FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

I came across that when I saw that Wooster's SOS was near the bottom of D3 which struck me as odd since they played both Witt and Wabash (also struck me as odd that Wooster is 2-6 against one of the weakest schedules in Division III).  So I checked, and St. Vincent is a winless team along with Hiram, so there goes the SOS. 

Here's a list of teams Wooster has beaten since the start of the 2009 season...this isn't a list that I've manicured either; this is the complete list of teams Wooster has beaten since the start of the 2009 season:
Denison x 2
Earlham
Hiram x 3
Kenyon x 2
Oberlin x 3
OWU x 3
St. Vincent
WashU

And recent win streaks against Kenyon and OWU are in serious jeopardy this year.  Are we approaching bottom yet in Wooster?  Yikes. 

[BashDad]

He is literally "In Like Flint". 

This sentence is my favorite. Ever.

[BashBacker#16]

I'm disappointed with the Regional Rankings.  You guys crunch the data a lot more than me but tell me why and how Concordia Chicago is a #2???

What are the chances there will be changes in the last 2 weeks of the season?

I know Wabash's SOS will go down but I hope if we can win and win big we may get a better seed than a 4.

Bummed.

[robertgoulet]

I'm disappointed with the Regional Rankings.  You guys crunch the data a lot more than me but tell me why and how Concordia Chicago is a #2???

What are the chances there will be changes in the last 2 weeks of the season?

I know Wabash's SOS will go down but I hope if we can win and win big we may get a better seed than a 4.

Bummed.

I wouldn't be completely surprised if NCC and Wabash both jumped over Concordia over the last 2 weeks. If all 3 win-out, I would think the strength of NCC's (last two opponents have records of 6-2, 4-4) and Wabash's (3-5, 2-6) opponents would be enough for them to move up on Concordia (2-6, 0-8).

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Glad to see OWU ranked at all. I know that they are 7-1 and Franklin is 6-2, but not sure they are really better than Franklin in reality. I have never seen Franklin play, so my Opinion means nothing.

[wabndy]

The funny thing is if the north region rankings were a final tournament seeding (which I know they are not), Concordia would - if common sense holds true- lose to a 7 seed which in round 2 gives the 3 seed a home game against 7 and sends the 4 seed to Alliance.

Yes - plenty of football to be played between now and then. But- boy what a crazy system.

[wally_wabash]

I'm disappointed with the Regional Rankings.  You guys crunch the data a lot more than me but tell me why and how Concordia Chicago is a #2???

What are the chances there will be changes in the last 2 weeks of the season?

I know Wabash's SOS will go down but I hope if we can win and win big we may get a better seed than a 4.

Bummed.

It works out that way for a few reasons...first, CUC has a 1.000 win percentage.  That carries a ton of weight in these rankings.  Second, they have a strong SOS (34th nationally...below Wabash's 13th but ahead of NCC's 63rd).  Third, they do have a win against a regionally ranked team (Lake Forest, #10 West).  I would guess that if Lake Forest was not a ranked team, CUC would sit behind Wabash and North Central...but the RRO win kind of sort of validates the undefeated record. 

To me, it's kind of like when CWRU was going 10-0 against the not-so-good part of the NCAC and getting #2 seeds in the tournament.  Sometimes it just breaks down that way.   One other thing to keep in mind is that sometimes these rankings look a lot different after the first week.  You might see some changes next week. 

And it's not all that bad I think.  Of all the places that Wabash (or anybody else in the tournament) might have to travel for a game, CUC is probably one of the more desireable locations. 

[Pat Coleman]

Wabash fans would overflow that stadium. Nice neighborhood, though.

[Wabash Hokie]

Wabash has published its game notes for Saturday's tilt with Oberlin.  It is also Senior Day at Wabash.

http://sports.wabash.edu/documents/2012/10/31/ReleaseOct312012.pdf?id=108

[smedindy]

Not surprised by CUC being #2 at this stage because of their win over a RR opponent. Their result against Lake Forest is pretty big for them. In Wabash's favor, having two RR teams is also nice. I would like Wabash to avoid the dreaded #4 or #5 seed so they could avoid the purple behemoth until the third round. Of course, the committee could move Oshkosh to the North and move Mt. Union East. Who knows?

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I'm disappointed with the Regional Rankings.  You guys crunch the data a lot more than me but tell me why and how Concordia Chicago is a #2???

What are the chances there will be changes in the last 2 weeks of the season?

I know Wabash's SOS will go down but I hope if we can win and win big we may get a better seed than a 4.

Bummed.

It works out that way for a few reasons...first, CUC has a 1.000 win percentage.  That carries a ton of weight in these rankings.  Second, they have a strong SOS (34th nationally...below Wabash's 13th but ahead of NCC's 63rd).  Third, they do have a win against a regionally ranked team (Lake Forest, #10 West).  I would guess that if Lake Forest was not a ranked team, CUC would sit behind Wabash and North Central...but the RRO win kind of sort of validates the undefeated record. 

To me, it's kind of like when CWRU was going 10-0 against the not-so-good part of the NCAC and getting #2 seeds in the tournament.  Sometimes it just breaks down that way.   One other thing to keep in mind is that sometimes these rankings look a lot different after the first week.  You might see some changes next week. 

And it's not all that bad I think.  Of all the places that Wabash (or anybody else in the tournament) might have to travel for a game, CUC is probably one of the more desireable locations.

Rankings are primarily metric based and the reality of playoff seedings due to AQ limiting 2nd place teams changes things a lot.  For example Franklin is 10 based on numbers and SOS.  No way they are all the way in 10th (HCAC SOS is a killer metrically).  Here is my prediction.  Concordia will be a 4 based on weak schedule and host Heidleberg.  Bash will get a 3 behind NC (that loss to Allegeny was a killer).  Franklin will ultimately be a 6 as Elmhurst, Witt, and OWU will probably not make the show in Pool C.  Not out of the realm that Bash will host FC (thats my wish at least). Who really knows though.

[bashbrother]

Wabash fans would overflow that stadium. Nice neighborhood, though.

Is there a chance that their facilities wouldn't make the NCAA minimums for hosting a playoff game?   Is available seating part of that equation?

[smedindy]

Witt's going to be the "A" from the NCAC, Griz, if we've got the tiebreakers right. And Elmhurst has the goods to be a very secure "C".

Given the 'North" may be:

Mt. Union
North Central
Concordia
Wabash
Wittenberg
Franklin
Elmhurst
Adrian

I think the best Franklin could do is #7.

[smedindy]

I just typed that out and realized that Heidelberg could be another "North" team though they could be thrown East for the first round, perhaps. If not, Concordia could go West. If Heidelberg stays they'll be right in there with Franklin and Adrian for 6-8.

[Pat Coleman]

Wabash fans would overflow that stadium. Nice neighborhood, though.

Is there a chance that their facilities wouldn't make the NCAA minimums for hosting a playoff game?   Is available seating part of that equation?

There isn't a posted minimum in terms of seating. It's a reasonable size, just not large enough for a Wabash contingent making a relatively short trip.

There's probably some question as to whether they could control the gate, though, unless changes have been made since Keith and I stopped by there in 2006.