FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Anointing John Carroll is asking a lot of a program that hasn't won a playoff game since 2002. As much as Heidelberg hasn't played the tough teams on its schedule, by the way, neither has JCU.

[ExTartanPlayer]

While we're comparing teams, I think this may be the first year in a LONG time that I can say with some certainty that Wittenberg isn't one of the three best teams in Ohio

Just curious - who do you have ahead?  The three OAC beasts, or am I missing someone?

I don't think that's a foregone conclusion.  Wittenberg did beat Heidelberg in the playoffs last year.  I'd rank Mount and John Carroll ahead of them for now, but think you could probably call it pretty even with Heidelberg.  Both teams have really good offenses and somewhat shaky (against good teams) defenses.

IMO John Carroll is the best team in the state and has a VERY real national title hope. Of course Mount is Mount, but I place Heidelberg ahead of Wittenberg merely due to the talent on that roster. From what I hear there are a few boys on the defensive side of the ball with a shot at being invited to pro camps this spring.

+K for recognizing John Carroll's excellence.  I look forward to their games with Mount and Heidelberg.  They've just killed everyone they've played, and their schedule has included some at-least-decent teams.  They pounded a St. Norbert team that's going to finish 9-1 in the opener and handled Otterbein much more easily than Heidelberg. 

I'm not as sure of Heidelberg's defense as you are.  I know they're killing people and thus backups may be allowing some of those points, but they haven't quite been the shutdown unit that Carroll has (and, again, Wittenberg dropped 52 on them in the opening round last year and has virtually every key offensive player back).

We may never know, since I believe JCU and Mount will both beat Heidelberg and keep them out of the playoffs. 

[wally_wabash]

So...Witt/OWU.  Here's why I think this could be an interesting game. 

- This is OWU's last chance, especially for the seniors (coughEspinosacough), to notch a signature win.  Aside from the Wabash game last season (which carried with it the very legit chance at a 10-0 season), I don't know if there is a bigger game the Bishops have played in the last four years. 

- Wabash is around the corner for Witt.  How can you not know that?  How can you not be even a teeny bit distracted by that?  Maybe a bit of an Admiral Ackbar special here. 

- Wooster had a lot of success against Wittenberg's defense.  Can OWU have similar success?  OWU is capable of lighting up a defense that isn't on its game. 

It's an interesting game, particularly with the timing.  I expect that Wittenberg will score 40+ and that OWU won't be able to match it.  But what if...what if the weather is crappy...what if Wittenberg isn't totally focused on this game and OWU treats this thing as their Super Bowl (they should be)...you never know.   Crazier things have happened late in a season. 

[wally world]

Nice article on Wabash football players from Da Region.....can't help but think it's placed there as a nice recruitment tool. Did the NWI Times call Wabash, or did ER call the Times?

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/football/college/wabash-college-football-thrives-with-a-mix-of-area-flavor/article_13cdad8c-9dcf-5576-9ed4-d2ca847b94ad.html

[ExTartanPlayer]

Maybe a bit of an Admiral Ackbar special here. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiA

[wally_wabash]

Maybe a bit of an Admiral Ackbar special here. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiA

The thing that makes it extra trappy is that OWU hasn't held up their end of the deal this year.  If OWU were 6-1 to this point with just a loss to Wabash and playing this weekend for a share of the conference title, I would have no doubt that they would have Wittenberg's full attention.  But they haven't and they aren't playing for a title and, if we want to be super honest about it, the result of the game doesn't mean diddly as far as Witt's NCAC championship and automatic bid aspirations.  Either way, if they beat Wabash next week they are going to the tournament.  Provided that they beat Allegheny at home in week 11, which is probably about as sure a thing as has existed in this league in a long time. 

[wally_wabash]

Oh snap!  I almost forgot...it's Ye Olde Skull Trophy week! 



Easily my favorite ancient remains-based traveling trophy in the conference. 

[The_Bishop]

So...Witt/OWU.  Here's why I think this could be an interesting game. 

- This is OWU's last chance, especially for the seniors (coughEspinosacough), to notch a signature win.  Aside from the Wabash game last season (which carried with it the very legit chance at a 10-0 season), I don't know if there is a bigger game the Bishops have played in the last four years. 

- Wabash is around the corner for Witt.  How can you not know that?  How can you not be even a teeny bit distracted by that?  Maybe a bit of an Admiral Ackbar special here. 

- Wooster had a lot of success against Wittenberg's defense.  Can OWU have similar success?  OWU is capable of lighting up a defense that isn't on its game. 

It's an interesting game, particularly with the timing.  I expect that Wittenberg will score 40+ and that OWU won't be able to match it.  But what if...what if the weather is crappy...what if Wittenberg isn't totally focused on this game and OWU treats this thing as their Super Bowl (they should be)...you never know.   Crazier things have happened late in a season.

It's essentially the de facto 2012 NCAC Championship game since they didn't play last year.  No doubt it is the last chance for this senior class to have a signature win.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Lets go Bishops get the 'Ye olde Skull" back. It is an appropriate week for this trophy.

[wally_wabash]

Lets go Bishops get the 'Ye olde Skull" back. It is an appropriate week for this trophy.

Seriously.  They need to be playing this game as close as possible to Oct. 31 every year.  What's the downside? 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Responding to a request for a photo of Ye Olde Skull Trophy, here is a photo of what may be the original skull. I found it in a filing cabinet in the library of the News-Sun along with a bunch of old photos of Wittenberg's campus. I doubt it has seen the light of day for decades. The date on the back is Sept. 22, 1938. It reads, "Witt Trophy, Gold Skull." I don't know if this is a real skull or what. I know the new trophy isn't a real skull.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

And here is what it looks like today:

[Wabash Hokie]

Below is the link to the Wabash game notes vs Hiram on Saturday. It is Family Day at Wabash this weekend.



http://sports.wabash.edu/documents/2013/10/30/ReleaseOctober302013.pdf?id=219

[The_Bishop]

BLD - that is fantastic!  Great sleuthing to dig that up, I've never seen that high quality photo of the skull.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Thanks,
Props really should go to Djab7, He found it I just reposted and made it a bit larger.

Hopefully for these seniors they can win it back and get a big win.