FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[nike]

OWU is learning how to win games, albeit their numbers do not always look great.  But they can score. That is huge.  They have a couple of really good players on both sides of the ball.  They are on a great roll.  Their coaches are telling them everyone is saying that they have not played tough teams so far this year and will lose this week, I would guess.  If they can get by either CM or Wabash, along with everyone and have a shot at a playoff bid---what a one year turn around.  My guess is their best chance is to beat CM.  They know that too 
To be honest, just a hunch really.  CM may be the better team on paper, but OWU is better than when they started the season.  And I want them to win this week so that they are undefeated on the 27th.
How is that for crazy logic?

[wally_wabash]

I went back to see how Carnegie Mellon has fared after a bye week in recent history...turns out, not so well.  0-5 the last five years after the bye week.  They lost to Randolph Macon in 2007 after the bye, then each of the last four years they lost to Wittenberg after the bye.  So there you have it.  I have no idea how any of that relates to Saturday's game. 

[smedindy]

Arguably they played better than expected against Witt in those games and were within a score in 2008, 2010 and 2011. So thats a positive trend. The only time they were knocked out was against Witt's 2009 team which was a menace to everyone. That Randy Mac team in 2007 was pretty good too.

So it's kind of, 'Yeah they lost, but..."

[wabco]

No worries.  All the huff and puff will not save OWU against Wabash.  Opening surge of spirit driven and coach designed special plays .... then it is a long walk in the Grand Canyon without food or water.  No Thrilla in Manilla ... no QB draw down.  Over 4 quarters, Chase underlines why he is POY, Wabash team underlines why ... automatic qualifier shenanigens or not ... they will be in the Playoffs.  Walsh got some valuable PT ... with a game under pressure and did very well.  Belton will be ready. The tanden of Thunder and Lightning will be functioning at RB.  The O line is good and better each week.  AND ... oh yeah ... go figure out how to somehow somehow get around the Little Giant Hard Hat D.

If Wabash comes in focused, which I believe an Eric R. coached team will ... except for perhjaps a little murmur in the beginning, it will be "Game over... game over ... we are in some deep S*** now !!!" 

CMU may or may not provide a preview by exposing OWU as being a couple of years away ... I believe they have the horses and they will.  The next two weeks should be 0-2 for the OWUers.  I love it that OWU is beginning the road back ... but with all respect ... not yet there.

[sigma one]

Adding to what Wally just posted as a factors in the  OWU/CMU game this week.  I was ready to mention the bye week for CMU.  Wally did the research.  Others:  the game is at CMU:  does this matter at all, much, a little, for nothing?  CMU strted the season with a balanced rushing attack that included Nardone, Delello, Erra-Hernandez, and Blanks.  Of these, only Blanks is now carryng the ball; he has become the featured back.  The others are gone,  all injured I'm supposing.  (Will any of them return after the layoff?)  What is the consequence of this?  Well, Blanks is a major force.  He has been featured the last several weeks, starting with Wabash, and has run wild.  Is it better with him and without the others?  Very possibly yes.  But it cuts down on the deception in the CMU attack if Blanks is the guy, and the defense knows it.  Will he start to wear down?  Also, Kalstein continues to be accurate and produce significant numbers.   
     OWU features a hig-octane passing attack.  Running has not been their strong point.  CMU is unlikely to stop their passing, but they could TRY to force OWU to run the ball by playing six d backs or developing another strategy--though I don't think OWU will go away from the passing game:  that's the one that brung them to the dance.   Remember, CMU has that extra week to set a course. And, on the other side, can OWU slow down CMU enough, and stop long drives, and get their own offense on the field?   
     In the end, can CMU control the ball--and the game?  I look for big offensive production and high scores.  Predict:  both teams will score over 30.  And if they both score quickly rather than off long drives, advantage to OWU because at some point their defense will make a stand; they have some good d linemen.  We've seen some astonishing shoot outs this year in DIII.    Weather premitting, this might be another one.
     

