FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

Whitecarrera · October 22, 2023, 10:03:31 PM

You're all good, Purple.

bleedpurple · October 22, 2023, 10:38:03 PM

Quote from: Whitecarrera on October 22, 2023, 10:03:31 PM
You're all good, Purple.

Preciate it. Good luck the rest of the way.

HCAlum86 · October 23, 2023, 10:24:06 AM

Despite a road win against an above average team, Depauw somehow dropped 7 votes further away from being in the Top 25 this week...

ExTartanPlayer · October 23, 2023, 02:15:55 PM

Quote from: HCAlum86 on October 23, 2023, 10:24:06 AM
Despite a road win against an above average team, Depauw somehow dropped 7 votes further away from being in the Top 25 this week...

This happens every week, guys. The top 25 is a compilation of lots of voters processing lots of information, not just one person ranking the teams. To really know why, you'd need to see all the individual ballots, see who moved them down vs. prior week, and figure out if those decisions were justified. But it's really, really hard to get ranked in D3 because there are so many teams, and merely being undefeated isn't always enough unless you played a fellow Big Boi to get an impressive win or unless you've got some recent history that supports a ranking.

Let me also rephrase "road win against an above average team" to "needed overtime to survive a team that lost by 20 at home to Alma, the only other likely playoff participant they've faced."

That's harsh, and look, I have plenty of respect for "above average" Division 3 teams as a multiple-time-member of some "above average" teams myself, but just realistically, an overtime win against Witt isn't something that pushes you closer to the top 25 these days. Witt's a "pretty good" team. Not a great team. Their non-league results are a one-point win over a Dubuque team that's currently 3-4 (maybe going to finish 6-4, sure, but at best the third-best team in their own league) and a 20-point loss to an Alma team that might be good for a playoff win if they get a decent first-round draw. Heck, Alma is currently only ranked 17th. Witt was down 41-7 against Alma and only closed to 48-28 with a late touchdown. How do you figure that DePauw should get closer to being ranked for needing OT to beat a team that couldn't keep up with the team that's currently "only" ranked #17?

For another one convenient example, my alma mater (you know, the guys who beat DePauw by 31 in the playoffs last year) beat W&J 35-14 this week. Any given voter that had DePauw and CMU both floating around for consideration near the bottom of their ballot would be entirely justified looking at CMU's three-touchdown win over a better team than Wittenberg and deciding to nose CMU in front of DePauw.

Crawford · October 23, 2023, 02:28:03 PM

Thanks Bleedpurple, appreciate the clarification. I always appreciate your comments and sharings.

BashFan74 · October 23, 2023, 09:33:59 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 22, 2023, 01:47:35 PM
Quote from: sigma one on October 22, 2023, 11:27:21 AM
Since I could not travel to the Kenyon/Wabash game yesterday, I watched on line. The young Kenyon broadcaster was really, really good. I assume he was a student. Working alone ( no sidekick), he was prepared, articulate, eminently fair to both teams, and on top of the action. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him. If there are any Kenyon readers here, I hope they let him know how good he was.

Send the Kenyon SID and AD a note. That's nice feedback they should hear.

The announcer did a very credible job.

Perhaps the AD could help recruit someone to pan the camera during gameplay. We missed a lot of the action. My first thought was that the broadcast was a one-man show with the announcer running the camera as well...

While we are patting other announcing teams on the back: the two young men from Denison did a really good job. Played off each other well. One had to leave and the other guy took over by himself -- nicely done. Better than one or two adult teams from the eastern end of the conference...

TigerKing · October 24, 2023, 11:46:00 PM

Quote from: HCAlum86 on October 23, 2023, 10:24:06 AM
Despite a road win against an above average team, Depauw somehow dropped 7 votes further away from being in the Top 25 this week...

With so many teams, it seems to me that to get the "benefit of the doubt vote," a team needs to win a few playoff games (or two in a year) to build their FUTURE resume with voters around the country. Bash and Witt have both done this in the last 10-15 years, so if either of those teams is sitting at 8-0 they are for sure ranked right now. DPU had a playoff victory two years ago, but we all know that was an extremely great draw with Rose.

I was at the DPU/CMU game a year ago, and although DPU is putting together several very good seasons in a row (3rd consecutive NCAC championship pending a win over Kenyon), the gap between them and a true "contender" is still huge. Success breeds success though, and if Coach Dietz and co. can capitalize on this run, rankings will come consistently soon enough.

