FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashbrother]

Just for the sake of discussion, since Belton was not mentioned in Raeburn's comments, is it possible he does not play?  If so, what does this do to Wabash's chances?
I know you do not play with concussions.
Is not someone watching Wabash practices, as I do from time to time with Wooster?  Is Belton taking snaps or not?  That could be a very big deal. Am sure we can agree on that.
Certainly hope he is O.K. and plays.

1.  Wabash wins either way... Chances? 
2.  Typically concussions, depending on severity, keep you off the field.   
3.  People "in the know",  have a pretty good idea.   

Is it Saturday yet? 

[wally_wabash]

Re: Belton playing on Saturday or not playing...I don't think it will change things a whole lot for either Wabash or OWU.  Wabash isn't going to drastically alter their approach.  No, you don't just plug and play without missing Belton's experience (particularly on the road against a tough defense), but the game plan won't change.  Wabash is still going to try to establish a run game and work the play action for big plays later on.  That formula worked for 23 points and over 400 yards against Wooster who had been giving up just 322 yards per game prior. 

I think the more certain negative for Wabash is losing CP Porter who had really found a groove in the last few weeks alternating series with Tyler Holmes.  Wabash will need somebody to step up in that role on Saturday.  Maybe Vann Hunt.  Maybe Derrick Rowe.  Maybe Mason Zurek.  But one of those guys are going to get 10 touches and Wabash will need those to be productive touches. 

[smedindy]

I think the alternating back scenario that vexed some Wabash supporters so much early in the season was partially built to get RBs game action so they can carrier a heavier load in case of an injury. I think any of the backs in the stable should be ready to take CP's carries and produce.

[bashbrother]

I think the alternating back scenario that vexed some Wabash supporters so much early in the season

I also think the loss to Allegheny,  effectively cancelled this experiment.  The difference in our offense between the Gator game and the CMU Game was striking.   Not necessarily in effort or focus,  I believe it was all about a change in scheme.

[smedindy]

Also recall Holmes didn't play early on and was probably getting back to full capacity as time went on.

[bashbrother]

Also recall Holmes didn't play early on and was probably getting back to full capacity as time went on.

Very true.   The team was also somewhat trying to find itself overall....   

Onward and Upward....  We need to take care of business on Saturday.  If we play as we have played since the 2nd Qtr of the CMU game,  it could be a long day for the Bishops.  If not, it will be a battle.

WAF!

[Wabash Hokie]

Re: Belton playing on Saturday or not playing...I don't think it will change things a whole lot for either Wabash or OWU.  Wabash isn't going to drastically alter their approach.  No, you don't just plug and play without missing Belton's experience (particularly on the road against a tough defense), but the game plan won't change.  Wabash is still going to try to establish a run game and work the play action for big plays later on.  That formula worked for 23 points and over 400 yards against Wooster who had been giving up just 322 yards per game prior. 

I think the more certain negative for Wabash is losing CP Porter who had really found a groove in the last few weeks alternating series with Tyler Holmes.  Wabash will need somebody to step up in that role on Saturday.  Maybe Vann Hunt.  Maybe Derrick Rowe.  Maybe Mason Zurek.  But one of those guys are going to get 10 touches and Wabash will need those to be productive touches.

I will preface my comments by stating that I did not see the Wooster game.  However, based on the 2nd half of the Wash U game and anecdotal feedback from the Wooster game, Wabash's offense will continue to be effective both on the ground and through the air should Belton not play. The ground game without Belton, while less explosive, is strong and Walsh is plenty capable of effectively carrying the ball.  I am hoping that the coaching staff has finally decided to give Holmes the ball, injury to Porter notwithstanding.  From a passing standpoint, Walsh has a strong arm and showed impressive accuracy at Wash U (other than the one INT).  Based on the Wooster stats, Wabash did not have to throw the ball too often (7 of 12 attempts with an INT) but have not seen nor read any concerns regarding Walsh's performance.

The weather forecast is improving from a rain standpoint (calling for rain in the morning), but the cold and wind look like a given.  IMHO, anything that negatively impacts the ability to pass the ball will benefit Wabash and their defense.  I don't see IWO stopping Wabash's ground game.

