Quote from: CarollFan on October 26, 2026, 11:48:04 AMWho knows maybe a rematch with Wheaton is waiting....

I was just thinking about this... 2016 NCC won in the regular season and Wheaton won the rematch in the playoffs.  Also, could be fun to see NCC and/or Wheaton play WashU in the playoffs.

Quote from: NCC2010 on October 19, 2026, 10:00:07 AM.... This led to freshman Blake Lehnen getting his first extensive action of the season, and he seems to have moved ahead of a couple of seniors on the depth chart....

Last name sounds familiar but don't remember why....

Quote from: Gregory Sager on October 16, 2026, 03:42:46 PMBeen there, done that.

A fair number of North Park College alumni were in a tizzy when our alma mater swapped out "College" for "University" thirty years ago. I was not one of them, because there were a couple of very valid reasons that led to the name change, and also because they kept it simple and didn't add an extra geographic qualifier, as some people on the Board of Trustees whom I felt were misguided were speculating that the new name would be "North Park University Chicago" (with a preposition such as "of" or "in" possibly preceding "Chicago" as well).

(I understand that North Central is in a different position, since there already is a school called North Central University, and, even  worse, it's a fellow D3 school. At least, that's my guess as to why the new name includes the word "Naperville".)

Thirty years ago, in an attempt to help some of my fellow NPC alums get used to our school becoming NPU, I told them to hang on to their North Park College sweatshirts and paraphernalia, and to buy up whatever was left of it in the bookstore, because it might be worth some good money someday. Well, I've never checked eBay to see if that's come to pass, but every now and then I'll see a current student walk around campus in a North Park College t-shirt or sweatshirt, and I smile at the thought of a legacy student stealing mom's or dad's old "College" clothing while packing to head off to NPU.

North Central University Naperville does have a satellite campus vibe after recalling that there is a North Central University in MN.

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on October 16, 2026, 01:18:33 PMHeidelberg is currently ranked higher than NCC in the NPI (34 and 35).

https://stats.ncaa.org/selection_rankings/nitty_gritties/53089

You mean NCUN, right?

I wonder if any other names were considered and NCUN was the best they could come up with....  ouch

Quote from: NCC2010 on October 15, 2026, 12:19:24 PMIWU's odds are 100% if they end 9-1.

Hansen's model has the IWU/NCC game as a projected score of 35.3 to 6.6 as of now.

I can't believe he has IWU winning by that much!  Just kidding. 

If NCC can figure out it's offensive line / running game, they'll easily score 35.  If not, it will be much much closer.

Quote from: CarollFan on October 15, 2026, 09:20:51 AMI was checking Logan's scenario tool and projections for IWU and NCC if either goes 8-2. He has IWU with a 4.4% chance and NCC with a 52% chance making the playoffs at 8-2.

The main difference between the teams from a NPI calculation standpoint is the non- conference wins. NCC beating 2 teams who will probably end up 8-2.
The Albion team IWU beat might not win a game. Even if they win one or two that game will not be used in IWU's NPI calculation. You have to use at least 5 of your wins when calculating NPI so IWU will use 4 conference wins and NCC most likely 3 conference wins. If you end up in 3rd, your conference wins are coming from 4rth place and lower.

What are IWU's chances if they are 9-1?  I'm guessing good but haven't looked.  8-2 NCC at 52% is higher than I thought.  Very outside chance that the CCIW can get 3 teams in???

Quote from: CarollFan on October 12, 2026, 01:07:13 PM

Quote from: devildog29 on October 12, 2026, 11:54:12 AM

Quote from: CarollFan on October 11, 2026, 03:11:17 PMYes the 8-2 teams best chance is AQ.
Bethel at 8-2 less then 20% chance.


Right now over 11 conferences can produce a 1 loss at-large team with 11 at-large bids.

To begin I want to be clear, I don't honestly have any delusions as to where IWU ranks nationwide.  But if they do finish 8-2, their 2 losses would be to 2 teams who at one point in the season were both ranked #1 in the country.  At worst, it's a heckuva turnaround for Coach Williamson in year 2, much of which they accomplished with a backup QB.

