FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

nike · October 16, 2007, 10:16:42 AM

After what Witt did to Wooster earlier this year and with what I saw out of OWU here two Saturdays ago, unless Hollway works some miracles on Saturday, it should be a blowout, Denison notwithstanding. I think Witt will be up because of losing to Wabash and I would think there might be an ever so slight chance of the playoffs for Witt if they win out. Am I wrong on that? Anyway, Witt is just a much, much better team than OWU.

wally_wabash · October 16, 2007, 10:49:25 AM

Quote from: nike on October 16, 2007, 10:16:42 AM
I think Witt will be up because of losing to Wabash and I would think there might be an ever so slight chance of the playoffs for Witt if they win out. Am I wrong on that? Anyway, Witt is just a much, much better team than OWU.

I think Witt's pretty much done. With two losses, I can't imagine that the regional rankings will be kind to the Tigers. They'll be 0-2 against playoff teams (possibly 1-2 if Olivet can win the MIAA). There is going to need to be a pretty heavy stretch of losing going on around the country in the next four weeks for Witt to be in the playoff conversation.

I don't believe OWU can go to Springfield and beat Witt...but stranger things have happened. For whatever reason, OWU has given Witt fits in recent years.

smedindy · October 16, 2007, 10:53:40 AM

There could be a lot of one loss teams from stronger conferences. Pool "B" is looking strong and with only three bids, some "B" teams could get "C" consideration.

DadofBashWarrior.. · October 16, 2007, 10:57:55 AM

Not a question at all aueagle.....Witt

gobash83 · October 16, 2007, 11:13:11 AM

aueagle,

I saw the OWU game over the webcast while seeing the Witt game in person (which I do think makes a difference). That being said, I think Witt is the stronger team and should beat OWU.

wabco · October 16, 2007, 11:30:23 AM

I know I am into the next week already ... but a few thoughts about Bash and Witt.

1. The hitting by both teams was of the quality of a Wabash vs. DePauw game.
2. The game ... because of its significance ... conference and playoffs ... is endangering the DePauw game as the most focused upon. (Wouldn't it be great if the Dannies were in the NCAC and we polish them not only because of who they are but also in order to be conference champs and go to the playoffs?) In any event, for football significance ... as opposed to just kicking DePauw's but for the inate goodness of it all ... the Witt game is now THE game.
3. Brock Graham's middle name is "Money". Need 8+ yards? Pass the ball to Money ... flat or down field does not matter much, just get it to him where there are less than 5 defenders within 2 feet of his legs and 8+ yards are there. Need a yard or 3 when it is "must"? Money and the O line will together get it. (No disrespect meant to Penn HS).
4. Hudson is settling in. This game was big for that. Passes better and just about tooled correctly for the long and fade. Obe will be also ... followed by DPU. Hudson will be a seasoned and confident QB with his receivers by playoffs.
5. Russell ... what can you say ... the late out of bounds hit on him in front of the Wabash bench and coaches (uncalled by the officials by the way) ... simply made him mad and energised him more.
6. 'Bash D line was there ... virtually no running game ... the Witt "cheerleader right and left play" ... an old reliable ... simply did not work ... with so many Wabash D in on the stop as to make identifying the tackler difficult.
7. 'Bash O Line was also there ... when called, the run worked.
8. Witt QB and #1 Williams ... outstanding combination. Look at the last play and watch how Wabash was committed to that combination as the one to watch for the "play".
9. #21 Mckinley from Witt ... great developing D player. Only bad aspect is his sportsmanship ... too many late or non needed hits/trash talk ... refs were watching him later in the game because of this ... hence the unsportsmanlike conduct they saw and called call late in the game. Get the attitude changed to simply playing as hard as you can and not trash talking or other "stuff" ... and he will be a force.
10. Great Wabash team win ... this is a phrase which fits and defines this team well, and I believe is and will be its increasing strength as the season goes on.

On to a win over Obe, Woo, the Denizens ... and then DePauw to Hell we have the Bell.

uknowme22 · October 16, 2007, 11:32:46 AM

Quote from: wally_wabash on October 15, 2007, 05:24:03 PM
I hope this series continues on like this for a long time.

Agreed. I hope this series continues to be the game of the year in the NCAC in the foreseeable future. It has been and most likely will be a tremendous game to watch.

I don't think you hear us talking too much about our MLB because he hadn't done too much until Saturday. He has made some significant plays along the way this year, but nothing like he did Saturday. He also doesn't fit the mold of guys like Taver Johnson, Kent Raffey, or Dustin Goldsbury. He is a good player though. Tones of heart. Just a bit undersized.