Wish I could be there.  I will be watching on the internet (if the servers don't crash).

[Wabash Hokie]

Wabash press release for this weekend's game against OWU:

http://sports.wabash.edu/news/2012/10/24/FB_1024125743.aspx?elinkdata=16958

[wally_wabash]

I am hoping that the coaching staff has finally decided to give Holmes the ball, injury to Porter notwithstanding. 

Not sure that what you perceive here matches the reality...Holmes has 30 more carries than anybody else on the team.  He's getting the bulk of the action at RB.  Holmes is getting 17.8 carries per game.  He has 89 carries for the season.  All other non-QBs have 123 carries.  48 of those came in the first two games while Holmes was out.  In the five games that he's been available, Holmes has 89 carries, the rest of the roster minus (Belton/Walsh) have 75.  Holmes has been getting his number called more than anybody else in that backfield as borne out by the numbers. 

If you're looking for Holmes to put on his Bill Kaiser suit and carry 30+ times per game, it probably isn't going to happen.  That's just not how Coach Raeburn has used his backfield here at Wabash. 

[Wabash Hokie]

I am hoping that the coaching staff has finally decided to give Holmes the ball, injury to Porter notwithstanding. 

Not sure that what you perceive here matches the reality...Holmes has 30 more carries than anybody else on the team.  He's getting the bulk of the action at RB.  Holmes is getting 17.8 carries per game.  He has 89 carries for the season.  All other non-QBs have 123 carries.  48 of those came in the first two games while Holmes was out.  In the five games that he's been available, Holmes has 89 carries, the rest of the roster minus (Belton/Walsh) have 75.  Holmes has been getting his number called more than anybody else in that backfield as borne out by the numbers. 

If you're looking for Holmes to put on his Bill Kaiser suit and carry 30+ times per game, it probably isn't going to happen.  That's just not how Coach Raeburn has used his backfield here at Wabash.

One can only hope - Raeburn's rotation bit him in the butt vs Allegheny (again - my opinion as stated in previous posts). He's the coach and I am not - I simply don't agree with his philosophy.

However, my point above is also about turnovers.  If my information is correct, and based on the four games I have seen, Holmes has not coughed up the ball once.  I like the way Holmes plays the game and hope he is in there as often as the game plan allows.

[smedindy]

Again, Hokie, Holmes just got back into the rotation then. Gheny was his first game. I wouldn't expect him to go right to 30+ carries off the bat, especially not in this system.

[sigma one]

10 factors for Saurday:  Some have been debated on this Board, some stats, some observations.

1.  Homecoming:  OWU crowd, student-body enthusiasm, players's emotions.
2.  Weather:  mid to high 40s at KO; rain (supposed to be showers in the morning), wind(?)  "Outlined
     against a blue-gray October sky . . ."
3.  Espinosa is averaging 33 completions and 47 throws per game, with 6 ints.  His QB rating is 131+.
    He's thrown 13 TDs, and is himself averaging 329 passing ypg.  The team averages 340+.  Five
    receivers have caught at least 35 passes.  (Heads Up:  The record for passes thrown v. Wabash
    in a game is Denison with 76 over a decade ago.  In that game, Denison's starting QB, Neuendorf,
    was 36-72.  The record for completions v. the Little Giants is 39 by DePauw's Dick.  Are these
    records in jeopardy if the Bishops trail in the 2nd half?
4. Wabash rushes for 211 ypg--and that with only 29 in their first game of the year.  They average
    5.0 ypr. OWU surrenders 92 yards per contest, and 2.4 ypr
5. Belton:  will he play?  Walsh is highly capable.  Might they both play?  Look for which number on
   Saturday.
6. OWU leads Division III in sacks with 34.  Both teams have racked up tackles for losses.  Can they get
    one another into 2nd and 3rd and long situations?
7. Coaches:  Watt is new, but has big game experience as a player and assistant coach, and is the son
    of a great coach.  Raeburn has playoff and big-game experience at Mt. Union, Coe, and Wabash
8. The teams have played only two common opponents:  Denison and Carnegie Mellon.  They have
    beaten them both.  Wabash by 35-2 (at Den) and 54-28 (at Wab); OWU by 32-29 and 34-26, both on
    the road
9.  Kickers:  OWU's FG kicking has been key.  Wabash's has been erratic.  Both teams have hit kicks
    of 40+ yards.
10.Pat and Keith have today posted their Mock Regional Rankings.  They have Wabash at #4 and OWU
    at #5 in the North.  There you go.   
     

