FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[nike]

Could make a strong case that Barnes has outperformed Espinoza when playing against the Big Two.

[bashgiant]

I think Wabash is now +26 in turnover margin through 8 games.  That is crazy.  Also, 18 picks and 7 of those have been returned for scores.  The Wabash D just flat out gets after it.  I'm really anxious to see them vs Reed Florence and Co. 

How about Buresh's block on Woods 1st pick 6 today???  OMG

It's Witt week!

WAF

Buresh's block on Woods was unreal.  Woods has the number 39 permanently tattooed on his side from that hit!

Woods was running the ball Buresh made the block for Woods not on Woods.

[aueagle]

In all the rush of the weekend...errands, work, games, church, parties...
What is the one thing that I most looked forward to? I just got
home to check that one item....Total Puppy Yardage....58

[wally_wabash]

In all the rush of the weekend...errands, work, games, church, parties...
What is the one thing that I most looked forward to? I just got
home to check that one item....Total Puppy Yardage....58

Bonus point!

[smedindy]

I think it's fairly clear that Wooster has re-established itself as the #3 team in the NCAC this year. However, the gap between #2 and #3 is a chasm and the gap between #3 through #8 can sometimes be measured with a micrometer.

[sigma one]

Conversation starter, Smed.  Wooster has surprised after 2-8 a year ago.  OWU has come back to the pack.  Hard to think that either of them will lose on Saturday (OWU/Oberlin, Wooster/Kenyon--both would be major upsets, but they better not fall asleep).  They meet at the end and could both be 6-4 on the year.  Wooster could go to 7-3 and OWU only to 6-4.  There's the potential separation.    I don't think Woo is the clear #3 just yet.
     Of the others:  Allegheny is a disaster.  What will happen as a result of this season?  Can they regroup for next year?  How strong is the will there to bring them back toward relative success?  I can't see them staying like this for very long, but I didn't see this falling coming either.
      Denison has an very good win v. OWU, and actually a not-at-all bad loss v. Wittenberg (38-20).  The clubbing by Woo shows either Woo's genuine superiority or Denison's smoke and mirrors.  But they are better than last year, and promise to stay that way.
      DePauw is clearly responding to Lynch, and the win v. OWU shows they are developing some bite.  Hiram is better, but the loss of their two QBs is more than telling; DPU and Oberlin remain.  They will be fortunate to manage a third win.  (Still, good to see that they are working on their team). 
      Kenyon has a been competitive in most games, but the non-league loss to Earlham is a head scratcher.  Probably will have major difficulty  reaching .500 with Wooster and Denison still to go.   Oberlin: congratulations to them on what they are managing this year with that tiny roster.  But the freshman class is small (again); how long can this continue.   Without knowing the entire context, it appears that the administration has to decide how to proceed--let's hope for more support
      Then, this is Wabash/Wittenberg week.  I'm eager to see what the posters have to say over the next five days.
      So, Smed, what you said, I do think Wooster's comeback has to be recognized, but OWU is after #3 spot.  The others are fighting for late wins, but as a group they are hard to distinguish among, with Allegheny at the bottom and DePauw and Denison (and perhaps Kenyon) competing to be at the top of the remaining group.  By the micrometer you mention.
       We probably will wait to comment on whether we think the conference as a whole is any better this year, particularly in light of the  drop in conference ranking from those who survey the league's closely.

[WABCOL86]

One comment on the Wabash QB situation from someone who has been observing them since Dave Harvey (Anybody remember Brian Metallic?).  After watching them play and hearing what others have to say, I believe that Andy Walsh would be the starter if he was a junior rather than a senior.  Senior pine riders seldom get the nod when their time comes if there is a younger and viable QB on the roster.  It happened while I was at 'Bash in the 1980's.

Watching them on the field, Walsh is bigger, stronger and more dynamic.  He is a better (faster, more instinctive) runner and an able passer as well.  So why isn't he the starter?  Simply because it is a better situation to groom someone to be three year starter than to have to do it all over again next year with a senior first timer.

That said, we have survived on offense with what we have, so onward we go!  Witt is next up, and I plan to be there for that one too. Go 'Bash!  WAF!

[The_Bishop]

Conversation starter, Smed.  Wooster has surprised after 2-8 a year ago.  OWU has come back to the pack.  Hard to think that either of them will lose on Saturday (OWU/Oberlin, Wooster/Kenyon--both would be major upsets, but they better not fall asleep).  They meet at the end and could both be 6-4 on the year.  Wooster could go to 7-3 and OWU only to 6-4.  There's the potential separation.    I don't think Woo is the clear #3 just yet.

Agreed.  The bronze medal match between OWU and COW will take place week 10.  It's a toss-up at this point.

[Joe Wally]

One comment on the Wabash QB situation from someone who has been observing them since Dave Harvey (Anybody remember Brian Metallic?). 

LOL!  Brian Metallic lives in my neighborhood.

[wally_wabash]

That said, we have survived on offense with what we have, so onward we go!  Witt is next up, and I plan to be there for that one too. Go 'Bash!  WAF!

Survived?  Survived on offense with what we have?  Seriously?  420 yards per game, 6.2 yards per play, 40 offensive TDs (that's 35 points/game, less field goals- that would still be a top 40 scoring offense nationally).  Survived...like the offense has been holding this team back from winning comfortably over the last two months.  Survived...like these kids can't figure out how to line up correctly or excecute a simple handoff.  Survived...like somehow Wabash has managed to win 8 games totally in spite of their remedial, embarrassing offense.  Come on.  Survived??  That's a totally unfair assessment. 

[The_Bishop]

Get those stats up to 500 yards per game and 10 yards per play and you'll move from "survived" to "just getting by".

[WABCOL86]

Yes, survived, just as I have survived despite being immolated, shot and stabbed in my life.  We live by the run, and Putko does enough to get by.  Nuff said?!

[nike]

It is worth repeating that after this last weekend of games, a valid argument can be made that Richard Barnes is the second best quarterback in this league.  Throw out all the gaudy numbers except for the games against Witt and Wabash by both teams.  I rest my case.   

[wally_wabash]

We live by the run, and Putko does enough to get by.  Nuff said?!

Exactly.  So why all the fuss about the quarterback? 

[badgerwarhawk]

HELP

I need some of you in the know to give me a clue as to who will win the Wittenberg/Wabash matchup this weekend.  I've included it as the out of conference game in our pickem so it's worth 5 points that I desperately need.