FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[SaintsFAN]

Thats incredible... how do you gameplan for a linebacker that has a nose for the ball like that? 

quick kick? 

Three words:

Statue
of
Liberty

New offense?  We'll use A-11 to neutralize him.  Just kidding, Pat.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy- I agree with you that if Elmhurst finished 8-2, 5-2 in a dead tie with Wheaton the committee would have given Elmhurst a long look and if they were to pick a 2nd CCIW team, would have given the nod to EC based on head to head. 
So now all eyes focus on NC and W and and I think both have the capabilities to get to the big game in VA.  (4) teams from IL made the playoffs NC, W, Monmouth, and Aurora.  Great to see good football teams from IL getting into post season.

Actually I don't think that is what I said.  Looking at the post I believe you were referring too:

I would say, yes... Elmhurst would have had a chance to get a Pool C had they finished 8-2, but... Elmhurst does not have a playoff resume.  I believe that played the #1 factor as to why Wheaton received a bid this year.

I'm not sure Elmhurst would have received the same consideration.

I said Elmhurst would have had a chance at 8-2 and because they were ranked in the region. (don't make me break out the Jim Carey quote from Dumb & Dumber about having a chance). 

I didn't imply it would be "a long look", nor did I imply that I think Elmhurst would have been given the last Pool C slot if they finished 8-2.  I don't think Wheaton or Elmhurst would have been given the last Pool C slot if Elmhurst finished 8-2.

In order for Elmhurst to have gone 8-2, they would have had to beat NCC this past weekend.  A 9-1 NCC would have made it certain that the CCIW would have only receive a Pool A slot.  If you make the case for a 8-2 Elmhurst where you reverse one of their earlier losses, I still do not think the committee gives a Pool C spot to Elmhurst.

IMO, Wheaton got the last Pool C slot because:

1. They finished off the season with 2 strong wins
2. A slew of teams higher up in the rankings lost this past weekend
3. Wheaton has a playoff track record, going 5-0 in first round games.

IMO: Right or wrong... I believe #3 is why a 8-2 Elmhurst does NOT equal a 8-2 Wheaton at this point in the eyes of the Committee, even though Elmhurst beat Wheaton this year.

That said my theory is somewhat pointless as Elmhurst finished 7-3.

[79jaybird]

Mugsy, I initially thought that the CCIW was going to get 1 team in.  When I heard Wheaton snuck in, I thought if Elmhurst had been 8-2, 5-2 then it would have been Elmhurst sneaking in.  Either way, it's a "dead issue" because Elmhurst wound up 7-3.  A good year but not a "great year" and something to build on. 
Couple items of interest.  With Elmhurst building up a program and if and when the Bluejays are to make the NCAA playoffs, two things are going to have to be addressed.  A) Start scheduling better competition.  I would like to see Elmhurst schedule teams like a St. Norbert/Monmouth, Hope/Albion, possibly a WIAC, etc.  that are playoff conditioned and not creampuffs.  Their SOS has to improve for Elmhurst to be considered more often.  Let's face it, Benedictine does nothing for Elmhurst.  NC is/won't be playing Benedictine anymore.
B) the Pressbox-- I talked with our SID about this prior to the game Saturday.  If Elmhurst is going to host a playoff game, their pressbox is going to need some alterations, because right now it is very cramped.  The initial thought is possibly to build upward on top of what is already there.  We'll see.  Of course, it all points back to the good old $$$.

[SonsofThunder]

I see a Wheaton-NCC match-up in the quarterfinals.


Wheaton Thunder 31-10 over the Trine Thunder.


CCIW vs. MIAA....really?

[redman04]

While I still have time to dream......I am thinking Wheaton gets a surprise pool C bid. Is #7 north and goes to Trine in round 1.

Great call.

Hey... can't you change your post name now?  What is redman04 changing his too?

SO much to respond to, so i'll start with this one.
We have a 3 game bet... My son is up by 1 right now.

Was at the Carthage game on Sat and I couldn't believe that Wheaton had two losses.  They looked really good. 

Congrats to  NCC and Wheaton for making the Playoffs.  I will be rooting for you both.

Responding to line a couple of pages back.... I will never take it easy on Norm!

[redman04]

Reflecting on the cards 10-0 regular season, it made me think of the greatest CCIW of all time in recent years (post auggie mid-80's)...


I have narrowed it down to 4 teams:

03' Wheaton

04' Carthage

05' Auggie

05' NCC

Personally, I would love a 03' Wheaton/04' Carthage fantasy match-up....

just something to ponder...

