FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

You think the NCAC will give out the OPOY award this year or just let that thing roll-over until next season?

It's kind of been a conference-wide snooze-fest on that side of the ball. Our leading rusher has three touchdowns. Our statistical leader in passing is bluh against good teams (Huntingdon: 15-33 186 1-1).

We give it to McKee? Chamblee?

I anticipate controversy.

I'd guess McKee.  We don't have anybody really having a completely ludicrous offensive regular season, so I guess you'd fall back to a career achievement kind of a deal.  McKee is smashing records...he's probably the front runner.  But you're right, it's not a good year for an OPOY. 

[smedindy]

Wabash now in the Top 10. #9 ranking!

http://www.d3football.com/top25/2011/week8

No team left the Top 25.

[DPU3619]

The thing I'm concerned about is that you've got at least 3, maybe 4, of the Top 10 that could end up in the same part of the bracket.  I know that's the nature of the beast in this region sometimes, but it sure makes for a tough row to hoe.

[smedindy]

The West is no cakewalk, either, and the folks in Texas and way out West always have to play each other too early because the NCAA likes to save on travel. Each region has it's own unique issues. Well, the East has issues when Mt. Union goes east!

[Breckenridgebear]

Hopefully this is something to build on for DePauw.  Offense did look pretty sharp.  Kinda what I've been used to the past few years.  Passing game was in rhythm.  They were able to run it successfully. 

Still a long way to go if they hope to make the Bell game worth the price of admission, though.

For shame Wes! A slow start doesn't mean the Bell game is not worth attending. Depauw could drop the whole season and there is still a possibility that Depauw can beat dabash. It's Monon Baby!

Oh I'll still be there.  Wabash can be beat.  It's no foregone conclusion.  Going to be an uphill battle, though. That's for certain.  I'll spend the money, I just hope I get a show worthy of my money.

Anything has to be better than last year.

[ExTartanPlayer]

No team left the Top 25.

Main reason for that appears to be that each of the Top 25 teams that lost this weekend did so against a top-notch opponent (ex. IWU losing to NCC, UW-Oshkosh losing to UWW, Bethel losing to St. Thomas) and therefore the voters determined that most of them did not deserve to drop from the Top 25.

[wally_wabash]

Chase Belton nabs PotW honors this week for ridiculous quarter game on Saturday.  Congrats, Chase! 

The top 6 players in this conference in rushing TDs include: Wabash's starting quarterback, Witt's backup QB, Hiram's QB, and Wooster's QB who started the season as a backup.  No running back has more than three rushing scores this year...after 8 weeks.  So...what the heck happend to running backs in this conference?  There have been a lot of fantastic running backs that have come through this league.  The last couple of years have been pretty thin on the RB front. 

[smedindy]

The best teams are balanced, with more emphasis on the pass (and multiple threat QBs) and the best pure RBs are probably stuck on mediocre teams.

[ExTartanPlayer]

The best teams are balanced, with more emphasis on the pass (and multiple threat QBs) and the best pure RBs are probably stuck on mediocre teams.

That's kinda what I thought.  Per the statistics, 'Bash and Witt don't really utilize a single featured RB (the balance that smed alludes to), and the mediocre NCAC teams just don't score all that much (so their RB's, even if they are pretty good, haven't racked up a lot of points).

[FightinScot]

Mr. Barnes would sure look good about now.  About as good as Mr. Belton looked today.
Did someone actually say Barnes' replacement looked better than him?

I did, and the Wooster-Case game does nothing to change that. It was the best Wooster has moved the ball all season. I'll admit that isn't saying much, but there are a lot of positives to take away from Saturday's game, Frongillo's improving play being one of them.

[nike]

So if Barnes was healthy, you would favor Frongillo over him?  Barnes was Freshman of the Year in the NCAC last year.  Was Frongillo at COW last year?
Not trying to start an argument, but just found that thinking curious.  Someone from  Wabash wanted a change at quarterback there earlier this year, too.
Saw Barnes a number of times last year against very good teams.  One of the most exciting players I have seen at COW in several years.

[bashbrother]

Bash highlights from Denison game

http://youtu.be/kWx9vEKmEfU

Among some great highlights,  I particularly like the true definition of a "mismatch" -   a linebacker trying to cover Wes, coming out of the slot. 

[smedindy]

Sad news. Saw on Coach Raeburn's Twitter feed that legendary Wabash WR Mike Funk '89 has passed away. He was amongst the best WRs in Wabash history, if not the best. Some Little Giant.

[WABCOL86]

I was just about post that sad news.  I had been following Mike's travails on Caringbridge, mostly through his wife.  He leaves behind a loving family.  I hate cancer and I hate Alzheimer's and we need to do more to fight them both.

Mike was an awesome football and baseball player.  He was some Little Giant!!

[FightinScot]

So if Barnes was healthy, you would favor Frongillo over him?  Barnes was Freshman of the Year in the NCAC last year.  Was Frongillo at COW last year?
Not trying to start an argument, but just found that thinking curious.  Someone from  Wabash wanted a change at quarterback there earlier this year, too.
Saw Barnes a number of times last year against very good teams.  One of the most exciting players I have seen at COW in several years.

Yes, I would. Frongillo and Barnes both came in at the same time, but he didn't get a chance last year while Barnes was playing so well. However, Barnes' great play last year didn't carry over into this year (0 TDs, 6 ints in 3 games), and has been outplayed by Frongillo. This kid makes better decisions, has similar running ability, and has a better arm.

We'll see how they play out the rest of the season, but I think Frongillo gives them the best chance moving forward. With the lack of depth and playmakers on offense, maybe Barnes would be better suited as a WR when he's healthy.