FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashgiant]

These are all good points, but, it seems to me (no data to back this up) there are more knee and ankle injuries that don't involve any contact. Is traction too good ? Maybe it is that cleats are much better these days ? Or maybe just bad luck. It would be interesting to hear an orthopedic sports doctor's opinion on this subject.

[sigma one]

Early studies of new-style artificial turf (not the old "rugs") indicated that the surfaces did not increase injuries to ankles, knees, shoulders, and heads,  In 2012 an NFL study showed more ankle and knee injuries on turf.  That study examined injuries in 2680 games played on grass and turf.  But recent studies of high school and college games showed no significant difference in leg injuries.  Most recent studies have pointed out a "footwear" factor in turf injuries.  It is becoming clear that there is less force applied to legs when cuts are made on grass in non-contact situations.   
     A 2011 study noted that soggy, uneven grass is an "injury nightmare," and that would describe plenty of high school and college fields in bad weather.  Obviously, the NFL maintains fields at a very high level, so make what you will of the grass v. turf injury debate.  A very recent study--in 2013--indicated that different types of athletic shoes complicated study of injuries on turf depending on "sole material and cleat pattern and shape."  Smaller cleats apply less pressure on the foot, and research appears ongoing on the matter of footwear, athletes size and speed, etc.  The big manufacturers are constantly introducing new cleat and sole designs--partly marketing, no doubt, but there's science in there too.
     This year, all football stadiums in the NCAC will have artificial turf, with Oberlin this summer being the latest school to move to artificial grass.  I don't know which of the turf products Oberlin is installing.  The other NCAC members have a variety of surfaces.   As far as I know, Allegheny, Denison, and Wabash play on a version of FieldTurf.  DePauw and Wittenberg play on AstroTurf products, with DPU's recently installed field an updated version.  Kenyon and Ohio Wesleyan installed OmniGrass.  Hiram and Wooster have ProGrass.  If I am mistaken on these surfaces, I am sure someone will correct the record 
     Most NFL teams that have put in artificial turf installed some kind of FieldTurf, and a recent study indicated that FieldTurf surfaces are generally favored by professional players.  That does not mean that that other kinds of surfaces do not provide excellent playing conditions.  I can say that when Wabash was considering turf the College examined a variety of surfaces (I am sure all schools do this), and the coaches were very strongly in favor of FieldTurf of the type that is in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  I can also say that different kinds of turf have different feels, and to a lesser extent looks, when you see them and walk on them.  Also, of course, there are different price points for different products, and even within a single complany there are different qualities of turf depending on price. 
     
     
       

[bashgiant]

Early studies of new-style artificial turf (not the old "rugs") indicated that the surfaces did not increase injuries to ankles, knees, shoulders, and heads,  In 2012 an NFL study showed more ankle and knee injuries on turf.  That study examined injuries in 2680 games played on grass and turf.  But recent studies of high school and college games showed no significant difference in leg injuries.  Most recent studies have pointed out a "footwear" factor in turf injuries.  It is becoming clear that there is less force applied to legs when cuts are made on grass in non-contact situations.   
     A 2011 study noted that soggy, uneven grass is an "injury nightmare," and that would describe plenty of high school and college fields in bad weather.  Obviously, the NFL maintains fields at a very high level, so make what you will of the grass v. turf injury debate.  A very recent study--in 2013--indicated that different types of athletic shoes complicated study of injuries on turf depending on "sole material and cleat pattern and shape."  Smaller cleats apply less pressure on the foot, and research appears ongoing on the matter of footwear, athletes size and speed, etc.  The big manufacturers are constantly introducing new cleat and sole designs--partly marketing, no doubt, but there's science in there too.
     This year, all football stadiums in the NCAC will have artificial turf, with Oberlin this summer being the latest school to move to artificial grass.  I don't know which of the turf products Oberlin is installing.  The other NCAC members have a variety of surfaces.   As far as I know, Allegheny, Denison, and Wabash play on a version of FieldTurf.  DePauw and Wittenberg play on AstroTurf products, with DPU's recently installed field an updated version.  Kenyon and Ohio Wesleyan installed OmniGrass.  Hiram and Wooster have ProGrass.  If I am mistaken on these surfaces, I am sure someone will correct the record 
     Most NFL teams that have put in artificial turf installed some kind of FieldTurf, and a recent study indicated that FieldTurf surfaces are generally favored by professional players.  That does not mean that that other kinds of surfaces do not provide excellent playing conditions.  I can say that when Wabash was considering turf the College examined a variety of surfaces (I am sure all schools do this), and the coaches were very strongly in favor of FieldTurf of the type that is in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  I can also say that different kinds of turf have different feels, and to a lesser extent looks, when you see them and walk on them.  Also, of course, there are different price points for different products, and even within a single complany there are different qualities of turf depending on price. 
     
     
       

Very informative, thank you.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

I know OWU just redid Selby, I am not sure what they used this time though, It could still be Omni Grass.

[wally_wabash]

Inside one month until camp starts. 

!!

[jknezek]

Inside one month until camp starts. 

!!

You know it's getting close when the Kickoff pre-order comes out!

[Joe Wally]

Inside one month until camp starts. 

!!

Hallelujah!

[wally_wabash]

Top 25!  Huzzah. 

LGs in at 16.  Witt at 13 for reasons passing understanding (Reed Florence isn't walking through that door).  And so completes the NCAC's vote total in the preseason poll, which isn't super surprising, but I thought there might be an outside shot that somebody would have tossed Wooster a vote.  I think they'll be pretty good (said the guy who jumped hard enough on the OWU wagon last year that the axles broke). 

