FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashbrother]

3 -

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.   You're a pro and I don't mean an Evansville Bluecat. 

[wally_wabash]

So much to discuss...

Regarding ticket sellouts...I know several fellow Wallies that have long since abandoned the idea of going to Greencastle for the game in odd numbered years.  Every other year, the list of rules and restrictions grows and grows and it becomes more and more difficult to get down and enjoy the game day atmosphere.  DPU's administration clearly feels that this event is a burden.  Whether it's through ticket limitation (we're a dozen years beyond the last really ugly event at one of these games...it's time to turn the page) or through this always growing list of restrictions, it's clear that guests aren't all that welcome on campus for this event.  It's too bad, because we have the best game in Division III and it should be treated by the host institution as the celebration of rivalry and sport that it is.  It's increasingly difficult to take part in this celebration every other year.  With telecast parties and the relative ubiquity of HDNet such that people can watch the game either with other fans in a public location or from their own recliners at home, it's easy to see why so many people choose to skip the game and DPU's tyranny every other year.  It's not about the $5...$5 doesn't matter.  The principle of that $5 does. 

And who cares if the stands aren't crammed asses to elbows with people?  Is the goal to pack everybody into the stadium like sardines, or is the goal to make the game accessible to as many people as possible?  I think the obvious answer is the latter...DPU seems to disagree, which is sad.  More evidence that they just aren't interested letting this event be what it should be. 

Regarding TOP....who gives a flip?  TOP might be the most worthless statistic in the book.  You can score in 7 minutes or you can score in 7 seconds.  The result is the same.  The goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  Do that more than the other guy, and you win.  You don't get bonus points for bleeding the clock. 

Regarding running...Wabash does NOT need to run to win.  Wabash did not lose last year because they didn't run.  They lost because they didn't play much defense and they didn't hang on to the football.  If Wabash can run, that's a bonus and I think it bodes very well for Wabash winning.  But it won't be necessary. 

I do think the defense is playing better this year, particularly in the secondary (where it's been a patchwork operation all year...I don't think all of Wabash's top DBs have all been healthy and playing together at any point all year).  That secondary will be tested on Saturday and we'll have to wait and see if they've figured some things out about DPU's passing game. 

The biggest key to Saturday for Wabash is going to be the quarterback play, as BashDad has mentioned.  Wabash's run game has been nearly nonexistent in big games over the last couple of years.  I hope it gets going on Saturday, but I'd be unrealistic to be counting on it.  Wabash will have to THROW to win.  And not just throw, but throw with accuracy and precision exclusively to the guys in white jerseys.  Turnovers will doom Wabash...as they do most teams. 

[D3_DPUFan]

Regarding TOP....who gives a flip?  TOP might be the most worthless statistic in the book.  You can score in 7 minutes or you can score in 7 seconds.  The result is the same.  The goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  Do that more than the other guy, and you win.  You don't get bonus points for bleeding the clock. 

The point is is you have the ball the other team CAN'T score, Einstein.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Regarding TOP....who gives a flip?  TOP might be the most worthless statistic in the book.  You can score in 7 minutes or you can score in 7 seconds.  The result is the same.  The goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  Do that more than the other guy, and you win.  You don't get bonus points for bleeding the clock. 

The point is is you have the ball the other team CAN'T score, Einstein.   

Alas, not true.

A 'pick-6' is the only thing keeping IWU from being 9-0 and in the discussion for #1 seeds (their SOS is higher than MUC, UWW, St. John's, Wesley, etc.).

[D3_DPUFan]

WHAT?

[Mr. Ypsi]

WHAT?

We HAD the ball, they intercepted for a TD which was the difference in the game.  Having the ball does NOT make it impossible for the other team to score, Einstein.

Additionally, of course, the defense could return a fumble for a TD, block a punt for a TD, or score a safety.

[D3_DPUFan]

OK, let me explain this slowly. Having the ball means you KEEP the ball...you don't TURN IT OVER! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

OK, let me explain this slowly. Having the ball means you KEEP the ball...you don't TURN IT OVER! 

OK, let me explain this slowly, 'having the ball' does NOT guarantee (on any given play) that you will 'keep the ball'.

On the more general point of TOP, in a playoff game a few years ago Augustana won the TOP over MUC by about 48-12.  MUC won the game by roughly the same score!

[BashDad]

Stop being retarded. His point is valid. You could have a TOP of 60:00 and still lose if you throw x number of picks for touchdowns. Simmer.

[wally_wabash]

Regarding TOP....who gives a flip?  TOP might be the most worthless statistic in the book.  You can score in 7 minutes or you can score in 7 seconds.  The result is the same.  The goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  Do that more than the other guy, and you win.  You don't get bonus points for bleeding the clock. 

