FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[HScoach]

Its been my experience that a sloppy field strongly favors a passing game.   Especially a quick release, ball control type passing game.   If I'm a Wheaton fan, I'd be hoping for cold and wind this Saturday.  Some rain wouldn't hurt either.

[Mugsy]

Its been my experience that a sloppy field strongly favors a passing game.   Especially a quick release, ball control type passing game.   If I'm a Wheaton fan, I'd be hoping for cold and wind this Saturday.  Some rain wouldn't hurt either.

Like I said... I haven't had enough chance to digest what type of passing game Franklin employs.  I just know it is profilic and is racking up the yards and points. 

By "mudder" I was assuming rain, sleet or snow conditions.  A cold and windy day would favor Wheaton, IMO.

[Mugsy]

PASSING	GP	Effic	Cmp-Att-Int	Pct	Yds	TD	Lng	Avg/G
Norris, Sean	12	155.86	183-310-13	59.0	2783	28	60	231.9
PASSING	GP	Effic	Cmp-Att-Int	Pct	Yards	TD	Long	Avg/G
Rupp, Chad	12	165.1	283-442-11	64.0	3892	43	78	324.3

Ok... you're asking what the heck is he implying?  What's new, eh?   

No, I'm not implying Norris is at the same level as Rupp.  In fact there have been times this year I have questioned his play (particularly early).  But the more I look at it, the more I see that Norris has quitely put together a pretty good season.

Consider Norris' pass efficiency is only less by 10, and the completion % is less by 5%.  Not too much different.

Yes Rupp has 1000 more yards and 15 more TD's, but Norris has 132 less pass attempts. If (and I say IF) you apply Norris' completion % against 132 more passes, that is roughly 78 more completions.  If you factor the average yardage per completion (15.2), that would be an extra 1185 yards bring his total yardage to around 3800 yards.  Assuming also that he would have a number of additional TD's (and INT's), his numbers actually start stacking up somewhat favorably to Rupp's.  With exception to the TD/INT ratio... which is a BIGGIE.

A few other factors to consider...
1. Wheaton is a bit more balanced attack with nearly 170 yards per game coming via the ground (1145 from Gingg).  So they aren't as reliant on Norris (thankfully... I like a balance attack).

2. Norris had a couple of horrible games, one due to injury early in the year (serious cut on his hand?)   Consistency is another reason why Rupp is obviously a notch ahead.

Against Bethel, which was played in a monsoon: (YUCK!)

Passing	Att-Cmp-Int	Yds	TD	Long	Sack
Norris, Sean	11-2-1	12	0	9	0

Against Elmhurst: (not great)

Passing	Att-Cmp-Int	Yds	TD	Long	Sack
Norris, Sean	47-25-3	259	2	26	4

So what am I saying?  Rupp is an elite QB in D3, but Norris is pretty good as well.  If Norris were to improve his TD/INT ratio, it would go along way to raising him to the next level.

(modified by GS for formatting, because he is the wind beneath Mugsy's wings)

[usee]

If Wheaton plays like they did Saturday and like they have for the past 4 weeks, Franklin will have a difficult time beating them, Rupp or not.

If Wheaton plays like did they over 8 days  in Ocotber, then Thanksgiving is officially over.

Look at Norris over the last 4 weeks:

68-107 1,125 yds 12 TD's 3 INT, 4 sacks

That's an average of 16.5 yds per completion, 65% completion rate, 281 yds per game and a 12TD/3 INT ratio. In that span Wheaton has averaged 43pts a game. That's where Norris has come since the dark days of October. Sean has made himself into quite a qb. It's not Rupp, but it's not bad.

[dc_has_been]

Weather.com has Saturday in Franklin, IN at 39 degrees, cloudy w/ a few snow showers. 
USee- I wanted to throw in Rupp's stats over the past two playoff games & teams rushing stats..

Passing 72-114 938 yds 11 TD's 2 INT 4 Sacks 63% completion rate 469 yards per game 13 yds per completion. 
Rushing 28 carries 132 yards 1 TD 21 long
Team Rushing 55 cvarries 276 yards 3 TD's 138 yards per game 5yards per carrie.

