FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[aueagle]

Bishops are 8-3 all-time vs Hiram....Scoring all-time since 1961, OWU 354 pts (32 ave) Hiram 114 pts (10.3 ave)
Last 3 games, OWU 134 pts (44 ave) Hiram 35 pts (11.6 ave)
Does wally use this to set the line? Will the Puppy rise-up to upset OWU? "NO" to both.....

[ExTartanPlayer]

Wabash vs. CMU will be very interesting.  I'd be tempted to make the long road trip to see the game, but I'm running a race this weekend.  I'm sure we'll have some discussion this week about what to expect.  Personally, the 'Bash loss to Allegheny doesn't change what I expect to see of Wabash at all - if anything, it concerns me more now that we're facing a pissed-off set of LG's this weekend who know they can't afford another loss if they want a decent playoff seed.  Before we get to that, though, I want to talk about OWU a little more.

This was a big win for OWU, no doubt.  Case has owned the NCAC's lower half since the scheduling agreement came into being and it's very tempting to look ahead at OWU's oncoming schedule (Hiram, an in-turmoil DePauw, and Kenyon) and declare that they'll get to 6-0 heading into the Carnegie Mellon game.

Playing devil's advocate for a moment: Case opened the season with two relatively unimpressive wins, then lost at home to a Frostburg State team that's been just as bad as OWU over the past five-plus years.  While it disappoints me, and I hope it's not true as a UAA fan, I'm starting to think CWRU has regressed quite a bit from the last few seasons.  So if I were OWU, I wouldn't go about getting a big head about this particular win, and I still wouldn't view any of those next three games as a lock - especially not Kenyon, who's showing some pluck this year (who EVER would have thought I'd say that about Kenyon, of all teams?).

In any case, OWU is a team that's definitely on my radar and has demonstrated encouraging progress this season.  They certainly SHOULD win their next few games, and a confident opponent is often a dangerous opponent.  At the same time, OWU fans should be smart enough to recognize that the schedule lines up such that their first six games may be their "easiest" six games and that the last four opponents are likely to offer a much stiffer test than anyone that've played to date.

[BashBacker#16]

Still super bummed about the Wabash loss to Allegheny but have given it some thought.  Even though there is a lot of football to play, I still feel like vomiting.  Here are some randoms:

- I wasn't able to get there until mid-3rd quarter on Saturday but from the very moment I parked and walked in to the stadium, it was an odd feeling.  I think this was a classic...as Gheny hung around later in to the game...they started to smell upset and the Bash fans felt it as well.  It just felt forced...example, 3rd and long for the Gators and the place is usually rocking, it wasn't.  Over the years the Sphinx Club gets worse and worse in my opinion.  They do nothing.  They stand on the buckets and bark air raids.  It gets old.  I'm not saying we need 2 bits 4 bits but can you not get off the damn bucket and start a DEE-fence cheer or something???
- Even though the crowd was good (#'s wise), I thought they were not in to the game and the poor 3rd quarter probably caused that.  With the wind we had too many 3 and outs and we should have put more points on the board prior to the 4th.  The D was on the field a lot.
- I was completely at a loss that Gheny was having so much success running the ball and it was right at the meat of the D.  I see this as a strength of this D against the run.  Sorry to say but it just seemed they wanted it more.  They blocked, they executed, and they had success on 1st and 2nd down.  ER had even said we needed to stop them on 1st and 2nd down to create 3rd and long's throughout the game.  ER was spot on here.
- I kept waiting from someone on the D to step up and make a play, cause a fumble, get a pick, get a sack, get a strip, something (like we always do!)...it just never happened on Saturday.
- We never seemed to be able to get to the QB with our pass rush - we had some pressure but couldn't get the big sack.
- The Wabash D had way too many missed tackles.  It's not always about the big hit, we have to tackle!  Again, very uncharacteristic for this D unit.
- It sounds like Holmes had a very nice game and I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to get more carries and more series.  As we have said, if we can get the running game going, it relieves all kinds of pressure on Chase & Co.  When Holmes runs hard, he is down hill, north/south, etc.
- I was also waiting on Chase to take over (like he can and like he has) whether it be with his arm or his legs and it never happened on Saturday.  Damn. 
- Seeing and hearing Allegheny celebrate on our home field was pretty painful, we are spoiled and I am just not used to seeing it, I hope as bad as it hurt me, it hurt the Wabash players 10x that so they learn from it and don't let it happen again for a long time.  I don't blame Gheny one bit for being jacked and excited - they were during the game too and it carried over after the game.
- I was probably most disappointed in the lack of fire, lack of emotion, and lack of urgency from this Wabash team.  Maybe I am not reading this right or have the wrong perception.  I just didn't see it - it was weird (not the football these guys typically play).  Maybe this is a leadership thing, I don't know - our captain's are really good this year too so they will get it worked out.
- Gheny played extremely well and Wabash played very poorly.  We didn't play Wabash football, nowhere near what this group can do when they play - I think the team knows it too, they can't feel good about how the game went.
- We missed 3 FG's, part of the game but killed us.  Great ER statement in post-game; if we convert our red zone opportunities to touchdowns, we don't miss field goals.

