FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BashDad]

However, the last time Wooster beat Witt in Springfield?  That would be 1949, a generation before the Scots' new head coach was born.

Wow.

[wally_wabash]

Excellent insight as always, BD. 

Some random non-QB related Wabash 2013 thoughts....

- Tyler McCullen and Jorge Diaz-Aguilar on the defensive ends....how fun is that?  More or less than 10 pass break ups for those two combined this year?  Do you think they can get one per game?  I think that they can get one per game. 

- Darren Bost...I'm excited to see what Wabash can do with him in his sophomore year.  Bost was the secret weapon at Wittenberg last year and I think that's just scratching the surface for that kid.  Might he be the best TE in the league in 2013?  I'm looking in your direction Mr. Cagney.     

- Nate Scola frightens me. 

- Is ER going two ways with Houston Hodges again this year or does Wabash find some other burner to be the designated "fly" guy?

- Wouldn't mind seeing Tyler Holmes take a legit shot at Chris Morris's single season yardage record.  I think he can make a run at 1500 yards.

That's good for now.  We don't want to burn through everything before August. 

[ExTartanPlayer]

The fact that we are talking about a 3 way tie is almost crazy to me.  Wittenberg didn't play very good for a 3 games in a row late season (Wooster, Case, Wabash) after that the Offense was unstoppable by college defenses (see Heidelberg 412 yards for Florance, and 52 points), only weather and injury slowed the tigers down late in the season (see Hobart 35 mph winds and no Dehnke).

Good God!  Has there ever been a more misleading post?

You acknowledge that they "didn't play very good" for 3 games in a row "late last season" and then AFTER that the offense was unstoppable until they lost to Hobart because of "weather and injury."  Well, gee, for a three-way tie to happen, Wittenberg only has to slip up once.  What if there is "weather" or "injuries" or one of those games where they "don't play very good" happens against one of the top opponents on their schedule?  What if they actually drop one of these road clunkers against mediocre teams that they always seem to play?

I have no dog in this fight, and Wittenberg may very well have their best team since 2000, and could win 13 games and roll to the semifinals for all I know.  But to dismiss the possibility of a three way tie in the same post where you acknowledge the very factors (weather, injuries, a clunker of a game) that tend to produce mysterious results is just absurd. 

[wally_wabash]

However, the last time Wooster beat Witt in Springfield?  That would be 1949, a generation before the Scots' new head coach was born.

Wow.

I feel like this is ripe for one of those graphics about what the #1 music single and #1 box office movie was the last time this happened.  I think you're also obligated to include the price of a postage stamp in said graphic. 

[jknezek]

However, the last time Wooster beat Witt in Springfield?  That would be 1949, a generation before the Scots' new head coach was born.

Wow.

I feel like this is ripe for one of those graphics about what the #1 music single and #1 box office movie was the last time this happened.  I think you're also obligated to include the price of a postage stamp in said graphic.

I was thinking cost of a Big Mac is the standard measure, but then I realize its not only before Big Macs, but before McDonald's in general...

[wabco]

Wally ... I know you were not looking at Frosh.  But Wabash already has a multi year starter Buresh at LB along side Scola ... and ... trumpets up ... another Buresh joining. 

[wabco]

I believe it will evolve into "Hodges Brothers II" ... called Team Buresh at LB

[BashDad]

Didn't Bost transfer to, like, Ball State? I thought I'd heard that.

[smedindy]

If Bost did transfer, he's not playing football at Ball State. He's not on the roster - though he could be walking on.

As always with D-3, we won't know until they show up - and then not REALLY know until camp is broken.

[wally_wabash]

Didn't Bost transfer to, like, Ball State? I thought I'd heard that.

Oh man.  Really?  This is what I get for jumping in on this stuff in July. 

[BashDad]

Yeah, I just checked-- I got a text on March 26th saying he was leaving. Dunno if that's changed since then.

[waf56]

Yeah, I just checked-- I got a text on March 26th saying he was leaving. Dunno if that's changed since then.

Nope, it has not changed as far as I have heard. He is an unfortanate loss to the offense.

