FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[maripp2002]

Conference profile is a slippery slope. I mean look at UW River Falls and Trine. I think Trine had more wins last year than River Falls has in the last four. Yet that was considered a big win. I do think that what makes the OAC and WIAC get so much respect isn't necessarily the national championships (that does help) but the fact that every week you're playing someone tough. If you're going to win a conference you want to be better than 9 quality teams not 1 or 2.

And IMHO if the traditionally bottom half of the NCAC can pick it up its better for all involved heading into the playoffs and for the profile on a national level.

[wally_wabash]

Certainly, if the teams in the league get better, it is better for whichever team(s) winds up in the playoffs.  Unfortunately, NCAC teams are only playing other NCAC teams, UAA teams (which are pretty fungible with NCAC teams), and when the chance for an elective non-league game comes up, teams are choosing to play other league teams or having that choice made for them.  Right now, there just isn't a way for the NCAC to distinguish itself other than the playoffs.  The league needs those elective non-league games back in a pretty major way. 

[runyr]

NCAC has an opportunity to gain more respect on November 20th.
November 6th game will probably decide which W is playing on the 20th.

[smedindy]

Certainly, if the teams in the league get better, it is better for whichever team(s) winds up in the playoffs.  Unfortunately, NCAC teams are only playing other NCAC teams, UAA teams (which are pretty fungible with NCAC teams), and when the chance for an elective non-league game comes up, teams are choosing to play other league teams or having that choice made for them.  Right now, there just isn't a way for the NCAC to distinguish itself other than the playoffs.  The league needs those elective non-league games back in a pretty major way. 

Let us hope one of us are in Alliance (or elsewhere) in week 3 of the playoffs having defeated a OAC or CCIW team to get there...

[bashbrother]

In the '05 Wabash vs. Capital and '09 Wabash vs. IWU, we got very close to crossing the threshold.  In 2009, Witt also gave UWW all they could handle for a half.  (would have loved to have seen what Huffman could have done in the 2nd half of that game)

The conference at the top is placing better quality teams into the playoffs,  continued improvement of the programs throughout the conference will help prepare whomever makes it into the playoffs better.

As many of stated, our current limitations on scheduling non-conference games, has created the playoffs as the way we improve national credibility.

[maripp2002]

When does the NCAC's deal with the UAA end? Anyone know - because I will be circling that day on the calender.

After that is said and done I wouldn't be opposed to at least one of the non-conference games being done in a "PAC v. MAC" challenge style. I don't know if the NCAC has the guns top to bottom to make it worthwhile playing the OAC but I think the CCIW would be ideal. Similar schools academically top to bottom, relatively close, and both conferences should have the $ to be able to travel (unlike say the WIAC). I just think its a good way to really get a feel for how good the NCAC is top to bottom in comparison with another conference.

[smedindy]

I don't think the CCIW would be interested though. They have plenty of schools in Illinois and Wisconsin to pick on without the hassle of traveling to Hiram or Kenyon.

They have a NCAC - UAA schedule up for 2011. After that, DPU joins the football portion of the conference, and who knows.

[wabco]

My guess is that the UAA connection will be like the swine flu ... keeps coming back each year ... perhaps in just a little different iteration.  Hope we can lessen it to one game ...

[cave2bens]

Just hope that Brent and the WNDY folks can get the audio kinks worked out.  Bad enough that can't get  video (of any sort) over here, but monitoring live stats w/out audio really challenges the observer when it's night time in the Kalahari.

[aueagle]

Still trying to catch-up from the Delaware trip....
Great to see smedindy and the radio team (SI guy) at Selby...
I had more fun hanging out with the Wabash tailgaters.....nice spread!
The Men of Wabash and the spouses I met were all class people..
Sorry I missed ncac4life...I didn't read your post till Sunday...I was to your right
and the second half up by the chairbacks.....
A perfect day for ball.....Why didn't they give scores during the game?
I'll give my 2 cents on the game & Bishops later......

[DadofBashWarrior..]

I think there needs to be a little tough love in the Little Giants locker room.   Too many mental mistakes.....  Sure they are young, but it is time to grow up fast.  This is Little Giants Football.

Funny how we were disappointed that Wabash's tough games were back loaded this year.   Seems to be a blessing at this point.  

Allegheny will take us out if we continue to play like this.  Witt will embarrass us.

Not good enough.

Am right with you BB on the tough love and the backloading....

[NCAC4Life]

Au- sorry to have missed you...I was in the stands for the first half and  went for a walk at halftime...
I was out looking for a punting game....

Interesting game if OWU could have punted at all...I am not sure I
have ever seen a display like that.... Oh well...I liked seeing them throw for
300 plus...

Wabash came out in the second half and played hard. I liked their effort....
Good team with some thick looking kids...

The stadium and campus looked great....

Here's hoping the boys play better at night at home....

[smedindy]

Just hope that Brent and the WNDY folks can get the audio kinks worked out.  Bad enough that can't get  video (of any sort) over here, but monitoring live stats w/out audio really challenges the observer when it's night time in the Kalahari.

Part of the audio glitch was some idiot plugging in his phone at the half and accidentally turning off the power strip.

/derp

[bashbrother]

So we've had Chase wide right and then a possible over compensation that produced Chase wide left.   I look for Chase to have the game we expected him to have this week at home versus Chicago.

Look for this Little Giants team, that is gaining tremendous experience every week, to come out this weekend with a complete effort.

(I will continue to research the way to recover from an ACL injury in 10 days or less.)

[wabco]

NCAC4L, AUEagle, OWUers

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