FB: Midwest Conference

[fulbakdad]

Second half at Carroll was very exciting.  Back and forth.  But I've got to say, if you're behind, in the fourth quarter, I want Pete Scaffidi controlling my offense.  Lake Forest scored with 5 minutes left and the defense holds on.  Lake Forest 13 Carroll 10!

[gbpuckfan]

finals

Lawrence   20
at Illinois Col.   56

Knox   17
at Ripon  42

St. Norbert    9
at Monmouth   31


Cornell   48
at Beloit   8

[Maverick]

Quote from an IC fan on a different message board after today's win over Lawrence..."I would be VERY surprised if they don't go into the playoffs undefeated, even with the game at Monmouth."  Looks like the fans of the Blueboys aren't too worried about the trip to Lake Forest next weekend.  Hey fulbakdad, tell the Foresters they don't even need to bother showing up for the defeat that IC is going to hand out to them since apparently the only game on the radar is the one 4 weeks from now at Monmouth.

[fulbakdad]

That's an interesting qoute.  While they are averaging 50 points a game, I remember when Monmouth came to the Forest last year.  It came down to the last couple minutes of a back and forth game for them to win.  And this is a totally different defense......

I have been very impressed with Lake Forest this year.  Not just the winning of 4 games, but the attitude of the team.  The defense has been playing with a chip on thier shoulder.  What I really like is if you look at all 5 games this year, you'll see there has been somebody different each week who is leading the stats.  Yesterday it was the DB Dobernig.  He was all over the field.  In the past weeks it's been Jones, or Price, or Dillon or ... They are playing tough, in your face defense.  I really don't think it will be a cake walk for the Blue Boys.  I wonder if they'll be tip toeing out of bounds!  Please say it's so. LOL.

Scaffidi is very quietly leading the offense with poise and confidence.  His stats aren't up there like they were last year, but he's one cool cat.  There have been 3 or 4 must score drives this year where he's marched them down the field and finished. 

I'm looking forward to making another Chicago trip next weekend.  I'll be sure to pass on the info.  I know a couple guys on the D that will be interested to hear that.

PS-I should really change my screen name from fulbakdad to Lbdad, but if I did, I'm afraid you guys wouldn't know who to yell at.    The boy switched sides of the ball last year.

[TitanPride]

Quote from an IC fan on a different message board after today's win over Lawrence..."I would be VERY surprised if they don't go into the playoffs undefeated, even with the game at Monmouth."  Looks like the fans of the Blueboys aren't too worried about the trip to Lake Forest next weekend.  Hey fulbakdad, tell the Foresters they don't even need to bother showing up for the defeat that IC is going to hand out to them since apparently the only game on the radar is the one 4 weeks from now at Monmouth.

That's why fans, especially ones on message boards, don't play the games.  I'm sure the IC players and coaches are plenty aware of the challenges Lake Forest will present next Saturday in Chicago.  Thanks for stirring the pot though.  Glad to see Monmouth finally decided to come to play yesterday.

[Maverick]

fulbakdad - If you do switch it up and go with your alias of Lbdad, we will know who to yell at now that you've notified us...actually, I think most of us would've been able to figure it out anyways.

TitanPride - I'm also sure the IC program is aware of what's ahead of them next weekend at Lake Forest.  As a fan/former player, I was just looking to have some fun on the board and stir the pot...so you caught me there.   As for the Monmouth comment, I agree--they didn't do much to impress during their first 3 games, but they still managed to win their MWC games and looked pretty good (especially the defensive side of the ball) in beating St. Norbert yesterday.  They have some new players replacing key pieces who graduated last year (on offense and defense) and appear to be gaining some confidence as they move forward.

[wnc52]

Yeah, as mentioned before, it was one fan on one message board that doesn't even specialize in d3 sports.  Plus, I think "bulletin board material" is highly overrated anyway.  I'm sure both IC and Lake Forest will be plenty motivated next week and it won't have anything to do with what is posted here or on any other boards.

[scottie]

I think that LF should just mail it in next week.  IC is clearly unstoppable so it is just a question about whether the LF defense cares about giving up 50 the hard way or giving up 70 and reducing injuries.  Save your strength for a much more likely win at Monmouth the following week and then enjoy your second place finish in the MWC.  It's a Blueboy World and the rest of us are just playoff tuneups. 

Hopelessly submitted,

Scottie     

[TitanPride]

Sarcasm aside, I think Lake Forest's defense will have to continue to step up their game if they want to slow down IC's offense.  They gave up 35 points in Week 1 to a good offense in Concordia and haven't really been tested since.  Illinois College's lowest output of the season has been 46, which came against the ball control specialist, Ripon.  Much like Lake Forest's D, I don't think IC has really played a good defense yet.  However, looking back at last year (many of the same offensive players), IC put up 48 on St. Norbert's vaunted D.  So I think the keys to the game will be turnovers (of course) and the Lake Forest offense's ability to the control ball and put up 30-40 points. 

I think it's going to be a great game.  I really can't wait.  Calling for highs in the mid 40's on Saturday -- football weather.

[scottie]

 Yeah, but if you look at last year, IC's offense only put up 14 against Monmouth.  And Monmouth always tip toes out of bounds against Lake Forest - probably on offense AND defense.  So, I'm really confused as to how this game will play out.  Game of the Decade, without question.  "Titanic" to say the very least.  Good luck to all of the gladiators involved.

[TitanPride]

Yeah, but if you look at last year, IC's offense only put up 14 against Monmouth.  And Monmouth always tip toes out of bounds against Lake Forest - probably on offense AND defense.  So, I'm really confused as to how this game will play out.  Game of the Decade, without question.  "Titanic" to say the very least.  Good luck to all of the gladiators involved.

That's what 5 interceptions will do to an offense. 

[fulbakdad]

I've got a question maybe someone here could answer.  It's about stats.  When the game ends the stats are published.  Many of the stats are wrong more so for the visiting team.  Tackles, sacks, and others are given to the wrong player.  I've seen that some coaches clean this up and adjust them after watching film.  But they never get fixed at the league level.  Anyone know why not?

[TitanPride]

I've got a question maybe someone here could answer.  It's about stats.  When the game ends the stats are published.  Many of the stats are wrong more so for the visiting team.  Tackles, sacks, and others are given to the wrong player.  I've seen that some coaches clean this up and adjust them after watching film.  But they never get fixed at the league level.  Anyone know why not?

Great question.  I've always wondered the same thing.  During his sophomore year, my brother, a WR, would always have his catches given to the player with the same number who played defense.   It was never corrected at the MWC level. 

[TitanPride]

This week's Massey ratings (out of a total of 240 D3 teams) and change from last week. 

Illinois College     117    +13
Monmouth          145    +25
Lake Forest        172   +8
Cornell               182   +17
St. Norbert         195   -4
Carroll                203   -3       
Lawrence           214   +2
Ripon                  217   +4       
Grinnell               222   0       
Beloit                  229   -1       
Knox                  234   +1       
   
and here is Massey's score predictions and odds of winning for Saturday (http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf&yr=2012&sub=11620). 

Illinois College 35, Lake Forest  23 (IC 83%, LFC 17%)
Monmouth 31, Grinnell 12 (MC 93%, GC 7%)
Cornell 31, St. Norbert 24 (CC 72%, SNC 28%)
Beloit 31, Knox 28 (BC 55%, KC 45%)
Carroll 28,  Lawrence 26  (CU 53%, LU 47%)

Who would have thought at the beginning of the year that Cornell would be "favored" over St. Norbert? 

[CyRam]

Go Rams!