FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[izzy stradlin]

WHOA! SERIOUSLY?! I loved Dicken and was anxious to see him play this year. That's a real bummer. Man. The season just got a little less interesting...

Bash----

Consider that possibly the season just got a little more interesting.
When a highly ranked team loses what is widely expected to be their returning starter at the most important position on the field, I think it could be said that it will be very interesting to see how the "replacement," and the other team members react.
And, also consider, as newcardfan and robertgoulet have pointed out, that if Stanek had been availablr last year, it most likely would have been him on the field instead of Dicken.
2 seasons ago Stanek had an efficiency rating of 164.9, and a completion percentage of 63.8
Dicken's numbers last season were 136.9 for efficiency, and a completion percentage of 50.6

So, things might still be pretty interesting. Yes, no, maybe?

As an opponent I'd much rather see Dicken.  I don't think North Central has anything to worry about.

[Stagg Again!!]

Dicken looked like an All American against Wheaton in that first (second?) drive last year. There were several times in NCC's biggest games where he really came through. Sigh. I'm genuinely bummed.

BD -  While I, too, was looking forward to seeing Tyler Dicken on the field this season, I don't think we should overstate where he was at last season (I, for one, never saw him look like an All American).  There was clearly ample room for additional development.  I have heard from a number of folks that Stanek has been absolutely fantastic since his return to the field.  I am thrilled to see how #6 has grown and developed.  I am hopeful that he will show more of the flashes of brilliance that we all saw in the Cornell, St. Norbert, and UWW (without the INTs) games in 2010. 

Beyond Stanek, there is some incredible QB talent in the 2012 recruiting class.  I can easily see the young QBs getting some quality PT this season as NCC's offense looks absolutely loaded with a phenomenal OL, eight-ten legitimate WRs, a half dozen top-shelf RBs, and a national OPOY candidate in #32 (let the campaign begin!!!).

The question that I have is, where does Dicken fit into the mix if/when he returns to the field next season?

I agree with many of the other CCIW posters that the NCC season becomes a bit more interesting with this news (in an odd sort of way).

[NCF]

Dicken looked like an All American against Wheaton in that first (second?) drive last year. There were several times in NCC's biggest games where he really came through. Sigh. I'm genuinely bummed.

BD -  While I, too, was looking forward to seeing Tyler Dicken on the field this season, I don't think we should overstate where he was at last season (I, for one, never saw him look like an All American).  There was clearly ample room for additional development.  I have heard from a number of folks that Stanek has been absolutely fantastic since his return to the field.  I am thrilled to see how #6 has grown and developed.  I am hopeful that he will show more of the flashes of brilliance that we all saw in the Cornell, St. Norbert, and UWW (without the INTs) games in 2010. 

Beyond Stanek, there is some incredible QB talent in the 2012 recruiting class.  I can easily see the young QBs getting some quality PT this season as NCC's offense looks absolutely loaded with a phenomenal OL, eight-ten legitimate WRs, a half dozen top-shelf RBs, and a national OPOY candidate in #32 (let the campaign begin!!!).

The question that I have is, where does Dicken fit into the mix if/when he returns to the field next season?

I agree with many of the other CCIW posters that the NCC season becomes a bit more interesting with this news (in an odd sort of way).

Will Dicken return is probably a better question. If he does, I think it will be a tough road for him. Still one long week until kick-off-can't wait!

[BashDad]

BD -  While I, too, was looking forward to seeing Tyler Dicken on the field this season, I don't think we should overstate where he was at last season (I, for one, never saw him look like an All American).

Look at the first throw on this highlight package. That's an All American throw. And he was a freshman. Dude had huge potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5BgzAY-ZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[NCF]

BD -  While I, too, was looking forward to seeing Tyler Dicken on the field this season, I don't think we should overstate where he was at last season (I, for one, never saw him look like an All American).