The point is is you have the ball the other team CAN'T score, Einstein.   

Shenandoah leads the nation in TOP.  They are 1-8, have lost 8 games in a row, and give up over 20 points per game.  Westminster is fifth in TOP.  They are 3-6 and give up over 30 points per game.  TOP isn't an indicator of anything.  

[D3_DPUFan]

What's your point for God's sake? Wisconsin Whitewater is 4th and 9-0; Linfield is 8-0; DePauw is 7-1. GOOD teams that can score and control clock are tough to beat.

[wally_wabash]

That's exactly the point. Good teams can control the clock. Bad teams can control the clock. There is no correlation. You can't use it as a measure of good or bad.

[Mr. Ypsi]

D3_DPUFan,

When your only response to a not incoherent post (unlike some I've made ) is "WHAT?", you've gotta be prepared for some blowback!

Besides, I wanted to vent.  Millikin beat us 19-13 in a game we totally dominated (415 to 158 total yards, 27-8 first downs); otherwise IWU would probably be a #1 seed and UWW would be staying in the 'West'.

TOP is IMO not a meaningless stat (IWU beat Wheaton largely because, leading 20-17, we took over the ball with 7 minutes left and the Thunder never saw it again), but as has been shown, it is an over-rated stat.  I'll never forget (though the details are obviously hazy ) a game a few years ago when one team (Illinois?) possessed the ball the entire first quarter yet trailed (Michigan?) 21-0 on a KO return for a TD, a punt return for a TD, and a 'pick-6'!

[usee]

D3_DPUFan,

When your only response to a not incoherent post (unlike some I've made ) is "WHAT?", you've gotta be prepared for some blowback!

Besides, I wanted to vent.  Millikin beat us 19-13 in a game we totally dominated (415 to 158 total yards, 27-8 first downs); otherwise IWU would probably be a #1 seed and UWW would be staying in the 'West'.

TOP is IMO not a meaningless stat (IWU beat Wheaton largely because, leading 20-17, we took over the ball with 7 minutes left and the Thunder never saw it again), but as has been shown, it is an over-rated stat.  I'll never forget (though the details are obviously hazy ) a game a few years ago when one team (Illinois?) possessed the ball the entire first quarter yet trailed (Michigan?) 21-0 on a KO return for a TD, a punt return for a TD, and a 'pick-6'!

Ypsi,

You keep making this assertion that IWU "would be a #1 seed" based on a stronger SOS. When I see the committee  actually make St John's, Linfield and Central #1 seeds over UWW you may have an argument. The chances of IWU being a #1 seed (provided they hadn't lost at home to the 5th best CCIW team) are about as likely as Huntingdon capturing the overall #1 seed this year. The reality is there are more criteria than sos when determing seeds.

[Mr. Ypsi]

D3_DPUFan,

When your only response to a not incoherent post (unlike some I've made ) is "WHAT?", you've gotta be prepared for some blowback!

Besides, I wanted to vent.  Millikin beat us 19-13 in a game we totally dominated (415 to 158 total yards, 27-8 first downs); otherwise IWU would probably be a #1 seed and UWW would be staying in the 'West'.

TOP is IMO not a meaningless stat (IWU beat Wheaton largely because, leading 20-17, we took over the ball with 7 minutes left and the Thunder never saw it again), but as has been shown, it is an over-rated stat.  I'll never forget (though the details are obviously hazy ) a game a few years ago when one team (Illinois?) possessed the ball the entire first quarter yet trailed (Michigan?) 21-0 on a KO return for a TD, a punt return for a TD, and a 'pick-6'!

Ypsi,

You keep making this assertion that IWU "would be a #1 seed" based on a stronger SOS. When I see the committee  actually make St John's, Linfield and Central #1 seeds over UWW you may have an argument. The chances of IWU being a #1 seed (provided they hadn't lost at home to the 5th best CCIW team) are about as likely as Huntingdon capturing the overall #1 seed this year. The reality is there are more criteria than sos when determing seeds.

Fair enough (although this is the first time I even said "probably be a #1 seed", much less the statement you claim I made), but by exactly which primary criteria would IWU NOT be in the discussion for #1 seeds had they not screwed up against MU? 

Your presentation of the West rankings is not really relevant, since I was discussing whether or not the 'North' would need to import anyone.  Had Wheaton remained undefeated, no one would be expecting the arrival of UWW.  Had NCC won that opening game, the discussion would also not be occurring (at least until two weeks ago! )  Why would a 9-0 IWU (with wins over NCC and Wheaton) be so different?