FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WUPHF]

The UW schools also have many more grad programs, and majors, than other D3 schools.  Most, if not all, 5th years players live off campus.  4 to 6 roommates in a house, so the break down might be 500-600 a month.  You have to live somewhere.

But that was not approach that was mentioned.

Every undergraduate degree involves 120 or so credit hours.  The gray shirting idea was to save one course for the ninth semester.  I get that it happens, I have seen it happen.  But I am not sure how more majors or graduate programs factor in.

Graduate programs may become more of an issue with 5 in 5.
 

I'll never get rid of all the built-in advantages the WIAC has, but this would be a start.

There will always be leagues and schools that have built-in advantages.  Even within the CCIW and WIAC, some have advantages over others, obviously.  I believe this could begin to level the field, that it is possible, but I do not understand how.

[D3fanboy]

First, the pitch isn't that you take a full course-load that 5th fall semester. Just like a player returning with a medical hardship, save a single class required for graduation.

That is exactly what he said in his post.

And yes, the 5 for 5 for football has real potential to level the playing field. Call it 90% of a WIAC Sr class are 5th year players, where most of D3 that percentage is probably flipped. 5 for 5 for football would flatten that advantage, but it's much harder for two semester sports.

On paper, it seems easy to think any league could do Grey Shirting, but sticker shock is real. When most private schools are already more money, explaining to a prospective player (and especially parents) that they'll be doing an extra semester of coursework falls on deaf ears, even if it's probably just a single course.

I still do not understand.

Let's say the aforementioned Iowa college is more expensive, so saving a three credit hour course for a ninth semester at a cost of $2,265 is cost prohibitive.

But the gray-shirting friend at UW-Stout pays $812-1,239 so game changer?

I get it, the average player at Stout may pay less over time and may therefore be more capable of absorbing the extra 8 months of room and board.

But then, how does the 5 in 5 change all that?

The UW schools also have many more grad programs, and majors, than other D3 schools.  Most, if not all, 5th years players live off campus.  4 to 6 roommates in a house, so the break down might be 500-600 a month.  You have to live somewhere.  The bigger problem in D3 is the Kaleb Blaha situation from last year.  That was his 6th year in College. 5 for 5 would eliminate the small number of schools that have a huge advantage over many others.  You'll never get rid of all the built-in advantages the WIAC has, but this would be a start.

That's Dr. Blaha to you!!!  show some respect!!!

[NCC2010]

Here's my guess at NCC's starting lineup on Saturday based on the open practice and scrimmage. 

Offense:
QB Garret Wilson (RS SO)
RB Jordan Williams (SR) / Duke Guenther (RS SO)
WR Jack Rummell (5th yr)
WR Jim Curtin (JR)
WR David Ballard III (SO)
TE Will Diamond (JR) / Dawson Trebolo (SR)
LT Tyson Cramer (SR)
LG Dennis Dracup (SO)
C Austin Roush (SO)
RG Cortez Jones (SR)
RT Jake Buckley (Freshman)

Defense:
DE Bobby Medina (SR)
DT Maverick Ohle (RS JR)
DT Graham Wight (SR)
DE Troy Kashul (SO)
LB Matt Janiak (JR)
LB Philip Carlton Jr. (SR)
OLB Ethan Groark (5th yr)
Safety Brayden Garrigan (SR)
Safety Kyler Green (SR)
CB Kaden Hartnett (SR)
CB Aahil Khan (SO)

While Bethel definitely has more production returning, NCC is only starting 6 out of 22 players that are true sophomore's or younger. 

Whichever team's revamped offensive line plays the best may win the game.  I believe Bethel has 4 new starters and NCC has 3, all of which are pretty young.

Of note, Jarod Thornton has joined the coaching staff. He started 59 games at center for NCC from 2019-2023 and won the Rimington Award for best center in D3 in 2023.  I'm assuming he is mentoring the young guys on the interior offensive line.

The weather could definitely be a factor as well with the up tempo offense Bethel plays.  Currently forecasted for high 80s temp at kickoff and throughout the duration of the game.

