FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[D3_DPUFan]

If Witt has a better receiving corps than DePauw they must be very good. DPU's receivers are a really,really good group. And I would agree with wally on DePauw's blocking being a key to the game..the key in my opinion.
DPU's The O-line play has been exceptional this year. If they continue to play that way I really like the Tigers chances Saturday.

[smedindy]

It may be a shootout in the Bell game. I'll take the over.

Now this will be fun - DPU will be playing for seeding and we'll be playing to keep what is rightfully ours. Not that this week's game will need any more, um, incentive.

I also think that Wabash does need to bring heat, but they need to be careful in not leaving talented receivers in single coverage. That may work against the lesser lights, but not against Witt and definitely not against DPU.

[bashbrother]

I'd be interested to hear Wally or BashBro's comparison of Witt and DePauw.  Personally, I think Witt is a much stronger team.  Thoughts?

Both are quality teams that are well coached.   I think the key to this weekend's game is how much pressure Wabash can put on Engle.  Having watched 4 Depauw games online this year, I have seen Engle and Koors carve up some field.  I have also seen Engle make some mistakes primarily caused by pressure or hurries.  Saturday was really a helpless feeling watching Zoeller have his way, no matter what we need to change or draw up, we cannot let Engle have that time.

Before the game on Saturday, I too would have said that Depauw had a superior offensive attack to that of Witt's.  Now, I am not so sure, as Zoeller is a much better than I expected.   So, lets just call it the same.  

I expect Depauw's defensive to give up a few more opportunities than Witt's and Wabash will need to take advantage of every one of them to be successful.

Big games are ALL about momentum.  It was true on Saturday as a 24-3 Wabash team, turned the tables and put Witt back on its heel with two quick touchdowns to bring the score to 24-17.   Wabash was primed to make it a game and then a two turnovers sealed the deal.

X' and O's aside, two quality teams meeting again for the Bell.  It will come down to who wants to be ringing the Bell Saturday night the most.

Go BASH!

[formerd3db]

Projections anyone on what this year's Monon Bell game attendance will be?  Will it be another consecutive 12,000+ crowd?  Hopefully, it will be.

[nike]

Would love to go see Hiram and OWU on Saturday.  Would love to.
But the Scots are playing for the NCAC championship.
Does a Scot's victory in fact get them in the playoffs with an AQ?  

"Next Saturday, NCAC championship and postseason implications will be on the line when Wittenberg and Wooster kickoff at 1 p.m."----This is from Wooster's website, but what does it mean as far as the playoffs?  Are we in if we win?

A lot of excited people around.  Just hope that translates into people in the stands on Saturday.  Papp should be packed on Saturday.
The Witt-Wabash game was worth the drive, but still don't get the rotating qbs.  Thought after the 70 yd. TD to Horn that Belton had finally shaken the rust off.  But Burke came back in.  What is going to happen Saturday with the Wabash qbs?   The game was closer than the score indicated, at least after Wabash scored two touchdowns in third quarter.  But Witt is very, very good.  Wooster will have to play like the Browns did yesterday to win this game.

[FightinScot]

Wooster will have to play like the Browns did yesterday to win this game.

Or put the old grass back in for a week and turn on the sprinklers. Witt players don't like getting muddy. 

[nike]

Schmitz needs to have his players watch HBO "Greatest 100 NFL  Players".   That would do it.

[bashbrother]

I think Wooster needs to dip into the Boise State 2003-2005 Playbook and play a little non-conventional.   Kinda of like fighting the Chinese in a conventional war, it won't work.  Get creative, have some fun... Statue of Liberty play, fumblerusky etc.

[wally_wabash]

Shame on the league office for putting out a weekly press release stating that DPU leads the series with Wabash 37-36-5.  Wrongski.  We all know Wabash leads the series 54-53-9.  Tsk, tsk. 

[wally_wabash]

Interesting nugget from the ATN podcast...Fincham was asked about why Witt has had some trouble on the road.  He was quick to point out that Allegheny and CMU were coming off of bye weeks when they played Witt.  Think the bye week doesn't matter?  Joe Fincham sure does. 

[Ryan Tipps]

Shame on the league office for putting out a weekly press release stating that DPU leads the series with Wabash 37-36-5.  Wrongski.  We all know Wabash leads the series 54-53-9.  Tsk, tsk. 

Good catch, wally! Someone got on them: It looks like it's already fixed!

[DPU3619]

They've located the series record since the Bell got involved.  Not what we're really after here, fellas.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I think Wooster needs to dip into the Boise State 2003-2005 Playbook and play a little non-conventional.   Kinda of like fighting the Chinese in a conventional war, it won't work.  Get creative, have some fun... Statue of Liberty play, fumblerusky etc.

I agree with this, and I've wondered why this doesn't happen more often in both football and basketball.

For instance, when a 16 seed plays a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.  They have nothing to lose, and they're probably never going to win by playing straight up...so why not do something crazy?  Run and gun, shoot a 3 on every possession, play full-court press, and run five fresh guys every 3-4 minutes?  What's the worst that happens - they lose by 40?  Wasn't that going to happen anyway?

Same train of thought with a huge underdog in football.  Do something crazy - throw something at the favorite that they don't expect.  Sure, maybe it will backfire, but you probably can't beat them straight up anyway!  Blitz every down, call trick plays, et cet/

[nike]

After watching Witt Saturday,  Wooster can do all the razzle dazzle they want.  Say that gets them 2 touchdowns.  They will still need to play mistake free on offense, score several additional touchdowns and on defense, hold Witt to maybe 4 or 5 touchdowns to even be in the game. 
I fear that Witt could blow them out.  But as always, the game has to be played.
A lot of talk last week about how Medina should just forfeit to Canton McKinley in the high school playoffs.  Guess what?  Medina won.  So I am up for an upset.  But the Scots will have to play their best game in years.

[wally_wabash]

Here's your tiebreak scenario, straight from the acting executive director:
http://thepaper24-7.com/main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=23&ArticleID=28611

So Wooster is not making the playoffs...so what are they playing for?  Plenty. 

1) A win and they will be conference champions.  They'll get a trophy for the case and everything. 

2) Wooster could absolutely ruin Wittenberg's year.  Not only would they ruin a 10-0 season, but given the degree to which the regional rankings have poo-pooed the NCAC this year, if Witt takes a loss, they'll be a long shot to get invited (barring a 2008-ish apocalyptic week 11). 

So there you have it.  Win a trophy, be conference champions, and end Wittenberg's season.  Not just end their 10-0 season.  But end their season.  I'm talking about turn in your gear on Monday ending the season.  In a year when Wooster had their Homecoming game taken away...I can't think of a better way to send the 2010 season out.  Seize the day, Scots!