Week 1 opponent Hampden-Sydney in at #21. 

Also, now's a good time to recommend Kickoff.  Tons of content for the $11 (not to mention the support that $11 goes toward providing the freely available content throughout the rest of the season). 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

of course a team who has't made playoffs in 2 years is ranked ahead of a team in same state who has won 2 games in playoffs.  same old song and dance  aerosmith 1974

[Pat Coleman]

of course a team who has't made playoffs in 2 years is ranked ahead of a team in same state who has won 2 games in playoffs.  same old song and dance  aerosmith 1974

That's because we're ranking 2014, not 2013. But if Franklin can just snap its finger and replace Jonny West, hey, show us.

As a reminder, you are advocating for a ranking for a team that lost to Bluffton last year.

[D3MAFAN]

of course a team who has't made playoffs in 2 years is ranked ahead of a team in same state who has won 2 games in playoffs.  same old song and dance  aerosmith 1974

That's because we're ranking 2014, not 2013. But if Franklin can just snap its finger and replace Jonny West, hey, show us.

As a reminder, you are advocating for a ranking for a team that lost to Bluffton last year.

I agree 100% with you Pat, but do you think the reference to Bluffton game was a little harsh, because 2013 was a crazy football season with quite a bit of shockers and teams historically not playing well, playing really well against top teams.

[Pat Coleman]

I don't think there was something different in the water in 2013 that made that outcome more likely, no.

Last year when West was returning and Franklin had run the table in the HCAC, Franklin was ranked higher than Wabash. This year they did neither. If you want a ranking based on past accomplishments without taking into account who is returning this season, then pick up Sporting News. (I say this without looking at their ranking.)

[wally_wabash]

of course a team who has't made playoffs in 2 years is ranked ahead of a team in same state who has won 2 games in playoffs.  same old song and dance  aerosmith 1974

Beating Whitewater on 9/13 probably fixes that for you.

[sigma one]

I think all (or almost all) of us who post will agree that the D3Football polls are the best among several public rankings of Division III.  The D3 polls reflect the best knowledge and analysis of the landscape of DIII football.
     Still, we all know that beyond a small grouping of teams, pre-season rankings are a bit of a crap shoot given injuries, upsets, etc.
     Here is a look at the D3FB rankings over the past five years (2009-2013).
     Of the pre-season poll Top 25 teams . . .
     2009     11 of 25 finished in the Top 25 in the Final Poll (post Stagg Bowl)
     2010     15 of 25
     2011     14 of 25
     2012     15 of 25
     2013     18 of 25

     Of the pre-season poll Top 10 teams . . .
     2009     6 of 10 finished in the Top 25 in the Final Poll
     2010     8 of 10
     2011     8 of 10
     2012     7 of 10
     2013     10 of 10
                              Mt Union, Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Wesley are the only teams to be listed in the Top 10  in every pre-season and final poll during this five-year stretch.
                             
Taking a different approach, of the approximately bottom one-third of the pre-season Top 25 poll (ranked 18-25) . . .
      2009   5 of 8 finished in the Top 25 in the Final Poll
      2010   2 of 8
      2011   3 of 8
      2012   3 of 8
      2013   3 of 8
Over the five-year period, a total of only 22 teams have been ranked in the Top 10 in the pre-season poll. 
.
As always, if my numbers a little off, someone will correct the record.  A point to be made is that, not surprisingly, teams ranked in the Top 10 pre season are very likely to finish in the Top 25 post season.  Conversely, at the bottom of the Top 25 pre season, only 25% to 38% have usually managed to hold a top-25 position at the end of the year. 
     Make what you will of all of this.
       

[D3MAFAN]

I think all (or almost all) of us who post will agree that the D3Football polls are the best among several public rankings of Division III.  The D3 polls reflect the best knowledge and analysis of the landscape of DIII football.
     Still, we all know that beyond a small grouping of teams, pre-season rankings are a bit of a crap shoot given injuries, upsets, etc.
     Here is a look at the D3FB rankings over the past five years (2009-2013).
     Of the pre-season poll Top 25 teams . . .
     2009     11 of 25 finished in the Top 25 in the Final Poll (post Stagg Bowl)
     2010     15 of 25
     2011     14 of 25
     2012     15 of 25
     2013     18 of 25

     Of the pre-season poll Top 10 teams . . .
     2009     6 of 10 finished in the Top 25 in the Final Poll
     2010     8 of 10
     2011     8 of 10
     2012     7 of 10
     2013     10 of 10
                              Mt Union, Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Wesley are the only teams to be listed in the Top 10  in every pre-season and final poll during this five-year stretch.
                             
Taking a different approach, of the approximately bottom one-third of the pre-season Top 25 poll (ranked 18-25) . . .
      2009   5 of 8 finished in the Top 25 in the Final Poll
      2010   2 of 8
      2011   3 of 8
      2012   3 of 8
      2013   3 of 8
Over the five-year period, a total of only 22 teams have been ranked in the Top 10 in the pre-season poll. 
.
As always, if my numbers a little off, someone will correct the record.  A point to be made is that, not surprisingly, teams ranked in the Top 10 pre season are very likely to finish in the Top 25 post season.  Conversely, at the bottom of the Top 25 pre season, only 25% to 38% have usually managed to hold a top-25 position at the end of the year. 
     Make what you will of all of this.
     

Great Analysis! I believe someone from the ODAC board wanted to figure out who was the last team other than HS-C and Bridgewater to make an appearance in the Top 25. Would you know the answer, I am to lazy to go back.