I hope this was the wake up call that we needed.  Maybe we were overconfident and thought we could just show up and win.  This is a great lesson and I can't help but think ER & staff, and our captains will use this to get us back on track.  Luckily, we have a lot of football left and I for one, am glad we have an undefeated Carnegie Mellon team coming in this weekend.  If am a Nate Scola or an AJ Akinribade...I welcome the challenge and I see this as a perfect time for redemption!  If I am Bash, I am super jacked for another shot to get on the field.  The LG's should be pissed off and should play with the fire & emotion that is and has been Wabash football.  I'm betting we bounce back and roll...

We shall see.  It is GUT CHECK TIME!

WAF

[smedindy]

I think it greatly helped Allegheny to have a bye week - not so much to scout Wabash but to fix whatever went wrong against C-M.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Franklin is idle this week.  Should the game with CMU be close/exciting?  Might be fun to come out watch.

[smedindy]

I think the CMU / Wabash game will be amongst the best in the land. It is homecoming, though, so it's a later start and parking may be 'fun'.

[wally_wabash]

Franklin is idle this week.  Should the game with CMU be close/exciting?  Might be fun to come out watch.

I can't guarantee close or exciting, but it's a huge game.  For Wabash, there are no more mulligans.  Wabash will need help to win the NCAC, and if they don't win the league they will need to be 9-1 to get invited to the tournament (still no guarantee there either).  So it's must win for the LGs.  For CMU, this, if you look at the rest of their schedule, could be their play-in game to the tournament.  Seriously.  If they get in and out of C'ville at 5-0, who on the rest of their schedule is going to beat them?  Yes, anybody technically could beat them, but the Tartans would be in excellent shape if they can win on Saturday.  It's a huge, huge game with huge, huge postseason implication.  It's probably as good a game as there is in the region this weekend. 

[Wabash Hokie]

Still super bummed about the Wabash loss to Allegheny but have given it some thought.  Even though there is a lot of football to play, I still feel like vomiting.  Here are some randoms:

