FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Mugsy]

Mugsy - This wing T talk gets old.  I am more interested in the Augie/North Central matchup this weekend.  Any predictions from a Wheaton guy?

Boy... it's a very interesting matchup.  Until last weekend, I would have given a significant edge to Augie because their defense had been playing like it did "back in the day".  They were completely shutting people down.  Then a drammatically improving, but not yet primetime Elmhurst team drops 42 points on them.  Wheaton only gave up 7 pts to Elmhurst.

North Central is brutally explosive on offense with one of the best QB's in the country and stud receivers.  They can hurt you in a hurry.  Their coaching staff is top notch, turning a average a best program around in 4 years (6-4, 7-3, 7-3, 8-0 so far in 05').

That said, I still give a slight edge to Augie (playing a home and more experienced in the "winner takes all" game).  Plus NCC's defense, which was supposed to be dominate given the players they have returning, hasn't excelled as expected.  It'll be a real shoot out of diverse schemes.  Augie in a close one.

[DarkSide-D]

KCreds, the only way OWU will get third place this year, is if Kenyon loses a game.  If they win out, it doesn't matter if OWU wins out.

[BashBacker#16]

Mugsy - great post, thanks for the insight.  Sounds like a great game!

Off the topic for a minute but still on D3 football...I met my new neighbors last night who just moved in from Omaha, NE - football came up quickly in the conversation and I find out this guy played 4 years at St. Johns for Coach Gagliardi!!!  How sweet is that?  Before D3 came up, he asked me if I had ever heard of St. Johns!!!  What are the odds?

[KC]

When I said third best, I meant program, on a year in, year out basis.  Bash and Witt are the undisputed top dogs, put them in whatever order you want.  After that come OWU, Wooster, and Allegheny in whatever order you see fit, in my opinion I'd put them in that order.  They may still finish 3rd this year because the Kenyon-Denison game is going to be a good one.

[kcreds]

Darkside: I will reiterate what I originally stated that started all these posts. Irregardless of records, if OWU wins out, IMO they will be the third best team in the conference. If, again, you want to hang your hat on Kenyon and their schedule as the third best team then so be it. Why is it that OWU gets so much slack and hardly any credit for who they are and what they have done? OWU fans on here have been very respectful of other teams and tend not to wear rose colored glasses like some fans on here do, perfect example is aueagle, he tells it like it is. I apologize if I disrepected anyone but I will not stand silent and let other posters disrepect OWU. GO BISHOPS!

[oldguy]

Since I started the wing-t talk, I will end it by asking for some proof.

The last final 4 wing-t team?  The last National Champion? 

In the end, I'm not trying to pick fights.  I'm glad you supporters of the wing-t are strong in your belief.  It makes for a better conversation.  Good to see we got some Augie people to visit this board.  As boring as some of you think  this conversation is, its better than the constant Wabash personnel discussions that are on here.

[DarkSide-D]

By all means KCreds,  Say it how it is.  That is what I am saying.  I typically disagree with your comments about the teams year in and year out.  With the exception of Allegheny as of late, I would put them at the third best team.  Now, that is to say typically.  Lately gheny has had a run of bad luck, or whatever you wanna call it.  Keep in mind, they are the only NCAC school to have a national title, while being in the NCAC.  Also, they have the most titles of 9.  Heck, that might even put Gheny in front of Bash.  Traditionally, on a year in and year out basis, I would place Wooster just slightly ahead of OWU.  Woo has more conference titles (granted only one more).  I say they are neck to neck because OWU seemed to compete better in the first decade of the conference, and Woo seems to have been better the last decade.  Witt is at the top, if simply because they have been in the conference longer than bash, and has dominated the conference for so long.  Bash is making a strong push for this position, having won the title twice in a four year period.

I can't help but think that you have your rose colored glasses on when you make the claim about OWU being the number three program, because of your son playing for them.

[Mugsy]

In the end, I'm not trying to pick fights.  I'm glad you supporters of the wing-t are strong in your belief.  It makes for a better conversation.  Good to see we got some Augie people to visit this board.  As boring as some of you think  this conversation is, its better than the constant Wabash personnel discussions that are on here.

Just a note: I wasn't trying to imply that I would run the wing-t if it were my choice - cause I wouldn't.  But Augie uses it VERY, VERY well and has a proven record of success with it.  Is it "out-dated?"  Very, debatable with valid points from both sides.  In the end, I believe it takes a quality coaching staff with the ability to make game-time adjustments, players with the physical and mental abilities, execution regardless of scheme, excellence in all facets of the game, administration support for athletics, recruiting, etc... all to factor into a championship caliber team.  Take any of these factors away, you limit the program's ability to reach the highest goals.

