FB: Region 4 fan poll

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

1.  Mount Union            70 pts (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2.  Franklin                   59 pts (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4)
3.  North Central          56 pts (2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4)
4.  Wabash                  52 pts (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5)
T5. Wheaton                32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8)
T5. Wittenberg             32 pts (5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8)
T5. John Carroll            32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9)
8.   Heidelberg             30 pts (4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8)
9.   Illinois Wesleyan   15 pts (8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
10. Adrian                      7 pts (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10)

3-8 on my ballot here are ranked between 9 and 15 on my Top 25 ballot
Right now on my watch list I've got Hope, Greenville, and Chicago... the top of the North region is stacked and then it's just sort of bleh

[wally_wabash]

Only received 7 ballots this week. USee arrived like a bright flash of light, but, sadly, was gone just as quickly. 70 possible points this week.  Here's the North Region Fan Poll.  Top 10 answers are on the board.


1.  Mount Union            70 pts (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2.  Franklin                   59 pts (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4)
3.  North Central          56 pts (2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4)
4.  Wabash                  52 pts (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5)
T5. Wheaton                32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8)
T5. Wittenberg             32 pts (5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8)
T5. John Carroll            32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9)
8.   Heidelberg             30 pts (4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8)
9.   Illinois Wesleyan   15 pts (8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
10. Adrian                      7 pts (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10)

The North Region Fan Poll is voted on by Mr. Ypsi, FCGrizzliesGrad, Li'l Giant, smedindy, wally_wabash, NCF, and myself.

Just one change for me this week...John Carroll up one to 5, Heidelberg down one to 6.  The rest stay the same.  John Carroll made it somewhat difficult to move over Heidelberg this week by playing a pretty poor game offensively, but I couldn't ignore how dominant they have been over the course of 6 games now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. 

Can't wait to finally get some h2h's going here.  10 teams...7 are undefeated, another is undefeated in Division III play.  Glad we are finally about to get some primary data. 

By the way, one thing to think about as we creep closer and closer to regional rankings....as long as Greenville keeps winning, they are going to be ranked.  Which one of these 10 teams would get bumped for Greenville?

[ExTartanPlayer]

Only received 7 ballots this week. USee arrived like a bright flash of light, but, sadly, was gone just as quickly. 70 possible points this week.  Here's the North Region Fan Poll.  Top 10 answers are on the board.


1.  Mount Union            70 pts (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2.  Franklin                   59 pts (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4)
3.  North Central          56 pts (2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4)
4.  Wabash                  52 pts (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5)
T5. Wheaton                32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8)
T5. Wittenberg             32 pts (5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8)
T5. John Carroll            32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9)
8.   Heidelberg             30 pts (4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8)
9.   Illinois Wesleyan   15 pts (8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
10. Adrian                      7 pts (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10)

The North Region Fan Poll is voted on by Mr. Ypsi, FCGrizzliesGrad, Li'l Giant, smedindy, wally_wabash, NCF, and myself.

Just one change for me this week...John Carroll up one to 5, Heidelberg down one to 6.  The rest stay the same.  John Carroll made it somewhat difficult to move over Heidelberg this week by playing a pretty poor game offensively, but I couldn't ignore how dominant they have been over the course of 6 games now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. 

Can't wait to finally get some h2h's going here.  10 teams...7 are undefeated, another is undefeated in Division III play.  Glad we are finally about to get some primary data. 

By the way, one thing to think about as we creep closer and closer to regional rankings....as long as Greenville keeps winning, they are going to be ranked.  Which one of these 10 teams would get bumped for Greenville?

Carroll's poor game offensively is semi-explicable to me; Musky's poor record obscures the fact that their defense is actually okay.  They made Mount Union work for what they got, and held Ott to 12 points the week before JCU.  That, and I heard the weather was sloppy.  Once JCU got out to the big lead, they may have buckled down and played it super-conservative rather than going for more numbers.  I think you can also argue that this little wart is offset by the fact that Heidelberg's defense dropped an equal turd this week by allowing 400+ yards to Otterbein; really, for one week, Heidelberg was totally reliant on Cartel Brooks (and their OL, of course) because they got very little from the passing game and the defense wasn't that great.

[smedindy]

Only received 7 ballots this week. USee arrived like a bright flash of light, but, sadly, was gone just as quickly. 70 possible points this week.  Here's the North Region Fan Poll.  Top 10 answers are on the board.


