FB: Midwest Conference

[mwcSNC]

Overall responses to week four:

1) Once again holy crap Hawks.  I wasn't sure which way that game was going, but I thought it would be close at least.

2) Lawrence, I know the corn is scary, but losing to the I-Pi's??? Good golly.

3) Monmouth's offense? I know Carroll can be stingy, but come on fellas.  Good thing their D is suffocationg.

Looking forward, and I know Scottie and Nubs fans will be up in arms, but is it too early to declare Ripon the favorite?  I know that everyone is gunning for SNC all the time, but its hard to be more impressive than RC was today.  I guess time will tell.........

Ill agree that it was an impressive win this past weekend which turned some heads, however Duck Duck, Consider the stats (for all teams) before you start throwing around Ripon as a Favorite. 

1- Early yet in conference play... lets start talking about this after midway through the season.

2-  Being a SNC fan I figured I'd throw some stats out there after this weekends game at Lake Forest in comparison to Ripons Win over Lake Forest.  Just something to think about.

Ripon Vs Lake Forest
Ripon Defense allows 27 pts on 468 yds of total offense.

Ripon Offense had 419 yds total offense.  269 yds rushing/ 150 receiving

SNC Vs Lake Forest

SNC Defense allows 6 pts on 149 yds of total offense.  65 yds rushing/84 yards passing.  47 seven of those yards were on the first series of the game.  SNC D holds them to only 102 yds total offense in the last 58 min of the game.

SNC offense had 424 total offense.  171 rushing and 253 receiving. 

Moral of the story... Offense wins games, DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS....

Any thoughts anyone?

[Maverick]

mwcSNC - Those are some telling numbers on both sides...however, you can't always put everything in comparing scores/yards against common opponents.  Example, I saw 3 high school games in the first 3 weeks of the season: Team A beat Team B 41-18, Team C beat Team A 22-21, so by comparing scores you would think that Team C should beat Team B but instead Team B turned around and beat Team C 30-15.  I know it's confusing with all the letters there, but I'm just saying that comparing results from one team to another isn't always going to pan out.

[mwcSNC]

mwcSNC - Those are some telling numbers on both sides...however, you can't always put everything in comparing scores/yards against common opponents.  Example, I saw 3 high school games in the first 3 weeks of the season: Team A beat Team B 41-18, Team C beat Team A 22-21, so by comparing scores you would think that Team C should beat Team B but instead Team B turned around and beat Team C 30-15.  I know it's confusing with all the letters there, but I'm just saying that comparing results from one team to another isn't always going to pan out.

I understand what your saying, however... numbers dont lie.  I realize its only 3 weeks into the season.  If you read, i actually stated that to Duck Duck.  I simply put the stats out there, and let everyone else come to thier own conclusions. 

I applaud Ripon on thier win and look forward to seeing them up at Norberts for thier homecoming.

[SNCOLDAD]

Mav, I know what you are saying and that happens a fair amount.... in high school. It still happens in college DIII but no where near as much. I have to agree with mwcSNC (surprise, surprise). In this case the "D" numbers have a whole lot to tell. Yes, maybe we just matched up better with LF than RIP(on) did. Maybe LF had a lot of injured players for the SNC game. But we are still talking young men here. A lot can happen. Preparation is key to the critical games in the conference.

I was at the SNC - LF game. After LF took the opening kick and drove it to a touchdown, I was thinking something was a miss. After that the defense was smothering. Even when SNC turned it over deep in their own zone, LF lost yards the next 4 plays. Offense was very methodical and reliable for the most part. Running took until the 3rd quarter to wear down the LF D-line.

Looking forward to this Saturday and each one after.

[qbfan413]

I think the key to SNC vs. Ripon will be:

*Taking care of the football
*Keeping their heads and fewest penalties

GO KNIGHTS

[bball312]

Couple things from the week. I know everyone is talking about the Ripon IC game, however, to me the biggest game was Carroll and Monmouth. Carroll seems to be playing very well, and should be a threat to upset the other teams that are undefeated. I look for them to take one of them out. They have a great corner, defense, and an offense that will only get better. Everyone can get on the Ripon/Norberts bangwagon, however, I believe they both have to play monmouth before then? not sure there, but I know they play near the end of the year. Thats a longgggg time. The Carroll Ripon game will be a huge game this week. If Carroll looses, they will be out of the championship race, if they win they are back in it. Here are my predictions for the week:

IC at Lawrence.. I think lawrence will put up a fight for a couple quarters, and Reed will be involved this week. Has there ever been a week where he didnt get a catch? He will be looking for vengence. IC big

knox at Norbs... no brainer... norbs

Grinnell at monmouth... no brainer.... monmouth

Lake Forest at Beloit... Lake Forest will pick up their first victory of the year behind solid play from their defense and QB.

Carroll at Ripon.... People are on the Ripon bandwagon. If they win this week like last, then I will join. However this may end up being a close matchup. I find myself leaning towards Carroll being the underdog.

PS. MWCSNC, Those stats dont say much to me because I think I read that Lake Forest got something like 3 onsides in a row? not sure though.

[Duck Duck Goose]

Hey, I know as well as anyone that SNC is ALWAYS the team to beat.  They've earned it.  And MC is the only team other than SNC to win a league title in the last four years, so they've earned their respect.  I was just blown away by the IC score, since I had really come to the conclusion that they may be this year's version of Monmouth in '04-'05 in terms of being a legit contender, especially after last year's 6-3 finish.  Remember last year when every one was on the Carroll bandwagon after a big 6-3 year?  (I know, I know Rogers got hurt take it easy).