[nike]

Please understand--I will be there and rooting for Wabash.  Love the program and Belton.
Just think it would be really cool if OWU is undefeated at the time and Selby has 5,000 plus rockin' the bleachers.
I have been to Selby in past years where there were maybe 500, including the players.

[firstdown]

I tend to agree with Sigma that OWU and CMU could well be a shoot out a la Texas and West Virginia.  Blanks is quite a running back, and with a bye week  some of the other guys will likely return.  Wally was right that the OWU coaches will be firing up their players about showing the world what they are made.  Nothing breeds success like success. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

No worries.  All the huff and puff will not save OWU against Wabash.  Opening surge of spirit driven and coach designed special plays .... then it is a long walk in the Grand Canyon without food or water.  No Thrilla in Manilla ... no QB draw down.  Over 4 quarters, Chase underlines why he is POY, Wabash team underlines why ... automatic qualifier shenanigens or not ... they will be in the Playoffs.  Walsh got some valuable PT ... with a game under pressure and did very well.  Belton will be ready. The tanden of Thunder and Lightning will be functioning at RB.  The O line is good and better each week.  AND ... oh yeah ... go figure out how to somehow somehow get around the Little Giant Hard Hat D.

If Wabash comes in focused, which I believe an Eric R. coached team will ... except for perhjaps a little murmur in the beginning, it will be "Game over... game over ... we are in some deep S*** now !!!" 

CMU may or may not provide a preview by exposing OWU as being a couple of years away ... I believe they have the horses and they will.  The next two weeks should be 0-2 for the OWUers.  I love it that OWU is beginning the road back ... but with all respect ... not yet there.

Not sure were the Huff and Puff is. I think the OWU supporters are being cautiously optimistic. I have not read anywhere on here that anybody thinks OWU is going to beat Wabash. Most hope it can happen but have been realistic about it. Right now OWU is, or should be focused on CMU. If the Defense steps up we have a chance.

[smedindy]

I don't think anyone should look ahead. OWU will have their hands full prepping for CMU and I think ER will have the LGs solely focused on the Scots. All he will need to do is whisper (or scream) - "Allegheny".

It was interesting that the Sul Ross / Texas Lutheran game was higher scoring than their men's hoops contests in 2012. Somehow I don't think that'll be the case with the Bishops and Tartans even though both could score a lot of points. The last time OWU and CMU played in hoops the Bishops won in a 93-62 drubbing.

The other scores in their brief hoops rivalry: 68-60 (OWU), 73-62 (OWU), 82-80 (CMU) and 61-54 (OWU). I think this year's football contest will be definitely fall under those scores, but both teams could definitely dent the board over 30 for sure.

Side note: As we know, CMU is in a different region than the NCAC in football, and only the 200-mile rule makes the OWU / CMU a regional game. Of course, the Tartans are in the SAME region as the NCAC in hoops. Ye Gods.

[Wabash Hokie]

No worries.  All the huff and puff will not save OWU against Wabash.  Opening surge of spirit driven and coach designed special plays .... then it is a long walk in the Grand Canyon without food or water.  No Thrilla in Manilla ... no QB draw down.  Over 4 quarters, Chase underlines why he is POY, Wabash team underlines why ... automatic qualifier shenanigens or not ... they will be in the Playoffs.  Walsh got some valuable PT ... with a game under pressure and did very well.  Belton will be ready. The tanden of Thunder and Lightning will be functioning at RB.  The O line is good and better each week.  AND ... oh yeah ... go figure out how to somehow somehow get around the Little Giant Hard Hat D.

If Wabash comes in focused, which I believe an Eric R. coached team will ... except for perhjaps a little murmur in the beginning, it will be "Game over... game over ... we are in some deep S*** now !!!" 

CMU may or may not provide a preview by exposing OWU as being a couple of years away ... I believe they have the horses and they will.  The next two weeks should be 0-2 for the OWUers.  I love it that OWU is beginning the road back ... but with all respect ... not yet there.