1.  Mount Union            70 pts (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2.  Franklin                   59 pts (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4)
3.  North Central          56 pts (2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4)
4.  Wabash                  52 pts (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5)
T5. Wheaton                32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8)
T5. Wittenberg             32 pts (5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8)
T5. John Carroll            32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9)
8.   Heidelberg             30 pts (4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8)
9.   Illinois Wesleyan   15 pts (8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
10. Adrian                      7 pts (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10)

The North Region Fan Poll is voted on by Mr. Ypsi, FCGrizzliesGrad, Li'l Giant, smedindy, wally_wabash, NCF, and myself.

Just one change for me this week...John Carroll up one to 5, Heidelberg down one to 6.  The rest stay the same.  John Carroll made it somewhat difficult to move over Heidelberg this week by playing a pretty poor game offensively, but I couldn't ignore how dominant they have been over the course of 6 games now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. 

Can't wait to finally get some h2h's going here.  10 teams...7 are undefeated, another is undefeated in Division III play.  Glad we are finally about to get some primary data. 

By the way, one thing to think about as we creep closer and closer to regional rankings....as long as Greenville keeps winning, they are going to be ranked.  Which one of these 10 teams would get bumped for Greenville?

My guess Illinois Wesleyan, but that's just a guess.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Well, if IWU gets blasted by Wheaton, that may be likely.  But if they play them close, that should solidify their position, and if (as my green goggles are predicting) they go and beat the Thunder, they're a lock for the top 10 and probably jump a few teams.

The following week they host NCC, but that should be largely irrelevant, since everyone expects a blow-out by the Cards.  And if (my green goggles again ) they go nose-to-nose with NCC, they should rise even further - afterall, no one else has come anywhere close to them.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Only received 7 ballots this week. USee arrived like a bright flash of light, but, sadly, was gone just as quickly. 70 possible points this week.  Here's the North Region Fan Poll.  Top 10 answers are on the board.


1.  Mount Union            70 pts (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2.  Franklin                   59 pts (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4)
3.  North Central          56 pts (2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4)
4.  Wabash                  52 pts (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5)
T5. Wheaton                32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8)
T5. Wittenberg             32 pts (5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8)
T5. John Carroll            32 pts (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9)
8.   Heidelberg             30 pts (4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8)
9.   Illinois Wesleyan   15 pts (8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
10. Adrian                      7 pts (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10)

The North Region Fan Poll is voted on by Mr. Ypsi, FCGrizzliesGrad, Li'l Giant, smedindy, wally_wabash, NCF, and myself.

Just one change for me this week...John Carroll up one to 5, Heidelberg down one to 6.  The rest stay the same.  John Carroll made it somewhat difficult to move over Heidelberg this week by playing a pretty poor game offensively, but I couldn't ignore how dominant they have been over the course of 6 games now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. 

Can't wait to finally get some h2h's going here.  10 teams...7 are undefeated, another is undefeated in Division III play.  Glad we are finally about to get some primary data. 

By the way, one thing to think about as we creep closer and closer to regional rankings....as long as Greenville keeps winning, they are going to be ranked.  Which one of these 10 teams would get bumped for Greenville?

With respect: I don't necessarily think that is true, nor do I think it should be.

Greenville is undefeated while in playing in arguably the weakest conference in the region (actually, I don't even think that's really arguable) and they have won a couple of very close shaves against very "meh" opponents.  They barely survived Millikin in Week 1; Millikin is 1-5 with a three-point win over lowly Aurora and has gotten destroyed in all three CCIW games.  They beat UMAC bedfellows Eureka and Crown by one point each; Crown is 2-5 and lost to Macalester, probably qualifying them as one of the (how do I put this nicely?) worst teams in Division III.  Meanwhile, St. Scholastica got blown out in their opener by Whitworth (2-5, 0-3 in the NWC) and has been running roughshod over the same conference, or at least they haven't been pulling out one-point wins to survive.

Asking the rhetorical question: do you think Illinois Wesleyan or Adrian would need one-point wins to survive those teams?  Heck, do you think Denison or Ohio Wesleyan would need one-point wins to survive those teams?  I don't.  So I don't think we have to rank Greenville ahead of those teams just because Greenville has managed to stay undefeated.  I'm usually a champion for undefeated teams from the lesser conferences (my own background, remember?), and I do think that Greenville should be in the tournament if they're undefeated, I'm a firm believer in Pool A bids, that's no mystery.  But I don't think we're obligated to rank them just because they're undefeated and going to the playoffs.  I think there's a decent chance St. Scholastica will render this whole discussion moot by beating them in Week 11, anyway.

