FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kcreds]

It is great to see Kenyon involved in any posts about conference championships. I'm sorry but I'm still not sold on Wooster no matter how many they have back. I do believe they will beat JC and Kenyon. I obviously can be proven wrong but that is my opinion at this point. The team that lost some real heartbreakers that did show signs of being better based on Macleod's theory of getting that psychological momentum is Allegheny. However, it would not bother me to see anyone besides Wabash and Witt win the conference. I just want to continue to see parity in the NCAC as compared to the OAC.IMHO

Just a little tidbit for OWU followers. Jr. advises me that he feels confident this year that OWU will make a legitimate run for the conference title. After spring practice he got that same feeling about team chemistry he had when he was a sophomore in high school. They never lost a regular season game from his sophomore year on. The streak now is at 46 regular season wins in a row. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying OWU will have the same success but the real point is that the chemistry seems to be there. I want to be very careful of what info I release from within OWU football but I believe this will be okay. Goooooo Bishops!

[Observer]

Why is it you think the team at Kenyon is in such a bad situation because they have to play Wooster.  From looking at them last year, what's the big deal, they're just another average football team.  Who do you really think is scared or "oh woe is me" because Wooster is on the schedule.  Didn't Kenyon beat them last year on Parents Day at the Woo?

[wabco]

Kenyon talkin smack.  You gotta love it.  Go ... Ben's team!!!

[Observer]

No smack, just the facts.  What I'm saying is that most of these teams are evenly matched, give or take one or two guys.  I just don't see any of the coaching staffs in the league shaking in their boots because they have to play somebody in this loop.

[GoBigRed04]

Now we're finally getting somewhere....Right on Observer!  There will definitely be more parity in NCAC.  Nobody in the conference should take any team lightly.  Has anybody ever heard of the saying "On any given Sunday"?  In this case it will be on any given Saturday and I really believe that applies to this conference.  As I've stated earlier in the summer I am not only excited about my Big Red but for everybody's respective teams.  Let's see how it turns out

[wally_wabash]

Are you denying that maybe, just maybe, Kenyon somehow didn't catch Wooster with their kilts around their ankles last year?  I can't believe for a second that the thought that Kenyon had any chance at all to come to Wooster and win entered the mind of any Wooster coach, player, or fan. It just wasn't even a possibility.  As mediocre as Wooster might be this year (and I agree with the opinion that Wooster won't be great), I think if they play the Kenyon game focused on Kenyon and not on Wabash coming to town next week that Wooster wins by a decent margin.  

What Kenyon did last year was great.  It really was.  The hard part, which has been borne out time and time and time and time again in this conference, is sustaining the momentum.  There will be a little different 'tude in the air when Kenyon sees some of the teams they beat last season.  The secret is out...Kenyon isn't a pushover and they'll have everybody's full attention this time around.  It's going to be a more difficult road this year for the Lords.  I'm hoping they duplicate last year's 6-1...I just don't think it'll happen.

[Li'l Giant]

Didn't Kenyon beat them last year on Parents Day at the Woo?

Wooster lost to Oberlin in 2003 and then destroyed Oberlin the next year. I think some are trying to draw a parallel, and I don't think it's entirely inappropriate.

[wooscot]

Kenyon as a contender?  I take a few months off from the board and when I come back it reads like everyone has been taking crazy pills.  Is it HH all the time in Gambier?

Anyway, don't know how solid Wooster will be this year, but historically speaking, placing them below Earlham is ridiculous, regardless of the schedule.  Witt and Bash will likely be better, but I think its a tough call for 3rd...Woo, Gheny or OWU could wind up there. 

As for the John Carroll game, sounds like nobody is giving the Scots a shot at the upset.  Here is goes....Wooster wins in a close one.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Somebodys talking about Kenyon and the conference championship?  Didnt see it, but okay.

Dont think the Kenyon upset of Wooster was of the same magnitude as Oberlin, but then again the parallels being drawn arent exactly apples to oranges either.

Observer, the Kenyon comment was directed as a result of last years outcome.  Wooster drops this one again, then things will start looking like the ealry nineties again for Wooster and theyll have to retire the Men In Black monicker.  One of my favorites by the way.  Never was too big a fan of Alleghenys Bump and Grind nickname, just as I think the Red Swarm may be played out.

Psychology, its all about identities.

What is going to change this conference in my opinion is the advent of the one back offenses.  No slight to Wabash, am a big fan of the one back, especially when employed with an H back, as I expect from Wooster, but the ICAC infusion has rubbed off on the Scots per formation and the rest of the league is scrambling the defense to figure it out.

