FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

Mr. Ypsi · November 16, 2011, 07:45:37 PM

Quote from: short on November 16, 2011, 07:21:16 PM
Wabash club ruby team would get their a$$es handed to them "in ruby" vs the Wabash football team "in ruby"! trust me no one on the ruby team could run with 84 and NO ONE could scrum like Gum! Your funny wabco! Did you get cut from the football team and pick up ruby at Wabash or something?

Since your 'g' key obviously works, I am forced to assume that your spelling of 'ruby' (FIVE times) was a deliberate slight. I defended smed; you're on your own!

smedindy · November 16, 2011, 07:54:44 PM

Thanks, Ypsi.

TitanPride · November 16, 2011, 08:04:48 PM

Tried this question yesterday but didn't have much luck. Can any Wabash guys break down your defense against a pure spread offense? Does Bash see 4 and 5 wide a lot over the course of your schedule? Obviously, your D is extremely stout but just wondering if you see any vulnerabilities to a fast team that spreads you out? Looking forward to Saturday!

smedindy · November 16, 2011, 08:09:33 PM

Oops, sorry for our intramural argument.

A lot of Wabash's opponents passed a lot. I wouldn't say that it was a full spread offense, but every pass-wacky team had issues because the LG's put a lot of pressure on the QB. They shut down Chicago's Brizzolara because they kept sacking the QB or making him hurry his throws.

TitanPride · November 16, 2011, 08:20:33 PM

I'm sure you guys will have the biggest and most athletic d line that IC has seen this year. IC has a big o line by MWC standards, but I'm guessing that the LGs quickness could cause problems. IC will have to protect Bates to have any chance to stay in the game.

BashBacker#16 · November 16, 2011, 08:47:05 PM

TitanPride,

Thanks for some pre-game talk. Good Lord, Wabco call Smeds, Smeds call Wabco.

Back to football and this Saturday's matchup. I think Bash will be very comfortable against a spread O. We'll go 3-4 or 4-3 and mix our looks. Our OLB's are very young but talented. Mr. Gum will patrol the middle or he'll be on top of Bates - he's really physical but has the ability to take over a game. Our front is actually not that big on paper but play big. Clegg is the anchor and has a motor that doesn't stop, Diaz is 6'6 with a crazy wingspan, Zinsmaster & Breukman get after it as well. Hodges on the corners (#1 & #2) and our safeties have made big plays - Gibson, Koop, and Najar. The guys said it, it's all about pressure combined with many different looks.

I'm jacked to see the matchup - your O vs our D.

P.S. Please kick the ball to #84, kick it long and high...

sigma one · November 16, 2011, 09:22:36 PM

TitanPride: a nice summary of the Wabash D by #16. By most standards, the Wabash D is actually pretty small. You can look it up on the roster, but the D line is a bit undersized (but quick). Two of the starting, or projected to start, LBers, are under 200 lbs. The corners are small and aggressive. The safeties attack the line of scrimmage and receivers. Wabash has given up yardage sparingly. The Blueboy O looks impressive, both rushing and passing. Forecast is for the wind to blow on Saturday, as it did last week in Greencastle. So wind may be a factor. Please give us your thoughts on your team. Thanks.

smedindy · November 16, 2011, 09:45:42 PM

BB16 -

The point is still on the table. Kenyon's football program is at the crossroads and I, for one, think they need to step to the plate.

I apologize for defending my choice of words but my point should be crystal. They can't treat it like a club sport. If what Kenyon's former coach said is true then there's a big issue in Gambier. Denison and Oberlin have pulled themselves onto solid football ground.

(And I really disdain calling college athletes, 'girls'...)

TitanPride · November 16, 2011, 10:09:32 PM

Thanks for the analysis, Sigma and Backer. That's good stuff.

IC's offense is led by its freshman quarterback, Michael Bates. He hasn't played like a freshman all year and is a dual threat option. He will be in the shotgun most of the game. The primary running back, Brimmage, is very undersized. He doesn't look bigger than 5'10" 160 but is quick and breaks an incredible amount of tackles. IC runs the ball best up the middle behind the big left guard and tackle. It will be very difficult to run against the LG's but they'll need to keep mixing it in to keep your D honest. IC rotates about 5-6 receivers and usually will have 3 or 4 on the field at a time. They have a few 6'3" to 6'5" and then others who are more "Wes Welker" type. They will run no huddle and call plays from the sideline. Most passing routes are short to intermediate, and IC has no problem running 8-12 plays to chunk the ball down the field.