Look at the first throw on this highlight package. That's an All American throw. And he was a freshman. Dude had huge potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5BgzAY-ZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Well then, the dude should not have squandered his golden opportunity. Stanek will be just fine. Really, he'll do very well this season.

[Stagg Again!!]

BD -  While I, too, was looking forward to seeing Tyler Dicken on the field this season, I don't think we should overstate where he was at last season (I, for one, never saw him look like an All American).

Look at the first throw on this highlight package. That's an All American throw. And he was a freshman. Dude had huge potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5BgzAY-ZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Agreed -- Dickens had HUGE potential as he had a strong arm, a good knowledge of the game, and could read the field well.  Unfortunately, his accuracy was not always quite there -- many games Tyler struggled with his control and his passes were five yards off target one way or another. 

I believe AndOne summed it up well with a comparison of Stanek's and Dicken's efficiency rating and completion percentage.  The realities of where Dickens was at last year was highlighted, ironically, in the Wabash game where Tyler was only 10 for 22 with 127 yards.  Many of his attempts were quite off target.  When the team needed some big plays, Dickens was not ready to deliver.  You could say that the strong cross-wind impacted some of his throws, but the same wind did not seem to impact Burke's throws.  Compare that against where #6 was at during 2010 when he stepped in and led the Cards to the North Region championship, and was a play or two away from defeating UWW.

I don't want to debate the point much as I, too, wanted to see what Tyler could do with more on-field experience.  I just want to express that Spencer Stanek has a lot of talent and potential as well... and, he has two years of eligibility remaining and will be on the field this year while Tyler figures out what direction to take.  We all wish #3 well with his decisions and studies.

[Stagg Again!!]

Thanks -- that's a good question but we did raise the price last year so we decided to hold the line this year. problem is we are not having the same kind of sales numbers as in years past so I am not sure what we will do in terms of pricing or publication in the future.

Just ordered my Kickoff 2012 last night.  Great job again Pat.  Very insightful stuff.

[NCF]

BD -  While I, too, was looking forward to seeing Tyler Dicken on the field this season, I don't think we should overstate where he was at last season (I, for one, never saw him look like an All American).

Look at the first throw on this highlight package. That's an All American throw. And he was a freshman. Dude had huge potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5BgzAY-ZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Agreed -- Dickens had HUGE potential as he had a strong arm, a good knowledge of the game, and could read the field well.  Unfortunately, his accuracy was not always quite there -- many games Tyler struggled with his control and his passes were five yards off target one way or another. 

I believe AndOne summed it up well with a comparison of Stanek's and Dicken's efficiency rating and completion percentage.  The realities of where Dickens was at last year was highlighted, ironically, in the Wabash game where Tyler was only 10 for 22 with 127 yards.  Many of his attempts were quite off target.  When the team needed some big plays, Dickens was not ready to deliver.  You could say that the strong cross-wind impacted some of his throws, but the same wind did not seem to impact Burke's throws.  Compare that against where #6 was at during 2010 when he stepped in and led the Cards to the North Region championship, and was a play or two away from defeating UWW.

I don't want to debate the point much as I, too, wanted to see what Tyler could do with more on-field experience.  I just want to express that Spencer Stanek has a lot of talent and potential as well... and, he has two years of eligibility remaining and will be on the field this year while Tyler figures out what direction to take.  We all wish #3 well with his decisions and studies.

Well said

[NCF]

Is anyone else watching the little league world series, u.s. championship? California down 10 to Tenn in the bottom of the 6Th, ties it.

[NCF]

tenn comes back to win 24-16. Crazy game,but fun to watch!

[Mr. Ypsi]

tenn comes back to win 24-16. Crazy game,but fun to win!

Ah, a football score to set off the season!

(Did Tenn have 3 TDs and a FG, and Cali a TD and 3FGs, or was it some other scoring mechanism?)

[NCF]

tenn comes back to win 24-16. Crazy game,but fun to win!

Ah, a football score to set off the season!

(Did Tenn have 3 TDs and a FG, and Cali a TD and 3FGs, or was it some other scoring mechanism?)

