FB: Midwest Conference

[DBQ1965]

Maybe it was just the camera angle, but it looked like strange turns on the track in picture #14.

[scottie]

Well I have to report the first injury of the year.
scottie crapped his pants when the guys starting practicing shooting off that god awful cannon at Monmouth.




GO GREEN KNIGHTS

There's probably a "wearing-white-so-close-to-Labor-Day-joke" in there somewhere.....   

[BoBo]

btnt - the first D3 Football Around The Nation Podcast is out and is a must hear for all D3 fans, especially new ones like yourself. I urge you to listen to the thoughts of this sites guru's. It usually comes out every monday, I think.

[blu thru n thru]

Thanks Bobo.  I just checked it out.  It was interesting and beneficial.  Kind of a reality check at the same time.  But, in a way, disappointing.   A large part of that disappointment is born of the realization of my ignorance.  Until I heard this, I wasn't aware/convinced that there really is only about 4 teams competing for the title and the rest of us are just fodder.  I guess I'll just refocus my hopes to just competing in the MWC and not pay much attention to the world around it. Not sour grapes, just acceptance of a reality I had not yet grasped.

Pat indicated some very limited exposure to the MWC. That was surprising.  I understood already, that, like in all levels of the NCAA, there are kind of the "haves" and the "have nots".  I guess I just didn't realize that it was so much the case, here.  As an intense Texas Longhorn fan, I enjoy a much better position when discussing my D1 team, than I do the D3 team I support. 

Is the MWC really that much of an after thought?  Boy do I feel dumb (a feeling not limited to this board). MWC's only mention was of SNC's game against an out-of-conference opponent (St. Thomas). I get that Blueboy Nation hasn't YETrisen to a level to receive the attention they, no doubt, will soon deserve, but, assuming a liberty I have not been given (speaking on behalf of the MWC), we should be disappointed that we weren't mentioned (other than their inclusion in the statement "the other 236 teams".   Just my opinion/observation.  And that opinion/observation is: 1) Likely flawed and riddled with holes. 2) Worth exactly what y'all have paid me for it...   Let the lashing begin

[doolittledog]

I think the MWC as a whole, is considered not a strong overall conference.  But, Monmouth has built themselves a great team.  They were unfortunate not to make it to the elite 8 during the 2008 season.  St. Norbert has been strong, but continually ran into the likes of the MIAC and WIAC champs in the 1st round of the playoffs and didn't advance.  The MWC might not have a great history, but nothing says a program from there can't pull themselves up and start competing at an elite level.  It takes a good coaching staff that can recruit and support from the administration. 

As for there being 4 schools with a chance and everybody else doesn't have a chance.  It is worth noting that 10 years or so ago UWW was a middle tier WIAC team and not the national title contender you see today.  Given the right circumstances, I think any team can become a power.  Though, if that doesn't happen, you can still find yourself having a great time following D3 football.  It doesn't always have to be about the wins and losses...though more wins that losses makes it a bit more enjoyable.  For now, maybe working IC into a contender in the MWC can be your start and see where it goes from there.  And, take a look around the country and see just how high a level D3 football is.  It ends up surprising most newcomers just how high a level is played at D3. 

[Moncolfan]

Let me add a few thoughts here.  The MWC is looked down as an inferior conference for a couple of reasons.  First their non conference record isn't all that great over the last few seasons. Take in 08 Wisc-Oshkosh a lower tiered team in the WIAC easily handles the second/third place team in the MWC in Ripon. St. Norbert probably had the biggest non-conf win in the past few years when they beat Wartburg in OT last year.  A win which seemed a lot bigger at the time but lost some significance because of Wartburg's showing later on in the season. (And don't worry SNCDAD no one at MC is taking Wartburg lightly-I predict if MC is going to lose in the reg season its that game) Another reason for no respect is the lack of success in the playoffs. When you consider Monmouth's playoff loss last year (even though the game was not as lopsided as the score indicated) coupled with the way they were never challenged in any conference game you can see why the conference as a whole gets little respect. (Hey Blu I might be wrong but I think IC was the only team to actually be leading last year against MC)  Also to be brutally honest and meaning no disrespect but what I saw of the bottom two or three teams in the conference they would have a hard time beating a good Illinois 5A or above High School team. So until the conference gets a little more competitive and a team has a good showing in the playoffs the opinion of the conference is going to remain low. Not sure if this is fully deserved or not but thats just the way its going to be. Personally I still think MC was one of the top 10 Div 3 schools in the country last year.

[scottie]

Welcome to our world, Blu!!   

The last two posts covered a lot of accurate ground.  You'll get a better sense of how things typically* work as the season wears on, particularly if a MWC has a contender in the mix. It matters little to some what the current team offers but, rather, what is their historical track record on the road to the Stagg  Bowl.  Consequently, the Snow Whites get most* of the love and the Dwarfs are left on clean-up duty. 


* Please note my lack of "absolutes" in these statements.  The MWC has had it's share of recognition, including the current pre-season 1st team QB.  Several MWC "key games" will usually be featured during the season between undefeated teams [MC? vs. SNC?] or some of the oldest rivalries [MC vs. Knox], for example. (However, those types of games should be covered anyway by credible journalists, bloggers, or pundits.}

Blu - This is called trying to C.Y.A. so that P.C. doesn't do an administrative I.E.D. on my karma.   

