FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Jbothe]

North Central/IWU was closer than expected. Did IWU have a lot of time of possession?  NC miss some scoring opportunities? 

[Nitzermania]

As a Wheaton fan, I hoped for but did not expect to receive a first round game against the UMAC champion, Crown.  I sense the bracket creators gave that as an offering with the downside of playing the #2 team in the NPI, Wartburg, the following week.  I'm hoping that Wheaton on a good day, healing up from some injuries, can compete with the Knights!

[CarollFan]

As a Wheaton fan, I hoped for but did not expect to receive a first round game against the UMAC champion, Crown.  I sense the bracket creators gave that as an offering with the downside of playing the #2 team in the NPI, Wartburg, the following week.  I'm hoping that Wheaton on a good day, healing up from some injuries, can compete with the Knights!

Tough road for Wheaton. One game at a time.

https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/bracket

[Nitzermania]

As a Wheaton fan, I hoped for but did not expect to receive a first round game against the UMAC champion, Crown.  I sense the bracket creators gave that as an offering with the downside of playing the #2 team in the NPI, Wartburg, the following week.  I'm hoping that Wheaton on a good day, healing up from some injuries, can compete with the Knights!

Tough road for Wheaton. One game at a time.

https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/bracket

Yep.  Can't even look past Crown

[USee]

I mean there wasn't going to be a good spot for Wheaton. The other option was to play either Coe or CUW in round 1 and then go to Bethel in Round 2 if they won. Not sure that's a lot better than Crown/Wartburg. At least they are opposite NCC and Mt Union! I don't mind this bracket overall at all.

I think NCC's draw is pretty good as well. Not easy, but better than it could be as UWRF is on the opposite side and Mt Union isn't until the Semi's if both teams make it.

[USee]

What a difference a year makes. Wheaton went 8-2 last year and missed the playoffs. At 8-2 this year they are in. The difference was a loss to UWO in the WIAC last year vs a loss to Mt Union this year. Hopefully this type of result helps other top 25 teams schedule the big boys (NCC, Mt Union, top WIAC schools) as the benefits are pretty clear.....

[CarollFan]

Isthmus bowl announcement. It is WashU vs. UWS.

https://x.com/isthmusbowl/status/1990188956810375267?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[CarollFan]

For WashU fans not familiar with UWS, they are the team Wheaton beat last year 35-32.

This year they are 5-5 with all 5 losses being to playoff teams. The 4 WIAC playoff teams and also Wartburg.

[CarollFan]

North Central/IWU was closer than expected. Did IWU have a lot of time of possession?  NC miss some scoring opportunities? 

I didn't see the game but looking at the stats NCC had a little over 36 minutes of possession. Their RB Donovan McNeal rushed for 202 yds.

I did read early in the 4rth Q IWU had a chance to make it 17-14 getting down to the NCC 4 yd line but got stopped on 4rth down. Looks like Smyth started at QB for IWU.

[hazzben]

As a Wheaton fan, I hoped for but did not expect to receive a first round game against the UMAC champion, Crown.  I sense the bracket creators gave that as an offering with the downside of playing the #2 team in the NPI, Wartburg, the following week.  I'm hoping that Wheaton on a good day, healing up from some injuries, can compete with the Knights!

Tough road for Wheaton. One game at a time.

https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/bracket

Yep.  Can't even look past Crown

Wheaton will obliterate Crown. Hamline's lone win on the season was 28-21 over Crown. Their line play is atrocious and their QB's stats are inflated by the UMAC. It will be a blood bath. If it's within 35 points Wheaton is in for a world of hurt against Wartburg.