FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BashBacker#16]

Wally,

Get off the scheduling topic and back to this week's task at hand... Wabash vs. Wittenberg.

Would be interested to hear your early week breakdown...keys to the game, matchups, etc.

[uknowme22]

I know one key area will be Wittenberg's O-line vs. Wabash's stout Defensive Front 7. 

[BashBacker#16]

Nice quote from last week's Springfield paper...Witt WR Patrick Williams #1:

"It's a good statement," said Williams of Saturday's win. "I think the people over there in Crawfordsville saw the 58-7 score and said, 'Wow, Wittenberg's that good.' Hopefully, they know what's coming over there."

[wally_wabash]

Wally,

Get off the scheduling topic and back to this week's task at hand... Wabash vs. Wittenberg.

Would be interested to hear your early week breakdown...keys to the game, matchups, etc.

Some early Witt/Wabash thoughts...

- Huffman has been playing well lately...he had huge games against Earlham and Wooster the last two weeks.  I know that some of that has to be taken with a grain of salt, but he'll be coming in quite confident.  My guess is we'll see a much different qb than the one who threw three first half INTs last year.  Kennon/Lange/Gangloff are going to have to pressure him and then it's going to be up to Adi and Deig to make sure Huffman doesn't scramble too far away should he break the pocket. 

- The Wabash defense is going to have to be better on 3rd down than they have been so far this season.  Wabash has done very well to get teams into 3rd and long situations this year.  Then the LBs fall back 10 yards, play a soft zone, and end up giving up first downs.  Against Gheny, Neathery started bringing the heat on 3rd and long and it paid off.  I hope the lesson has been learned...if it's working on first and second down, don't change it up.  I'd like to see relentless pressure on the quarterback on Saturday. 

- It's time to add a scoop of chocolate to the vanilla offense.  I think Wabash is in trouble if they decide to play the game in a 15-yard box.  Russell/Guerrero/Banach...somebody is going to have to get some looks deep early in the game to open up some room for Sobecki and Porter and also to open up the middle of the field for shorter, easier touches for Graham and Liska.

- Special teams....how big have special teams been this year?  A big kick or punt return can swing the momentum big time in this one. 

I'm sure I'll have more as the week goes on...I do think that it is extremely important for Wabash's offense to open things up a little.  The LGs have been playing virtually risk-free offense in the last four games.  I don't believe that asking the offense to not make a big mistake this week will be good enough...the offense is going to have to make some big plays. 

[wally_wabash]

Nice quote from last week's Springfield paper...Witt WR Patrick Williams #1:

"It's a good statement," said Williams of Saturday's win. "I think the people over there in Crawfordsville saw the 58-7 score and said, 'Wow, Wittenberg's that good.' Hopefully, they know what's coming over there."

The score was noted by many at Hollett...the conversations I had with people tended to go "wow, I can't believe Wooster is playing that poorly" much more than "wow, Witt must be a juggernaut."   The final results of Witt's games are pretty irrelevant...there's a pretty large score for Wabash to settle here after what happened in Springfield last year.  Witt could be 0-5 and getting outscored by 83 points every game and it wouldn't diminish the importance of this game for Wabash. 

[WAF78]

BB,
You asked why I was a bit fearful of Witt...well...first it's a gut feeling. It's easy to look at what Witt lost last year and to think they're really not that good...that they are playing wimpy teams. Well...Capital is not a pansy team...and...Wabash hasn't played anyone even close to that caliber ...and they only lost 13-0. Look, I know comparing scores is not a very accurate way of comparing teams...but...it still merits considering when sizing up an opponent. Wooster beats OWU 13-9. Wabash beats OWU 15-0...playing a very pedestrian first half. Witt beats Wooster 58-7...and then puts 73 on Earlham...and shuts them out. Makes the Wabash 54-20 score look a bit insignificant.  I'm just saying...Witt must be doing something right as they seem to be playing pretty well...and they seem to be getting better. I truly hope you are right...that Witt isn't as good as Wabash and that it will show on Saturday. However, as I'm looking at it...seems as if Witt is primed to rise up and bite us. I agree with what has been posted...last years loss at Witt will be a great incentive to want to set things right. However, Witt has also read all the press that Wabash is going to go undefeated in the NCAC and, by implication, that Witt isn't  very good and don't have a chance. That kind of stuff gets people motivated. You asked why I feared the game on Sat...and that's why. Yes, there are all sorts of arguments against what I've said...and I hope everyone else is right. So...we'll see. Hoping that a ton of football alums will come back for the game. I will be one....back to celebrate my '77 team, which played in the Stagg Bowl. Wabash Always Fights.   

[wally_wabash]

Any reason to "fear" Witt got kicked through the uprights at the north end of Edwards-Mauer Field on Oct. 12, 2002.  That aura is long gone...Witt is just another good team on the schedule now.