[Marmac]

Here's my guess at NCC's starting lineup on Saturday based on the open practice and scrimmage. 

Offense:
QB Garret Wilson (RS SO)
RB Jordan Williams (SR) / Duke Guenther (RS SO)
WR Jack Rummell (5th yr)
WR Jim Curtin (JR)
WR David Ballard III (SO)
TE Will Diamond (JR) / Dawson Trebolo (SR)
LT Tyson Cramer (SR)
LG Dennis Dracup (SO)
C Austin Roush (SO)
RG Cortez Jones (SR)
RT Jake Buckley (Freshman)

Defense:
DE Bobby Medina (SR)
DT Maverick Ohle (RS JR)
DT Graham Wight (SR)
DE Troy Kashul (SO)
LB Matt Janiak (JR)
LB Philip Carlton Jr. (SR)
OLB Ethan Groark (5th yr)
Safety Brayden Garrigan (SR)
Safety Kyler Green (SR)
CB Kaden Hartnett (SR)
CB Aahil Khan (SO)

While Bethel definitely has more production returning, NCC is only starting 6 out of 22 players that are true sophomore's or younger. 

Whichever team's revamped offensive line plays the best may win the game.  I believe Bethel has 4 new starters and NCC has 3, all of which are pretty young.

Of note, Jarod Thornton has joined the coaching staff. He started 59 games at center for NCC from 2019-2023 and won the Rimington Award for best center in D3 in 2023.  I'm assuming he is mentoring the young guys on the interior offensive line.

The weather could definitely be a factor as well with the up tempo offense Bethel plays.  Currently forecasted for high 80s temp at kickoff and throughout the duration of the game.

Is Zeb Rashid healthy? If so, I expect him to emerge as RB1 as the season progresses.

[Patrick Coleman]

I would think they will continue to split up those carries by game situation, yeah.

[NCC2010]

Is Zeb Rashid healthy? If so, I expect him to emerge as RB1 as the season progresses.

They will rotate a bunch but Zeb was clearly the 3rd back in the rotation during the scrimmage against Chicago. If I had a bet, I think Duke Guenther ends up with the most carries on the season, followed by Jordan Williams, and then Zeb.  I could definitely be wrong though.

[D3fanboy]

Is Zeb Rashid healthy? If so, I expect him to emerge as RB1 as the season progresses.

They will rotate a bunch but Zeb was clearly the 3rd back in the rotation during the scrimmage against Chicago. If I had a bet, I think Duke Guenther ends up with the most carries on the season, followed by Jordan Williams, and then Zeb.  I could definitely be wrong though.

nothing more "D3" than a 5'7" RB...love it! Even Pat could run behind the NCC line and get 1k yards.

[Patrick Coleman]

Is Zeb Rashid healthy? If so, I expect him to emerge as RB1 as the season progresses.

They will rotate a bunch but Zeb was clearly the 3rd back in the rotation during the scrimmage against Chicago. If I had a bet, I think Duke Guenther ends up with the most carries on the season, followed by Jordan Williams, and then Zeb.  I could definitely be wrong though.

nothing more "D3" than a 5'7" RB...love it! Even Pat could run behind the NCC line and get 1k yards.

Not sure how many carries that would require! I'm a distance runner, not a sprinter.

[GusD]

I would put NCC as a 2-3pt favorite specifically because of home field advantage. NCC has a lot to replace (which they have done consistently in the past) vs Bethel who has a lot returning. Bethel has more experience in this game (80% of Off/Def production returning vs NCC at 62%).

For Mt Union @Wheaton I don't know what to make of Wheaton as a 6.5 pt favorite vs a team they have NEVER defeated and it hasn't been particularly close. This is the first time they play at McCully Stadium but that's a small difference in spread. The Raiders are replacing 15 starters and have 2 new coordinators but like NCC, they have typically had no problem reloading and Mt Union's QB, Mikey Maloney (2nd team preseason AA), crushed the Thunder last September in Alliance. The Thunder do bring back 7 starters on offense including their Gagliardi semifinalist QB but are replacing 2-3 OL and will be starting 3 new players in the defensive backfield while trying to replace one of the nations best in TFL on the DL (Johanik). I would have Mt Union as a single digit favorite in this game.

