FB: Midwest Conference

[FightnScot77]

There is no way I can see Monmouth moving to the North region.

Although there was also no way I saw Aurora moving to the West region last year.

Good point.  I was a bit surprised when the NCAA sent Aurora to the West Region, especially since they could have played North Central, which is only 10 miles east of the Aurora campus.  This would have been a less expensive alternative for the NCAA.

I hope that Monmouth is in the North Region as they would be able to test themselves against other quality Midwest programs.  The playoffs are a lot of fun, and are more meaningful if you are playing more "natural rivals". 

Has Monmouth ever/recently played Augustana?  I know that MC is only 45 miles +/- from the Quad Cities.

Historically in matchups against the two schools, MC has many more wins, but if the record hounds go looking, its been a long time since the two schools have met. I think the level of play at Augie over the years has been top notch and playing MC wouldn't benefit either school. (Augie would have taken us to the wood shed.) We won't hide from anyone now. To see both schools hook up would be great. Were several years away from that happening... IWU is in the wings as noted for the next two years.

We're limited with the number of conference schools to do anything like the CCIW, IIAC and others who benefit with warm-up games before entering conference play.

[Maverick]

There is no way I can see Monmouth moving to the North region.

Although there was also no way I saw Aurora moving to the West region last year.

Good point.  I was a bit surprised when the NCAA sent Aurora to the West Region, especially since they could have played North Central, which is only 10 miles east of the Aurora campus.  This would have been a less expensive alternative for the NCAA.

I hope that Monmouth is in the North Region as they would be able to test themselves against other quality Midwest programs.  The playoffs are a lot of fun, and are more meaningful if you are playing more "natural rivals". 

Has Monmouth ever/recently played Augustana?  I know that MC is only 45 miles +/- from the Quad Cities.

To answer your MC/Augie question...yes they have played, but no there have not been any recent match-ups.  Monmouth leads the series 19-15-8, with the most recent game being 1953.  The 2 have played some JV games in the past few seasons, but those obviously don't count towards much.

[fightintitan2006]

MC will be behind UWW and St. Johns in the West rankings. Looking at the schedule, I would bet on MC hosting Coe in the first round.

[FightnScot77]

Thanks Mav for the numbers! I thought it was more like MC having a 19-7-8 but my memory of looking at the Augie facts excaped me. I was working at Augie and had colleagues who wondered the same question...

[Scots4]

It is hard to move up in the poll when you play in the MWC. MC will go into the playoffs with 1 semi-quality win.

[DutchHawk]

MC will be behind UWW and St. Johns in the West rankings. Looking at the schedule, I would bet on MC hosting Coe in the first round.

Dont forget Central and Linfield there my friend. Monmouth wont be the 3 seed in the West.

[MWCfan787]

Don't forget Central has arguably their two toughest games of the year left, and if they're are already assuming 10-0 they are gonna get beat.

Big game for Whitewater this week at Stevens Point too, both are 4-0 in the WIAC.

St. Johns will be favored in their last two games, but in that conf. everyone plays everyone close for the most part.

Not to mention the possibility of Whitewater moving to the North region.

I agree Monmouth is the 5 seed in the West right now, but so many things have to fall into place for them to stay there.  If I had to money down, I'd say they are higher than 5 on November 15th.

[DustySJU]

MC will be behind UWW and St. Johns in the West rankings. Looking at the schedule, I would bet on MC hosting Coe in the first round.

JohnnieEsquire puts it all on paper for everyone to see.... check your bets on the west regional rankings now at www.JohnnieFootball.com

Developing....

[DutchHawk]

Don't forget Central has arguably their two toughest games of the year left, and if they're are already assuming 10-0 they are gonna get beat.

Big game for Whitewater this week at Stevens Point too, both are 4-0 in the WIAC.

St. Johns will be favored in their last two games, but in that conf. everyone plays everyone close for the most part.

Not to mention the possibility of Whitewater moving to the North region.

I agree Monmouth is the 5 seed in the West right now, but so many things have to fall into place for them to stay there.  If I had to money down, I'd say they are higher than 5 on November 15th.

We already own a dominating win over the #2 IIAC team 24-6. Check the stats if you are interested in my dominating reference. On top of beating the defending WIAC co-champs. Wartburg is not what they were expected to be when SNC beat them to start the year.

I wouldnt worry about Central assuming 10-0, the team is focused on the revenge tour right now. The way they are playing I dont see them losing the next two games.

