FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Duster72]

Would someone be so kind as to clue me in regarding Wittenberg.  I know they've been very stingy on defense and it appears that their offense has picked it up a notch or two during the playoffs. 

What do they do well and who are their studs?

Thanks

Also...I'm curious about some insight from our Wabash friends about comparing IWU and Wittenberg, since Wabash played both teams extremely close. One game was a defensive struggle when the other one was a shootout..

Wabash played Witt without their stud senior QB Matt Hudson and yes, it was a defensive struggle.  It was a bad week to be starting a QB for the first time.  The team that played IWU was a better Wabash team IMO.  It sounds like Witt has improved as well, though.  It might be tough to make much of a comparison because teams change over the course of a year.

That said, I am hoping Witt can keep it close, but wouldn't expect them to be much of a challenge for UWW.

[wally_wabash]

Would someone be so kind as to clue me in regarding Wittenberg.  I know they've been very stingy on defense and it appears that their offense has picked it up a notch or two during the playoffs. 

What do they do well and who are their studs?

Thanks

Also...I'm curious about some insight from our Wabash friends about comparing IWU and Wittenberg, since Wabash played both teams extremely close. One game was a defensive struggle when the other one was a shootout..

I think Witt and IWU have similar defenses.  Both are disciplined, quick, and tough to score on (by non-UWW/MUC standards). 

Comparing the games that I've seen, IWU has a better offense than Witt does.  I think Ladd is a better passer than Huffman (Huffman has had some accuracy issues in the three games I've seen him play vs. Wabash).  Of course it should be noted that Huffman probably just had the best game of his life last week, so maybe he's got some things figured out.  IWU's Eli Williams is a far, far, far better back than anybody in Witt's stable.  With all of that being said, Wittenberg is obviously playing better offensive football than they did when they played Wabash in October.  I do think Witt is going to have a tremendously hard time getting points against Whitewater's defense.  As well as Wittenberg is rolling along right now, there's just no way to simulate or be completely prepared for a team that plays at Whitewater's level. 

[wabco]

I think the UAA agreement is fine ... perhaps with one tweek:  adjust the teams from one year to the next based upon the prior season's success.  NCAC tries to do that with upper tier/lower tier rankings.  It does Hiram nor Wabash or Witt any  good for Hiram to play Witt or Wabash unless/until they improve.  Sometimes that happens.  But the NCAC intent is to arrange schedules based upon past performance with other teams of similar experience.  Couldn't the UAA teams simply be placed in the mix that way?  It may not produce "perfect" matchups but I suspect Case would have played either Witt, Wabash, or Gheny.

As to Wash U, Wabash has historically played them since the 1960s at least.  Not every year but often.  Over the years, the Bears have always (a generalization) been competitive to good.  They are a good academic school, generally playing competitive to good football ... it takes Wabash to St. Louis and our alumni down there.  I for one like the Wash U match up for Wabash.

One final thought ... Gerry Dick listed on the list to vote for the Gugliardi?  What kind of kool aid were the slate makers drinking?  Matt on his worst day makes a better candidate than Gerry.

[bashbrother]

Wally -

Great points.   Especially the one about simulating the level of talent teams face when playing UWW or MUC.

Ladd (IWU QB) on Saturday was a great example.   I believed, from what I have seen that he is possibly the most gifted QB I have seen against Wabash in sometime.  But, a QB develops rhythm and timing over the span of a season or career.   If all of a sudden, the level of talent in a defensive backfield you are facing changes significantly, it will show.   We got to see this well when we played UWW and MUC.

It will be interesting to see how Huffman handles this on Saturday.   I am convinced, to beat UWW and MUC, you have to have a downfield  passing game.   They just won't let you run enough to put points on the board.

[02 Warhawk]

Wally -

Great points.   Especially the one about simulating the level of talent teams face when playing UWW or MUC.

Ladd (IWU QB) on Saturday was a great example.   I believed, from what I have seen that he is possibly the most gifted QB I have seen against Wabash in sometime.  But, a QB develops rhythm and timing over the span of a season or career.   If all of a sudden, the level of talent in a defensive backfield you are facing changes significantly, it will show.   We got to see this well when we played UWW and MUC.

It will be interesting to see how Huffman handles this on Saturday.   I am convinced, to beat UWW and MUC, you have to have a downfield  passing game.    They just won't let you run enough to put points on the board.

100% agree with you....UWW has been known to give up some big plays through the air. Other than that, there are few holes in that defense.

Interested to hear some Wittenberg fans take on this upcoming game....

[Raider 68]

Wally -

Great points.   Especially the one about simulating the level of talent teams face when playing UWW or MUC.

Ladd (IWU QB) on Saturday was a great example.   I believed, from what I have seen that he is possibly the most gifted QB I have seen against Wabash in sometime.  But, a QB develops rhythm and timing over the span of a season or career.   If all of a sudden, the level of talent in a defensive backfield you are facing changes significantly, it will show.   We got to see this well when we played UWW and MUC.

It will be interesting to see how Huffman handles this on Saturday.   I am convinced, to beat UWW and MUC, you have to have a downfield  passing game.    They just won't let you run enough to put points on the board.

