FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[sigma one]

Back to some Monon Bell analysis.  Looking at the Wabash's for the last three weeks, one sees that the LGs have started slowly.  v. Wooster 10-0; v. OWU 0-0; v. Oberlin 7-6.  Great defensive play, but even with this, very anemic offensive production.  Except for Oberlin, of course, better play after the break. 
     I don't know what this bodes for Saturday, but I hate it when teams hang around.  In a rivalry game, a slow start could be more damaging. 
     Because DePauw has not been able to run the ball effectively all season, they will do what others have done lately.  No surprise if they throw 50-60 times, and even more if they fall behind early.  The blueprint is there for them; do they have the talent to follow it and make it work?  Nobody would expect Wabash to do anything differently.  Run the ball; try to wear down the defense; throw down the field when they think the opportunity is there. 
     DePauw has surrendered points, but they have also stayed in a number of games.  Guessing that Seaman will start at QB, instead of a freshman.  Then, they will see how it goes.  Going back to the beginning of this post, the game's early play will be crucial.  If DPU stays close, Wabash has been in close games at the half, and picked it up later, but not always.  Tickets still available for those who want to see the classic.  Saturday's temperature in the high 60's.  Sunny and pleasant. 

[smedindy]

No conspiracy. I think Pat & Co. are projecting a Kenyon loss this weekend (or hoping for one...)

Yes, but...what IF they did win?   That would be something, wouldn't it?

It would be something, yes! It already IS something, as Kenyon was picked to finish dead dog last (behind Hiram) in the league.

Frankly, though they haven't played an offense like Denison's except OWU and they gave up 33 to the Bishops. They gave up 28 to Wash U who hasn't scored more than 18 in any other game.  They caught Oberlin when Mandel was out and Poggiali's no Mandel, not even close.

They're a great story and I think they have something great to build on, but I think their dream dies Saturday against Paulus and Fioroni.

[smedindy]

Well said, Sigma. Wabash needs to strike quickly and score on their early possessions. They also need to play D like they did against OWU and make adjustments since I bet DPU is inhaling the Oberlin game film to see what the Yeomen did successfully.

Of course, it helped that the Yeomen had Mandel and Witjes and I don't think DPU has anyone of their caliber.

[Li'l Giant]

How big is this game for Belton's legacy?  Never losing a Bell game is a pretty big deal.

Huge. I think this game is huge for Belton's legacy. Every Wabash quarterback has That Game. A game against a big opponent where they imposed their will, put the team on their back and said "we're winning this effing thing".

For Jake Knott I think of the Witt game in 2002 (Those numbers!). For Russ Harbaugh I think of the Bell Game in 2005 (Check his postgame interview with the sideline reporter. Tell me dude didn't leave it all on the field). For Dustin Huff I think of the Franklin game in 2007 (and like a Greek drama it ended tragically). For Matt Hudson it was the Bell Game in 2009 getting the monkey off his back. ("I will not fail you, Coach"). For Tyler Burke it was last year against North Central (Always means Always).

Belton needs that "signature win". I don't think he has that right now. Look, I've been a big supporter (read: defender) of Chase and I still am. I'm not pointing this out to criticize him; he's had a very good career. I'm just saying that his legacy will no doubt suffer if Wabash doesn't win tomorrow and he doesn't have a big game.

[DPU3619]

DePauw has surrendered points, but they have also stayed in a number of games.  Guessing that Seaman will start at QB, instead of a freshman.  Then, they will see how it goes. 

Seaman will start, but I expect both will play.  It's not a see how it goes thing so much as it's a different package thing.

[wally_wabash]

Since I love conspiracy theories I will throw this out. Is the projection of Wittenberg based on the ncaa putting pressure on the ncac to pick the Tigers based on the 500 mile rule and the fact the ncaa has to pick of the travel tab if the distance for a team is over that distance? Without clarification from the ncac anything is possible.

Doubt it.  Even if there were an NCAA conspiracy, I don't think the folks that run this site are in cahoots to push that sort of thing.  D3football.com is not the NCAA (saw some tweets blasting the D3fb guys for slights in the regional rankings, which obviously are an NCAA thing and not a D3fb thing...separate entities entirely). 

Listen, fans...and I hope you're sitting down here.  If Kenyon is awarded the NCAC's ticket to the tournament (and regardless of how I feel about the tiebreak process, good for them if they are...everybody should get a chance to experience the tournament), there is a very real chance that the NCAC is going to have a 7-3 team getting housed by Mount Union in 8 days while two 9-1 teams and an 8-2 team with h2h wins over those 9-1 teams and a better at-large résumé than all but probably 2-3 of the Pool C teams that will get in, will not be involved in the postseason.  This is a very real thing that could happen. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

I know I am rooting for Denison and Oberlin this weekend. Go Big Red and the Yoemen.

You can add Wooster to that list!!!

You add it your list. They are definitely staying off mine.

[ohiofan1954]

decisions decisions. Do I give my northwestern-michigan game ticket to my son and let him take his girlfriend to that game or go to ann arbor and miss the Deinison-Kenyon game which would be my other choice.?

[Pat Coleman]

The conference office broke down tiebreaker scenarios:
http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2012/11/09/north-coast-athletic-conference-tiebreakers/

[smedindy]

Well, um, OK.

As we feared, a sweep by all three means Kenyon wins the AQ.

For OWU to get the autobid, there needs to be Armageddon this Saturday.

[nike]

Wow!  I am sure this will add to the weekend drama.

[heralds61]

OWU had one offensive touchdown vs kenyon two defensive and 4 fieldgoals.  They dominated the statline, but not the redzone,the lords have a real chance on saturday even if the big boy's on this board don't think so!

[Pat Coleman]

OWU had one offensive touchdown vs kenyon two defensive and 4 fieldgoals.  They dominated the statline, but not the redzone,the lords have a real chance on saturday even if the big boy's on this board don't think so!

Welcome to the board! Stay awhile, ok?

[smedindy]

Of course they have a chance - it's not like Denison's a world beater.

[The_Bishop]

Go Big Red!