Pat Coleman · October 25, 2023, 12:50:30 AM

Quote from: TigerKing on October 24, 2023, 11:46:00 PM
Quote from: HCAlum86 on October 23, 2023, 10:24:06 AM
Despite a road win against an above average team, Depauw somehow dropped 7 votes further away from being in the Top 25 this week...

With so many teams, it seems to me that to get the "benefit of the doubt vote," a team needs to win a few playoff games (or two in a year) to build their FUTURE resume with voters around the country. Bash and Witt have both done this in the last 10-15 years, so if either of those teams is sitting at 8-0 they are for sure ranked right now. DPU had a playoff victory two years ago, but we all know that was an extremely great draw with Rose.

I was at the DPU/CMU game a year ago, and although DPU is putting together several very good seasons in a row (3rd consecutive NCAC championship pending a win over Kenyon), the gap between them and a true "contender" is still huge. Success breeds success though, and if Coach Dietz and co. can capitalize on this run, rankings will come consistently soon enough.

Or play ranked teams in non-conference play, if your conference doesn't provide those opportunities.

Crawford · October 25, 2023, 03:59:30 PM

"Awards and records have never been a goal of mine. This award speaks to the quality of all my teammates and all the good people at Wabash who have pushed me and allowed me to grow here. I'm grateful for that experience and for being named a Campbell Trophy finalist."

Good luck Liam Thompson!

bleedpurple · October 25, 2023, 04:20:59 PM

Quote from: Crawford on October 25, 2023, 03:59:30 PM
"Awards and records have never been a goal of mine. This award speaks to the quality of all my teammates and all the good people at Wabash who have pushed me and allowed me to grow here. I'm grateful for that experience and for being named a Campbell Trophy finalist."

Good luck Liam Thompson!

Very classy quote from a young man who obviously gets it. Congratulations, Liam!

Whitecarrera · October 27, 2023, 09:32:46 AM

Sigma must've slept in this week. He's running a little late with his breakdown.

sigma one · October 27, 2023, 10:41:39 AM

yea, a bit late, just napping, but still trying: The NCAC this weekend.

OHIO WESLEYAN (4-3) at Oberlin (1-6) The BATTLING BISHOPS should win big against an OBie team that is giving up an average of 49 points in its six losses; they were beaten by HIRAM last week, 27-19. OWU has been up and down and survived two weeks ago v. the TERRIERS. No problem here this week for the BBs.
KENYON (1-6) at DEPAUW (8-0) Well, what can be said here other than that the NEW TIGERS will roll big and then rest next week before the Monon Bell game. (By the way, what bunch of geniuses sat in a room and decided to give DPU a bye before one of the most heated rivalries in DIII? As if, they needed more help.)
WITTENBERG (5-2) at WABASH (5-2) A pivotal game for both sides. WIT scared DPU last week before crashing late in the game and in OT. The LGs need the win to go into the Bell Game with an outside chance of winning the conference. Weather will be cool, but the rain might hold off for the afternoon. These teams feature balanced running/passing games. This one might be decided by turnovers.
HIRAM (1-7) at WOOSTER (2-5) The TERRIERS have improved lately and got their first win last week. I can't go out on a limb here and say that HIRAM can beat WOO at home, but this is an interesting game as the two teams both need another win. Against inferior teams The FIGHTING SCOTS have put up big numbers; the HIRAM D has been improving.
DENISON (5-3) Idle this Saturday before closing out with KENYON and OWU. They have a chance to be 7-3 with a close loss (OT) to WIT and close wins v. WABASH and WOOSTER.

wabashcpa · October 28, 2023, 02:08:49 PM

Derek Allen with an insane catch in the end zone!

Wabash 38
Witt 6

almost halftime.

Incredible first half!

Whitecarrera · October 28, 2023, 02:10:12 PM

38-6 at halftime. This is an absolute beatdown. If anyone still had doubts about Liam Thompson, he is putting on a clinic!

wabashcpa · October 28, 2023, 02:58:53 PM

52-6 Wabash, still in 3Q.

Having watched these games for the last 20-25 years, I am speechless at what I am watching. Great for Wabash, but dang, did Witt just forget to get off the bus? This would be more satisfying if Fincham was still running that team.

Hopefully this is a good omen for 2 weeks from now.