FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[OldTymer20]

OWU's first 3 losses last year came at the hands of Franklin (Playoff Team) Catholic, and Wabash (Playoff Team) however, games 2 and 3 they scored a combined 14 points after their QB went down, and their defense allowed only 15 to wabash who they don't play this year. Also both games on the road last year against Wooster and Wittenberg were decided in the final minute. (13-9, 21-16). It was obvious that Hymes was missed.

OWU brings back 9 starters on offense and 9 starters on defense on a team which has 25 returning seniors. If they can win against Wooster and Witt early, both of whom which struggled last year against OWU at home, then the NCAC race can get very interesting. Their remaining games are against Oberlin, Kenyon, Hiram, Earlham and Allegheny...all games which they should win. Games against Carnegie, Washington, and Case shall also be great tests for OWU.

Wabash will be solid like always and possibly Wittenberg, but Wooster and Allegheny leave question marks.  However like we have seen in the past all four of them and OWU can make for yet another exciting race. And what is the deal with Oberlin? Good year last year or was it luck? Can someone help me on that one?

Who has some good predictions next year from 1-10?

[wally_wabash]

Good take OT.  Certainly I agree that if OWU can win their two big September games that they are going to be right there until the final week.  Allegheny is a tough win always, especially on the road which is where OWU finishes up.   I do think that if OWU is going to Allegheny with a perfect conference record on the line and possibly the NCAC bid to the playoffs that OWU would win that game.  Confidence is a big, big factor late in the season. 

I would also say that Witt will not possibly be solid...Witt will definitely be solid.  The Tigers have a ton coming back on both sides and have home field on the LGs this fall (the home team has won every game in that series since the OT game in Springfield in '02). 

Predictions....maybe a bit too early for that.  I'll take the summer to ponder.   

[bashbrother]

Another factor when talking about Witt, for the first time in 3 years, they do not have an early season match-up with Capital and/or Dayton and there is a real chance that they will come into the Wabash game (Oct. 18th) undefeated and with a ton of confidence. 

The Wabash/Witt game has truly turned into a gem.   It has everything that a rivalry needs to grow.

Wabash Rivalry Formula

1.  Close games
2.  Good against Evil
3.  Recently, the winner typically gets a playoff birth. (Exception, Depauw even if they win, still doesn't go to the playoffs  )
4.  Fan support
5.  Great tailgate

CR and Co. better have the Little Giants ready to play.   Because Witt was very, very young and good last year.   I think after the Conference meetings, Wabash & Witt will be 1 & 2 (? on the order) with Wooster, OWU and AC. filling in the 3 thru 5 positions.   With their schedule and Senior leader returning, I could see OWU getting the 3rd spot.

[nike]

Hollway called it at last year's kickoff in August.
Question is will Hymes play more than underclassmen. Hollway has a history of playing "the next great quarterback" sooner than later.  Maybe my memory is fading, but did Hymes move out Sir Louis or did Sir Louis get hurt?
Also, is CP Porter still at Wabash, or did he leave?  Been gone a lot and have not read old posts yet.

[BashDad]

Hollway called it at last year's kickoff in August.
Question is will Hymes play more than underclassmen. Hollway has a history of playing "the next great quarterback" sooner than later.  Maybe my memory is fading, but did Hymes move out Sir Louis or did Sir Louis get hurt?
Also, is CP Porter still at Wabash, or did he leave?  Been gone a lot and have not read old posts yet.

what did Hollway call?

Before the 2005 game against Wabash, I remember there was a ton of talk around Sir Louis and then he got benched half-way through. I never knew what happened, but they split time the rest of the year.

[BashDad]

Oh, and Bro: that's a great point about Witt not having a capital or dayton on their early schedule.
Those games had to be killer not just for confidence, but chemistry and rhythm within the team. There's something to be said for getting on a roll and they certainly have that opportunity this year. That, and with what's-his-face being a junior now and throwing less picks, they'll be good to go, I reckon, for the later games on their schedule.

[bashbrother]

3.......Huffman I believe.   Throws a good ball.  Hopefully he wears socks this year. If he would have had socks.........thats a TD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRDL5ftQ2UE

I still wonder if he would've gotten in.  T. Bell (?) had a good angle.

