FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[The_Bishop]

42-6 at Selby....
Bishops have not looked good
against the Top Tier in the Conference
this year.....

Good insight, AUE.

[Schwami]

Denison 34
Oberlin     7  Final

Denison finally climbs back to .500, and with games remaining against Allegheny and Kenyon, look in good shape to finish with a second straight winning season.

[smedindy]

Good to see Denison moving into that second tier and staying there.

I'm glad to see the conference improving as a whole (am I allowed to say that since I don't watch each and every game for each team?). No winless teams, and a decent middle class.

I'm still stumped about Wooster. I though OWU would be a little bit worse but Wooster? Hmmm...

[wally_wabash]

For as hard as Wooster rode that whole five game improvement in 2013 thing (that statement is featured prominently on their football web page), they have backed that up with a complete faceplant in 2014.  I predicted an 8-1 NCAC season for the Scots, and they're going to wind up 5-4 or 4-5.  There was no improvement by the Wooster defense in 2014 over 2013 and that's where they lost their wins.  They were clearly outclassed in games with Wabash and Wittenberg, but getting their doors blown off by Denison and DePauw in the last two weeks which was really surprising.  The defense hasn't done their part all year for Wooster, but in these last two weeks in games that should have been winnable, it was the offense that has been the big letdown.  Easily the biggest disappointment in the league this year and I'm really confused about the trajectory of that team.  They're starting over at quarterback next year, I don't know that I count on an improved defense in 2015...I don't know that they can be better than the sixth or seventh best team in the league in 2015.  Really, really deflating season in Wooster after getting a shot in the arm last year. 

[sigma one]

Marousek and Muntean split time at QB yesterday for Wooster.  I went back a game (to the play by play v. Denison) and found that at the end of the third qtr. Barnes was sacked and then threw an incomplete pass on consecutive plays.  Marousek and Mutean then alternated during the 4th qtr.
     Was Barnes injured?  (Was it time to start looking to the future?)   
     The Wooster website account of the game yesterday emphasized the hole Woo dug for itself into a strong wind in the 1st qtr.  DePauw returned an interception for a TD less than a minute into the game, and then scored on drives of just over 50 yds. on their next two possessions as the Scots could not move the ball into the wind and punted only to about midfield.  That's what a good defense like DPU's can do to and for you.
     But like Wally I'm surprised by Woo's record and inability to improve defensively.  With Barnes returning for a 5th year, a second year under a new coach's system, and an experienced corps of receivers the expectations for a run at the top of the conference were high (and Hackel, a 2013 all-conference RB who gained 34 yds. yesterday on 20 carries, and who has been injured this year).
     Recall way back that Wooster led W&J in the first game of 2014 before crumbling--against a very good team.  They played Wabash reasonably well in the second half, and gained a lot of rushing yds. v. a talented defense.  Then came Wittenberg, Denison, and DPU.  They've lost to every middle of the pack to very good team they have faced.  Disappointing for them, and surprising to many.
     I wonder how much improvement by other teams rising in the middle tier of the conference has had to do with Wooster's record.  DePauw is much improved and still possibly in line for a top-end finish--making for the prospect of a competitive  Bell game.  Denison has performed well, generally, with Sklenar. 
     Wooster still has Kenyon, a game they should win, and finishes with OWU.  That will be an interesting finish, with both teams surely aiming for a win to go out on a positive note.   

[The_Bishop]

For as hard as Wooster rode that whole five game improvement in 2013 thing (that statement is featured prominently on their football web page), they have backed that up with a complete faceplant in 2014.  I predicted an 8-1 NCAC season for the Scots, and they're going to wind up 5-4 or 4-5.  There was no improvement by the Wooster defense in 2014 over 2013 and that's where they lost their wins.  They were clearly outclassed in games with Wabash and Wittenberg, but getting their doors blown off by Denison and DePauw in the last two weeks which was really surprising.  The defense hasn't done their part all year for Wooster, but in these last two weeks in games that should have been winnable, it was the offense that has been the big letdown.  Easily the biggest disappointment in the league this year and I'm really confused about the trajectory of that team.  They're starting over at quarterback next year, I don't know that I count on an improved defense in 2015...I don't know that they can be better than the sixth or seventh best team in the league in 2015.  Really, really deflating season in Wooster after getting a shot in the arm last year.

