FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CarollFan]

Updated NPI's.

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

Both Wheaton and NCC NPI's increased, NCC's increased a little over 3 points.
Wheaton still #2.
NCC #19, at-large bid #6. Expect NCC's NPI to end up higher.

[CarollFan]

Istmus Bowl race. IWU still front runner.

Conference record and remaining schedule.

NCC        4-1  Carthage, @Millikin, IWU
IWU        4-2  bye, NPU, @NCC
Augie      3-2  Wheaton,Carthage, @CU
Carroll    3-3 @NPU, bye, Augie
Carthage 2-3 @NCC, @Augie, Wheaton

I think if Augie loses to Wheaton and IWU beats NPU in 2 weeks, IWU clinches the Isthmus. IWU has beaten Augie and Carroll so should own the tie breaker if either Augie or Carroll end up 5-3 in conference.

If IWU loses their last 2 games to go 4-4 in conference then that leaves an opening for other teams to go to the Isthmus.

If IWU upsets NCC and wins their last 2 games both NCC and IWU would finish with the same conference record, 6-2. IWU would own the tie breaker. NCC would still have a chance for the playoffs but looks like IWU goes to the Isthmus Bowl in this scenario.

WIAC still has a bunch of possibilities.

[CarollFan]

Logan's week 9 predictions.

https://hansenratings.com/projections/2026/week-9/

#1 Wheaton -24.3 @ Augie
Carthage +46.2 @ #4 NCC
Carroll -1.9 @ NPU
Millikin -18.9 @ Elmhurst

IWU with a bye

Logan predictions 36-6 (85.7%) straight up in CCIW games.

https://d3football.com/top25/2026/week8

Top 25 matchups:

#14 JCU -1.2 @ #25 DePauw
#23 Rowan +7.4 @ #10 CNU

[NCC2010]

Observations from NCC's game against Carroll...

The offense was really sloppy to start. Wilson threw an interception on the third play of the game. He threw an out route on the backside of a 3x1 formation and never looked anywhere else on the play, though it was a great diving catch by the Carroll cornerback. The next drive was a 3 & out, followed by a possession that picked up just one first down before a punt. The "opening script" has been lacking in my opinion since Lehnen graduated, they seemingly get off to slow starts on offense the majority of the time. I wish they would consider deferring until the second half instead of always choosing to receive when they win the coin flip.

Was the same starting offensive line for the second game in a row and for three out of the four most recent games. Dennis Dracup was replaced at LG at halftime by Austin Roush, but it didn't seem to be injury related, as Dracup was still in on the XP team to end the game. The wide receiver depth chart is beginning to get a bit concerning. Jake Vitel appears to be done for the year, as freshman Matt Orban is now wearing his #1 jersey. Jim Curtin left his second straight game early, which basically leaves only Rummell and Ballard as viable threats. At RB, Duke Guenther and Zeb Rashid are getting all the carries with the starters over the past two weeks, while Jordan Williams works in when the backups play.

The biggest change I've seen over the past few weeks is that the offense is starting to periodically utilize a high tempo, which is a nice adjustment. In theory, that tempo simplifies the defensive looks you see and likely helps the offensive line a bit. Maybe they found something when they went high tempo at the end of the North Park game? I'm not sure, but it has worked thus far, with the caveat being that it hasn't been against the best defenses they have faced this season.

The defense played as well as they usually do. The lone touchdown allowed was a zone read QB keeper that fooled the backside DE, and the Carroll quarterback showed real speed around the edge. Troy Kashul returned to action playing with a club on his right hand, marking his first appearance since the season opener against Bethel.

The punt team gave up a fake punt for a first down, but otherwise, the special teams unit looked okay.

The last thing that I just found funny was the Carroll coach arguing with the officials for 5 to 7 minutes of real time about whether Kaden Hartnett's interception was a dual possession with the Carroll wide receiver. This led to the Carroll announcer saying he wished the coach would get off the field because he had World Series tickets that night, lol.