To clarify, in case my original post missed the point: are you referring to your own NRFP or the Regional Rankings?  I still don't think Greenville should crack either, unless they find a new gear and beat St. Scholastica by 40, but still just asking.

[USee]

sorry guys, did not forget you but was tied up this week. I sent my ballot to Wes, albeit late. I moved JCU up to 3rd. cannot ignore their D any longer. Still an indistiguishable logjam at 4-9 in my opinon.

[wally_wabash]

I'm talking about the regional rankings, ETP.  Barring total implosion by 4-5 teams on the NRFP list, I don't see Greenville cracking this top 10.  But in the regional rankings, they certainly will as long as they keep winning.  Just last year, CUC was not only ranked, but ranked 2nd in the region.  And before them we've seen CWRU be ranked as high as 2nd in the regional rankings in spite of some really, really soft schedules in the 2007-2008 window.  So when we get to regional ranking time and Greenville is 8-0 or 9-0, they'll be on that list for sure. 

[ExTartanPlayer]

I'm talking about the regional rankings, ETP.  Barring total implosion by 4-5 teams on the NRFP list, I don't see Greenville cracking this top 10.  But in the regional rankings, they certainly will as long as they keep winning.  Just last year, CUC was not only ranked, but ranked 2nd in the region.  And before them we've seen CWRU be ranked as high as 2nd in the regional rankings in spite of some really, really soft schedules in the 2007-2008 window.  So when we get to regional ranking time and Greenville is 8-0 or 9-0, they'll be on that list for sure.

Understood - at first I thought you were talking NRFP.  Makes more sense now.

Re: who gets dropped from this list so Greenville gets into RR, my hunch is that it'll be either the CCIW third wheel or OAC third wheel (assuming neither ends up with a three-way tie at 9-1).  RR always seems to love them some undefeated teams and hate teams with 2 losses.  Or, if someone beats Adrian, I can see the MIAA going unrepresented in the RR's in favor of Greenville.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm talking about the regional rankings, ETP.  Barring total implosion by 4-5 teams on the NRFP list, I don't see Greenville cracking this top 10.  But in the regional rankings, they certainly will as long as they keep winning.  Just last year, CUC was not only ranked, but ranked 2nd in the region.  And before them we've seen CWRU be ranked as high as 2nd in the regional rankings in spite of some really, really soft schedules in the 2007-2008 window.  So when we get to regional ranking time and Greenville is 8-0 or 9-0, they'll be on that list for sure.

Understood - at first I thought you were talking NRFP.  Makes more sense now.

Re: who gets dropped from this list so Greenville gets into RR, my hunch is that it'll be either the CCIW third wheel or OAC third wheel (assuming neither ends up with a three-way tie at 9-1).  RR always seems to love them some undefeated teams and hate teams with 2 losses.  Or, if someone beats Adrian, I can see the MIAA going unrepresented in the RR's in favor of Greenville.

Agree with this analysis.  I, too, thought he was talking about our poll.  IF, heaven forbid, IWU loses the next two weeks, even I may drop them out (they would then have no compelling wins - Hope would probably be the best), though time will tell who I would replace them with - probably NOT Greenville!

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

I'm talking about the regional rankings, ETP.  Barring total implosion by 4-5 teams on the NRFP list, I don't see Greenville cracking this top 10.  But in the regional rankings, they certainly will as long as they keep winning.  Just last year, CUC was not only ranked, but ranked 2nd in the region.  And before them we've seen CWRU be ranked as high as 2nd in the regional rankings in spite of some really, really soft schedules in the 2007-2008 window.  So when we get to regional ranking time and Greenville is 8-0 or 9-0, they'll be on that list for sure.

Understood - at first I thought you were talking NRFP.  Makes more sense now.

Re: who gets dropped from this list so Greenville gets into RR, my hunch is that it'll be either the CCIW third wheel or OAC third wheel (assuming neither ends up with a three-way tie at 9-1).  RR always seems to love them some undefeated teams and hate teams with 2 losses.  Or, if someone beats Adrian, I can see the MIAA going unrepresented in the RR's in favor of Greenville.

Agree with this analysis.  I, too, thought he was talking about our poll.  IF, heaven forbid, IWU loses the next two weeks, even I may drop them out (they would then have no compelling wins - Hope would probably be the best), though time will tell who I would replace them with - probably NOT Greenville!

