FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[1837Tigers]

11 days away and this just in - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw7D5IpZFjI

[smedindy]

We don't get any points for style, but Wabash has to win against Dension to be in the mix for the post-season, and then, it's kind of tenuous.

The RR is 10th thanks to bad SOS (ALBION!!!!!) and it will get better, but how much better and will that be enough?  They're behind both Franklin and Rose and behind John Carroll (and Denison and Witt, but if Wabash beats Denison that removes that from the equation).

Wabash definitely needs Denison to stay ranked in the North Region and then have John Carroll get waxed by Mt. Union. Depending on what they do with Franklin (which will also have one D-3 loss and a 1-1 RR record like Wabash), then either Wabash or Franklin will be on the board after Wheaton gets picked off. (Wheaton's SOS will drop, but that drop may not be that big).

BUT...first things first. Beating the Big Red keeps Wabash in the conversation.

[smedindy]

I think this is the best path for Wabash, and it's realistic (no Rose Hulman losing to Earlham or Wheaton losing to Augustana in this...)

Beat Denison and DPU (obvious)
John Carroll loses by 21 or more to Mt. Union
Franklin just squeaks by Hanover.
Albion beats Hope and Kalamazoo.
CWRU loses once
Alfred beats SJF by 14 or more (I know MOV doesn't matter, but it may lower SJF's ranking in the East)
ETBU beats Hardin-Simmons
St. Johns loses to Concordia - Moorhead
St. Lawrence beats Hobart

Now, if some of those things happen, it'll look better for Wabash. The idea is to get Wabash on the "C" board first and foremost, then have them look 'better' than whoever is on there at the time. Just winning two games won't be enough.

[wally_wabash]

Kind of a big game on Saturday.  What's at stake:
- For Denison, a win Saturday plus a win against Kenyon in Week 11 is going to put Denison in the tournament as the NCAC automatic qualifier.  Would be a huge, huge deal for that program, obviously.
- For Wabash, a win keeps the season alive going into the Monon Bell game, along with the ability to share a conference championship and perhaps get a Pool C (more on this later). 

Some things I'm watching for on Saturday:
- Denison is one of the best in D3 at converting 3rd downs.  Wabash is one of the best in D3 at stopping 3rd downs.  Something's gotta give.
- Gary Muntean helped Wooster convert a good portion of their 3rd downs at Wabash a couple of weeks ago, particularly in the first half (I think they were 6-10 or something like that).  Often under pressure, Muntean was able to keep plays alive by slipping the blitzer that Wooster couldn't block and finding receivers open on the extended plays.  Canaan Gebele does this about 10 times better than Muntean, except Gebele may be dinged.  It seems he was last week as DePauw got him to the ground numerous times (limiting Denison to something like 15 rush yards for the game).  Gebele containment is probably the single biggest key to this game from a Wabash perspective.  If he's slipping tackles in the backfield, big plays are coming on the other side of that either by his running ability or by finding open receivers on extended plays.  I'm sure Wabash can find a way to get somebody into the backfield pretty often- the guy that gets through has to corral the QB. 
- Can Denison rush with anybody other than Gebele?  This has been the Denison bugaboo going back to even the Sklenar years.  Doubly critical this week if Gebele has a flat tire. 
- Can Wabash run efficiently on early downs?  This has kind of been an issue.  Wabash is doing some different things with their play actions and jet sweeps in recent weeks to have more success on first downs, but the LGs are at their best when they can just smash you for 4-6 yards on first down.  I think Penola is establishing himself as the back best suited for this.  I think he's getting 20+ carries this week. 
- Can Connor Rice stay hot?  Connor has been really efficient, completing a high percentage, and not putting the ball in danger over the last month.  It's been great to watch, really.  Wabash will need another good game from Rice.  Denison's offense has been too efficient to have turnovers or short, empty possessions. 
- Was last week a blip in the Denison defense or did DePauw expose something that Wabash can exploit?  Hopefully the LG staff answered this with film study this week. 
- Who's got the pressure and how will they handle it?  Wabash's seniors have been through this and deep into the tournament each of their last two seasons.  This is truly uncharted territory for Denison.  Their win against Witt was definitely a coming of age moment, but it's November now and this is an elimination game.  There's just a touch more around this game I think.   

Going to be a good one this weekend.  Wabash shouldn't have any trouble with the road crowd- they've been on the road all season.  Denison should have a ton of support at Piper-Deeds to feed off of.  Can't wait to see this one on Saturday. 

[aueagle]

Earlham Head Coach Nick Johnson and his (& wife) story is on right now on
GAME DAY......awesome

[Dr. Acula]

Nice write up, Wally.  +k.  I went to work to grab an extra laptop so I can watch Mount, Wabash/DU and Case/Westminster.  Going to be a fun day.

[wally_wabash]

Nice write up, Wally.  +k.  I went to work to grab an extra laptop so I can watch Mount, Wabash/DU and Case/Westminster.  Going to be a fun day.

Thanks, Dr. A.  It morphed into an exercise in the rhetorical question which I didn't intend.  It just happens sometimes, right?   

Definitely a big game though.  I'm going big screen for this one today for the first time this season. 

[cave2bens]

Anyone having difficulty getting the Denison portal to open up to the game?

[Li'l Giant]

Anyone having difficulty getting the Denison portal to open up to the game?

Yup. I get nada.

[Wabash Hokie]

RE: Denison feed, I had to click on an icon on the upper right-hand corner of the screen to start the feed.  Good luck

[cave2bens]

This constant buffering is becoming a major irritant... darned glad to be able to get Mr Harris and WNDY on.  Best of luck regaining your voice, Mr. SID.  Exciting - yes.  Pretty - that second half was anything but and thank goodness there wasn't another ten seconds.

It's now ...   DePauw to Hell - Keep the Bell!

[wally_wabash]

Huge win in Granville.  Plenty of drama at the end- a safety, a successful onside kick, and three shots from the 17 for the tie.  Crazy.  Wabash wins though, and can win (amongst other things) an NCAC championship next week.  WAF!

[SaintsFAN]

Huge win in Granville.  Plenty of drama at the end- a safety, a successful onside kick, and three shots from the 17 for the tie.  Crazy.  Wabash wins though, and can win (amongst other things) an NCAC championship next week.  WAF!

Very good defense by Wabash.  Denison couldn't run the ball or be efficient in the passing game.  Big win.  Good luck next week against that one team.

[wabco]

 Great game with Denison.  Congrats to the Big Red on playing hard to the last play.  Now on to the Dannies.

We cannot control some things.  We can control the DePauw beat down. I believe Wabash is worthy of being granted the opportunity to play on after vanquishing the Dannies.  But, it is what it is.  We will be champs of the conference and will have done this with some real fine and class coaches and with a great group of players/Wabash Men.  WAF

[WooClone15]

Too bad that Denison lost (nothing against Wabash, but I was rooting for them since I also went to an Ohio school, and there's so many of you on here). Also, good win for Wooster today that means at worst they'll finish the season 4-6. It isn't much, but it's a lot better then the 1-2 wins that were predicted at the beginning of the year