Maybe this teaches us more about IC than it does RC.  IC has NEVER defended the Greatest Offense Ever Devised^TM well, and it showed again on Saturday.  Carroll certainly dragged Monmouth into a fight on Saturday, maybe I'm not giving them enough credit.  Probably will be a hard-fought game this coming week, I say we'll learn A LOT from the result.

Amazing how MC and SNC fans come out of the woodwork when a new poster says something like "Ripon MAY be the favorite"

[CCAlum23]

Duck Duck- I agree with you that SNC is always the team to beat and Monmouth as a result of winning the title in 05' is prolly the second best team to beat.  I personally have been apart of the Carroll teams that put Norberts and Monmouth on the edge, but I cant say in my time there we ever beat them! 

Im giving Ripon respect for being a respectable team, 2 years ago at Carroll we blew them out and last year they edged us 21-14. (With Rogers Hurt) haha  But they are a good team and have many good athletes.  I think it is 100% wrong for many of you to be talking about SNC vs Ripon, Ripon first has to get threw Carroll! 

Carroll will be ready this week and expect another great game!  From my time at Carroll, Ripon was always one of our biggest rivals and over the years there has been some really good games!  I hate to bring up the past but my freshmen year at Carroll we werent very good but I remember shocking everyone and beating Ripon 13-9!

You are right the only thing that will tell the truth is the result!!!  I honestly think 21-14 Carroll wins with Rogers having a break out game to Josh Gould and the Carroll College Defense holding strong!

[1morefan]

Been on this board in the past putting in my two cents here and there, but i mostly read it to keep up with the MWC.

First, Norbets is the team to beat in the MWC - period. Monmouth looks to be a little down breaking in some younger talent this year. Ripon looks to be headed back to the power it once was (how do teams NOT stop their high school offense!?)

Second, Albatar (CCAlum23) being a Carroll alum myself would you PLEASE stop pumping your buddies up on here! Although it is good humor between some of us alums who do read this!

I'd like to make my picks for the week on here for the first time:

IC vs. Lawrence - the ole' blue boys win pretty easy up at the bowl.

LFC vs. Beliot - Beliot may play tough for a Qtr. but then LFC opens it up!

Grinnell vs. Monmouth - Monmouth takes it out on Grinnell for their problems last week!

Knox vs. SNC - Norberts puts up at least 60 in a cake walk.

and finally Carroll vs. Ripon - Ripon wins in a close 21-17 battle at that crap of a field the Hawks call home!

[CCAlum23]

1morefan- First of all I dont just put my friends down on here!!!!!  Josh Gould is a legitmate player who has a chance to keep playing after Carroll!  As a Carroll Alum you must not be a true Pioneer to pick Ripon beating Carroll? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Who are you? 

[mwcSNC]

PS. MWCSNC, Those stats dont say much to me because I think I read that Lake Forest got something like 3 onsides in a row? not sure though.

In which game are you talking about.... Lake Forest Vs SNC?


CCALUM23...I understand that you think its wrong to talk about Ripon VS SNC.  No one should look past anyone in this conference.  However, i was simply just throwin stats out there and said i look forward to the matchup.

[Maverick]

Amazing how MC and SNC fans come out of the woodwork when a new poster says something like "Ripon MAY be the favorite"

Hey now Duck Duck, I'd like to think I'm on here fairly consistently and not just "coming out of the woodwork." 

[SNCOLDAD]

Maybe I am one that he refers to "coming out of the woodwork". I stated very early on that I am new to this and maybe have posted once a week or so this season. If that is coming out of the woodwork, then I am guilty.
One other item, you do not have to respect a team.....as long as you respect the players. I have a feeling that everyone on here understands what those young men give up to try to be the best they can in a very rough sport.

[CCAlum23]

CCALUM23...I understand that you think its wrong to talk about Ripon VS SNC.  No one should look past anyone in this conference.  However, i was simply just throwin stats out there and said i look forward to the matchup

MWCDAD- I know your looking forward to that game!  Im looking forward to many games as well, especially when Norberts comes to play at Carroll!  But this week is all about beating the Red Hawks!

SNCOLDAD-I agree with your statement about what young men give up to be there very best in a rough sport!  Theres not that many people out there to say they competed in college football and I think its extra special if you can stick with it for four years!  I think it says alot about your character and is a special honor!

[Hawk Sighting]

You guys crack me up.  Comparing numbers from one game to another.  Should we compare the number of first downs that Ripon had against IC?  Should we compare the fact that you take away 2 onside kicks against Lake Forest and those precious numbers don't mean a thing.  We can talk about all of this however what it comes down to against the Carroll Ripon game is that fact that it's home.  Even when I played at Ripon we always had a hard time winning at Carroll, but we have not lost to them at home.  I see Saturday being a bigger win than you think, plus its homecoming for the redhawks.  "Crappy Field" no question there, but its what makes home field advantage an advantage, the only thing is more injuries have accured to Ripon players than other teams. 

Now, don't get me wrong, Carroll has a good team, do I think that they are capable of beating Ripon?  Possibly anyone is capable of beating any given team any given day, if I was to bet on this game would I bet on Carroll, h*ll no!  It's not a smart bet.