Not sure were the Huff and Puff is. I think the OWU supporters are being cautiously optimistic. I have not read anywhere on here that anybody thinks OWU is going to beat Wabash. Most hope it can happen but have been realistic about it. Right now OWU is, or should be focused on CMU. If the Defense steps up we have a chance.

Lefty:  I concur - the OWU faithful are keeping it within the fenceposts.  The fact that CMU  is not a conference game points all the more towards the 10/27 showdown from a Wabash supporter's point of view.  I think an undefeated OWU team going into the Wabash game would make for a great atmosphere.  As the saying goes, you can only play the games on the schedule and so far, OWU has delivered the mail.  While I fervently believe that Wabash will win on 10/27, OWU and its fans will have every reason to be sky-high for that game.  It makes what Div III football is all about.

[The_Bishop]

Not sure were the Huff and Puff is. I think the OWU supporters are being cautiously optimistic. I have not read anywhere on here that anybody thinks OWU is going to beat Wabash. Most hope it can happen but have been realistic about it. Right now OWU is, or should be focused on CMU. If the Defense steps up we have a chance.

Agreed.  I openly stated that I thought CWRU should have been at least a touchdown favorite against OWU and was concerned about the long road trip to DePauw as they seemed to be on the verge of turning the ship around.  CMU is going to be a tough, tough challenge for the Bishops.  I don't want to get ahead of myself to the meeting with Wabash on 10/27 so will save my comments for that week, but share the cautious optimism about what the Bishops may be able to achieve from here on out.  Soft schedule to start the season aside, this team has still not played its best football, not by a long shot. 

[nike]

The coaches can worry about getting their players ready for the games.  As a long time College of Wooster backer and supporter, I can speculate and hypothosize about the games this week, next week or the week after.
Can OWU beat CM this weekend?  Of course they can.  And I hope they do.  I remember what these times were like as a participant and as a parent and now as a long time fan.  OWU is enjoying this I am sure.  Let 'em dream big.  Their coach may have already locked up Coach of the Year.  And the refurbished Selby and new field make this year's run alll the better.
I hope Witt beats Allegheny.  That will make OWU-Wabash the game of the year in the NCAC this season, topping the previous game of the year this season, Wabash-Witt. 
Of course, if Allegheny beats Witt and OWU somehow gets by Wabash, then the game of the year is OWU vs. Allegneny.
Great stuff!

[sigma one]

As we have all been saying in one language or another, the outcome this weekend really doesn't matter in the most important sense.  Oh, sure, it would be nice if OWU wins--I hope they do for the Bishops' fans,  the heightened drama of next weekend, for the crowd, I hope, and for the NCAC's reputation.    But in terms of who might have the best chance of winning the NCAC, this week is less than academic.
     I am just as interested in how Wabash will look v. Wooster.  Several posters talked about last week v. Wash U. being a trap game.  Wabash didn't get trapped.   Now, Wabash can't get caught looking ahead.  This is one of Wooster's big chances to begin to salvage a season.  And we still don't know Belton's status.  I think Wabash can win without him, but . . .surely without him the game becomes more, um, interesting.   Not to denigrate Walsh, who has the tools, but it's Belton through whom the offense has run.
    By the way, in the early weeks we lamented the lack of a running game from Wabash.  Without an experienced back-up QB, Raeburn didn't seem to want Belton to run the ball.  Now, with the o line maturing (Raeburn is also the o line coach) and Belton on the loose things have changed.  If he does not play this week, the playing field levels somewhat.    Not that I think Wwabash will lose.
    By the way, where is scotslass?  She always bought insight and a Wooster perspective to the board.  I hope she is OK.     

[nike]

No idea.  Maybe she will pop in at some point.

[smedindy]

Maybe not in the NCAC sense, Sigma One, but since OWU misses Witt, this is a chance that they can go 9-1 and be in outside "C" contention if they lose to Wabash and take care of their other business against Gheny and Wooster. That's a lot of ifs and buts, but intriguing nonetheless.