FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[GusD]

Bell game tomorrow. Having seen every snap this season for both teams, I could certainly write a lot about these two teams and their strengths/weaknesses. Suffice to say this seems like Wheaton's best chance in 5 seasons (as Greg T wrote on the front page in Week 5 predictions). That said I think the Thunder are probably 14 pt+ under dogs by all outside accounts.

On second thought.........

Gus- Two things: First, there is a bit of an unwritten rule on these boards that you shouldn't call out someone's predictions (which they made before the contest) after the fact if you haven't made your own predictions known in advance. These boards are much more interesting when people engage and offer their own opinion. It takes little to no thought to pick apart someone else's post after the facts are in.

Second, I wasn't wrong. This is a Wheaton team that can beat almost any team outside of the top 2-3. That's just how good North Central is.

USee,
Sorry if I stepped out of bounds. As far as my own, and unfortunately unpublished prediction, I certainly had NCC emerging as the victor but by 10-13 points rather than by 35. This was the first NC game I've been able to go to this year as I was out of town for the first two home games. I think I had a pretty good read on the Cards offense but I had no idea they'd be able to be so dominant on D vs. such a quality team as Wheaton. While the offense may not be quite as dynamic as the past few years, this season's D appears to somehow be even better than in recent times.

[Cardinal773]

I absolutely love watching Sullivan and Ohle and co. "wreck house" on the d-line, but my favorite player right now has to be Roby.  He's our Roy Kent.  He's here.  He's there.  He's every f-ing where.

[Jbothe]

10/25 WashU @ Wheaton for second place. To me Wheaton looks better.

If WashU loses to Wheaton I'm not sure they are automatic for 3rd place.
They play Augie @Augie last game of the season. It's possible that game could be for 3rd place.

Interesting to see how these games play out first. Wesleyan looks to me like next in line after WashU.

Wesleyan/Augie
Augie/Carroll
Carroll/Wesleyan.

[CarollFan]

10/25 WashU @ Wheaton for second place. To me Wheaton looks better.

If WashU loses to Wheaton I'm not sure they are automatic for 3rd place.
They play Augie @Augie last game of the season. It's possible that game could be for 3rd place.

Interesting to see how these games play out first. Wesleyan looks to me like next in line after WashU.

Wesleyan/Augie
Augie/Carroll
Carroll/Wesleyan.

Those are key games. I would add NPU/Carroll,  NPU/IWU.
One advantage Augie has for better overall record is they won their nonconference game. Both Carroll and IWU lost their nonconference game. Also Carroll and IWU already lost to WashU.

IWU is 2-2. They still have to play Wheaton and NCC. Let's assume those are losses.
That means to end up 6-4 they have to beat Millikin, NPU, Carroll and Augie.

Augie is 3-1. Augie plays WashU in the last game. Before that they have NCC, assume a loss. They also have Elmhurst, Carroll, IWU, Carthage.

Augie looks to me to be in better position. I'm not saying they're necessarily the better team.

Last year after WashU in 3rd, we had 3 teams at 5-5.

[CarollFan]

Logan's predictions

https://hansenratings.github.io/2025%20Week%206.html

Today on ATN Logan said it's tough for 8-2 teams to make playoffs except some WIAC teams and Wheaton who will still be almost guaranteed locks at 8-2.
One reason it's tough is over 90% of 9-1 teams who don't get AQ get in the playoffs.

[USee]

I am not sure what any of this means but I was very surprised by how well North Central dominated Wheaton at the LOS. I was expecting a mismatch, but not as bad as it played out. Particularly considering how well Wheaton competed at the LOS vs Mt Union and how effective (relatively) WashU was on the LOS vs NCC.

I watched all these games but here is some stats to highlight my point:

NCC v Wheaton
Wheaton total offense: 148 yds
Wheaton rush yds: -2 (-0.1 ypc)
NCC sacks: 6

NCC total offense: 451 yds
NCC rush yds: 279 (5.9 ypc)
Wheaton sacks: 0

NCC vs WashU:
WashU total offense: 297 yds
WashU rush yds: 137 (3.6 ypc)

NCC total offense: 456
NCC rush yds: 237 (7 ypc)

Wheaton v UMU:
Wheaton total offense: 383 yds
Wheaton rush yds: 110 (5 ypc)

Mt Union total offense: 462 yds
Mt Union rush yds: 155 (4 ypc)

Again, I am not sure what this all means. It could be just early season variance, it could mean NCC is (again) way above the pack, it could mean WashU is a lot better than they have been (which is trouble for the Thunder). I think the strongest observations is that NCC's rush defense is elite. They held UWO to 50 yds rushing (UWO has 150 yd average otherwise), and WashU is very good at running the ball. In addition to the NCC yds they had 168yds rushing vs Carroll and 421 yds Saturday vs IWU.