- I wasn't able to get there until mid-3rd quarter on Saturday but from the very moment I parked and walked in to the stadium, it was an odd feeling.  I think this was a classic...as Gheny hung around later in to the game...they started to smell upset and the Bash fans felt it as well.  It just felt forced...example, 3rd and long for the Gators and the place is usually rocking, it wasn't.  Over the years the Sphinx Club gets worse and worse in my opinion.  They do nothing.  They stand on the buckets and bark air raids.  It gets old.  I'm not saying we need 2 bits 4 bits but can you not get off the damn bucket and start a DEE-fence cheer or something???
- Even though the crowd was good (#'s wise), I thought they were not in to the game and the poor 3rd quarter probably caused that.  With the wind we had too many 3 and outs and we should have put more points on the board prior to the 4th.
- I was completely at a loss that Gheny was having so much success running the ball and it was right at the meat of the D.  Sorry to say but it just seemed they wanted it more.  They blocked, they executed, and they had success on 1st and 2nd down.  ER had even said we needed to stop them on 1st and 2nd down to create 3rd and long's throughout the game.  ER was spot on here.
- I kept waiting from someone on the D to step up and make a play, cause a fumble, get a pick, get a sack, get a strip, something...it just never happened.
- We never seemed to be able to get to the QB with our pass rush - we had some pressure but couldn't get the big sack.
- The Wabash D had way too many missed tackles.  It's not always about the big hit, we have to tackle! 
- It sounds like Holmes had a very nice game and I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to get more carries and more series.  As we have said, if we can get the running game going, it relieves all kinds of pressure on Chase & Co.  When Holmes runs hard, he is down hill, north/south, etc.
- I was also waiting on Chase to take over whether it be with his arm or his legs and it never happened either.  Damn.  As good as his record is, I'm still waiting for him to put himself in to the ranks of Knott, Harbaugh, etc.  Those guys thrived on being down and rallying the team around them...
- Seeing and hearing Allegheny celebrate on our home field was pretty painful, we are spoiled and I am just not used to seeing it, I hope as bad as it hurt me, it hurt the Wabash players 10x that so they learn from it and don't let it happen again for a long time.  I don't blame Gheny one bit for being jacked and excited - they were during the game too and it carried over after the game.
- I was probably most disappointed in the lack of fire, lack of emotion, and lack of urgency from this Wabash team.  I just didn't see it - it was weird.  Maybe this is a leadership thing - missing a Chamblee, or a CJ - those guys just seem to not let this kind of stuff happen. 
- Gheny played extremely well and Wabash played very poorly.  We didn't play Wabash football - I think the team knows it too.
- We missed 3 FG's, part of the game but killed us.  Great ER statement in post-game; if we convert our red zone opportunities to touchdowns, we don't miss field goals.

I hope this was the wake up call that we needed.  Maybe we were overconfident and thought we could just show up and win.  This is a great lesson and I can't help but think ER & staff, and our captains will use this to get us back on track.  Luckily, we have a lot of football left and I for one, am glad we have an undefeated Carnegie Mellon team coming in this weekend.  If am a Nate Scola or an AJ Akinribade...I welcome the challenge and I see this as a perfect time for redemption!  If I am Bash, I am super jacked for another shot to get on the field.  The LG's should be pissed off and should play with the fire & emotion that is and has been Wabash football.

We shall see.  It is GUT CHECK TIME!

WAF

BB16:

Your post and several others referred to the "something missing" from the Wabash game on Saturday.  There were two things that jumped out at me.  The first missing item was the aggressive "buzz" from the team, the aggressive edge that the defense has brought to the field in the past several years - not just after a big hit.  The buzz appeared at times on Saturday but it was very much of an ebb and flow as opposed to constant driving force. 

The other thing that was missing was the "willingness to be great" or the "risk to be great".  Allegheny was 2 for 3 on 4th downs.  Wabash declined the opportunity to take that risk.  In at least three situations, Wabash chose to punt as opposed to attempt a 4th and 1 situation.  Allegheny took the initatiive and Wabash seemed to be reacting to their aggressive moves.  Given Wabash's tendency to come on strong in the 2nd half and/or late in ball games, I can understand the coaching staff anticipating the one big play that would turn things around.  If you look at the stats, Holmes was tackled for a loss one time in his 18 attempts.  I was most frustrated at the unwillingness of the OC to ride the hot RB and drive downhill and put the onus on the guys on field man up and make a play.

Enough of the rearview mirror - on to next week's game:

I am looking forward to the CMU game this weekend as they (CMU) have a lot riding on this game.  CMU is 4-0 and not yet ranked.  Winning this game could be their ticket into the national spotlight.  On the other hand, now with a loss in conference, is it a moot point whether Wabash wins or loses the CMU game?  For Wabash to make the playoffs, they now have to win the conference which means they have to beat Witt.  Is that a correct assessment?  What I am trying to do is understand the mindset of the team and coaching staff. Is the team looking at this as a must win? Should the coaches be looking at the CMU game as a must-win?  In my opinion, Wabash should be focusing on getting better this week and competing, cutting down on the mistakes and penalities (9 last week) and then, win or lose, they are readying themselves for the rest of the NCAC schedule.