This is where Kenyon might have had the edge.  Was pretty sure they had been running a fifty front in the past.  As shown by the Steelers, Patriots and Chargers against the Colts, the 50 front is the best solution to the one back.

Not saying Kenyon will beat Wabash or Wooster, hell they dont even play one or the other.  What is being said here is a trend toward the type of defense that will win this conference, not necessarily this season, but in the future.  The days of smacking the sasparilla outta folks with a cover two will be too mucha gamble week in and week out. 

Take a look at the ICAC, err HCAC, that league has been won year in and year out recently by a team with an I formation playing defense against onebacks.  More than just an anomaly.  Dont know if there will be a reciprocal effect in the NCAC, but thats what my crystal ball is leaning toward.

The fifty front will allow for more four and three behind without aggressive stunt and blitz play to wreak havoc on the two back counters and plunges from the four front.  Just a tradeoff really.  Anybody ever heardof the zone blitz from two roll three?

Hard to say whether this will be a good thing or not in the national scope.  Maybe some great defensive mind will come to the fore with the innovation necessary to let the wind blow as well as stand up to a gale.

Against the OAC, fiftys probaly not so wise, but against the Pac Lutes and Linfields of the world, might play into the hand.

Then again, as the wing t haters on this board always reply, anything can be run with superior talent.  Man, that wing t would love to see a fifty front.

signed,
Gary Blackney

[kcreds]

Macleod, where have you been? There were several comments regarding Kenyon as a contender, mostly due to the schedule they play. Even their own fans commented on a possibility of a title. My point is that there name is even being brought up is positive for them.

wooscott, Are you calling me a nobody? I stated that COW will beat JC in my last post.

I noticed a big difference between OWU playing Wabash and Witt compared to everyone else. Everyone else did not come close to comparing to their talent. Everyone else including OWU has to prove year in and year out that they deserve to be mentioned with the big two. I know Witt has always been a power but I believe Wabash will continue in being a power also. Nothing will make me happier than being proved wrong starting this year.

[wally_wabash]

I wouldn't mind if you had to wait another year or twenty, kcreds.   

[Superfoot Wallace]

Macleod, where have you been? There were several comments regarding Kenyon as a contender, mostly due to the schedule they play.

wooscott, Are you calling me a nobody? I stated that COW will beat JC in my last post.

Need to throw some quotes up there kcreds.  Heard some discussion about how it would be a travesty if they won it without playing a good deal of the upper tier, but didnt hear any sober comments for them as champion.  Really didnt, or if they were made, the context was prbably tongue in cheek.  My gosh I sure hope they were tongue in cheek.

Probably some Crawfordsville conspiracy now that its been brought to our attention Bashs HC is a Kenyon grad.

Thought I was boding good things for Wooster against JCU as well wooscot.  Though you guys should scrap the yellow and go with a good Skye tartan.   

signed,
Billy Corgan

[wooscot]

Billy Corgan, how's life with Courtney Love again? 

Kcreds, didn't see your post, but I welcome the sentiment!

As for the discussion of offense evolution, the I back formation will always be a fixture in college football b/c of its versatility...not to mention its a personal favorite, being an old I back myself. 

The Skye tartan...hmm...that might be a little too much on the eyes.

[scotty]

103 letter "R"s were returned to the Greencastle Police Dept early this morning...2 arrests were made...film at 11...

[short]

1) Wabash -- 9-1/7-0 loss to Millikin; conference champs.

2) Allegheny -- 8-2/6-1 they learned and from last year, losses to W&J and Wabash

3) Wittenberg -- 6-4/5-2 New coaching staff young team. Losses to Cap, Dayton, Wabash, Allegheny

4) Wesleyan -- 7-3/4-3 The Battling Bishops have every chance to go 8-2 this year, but I have them at 7-3 again this season losses to the above teams.

4) Denison -- 7-3/4-3 This is their year to be good. Losses gheny, OWU, Wabash

6) Kenyon -- 5-5/3-4 I have NO faith! Losses to above team and Case.

6) Wooster -- 4-6/3-4 They are a one man team. They get beat up bad by JC and loss to Waynesburg but pound Kenyon by 35+ in head to head Game.

8 ) Earlham --2-5/4-6 I agree with the other posts regarding Rummel.

9) Oberlin -- 1-9/1-6 I have never seen them play, but I will take a bad OAC school over a bad NCAC school any day.

10) Hiram -- 0-10/07 hope am wrong.