[blu thru n thru]

All- One thing I've enjoyed about this board and getting to know its participants, is the intelligence and insight most provide.  As was the case in the last 3 posts.  It's been very educational.  However, Dog, to your point about the level of play in D3, yours' was not the best lesson.  That was provided by my son.  To summarize his reports of what he's encountered in camp: "Dad! This f$%&@#g-s&#t is real football! Just cuz it's D3, doesn't mean it ain't serious.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done."  That said, he's loving it.  I think he thought it would be like going into 13th grade football.  Truthfully, the complexities of the defenses he's seeing, and the offense's sophistication in response is the real deal.  He's getting incredible coaching and preparation.  He's already becoming a much better football player.  And, those are his words. 

I realize with a K rating of 12, I'm probably endangering all of them (and then some) by even hinting at disappointment in the coverage of MWC.  I might deserve that.  I hear what all y'all are saying.  I was just surprised at what I thought would be better recognition of the conference.  Perhaps that's the conference's fault after all. 

Hey MC and SNC, would y'all quit sucking everytime you get to the post season? Y'all are making my position much harder to defend!   I guess if we want something done right, we'll just have to do it ourselves.

[Moncolfan]

Hey Blu maybe if teams like IC would actually step up and give us some competition we'd be better prepared! . But the truth be told MC playoff losses seem to have been the result of a bit of well I can't say choking so I will say lack of experience in certain situations. The wartburg game in 08 was really hard to take, and while I honestly believe St. Thomas was better, the game should have been closer. A couple of key plays put MC behind and it put us in a position we just weren't used to. A couple of St. Thomas fans did say that nobody moved the ball on them the way MC did. The key to the game was the way St. Thomas ran the ball. Here is really where that conference thing comes in. You could have taken all of the best o-linemen in the conference and they wouldn't have come close to what St. Thomas had.(or still has- get ready SNCDAD) It wasn't like they completely manhandled MC's line but their schemes worked and MC couldn't just bullrush the QB like they did with most teams in the conference.  They killed MC with 3-5 chunks of yardage.

[Pat Coleman]

Thanks Bobo.  I just checked it out.  It was interesting and beneficial.  Kind of a reality check at the same time.  But, in a way, disappointing.  A large part of that disappointment is born of the realization of my ignorance.  Until I heard this, I wasn't aware/convinced that there really is only about 4 teams competing for the title and the rest of us are just fodder.  I guess I'll just refocus my hopes to just competing in the MWC and not pay much attention to the world around it. Not sour grapes, just acceptance of a reality I had not yet grasped.

Pat indicated some very limited exposure to the MWC. That was surprising.  I understood already, that, like in all levels of the NCAA, there are kind of the "haves" and the "have nots".  I guess I just didn't realize that it was so much the case, here.  As an intense Texas Longhorn fan, I enjoy a much better position when discussing my D1 team, than I do the D3 team I support.  

Yep, this is true. I just moved back to the Midwest two years ago after 18 years in the Washington, D.C., area, so I am still getting out to see everyone around here. Remember that there are 28 conferences and 238 teams in Division III, so Division III is just about twice as big as Division I FBS (and much bigger than the truly BCS-eligible conferences).

Limited exposure? Not the case. But no, I have not been in the building for a football game featuring a Midwest Conference team. If one would consider advancing in the playoffs that would help.

The MWC has been out of the playoffs after one week every year but two since we started the site in 1999. That is basically why the MWC is relegated to its current fate.

Here's the history of the expanded playoffs, league by league.

http://www.d3football.com/faq.php?answer&category=Playoffs&id=39

[Pat Coleman]

To summarize his reports of what he's encountered in camp: "Dad! This f$%&@#g-s&#t is real football! Just cuz it's D3, doesn't mean it ain't serious.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done."  That said, he's loving it.  I think he thought it would be like going into 13th grade football. 

Good. That's reality. It isn't like high school at all, even if it is Division III.

[Mr. Football]

Anyone go to "Walk the turf" with the Fighting Scots.
And what did u think? ( would love to hear the 411.)

[blu thru n thru]

To summarize his reports of what he's encountered in camp: "Dad! This f$%&@#g-s&#t is real football! Just cuz it's D3, doesn't mean it ain't serious.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done."  That said, he's loving it.  I think he thought it would be like going into 13th grade football. 

Good. That's reality. It isn't like high school at all, even if it is Division III.

Honestly, no one is any more clear on that than I am now!  The analogy I've been using to describe it, to those even less familiar with D3 than I am, is that it's kind of like a men's 6' and under basketball league.  Great players.  High level of play.  Great games to go watch.  Just as serious about the competition.  Just no 7 footers...  And that is not to suggest any inferiority. Some of the players simply don't fit the D1 "template".  But I've learned players, coaches, and fans take it just as serious. It's just as sophisticated. For that matter, I'm officially a convert.  My on is developing as a player and while being allowed to pursue his education.  I am exceptionally glad my son is where he is. Not just D3, but IC.

[bleedpurple]

blu,

I'm glad you are posting, I'm glad you are happy your son is at IC, and I'm glad you are a D3 convert. You've got me rooting for IC to do well! I will be keeping track of them this year for sure!

[BoBo]

You've got me rooting for IC to do well!

You got me rooting for UT, as well (despite what they did to Nebraska!!)