You know, Wally, expectations are a funny thing for teams that aren't generally used to having them going into a season (see, e.g., 2013 Battling Bishops).  This has been my worst year as far as catching different games live online so I don't know if injuries, personnel, or these other teams like Denison and DePauw making big strides this year.  I think it's safe to say that the gap between Wabash/Witt and everyone else is as big as it's ever been. 

[Schwami]

sigma one, now that you mention it, Barnes was dinged on that sack, slow to get up, did stay in for one more play (final play of the drive I believe), but did not return.  He also seemed to be less than 100% before the sack (I began watching the video of that game mid-third quarter.)

Bishop, the OWU / Denison games the last two years could not have been closer, Denison escaping both times with the win.  Not sure that Denison is much better this year than last year.  Wins last year against DePauw and Hiram (losses this year), but picked up the win against Wooster.  Witt could not put Denison away last year until late in the game; this year it came down to a final drive for Denison that came up short (I want to say that Witt was a wee bit better last year, but we'll find out on Saturday  ).  DePauw and Hiram are definitely improved from last year, with Wooster seemingly heading in the other direction.  I would be surprised if OWU does not handle Wooster at home.

[ohiofan1954]

I watched both the Denison and Wooster games yesterday. Wooster I don't know what has happened to them but when you have a pick six on the first play   you know it is going to be a bad day. I think the only players for much of the game who could catch a pass from the Wooster qb were wearing white jersey's. I counted at least 8 dropped passes from the Wooster receivers.  Denison looked good after the botched punt, would have had a shutout otherwise. I know it is questionable competition but the Big Red had it together last night.

[ohiofan1954]

Question for those who know Wittenberg well. What is the parking like there? I know there will be a large crowd next weekend with not just the football game but the NCAC volleyball championships also taking place. Where would you suggest parking? Obviously it would be a good idea to get there early.

[ohiofan1954]

Sorry if this has been covered before but another observation from last night at Oberlin. Very impressive new stadium and facilities overall. It would seem that they are making the commitment to improving. Now what are the realistic chances that this will improve the football program over the next few years. In particular what are the chances that the recruiting will start to pick up and we will see not just a larger squad but also a more competitive one on their sideline? One thing is for sure that stadium ranks up there with just about any I have seen in D3. Quite frankly it nicer then some of the dumps I have seen in d2 and d1(does anyone remember the Rubber Bowl?) although smaller. I thought the one I saw last week at Ohio Northern was nice but this is in that class.

[BashBacker#16]

Wabash up to #9.  Witt holds at #14.

[smedindy]

Interesting. I wondered how far Linfield will fall, since that loss is probably a fluke that still exposed some issues with them. I thought they'd be in the mid teens, but there was a lot of issues in the middle (Concordia - Moorhead, UWSP) and Platteville losing.

Thought it was interesting that Wheaton and Widener swapped spots. You could argue Stevenson is better than Elmhurst.

[USee]

Could also argue Widener won at home by 11 and Wheaton won on the road by 36.  Not sure any of that matters

[HCAlum86]

Well, busy weekend of D3 football for me!

But on another note, I really think Witt needs this win. IMO, a Witt win means the NCAC will see two teams in the playoffs, Wabash winning will give us one. John Carroll or Mount Union will be a shoe-in out of our region as an at-large and (for the love of God I hope not), but the PAC might see two teams sent to the playoffs as well.

[ohiofan1954]

the announcement that two leagues that were supposed to get a bid but now won't will help.