FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Otterbein is in the poll at #21 so that makes sense regarding the clerical error. I would hope that's it. But even then, is that okay? That you're voting on the best 25 teams in D3 and you don't know the difference between Otterbein and Oberlin

Somebody looks at these ballots and tallies up the points...probably the same somebody that does it every single week.  So if you are that somebody and you see a voter put 1-4 Oberlin who just got blasted by Chicago in at #20 on their ballot, shouldn't a red flag go up?  Wouldn't you call or email that voter and confirm that they really wanted to vote for Oberlin as opposed to publishing a result that makes your poll look like trash?  And if you don't care enough about the integrity of your poll to follow up on such an obvious mistake like this one, why bother to even publish a poll in the first place?

[Li'l Giant]

I guess that assumes the person doing the tallying knows that Oberlin is not Otterbein, and that Oberlin lost to Chicago. It may well be some administrative assistant who doesn't know anything. Just counts points.

Either way, it's bad. I'm glad Pat's poll is around.

[wally_wabash]

I guess that assumes the person doing the tallying knows that Oberlin is not Otterbein, and that Oberlin lost to Chicago. It may well be some administrative assistant who doesn't know anything. Just counts points.

Either way, it's bad. I'm glad Pat's poll is around.

They could send the ballots to me.   I'd count up the points and protect them from this kind of nonsense.  And I'd do it for fruh.   

[bashbrother]

maybe he/she knows something we don't.... some kind of Yeoman secret weapon.  

With RV down, maybe Maurice Clarrett is coming out of retirement?  OR maybe they defeated my Cougs in a sandlot game on Sunday. 

[wally_wabash]

I'm not sure he's going to be able make it in time to help the Obies in '08.   

[bashbrother]

Classic....Wally.   Your library is vast.

[jam40jeff]

Otterbein is in the poll at #21 so that makes sense regarding the clerical error. I would hope that's it. But even then, is that okay? That you're voting on the best 25 teams in D3 and you don't know the difference between Otterbein and Oberlin

Somebody looks at these ballots and tallies up the points...probably the same somebody that does it every single week.  So if you are that somebody and you see a voter put 1-4 Oberlin who just got blasted by Chicago in at #20 on their ballot, shouldn't a red flag go up?  Wouldn't you call or email that voter and confirm that they really wanted to vote for Oberlin as opposed to publishing a result that makes your poll look like trash?  And if you don't care enough about the integrity of your poll to follow up on such an obvious mistake like this one, why bother to even publish a poll in the first place?

Does anyone know how that poll is voted on?  It could be an automated system (something like ScanTron or even computerized entry of picks) where a computer automatically tallies the votes.  If that is the case, a human probably is supposed to read over the results, but in that case it could have simply been missed.

If a human was compiling the results, they definitely should have wondered what was going on.  Then again, who's to say they didn't question it, call the person voting, and get either the response, "Don't question my vote!", or "The NCAA ruled that Lee Suggs could suit up for the rest of the season now that he doesn't have RV Carroll to coach."

[Li'l Giant]

I'm not sure he's going to be able make it in time to help the Obies in '08.   

You play football?

Oklahoma Ohio State.

Oklahoma Ohio State U?

Prison.

[BashBacker#16]

Wabash Press Release with Witt Preview...  http://www.wabash.edu/sports/docs/ReleaseOct1420081.pdf

Nice mention in Around the Region about the possibility of Wabash having a 3,000 yard passer (Matt Hudson), a 1,000 yard receiver (Kody Lemond), and a 1,000 yard rusher (Bobby Kimp).

[smedindy]

Hmmm...that poll will be news to Oberlin, where I asked about football during my client visit and the comment was : "Hey, we're a lot better than we used to be!" And the alums that care about athletics are happy about the direction of the program. Sure, that's a limited amount, but anything is an improvement.

Of course, the majority of Oberlin alums would like to compare about the rankings of their conservatory grads. And if my daughters were proficient enough in an instrument, that's where I'd send them. (Though Katie is kind of a fashion prima-donna at age 6 3/4, so I don't know what she'd think about the granola outfits at Oberlin).

Also, I do realize that a lot of the Wabash players know about playoff experience. However, the soft schedule, while not Wabash's fault, can be a hurdle in seeding as well.

[wally_wabash]

Also, I do realize that a lot of the Wabash players know about playoff experience. However, the soft schedule, while not Wabash's fault, can be a hurdle in seeding as well.

