FB: Midwest Conference

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Notice the NCAA video placement of the Monmouth University (NJ) Hawks logo across the screen

I noticed.

[Maverick]

To be completely honest, I'm shocked that Illinois College received an at-large bid.  It's great for the Midwest Conference, but I'm still surprised at it.  I'm looking forward to the Monmouth vs. Illinois Wesleyan game...a nice, short trip for the Scots and should be a good matchup between the 2 teams.  And I've never actually been on the IWU campus, but have always heard good things about their facilities--so I'm excited to check the place out for the first time.  Any chance of a "scottiesighting" in Bloomington on Saturday?

[gbpuckfan]

I, too, am pleasantly surprised with 2 teams. Good luck to both teams!

[FightnScot77]

MC and IWU:
Unbelievable facts

The highways between the two schools: Route 34 and I-74  [34+74= 108] 
The distance between the two schools: 108 miles (ok, so it's 106) 
IWU leads series: 2-1-1 Lifetime 
Over the years they schedule JV games against each other...perhaps Tanney played first year against IWU's JV.    Just guessing...like I said, unbelieveable.

Courtesy newline:  Football opens NCAA playoffs at Illinois Wesleyan
http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/athletics/news/story.aspx?Channel=%2fChannels%2fSports&WorkflowItemID=a867fd55-e352-4407-a532-5c820c41fd2e

Game time is 12 noon.

Anything about IWU's (Red) cup policies Monmouth fans should know in advance? GO SCOTS

[scottie]

Scottie was psyching himself out for a possible drive to Dubuque, Crawfordsville, or possibly Janesville metro.  So a short cruise over to B/N raises the scottiesighting rating to a 99.

I don't think "Tanney" and "JV" have been uttered in the same sentence since....ever.  So this will be the first time they have seen each other on the field.  Historically, I think the Monmouth JV teams have been relatively successful, but can't find any past scores vs. IWU - nor do they matter.   

Regarding IC: Let's just agree that it is a gift for them and the MWC.  They were probably as shocked as everyone else in the selection.  (One almost wonders if the NCAA had IC on their mind for some other possible reason and mistakenly selected them out of a new-found familiarity.) 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Scottie,

Maybe they got addled and tried to invite IWU twice!   Or thought IC played in the Big Ten?

I'm reasonably confident that overall IWU is a better team than Monmouth (and that is NOT intended as a knock on Monmouth), but Tanney scares the bejeezes out of me.  I've seen what a super QB can do to a 'better' team (e.g., Rupp of Franklin or Watt of Trine).  I'm especially concerned because, while the defense is overall one of the best in d3, it is even better against the run than the pass.

[Moncolfan]

Well I guess we will see saturday who the better team is. However there is little doubt who plays the better competition and with IWU playing at home they definitely are the favorites. While Monmouth's D has lacked consistency, I believe this game will come down to how well Monmouth's O Line plays.  I think the only Defense MC has seen all year that comes close to IWU's was St. Norberts and everyone knows how many points were scored in that one. Good luck to the Scots and IC as well. If either team happens to win it will be a big boost to the conference's reputation.

[Ash Park]

Congratulations to both teams and their fans. Good luck!

[Moncolfan]

Hey Fighting Scot77 - Unbelievable?   I do remember a JV game from either 2 or 3 years ago against IWU where some kid from their team had a real bad compound fracture and was screaming in agony. I don't think there was a fan in the stands or a player on the field that didn't feel for that kid. Guess it was really bad. I wonder if any of the IWU fans can fill us in on how the kid made out.  Hopefully he recovered and continued on with his career. I think he may have been a RB but not sure.

[Maverick]

MC and IWU:
Unbelievable facts

The highways between the two schools: Route 34 and I-74  [34+74= 108] 
The distance between the two schools: 108 miles (ok, so it's 106) 
IWU leads series: 2-1-1 Lifetime 
Over the years they schedule JV games against each other...perhaps Tanney played first year against IWU's JV.    Just guessing...like I said, unbelieveable.

Courtesy newline:  Football opens NCAA playoffs at Illinois Wesleyan
http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/athletics/news/story.aspx?Channel=%2fChannels%2fSports&WorkflowItemID=a867fd55-e352-4407-a532-5c820c41fd2e

Game time is 12 noon.

Anything about IWU's (Red) cup policies Monmouth fans should know in advance? GO SCOTS

Yes, that was my next question...the important stuff.   How are the IWU pre-game festivities and/or policies?

[Maverick]

Scottie was psyching himself out for a possible drive to Dubuque, Crawfordsville, or possibly Janesville metro.  So a short cruise over to B/N raises the scottiesighting rating to a 99.

I don't think "Tanney" and "JV" have been uttered in the same sentence since....ever.  So this will be the first time they have seen each other on the field.  Historically, I think the Monmouth JV teams have been relatively successful, but can't find any past scores vs. IWU - nor do they matter.   

Regarding IC: Let's just agree that it is a gift for them and the MWC.  They were probably as shocked as everyone else in the selection.  (One almost wonders if the NCAA had IC on their mind for some other possible reason and mistakenly selected them out of a new-found familiarity.) 

Now that the "scottiesighting" is lined up, there may be a playoff version of "MinutesWithMaverick" on Saturday.

New-found familiarity between the NCAA and IC...good stuff, scottie!

[Ralph Lee Wilson]

Are there going to be many Bluefolks making the trip to Crawfordsville on Saturday?  These things are always more fun with a sizable opposing crowd.

[Maverick]

Are there going to be many Bluefolks making the trip to Crawfordsville on Saturday?  These things are always more fun with a sizable opposing crowd.

I can't speak as to how well IC will travel for a playoff game, but there usually aren't many at all who show up around these message boards.

[wabco]

Congratulations to Illinois College.  Wabash is about 3 1/2 hours away and there mis a time difference.  Hope you all can come and support the Blueboys.  It looks like you guys score a lot of points and we have a pretty good defense. It should be a fun game.  (By the way ... how the name Blueboy came to be your moniker?)

[wabco]

Forgot to tell you ... if you are unable to make the trip, Wabash streams all its games on its web site.  Just go to the Wabash football web site and look around  ... the directions are there.