FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

Newcardfan- Since nobody has submitted an early thought, here is my two cents:
NC
WHEATON
IWU
ELMHURST
CARTHAGE
AUGIE
MILLIKIN
NPU
AND THE ONLY ONE I WOULD BET THE RANCH ON IS NC. 

Those would be my picks as well. Hoping the board picks up when camp starts-it's been a quiet summer. Now back to the garage...

[matblake]

Newcardfan- Since nobody has submitted an early thought, here is my two cents:
NC
WHEATON
IWU
ELMHURST
CARTHAGE
AUGIE
MILLIKIN
NPU
AND THE ONLY ONE I WOULD BET THE RANCH ON IS NC. 

Those would be my picks as well. Hoping the board picks up when camp starts-it's been a quiet summer. Now back to the garage...

jaybird, I think you got the top 3 and the bottom 2 in order.  As for the middle 3, I think it is a scramble.  Personally, I would go with Carthage, Elmhurst, and Augie.  However, put any of the middle 3 in any combination and I'm not going to argue.

[izzy stradlin]

http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2012-preseason

Meador (WC) and Mitchell (NCC) are 1st team preseason AA.    Werkheiser (NCC) is 2nd team.

[irisheagle]

Newcardfan- Since nobody has submitted an early thought, here is my two cents:
NC
WHEATON
IWU
ELMHURST
CARTHAGE
AUGIE
MILLIKIN
NPU
AND THE ONLY ONE I WOULD BET THE RANCH ON IS NC. 

Those would be my picks as well. Hoping the board picks up when camp starts-it's been a quiet summer. Now back to the garage...

jaybird, I think you got the top 3 and the bottom 2 in order.  As for the middle 3, I think it is a scramble.  Personally, I would go with Carthage, Elmhurst, and Augie.  However, put any of the middle 3 in any combination and I'm not going to argue.

I agree the top 3 and bottom 2 are right on, I think augie will have a come back year and will finish atop elmhurst and carthridge and those two will battle it out for the number 5 spot. Good luck to all though

[NCF]

Wheaton fans-Is Roberts back? If so, who do you think will start or do  you think they'll share the position?

[Mugsy]

Wheaton fans-Is Roberts back? If so, who do you think will start or do  you think they'll share the position?

Roberts is back.  I do not have any inside info at this point.  It could be a challenging issue to work through as a coaching staff.  I would assume Roberts is fully recovered from his ACL injury.  Meador had an outstanding 2011 season, far exceeding expectations from most Wheaton fans.  Nice insurance policy to have in the event one is injured.

A healthy Roberts provides an extra dimension that Meador isn't as proficient - the ability to run the ball. 

Based on recent years where Wheaton has had 2 solid QB candidates, I'm guessing time will be split during the non-conference portion of the schedule and a starter will be identified for the conference games.  Wouldn't it be amazing if a pre-season All-American doesn't win the starting spot?

[NCF]

Wheaton fans-Is Roberts back? If so, who do you think will start or do  you think they'll share the position?

Roberts is back.  I do not have any inside info at this point.  It could be a challenging issue to work through as a coaching staff.  I would assume Roberts is fully recovered from his ACL injury.  Meador had an outstanding 2011 season, far exceeding expectations from most Wheaton fans.  Nice insurance policy to have in the event one is injured.

A healthy Roberts provides an extra dimension that Meador isn't as proficient - the ability to run the ball. 

Based on recent years where Wheaton has had 2 solid QB candidates, I'm guessing time will be split during the non-conference portion of the schedule and a starter will be identified for the conference games.  Wouldn't it be amazing if a pre-season All-American doesn't win the starting spot?

It would be, however, it probably wouldn't be the first time it happened. Could be tough to name one of them the starter if they both do well in the non-conference portion of the schedule.

[USee]

As a general rule, the reigning CCIW offensive player of the year doesn't sit the bench. No way Meador is anything but day 1 starter in my view. Jordan Roberts will be a luxury as a backup and will likely have some packages for him as a wildcat QB (and a very capable one at that!) but Garrett Meador is your starter from day 1. I can't imagine any other scenario.

[NCF]

I don't see Roberts content to ride the bench without a fight. Camp and non-conf games should be interesting.

[matblake]

As a general rule, the reigning CCIW offensive player of the year doesn't sit the bench. No way Meador is anything but day 1 starter in my view. Jordan Roberts will be a luxury as a backup and will likely have some packages for him as a wildcat QB (and a very capable one at that!) but Garrett Meador is your starter from day 1. I can't imagine any other scenario.

I have to agree with USee here.  Could a one year position change be in the books for Roberts?  I don't see where he would go though.

[DBQ1965]

North Central fans ... I was at student UD in the 60s with Jake Werkheiser.  Anyone now the connection between Jake and Jace?

[NCF]

North Central fans ... I was at student UD in the 60s with Jake Werkheiser.  Anyone now the connection between Jake and Jace?

Could Jake be Jace"s grandfather or father?

[DBQ1965]

North Central fans ... I was at student UD in the 60s with Jake Werkheiser.  Anyone now the connection between Jake and Jace?

Actually ... I am more adept at proper grammar than my previous posting reflects.

[irisheagle]

As a general rule, the reigning CCIW offensive player of the year doesn't sit the bench. No way Meador is anything but day 1 starter in my view. Jordan Roberts will be a luxury as a backup and will likely have some packages for him as a wildcat QB (and a very capable one at that!) but Garrett Meador is your starter from day 1. I can't imagine any other scenario.

Meador is expected to be the best qb in the nation.  I agree that there can't be any other option than for him to be the starting qb and take a majority of the reps.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Love the CCIW summer chatter!  As the login-in handle might suggest, thought i'd weigh in on EC's fortunes this fall...

Often labeled a sleeper pick over the past few seasons, the '12 version of the Jays are positioned to capture all that potential and really take a big step forward this year...the key word "potential."

Offensively, the Jays will score points.  Most are back from a top 3 CCIW offense a year ago (445 yds and 29 points per game in conference play), including a 4th year starter at QB, the conference's most dynamic ball carrier, Scottie Williams, and four starters along the O-Line (including 2 all-CCIW). 

The defense struggled last year, no doubt (in the bottom half of all major categories), but they were very young and should be much better this year.  All 3 LBs are back (including all-CCIW Wayne Tuckson), 5 of the 6 D-Linemen that saw significant time return, and everyone but Janus returns in the back half.  Jays gave up 28 ppg in CCIW play - not good (twice as much as 2nd ranked D - IWU) - if they can improve even modestly on that side of the ball, the Jays should be talented enough to hang with everyone on the schedule.

Others nuggets...Coach Lester and his entire staff are in their 5th year, and his first recruiting class are seniors this year, and we all know you win in the CCIW with upper classmen - our first big football graduating class in many, many years.  Beefed-up the non-conference schedule, adding Trine to replace Olivet (upgrade should better prep the Jays for the rigor of conference play).  Coaches love their recruiting class (very geographically diverse and extremely athletic) - maybe one or two contribute on the field, but most should provide good depth and quality practice looks this year.  The schedule is as favorable as it can be - NCC is up first after a bye week and we have 6 total at home including Wheaton and IWU.

Just my take from Langhorst Field.  Should be another great year in the CCIW - really looking forward to September.