As I thought about this today, I became a bit concerned here.  If we end up with a North region stacked with three, four, or even five undefeated teams, Wabash may not grade out very well against the other undefeateds.  First, Wabash's game with Washington was non-regional and essentially doesn't count, leaving Wabash with just nine regional wins as opposed to the 10 that are possible for CWRU, Wheaton, and NCC.  Even though Mount Union traditionally only carries nine regional games with little detriment, it could be a concern for Wabash.  Also, Wabash's QoWI is probably going to be pretty bad (thanks to the UAA basically handing the NCAC it's collective tookus in year 1 of the agreement).  It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out if we end up with a plethora of undefeated teams.

[smedindy]

Let us hope that the carnage that happened this weekend in D-1 and the NFL happens in D-3 very soon.

I mean, look at this lineup of smart guys:

Vanderbilt - 5-1 - #27 Sagarin
Northwestern 5-1 - #34 Sagarin
Duke 3-2 - #40 Sagarin
Navy 4-2 - #46 Sagarin
Stanford 4-3 - #47 Sagarin
Rice 3-3 - #76 Sagarin

If those six teams can get bowl eligible in the same season (which they all have a chance to as of now), there's hope for anyone!

[jam40jeff]

Also, I do realize that a lot of the Wabash players know about playoff experience. However, the soft schedule, while not Wabash's fault, can be a hurdle in seeding as well.

As I thought about this today, I became a bit concerned here.  If we end up with a North region stacked with three, four, or even five undefeated teams, Wabash may not grade out very well against the other undefeateds.  First, Wabash's game with Washington was non-regional and essentially doesn't count, leaving Wabash with just nine regional wins as opposed to the 10 that are possible for CWRU, Wheaton, and NCC.  Even though Mount Union traditionally only carries nine regional games with little detriment, it could be a concern for Wabash.  Also, Wabash's QoWI is probably going to be pretty bad (thanks to the UAA basically handing the NCAC it's collective tookus in year 1 of the agreement).  It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out if we end up with a plethora of undefeated teams.

I believe Case only has 9 in-region games as Rochester is in the East Region.  Wheaton and NCC do both have 10 in-region games.

This may be the wrong forum for this, but could somebody explain to me the importance of in-region wins (and the rationale behind it)?  If they are so important, how would WashU ever make the playoffs (they play 4 games out of their region)?  Thanks.

[ADL70]

WUStL has 6 in region games.  In region games include the two UAA teams in the North region.  Any team w/in a two hundred mile radius (a criterion which the NCAA has also messed up in the past) is also in region as are teams in the same region for overall NCAA administration.

Only in region games are considered for the NCAA's regional rankings which are used for playoff selectin and seeding.  It's kind of a wash for WUStL.  If the Witt win were in region it would help them, but then the Wabash loss would hurt (though maybe not as much as the Witt would help.

"Why" has never been stated officially to my knowledge.  To me the biggest reason would be greater likelihood of common opponents for the committee to compare.

At least that's my understanding.  Others should have a more official explanation.  Go to one of the General Football boards or the NCAA's site to find the Playoff Handbook.


http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/champ_handbooks/football/2008/3_football_handbook.pdf
This is the reason  I would like to see the NCAC-UAA schedule evolve into three NCAC teams joining the UAA for football.

[wally_wabash]

The Rochester game is in fact non-regional.  I misread that when I made the post yesterday. 

As far as how would Wash U ever make the playoffs with only 6 regional games...I think the regional game handicap is a common occurance amongst pool B candidates.  The fact of the matter is that if you're an independent or play in a conference with just three other teams, finding games once everybody else starts playing their conference schedule is next to impossible.  Filling a 9 ro 10 games schedule is almost going to have to require you to find non-regional or even non-divisional opponents.  Where this would become a serious problem is if there are a surplus of good pool B teams and some of those pool B teams have to put their resumés up against pool C candidates who are likely going to have 9 or 10 regional games. 

This is the reason  I would like to see the NCAC-UAA schedule evolve into three NCAC teams joining the UAA for football.

I can't support this at all!  Here's a thought...if the UAA wants an AQ (and they should), they need to get some of their other member schools to bring football into the fold.  Rochester already has a team (Rochester hosts the official UAA website!!!) but for whatever reason plays in the LL.  If the other UAA schools want nothing to do with football, then I'd suggest that the UAA should discontinue it's sponsorship of football and those four teams would be best to find a conference to play in....that is much more palatable than the idea of poaching three teams from the NCAC.