FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BayernFan]

It takes almost two weeks to construct the temporary stands at Wabash.  It does not take quite that long to take them down, but given the cold temps predicted for this week I'd be surprised if they were not still there on Saturday.
     I'm supposing that they will not be absolutely necessary this week despite the two in-state teams.  Playoff crowds are not generally as large as crowds for traditional rivalries.  Wabash seats about 5000 in Hollett, and that should be enough.  When Wabash and Franklin played years ago, the crowds were large, but not so large that both Franklin and Wabash could not accommodate them.  Additionally, some Wabash students will have left campus for Thanksgiving. 
     The atmosphere, nonetheless, will be electric with so many Indiana players on both rosters.

I went to Franklin @ RHIT last year.  Franklin fans travelled very well and filled up the visitors stands.  If memory serves, about 1000.  I'd leave the temp stands up for next week.  If folks here say that UWW is the most vulnerable Top 5 team (despite being undefeated #1 defending champion), I guess I will believe that.  I mean, I might as well.

Looking at the numbers on this weekend, I'm thinking Wabash wins easily.  Better conference, Wabash's defense is very tough but Franklin's is not (if that 200th ranked defense is accurately reported), and it is a home game.  Still, you never know.  Remember last time in the season opener in 2007?

I will be there.

[wabndy]

Sorry Wallyworld, I think Franklin is as legit as they come. Certainly the second best team we've faced thus far, given HSC's two other losses. Plus, they've got players who have actually faced whitewater. Unless and until whitewater or mount start getting beat by anyone other than each other on a more or less consistent basis, the tag "vulnerable" is not appropriate.

As for the Indy star, frankin is squarely in the Indianapolis market. Wabash is split between Indy and Lafayette. I'm happy for any ink they give d3.

Finally- please let's keep insults about another school's academic standing off this board when they are clearly inappropriate. While we have talked about certain d3 schools that welcome d1 transfers with low academic standing who didn't quite make it at that level, that certainly doesn't apply to Franklin.

Wabash has had only one game this year where we've really been challenged all four quarters- and that one didn't turn out so well. I think Wabash will win- but it is not going to be a cakewalk.

[HCAlum86]

Wabash is going to plan to play BOHICA football this week, I guarantee you that

[wallyworld12]

Finally- please let's keep insults about another school's academic standing off this board when they are clearly inappropriate. While we have talked about certain d3 schools that welcome d1 transfers with low academic standing who didn't quite make it at that level, that certainly doesn't apply to Franklin.

Lighten up, dude.  Innocent jabs at academic rigor happen all the time.  Just look at the Monon Bell board.  I don't see you chastising those guys.

[BashDad]

This is not 2007.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Sorry Wallyworld, I think Franklin is as legit as they come. Certainly the second best team we've faced thus far, given HSC's two other losses. Plus, they've got players who have actually faced whitewater. Unless and until whitewater or mount start getting beat by anyone other than each other on a more or less consistent basis, the tag "vulnerable" is not appropriate.

As for the Indy star, frankin is squarely in the Indianapolis market. Wabash is split between Indy and Lafayette. I'm happy for any ink they give d3.

Finally- please let's keep insults about another school's academic standing off this board when they are clearly inappropriate. While we have talked about certain d3 schools that welcome d1 transfers with low academic standing who didn't quite make it at that level, that certainly doesn't apply to Franklin.

Wabash has had only one game this year where we've really been challenged all four quarters- and that one didn't turn out so well. I think Wabash will win- but it is not going to be a cakewalk.

Thanks for the props. Should be a good game.

[wally_wabash]

For your perusal. 

Stat	Wabash	Nat'l Rank	Franklin	Nat'l Rank
Rush O	244.80	25	149.00	131
Pass O	204.20	126	328.50	7
Pass Eff	160.34	20	165.02	13
Total O	449.00	40	165.02	13
Scoring O	41.30	19	41.80	18
Rush D	56.70	2	149.70	95
Pass D	152.00	17	281.70	235
Pass Eff. D	98.50	24	131.61	161
Total D	208.70	3	431.40	200
Scoring D	11.60	t-9	26.30	117
Net Punting	32.21	103	31.44	131
Punt Ret	8.63	86	7.47	t-122
KO Ret	24.68	10	18.85	133
TO Margin	0.20	t-86	0.40	t-57
Sacks	4.80	1	1.60	t-156
TFL	10.60	t-4	5.90	t-147
3rd Down Conv%	0.355	147	0.485	15
3rd Down Conv% Def	0.268	11	0.368	106

I mean, look at that defense.  Just look at it. 