Also, we don't like to talk about our secret weapons on message boards.

Go Tigers!!!

wally_wabash · October 16, 2007, 12:03:11 PM

Wabash remains at #10 in the AFCA poll but picked up 60 points this week.

Some amusing poll points....

- Mount Union remains #1 with all but one first place vote. The one voter, presumably Kehres himself, has Mount Union ranked sixth which I find to be hilarious.

- OWU's 27-10 victory wasn't enough to keep the Bishops from losing the 13 poll points they had last week.

- Franklin, after going on the road and beating the #14 team in the AFCA poll, could only squeeze an extra 15 points out of the voters and remain well behind MSJ in the poll.

It might be about time to completely disregard the AFCA D-III poll.

WittFan · October 16, 2007, 12:10:53 PM

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said, "In this world nothing is certain but death, taxes and the fact that the week after the Witt/Wabash game a Wabash poster shall find cause to complain about Wittenberg's sportsmanship."

smedindy · October 16, 2007, 12:58:54 PM

Quote from: wally_wabash on October 16, 2007, 12:03:11 PM
It might be about time to completely disregard the AFCA D-III poll.

Might be? Remember, MT. IDA had votes earlier. Yeesh!

Schwami · October 16, 2007, 01:00:38 PM

When do the first regional rankings come out?

smedindy · October 16, 2007, 01:02:12 PM

Quote from: wabco on October 16, 2007, 11:30:23 AM
The game ... because of its significance ... conference and playoffs ... is endangering the DePauw game as the most focused upon. (Wouldn't it be great if the Dannies were in the NCAC and we polish them not only because of who they are but also in order to be conference champs and go to the playoffs?) In any event, for football significance ... as opposed to just kicking DePauw's but for the inate goodness of it all ... the Witt game is now THE game.

Of course, they are Tigers, too, so they MUST be evil. (Think about it! Lebanon HS is also the Tigers and any Athenian knows they are evil as well!)

I really hope this rivalry stays fierce. I do know that some rivalries come and go, but I think with the tradition that Witt has this won't be one of them.

I had wished that Wabash could keep a rivalry going with Hanover, but now it looks like they are in turmoil, which is sad. Old timers remember the Wabash / Butler rivalry, and for me, I look back and wish that we could have done more to sustain a rivalry with Dayton. Ah, well...

wally_wabash · October 16, 2007, 01:05:52 PM

Quote from: Schwami on October 16, 2007, 01:00:38 PM
When do the first regional rankings come out?

The first regional rankings came out after week 8 last year...so I'd look for them next Wednesday.

Pat Coleman · October 16, 2007, 01:08:19 PM

Quote from: wally_wabash on October 16, 2007, 12:03:11 PM
Wabash remains at #10 in the AFCA poll but picked up 60 points this week.

Some amusing poll points....

- Mount Union remains #1 with all but one first place vote. The one voter, presumably Kehres himself, has Mount Union ranked sixth which I find to be hilarious.

- OWU's 27-10 victory wasn't enough to keep the Bishops from losing the 13 poll points they had last week.

- Franklin, after going on the road and beating the #14 team in the AFCA poll, could only squeeze an extra 15 points out of the voters and remain well behind MSJ in the poll.

It might be about time to completely disregard the AFCA D-III poll.

Ric from Mount Union said the odd man out vote is not Kehres.

wally_wabash · October 16, 2007, 01:13:55 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 16, 2007, 01:08:19 PM
Quote from: wally_wabash on October 16, 2007, 12:03:11 PM
Wabash remains at #10 in the AFCA poll but picked up 60 points this week.

Some amusing poll points....

- Mount Union remains #1 with all but one first place vote. The one voter, presumably Kehres himself, has Mount Union ranked sixth which I find to be hilarious.

- OWU's 27-10 victory wasn't enough to keep the Bishops from losing the 13 poll points they had last week.

- Franklin, after going on the road and beating the #14 team in the AFCA poll, could only squeeze an extra 15 points out of the voters and remain well behind MSJ in the poll.

It might be about time to completely disregard the AFCA D-III poll.

Ric from Mount Union said the odd man out vote is not Kehres.

Wow...that's shocking. Whoever the odd man out is ought to be under investigation. Do you think the AFCA has any idea how much things like this (along with any number of the other things that have been pointed out over the last few weeks) damage the credibility of the poll? Do you think they even care? And if they don't care, why do they even bother publishing a poll?