FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ski]

DOUBLE D:

I agree that the Woo-Bash game will be a good one.  The D will show up and Woo should be healthier overall.  I definitely agree about Miller, he gets the best separation of all the wide outs.  I would like to see the QB back under center more often with a 2 back set.  Woo does have a running game and 34 can be a presence as a lead blocker.  If given more of a chance, I think the 2 back set with 34 would of put the Kenyon game in the win column.

[BashBacker#16]

Interesting comments from you Wooster guys and yes Shafer played well last year at Wabash, but let's not forget that #7 will not be there with him.  Although I am sure Woo has some good backs, let's not lighten that fact that this will have a huge effect on the Bash D and their game plan.  Then, you have to wonder how the ankle will hold up...

Clifton is gone but the WR corps is very deep and talented.  They have shown this all year.  This makes it harder to defend - you cannot key on one guy.  Any one of those 4 WRs are capable of big plays.  I still like Harbaugh's chances and our WR chances to score some big plays on Saturday - I think this is a big edge to Bash.

Lastly, I believe the Bash O-line is the most underrated group in the NCAC.  They are healthy, athletic, experienced, and have played very well to this point in the season (only given up 6 sacks) and have allowed the running game to go, especially in the 4th quarter.  With Barclay at Guard (moving from OT), they go 6'6, 6'3, 6'4, 5'11, and 6'3 across the front.  Certain has been a beast.  Hopefully, they can keep Mizak and Watson from having huge days.

If Bash can get an early lead...does Wooster have the firepower to come back??

[buffettfan1963]

This Saturday...

I'm not going to say anything here that I won't talk about on the broadcast Saturday...

I've seen each of the meetings between these two teams, actually worked them on the radio. From the 20-15 game back in Carlson's last year right up until last years strange, strange game.

In my mind for Saturday, the key for both teams is going to be handling the other's passing game.  Neither team has a Sutton, or Morris, or Lafitte, both have several guys that can get you yards, but really no one that is going to break one for 80 against the defenses they are playing this week.

For Wabash, can they put Wooster in passing situations and then pressure and keep Shafer in the pocket? The biggest damage done against them in the passing game is not done by drop back passers, rather by guys getting out of the pocket and being able to create.

For Wooster, it's the same thing. Can they put pressure on Harbaugh? Russ has made very few poor passes this season, but this will be his first true test. This is where it fell apart for everyone last season.  I believe, overall, this is the best receiving corps Wabash has had in the six years I've been doing games. There may not be a Ryan Short, or Kurt Casper, but there are four pretty good receivers and then toss in the j-backs and tight ends, and it's a solid group.

The games this past weekend, for either team, almost mean nothing. Wooster can still accomplish their goal of winning back to back NCAC titles by simply winning out. Yes, yes, I know it could/would create lots of complicated tie-breaker scenarios, but they would have just one loss.

One last comment, given that I have an opportunity to be on the field during the walk out at 11am before the games, I'll just say this is a different Wabash team from last year or two years ago. This team seems much more focuses, more along the lines of the 2002 team, though I HATE making comparisons and talking about that team.

It's been a while since I've really looked forward to a game, but this week, this should be a very good football game in one of the best atmosphere's in DIII to watch a game. It actually sends chills up and down my spine when the pipes come out leading Wooster. Just incredible!  Hopefully the stand(s) will be filled with football fans from both schools.

[uknowme2]

I must say its been a while since I've been here.  I like what's been done to the place.

[ski]

Agree about Sutton but last years game should of never been that close.  The misatch in the secondary put Bash back in the game.  That was a braindead day for the coaching staffs with Woo never adjusting to the cover mismatch and Bash throwing down the middle for the pick when thay had Woo on it's heels.

[wally_wabash]

To be fair, that pick at the end of the game wasn't a terrible idea nor was it a terrible throw.  It was a tad underthrown, but Kight made a pretty good play to pick it off. 

