FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[sac]

I think Brian Kelly has made it known he doesn't want to coach outside the midwest.  He would be a legend at Notre Dame, because he teaches a physical style of football.  They would love him there.

Cincinnati is not his last stop, he'll end up at a Big 10 school or ND.  It would not shock me if he took the Tennessee job, thats a plumb gig.  The reason Tenn would look good to him now is, the Big 10 jobs all seem sewn up with either legends or young guys.

Illinois--Zook
Iowa--Ferentz
Michigan--Rodriguez
Michigan State--Dantonio
Minnesota--Brewster
Northwestern--Fitzgerald
Ohio State--Tressel
Purdue--new coach next year
Wisconsin--Bielema

Indiana and Penn State are the only two jobs I see opening up soon.  Indiana is a blackhole for coaches, and JoePa might go another 20 years.  Unless something shocking happens, I just don't see a Big10 job coming open he'd take in his timeframe.  He's 47 right now.

KYGrizz:
Thanks for the follow-up.  I tend to agree with you in that while no one likes to see those schools not do well if they end up making the commitment to go to DI, in reality, like you say, they are better off staying at the FCS (formerly DIAA).  Better to be a "big fish in a little pond" as opposed to the opposite .  I hate to say this, but I dare say that even the MAC schools (yes, including Central Michigan, Western Michigan) are really "high-end" DIAA (FCS) schools - i.e. while they occasionally beat a Big Ten team as has been seen this year and recent, week in and week out they cannot compete with the really big schools (guess I could eat my words this year if we include Michigan in that scenario though  )

The MAC went 5-21 vs BCS conference teams this year.   Syracuse, Indiana, Pitt, Michigan, Illinois all tasted defeat.  Only Pitt had a winning record.   Akron  had a 2 pt loss to Cincinnati.


Ball State is a great story, but there is no way this team should be invited to the big BCS party.   Northeastern, Navy, Western Kentucky , Indiana is their non-conference schedule.  In the MAC they played 5 games in their division, 3 outside.  From the other division Ball State played Miami OH 2-9, Kent State 3-9, Akron 5-6.  None of those schools has a winning record in the MAC.

The best teams Ball State played this year are Western and Central Michigan.

[Joe Wally]

Lynch is likely to stay at IU for at least the next two years.  The athletic department has too much dead money on the books to fire another coach.

Have also heard that, in spite of the teams performance on the field this fall, Lynch managed to recruit a fairly strong class for next year.

Time will tell.

[dc_has_been]

I'm curious on how many consistent hcac posters that we have?  The HCAC has pretty big game this weekend & there really hasn't been much discussion.  Are there any opinions on Franklin/NCC game?  I would have thought that NCC would have had an easy win against Franklin if they played in round 1, but after Franklin's performance against Otterbein I think it will be a close game.
If Franklin can have a good day running the ball & stop Fanthorpe & force Sulo to do all the running work they'll have a good shot. 

[usee]

I am a CCIW guy (not NCC) and I will tell you my thoughts on this weekends game:

I don't know what the Otterbein game tells us other than I suspect the OAC below the Purple people eaters is weaker than in past years. I have saw Trine play against Wheaton last weekend so I also have a good feel for the Trine/Franklin game. I have now seen Trine and NCC (and am very familiar with the OAC) so there is a common link with Franklin.

I think Rupp will be the biggest challenge the NCC defense has faced this year. His numbers are pretty sick and he has 4 guys who are all very capable to throw to. I think Franklin will get their points. NCC's defense is very strong up front and Matt Wenger will be as good a LB as you will see in D3. Their other LB's are also very good and Jancek on the DLine is a beast. I would doubt very much if Franklin can run the ball against NCC. North Central runs a pretty simple cover 2 scheme (occasional pressure) and a good qb like Rupp will pick them apart.

Having said that I think Franklin's defense will not be able to stop Fanthorpe and Sulo. They have a lot of weapons and Fanthorpe is now the 2x POY from the CCIW on offense. Trine scored 30 pts on Franklin and Wheaton just shut out Trine on their field. If Franklin gave up 30 pts to Trine I can't imagine how many points NCC will score.

All in all I think the NCC defense is significanlty better than the Franklin defense and will be able to get a few stops to keep the shootout from being a "he who has the ball last" type of contest. I expect a lot of scoring but NCC wins by 10+.

[dc_has_been]

USee- thanks for the info.

[SaintsFAN]

stop Fanthorpe & force Sulo to do all the running work they'll have a good shot. 

Franklin won't be able to make the NCC offense a one-dimensional attack.

[dc_has_been]

stop Fanthorpe & force Sulo to do all the running work they'll have a good shot. 

Franklin won't be able to make the NCC offense a one-dimensional attack.

I understand that, but I was talking in regards to making them a one-dimensional run attack instead of two.  I know Fanthorpe will still be able to throw the ball & Sulo will still put up some yards on the ground.  Taking away the run from a QB who can run may force some unwanted throws that can turn into Franklin's favor.

[SaintsFAN]

stop Fanthorpe & force Sulo to do all the running work they'll have a good shot. 

Franklin won't be able to make the NCC offense a one-dimensional attack.

I understand that, but I was talking in regards to making them a one-dimensional run attack instead of two.  I know Fanthorpe will still be able to throw the ball & Sulo will still put up some yards on the ground.  Taking away the run from a QB who can run may force some unwanted throws that can turn into Franklin's favor.

I dont think this will happen either, has_been.  I think Franklin needs to turn this game into a trackmeet for a chance... but they also need a turnover or two. 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I agree with the rest of the folks on here.  If I have to go with my head vs heart:  NCC will prevail.  Otterbein was a solid team with good players but they didn't appear to be ready for play-off intensity.  NCC is and has proven it.  Plus CCIW has proven this year to be stouter competition.

NCC 45  FC 35  (hard fought)

[KYGrizzly]

Comparing the stats from last year I think that North Central comes into this game as being able to move the ball through the air or on the ground just like last year. Franklin also had a decent ground game this year where I think they lack there this year.

I am hoping to see an exciting game this year just like last year with the outcome in the favor of the Grizzlies.

Please ignore any spelling or grammar mistakes in this post and blame it on my annual pre Thanksgiving Hooters meal on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Good Luck to The Grizzlies this weekend.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I hope you are right KY Grizzly.  Coors Light is my poison.  Getting ready to make pumpkin pies tonight as we host thanksgiving dinner at my house.  Heading up to Naperville early sat am and hoping for a win.  If the game is as good as last year's game then we are all in for a treat.

[Adam Sayer]

As I have personally found out, the top of the class in the CCIW is heads above the the HCAC's. I think FC will keep a game for a while but NCC will end up beating them...but that's why they play the game. FC has a loss to avenge from last year, and honestly, I'd like to see them do it, but I don't see it happening.

My buddy has a giant fluid sack around his testicle and is using a flashlight to show it off like a jack-o-lantern...I guess he forgot Halloween is 3 weeks past. It's gonna be a crazy night 

[New Tradition]

My buddy has a giant fluid sack around his testicle and is using a flashlight to show it off like a jack-o-lantern...I guess he forgot Halloween is 3 weeks past. It's gonna be a crazy night 

In my best Adam Sandler voice:
"AWWWW!  THAT WAS THE GROSSEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE!" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPrR5M-wMhc (at 1:34)

[dc_has_been]

Everyone have a safe & great Thanksgiving!!!!

[D O.C.]

Come on! Franklin! You can do this!