[SNCOLDAD]

Now let's get a real here. We all know that Wartburg is a great team that would have gone deep into the NCAA except for the fact that they hit SNC. That demolished them!!!   They would have been absolutely the best team around except they folded after seeing what a real team like SNC could do to them. 


Buying it???

OK. I really would like to see SNC get a bid but I am a realist. Wartburg folding this year, and I think we all know that is not their normal, reduced SNC's chances of a bid. It really is a shame because the SNC offense could have tested a lot of defenses out there. The O-Line is very solid (yes I am prejudice) and there is a lot to cover in many directions. The defense has improved a lot and the Carroll game brought a new confidence to them.

With all that, the Johnnies have to be in as well as St. Thomas. Wheaton suffered a loss but have to be in. There are a lot of good, not great teams out there this year. You take a number of match-ups and you can have a blowout as well as a very close game. All of these teams could show up strong as well as be weak on a given day. I hope I explained that OK. Probably not.

Does the Way West have more than 1 or 2 teams that should be there? Good Question. Hard to tell.

We all want our teams to be in the playoffs. Do I want my team in there. Hell Yeah! Should they be. Absolutely. I know how good they can play. I've seen it. I have also seen when they have played bad. And believe me they played bad against Monmouth. Not saying we would have won if they played better. I am not that far gone. But Monmouth does not play on top of their game all the time either. Neither does Whitewater or other top teams.

What I am saying is that if they want a team in the NCAA that: 1. Can compete, YES 2. Can win? Always possible for any team in the NCAA I would think. 3. Have a Great following? Not the Johnnies but it is strong and getting stronger. Not the same as 2 years ago. We are talking following. And finally, could surprise? Oh Yeah. When you have an O-Line and a QB and a few others thrown in for good measure, you just never know. And then you take the possibility of a defense that is clicking big at the end of the season, well, the NCAA could do a lot worse.

OK. Have I campaigned enough?  More tomorrow. There are a lot of deserving teams out there. I have to be a cheerleader for mine. If you are not for yours, shame on you.

Good Night All.

Oh, and one more thing......



GO GREEN KNIGHTS

[DutchHawk]

Yea Wartburg tanking definitely hurt you guys chances. I just dont see the MWC getting 2 teams in until they prove they can go deep in the playoffs and compete with the big dogs. Can Monmouth do it this year? That is yet to be seen, they will most likely get 1 home game against a pretty solid team. There isnt a slouch in the West that will be in the playoffs. Of course, if they slip up in the remaining schedule they will have to travel to SJU/Central (given that those two win out).

[MWCfan787]

We all want our teams to be in the playoffs. Do I want my team in there. Hell Yeah! Should they be. Absolutely. I know how good they can play. I've seen it. I have also seen when they have played bad. And believe me they played bad against Monmouth. Not saying we would have won if they played better.

GO GREEN KNIGHTS

It's the biggest game of the year, there is no excuse to not be at your best.  I'm sure that was the worst you've seen them look, but it's because the Scots made them look that way.

On the other hand though, I too am bias for this conference and am really rooting for SNC to get in.  What we need to root for is: Coe to lose one more[personally I'm rooting for B Vista to win out], Stevens Point to lose to uww, st. thomas lose to bethel.  Then there's the whole west coast situation, which you have to just root for whatever situation gets only Linfield and Oxy in.

[The Roop]

I think a Coe or St. Thomas loss should be enough to get SNC in. Provided everything else goes according to plan. The NCAA will never take three from the west coast so we don't need to worry about that but we can't have anymore surprise Pool Cs.

They would probably be the last, or next to last, team in the field and get Whitewater in the first round but you've gotta start somewhere.

[fightintitan2006]

Good call DutchHawk,

I did forget Linfield, but not Central, but wouldn't be shocked if the coaches put Monmouth ahead of one or both. Both are better better teams historically and probably this season, but I have a feeling that Monmouth's high ranking and dominant scores this season will cause the NCAA pollsters to push them a little higher than they actually belong.  I think the IIAC's public perception has dropped a bit the past few years as well and that the pollsters may go into it thinking that MC can beat the IIAC champ and thus rank them ahead.

In the end, I still think Coe goes to MC unless they slip up.

[The Roop]

Here's a possible bracket to study on

St. Norbert
@UW-Whitewater

Occidental
@Linfield

Coe or St. Thomas
@Monmouth

CCIW #2
@St. Johns