FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[WittFan]

I'm reading these posts and scratching my head about what makes Wabash's two losses this year so "inexplicable." I'm no expert by a long shot, but when a team looses two home games in the way that Wabash did I can only think of two possible explanations. The first is injuries/lack of depth. I don't follow the Little Giants very closely, but since this topic hasn't significantly factored into the discussion thus far, I'm assuming it is safe to discount this explanation. The only other explanation is a lack of mental toughness. I know the Little Giant faithful like to say that Wabash always fights, and therefore I suspect questioning mental toughness may amount to heresy in the eyes of some here, but isn't it likely that the not-quite-so-inexplicable answer to this question is that the 2012 Little Giants just struggled to stay focused and block out distractions?

[nike]

Could it have been as simple as no stud receiver?  I saw Wabash couple times live and bits and pieces of the other games streaming this year.  Receivers were good, but no burner and consistent long ball threat like last few years.  Belton seemed to have to hold the ball longer on his throws this year waiting for people to get open.  Field wasn't stretched like last year, which made the read and pitch more effective last year also. Lets face it: with no Chamblee type kick off or punt returner, well, Wabash field position to begin drives throughout the year I would bet was nowhere close to what it has been the last few years.  No real threat to take one all the way back either.   
Bottom line, the special players  have to eventually graduate too.  Wabash has certainly had a number of really special players these last few years. 

[firstdown]

WittFan hit squarely on the problem.  Using the 2 deep starters for the DePauw Game, there were 4 Senior starters on offense and 4 on defense.  There were 12 freshman and sophomore starters on offense and 16  starters on defense.  There were 11 junior starters on offense and 6 on defense.
When you mix in the injuries, and there were some significant ones among the defense backs, the running backs, and the quarterback, it became a witches brew and you get from this strange results.  To the good however, there are a lot of younger players that got a lot of playing experience this year, and have a lot of talent.  From the group of 8 senior starters, there are some big shoes to fill (the accomplishments of this group of seniors are extraordinary), but Wabash, with so many starters coming back, will be ready to roll next year.  There are also many very talented players that weren't part of the two deep group that  also got playing experience this year.  Experience yields consistency. 

[ExTartanPlayer]

... isn't it likely that the not-quite-so-inexplicable answer to this question is that the 2012 Little Giants just struggled to stay focused and block out distractions?

That is possible.

I'd like to advance another theory: football is a game of matchups, results aren't always "linear" (A > B > C), and there is a fair amount of "talent overlap" amongst teams at the Division III level, especially if one throws out the top 10 teams and the bottom 10 teams.  I've beaten this drum before: Allegheny and Oberlin's rosters are full of guys that were team captains, all-conference players, and the like.  Sometimes those middling teams will bring one heck of an effort and perhaps even beat a seemingly superior opponent, and it doesn't necessarily mean that the "superior" team had a "letdown" or played poorly.

Anyone watch that Texas A & M vs. Alabama game?  People who are saying that Alabama had a letdown are just looking for an explanation, but I thought it was an example of one very talented team bringing an excellent gameplan and terrific effort into a hostile environment and beating an even MORE talented team.

[RoyalPurple]

Here's hoping Big Mike gets at least one game to put next to that sadly deflated Stagg Bowl ball in the Berg's trophy case

[bashbrother]

Does Wabash open up in 2013 with Hanover at Hollett?   If not does anyone know who they start the season against?    The schedule has Week 2 blank on the NCAC site. 

Also it seems as though the late season "bye week" element has been removed across the board.   Although, Witt & Bell Game scheduling to finish the year, returns for the Little Giants.    Lastly,  the Kenyon Lords will get a little "Round Robin Reality"  next year visiting Crawfordsville on Oct. 19th.... and then getting to play Witt the following week.  While I do salute the year the Lords had in 2012,  the mental tie-break gymnastics... (ala 2005) was a waste of mental calories.

[sigma one]

Wabash opens 2013 with Hanover on Sewell Field at Hollett Little Giant Stadium.  The non-conference opening game for 2014 (at home) and 2015 (away) is scheduled.   I am sure Wabash will announce the opponent at a time they believe appropriate.

[old wabash]

As small consolation, Wabash still has not lost more than 2 games in a season during Coach Raeburn's time.  We should check to see how many other teams in dIII have this kind of result and consistency over the past 5 years.  My guess is fewer than 10 with fewer than 10 losses--averaging 2 losses or fewer per year.

I'm on this...will report shortly with my findings. 

Here's the list of teams that have finished with 2 or fewer losses in every season between 2008 and now:

Mary-Hardin Baylor
North Central
Wesley
Wabash
Mount Union
Cal Lutheran

End of list.  North Central's spot is pending a run to a national championship.  Anything less and they fall off.

that's a pretty exclusive neighborhood!!

[sigma one]

I'm not buying the lack of mental toughness theory for the Wabash losses.  The same team came from a 21-7 first quarter disadvantage v. Carnegie Mellon when the Tartans came in undefeated.  The same team went into Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan and beat undefeated teams on their turf on their Homecomings.  The same team repeatedly this year went from close halftime scores to victories by multiple points. 
      Recall that both Allegheny and Oberlin played Wabash close a year ago.  Wabash had to score in the 4th quarter to defeat Allegheny.  Wabash survived a strong second half challenge from Oberlin.  It just might be that both those teams thought they could play with the Little Giants because they did so a year ago when Wabash was far more explosive.  Then given the opportunity they took advantage of it--Wabash's aura having already been tarnished.
     Youth, which sometimes breeds inconsistency, is one way to think about how the inexplicable happened.  Still, who would have thunk it when the season started.  And even now a new observer looking at the records, both Wabash's and  the teams that beat them, could say How Did This Happen?
     Lastly, let's reward Allegheny and Oberlin for what they did as much as scratch our heads at what Wabash did not do.   
     

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Witt down 7

now H 7- Witt 3

now H 14-Witt 3

Now H 21- Witt 3 with 3.11 left in the 1st

       H 21-Witt 6 just into 2 qtr
       H 28-Witt 6
       H 28- Witt 13

[smedindy]

Ugh. Not a good start for the Old Tigers.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Scholastics took advantage of a few early turnovers...UWO responds with TD...let's see if the Saints can hang around for a while.

Also of note, the NEFC entrants played surprisingly well in the first half. Bridgewater State may yet validate their inclusion...

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Greenville down by 7 on a 91 yard pass...ouch after fumbling inside the 10 yd line of Northwestern

[smedindy]

There may be life in the Old Tigers yet! Scored first in the third and held Heidelberg to a punt! Down 31-16 halfway through the third.

YE OLDE UPDATE - It's now 31-23 H'Berg over W'Berg.

[BashDad]

31-31!