[WooMeister85]

Nike,

"Good Talent can mask mediocre coaching . . . ." Uh?

I sat with 6 former COW Players at Saturday's OWU game at Papp and sure would like to know who you are specifically referring to of this year's Scot's that has "Good Talent." It was unanimous among our group that this year's COW Squad displays less talent than just about any team we can remember from 1980 to present day.

On Defense with the exception of LB #48 no real talent displayed. You're right the punter with the gold shoe is very solid and is a talented punter But his kick-offs seemed woefully short most of the time. He kicked one just to OWU's 38 yd. line.

On Offense the RB # 20, TE #86 and WR #15 stood out as clearly the most talented at least on Saturday. With #20 being by far the best athlete. Now how can you say COW has "Good Talent?" Might agree with you if you said mediocre talent and coaching. But "good talent" means more than 3 or 4 players. It appears that our Sr. class isn't very strong at all. This is based upon my watching only two games this year.

By the way some people next to us, seemed like parent's of COW players said our Head Coach still calls all the plays. Is this true? Is this normal for NCAC Football in 2007? From 1981-85 the Scot's had a full-time O-Coordinator and D-Coordinator. Isn't this the way the top D-III Programs MUC, Witt, Wabash, St. Johns, St. Thomas,Trinity, Washington & Lee among others now do things?

[nike]

WooMeister85,
I should have explained better, as I was rushing off to an appointment when I was finishing that post.  I meant good talent like last year and even more so when Sutton and company played hid a lack of sound coaching fundamentals that was certainly evident in Saturday's game.  I was not talking about talent on this team. But a lack of fundamentals was obvious on both teams Saturday. I think my most recent post talks about this.
Schmitz was the offensive coordinator when Barnes coached and does not appear to have given that up.  Must like doing it. I agree with you that turning that over to someone else could help.  But even with a lack of talent,  mistakes can be eliminated and more imaginative and effective playcalling.  Again, please see my most recent post.
And finally, I was only referring to 81's punting.  Still cannot believe that OWU only scored 9 points with the field position they had all day. Which includes a first and goal from the one and only a field goal.

[BashBacker#16]

WooMeister85,

CC calls all of the plays at Wabash. 

Anxious to see how the game plans unfold on Saturday.  If Huffman leaves the pocket, will he take some shots.  If Bash loads the box and stops the run, can he beat Bash wish his arm?  Does Witt have the WRs to stretch the field and will he have time to do so?  LOS will be huge on both sides of the ball.  Like Wally said, will Bash stretch the field with their strong WRs, does Witt have the speed in the D-backfield to prevent a big strike?  I hope CC opens it up as well and that should  help opening up the run.  WAF78 -
for clarification, I don't think I said "Witt was not as good as Wabash."  I just don't see the "USA vs. Russia hockey game" you and other seem to be implying...

I expect a great game on both sides.  I do think Bash has an edge with their strong senior class and their leadership & experience.  If Bash jumps out...what and how does Witt react??

[Schwami]

Reasons for concern: Wabash didn't exactly jump out early against OWU, Earlham or Allegheny.  Wabash did not even take a lead against OWU until the second half.  Witt has more experience at the QB position.

It will be very interesting to see the game plans that Creighton and Fincham come up with for this game, and the effectiveness of half time adjustments.

[scotty]

Wooster's Geffert is a strong defensive player imo. Is he playing hurt or out of position?

[aueagle]

Bishops at the half-way point.....1-4 (1-2 NCAC)
27 Punts average 30 yards....
3rd Down Conversion -  24/71
4th Down Conversion - 5/16
       Scoring By Quarters
1     -    2     -    3     -     4
7pts -   7pts     47pts    18pts
The Wooster Game QB Boff passed for 175 yds - Rushed for minus 7
Frosh QB Fisher passed for 23 yds - rushed for 20
Bishops have not won a game at Selby this year
Denison @ Selby -   At Witt  -  Allegheny  -  At Puppy  -  At Case
Bishops on paper will win 2 more -  as 2006 Witt/OWU showed, we play the game on the field...Bishops need something to get going.
How much is OWU missing Sr leadership & All Mention QB Hymes- Alot
I hope the guys can turn it around.....There isn't much time left........
GO BISHOPS

 

[bashbrother]

The Wabash/Witt rivalry has become a yearly battle.  With few exceptions, (41-14) have been close games.  I believe the series has a tremendous amount of emotion and incentive built into it.   

Similar to Wabash/Depauw, it seems like no matter how talented or dominant either one of these teams has been leading up to the game, it is a battle.  These are the games that stay with you long after your done playing.

It just might be the Team that "wants it more" on Saturday.

WAF

[DadofBashWarrior..]

 I have just heard that the Wabash-Witt game may be televised....does anyone have info about this?