FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[smedindy]

According to Massey: Wabash's SOS is 179, DPU is 88.

Massey has Wabash just at 17 using MOV, DPU is 76.

I believe Wabash's low ranking in Massey is due to the law of diminishing returns (beating up on Oberlin by 30 or 50 is of no difference, really) and the 'creampuff' schedule. The NCAC is ranked lower than the oft-slammed Midwest Conference (home to Monmouth and St. Norbert). DPU is penalized for 'squeaking by'.

The Witt game was a good sign for the LG's - yet they do need to really amp up for the Bell and the first round (which could be an Otterbein team that ain't hay).

What Wabash could hope, if they take care of the Bell, is that Otterbein beat Mt. Union then loses to John Carroll, and Augie or Elmhurst beat North Central. However, the odds of that are the odds of an upset according to 538.com

[D3_DPUFan]

I find it quite easy to believe you guys play harder against us than you do against Trinity and Millsaps.

I agree with you. I've got to believe that while the Tigers are up and play very hard against Trinity and Millsaps, it's up a notch for Wabash. No question in my mind. But I also believe that in any rivalry game, while there are quirky plays, examples of extraordinary effort and surprising results, the better team that day usually wins. Whether it's DePauw-Wabash, Michigan-Ohio State or USC-Notre Dame. After the first couple of series and big hits, the game settles into a battle of the teams that show up that day, IMHO.   

[smedindy]

BTW, just checking out Drake. They're 4-4 and 2-3 in the PFL.

I was interested in the attendance at Drake home games:

vs. Upper Iowa - 3,611
vs. William Penn - 3,398
vs. San Diego - 5,318 (Homecoming)
vs. Campbell - 1,813
vs. Davidson - 2,809

For Wabash, which uses the Harris / Amidon / Fendley (emeritus) attendance estimator:

vs. Chicago - 3,391
vs. Allegheny - 5,011 (homecoming)
vs. Wooster - 4,372
vs. Oberlin - 2,783

Of course, that crowd in Drake's stadium looks small - in Hollett - it's normally packed.

[smedindy]

I find it quite easy to believe you guys play harder against us than you do against Trinity and Millsaps.

I agree with you. I've got to believe that while the Tigers are up and play very hard against Trinity and Millsaps, it's up a notch for Wabash. No question in my mind. But I also believe that in any rivalry game, while there are quirky plays, examples of extraordinary effort and surprising results, the better team that day usually wins. Whether it's DePauw-Wabash, Michigan-Ohio State or USC-Notre Dame. After the first couple of series and big hits, the game settles into a battle of the teams that show up that day, IMHO.   

I think what DPU needs to do is to beat Trinity - much like Wabash beating Wittenberg. Millsaps has been good the past 3 years, but Trinity is...well...Trinity, at least since 1994.

Football
NCAA Playoffs: 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
NCAA Semifinalists: 1998, 1999
NCAA Runner-up: 2002
Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl: 2002
SCAC Champions: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

[DPU3619]

I find it quite easy to believe you guys play harder against us than you do against Trinity and Millsaps.

I do not.  You are the guys who keep saying it - Bell's are nice, conference championships and playoff births are better.  DePauw's players and coaches and fans and parents want that so much more than winning the Bell.  They just can't do it.  They can't beat Trinity.  Just can't.  They're too good.  Millsaps is now entirely too good. 

[wally_wabash]

I find it quite easy to believe you guys play harder against us than you do against Trinity and Millsaps.

I do not.  You are the guys who keep saying it - Bell's are nice, conference championships and playoff births are better.  DePauw's players and coaches and fans and parents want that so much more than winning the Bell.  They just can't do it.  They can't beat Trinity.  Just can't.  They're too good.  Millsaps is now entirely too good. 

If you sign on to the theory that they're just too good, then you'll never beat them.  Ever.  Wittenberg was too good when Wabash joined the NCAC.  Then Wabash went out and got better.  It can be done but not if y'all think that they're just too good.  You're beat before you even step on the field with those guys if that's how you think. 

