FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wabashcpa]

Down goes Frazier!

Wabash 28, Wittenberg 21 in OT

That's what we've been waiting for - great effort today!  Could give the Bell game a little added meaning now.

WAF

[wabco]

Great game Wabash.  Great coaching strategy and gutsy great play by the team. Couldn't happen to a more deserving group.

[D O.C.]

Way to hang in there, 'Lils!

Get rest tonight.
No let-down next week.

[firstdown]

Great job LG's.  Allegheny beat DePauw today so next Saturday in C'ville ought to be a good game.

[aueagle]

Watched most of the Witt/LG game...
Another slugfest in the rivalry..
As much as the LG's  should get credit;
Witt  made a gutsy drive to tie it....
Outstanding Division football...
Two sidenotes:
As much as I respect the Tiger tradition & National Championships;
I'm not a fan of the stadium view from the home (visitor) side into the
Neighborhood...
I trust there was no confrontation between the two schools, fans, players
As has happened in the past

[CollegeGolf18]

Was working the Texas Tech - Iowa State game today, so wasn't able to watch. Will be watching as soon as I get home.

Most surprising to me was not the victory, but the fact that Wabash made all 4 PATs (I assume).

Let's go Schuyler!

[wabndy]

Ok, I'll bite. What's the current 3 way tiebreaker rule for the NCAC? I'd assume Denison would get the AQ under the "Rose Bowl Rule."

[CollegeGolf18]

Ok, I'll bite. What's the current 3 way tiebreaker rule for the NCAC? I'd assume Denison would get the AQ under the "Rose Bowl Rule."

Right now, Denison gets the bid...it goes way down the list to "longest conference win streak". If Denison loses, Wabash is in, then if Wabash falls, Witt obviously is in.

[CollegeGolf18]

Ok, I'll bite. What's the current 3 way tiebreaker rule for the NCAC? I'd assume Denison would get the AQ under the "Rose Bowl Rule."

Right now, Denison gets the bid...it goes way down the list to "longest conference win streak". If Denison loses, Wabash is in, then if Wabash falls, Witt obviously is in.

Here is the exact wording: https://twitter.com/davidpjablonski/status/792737226970898432?s=21

[wally_wabash]

Ok, I'll bite. What's the current 3 way tiebreaker rule for the NCAC? I'd assume Denison would get the AQ under the "Rose Bowl Rule."

Right now, Denison gets the bid...it goes way down the list to "longest conference win streak". If Denison loses, Wabash is in, then if Wabash falls, Witt obviously is in.

I think it depends on how they apply the tiebreak.  On fewest conference road losses, you'd get:
Denison - 0
Wittenberg - 0
Wabash - 1

If they eliminate Wabash at that point, then start over, Wittenberg's h2h with Denison gets them into the tournament.  If they apply the tiebreaks in such a way that there must be a clear winner and not just the elimination of one team, then Denison would go with the longest win streak. 

Those tiebreaks are also dated and may not be current (note the inclusion of the conference power ranking which stopped being a thing quite some time ago now).  I'm sure somebody will track this down and get official word from the  home office in Cleveland prior to week 11. 

[CollegeGolf18]

Ok, I'll bite. What's the current 3 way tiebreaker rule for the NCAC? I'd assume Denison would get the AQ under the "Rose Bowl Rule."

Right now, Denison gets the bid...it goes way down the list to "longest conference win streak". If Denison loses, Wabash is in, then if Wabash falls, Witt obviously is in.

I think it depends on how they apply the tiebreak.  On fewest conference road losses, you'd get:
Denison - 0
Wittenberg - 0
Wabash - 1

If they eliminate Wabash at that point, then start over, Wittenberg's h2h with Denison gets them into the tournament.  If they apply the tiebreaks in such a way that there must be a clear winner and not just the elimination of one team, then Denison would go with the longest win streak. 

Those tiebreaks are also dated and may not be current (note the inclusion of the conference power ranking which stopped being a thing quite some time ago now).  I'm sure somebody will track this down and get official word from the  home office in Cleveland prior to week 11.

Here might be a better link: https://twitter.com/DavidPJablonski/status/1056295006632321026

Jablonski talked to Wabash (Brent Harris?) and Witt representatives and it was determined if everything held serve, Denison would be in.