I look at the football season it two ways.  As an alumnus, I want to beat Depauw.  I get a lot of enjoyment from Wabash's success and the collateral events that accompany that success, but in the end, I want to beat Depauw.  As a parent and as a football player, I want the guys to win and experience as much as they can including conference championships and playoff games, in addition to beating Depauw. 

Looking forward to what I hope to be a slobber-knocker at Wabash this weekend.  BTW- the weather forecast looks outstanding for Saturday.

[bashbrother]

I know this will be controversial.....  but I believe,  if Tyler Holmes carries the ball 25 - 30 times in that game....  there is a different result.  Anyone that saw the game I saw, knows....he was a warrior.

5 rushes for 3 yards earns you a spot in the overtime line-up?   Sorry guys, calling it like I see it.  I think 18 rushes for 104 does....

The only other thing I will add on the offense.....  Chase Belton is a tremendous QB.... I have always been a big fan.  I believe he plays better when the offense incorporates him in the running game.   We saw it at the end of the half,  you could see the "Eye of the Tiger Instinct" on that last drive going into half.   It makes sense, this is the type of QB he is.  He plays off the rhythm of the game, makes things happen.  He is not a true pocket passer, never was and never will be.     

[wally_wabash]

The other thing that was missing was the "willingness to be great" or the "risk to be great".  Allegheny was 2 for 3 on 4th downs.  Wabash declined the opportunity to take that risk.  In at least three situations, Wabash chose to punt as opposed to attempt a 4th and 1 situation.  Allegheny took the initatiive and Wabash seemed to be reacting to their aggressive moves.  Given Wabash's tendency to come on strong in the 2nd half and/or late in ball games, I can understand the coaching staff anticipating the one big play that would turn things around.  If you look at the stats, Holmes was tackled for a loss one time in his 18 attempts.  I was most frustrated at the unwillingness of the OC to ride the hot RB and drive downhill and put the onus on the guys on field man up and make a play.

I don't think is really fair.  First, there were not multiple 4th and 1s.  There was one 4th and 1 and punting was the right play.  Wabash has the ball on their own 38 with 7 minutes left to play in a tie ball game.  Wabash is going into the wind that killed both offenses all day.  Let's do risk reward here. 

- Wabash picks up the one yard.  They are still at least 40 wind-hindered yards away from a decent look at a field goal, also into that wind.  Still a lot of work left for Wabash to do there. 

- Wabash fails to pick that yard up.  Allegheny takes over needing to only gain 10-ish yards to have a good wind-aided look at a go ahead field goal. 

Wabash can't win the game by picking up that one yard at that time in that spot on the field.  They absolutely can lose the game though.  As much as it pains everybody in the stands that scream and yell "go for it!" every time Wabash gets to 4th and something less than 15 like this is some kind of video game, kicking on 4th and 1, with that score, in that field position, with those elements was the correct play. 

Wabash had a 4th and 2 around midfield toward the end of the 3rd quarter where I think it may have made sense to go for it and try to get it in one more time before the end of the 3rd quarter.  But I can definitely see the sense in kicking it away there, with a lead, and pinning AC deep (had a touchback there unfortunately). 

These were the only two situations where Wabash had 4th and any less than 5. 

Quick edit...need to juxtapose Wabash's 4th down choices with Allegheny's.  Both of Allegheny's 4th down conversions came on their very first drive of the game and both came deep in Wabash's territory.  Do a similar risk/reward analysis there.  If they pick up those 4th downs, they get a chance to score 7 instead of 3 and put Wabash in a chasing position right off the bat.  Fail on those 4th downs and Wabash is pinned back deep, going into the wind, and you've still got an entire game left to get your points.  There wasn't much to lose for Allegheny going for it twice on that first drive and it also set a good, aggressive tone for them on that very first drive.  Super smart by Matlak there, but I can promise that he wouldn't have been going for 4th and 3s on that first drive if the ball were back on the 50 or something like that.  It was a perfect scenario to get really aggressive on that first drive. 