[D3_DPUFan]

I do not.  You are the guys who keep saying it - Bell's are nice, conference championships and playoff births are better.  DePauw's players and coaches and fans and parents want that so much more than winning the Bell.  They just can't do it.  They can't beat Trinity.  Just can't.  They're too good.  Millsaps is now entirely too good.

I know you're a DePauw guy, Wes...but you're wrong on Trinity. Flat wrong. They beat us and deserved it...but this DPU team is capable of beating this Trinity team without question...it just didn't happen on the road in a tough environment. (and please, Trinity fans, no disrespect meant at all); Millsaps this year is a different story...and next year could well be a different story as well...we shall see...

[old wabash]

enough about witt...woo...and next year!!

I do apologize for momentarily being confused by the thread title "North Coast Athletic Conference".....it's easy to get confused and think it is for posting by fans of all teams in the conference. 

sorry, scottLass..no disrespect.
i was trying to address bash posters...not all.
should have been more clear..certainly don't want to sound "elitist"

[Pat Coleman]

You are the guys who keep saying it - Bell's are nice, conference championships and playoff births are better. 

Oof. I hope they really say bells are nice and playoff berths are better.

[Li'l Giant]

They just can't do it.  They can't beat Trinity.  Just can't.  They're too good.  Millsaps is now entirely too good. 

Until you guys beat them it will seem that way. You've beaten us before, so doing it again is not that big a deal.

You are the guys who keep saying it - Bell's are nice, conference championships and playoff births are better. 

Oof. I hope they really say bells are nice and playoff berths are better.

I'll let the academic stuff slide, Wes. 

[wally_wabash]

You are the guys who keep saying it - Bell's are nice, conference championships and playoff births are better. 

Oof. I hope they really say bells are nice and playoff berths are better.

A good friend missed the 2000 Bell game as his first son was being born in Cincy.  Is that what we're talking about?   

[DPU3619]

Surprisingly, that wasn't entirely DePauw's fault.  I also went to high school in Putnam County.  

Pat doesn't edit my posts like he used to edit my column.

[wab64]

Wes- Just remember that Andrew Jackson once said he had no respect for a man that only knew one way to spell a word!

[DPU3619]

I know you're a DePauw guy, Wes...but you're wrong on Trinity. Flat wrong. They beat us and deserved it...but this DPU team is capable of beating this Trinity team without question...it just didn't happen on the road in a tough environment. (and please, Trinity fans, no disrespect meant at all); Millsaps this year is a different story...and next year could well be a different story as well...we shall see...

I don't really want to bring the SCAC board over here, since it isn't, but it seemed silly to move it, too.  This year, you're right.  They beat us.  Last year they beat us, too.  But, it seems DePauw beat themselves almost as many times as Trinity has run over 'em.  I'm just tired of it, I guess.  Don't take this wrong way, but I've been around DePauw football a few more years than I believe you have, and it's just one heartbreak after another with that particular opponent.  Some years they flat beat us, but some years we blow a 12 point lead in the last 5 minutes or snap a punt out of the endzone and lose the football game.  I'm just frustrated.  We've done it every way possible.  Snatched defeat right out of the jaws of victory a couple of times, so to say.

You're right about the attitude issue, wally.  But, my attitude doesn't have a darned thing to do with whether they win that football game or not.

[Li'l Giant]

But, it seems DePauw beat themselves almost as many times as Trinity has run over 'em.  I'm just tired of it, I guess.  Don't take this wrong way, but I've been around DePauw football a few more years than I believe you have, and it's just one heartbreak after another with that particular opponent.  Some years they flat beat us, but some years we blow a 12 point lead in the last 5 minutes or snap a punt out of the endzone and lose the football game.  I'm just frustrated.  We've done it every way possible.  Snatched defeat right out of the jaws of victory a couple of times, so to say.

Sounds like some Wabash fans between 1996 and 2001.