100% agree with you....UWW has been known to give up some big plays through the air. Other than that, there are few holes in that defense.

Interested to hear some Wittenberg fans take on this upcoming game....

02 Warhawk,

There are not many Wittenberg fans that come on this board, so the Wabash participants are your best source on info regarding Wittenberg.

I also agree with their assessment on Witt's offense when facing UWW.
HScoach's spread is UWW by 30.5 pts. I think it could be right around there!

[02 Warhawk]

Wally -

Great points.   Especially the one about simulating the level of talent teams face when playing UWW or MUC.

Ladd (IWU QB) on Saturday was a great example.   I believed, from what I have seen that he is possibly the most gifted QB I have seen against Wabash in sometime.  But, a QB develops rhythm and timing over the span of a season or career.   If all of a sudden, the level of talent in a defensive backfield you are facing changes significantly, it will show.   We got to see this well when we played UWW and MUC.

It will be interesting to see how Huffman handles this on Saturday.   I am convinced, to beat UWW and MUC, you have to have a downfield  passing game.    They just won't let you run enough to put points on the board.

100% agree with you....UWW has been known to give up some big plays through the air. Other than that, there are few holes in that defense.

Interested to hear some Wittenberg fans take on this upcoming game....

02 Warhawk,

There are not many Wittenberg fans that come on this board, so the Wabash participants are your best source on info regarding Wittenberg.

I also agree with their assessment on Witt's offense when facing UWW.
HScoach's spread is UWW by 30.5 pts. I think it could be right around there!

Lets hope so   

[wally_wabash]

I think the UAA agreement is fine ... perhaps with one tweek:  adjust the teams from one year to the next based upon the prior season's success.  NCAC tries to do that with upper tier/lower tier rankings.  It does Hiram nor Wabash or Witt any  good for Hiram to play Witt or Wabash unless/until they improve.  Sometimes that happens.  But the NCAC intent is to arrange schedules based upon past performance with other teams of similar experience.  Couldn't the UAA teams simply be placed in the mix that way?  It may not produce "perfect" matchups but I suspect Case would have played either Witt, Wabash, or Gheny.

I think this is a very reasonable thought, but as we found out this year as we investigated potential three way tiebreaks in our league, we found that the "power ratings" used to schedule our games are six years old.  It's pretty pointless to line up games using a power rating system like this more than a couple of years removed, let alone an entire class and a half's worth of academic years removed.  As was pointed out, when these schedules were made, Dan Whalen probably had no intention of playing football at CWRU.  But he did, and that program instantly turned around.  CWRU could have had better games if they didn't set all of this in stone four or five years ago.  

I like the power rating, I just think that they ought to be using it much more practically.  

And re: the points vs. Witt....give, give, give.  Hey, I want to see the NCAC do well like the rest of us, but Whitewater and MUC just play a different game.

[maripp2002]

IMO, the UWW v. Witt score could end one of two ways. Witt has had some turnover issues this year, and I think if they keep the turnovers down (0 or 1) you're looking at "close" like 10-17 point close. On the other hand, if you see any more than 1 turnover the game starts to get ugly. Could easily be 35 point UWW victory. I think Witt has had a great season, and they have some momentum rolling into Whitewater this weekend, so I wouldn't think it is out of the question for a "close" game. But I tend to agree with everyone else, UWW and MUC just play a different game than the rest of the teams in d3.  That won't, however, stop me from hoping Wittenberg puts up a good showing, and makes it a game worth following for those of us whose teams are out.

[DPU3619]

One final thought ... Gerry Dick listed on the list to vote for the Gugliardi?  What kind of kool aid were the slate makers drinking?  Matt on his worst day makes a better candidate than Gerry.

You don't get selected as a finalist for that trophy by playing in 82% of your team's games.

[bashbrother]

Spud deserves to be on the list.   He had a tremendous year and a great career at Depauw.  Credit where credit is due.   

Interesting how Spud and Hudson both had Wabash and Depauw as two of their final recruiting choices and ended up both, having great careers at their schools.

Congrats to both fine QB's 

[D3_DPUFan]

Spud deserves to be on the list.   He had a tremendous year and a great career at Depauw.  Credit where credit is due.   

Interesting how Spud and Hudson both had Wabash and Depauw as two of their final recruiting choices and ended up both, having great careers at their schools.

Congrats to both fine QB's 

Class response. And well said.

[pennstghs]

hey hey guys i am i think the only consistent wittenberg poster out there.

Not knowing a lot about Whitewater except that they are a powerhouse; I think Witt to win will have to spread the field and match score for score with Whitewater. Witt can pressure the QB, so at the least maybe force a few turnovers and have some short fields to work with.

I'll give the points and take Witt to cover easily

[smedindy]

The problem is that no one can match Whitewater score for score. The way to beat Whitewater is to get the ball first, keep it, and never let go of it even if they stop you on fourth down. Super glue it to the linemen.

[drt]

The Witt men are in the game of their lives.  This is like playing Delaware in 1975, and Eastern Ky in '76 and '77.  How else do you measure yourself against the gold standard?  And how do you respond to it?
p.s. Bashers, Witt always fights, too.  And thanks for your support.