FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Wabash's D is down from a year ago...

I won't pile on too much, but this is 100% erroneous. 

And it's also worth noting that for as thoroughly as DePauw outplayed Wabash last year (and they did), DePauw needed a miracle field goal to win the game.  It's not like the Tigers ran away and hid from Wabash even though the difference in play would have warranted it.  Fast forward a year....Wabash's defense is playing much better.  Jeremiah Marks isn't walking through that door.  It's a totally different situation this time around. 

And...though some on here will vehemently disagree with me...I am of the opinion that in the last few years, the DePauw game has been downgraded from what it used to be...at least from the Wabash side. If we go undefeated in our conference...then, like last year, DPU will have the mental edge...because it doesn't matter if we win against DPU or not...we still go to the playoffs. And for some, that is just fine... However, with the older guard...even for those of us who played in the playoffs...the DPU game is the most important game of the year. So...like you...I think the Monon Bell game is going to be a knock-down, drag-out battle...war...I will be there...remembering what it was like before Wabash became Dannieized in the way they handle the game...and rooting for the team in Red. 

Dannieized?!?  That's dangerously close to the line, 78.  Nobody has ever said that the Bell isn't important.  It certainly is.  12,000 people aren't going to show up to a game that isn't important.  But it's ok to desire some of the other prizes in the sport also.

[BashBacker#16]

Fripp,

As if Wabash has the "cream puff" schedule and then gets BLASTED by DePauw each year in the Bell game...newsflash...that doesn't happen!  Lynch beat us in 2004 (by a TD) and then last year's game with a last second field goal.  How close was the game in 2002 after our "cream puff" schedule?  Uh, it was 35-zip at half - YAWN.  So, I would say, until you start beating Bash on a regular basis by larger margins, you have no case.  The fact that Wabash is now routinely ranked in the top 25 (top 10) and makes playoff runs, drives you crazy!  The 2 programs are still on different levels - its not hard to see that.

Scotlass, BnG, ScotsFan, DarksideD, etc. - are you making the trip tomorrow?

[Black n Gold]

Just to clear things up..........Sheppard is not going to take a medical redshirt (coming from a very reiliable source) and we may even see the BIG 20 dressed and ready to play tomorrow! The combination of Sheppard, Bush and Flagg will make things interesting. A nice mixture of power with Sheppard and the slashing speed that Bush and Flagg bring to the table may make things closer than people think. And I haven't even mentioned the leading rusher Holter.

Yes Monkeystomper, I will be in attendance tomorrow........ 

[BashBacker#16]

BnG - just for clarification...."monkeystomper" is Wabco.   

...should be set up by 11 AM...planning to unseat the Roncalli contingent's prime location...featured entree tomorrow..."Ralph's Famous Buffalo Wings"

Shep or no Shep...bring it!  Bash will.

Wabash Always Fights!

[ScotLass]

Scotlass, BnG, ScotsFan, DarksideD, etc. - are you making the trip tomorrow?

You silly Bashbacker.....but of course the Scotlass will be in attendance, anything less would be like questioning whether or not Wabash always Fights    I will begin the adventure by heading to Indiana later this afternoon.

I'll be the one in the Gorilla suit.....the better to smackdown pesky monkeys

[ScotsFan]

Scotlass, BnG, ScotsFan, DarksideD, etc. - are you making the trip tomorrow?

I won't be making the loooooong trek to C'ville tomorrow.  Instead, I will be gleefully (  )attending my twin girls' 5th birthday party with their entire preschool class at Wooster's version of Chuck E Cheese.  Prayers are welcome...        

[Black n Gold]

My bad BB16, you Wabash folk really aren't that bad........this board makes the workday go a lot quicker.

TGIF, One more night!

[bashbrother]

Scotlass, BnG, ScotsFan, DarksideD, etc. - are you making the trip tomorrow?

You silly Bashbacker.....but of course the Scotlass will be in attendance, anything less would be like questioning whether or not Wabash always Fights    I will begin the adventure by heading to Indiana later this afternoon.

I'll be the one in the Gorilla suit.....the better to smackdown pesky monkeys

[wally_wabash]

Who expects Wooster to employ the "Vince Young in the Rose Bowl" game plan tomorrow?  I think Wooster's chances tomorrow rely entirely on Holter having the game of his life.  Wabash won't be gift-wrapping games for anybody again anytime soon.  It's going to be on Holter's shoulders to get to the end zone...multiple times. 

[wabndy]

The fact that Wabash is now routinely ranked in the top 25 (top 10) and makes playoff runs, drives you crazy!  The 2 programs are still on different levels - its not hard to see that.

To preempt the dannies - let me pose this question.  DePauw has an 0-9 record against Trinity.  The SCAC is not a traditional pool C conference.  If Wabash played Trinity every year for the last 9 years - what would our record against them be?

[02 Warhawk]

IMO. Wabash is going to win tomorrow, no doubt about it. I would have considered the Scotts if the game was in Wooster, and/or if they played a tighter game against Case.....but they aren't and they didn't. Wabash wins 24-10.

[firstdown]

There is no sound sweeter than the one the you heard walking up to Hollett for a play off game and hearing the Monon Bell ringing.

[wally_wabash]

The fact that Wabash is now routinely ranked in the top 25 (top 10) and makes playoff runs, drives you crazy!  The 2 programs are still on different levels - its not hard to see that.

To preempt the dannies - let me pose this question.  DePauw has an 0-9 record against Trinity.  The SCAC is not a traditional pool C conference.  If Wabash played Trinity every year for the last 9 years - what would our record against them be?

The DePauw/Trinity relationship is an interesting one.  DePauw went to the SCAC knowing that Trinity was the undisputed king of that mountain.  In 11 years (slight correction wabndy...DePauw is 0-10 against the Trinity Tigers...their best chance was probably the game they skipped because of a hurricane), DePauw hasn't figured out how to beat them.  Contrast that to the Wabash/Wittenberg situation....Wabash entered the NCAC with Wittenberg holding a similarly prominent spot at the top of the NCAC as Trinity did with the SCAC.  Going a step further, the two teams had similar national reputations....very highly ranked, etc. etc.  After taking one in the teeth in the first meeting, Wabash played Witt tough in 2001, then beat them in 2002 (and once again in the playoffs just for good measure).  Wittenberg (and Wabash for that matter) hasn't been the same since. 

And so here we are, 10 full seasons after DePauw left for the South and they haven't been able to the climb the mountain.  A mountain not dissimilar to the one Wabash scaled in just three seasons.  Worse for DePauw is that now not only can they not beat Trinity, but now they've been lapped by Millsaps.  DePauw is playing for third place every year.  Not that I'm shedding any tears for them, but I imagine that has to be frustrating at some point. 

[BashBacker#16]

Firstdown - EXCELLENT comment, agree 110%.  Also a sweet sound AFTER a playoff win while enjoying post-game tailgate and fire.

B Harris on it as usual:  Gamenotes...Wabash vs. Wooster  
http://www.wabash.edu/sports/docs/footballstats/2008/WoosterFootballGamenotes2008.pdf

Prediction time - Wabash 31, Wooster 14

[wabco]

Prediction?  What I said earlier:  Wabash by a case plus 3 (the three points Case left on the table).  That translates .... yes you know it:  monkeystomp