[wab64]

3.......Huffman I believe.   Throws a good ball.  Hopefully he wears socks this year. If he would have had socks.........thats a TD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRDL5ftQ2UE

I still wonder if he would've gotten in.  T. Bell (?) had a good angle.

I looked at the clip again, for about the 20th time, and note that Bell and another were closing fast AND there were at least 5 more yards of hashmarks before the goal line. Interesting speculation and brings the fever back a little early. It was a remarkable play for all that.
     Grazing through the other sites, I discovered a post-and website in the Upper Midwest conference (west region) for the College of St Scholastica and Coach Greg Carlson-2 good pieces about creating a program from scratch in Hockey country. Best of luck to Hall of Fame Coach Carlson.

[wally_wabash]

3.......Huffman I believe.   Throws a good ball.  Hopefully he wears socks this year. If he would have had socks.........thats a TD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRDL5ftQ2UE

I still wonder if he would've gotten in.  T. Bell (?) had a good angle.

That was so close.  The collective breath of the Wabash sideline was taken away when that ball went in the air and everybody saw Vanover wide open up the sideline.  Safe to say that I think we're all glad it didn't have to come down to whether or not Bell had an angle or not. 

Here's an interesting question about Witt/Wabash 2008...with a new staff at Wabash, who has an advantage?  Fincham is going to have to prepare for something completely different than he's been gearing up to beat for the last seven years, particularly with his offense as we all know that the defensive scheme is getting a major overhaul at Wabash.  Raeburn has certainly coached against his share of really good teams in the IIAC, but he hasn't necessarily prepped for what Coach Fincham brings against Wabash.  Does one staff have an advantage here or is it a push? 

[BashDad]

I'd raise my hand for 'push.' That late in the season, they'll have enough tape to chew on. Fincham's good.

Secondary question: when Neathery and his corners-drop-to-chicago-while-stu-looks-for-that-week's-hammer defense came to town, the result was a stupid amount of TOs in favor of the red and white. I'm curious what Raeburn's D will look like (it's a two-spoke right? do they roll?) and if there will be any kind of corollary in terms of turnover margin. I suppose new defenses come along all the time and don't result in that many take-aways but, uh, whatever. that'd be sweet.

it's late. i just typed "the end" on a script that's been a year in the works. that's sweet, also.

someone wanna pay for these movies someday?

alright.

[nike]

BashDad:
Hollway said at last year's golf and press conference in Gambier or Granville, where the coaches all come together in August, not sure where that is, that Hymes might return for a fourth year at OWU.  He was right.
Is CP Porter still at Wabash?

[BashBacker#16]

Nike - he wasn't at Wabash for the Spring semester but word is still out whether he will come back.  For more reasons then football, I really hope he can return to school.

BashDad - I'll buy!   

On a coaching staff note:  Sounds like Bash finalized their staff recently with a Bowling Green grad - I believed he played OL, not sure what he will coach but sounds like a solid  addition.

Wabash Always Fights!

[wabco]

Believe CP had/has some issues not negative to him and not involving Wabash.  He is a good kid who will benefit from Wabash College.  I hope he can get back to us ... not having anything to do with football (if he never came out that would be fine if he was able to come back) ... but Wabash football would benefit as well if he is able and does.

Just talked with a senior lineman.  He is excited about the Coaches and the new systems.  He says D will be a new look and approach.  O will have more facets and alternative tools.  He sees the central strength as in the O and D line returning (not only last years starters but augmented by those recovered from last year's injuries along with some Frosh to Soph maturity).  Of course, he is a lineman.  Needs are to replace graduating linebackers and also receivers ... of course along with RB getting stronger.

However, he said Wabash had a great spring ball learning new systems and is "ready to go", and he sees Wabash as "better" not worse or the same.

[short]

When do the SIDs of the NCAC start getting the 2008 Season Previews Done?

[BashBacker#16]

Short - I had heard Witt's was completed but I cannot find it yet.

If I find it, I'll post the link...

BB16