In terms of NCC's rushing attack, they will face better DLine's than they have so far once in the playoffs, but to date they aren't really slowing down much on the production of the rushing attack. 6.6 yds per rush (vs 7.1 last year).

[CarollFan]

WashU has put up over 40 points in all the games except NCC. They have dual threat QB, multiple RB's and WR's that can make plays. Their offense is good.

Their D though has not look dominate.
They gave up 29 points to Carroll and 391 total yards.
They gave up 40 points (1 TD KO return) to IWU and 418 total yards.
IWU was in that game until the last play. Actually had a chance to get the ball back if not for a penalty.
Final score 42-40 and IWU missed 2 xtra points.

[CarollFan]

https://cciw.org/news/2025/10/6/washu-north-central-highlight-cciw-football-weekly-awards.aspx

[Jbothe]

It sounds like WashU moved some players from defense to offense during the off season. That wouid help explain the strengths of this years team.

[GusD]

WashU @ Wheaton on 10/25 for 2nd place in the CCIW this year?

[CarollFan]

WashU @ Wheaton on 10/25 for 2nd place in the CCIW this year?

Yes, they play for second place. It's mentioned in previous message. Is that the question or you picking someone else?

[NCC2010]

I am not sure what any of this means but I was very surprised by how well North Central dominated Wheaton at the LOS. I was expecting a mismatch, but not as bad as it played out. Particularly considering how well Wheaton competed at the LOS vs Mt Union and how effective (relatively) WashU was on the LOS vs NCC.

I watched all these games but here is some stats to highlight my point:

NCC v Wheaton
Wheaton total offense: 148 yds
Wheaton rush yds: -2 (-0.1 ypc)
NCC sacks: 6

NCC total offense: 451 yds
NCC rush yds: 279 (5.9 ypc)
Wheaton sacks: 0

NCC vs WashU:
WashU total offense: 297 yds
WashU rush yds: 137 (3.6 ypc)

NCC total offense: 456
NCC rush yds: 237 (7 ypc)

Wheaton v UMU:
Wheaton total offense: 383 yds
Wheaton rush yds: 110 (5 ypc)

Mt Union total offense: 462 yds
Mt Union rush yds: 155 (4 ypc)

Again, I am not sure what this all means. It could be just early season variance, it could mean NCC is (again) way above the pack, it could mean WashU is a lot better than they have been (which is trouble for the Thunder). I think the strongest observations is that NCC's rush defense is elite. They held UWO to 50 yds rushing (UWO has 150 yd average otherwise), and WashU is very good at running the ball. In addition to the NCC yds they had 168yds rushing vs Carroll and 421 yds Saturday vs IWU.

In terms of NCC's rushing attack, they will face better DLine's than they have so far once in the playoffs, but to date they aren't really slowing down much on the production of the rushing attack. 6.6 yds per rush (vs 7.1 last year).

Can't take for granted how much the atmosphere was a factor in Saturday's game compared to being on the road at WashU. Not only was that the most people I've seen at an NCC game, it was by far the most football alumni on campus as well. With Jeff Thorne getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, plus his current health situation, it had a much bigger meaning and focus for the program. Not taking anything away from WashU, but NCC, like most teams, plays better at home and had those other added motivations.

The offensive line continues to improve, and Coach Spencer mentioned after the game that they are still figuring out what they're best at as far as which schemes and certain plays the guys block well on. Whereas in the previous four years, Pryor and Maples were locked into the lineup—with three of those years having Jarod Thornton in as well—so there wasn't much tweaking needed. The biggest change to the running game from Week 1 to now is more designed QB runs with Wilson, and McNeal is now getting the majority of the workload (he has double the carries of Allen each of the last two weeks).

As far as how WashU and Wheaton match up, I think Wheaton will be able to outscore them at the end of the day. While Wilson threw three INTs, there were guys open routinely, and I think Wheaton has the receivers and QB to take advantage.

Both Fred Ware and Makael Carter are really good playmakers for WashU, but I still give the edge in overall playmakers to Wheaton.

[CarollFan]

I may be late to this story. D3 school has 58 year old freshman.
Anybody have eligibility left?