FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[DPU3619]

Depauw, because of it's 9 game regular season schedule (is this because of the Colorado school dropping?)

That it is.  It's too bad that they couldn't find a replacement for that game.  It is absolutely plausible that you could see DPU land at 7-2 and on the outside again a la 2005.  They may very well curse the day that they didn't/couldn't find a 10th game.  

In fairness, it was the 10th game they picked up that cost them.  They got Wesley into Greencastle very late in the spring, which was a game they ultimately lost.  The hurricane washed out the Trinity trip, leaving DePauw with a must-win in the Bell game.  Didn't happen.  Maybe if they schedule some crappy local team, that season unfolds differently.

[bigwheels77]

 The other opening game loss for Wabash during this stretch was against Kalamazoo in 2003, but they didn't play in week 1 either, so the bye wasn't relevant there.  

Remember that 2002 game? I was in that locker room at half time and during the weather delays... I have never seen a team that was prepared to (and eventually did) dominate its schedule like that team did... Words can not explain the shock of that locker room.
Creighton dropped the ball that day, and there were just enough lightning storms to give him time to figure something out.
I can't imagine how that ladder we built that year would have looked with the first rung missing!

[fantastic50]

This is not football, but still reflects well on the conference.  The infamous US News & World Report college rankings were released today, and the NCAC is again well-represented, with nine members listed in the top tier of liberal arts colleges, and six ranked in the top 70 nationally.

Oberlin #22
Kenyon #33
Denison #53
Wabash #54
Earlham #62
Wooster #68
Allegheny #85
Ohio Wesleyan #105
Wittenberg #118

Among the rumored potential replacements for Earlham, both DePauw and Centre are in the top 50, and Wash/Jeff is in the top 100.

[02 Warhawk]

out of curiosity, what does the Wabash think of its ranking of 18th to start the season? too low? just right?

I'm used to seeing them a bit higher to start the year. you've must of lost some key players in the off season.

Best of luck to the NCAC 

[zed07]

Given the way last year ended, and the significant losses Wabash faces on defense, I think that the ranking is just fine and defensible.  Hopefully it makes the players work harder and overcome some of last year's shortcomings.  Several players need to step up big this year for them to move up significantly, and the conference obstacles are bigger this year than last (Witt healthy, Wooster on the road, etc.).

[SCOTSman]

Black n Gold, you hit the nail on the head by saying that Holter is "not afraid to wing the darn thing."  While this has lead to some of his problems in the past, it is also his upside as it shows his confidence in his abilities as a passer.  And thanks for the good luck bashbrother... hopefully the Scots can use it against Wabash as I'm sure they will be a daunting opponent as always! 

[Bash-Dad #84]

I was neither surprised or disappointed with our #18 ranking. I think we were ranked too high last year. None of it really matters so long as we win each game and keep playing at the end of the year.

I hear camp is going well so far. Many ice baths being taken and they aren't even hitting yet!

[wally_wabash]

The other opening game loss for Wabash during this stretch was against Kalamazoo in 2003, but they didn't play in week 1 either, so the bye wasn't relevant there.  

Remember that 2002 game? I was in that locker room at half time and during the weather delays... I have never seen a team that was prepared to (and eventually did) dominate its schedule like that team did... Words can not explain the shock of that locker room.
Creighton dropped the ball that day, and there were just enough lightning storms to give him time to figure something out.
I can't imagine how that ladder we built that year would have looked with the first rung missing!

Remember it vividly...that was a VERY close call against a game Kalamazoo squad.  They didn't have a lot of numbers, but those K'zoo teams in '02 and '03 had some really good players.  All time QB, all time WR, all time RB, and a really good LB on the defense.  They played well.  And you're right, the '02 squad eventually got rolling....after the amazing OT game at Witt, those LGs pretty much throttled everybody else until they got to Alliance.  35-0 leads on Wooster (undefeated at the time) and DePauw at halftime...Knott to Short was in full effect over the second half of '02 (but then again, when wasn't it?).  And while I'm digressing all over the place, I'm reminded of Short's TD catch in the back of the end zone in the playoff game against MacMurray...one of the best catches I've ever seen.  That was nasty. 

[wally_wabash]

out of curiosity, what does the Wabash think of its ranking of 18th to start the season? too low? just right?

I'm used to seeing them a bit higher to start the year. you've must of lost some key players in the off season.

Best of luck to the NCAC 

It's probably about right.  Wabash has been getting the benefit of the doubt from the voters over the last couple of years...crawling into the top 10 and even the top 5 last year without really having notched a win over a big time team.  I do think that Wabash is at the point where it'll be tough to jump teams like your Warhawks or UMHB or some of the other tippy top tier teams should they take a loss somewhere during the regular season like Wabash did last year.   

[BashBacker#16]

Yes, I think the ranking is about right.  We lost some good ones up front for sure but we really like the personnel on the D front.  I look for big years from Whyde and Ramsey (note the name) coming off an injury last season.  Brock and Kolisek should be very solid as well up front.  Bash may have the most underrated LB corps in the conference with guys like Gum, Watson, Parnell, and the return of Matt Kraft.  Kraft will be a huge boost to the D.  The O should be tough as well with Matt Hudson returning and an O front that is massive and very experienced.  Center is the position that is the question mark.  Lemond is a stud at WR, Chamblee should have a big year and then we have several very talented Sophomores competing - Young, Horn, etc.  Devin Kelley should emerge big at TE.  Punting will also be a question mark for us too.

Woo - I have been sitting here all off-season thinking..."man, how will Wabash move the ball against the Scots this year?  Man, they will be the baddest D in the league, what we will do?"     Seriously, what is up with the D comments?  Yes, they will be solid but where did the "Defense wins championships" statement come from?  I am much more fearful of the Witt D which is beast up front and off the charts and McKinley in the middle of the LB corps.

Wabash Always Fights!

[aueagle]

USNWR ranks OWU #105.....NCAC Poll ranks Bishops #6.....I think I am in for a long season.....

[luvncac]

Aueagle,

I walk on the new bike path by OWU's Selby Stadium everyday and from the small amount of players I've seen practicing it could be a longer season then you think.  Let's hope injuries are at a minimum.  There's a scrimmage at Selby tomorrow morning with Ohio Dominican I plan on attending, I'll let you know how they look.

[smedindy]

With the advent of camp and real football talk abounding, I guess DePauw gets what I suspect it wanted - the Walker resignation off of people's minds.

I wish there was an Orly Taitz of D-3 so we could lob out SOME nutball theory about Walker's resignation. No wait, scratch that. I think it's time to talk about football. Today in Minnesota the high was only 70 so football can't be that far off. Of course, I'm in Irving Texas today. Ah, well.

[aueagle]

luvncac: It will be interesting to see what the Bishops bring to the table on Saturday...
Look for the possible freshman Florida stud (6'3" 235lb)....the new starting QB...totals on roster.....the same OWU offense,  etc...
ODU will provide a solid test for OWU....The Panthers are a NAIA Pre-Season #20 and will join D2 football power conference, GLIAC in 2010.
This is yet another Columbus area school that has elevated their football program (Otterbein & Capital form the evil-OAC) in recent years...
Can't wait to hear all about it!
GO BISHOPS

[bashbrother]

Today in Minnesota the high was only 70 so football can't be that far off.

Took a tree out of my back yard today.... (Hurricane Season you know) and my shirt was so drenched with sweat.  I felt and smelt like I just took my shoulder pads off....so football can't be that far off.    90's down here in Florida...brutal.

The Bell game and any playoff games are the only time I get to feel cold. unfortunately.