Hahahaha. I just was flipping through channels and came upon the game. Got suckered in watching the bottom of the 6th. The comeback was exciting, the meltdown in the top of the 7th-not so much. Football can't get here soon enough!

[Patrick Coleman]

Just a few really effective two-point conversion plays.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

ANYONE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THE 2012 TOP 25 FAN POLL:
Please send me a PM with your ballot. I'd like to get a preseason poll up by Thursday night.

During the season ballots shall be due by Tuesdays so I can get them up Tuesday night.

Remember, this is just fun and we aren't part of the BCS Formula... yet

[USee]

Just had a look at the teams and I agree with the coaches on the top four in the conference.

North Central
Wheaton
IWU
Elmhurst

In that order. I took a look at what each of them has returning and their prospects for this year.

For North Central, I think they lost a lot of playmakers and return a few. This may be a reload year for them and we will get a chance to see just how deep a powerhouse Thorne has built as they will need some young players to step up. Offensively they will be a run-oriented team just as they were a year ago. I think losing Dicken hurts them. No one really remembers much about Stanek but I watched him play a lot 2 years ago. He is an athletic qb but had some really painful turnovers at some key times 2 years ago. He didn't have much patience to stay in the pocket and be a true passer, but he is very capable. The RB situation is stacked with Kukuc and Tassio both back. Losing the big, fast receiver is a blow so with 4 OL returning I expect the Cardinal to be a run dominant offense with a big play action passing game.

Defensively, there is no replacing the likes of Bulandr, Garza and Hayes but they do return a really solid defenive backfield and several other players with key experience. NCC didn't like to blitz and Wabash used that against them by keeping 7 blockers in to give them time against a fierce pass rush. It will be interesting to see if NCC plays more man to man coverage and blitzes more than last year. If they don't have the same pass rush they will have to rely on more pressure. The emergence of their new DL and the play of their QB will be a key. I don't see them beating the conference teams by 20 this year but they are the clear cut favorite.

Wheaton is stacked on offense with 4 OL, 2 stud qb's and a stable of RB's better than they have had in several years. Hiben is the best WR in the conference and Cook, along with Luke and Hunter Thorson (TE) will make them the largest receiving corp the conference has ever seen. I think the shortes receiver in that group is 6-4. Defensively, Dykstra is the NT and he is as good as their is in the league but the other DL is a big question mark. Their LB's should be very good with Dandsdill and Anderson, Vanheest and Higgins. Big questions at the corner. If Wheaton's front 7 can stop the run it will allow Swider and Sandberg to play more zone. If they have to play man coverage to get extra run defenders or blitz to get pressure, you will see opponents make big plays on that secondary. the Kicking game is a question with no Scott Roche on the roster so extra points and FG's could be thrilling for the fans.

IWU is going to be good on offense. Gallik has a year of experience and their WR corps is strong. (what happened to Dayton Burnett?). 3 of the 5 OL are returning along with their TE. Defensively the return of 5th year Sr's Cunningham and Blodgett is absolutely huge. Those two are very good players and they will need to protect a young LB core that has very little game experience. I am not sure about their secondary as I thought Eric Bushong and Scott Wenzel were both JR's but I don't see them in Q's list. Defensively they will need time to find the right players.

Elmhurst has the most returning starters in the league including 4 OL to make holes for the best RB in the conference Scottie Williams. If Elmhurst is going to make a move on the top 3 this is the year. they open conference play at night in Naperville and get both Wheaton and IWU at home. It wouldn't surprise me if they beat 1 or more of those 3 teams this year.

I look for North Park to break their conference ineptitude this year with Millikin, Augie (both in Chicago) and Carthage the likely suspects.

I think NCC will struggle with their preseason slate and it would not surprise me if they lost 1 or even 2 of those games. I expect them to struggle to win the conference but I think they will win the league as they get Wheaton, IWU and Elmhurst in Naperville this year.

Should be a fun fall.