No doubt they've done a great job. The 8-2 comment regarding at-large bids speaks more to NPI and having only 11 at-large bids and the challenge for 8-2 teams to make the playoffs. Beating a WIAC team in the Isthmus Bowl would be nice as so far only Wheaton has got a win there. The opportunity for IWU to make the playoffs is beating NCC the last game so it's not over yet.

Not saying it will happen but I think IWU has a shot at NCC this year.  If anything, will most likely be a great game.

Quote from: cuyahogacuse on October 11, 2026, 09:49:15 PM

Quote from: CarollFan on October 11, 2026, 09:24:39 PM

Who is the North Central coach that threw a punch at the Wheaton player at the 0:20 mark of this video?

Not a good look at all.

Interesting.  Hard to really tell what was going on and by who.  Looked more like a "swim" move to get out of the way.  NCC experts can fill us in perhaps.

Lots of football left to be played but if I understand this correctly, as of now, Wheaton and IWU would make the playoffs and NCC might be in a bowl game?!?!?  The IWU-NCC game will be a big one.

Also, Mt Union would not make the playoffs:

https://d3datacast.com/npi/fb/

Again, lots can change in the next 5 weeks or so.

IWU looking strong....

These games always come down to line play.  That's where NCC has dominated in their Stagg Bowl run.  This year, it looks like NCC is still figuring things out, while Wheaton is not.  That's the difference tomorrow.

Wheaton 28
NCC 14

Quote from: TheBoyfromBrunswick on October 03, 2026, 10:44:45 PMWheaton should absolutely be ranked ahead of North Central right now. They're running the ball extremely well, scoring at a ridiculous rate, and their defense has been suffocating all season. Meanwhile North Central's rush defense has been getting exposed against teams like Bethel and Wartburg, so I'm not really sure where the argument is coming from. 😂 Wheaton is putting together the better résumé on both sides of the ball, while North Central is apparently still getting the benefit of the "but we're North Central" ranking. At some point the rankings should reflect what's happening this season, not the logo on the helmet.

Agreed.  Wheaton should win by 2 TDs next Saturday.

Quote from: CarollFan on September 14, 2026, 12:54:30 PMI know NCC fans showing some concern for OL but from a results standpoint I don't think it could have worked out any better for NCC so far especially with Wheaton beating MU and JHU losing.

It will be interesting to see who the undefeated teams are this year. UWRF looks like they want to remind everyone they are the champs.

First world problems for NCC

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 14, 2026, 04:15:38 PM

Quote from: Mister36 on August 14, 2026, 11:39:11 AM

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 13, 2026, 04:23:09 PM

Quote from: robertgoulet on August 13, 2026, 04:15:23 PM

Quote from: USee on August 13, 2026, 12:26:44 PMWheaton players reported yesterday. Season begins vs #3 Mt Union visiting MCully Stadium for the first time in the history of these programs.

Preseason All American teams were released by D3FB. I can't remember a time when there was only 1 Mt Union player on the 3 offensive and defensive teams listed. Mt Union Qb Matt Maloney is the 2nd team QB. Wheaton reps on the list include: 2nd Team OL Aiden Byrne, 2nd Team LB Zeke Harris and S Colin Moore, 3rd Team Punter Josiah Smith. Tough duty when a Gagliardi semifinalist QB can't crack this list. N

For #1 NCC vs #2 Bethel here are the Pre Season AA's:

NCC: 1st Team QB Garret Wilson, OT Cortez Kennedy, 3rd Team Def LB Matt Janiak
Bethel: 1st Team WR (Gagliardi finalist) Albert Rundell, 2nd Team OC Jaegar Ash, 3rd Team QB Cooper Drews; 1st Team Def Phil Conant

No other CCIW players made the list.

This has a feel of the season NCC loses a regular season game for the first time since 2019. Bethel and Wheaton both with more players on the pre-season AA teams obviously doesn't make it a given but it certainly gives off the vibe. Maybe even *gulp* 2 losses and missing the playoffs is on the table!

oh please.  NCC has been to 6 straight Staggs.  Now they are going to lose to....Bethel?  C'mon

Bethel's offense is getting it's own name due to it's speed and output, as we know, this is NCC's achille's heel.

Minnesota football hasn't really mattered nationally since the MIAC kicked out St Thomas for winning, but this is "the year"....

Only 3 preseason AAs... looking like a 5-5 season for NCC