I'd say best teams since 2000.  I know in the 90's there are a ton of great Millikin, Wesleyan, and Augie teams.  I'm sure someone who has been around D3 for longer than I have would know a lot more about them.

If you want to pick a Wheaton team from the last ten years, in their two year stretch without a conference loss, the 2002 team was quite a bit stronger than 2003.

Their conference schedule in 2002:
*ELMHURST COLLEGE....... 62-7  W   
*at Millikin............ 39-20 W   
*CARTHAGE............... 36-6  W   
*at Illinois Wesleyan... 35-21 W   
*NORTH CENTRAL.......... 41-7  W   
*at North Park.......... 68-12 W   
*AUGUSTANA VIKINGS...... 38-14 W   

They did have a  16-23 hiccup in week one against Alma, but they made up for that with a 42-14 victory in the playoffs over that same Alma team.    The 2003 team made it deeper into the playoffs (due to getting Mount in a later round) but didn't have close to the dominanting  performance in CCIW play the '02 team did.

The best team Wheaton has ever had was in August of 2007.....but I digress. The best one that actuallyfnished a season was definitely the 2002 team. they gave Mt Union the best game of any Wheaton team. The next best Wheaton team was the 1995 team. they were loaded too. Best NCC team I have seen was Kam Kniss, Radtke, Holden and company. This year's team has a chance to better that.

Interesting List...
I have a couple of things I would change
2002 Wheaton was Better than 03
2005 Augie was better than 05 NCC
2008 NCC team should be on that list (IMO they are better than 05) They might be one of the most physical teams I've seen.
Right on with 04 Carthage and 05 Augie
In the 90's Millikin had some really good teams 98, 99, 00

[79jaybird]

OK here's some food for thought.  Which dynasty was the strongest?  Put aside Augie's Nat'l Championships because the others didn't have a playoff format like Augie did.

A) Augustana 81-90
B) Art Keller late 60's 70's
C) Harve Chrouser late 40's 50's
D) John Thorne's mini-dynasty   (present day)

I think my vote would be A or C. 

[New Tradition]

2005 Augie was better than 05 NCC

I vehemently disagree.  I'm not going to get into it, but my 2005 highlight film says differently, in slow motion.

[Mugsy]

2005 Augie was better than 05 NCC

I vehemently disagree.  I'm not going to get into it, but my 2005 highlight film says differently, in slow motion.

"I strenuously object? Is that how it works? Hmm? "Objection." "Overruled." "No, no, I strenuously object." "Oh, you strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider."

[FormerCard]

2005 Augie was better than 05 NCC

I vehemently disagree.  I'm not going to get into it, but my 2005 highlight film says differently, in slow motion.

"I strenuously object? Is that how it works? Hmm? "Objection." "Overruled." "No, no, I strenuously object." "Oh, you strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider."

You can't handle the truth!

[Mr. Flynn]

Don't know who does the stats but Wenger had a tackle for a loss early in the game against Elmhurst and it was awarded to a non dressing freshman, that should have given him a total of 120 and the #1 spot for tackles in the conference.  
I was also a little suprised Ittersagen got special team player of the week, I was pulling for the Elmhurst punter that got run over by a train and still managed a first dowm.

[Neverwas]

USee - I noticed that you posted on the bracket analysis podcast discussion.  You mentioned that you thought the 2008 Wheaton team was better than the 9-1 2004 team.  While I think this years defense is much better the 2004 offense was better than this years.  also, the two losses were to Carthage and Mt. Union both quarterfinal teams.  Just curious to hear what you think.

On a different note...what is the deal with Sulo and Fanthorpe?  Are the injured or do they have just regular wear and tear after a long season?  I think this week shouldn't be too difficult for NCC they, most likely, will need all the weapons for the second round.

[cardinaldad]

2005 Augie was better than 05 NCC

I vehemently disagree.  I'm not going to get into it, but my 2005 highlight film says differently, in slow motion.

Careful with the film thing, NT. 

[Mr. Flynn]

Sulo could have played so it was nothing serious and Fanthorpe only sat out once they got a big lead so he is fine too.

[FormerCard]

Don't know who does the stats but Wenger had a tackle for a loss early in the game against Elmhurst and it was awarded to a non dressing freshman, that should have given him a total of 120 and the #1 spot for tackles in the conference.  
I was also a little suprised Ittersagen got special team player of the week, I was pulling for the Elmhurst punter that got run over by a train and still managed a first dowm.

I really want to see that hit.  I tried watching the highlight film on a link via the north central website, but it did not work. 

Was anyone else able to access and view it?