FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

Wally:

My apologies if I missed this previous, however, where, then, would you see Earlham going? The HCAC?  I guess others have mentioned that might be the best fit for them in regards to the type of potential scenario(s) you and colleagues have outlined.

[formerd3db]

Wally

With Oberlin out, DePauw in and a conference playoff determination game in ... the Wabash / DePauw game would/could still be the last game of the "regular season".  A team would have to qualify for a playoff determination game ... which is the same genre as the first game of the playoffs ... it is simply a sub/playoffs game.

That's certainly a fair way to look at it, wabco. 

I guess I just don't quite understand the need for conference championship games in Division III.  I loathe conference championship games in Division I, but I get them.  It's a giant money grab and that's fine because that's how major college football works.  But in Division III, there's just not a good reason for it.  If there was an expansion to 14 teams the chances of a team to make the playoffs are less and even in the instance that each division would get a bid (I don't believe that this would be the case), then what's the point of an extra game between two teams that are already qualified?  Why not just label the divisions as two different conferences and have them each be conference champions?  The extra game is only going to serve to squash the playoff seed for the loser. 

I would agree with you on that Wally.  I've never been a fan of conference championship games either at this level (including the other sports) for the reasons you cite.  As I recall, that happened even "way back when" in the old OAC late '70's or early '80's (I don't recall the exact year right off hand) when the playoff spots/bids were less in number, which obviously made even tougher for teams to qualify i.e. have a chance at a bid.

[wally_wabash]

Wally:

My apologies if I missed this previous, however, where, then, would you see Earlham going? The HCAC?  I guess others have mentioned that might be the best fit for them in regards to the type of potential scenario(s) you and colleagues have outlined.

Earlham would be going to the HCAC if/when that actually goes down.  The signs have been there for a long time actually...Earlham has had lengthy series with RHIT (now back in the HCAC), Anderson, and Manchester and those series were not broken when the UAA/NCAC agreement came to be.  I've always wondered why Earlham was seemingly exempt from having to step up and get some UAA games, and now it would seem (warning...speculation forthcoming!) that perhaps Earlham has been leveraging themselves for a conference switch for some time.

[smedindy]

I really don't think the UAA would want to move to an AQ. "B" is shrinking and they have some of the best chances to get one, maybe two of the "B" bids.

I really loathe and despise faux 'conference championship games' about as much as post-season conference tournaments. Conference champs are based on conference games. Single round robin in football and double in basketball. If you want to have a 10 or 12 team conference or so, then you gotta deal with it. Which is why I doubly despise and loathe the new Big East in hoops.


(Yes, I realize the NCAC doesn't follow that philosophy, but I'm ranting...)

[ADL70]

I prefer the UAA to sponsor the sport and arrange to fill the required slots with affiliates, which they did not do.

I think that their success in Pool B has occurred by the current NCAC arrangement, giving them a good in-region record and an acceptable OWP/OOWP.

2008 was the first year of the NCAC/UAA agreement and CWRU made the playoffs then and 2007 (playing Gallaudet and St Vincent) because they were undefeated.  They got in in 2007 with a much weaker schedule, so I don't think the 2008 schedule made a difference.

If CWRU goes 9-1 this season and makes the playoffs, then the benefit of the agreement for them in Pool B will be demonstrated.

[blue4now]

Prob with the UAA is there are only 4 schools competing in football so no automatic bid is available so that pust them in Pool B status.  Galludet and St Vincent in 2007 were non-conference games and not a playoff game.s 

CWRU played Widener and Wabash....

[Ralph Turner]

I prefer the UAA to sponsor the sport and arrange to fill the required slots with affiliates, which they did not do.

I think that their success in Pool B has occurred by the current NCAC arrangement, giving them a good in-region record and an acceptable OWP/OOWP.

2008 was the first year of the NCAC/UAA agreement and CWRU made the playoffs then and 2007 (playing Gallaudet and St Vincent) because they were undefeated.  They got in in 2007 with a much weaker schedule, so I don't think the 2008 schedule made a difference.

If CWRU goes 9-1 this season and makes the playoffs, then the benefit of the agreement for them in Pool B will be demonstrated.

Thanks for the response.

Neither St Vincent nor the Gallaudet games counted towards OWP/OOWP in 2007.

The NCAC arrangement increased the number of NCAC foes from 4 to 5 comparing 2005/2006 and 2007/2008 schedules.  CWRU plays 6 NCAC schools this year.

I think that CWRU just got better each year.

[BashBacker#16]

Good news for Witt:  WR Patrick Williams returning for a 5th year...

http://www.flyergroup.com/sports/local_story_171095429.html?keyword=secondarystory

[BashBacker#16]

Good "get" for Wabash:  Plymouth RB Austin Hodges...

http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/view/112906/33/

[BashBacker#16]

Some Mater Dei H.S. (California) football commits:

Kessler Armbruster - Football - Wabash College
Matt Barkley, Football, University of Southern California
Jared Bennett, Football, University of Hawaii
Nick Losoya, Football, Air Force Academy
Chris Paliska, Football, Bowling Green State University
Andrew Yelich, Football, University of California, Los Angeles

[BashBacker#16]

...from the IndyStar:

Erik Hackett, a 6-2, 300-pound senior lineman from Arlington, has committed to play football at Wabash College. Hackett was a member of The Indianapolis Star's All-City team and Super Team. 

Hackett was also named to the Indiana South all-star squad.

[Duster72]

...from the IndyStar:

Erik Hackett, a 6-2, 300-pound senior lineman from Arlington, has committed to play football at Wabash College. Hackett was a member of The Indianapolis Star's All-City team and Super Team. 

Hackett was also named to the Indiana South all-star squad.

That makes 2 Indy Star All-City linemen going to Wabash that I know of.  I know ER is recruiting OL really hard.  Very exciting.

[bashbrother]

Some Mater Dei H.S. (California) football commits:

Kessler Armbruster - Football - Wabash College

16 - Having lived in Orange County for 6 years and watched many of their games,  Mater Dei's program is the real deal.   Look for this kid to hit campus and find some playing time early.

ALSO:   Picked up the "Sporting News College Football Preview" Their DIII coverage is some of the best I have seen in any of these annual publications.   They put Lemond on their All-American team which was kinda cool.

[02 Warhawk]

so what can i look forward to from the Little Giants this year??I enjoy keeping up with Wabash throughout the year..What are they ranked in few preseason polls that are already out??

Best of luck this year!

[wabco]

02 Warhawk

I think something like 10 in one and 19 in another.  Wabash should be about the same as last year ... except this time we will not cough up to DePauw.

Conference should be stronger with Witt and Wooster, but think home field should help a little.

Senior QB and good receivers.  Lines will be fine.  LBers will be there.  Need to get stronger at RB ... hope that is in the cards.  If so, should be easier on QB and receivers.

Hope to get back to your country in playoffs some time soon ... except never never again bring that snow and cold like you all did the last time.  Getting pounded is bad enough without that highway death march the snow caused.  Good luck to the Warhawks ... simply fantastic facilities and great fans ... very hospitable.