FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

The #10 ranking and 381 poll points is the best starting point for Wabash in the D3football.com polling era, which I think was to be expected after the signature victory over the CCIW champion and a respectable game against Mount Union in the regional final.  There are a lot of positives around the Wabash team this year...experienced senior at quarterback, lots of experience returning all over the defense, both lines should be strong.  The pieces are definitely there to get back to that regional final level. 

The October game against Wittenberg is going to be interesting as usual.  I'm guessing that we're going to see a very different style from Wittenberg this time around.  McKee-Cooper-Zoeller were certainly a big challenge, but one that Wabash solved last year.  Witt's offense is going to be a completely different animal this time around with Florence taking snaps.  I'll be interested to see what the Tigers show in their first few games. 

[Wabash Hokie]

Not many surprises in the pre-season poll.  Glad to see Wabash in the top 10.  While scanning the landing page, I noticed that Whitewater is opening the season at Wash U on 8/31. Great way to kickoff the DIII season.  Wabash plays at Wash U in October so comparisons will be made.  Looks like two tailgates at Francis Field this season. 

[smedindy]

I'm just glad the Witt game has been moved away from the Bell game. Thankfully, this is the last year of the non-round robin, and while I don't mind playing teams like Wash U. I think it benefits the league as a whole when it's a full round robin so there are no 'back door' surprises into the playoffs (which could happen...)

[wally_wabash]

I'm just glad the Witt game has been moved away from the Bell game. Thankfully, this is the last year of the non-round robin, and while I don't mind playing teams like Wash U. I think it benefits the league as a whole when it's a full round robin so there are no 'back door' surprises into the playoffs (which could happen...)

It's just a one year reprieve...Witt goes back to Week 10 for 2013 and 2014.  And while I tend to agree with you that it makes sense to have those games split up, it's hard to argue with the results of the Bell game in the last two years when it has directly followed the Wittenberg game.  It's a small sample size, but the data is pretty overwhelming. 

I'll be interested to see how the round robin plays out.  I think it's easy to say "why haven't we been doing this all along?" but then after about a four-year cycle the reasons why will stand out again.  I'd love to see the round robin work and be beneficial for everybody in the long term, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets revisited in a few years either. 

[Li'l Giant]

I like the Witt game being the week before the Bell, personally. In most years winning both of those games will get Wabash into the playoffs and it's like the playoffs have two extra weeks. 

[bashbrother]

I like the Witt game being the week before the Bell, personally. In most years winning both of those games will get Wabash into the playoffs and it's like the playoffs have two extra weeks.

I totally agree.   These two games demand intensity and focus to win.   I believe that finishing the reg. season with tough games prepares a team more than playing two "easy" games, for post-season play.   

[smedindy]

Well, I wasn't thinking of Hiram to be the week before the Bell Game, but someone like Allegheny or Wooster to ramp up, then the Bell...

I think there could be an issue of not playing anyone of elite caliber before the end of the season. With some improvement by the others in the NCAC and a good selection of a non-conference game that may not be much of an issue, but if most of the NCAC is down and there's a weaker non-conference game, it could be week 10 (game nine) and all of a sudden Witt comes in as a test.

[wally_wabash]

Well, I wasn't thinking of Hiram to be the week before the Bell Game, but someone like Allegheny or Wooster to ramp up, then the Bell...

I think there could be an issue of not playing anyone of elite caliber before the end of the season. With some improvement by the others in the NCAC and a good selection of a non-conference game that may not be much of an issue, but if most of the NCAC is down and there's a weaker non-conference game, it could be week 10 (game nine) and all of a sudden Witt comes in as a test.

I'm still waiting for this to happen.  It's a familiar tune every summer...the league is improving, the league is improving.  The league is not improving.  Adding DePauw helps, but DePauw is going the wrong way.  Every team in our league not named Wabash or Wittenberg lost five or more games in 2011.  That is not good.  Wooster is one more mediocre year away from cycling through an entire class of players without having had a winning record (and look at their schedule this year...where are their six wins?).  Oberlin's roster numbers have never been huge, but they have been declining to dangerously low levels.  Kenyon and OWU are in total reboot mode.  Hiram has increased numbers, improved facilities, and still can't get any traction.  Allegheny is spinning their wheels.  Denison seems to be the only program that is on a noticeable upswing, but can they sustain it after Paulus and Fioroni graduate?  Not only sustain it, but not take a step back...even on this upswing they were only 5-5 last year and still getting thumped on by Chicago and CWRU.   