[MasterJedi]

I mean, look at that defense.  Just look at it.

The playoffs will be interesting to see if Wabash lives up to those defensive numbers. They played Wittenburg and HSC which I think tested them but other then that not so much. I think Wabash wins this first round game but it'll be closer them many think. Franklin has a good offense but good defense usually wins in the end.

[wally_wabash]

I mean, look at that defense.  Just look at it.

The playoffs will be interesting to see if Wabash lives up to those defensive numbers. They played Wittenburg and HSC which I think tested them but other then that not so much. I think Wabash wins this first round game but it'll be closer them many think. Franklin has a good offense but good defense usually wins in the end.

Not that defense.  The other defense. 

[SaintsFAN]

I agree with wally -- those stats are horrendous.  I had no idea it was that bad, statistically.

Wabash will look good offensively with whatever they want to do with the football. 

[wabndy]

Lighten up, dude.  Innocent jabs at academic rigor happen all the time.  Just look at the Monon Bell board.  I don't see you chastising those guys.

Couldn't completely disagree more.  If you wanted to talk about a school's ineptitude on the football field being outscored 212-50 in the last six years, failing to score a single touchdown on their rival's field - I think that's fine.  If you wanted to talk about having produced the most erudite vice president the country has ever had, then I think that is a perfectly legitimate topic to discuss.  If you wanted to mention a school where their precious trophy bell stolen from them after their president was deceived by a kid from Nobelsville posing as a mexican journalist and getting a commitment for two scholarships, fair game.  I think even discussing that school's fans, who are legendary for slinking in midway through the first quarter and are gone by halftime to enjoy their alcopop beverages is on the table.  Boulder run?  bring it on. 
In all seriousness.  There are more than a few Wabash faculty whose kids choose Franklin.  It was a big deal in the old ICAC/HCAC days when our coaches could only recruit, for academic reasons, half the number of student athletes that most other conference schools could talk with.  I don't think the problem then was with Franklin so much.  Its a good school that will give us a good football game on Saturday. 

[Schwami]

I agree with wally -- those stats are horrendous.  I had no idea it was that bad, statistically.

Wabash will look good offensively with whatever they want to do with the football.

As long as they stay out of 3rd down situations 

[wally_wabash]

Couldn't completely disagree more.  If you wanted to talk about a school's ineptitude on the football field being outscored 212-50 in the last six years, failing to score a single touchdown on their rival's field - I think that's fine. 

Ohmigod, that's right.  They've never scored a touchdown on Sewell Field.  It needs to be Wabash's mission to make sure that that turf goes out unscored on by DePauw.  I don't know how often those things need to be replaced...10 years?  We can totally do this. 

[Schwami]

Couldn't completely disagree more.  If you wanted to talk about a school's ineptitude on the football field being outscored 212-50 in the last six years, failing to score a single touchdown on their rival's field - I think that's fine. 

Ohmigod, that's right.  They've never scored a touchdown on Sewell Field.  It needs to be Wabash's mission to make sure that that turf goes out unscored on by DePauw.  I don't know how often those things need to be replaced...10 years?  We can totally do this.

Does it have anything to do with the double-secret trip wires at the 10-yard line?

[bleedpurple]

Definitely not easy. But UW-W is--compared to the other top dogs--absolutely the most vulnerable. And Wartburg is a big ol question mark to me. Their status at #5 seems more to do with a pre-season-ranked-team not losing, and less to do with anyone's real enthusiastic "Wartburg is awesome, y'all."

Anyway, this is the first time ever I've looked at a Wabash quadrant and checked off each game as competive, competitive.... comptetive!

Are you sure? Are you sure UW-W won't be easy, BashDad? Ha Ha  Maybe they will be easy. IF Wabash gets past Franklin, please come to the game. Would love to hear your thoughts afterwards.  In the meantime, keep feelin' good...