[kcreds]

Darkside: I at no time intended to say that OWU is the third best team since the NCAC started, I am just talking about this year. I agree with your perspectives on overall ratings since the NCAC started. Nothing my son can do about the past but he can make an impact on the future, however so slight, to improve the program. I try to call it as I see it without wearing rose colored galsses but I try to always look on the positive side of the program.

Mugsy: You make it sound so simple but it is so very true. If I could give you a karma point I would.

[DarkSide-D]

I'll tell ya what KCreds,

I have given you some heavy crap...I will give him the Karma for you.   

I agree with you that OWU is the third best team this year.  At the end of last season,  I thought they would make a strong run for the title, Though I didnt think they would win it.  I had expected second.  I think Witt surprised us this season, especially after the non-conference games.  There is still some fight in that old cat.

Let's go Scots, end the season on a high note.  I think Woo has a shot at Witt, though it may be a small one.  And I still think Woo has can beat OWU.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy - great post, thanks for the insight.  Sounds like a great game!

BashBacker#16,

Congrats on the great season by Wabash so far.  There were signs from the scrimmage with Wheaton that you guys would have an awesome season.  I've been keeping an eye on Wabash (as I often do for teams we either scrimmage or play in non-conference games).  Plus I know Coach Creighton and Coach Neathery (he was a freshman D-end when I was a senior and while I coached LB's the following years).  Quality coaches and quality individuals.  

Wabash needs to finish things out strong and not look ahead!  Best of luck.

[frank uible]

Darkside: The shotgun as practiced by Northwestern and others is a type of single wing.

[wabco]

Kreds et. al.

My reaction to the conference teams is that generally we are pretty well represented by the likes of Gheny, Witt, OWU, and Woo as amoung the leaders of the pack ... with 'Bash being the lead dog, of course. (I am sure here is a minority report from this view.)  Running the gammet  of those 4 is not easy ... year in, year out.  It is on the nie side of impossible to run the table against this competition (as Witt has done, Woo did last year and - the good Lord willing - 'Bash will do again this year).  One of them is going to get you.  My read on next year is no table run but lots of excitement (with 'Bash ultimately coming out on top again ... again minority report to follow.) 

This year, Witt. played Wabash very hard and with determination.  A great game to watch.  Gheny played as hard and tough as they could in a circumstance where a team of lesser grit might just have quit.  OWU played good hard nosed football... nothing to hang a head aboput.  Woo played well and hard with the hand they had.  Any of them could have downed a Wabash team not "on its game".  This will all be repeated next year.  Good rivalries, good respect,  and a good conference.

Now:  'Bash ... get by Denison and ...DePauw to Hell, We Want the Bell.

[Liftit]

     I don't know . Isn't weird to be argueing over who is third best?  Even with rose colored glasses its tuff to accept.  Congrats to the LG's ! I remember before the season that every one of the Wabash fans were unsure of Harbaugh. Great season for the young man. I felt that your defense would play at the level they have.
     
    Wooster failed to prove they were more than Sutton , some questions were answered for them .
    Allegheney really had a tough year , I thought they were a sleeper pick in the preseason based on defense.
   OWU  got taken down early and didn't recover , 3rd best?
  Kenyon still has to finish the season but defense has improved and offense is potent , but struggled with Earlham leaves questions.
Denison needs to just break through . Lack that thing or play ?
Oberlin has improved  , but still stuck on relying on 1 player.
Hiram still fighting.
Earlham would have been scary with  Rummel there every week.
Witt had a large plate and it was a tuff year for them ,be interesting to see if this boosts them for coming years .
   

[Vince McMahon]

As horrible as this season has been, my feeling is that the Gators will bounce back in a big way in '06.  I know there's still two weeks to play this season so I don't want to jump ahead too quickly, but I think if Gheny can close this season on a high note (by upsetting Witt) they will be in good shape for next season, with pretty much all of their offensive specialists returning.  And its not like they have been getting their heads kicked in this year.  All but 1 one of their games has come down to the last minute or two. Before this year, I never would've believed that big of a turnaround was possible, but I'm also a Penn St. fan and words can't describe the change of fortune one year has brought them.   

Staying in the present season though, good luck to the 'Bash in the coming weeks.  I know anything can happen in the next two weeks, but I expect Wabash to represent the NCAC well in the playoffs.  Plus I can afford to support them come playoff time since they have an entirely different recruiting area.  Not much direct competition on opposite ends of the conference.