It's a brutally honest assessment of the league right now.  Wabash is thriving.  I believe Wittenberg is playoff caliber in 2012.  I have enormous concerns about every other team in our league this year and going forward.  I'm with you that a round robin is the purest and best way to determine a league champion.  But unless the quality doesn't improve, I think there is more to be gained (for everybody) by playing 3 non-league games instead of just one. 

[BashDad]

Not to interrupt the one hundred thousandth rehashing of this particular conversation--I love you guys, but c'mon, my eyes are bleeding--but for those who haven't been introduced to Jon Laird, here's your handshake.

What is up, Jon Laird? Welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQH-WDYlS-0

P.S. The dude throwing passes in this reel is...how do I put this...he's....well...he's not very good. So. With that in mind and everything: dig it.

[DPU3619]

Not to interrupt the one hundred thousandth rehashing of this particular conversation--I love you guys, but c'mon, my eyes are bleeding--but for those who haven't been introduced to Jon Laird, here's your handshake.

What is up, Jon Laird? Welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQH-WDYlS-0

P.S. The dude throwing passes in this reel is...how do I put this...he's....well...he's not very good. So. With that in mind and everything: dig it.

That kid has great footwork.  He'll be a good one if he's really 4.58 like the video says he is.

[BashDad]

He's not. That seems clear. But he's also playing against speed in those clips. Even if he's closer to 4.7-4.8, Wabash is gaining a big, confident, possession receiver who can create space and go up and get it.

[bashbrother]

He's not. That seems clear. But he's also playing against speed in those clips. Even if he's closer to 4.7-4.8, Wabash is gaining a big, confident, possession receiver who can create space and go up and get it.

I bet he is faster than it may appear on this video.   First of all,  this is a college level highlight reel  (instead of the high school reels we typically tear apart)   Secondly,  he is a big receiver.     Lastly,  I'll take him.   With the loss of Wes and Horn,  we need that underneath catch everything kind of guy.   Hildebrand and others will be there to stretch the field. 

[wooscotsfan]

Wooster is one more mediocre year away from cycling through an entire class of players without having had a winning record (and look at their schedule this year...where are their six wins?). 

Wooster should have a decent shot at winning 6 games this year.  Scots have 14 returning starters (out of 24), another 21 letterwinners and 47 incoming freshmen including several that should play some significant minutes.

Here is the link to Wooster's season outlook: http://www.woosterathletics.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120731fsk6ib

[aueagle]

Tom Watts has put together a very solid staff. And with former All-Everything Keith Rucker, the Bishops
now have a perspective that should advance the Red & Black players faster. Great to see Keegan Varner
(x-Bishop QB/and outstanding DB) on the sideline....he has a great future. All eyes center to Granville for the opener.
http://www.battlingbishops.com/news/2012/8/1/FB_08012012.aspx

[smedindy]

Wooster is one more mediocre year away from cycling through an entire class of players without having had a winning record (and look at their schedule this year...where are their six wins?). 

Wooster should have a decent shot at winning 6 games this year.  Scots have 14 returning starters (out of 24), another 21 letterwinners and 47 incoming freshmen including several that should play some significant minutes.

Here is the link to Wooster's season outlook: http://www.woosterathletics.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120731fsk6ib

Ok, let's see:

vs. Allegheny - Winnable, for sure, but not a cinch.
@ St. Vincent - Winnable, since it's a mid-tier PAC team. Not a cinch though.
vs. Witt - Would I like to see the Scots win? Yes. Will they? No.
@ Denison - Winnable, but again not a cinch.
@ Case - Doubt if the Scots can pull this one off.
vs. Hiram - They'll win this.
@ Wabash - They won't win this.
vs. DPU - Again, this one can be won, but if the New Tigers are improved it will be tough.
vs. Kenyon - They'll win this.
@ OWU - They could win this. Heck they should win this, depending on the Bishops improvement. But it's not a cinch.

Wooster's probably got two wins and three losses in the bag. It's the other five And i can see them go 5-0 and I can also seem the struggle along.