[sigma one]

Thanks, fantastic 50.  Now that you mention it, I recall that '08 game.  That is one perfect example of how weather can affect an outcome, even in these days of artificial surfaces.  (As is the Witt/Hobart playoff game last year--though I do think Hobart had the better team all in all.) 
     Wow, not in Springfield since 1949.  By the way to add to what I wrote a post back, the more I look at the schedules the more I continue to think that at least one of the three conference favorites will lose to a team other than themselves.  Emotion and consistency are funny things when a team has to play several big games and then face other teams wanting to knock them off. 
     In 1013 there are bound ot be unpredictables that even the playing field v. other respectable teams in the  NCAC.  Injuries, not that anyone wants to see good players go down, but the loss of a QB, or a running back (particularly Witt and Wabash).  Weather conditions as already mentioned.  Inexplicable happenings-- e.g, Oberlin almost doubling the score on Wabash at Wabash in 2012. 
     We all hope that the meaningful players stay healthy. 
     Witt's best team since 2000?  You Witt guys follow the Tigers more than I or anyone else.  But I've seen Witt play at least one game every year since 2000, usually against Wabash, but also some mid-nineties games v. Capital and a few playoff games.  This year's offense should be about as good as any in the last decade or more if the running game produces.  (I know Dhenke is a very good back based on his freshman year.)  The defense:  still has somethng to prove against quality opponents.  You can't rely on the offense to put up amazing points every week; that rarely happens.
     Take a look at the Witt/Wabash scores for the last 5 or 6 years.  Regardless of their strengths, the teams are for this one game almost equals.  I'd expect more of the same this year.  OWU--one good year, one very good year.  Perhaps the biggest ? for me is whether they can repeat or even rise a level.  Lots of players return.  The league has had a chance to see what they do with those spread receivers and Espinosa
     Footnote:  Florence the best since Knott.  As BashDad points out, there are some impressive names in between.  If Florence has the kind of year that makes that assertion correct, watch out in the regular season and in the early rounds of the playoffs.  And some OWU supporters will want to throw Espinosa in there in terms of yards produced with the help of their offensive scheme.  (That was true of Knott, too, who had Short, Casper, and a few others to catch it.  But, man, could he deliver the football.)

[bashbrother]

Great stuff on the board the last couple of days......   

Wally (Depauw comments) -   I for one,  hope that Depauw fields a significantly better team this year.    For a couple of reasons:  1.  A strong Depauw team is better for the conference  2.  Taking them to the woodshed,  while always satisfying,  is kind of getting old and not doing much for the rivalry.   

WAF! 

[short]

Their QB play will be the best in the NCAC since Jake Knott. 

False. There's a big list of great QBs from this league since Knott. Harbaugh, Huffman, Hudson, Rummel, Savage, Huff, Belton. Florence may have a bigger year than some of these guys, but all of them?  I'll have to wait and see.

Wally,  he already has had a bigger year than ALL OF THEM! Total Offense of 3326 is best on the list. Florence is under rated, Wittenberg is Loaded!!!

Passing Offense 2819 / Total Offense 3326 TDs 35 61% Florence Jr
Passing Offense 1799 / Total Offense 2285 TDs 24 57% Belton
Passing Offense 2022 / Total Offense 2483 TDs 30 54% Belton Jr.
Passing Offense 2737 / Total Offense 3117 TDs 39 63% Huffman
Passing Offense 2052 / Total Offense 2193 TDs 17 59% Huffman So. (Injured Jr season)
Passing Offense 2516 / Total Offense 2628 TDs 30 67% Hudson
Passing Offense 3135 / Total Offense 3159 TDs 31 64% Hudson Jr.
Passing Offense 2706 / Total Offense 2681 TDs 28 57% Rummell
Passing Offense 2581 / Total Offense 2701 TDs 21 60% Rummell So. (Injured Jr season)
Passing Offense 2472 / Total Offense 2675 TDs 26 61% Savage
Passing Offense 1507 / Total Offense 1799 14 TDs 59% Savage Jr.
Passing Offense 2961 / Total Offense 3287 TDs 33 67% Huff
Passing Offense  149 / Total Offense 172   TDs 1 100% Huff Jr.
Passing Offense 2954 / Total Offense 3215 TDs 37 57% Knott
Passing Offense 2909 / Total Offense 3225 TDs 39 57% Knott Jr

Added Espinosa and Zoeller
Passing Offense 2651 / Total Offense 2677 TDs 18 58% Zoeller
Passing Offense 2997 / Total Offense 3002 TDs 28 59% Zoeller Jr
Passing Offense Passing Offense 3371 / Total Offense 3252 TDs 21 65% Espinosa Jr


BTW, Not a Wittenberg Fan. Last year I call Heidelberg's riase before anyone. Look it up. In 2002 I call Wabash's riase preseason...

Ash Short