[herald79]

scotfan,if I were you I would be more concerned with the fact that a line made up of 3 frosh who either start or get a lot of snaps  pushed bigger stronger wooster players around. You lost,it happens ,it can happen on any saturday afternoon even at the papp! And this week you have to worry about my old quarterback Chris Creighton, he also understands how tho beat wooster. You should be a teacher you like to nitpick,you must not have been a lineman!

[DarkSide-D]

Since Scotfan hasn't posted in a while, I will assume you are talkin to me Herald.  Did  I ever once say Wooster should have won??   I think not.  I believe I said that Kenyon DESERVED to win that game.  They flat out beat Wooster.  They played harder. They wanted it more.  Yes I nitpick.  I believe that if a team wants to win the championship, they should always nitpick.  They should never sit back and say they are satisfied.  I don't care if they roll up 50 points against Mount Union!  There is always improvement that can be made.  I don't know how Kenyon's linemen are, but I know Wooster's don't settle.  They nitpick.

I also don't remember anyone claiming Woosters line was bigger and stronger than kenyon's.  I respect Kenyons players and their abilities.  I would think that was clear after I congratulated Coombs and Sanchez.  They both had a hell of game.  I have worked out at Kenyon's weight room (if you can call a raquetball court a weight room).  It takes a deep desire to put up with the renovations Kenyon is going through for their new house.  I respect that.  But it is hard to respect the program that they play for.

Now then, moving on to Wabash.  I don't have to worry about squat, as I don't play anymore.  I can tell you, Wooster is not worried about Wabash.  Wooster knows what Bash is capable of, and they wont be looking past Wabash.  They won't surprise Wooster like Kenyon did.  Now, Herald, if you don't mind, I personally would like to move past the Kenyon game and mark it up as a game where Wooster played like crap, and Kenyon played balls out.  Its Wabash week, and this is the last I will indulge you on the subject.

Is anyone planning on goin to the Woo-Bash game?  Woo fans or Bash fans?

[kcreds]

Just got back from Delaware and I wanted to let the Bishop fans know that our JV won 34-19 over Ohio Northern. The Bishops substituted approximately all 51 of their players and I believe ONU did all of theirs also. The Bishops were very pumped up and some of the varsity players were there to give support. I saw a lot of team unity. The JV is 2-0, they previously beat Muskingum 54-0. Gotta give credit to ONU, their crowd was large.

Just because I have never seen it before, can someone shed light on this call. OWU went to block the punt, the ball went forward and sideways about 5 yards, and OWU received a penalty of roughing the punter. I did not see for a fact if OWU touched the ball and I'm not into physics but wouldn't they have had to touch it. Is there such a thing of roughing the punter if you hit his leg and not the ball which caused the ball to flutter 5 yards? No big deal, even though ONU scored on that drive, but I was curious.

[ScotsFan]

Hey Herald,  I'm not Darkside-D. 

[smedindy]

If you hit the punter's leg and not the ball it's definitely a penalty. I've seen all kinds of things on punts - in fact if I recall Shawn Landeta once punted a ball backwards because of the wind and the rush.

Also, seeing some of my tee shots it's not surprising that any kind of ball can go awry like that.

[wabashcpa]

I can tell you, Wooster is not worried about Wabash. 

Now the band on the other hand...

[wabashcpa]

I've seen all kinds of things on punts - in fact if I recall Shawn Landeta once punted a ball backwards because of the wind and the rush.

If I recall, I think Landeta whiffed on that punt. 

[DarkSide-D]

Wabashcpa,

I assure you the Band is not worried either.  Unless of course their parents talk more nonsense,  Then I shall "release the fury"   

Of course, I can't picture a Red and White Wooster either.  That would be just wrong! 

[Apone]

Both Wabash and Wooster will have to pass to win.  The ground game will be pivotal, but the game will be decided through the air.  Another factor to not forget: The atmosphere at Wooster will be electric, as it was at Wabash last year.  With new players and new starters, how will they handle the pressure and intensity of this budding rivalry?

Darkside, perhaps wally_wabash is a fan of moosehead (its canadian) and would enjoy a few ice-cold beverages.