FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

If NCC runs for 276 next week, I'll eat my hat.

Better have the condiments ready, just in case - they had 411 today!

[bashbrother]

#3 -  Great post on what you saw today from the NCC offense.    I think you are right,  it will be extremely complex to prepare for,   I believe the defense that has a chance to be successful against all of the variations in schemes, formations and misdirection is on that:

1.  Has a tremendous amount of team speed.

2.  Is very disciplined in their reads and edge containment.

3.  Is Well coached

4.  Has the quality team depth to withstand the onslaught and keep the troops fresh.

Lately,  the Wabash D has definitely proved 1, 2 & 3.   #4 is the big question.     


It is going to be war.  Bash fans have been waiting for this game for some time.   More later!

[smedindy]

Let's just hope that Belton's, Zinsmaster's and Kitley's injuries (among those I saw) heal up quickly. Along with D, I think the offense needs to be 100% as well.

[smedindy]

BTW, sorry for getting everyone sidetracked on some things recently. I did get an email or two regarding the school color from some former colleagues it probably could have been settled via messages instead.

[smedindy]

When does the NCAA confirm week 2 locations?

Sunday, I believe.

[smedindy]

After losing week 1 to Redlands, North Central has outscored their foes 467-87.

They average 7.0 yards per rush, and when they do pass, they do it well. 20 TD passes and four INTs and 15.2 yards per completion.

This is going to be a stout test, but to be champions you have to beat a team like North Central.

[hazzben]

My point there was that this ought to be the defense best built to take that away.  They've haven't seen a really, really good run defense yet.  Redlands is about 117 ypg.  IWU is 123 ypg.  Wabash is half that.

I'm not sure Wabash has faced the same sort of rushing attacks that IWU has over the course of the year. NCC, Elmhurst, Milikin, even North Park all have very good rushing attacks in one of the premier DIII conferences. That and I think the season has born out that Redlands was definitely the anomaly of the year for North Central.

Not meant to be a knock on Wabash, just noting that given the drastic difference in SOS numbers, those stats might not tell the full story.

Case in point. St. Scholastica came into today's game against UST with one of the top offenses in the country and a QB leading the nation in rating and completion percentage. They had only 1 first down until late in the 2nd half. Granted, CSS isn't Wabash. But NCC isn't UST either.

Wabash hasn't seen a rushing attack or defense like NCC all year. I'm not convinced that goes both ways at this point. But I can't wait to find out in 7 days.

[hazzben]

After losing week 1 to Redlands, North Central has outscored their foes 467-87.

They average 7.0 yards per rush, and when they do pass, they do it well. 20 TD passes and four INTs and 15.2 yards per completion.

This is going to be a stout test, but to be champions you have to beat a team like North Central.

Dead on. NCC is a very good team. But Wabash is unbeaten on the year and gets the chance to prove themselves in an even more significant way on Saturday. It would be a national statement if they win.

[bashbrother]

No doubt,  North Central will be the best team in all areas that Wabash will have faced this year,  by far.  Well.... except Depauw who was the best team at throwing Pick-6's.   

But as others have said,  this is the kind of game that you live to play.   

[nccfac]

No doubt,  North Central will be the best team in all areas that Wabash will have faced this year,  by far.  Well.... except Depauw who was the best team at throwing Pick-6's.   

But as others have said,  this is the kind of game that you live to play.

I love it. Even with the next opponent on your mind, if you get a chance nail DePauw. That is a rivalry!

[wabndy]

I love it. Even with the next opponent on your mind, if you get a chance nail DePauw. That is a rivalry!

We feel that strongly about the Dannies. I especially felt sorry for the poor kid from Illinois College last week who had the misfortune of having the last name "DeFauw."

The video feed of the IC game showed a pretty sparse crowd. Box score shows attendance at 1359. Thanksgiving break plus paying $10 to stand in 40 degree wind and rain must have turned a bunch away. Hope things are better next week and the students cut their thanksgiving holiday short since the LG's will need every bit of the 12th Wabash Man.

