptable references include:

-The school from Naperville
-Those guys 8 miles South
-41.775376,-88.143667
-The Little Brass Bell Losers
-The school with the good track team

Any deviation from these strict regulations will result in -K for first offense, suspension of access to the pickem's for offense #2, and eviction from the CCIW board forever for a 3rd offense.

Hopefully that clarifies things for you. 

I'm used to it by now!!   

[CardinalAlum]

you forgot:

The school where Mugsy received his Master's degree......

[Mr. Ypsi]

New rankings around out:

Wheaton #6
North Central #8


IWU - Others recieving votes.

I would love to see Wheaton and North Central run the table to set up their matchup in Wheaton!

That's not impossible but won't be easy.

[b]NCC[/b] has:

v Millikin
@NPU
v Carthage

Wheaton has:
v. NPU
@Augie
v Millkin

usee,

Since you typed this only about 45 minutes before laying out the rules for AndOne, I trust you dinged your own karma.