[Pat Coleman]

10.Pat and Keith have today posted their Mock Regional Rankings.  They have Wabash at #4 and OWU
    at #5 in the North.  There you go.   
 

Yes, but that's based on the NCAA's limited criteria. I would say a more accurate representation of our opinion can be found in the Top 25 (even though we only account for 8% of the voter population there).

[smedindy]

10.Pat and Keith have today posted their Mock Regional Rankings.  They have Wabash at #4 and OWU
    at #5 in the North.  There you go.   
 

Yes, but that's based on the NCAA's limited criteria. I would say a more accurate representation of our opinion can be found in the Top 25 (even though we only account for 8% of the voter population there).

Exactly. There's always a disconnect between regional rankings and the D3 Top 25.

[nike]

Re: Belton playing on Saturday or not playing...I don't think it will change things a whole lot for either Wabash or OWU.  Wabash isn't going to drastically alter their approach.  No, you don't just plug and play without missing Belton's experience (particularly on the road against a tough defense), but the game plan won't change.  Wabash is still going to try to establish a run game and work the play action for big plays later on.  That formula worked for 23 points and over 400 yards against Wooster who had been giving up just 322 yards per game prior. 

I think the more certain negative for Wabash is losing CP Porter who had really found a groove in the last few weeks alternating series with Tyler Holmes.  Wabash will need somebody to step up in that role on Saturday.  Maybe Vann Hunt.  Maybe Derrick Rowe.  Maybe Mason Zurek.  But one of those guys are going to get 10 touches and Wabash will need those to be productive touches.

I will preface my comments by stating that I did not see the Wooster game.  However, based on the 2nd half of the Wash U game and anecdotal feedback from the Wooster game, Wabash's offense will continue to be effective both on the ground and through the air should Belton not play. The ground game without Belton, while less explosive, is strong and Walsh is plenty capable of effectively carrying the ball.  I am hoping that the coaching staff has finally decided to give Holmes the ball, injury to Porter notwithstanding.  From a passing standpoint, Walsh has a strong arm and showed impressive accuracy at Wash U (other than the one INT).  Based on the Wooster stats, Wabash did not have to throw the ball too often (7 of 12 attempts with an INT) but have not seen nor read any concerns regarding Walsh's performance.

The weather forecast is improving from a rain standpoint (calling for rain in the morning), but the cold and wind look like a given.  IMHO, anything that negatively impacts the ability to pass the ball will benefit Wabash and their defense.  I don't see IWO stopping Wabash's ground game.
Wish I could be there.  I will be watching on the internet (if the servers don't crash).

Not trying to create a scene, but I think some Wabash folks may be taking Belton for granted a bit, if they think Wabash is assured a win without him and that the offense won't stuggle .
Am coming to the game to see a great game, firstly and Belton, secondly.  So I sure want him to play.  One of my favorite players in the NCAC over the last several years, really since Sutton. 
So I preface this by saying that I definitely want him out there Saturday.  But if he does not play or is not 100 percent, that changes everything.  Most importantly it gives the OWU offense more touches.  What Belton does so well is keep drives alive.  His running and passing combo is really something.  Like Tom Brady's brain in Michael Vick's body.  Although Holmes is good, as someone mentioned, CP's speed and shiftiness will be greatly missed.  If Holmes can do what he did last week, well, do not think he will come close with Belton not in.  Not against OWU.
Belton plays, this post is moot and should be deleted.  He does not play, then in my humble and often times wrong opinion, this game is a tossup.
So trusting that Belton is fine.
O.K., BashBacker16, no more worrying.