[DPU3619]

I'm not sure Wabash has faced the same sort of rushing attacks that IWU has over the course of the year. NCC, Elmhurst, Milikin, even North Park all have very good rushing attacks in one of the premier DIII conferences. That and I think the season has born out that Redlands was definitely the anomaly of the year for North Central.

Not meant to be a knock on Wabash, just noting that given the drastic difference in SOS numbers, those stats might not tell the full story.

Look, I'm really not trying to knock North Central here, but there is a degree of "we haven't played anybody nearly this good" for both teams. 

I'm not going to buy the argument that Wabash won't stop them because the opponents NCC has seen played a tougher schedule.  Yes, the NCAC isn't as good as the CCIW.  We all realize that.  However, I'm not going to buy the argument that because IWU played Elmhurst and North Park, who combined for less wins than Wabash, that they're their rushing defense numbers are worse.  North Park has as many wins in the last five years as Wabash has in this one season.  That's not really relevant.

My honest opinion is that Wabash is going to struggle to move it.  That's what happens to their system against really good teams.  A  decent defense can make things really tough for that offense.  I've been on the record with this several times.  That said, North Central isn't going to show up and just run it down Wabash's throat.  Hammer is too good.  Gum is too good.  Teams just don't run it for 300 on the LGs.  It's been that way for a long time.  Hasn't happened in the Raeburn era.  Only happened against Whitewater in the last five years.

Like smed said, either Wabash is ready to take the next step as a program or not.  Either you're elite, or you're a routine 10-0 that can't handle the playoffs.  Saturday's going to tell us a lot.  If Wabash is truly an elite D3 program, they need to win one of these against a premiere football team.

[BashBacker#16]

Wes,

That's a great post.  Spot on.

Wabash Always Fights!

Did you guys see the hit CJ Gum put on the O-lineman in the 2nd half!!!  WOW.  We need to get that on youtube.  Also, that was a pathetic call on Koop - the helmet-to-helmet.

...can't wait for next Saturday!!!

[Silence.Dogood]

I love it. Even with the next opponent on your mind, if you get a chance nail DePauw. That is a rivalry!

We feel that strongly about the Dannies. I especially felt sorry for the poor kid from Illinois College last week who had the misfortune of having the last name "DeFauw."

The video feed of the IC game showed a pretty sparse crowd. Box score shows attendance at 1359. Thanksgiving break plus paying $10 to stand in 40 degree wind and rain must have turned a bunch away. Hope things are better next week and the students cut their thanksgiving holiday short since the LG's will need every bit of the 12th Wabash Man.

Not to impugn the integrity of the Wabash data but I question the 1359 number.  However, all of the factors above did keep the crowd down.  I too hope that many will be able to adjust their holiday travel plans to include a trip through Crawfordsville on Saturday.  This is a bellwether game for the Wabash program.

Belton was noticeably hobbled by a bad wheel in the game - not able to cut, limited straight line speed, and wisely went down to avoid hits.  The wind played havoc with some of his throws and others looked like the ducks seen in prior games.  Wabash's athletic wide receivers have been able to make great plays on jump ball situations.  If Wabash had played NCC yesterday, Burke may have been a better option as the starter.  Good luck to the LGs this week.  Hope Belton heals and is closer to 100% this Saturday.

[smedindy]

Playoff attendance always shrinks down, at every location. It's odd, but it's a fact. And Illinois College won't burn down the ticket booth (no offense to IC, who seemed to have a OK crowd). My conjecture is that Wallies make football games an event, and since we are gentlement the week after the Bell game is usually turned over to the other half and their honey-do list - to promote domestic tranquility.

Here is the attendance figures from the other sites:

Mt. Union: 1823
Linfield: 1552
North Central: 1576
Whitewater: 1211
Centre: 1312
Wesley: 1531
Johns Hopkins: 1501
Salisbury: 1183
Del Val: 1476
Illinois Wesleyan: 2150 - Monmouth is just down I-74 (to US34).
Kean: 3943 (!)
Franklin: 2850 - great crowd and it was going to be a game. Thomas More isn't that far, either.
St. Thomas: 2350
UMHB: 1962
Trinity: 1373