FB: Midwest Conference

[MWCfan787]

Predictions for this Saturday:

Carroll over GRINNELL by 21 - I think Grinnell puts up 3 td's at home
Ripon over KNOX by 41 - Probably a shutout
LAKE FOREST over Illinois College  by 6  - Game of the Week
Norbert over LAWRENCE by 42 - Lawrence scores 3 or 7
Monmouth over BELOIT by 49 - Beloit shutout or scores 3

Still early and tough to see how teams really are.

[Once a Pio always a Pio]

Well, I went 6 for 6 last week including the USC whoopin on OSU, but I think that was pretty much a give in.  With another exciting week of MWC football ahead I couldnt wait to make my picks so here they come

1. St. Norbert Huge
2. Monmouth even bigger
3. Ripon all over Knox
4. Upset Special IC over Lake Forest

And Finally.....

The CARROLL Pios move to 3-0 with an offensive rebount against Grinell in the Pio Bowl....
  - Warren Buffett needs to get that school's mascot changed

[ICLBAlum08]

Is lake forest supposed to be good this year? From what i have seen in the last year it seemed as if they would be a little young this year in the secondary and in the backfield? Just curious for a little discussion on them!

[MWCfan787]

I don't think IC over Lake Forest is an upset, that game could go either way and I wouldn't be surprised.   Also, like I said, it's too early to tell.  I almost wouldn't be surprised if one team blew out the other and the game wasn't even close either way.  Hopefully it's a barnburner though, should be game of the week.  My honest opinion, besides Monmouth and Norbert, the rest of the conference is really about matchups and styles.

[Once a Pio always a Pio]

Clarification:

You are right in the sense that IC over LFC is not a HUGE upset.  But I am not with the majority on this board and I feel that there actually is a home field advantage in tight games in the MWC. (Emphasis on TIGHT games).  With that in mind I say it is an IC upset as they over come the road trip (somewhat of a long drive and I am pretty sure an overnight) and takes one from LFC at home

[Pat Coleman]

If Aurora beat Lake Forest, then Illinois College should be able to.

[SNCOLDAD]

I see what you are saying. Yes, there are a few (very few) match ups each season that homew field has an advantage. This year the IC / LF game looks like one of those. What you are assuming is that taking the home field into account LF is favored. That is what I am not sure I agree with you on. I believe IC is still the favorite in the game but just by a narrower margin since it is at LF. Did that make sense? Tough one to explain.

[WLCALUM83]

A Ripon player gets some props here:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=796572

     (It's toward the bottom of the article.)

[fightintitan2006]

Do touchdowns count for less at Ripon

[piopride10]

I think that we are all in agreement that there is only one game that should be close this weekend... IC vs LFC.  (I'd love to see an upset somewhere in the conference but I don't think this is the week with too many outmatched opponents.)  Both IC and LFC boast some of the best receiving cores in the conference.  Jennings and Darwent for IC will match up very well to the skills possessed by Christensen and Carter.  Trust me, I've had to cover all these guys before and it's not easy.  The DBs and LBs in coverage will have to be on their A games for both teams.  I think the game comes down to how much pressure LFC can get on Niekamp for IC.  If he has all day to sit back in their pass-happy offense and deliver strikes to Jennings it could be a long day for LFC.  15 returning starters for both teams, key lossess at skill positions, it could be a fun day to watch football in Lake Forest.  I hate making predictions because I hate being wrong but if I had to bet I'd put money on IC because their QB is more experienced.  All other games go as predicted.  I don't know what happened to Carroll's offense last game - defense looked awesome - but hopefully they'll get it going against that other Pioneer team.  Go pack!  Go pack!

[Maverick]

Monmouth at Beloit, 1 pm - MC
Carroll at Grinnell, 1 pm - CC
Ripon at Knox, 1 pm - RC
Illinois College at Lake Forest, 1 pm - IC
St. Norbert at Lawrence, 1 pm - SNC

After going with all home teams last week, I'm taking all road teams to win this weekend.  All the 1-0 teams move to 2-0...all the 0-1 squads drop to 0-2.

Good luck Fighting Scots!

[ICLBAlum08]

I don't know that home field advantage is at work for Lake Forest. I think the most people they ever put in the bleachers their against IC was about 500-700. I'm not saying that home field advantage doesn't come into play in the MWC. Their are a few places that i hated playing, most of all monmouth! those bag pipe guys just freak me out! Lawrence because of the walk.. it just seemed to take away some of the hype of pregame walking all the way down to the bowl. I definitely think Carroll has a home field advantage to due to the nice seating they have behind the endzones! that is definitely one of a kind! The rest i think besides norbert its pretty much even.. Any of you norbert guys think you will be getting turf anytime soon?

[SNCOLDAD]

You ask about turf at St Norbert? I am not an expert or the best resource. My thought is when the new facility is built, it will have turf. So now the question is when will the new facility be built. My understanding is as soon as they get funding they will break ground. Personally I do not see that happening in the next year or 2 but I do not have insight into that.

[sncfballfan]

IC or Pio guy....just curious, what did you hate or love about playing @ Norb's.  Also, just playing them in general??  I love hearing input/stories so be honest with no offense to be taken (not sayin I won't dispute  ). 

Norberts won't get turf for quite a few years, when the new stadium goes up.  Guys have been promised this stadium will be built by their senior year for 7 years now when they come in for recruiting visits.  It definitely grabbed my attention but it's a shame that these promises are not kept.  Just goes to show you what a winning tradition can do....

Not to mention the SNC cracker box of a weight room they have for facilities...

[tm343407]

Home field at our level gives an advantage because it takes the away team out of their routine. If you have not noticed, coaches try to have the same pre-game routine because it calms players down and makes them feel more comfortable. Having away games, especially over-nighters, puts teams in a new territory, new facilities, etc.

Also why is everyone thinking that the conference is going to come down to Monmouth/St. Norbert? Ripon beat Monmouth last year, and anyone that was at the game should know that they should have beat Norbert two years ago. Norbert is not as strong as they were the last two years, and the Red Hawks have not lost many players since then. Also, they have the best secondary in the conference, giving them the best chance against Monmouth. I would just like to hear some discussion. Good luck this week to everyone.