IWU could lose the next two weeks and potentially hang on to 10th. After the top 10 there really aren't any compelling teams waiting to take over a spot. My short list of teams include Hope, Greenville, and Chicago (who I expect to drop off after this weekend). I think they'd have to be competitive to have any shot at staying above Hope, but if they keep both games within about 7 points I think it will make for a difficult decision for that 10th spot.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm talking about the regional rankings, ETP.  Barring total implosion by 4-5 teams on the NRFP list, I don't see Greenville cracking this top 10.  But in the regional rankings, they certainly will as long as they keep winning.  Just last year, CUC was not only ranked, but ranked 2nd in the region.  And before them we've seen CWRU be ranked as high as 2nd in the regional rankings in spite of some really, really soft schedules in the 2007-2008 window.  So when we get to regional ranking time and Greenville is 8-0 or 9-0, they'll be on that list for sure.

Understood - at first I thought you were talking NRFP.  Makes more sense now.

Re: who gets dropped from this list so Greenville gets into RR, my hunch is that it'll be either the CCIW third wheel or OAC third wheel (assuming neither ends up with a three-way tie at 9-1).  RR always seems to love them some undefeated teams and hate teams with 2 losses.  Or, if someone beats Adrian, I can see the MIAA going unrepresented in the RR's in favor of Greenville.

Agree with this analysis.  I, too, thought he was talking about our poll.  IF, heaven forbid, IWU loses the next two weeks, even I may drop them out (they would then have no compelling wins - Hope would probably be the best), though time will tell who I would replace them with - probably NOT Greenville!

IWU could lose the next two weeks and potentially hang on to 10th. After the top 10 there really aren't any compelling teams waiting to take over a spot. My short list of teams include Hope, Greenville, and Chicago (who I expect to drop off after this weekend). I think they'd have to be competitive to have any shot at staying above Hope, but if they keep both games within about 7 points I think it will make for a difficult decision for that 10th spot.

Heck, if IWU stays within 7 of both Wheaton and NCC, I'm moving them UP, not down!  (Personally, I think they will beat Wheaton; it is NCC that makes me soil my underwear! )

I just wish IWU would upgrade their OOC schedule.  Hope is fine (though we have now beaten them 6(?) straight years, but usually a close game), Aurora is kinda understandable as the geographically closest d3 school (except for a couple of former SLIAC schools and, perhaps, Wabash - but not sure that either the Titans or Little Giants are eager to take on the other in a regular-season game), but Alma??!!  IF they do finish 9-1 I think they are fairly safe for a C (but not the guarantee one might wish), but unlikely to get a home game.

[sigma one]

I'm of the opinion that we will not see IWU v. Wabash during the regular season in my lifetime (gulp)---just won't happen. I'd be surprised if we will see Wabash opening v. any CCIW team.  With the NCAC now playing totally h to h, finally, there's A) not much opportunity and B) not much sense in the matchup.  Wabash is committed in the short-term to playing Hampden-Sydney in the season opener.  While this is a mistake in my view (too long an explanation of this to include here), I believe they will eventually return to playing inside Indiana for their one non-conference game.  And if not in Indiana, one of the UAA teams,  probably Chicago or Wash U.  Also, too long to explain right now, I'd be surprised if they would arrange with Franklin to play in an opener, but I've been wrong about that before.  The last time the LGs and Grizzlies met in back to back years, they split home and home in two of the most thrilling early-season games I can recall--Franklin in OT and Wabash holding on at the end.  Of course, the other teams in Indiana will have something to say about Wabash starting with one of them.   
       

[smedindy]

I wonder if Chicago will sneak into the RR's, if they beat Pacific and then through the UAA. Yeah, they played a lot of dreck and they lost to the one really good team on their schedule (Rhodes), however...you just wonder if a 9-1 Chicago doesn't sneak on at 9 or 10.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I wonder if Chicago will sneak into the RR's, if they beat Pacific and then through the UAA. Yeah, they played a lot of dreck and they lost to the one really good team on their schedule (Rhodes), however...you just wonder if a 9-1 Chicago doesn't sneak on at 9 or 10.

I would actually support a 9-1 Chicago being regionally ranked because that would mean they've added wins over a decent Pacific team and a very underrated WashU. I don't expect that to happen but if it does, I'd have no problem seeing them in the RR's.