It's no secret that IC's defense gives up lots of yards and points. However, all year they have come up with turnovers at big times. I believe they are near the top of Division III in both interceptions and turnover margin.

Good call on the weather. I've been watching the forecast because wind and/or rain could play a role. Another factor could be special teams. If it's close, a huge advantage probably goes to Wabash. IC does not have a strong kicking game. They have missed several extra points and do not kick it deep on the kickoff.

BayernFan · November 16, 2011, 11:01:42 PM

Kicking has been an adventure for Wabash, too.

I really noticed vs DePauw how FAST our linebackers are, especially Gum. Very difficult to run on them.

Silence.Dogood · November 16, 2011, 11:10:22 PM

Quote from: TitanPride on November 16, 2011, 10:09:32 PM
Thanks for the analysis, Sigma and Backer. That's good stuff.

IC's offense is led by its freshman quarterback, Michael Bates. He hasn't played like a freshman all year and is a dual threat option. He will be in the shotgun most of the game. The primary running back, Brimmage, is very undersized. He doesn't look bigger than 5'10" 160 but is quick and breaks an incredible amount of tackles. IC runs the ball best up the middle behind the big left guard and tackle. It will be very difficult to run against the LG's but they'll need to keep mixing it in to keep your D honest. IC rotates about 5-6 receivers and usually will have 3 or 4 on the field at a time. They have a few 6'3" to 6'5" and then others who are more "Wes Welker" type. They will run no huddle and call plays from the sideline. Most passing routes are short to intermediate, and IC has no problem running 8-12 plays to chunk the ball down the field.

It's no secret that IC's defense gives up lots of yards and points. However, all year they have come up with turnovers at big times. I believe they are near the top of Division III in both interceptions and turnover margin.

Good call on the weather. I've been watching the forecast because wind and/or rain could play a role. Another factor could be special teams. If it's close, a huge advantage probably goes to Wabash. IC does not have a strong kicking game. They have missed several extra points and do not kick it deep on the kickoff.

Titan: The advantage Wabash should have in special teams is returning kicks and potentially blocking kicks. Our kicking game is poor and is a huge risk in a close game. Wabash has missed more extra points than any other team in NCAC - extra points! The long snapper has sailed a few over the punter's head and our punter is erratic at best. Wabash has been the beneficiaries of several lucky bounces and some inept special teams play by our opponents. When Wabash kicks, few good things happen. However, when Wabash receives kicks, watch #84 go to town.

BashDad · November 17, 2011, 01:22:07 AM

Quote from: Silence.Dogood on November 16, 2011, 11:10:22 PM
Wabash has missed more extra points than any other team in NCAC - extra points!

They've also made the most, Mr. Franklin. And we're only talking about 4 misses in 45 tries. Not exactly inept.

The long-snapping was an issue against Witt, but that's the only game, isn't it? Were there others? That's a fixable problem.

I guess I just don't share the doom-and-gloom toward our kicking game. I think our punter is pretty good, actually. We've routinely sent kick-offs out of the end-zone the past couple weeks, too.

wabashsid · November 17, 2011, 08:29:38 AM

Smed --- For the record your favorite SID still plays Ultimate Disc (note the non-trademark infringement) with several of the faculty members and current students. Yes, I've still got game (if I ever really had it!). Not to mention my deadly jumper in noon hoops!

smedindy · November 17, 2011, 09:25:04 AM

Good to know, SID! Good to know!

I didn't feel so good about the kicking game in the first part of the season, but I feel better about it. I'm concerned about penalties more than our kicking game.

BashBacker#16 · November 17, 2011, 12:34:04 PM

Question: Illinois College hasn't played since November 5; is this a disadvantage heading in to the playoffs? It's much different than a bye week because you don't know your opponent, heck, they didn't know if they'd still be playing. Bash can start very quickly (see Witt, see DPU...) - if they do this Saturday, I think that's a huge edge to Wabash.

Thoughts?

When are NCAC awards announced?