Basically the key element is to stop Rupp.

[Son of Tailgater]

The cards haven't gooten ANY calls since the 06 season?

That's one of the most ridiculous things I have seen on here in a while.

Good thing you are just kidding.

....and If you weren't kidding then that would mean that the last time they had "gotten calls" was against Carthage in 2006 - the last game of the season.....anybody remember that game? I sure do.

I am glad you were just kidding as well.

[Son of Tailgater]

As far as tailgating, Franklin showed up with the most impressive tailgating that I have seen, Carthage included!!  Sorry Carthage guys.  It really was something!

Card,

You are lucky that Tailgater is on a cruise this week or else he would have about 6 paragraphs with his facts highlighted in bold argueing against that statement. haha

[79jaybird]

some of the better tailgates I have seen home or away include
A#1 Carthage
B Albion
C Franklin's was good
D UW-Whitewater's
Central

I'm sure many schools have tailgates, but these are just a few of the memorable tailgates.

I think Saturday is going to be which Wheaton team shows up?  I think Wheaton has plenty of talent to beat Franklin, but I also think the Thunder have the tendency to play Santa early and cough up the ball. (ala EC game)
If Wheaton plays fundamentals, I take Wheaton by 10-21 points.

[redman04]

some of the better tailgates I have seen home or away include
A#1 Carthage
B Albion
C Franklin's was good
D UW-Whitewater's
Central

I'm sure many schools have tailgates, but these are just a few of the memorable tailgates.

I think Saturday is going to be which Wheaton team shows up?  I think Wheaton has plenty of talent to beat Franklin, but I also think the Thunder have the tendency to play Santa early and cough up the ball. (ala EC game)
If Wheaton plays fundamentals, I take Wheaton by 10-21 points.

Mount Union Had a great one when we were there in 2004... I remember going to bathroom, which was packed with about 150 students, and doing about 3 beer bongs and forgetting what I went in there to do!

All that aside MUC fans were fun and friendly. Overall a great tailgate!

[New Tradition]

The cards haven't gooten ANY calls since the 06 season?

That's one of the most ridiculous things I have seen on here in a while.

Good thing you are just kidding.

....and If you weren't kidding then that would mean that the last time they had "gotten calls" was against Carthage in 2006 - the last game of the season.....anybody remember that game? I sure do.

I am glad you were just kidding as well.

The thing that sticks out most in my memory about that game (after the Cards won by 10) was the crazy Carthage mom that came storming over into the Card's post game huddle as they were about to be awarded their FIRST CCIW CHAPMIONSHIP TROPHY SINCE 1960 screaming about how they didn't win that game and that the refs handed it to them.  Classy.  Perhaps it's an exaggeration that they get no calls, but it is certainly a rarity when any of the close ones go their way.

[CardinalAlum]

As far as tailgating, Franklin showed up with the most impressive tailgating that I have seen, Carthage included!!  Sorry Carthage guys.  It really was something!

Card,

You are lucky that Tailgater is on a cruise this week or else he would have about 6 paragraphs with his facts highlighted in bold argueing against that statement. haha

Oh, I figured your Pops would defend his turf, but seriously, Franklin had smokers and giant grills and all kinds of things going on that was pretty impressive!  Carthage is definitely right there, but I had to give the Griz faithful the nod.

[CardinalAlum]

Pat,

Can we please remove the poll question from last week?  I am getting ill every time I sign on!! 

[CardinalAlum]

Perhaps it's an exaggeration that they get no calls, but it is certainly a rarity when any of the close ones go their way.

Refs do not like to be abused.  Watch certain members of our coaching staff some time and see if any referee would ever want to give NCC a break!!  You've seen it firsthand.

[GrizzlyBall]

Ive got a feeling the field wont be a factor on Saturday........ Wheaton has a very good DB and might post a problem for Rupp and Co. FC goes five wide on 3rd and short and use quick pass plays as their runs. I hope to see a great game and turnout Saturday.

[wheels81]

Ok another rumor,

Will the game be played at the franklin high school field because the college field is in bad shape or is that not an option?