A single digit such as 1, or a single digit like 9 or close to it? 🤗 😉

Yes! 

Considering your intelligence, knowledge of the game, and analytic ability, the fans, as I believe you're aware, are looking for a specific number. 🤩

[GusD]

Is Zeb Rashid healthy? If so, I expect him to emerge as RB1 as the season progresses.

They will rotate a bunch but Zeb was clearly the 3rd back in the rotation during the scrimmage against Chicago. If I had a bet, I think Duke Guenther ends up with the most carries on the season, followed by Jordan Williams, and then Zeb.  I could definitely be wrong though.

nothing more "D3" than a 5'7" RB...love it! Even Pat could run behind the NCC line and get 1k yards.

Not sure how many carries that would require! I'm a distance runner, not a sprinter.

Is Zeb Rashid healthy? If so, I expect him to emerge as RB1 as the season progresses.

They will rotate a bunch but Zeb was clearly the 3rd back in the rotation during the scrimmage against Chicago. If I had a bet, I think Duke Guenther ends up with the most carries on the season, followed by Jordan Williams, and then Zeb.  I could definitely be wrong though.

nothing more "D3" than a 5'7" RB...love it! Even Pat could run behind the NCC line and get 1k yards.

Not sure how many carries that would require! I'm a distance runner, not a sprinter.

Well then, not really that many carries as being a distance runner you'd undoubtedly break off several long gainers! 

[Patrick Coleman]

Fun idea, except for all of those sprinters chasing me down!

[USee]

Wheaton will start 2 OL that haven't started a game previously. They will have a veteran QB, RB and WR room that all contributed significantly throughout the playoffs last year. If the OLine can gel, this has a chance to be one of the better offensive units Wheaton has had in a while. Defensively 3 of the front 4 have started games (Kroger, Maxton Leathers, Owen Downing) and a Junior at DE Ethan Brunner. 3 of the 4 DL backups are seniors and I believe the Thunder will play 7-8 guys on the DL in true platoon style. At LB they return Zeke Harris, an AA at MLB and 2 guys with playing experience in Luke Hegge and Brett Dieter. In the secondary they have AA Colin Moore at safety and all three other spots are juniors with at least some experience in Harvan, Reeves and Haas.

Mt Union's biggest question mark appears to be WR where they return just 20 receptions of production from last years team. Mikey Maloney is a stud at QB (31 TDs, 3 INT, 71% completion avg and ran for 480 yds--most of it against Wheaton!). Their RB, Minner, is a returnng co-starter at 6.8 ypc and they have a dynamic freshman named Bo Bokman who can run between the tackles, catch the ball and return punts for good measure. he will likely have a large role in the offense.  Up front they have 3 returning starters and will rely on a freshman and a soph with 7 games of exp at the other two spots. On defense Mt Union is replacing a lot up front. They have Gabe Ganelli and Corey Gibson back at DT and Bandit and they get Jackson Harris who was a starter  at DT in 2024 back. They are starting 2 sophomores at the othe 2 DL spots. At LB and Spur they have 2 soph's and a Jr in those spots Gavin Ehrhardt is the most experienced LB returning (53 tackles in '25). In the secondary they have 2 soph corners and Levak and Adelman are the returners at safety.

Mt Union's Qb is the real deal and if they can answer the WR question they will be tough again on offense. Mt Union, despite the headlines of their QB, is 60/40 run pass.

Last year the Mount offense got going off the jump and the Wheaton offense stalled until the 2H. Wheaton will have to start fast against this group as they don't want to be playing catch up for a second time.

The NCC v Bethel game kicks at noon Central and Wheaton v Mt Union is at 1pm so folks can catch the beginning and/or end of whichever game they prefer (or stream em both online!).