[smedindy]

Franklin is idle this week.  Should the game with CMU be close/exciting?  Might be fun to come out watch.

I can't guarantee close or exciting, but it's a huge game.  For Wabash, there are no more mulligans.  Wabash will need help to win the NCAC, and if they don't win the league they will need to be 9-1 to get invited to the tournament (still no guarantee there either).  So it's must win for the LGs.  For CMU, this, if you look at the rest of their schedule, could be their play-in game to the tournament.  Seriously.  If they get in and out of C'ville at 5-0, who on the rest of their schedule is going to beat them?  Yes, anybody technically could beat them, but the Tartans would be in excellent shape if they can win on Saturday.  It's a huge, huge game with huge, huge postseason implication.  It's probably as good a game as there is in the region this weekend.

There's more room for error for CMU. A 9-1 CMU with their only loss to a 9-1 Wabash (hopefully) is in good shape for a B or a C. The NCAC could become tangled in tiebreakers and Wabash can't afford 8-2 to make it to the postseason unless they get the "A" outright, somehow.

[sigma one]

So far, the Wabash read-option game has been terrible.  Other teams are preparing for it, and I think that the "option" part is largely missing.  Take a look at how many times Belton has carried the ball off the read as opposed to scrambling off broken pass plays.  Almost not at all, and not once last Saturday, I believe.  Yes, there is the young offensive line, but without the uncertainty for the defense, teams can get into those gaps.  It's been almost like the defenses are ignoring the threat of Belton pulling the ball since he has not do that more than a couple of times this season.  I'm hoping that the line will mature, and there was evidence of that last Saturday.  In the past, Belton has been injury prone, but there was Burke to play behind--or beside--him.  This year, no really experienced player as a back up.  Walsh, physically gifted, has been injured, and did not even dress at Hanover.  I forget if he did vs. Denison, but even if he was in uniform, was he completely healthy?  So, Wabash's best chance is to keep the senior QB healthy.  By the way, I don't think I'm saying anything here that opposing coaches have not already figured out.  They are smarter than I am. 
     The Wabash running game has worked best when Belton goes under center, Kolisek becomes the h-back, or lead blocker, and they run power off-tackle or to the edge.  Both Holmes and Porter have some big gains off that formation.
     I am very impressed with CMU's ability to throw the ball for long gains.  The W defense will have to be especially disciplined on Saturday in a way they were not vs. Allegheny.  The Gators exploited Wabash's aggressiveness and kept the D off balance all day with their combination of short passes, occasional use of the tight end, and a draw play that repeatedly gained significant yards. 
     Like others here, I am looking forward to more fire.  And I think we will see it on Saturday.  Two  teams, both needing to win for different reasons--and I don't buy for a moment the idea that the game not being an NCAC contest is less important to Wabash because they can still win the conference without it.  CMU's thrashing of Allegheny will surely be in the heads of both squads. Raeburn's teams have not lost more than two games in a season since he arrived.   

[bashbrother]

I want to send out some big props to The Wooster Scots for a hard fought battle against the Tigers of Wittenberg.  Many thought this game would get ugly, but Wooster hung in there very well. (Actually had the lead 7-3 at half) ... Defense did a great job on a Witt offense that was rolling. 

Bravo to the Scots!  Build on it this week at Denison.

[Breckenridgebear]

http://www.thedepauw.com/sports/depauw-s-revolving-door-of-head-coaches-1.2907944

Apparently Long lead Depauw to "two NCAA Div. III championship appearances in 2009 and 2010", according to this article. How did I miss those?

[Pat Coleman]

http://www.thedepauw.com/sports/depauw-s-revolving-door-of-head-coaches-1.2907944

Apparently Long lead Depauw to "two NCAA Div. III championship appearances in 2009 and 2010", according to this article. How did I miss those?

The NCAA playoffs are called the Division III football championship, just like all other NCAA postseason tournament events are named similarly.

If you are thinking about the Division III football championship game, well, that's a different thing entirely.