FB: Midwest Conference

[sncfballfan]

Norbert is not as strong as they were the last two years, and the Red Hawks have not lost many players since then. Also, they have the best secondary in the conference, giving them the best chance against Monmouth.

We can agree to disagree if this may help refresh your memory.... 

http://www.snc.edu/athletics/teamfiles/football/2007/2007-08.htm

20-29 for 350 yds passing as a team & 4 o'connell td's in a 42-7 game when the subs came in.

[MWCfan787]

Ripon beat Monmouth last year at home, and it was a week after Monmouth just lost a close game to Norbert(14 point loss, but they threw a 100 yd int return which was a 14 pt swing) and had to come to grips with their season being over in their minds.  I don't see them sneaking up on Monmouth this year.  Much depends on how Monmouth fares against SNC.  I've been around that team before, they just deflate when they lose to SNC and a shot at conference is out of reach.

ICLBalum08: Monmouth players commit to play there based alone on wanting to be led onto the field by those bagpipers

btw anyone got any score updates?

[ICLBAlum08]

Final score from Lake Forest

IC - 23 LF - 28

[hickory_cornhusker]

Carroll beat Grinnell 31-12 in the Pioneer Bowl.

[tm343407]

yes ripon's game last year against norbert was a blow out, but all four touchdowns came over a first-year starting corner who is no longer on the team. their 2x all-conference corner who was out last season is back and the other starting corner is just as good. norbert's has lost basically everyone, but phillips. two year's ago, craig threw two picks on the first two drives and norbert scored 2 tds off of two blocked punts. ripon should, stress should because the knights always reload, beat norbert this year, esp. since they are at home.

monmouth will be the biggest challenge and they are going to be very tough for the next few years. But i believe ripon's talent in the secondary matches up well with them and it should be a very good game. i just don't understand why ripon isnt even in the conference conversation.

also last season monmouth ceratinly came to play because had ripon beat norbert, they would have been in a three-way tie. no team just deflates when there is still a shot (not a great shot, but it still would not have been a huge upset had ripon won) at winning conf.

[The Roop]

The scoreboard alone proves that Monmouth and St. Norbert are still the teams to beat. Ripon is clearly the best of the rest but are still a ways behind the top two. I can't see both stumbling to allow Ripon a shot at the championship.

[sncfballfan]

yes ripon's game last year against norbert was a blow out, but all four touchdowns came over a first-year starting corner who is no longer on the team.

Not true.  After the 2nd td, #11 kellet tried to go step for step with oconnell.  I remember laughing from the stands with kellet being a good strong safety, but not a kid that can run step for step w/a 4.4 kid. 

I'll give it to you that this is a good year for Ripon to do anything & the ducks should of had the Knights two years ago but couldn't close out the game. 

[The Roop]

"should have" not "should of" sncfballfan. 

Attn. Beloit: If half of you guys are going to quit if you lose next week then just quit now and get it over with. Why not have a short memory and get after it next week rather than giving up 3 games into the season. Shame on you.

I don't like your chances against Ripon and St. Norbert but the rest are winnable games. Grow up and act like you've got a pair.

[bball312]

I feel bad to correct a Norberts fan/player if he was one, however, after reading the posts he stated that Ripon shoulda beat norberts two years ago, and not last year. I was also in the stands last year for the Norberts game, #11 was never matched up with Judd. Norberts took advantage of Ripon's weakness last year and they never recovered. That was basically for the conference championship and Ripon seemed to come out flat and Norbs def didnt. Honestly, to me this year is Monmouths to lose. Norberts has new guys everywhere and all of Monmouths guys are back. IC was looking good so far, but they ended up loosing. Carrol has a great defense, but their offense is yet to show much life. Ripon has had two close games and we all know about lawrence, grinnell, beloit etc etc. Monmouth should be th team to beat with the best qb in the conference, most guys returning etc. Not bashing Norberts, but if you guys want to just look at scores from games as an indicator. They were loosing to Lawrence late in the first half. I am a firm believer that scores dont tell the story, so im unsure why everyone always talks about. Good start to the season, it has unfolded as planned so far. The next month will show how each team is going to be for the rest of the season.

[tm343407]

actually they did match #11 up with judd for a few plays. he didn't catch a TD on him, but he did catch about a 30yd post. #11 isnt going to match up with him, but the other corner from last year, who was a frosh then, is a 4.5 kid. the returning CB is just as good.

i understand why norbert still deserves to get the nod as favorites because of their history, and monmouth is going to be really strong too, but ripon deserves to be in the conversation.

[MWCfan787]

Predictions for this Saturday:

Carroll over GRINNELL by 21 - I think Grinnell puts up 3 td's at home
Ripon over KNOX by 41 - Probably a shutout
LAKE FOREST over Illinois College  by 6  - Game of the Week
Norbert over LAWRENCE by 42 - Lawrence scores 3 or 7
Monmouth over BELOIT by 49 - Beloit shutout or scores 3

Still early and tough to see how teams really are.

Perfect week of picks and I was off by 1 pt in the IC v LFC and MC v BC games

As for the Ripon argument, I think you gotta hang more that 27 on Knox to be taken seriously especially when IC put up 62 and now just lost to LFC.  Were there any Ripon fans at that game that can ellaborate on why that was only a 2 score game?

Also kinda surprised to see Lawrence score 18 after I saw them shutout (safety) and get like 2 first downs against Monmouth

[sncfballfan]

I was also in the stands last year for the Norberts game, #11 was never matched up with Judd. Norberts took advantage of Ripon's weakness last year and they never recovered. That was basically for the conference championship and Ripon seemed to come out flat and Norbs def didnt.

What's your address as I can send you the game film??  Kellet matched up w/judd for a larger portion of the game.  Perhaps a few too many pre game beverages for you??

[11ripon11]

Hello, i usually dont post, but I never was matched up with Judd when he scored. (The name should give me away) I am not sure who the other poster is but he is right on the 30 yarder, he did get me on a skinny post,  But thats nota  big deal, we just got outplayed that day in all facets of the game. However, this year it will be exciting because the teams all seem to have gotten better from last year. I hope this keeps up cause it will lead to an interesting and exciting season.

Ripon 11

[Once a Pio always a Pio]

HOME FIELD win for LFC.... Cant say I didnt tell you so.  (it counts for something)


On another note..... Way to go Pios on the first 3-0 start since 1992. 

Baby steps but I still feel confident in saying that next week is the Scott's frist test. (I stress "test").  We shall see

[fightintitan2006]

Whats the story Roop...did Beloit have a load of kids quit?