EDIT: Text Brent and asked him...the AQ would be Denison.

[smedindy]

Interesting. At least this board should be back to hopping.

[wally_wabash]

I hope that's right.  If it can't be Wabash with the auto bid, I'd love to see this Denison team get a chance to go.  I would worry though about their placement in the bracket.  You've got the NACC and MIAA champions trending toward undefeated seasons.  Franklin is just a one loss team.  Somebody has to go to Alliance in Round 1, and 8-2 Denison would be a prime candidate with some of the more usual suspects performing so well. 

[wally_wabash]

Gotta do a breakdown of yesterday's big win in Springfield.  I've watched a lot of Wabash games in the last 20+ years.  I wish I could have been there yesterday because the best fan experiences I've had are 1) watching Wabash beat DePauw unmercifully and 2) watching Wabash win at Edwards-Mauer Field.  There's just nothing better.  That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the broadcast.  Sidebar on NCAC broadcasts- this league has gotten consistently good at this.  I don't think there's one broadcast in the league that I feel like I have to really grind through when Wabash is on the road.  Everybody is putting out quality stuff on their web streams and thanks to everybody behind those productions. 

Back to Wabash 28, Witt 21.  My biggest concern coming in to this game was Witt's experience-heavy offense (particularly QB/WR) vs. Wabash's very young offense.  There aren't many guys on this Wabash starting 11 that have Witt experience, even less with experience at Springfield.  They were fantastic.  Against Denison, Witt killed the Big Red with well designed WR screens and letting their WRs run loose after the catch.  They tried a lot of this yesterday, and Wabash's LBs and DBs were more than ready. Holding Tiffner to 58 yards on 10 catches is nuts.  Snodgrass is the deep threat for Witt and he was bottled up all day as well.  Snodgrass did get one long completion on a post that helped set up Witt's second score, but he didn't score today and he didn't get anything for 50+ yards and that's an accomplishment.  The Tigers thrive on those big plays. 

Offensively, Wabash was steady if unspectacular.  In the second quarter, the LGs took advantage of a little sudden change situation and seized momentum for the remainder of the half.  The stats aren't great for Wabash's offense, but they didn't turn it over, they were smart about when to go on 4th downs, and when it was time to attack, they dialed up some really good plays.  The two Page TD receptions were executed very well- both plays put Witt CB Michael Feissinger in difficult positions, he chose wrong both times, and both times Page was wide open for scores.  The rush game is always tough against Wittenberg, but Wabash busted out a few times with Penola and Avant, always in key spots.  In a game where I think Witt had the stats edge offensively, Wabash made the most of their offense.  Reminds me of a 4-3 baseball game where the losing team outhits the winning team like 13-6.  It's not always the number of hits you get, it's the timing.  And Wabash clustered their hits together a bit better than Witt did yesterday. 

Wabash coaching legend Chris Creighton always said that big games come down to special teams and turnovers- CC isn't wrong.  Game flow changed significantly in the 2nd quarter when a bad Wittenberg punt snap led to a punt of minus 8 yards.  Sideline confusion also cost Wittenberg 15 yards on that play.  Wabash was in the end zone two plays later and tied the game at 7-7.  As much of a bugaboo as punting has been for Wabash this year, Joey Annee had a great game.  No bad punt snaps, no blocked kicks.  It was a clean special teams game from Wabash and it had to be.  Turnovers- Wabash managed a +3 on turnover margin for the day.  All three turnovers were interceptions of Kennedy and all came in the 4th quarter and overtime, with the last one obviously ending the game.  And that's how you beat good teams.  Don't beat yourself, take advantage of their mistakes, execute in the red zone.  Wabash did all of those things, and the result is a huge win. 

Really proud of these guys and this effort and this win.  Allegheny doesn't care about Wabash's shared championship or three way tiebreaks.  Any let up over the next week spoils some of the importance of yesterday's win.  Wabash is now in a position to win a championship.  They just have to close the deal over the next two weeks.  WAF. 

[MUC57]

Wally Wabash

Congrats on a BIG Wabash win yesterday. I sense a feeling of pride and joy in your last post. (See, I don't always get mixed up). Why not. I admit I was surprised but pleased by the outcome. Nice to see Wabash playing well. Good luck the rest of the season. Hope you win out. Go Little Giants!