FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

The Woods incident is unfortunate.  You can't punch people and that's going to get you in trouble, deservedly so.  What we don't know is what Cunningham said that got him popped in the chops.  Maybe it was a reaction to getting bumped at the end of the play, but I doubt that that was all.  That, to me, looks like a reaction to something that was said.  And when you see Cunningham's taunting and celebration after the flag is thrown, I don't think there's any way you can think that Woods hauled off and whacked a guy for no reason.  Not a good reason- you can't punch people in football- but there was a reason.  As we know, it's always the guy who retaliates that gets in trouble in these situations. 

[waf56]

I personally thought the interference call in the end zone possibly would've been waived off until your coach completely overreacted and ran out onto the field to dispute the call and got flagged.

If there was a penalty called every time Raeburn disputed a call (or a lack thereof), Wabash would average around 300 yards of penalties a game. I jest, but if this was really the case, the officiating would not just be bad, but unethical. Officials are paid to be unbiased and call the game the same for both sides regardless of outside factors, such as the score or disgruntled fans. Unfortunately officials are human and make mistakes, but they should always work to call a fair game and not have "revenge" calls.

Knowingly making an incorrect call due to a coach saying not nice things to you would IMO be grounds for permanent dismissal, from being an official.

[wally_wabash]

If Hanover beats Franklin would that help Wabash as far as getting in the tournament? If so would it be a big boost? I am pretty sure it would help with Bash SOS but how much would it hurt Franklin? Hey anything can happen.....right?

I think it's pretty negligible, bashgiant.  Hanover being a common opponent would help the regional committee rank Wabash and Franklin, but that's an order that is going to sort itself out mostly by virtue of win percentage.  Hanover winning plants one more win in the OWP part of Wabash's SOS which is useful, but doesn't really move the needle much now that we have a full season's worth of games in there (that extra win is worth roughly 0.007 points on the SOS). 

As for how it hurts Franklin, losing to Hanover knocks them out of the tournament (unless RHIT loses as well...which creates a 4-way tie for the HCAC and I have no idea how that sorts out).  But that's a whole separate thing that doesn't affect Wabash in any way. 

The games that will have the most impact on Wabash this weekend (aside from Monon Bell game, obviously) are:
St. John Fisher/Alfred
IWU/Elmhurst
W&J/Waynesburg
St. Johns/Bethel

I don't think anything can happen in these games that really hurts Wabash.  If the status quo holds, then Wabash is probably sweating out the last selection for the tournament.  If W&J loses, Thomas More goes in and there's a 1-loss team out of Wabash's way (and it takes away a RRO from SJF....double bonus).  If Elmhurst beats IWU, Wabash slides up the pecking order.  From this angle, I think Wabash can only be helped by surprise results around the nation on Saturday.  No surprises, no biggie.  Wabash should still be under strong consideration. 

[bashbrother]

Woods,  while a great player and I am sure a great young man,  "lost it" a little bit.   The forearm shiver, I am sure was brought on by something that was done or said by a Witt player,  but you just can't react MMA style.  No argument with this one... very unfortunate and don't understand at all the suspension carrying over... but very hard to defend.

Just can't happen.

[bashgiant]

If Hanover beats Franklin would that help Wabash as far as getting in the tournament? If so would it be a big boost? I am pretty sure it would help with Bash SOS but how much would it hurt Franklin? Hey anything can happen.....right?

I think it's pretty negligible, bashgiant.  Hanover being a common opponent would help the regional committee rank Wabash and Franklin, but that's an order that is going to sort itself out mostly by virtue of win percentage.  Hanover winning plants one more win in the OWP part of Wabash's SOS which is useful, but doesn't really move the needle much now that we have a full season's worth of games in there (that extra win is worth roughly 0.007 points on the SOS). 

As for how it hurts Franklin, losing to Hanover knocks them out of the tournament (unless RHIT loses as well...which creates a 4-way tie for the HCAC and I have no idea how that sorts out).  But that's a whole separate thing that doesn't affect Wabash in any way. 

The games that will have the most impact on Wabash this weekend (aside from Monon Bell game, obviously) are:
St. John Fisher/Alfred
IWU/Elmhurst
W&J/Waynesburg
St. Johns/Bethel

I don't think anything can happen in these games that really hurts Wabash.  If the status quo holds, then Wabash is probably sweating out the last selection for the tournament.  If W&J loses, Thomas More goes in and there's a 1-loss team out of Wabash's way (and it takes away a RRO from SJF....double bonus).  If Elmhurst beats IWU, Wabash slides up the pecking order.  From this angle, I think Wabash can only be helped by surprise results around the nation on Saturday.  No surprises, no biggie.  Wabash should still be under strong consideration.

Thanks Wally you DA MAN! Don't know what we (myself anyway) would do without your vast knowledge and all the hours you must put in to figure all the points and different scenarios for tournament time.

Thanks again and keep up the good work!!!

[bashgiant]

Woods,  while a great player and I am sure a great young man,  "lost it" a little bit.   The forearm shiver, I am sure was brought on by something that was done or said by a Witt player,  but you just can't react MMA style.  No argument with this one... very unfortunate and don't understand at all the suspension carrying over... but very hard to defend.

Just can't happen.

You are absolutely correct in you can't let that stuff happen but I believe they should be consistent in their punishments. Moving on now. Hopefully the Bash can hang at least 40 on that team 30 miles to the south!!

Go BASH!!!
WAF!!!

[BashDad]

Remember when it was announced that Depauw would be joining the NCAC and we all fell over each other slobbering on about all the potential, inevitable, staggering WHAT IFs that would collide in week eleven every year omigod? Remember that?

Instead, scroll up for our Monon Bell 2013 conversation. Shoot me.

[DPU3619]

Remember when it was announced that Depauw would be joining the NCAC and we all fell over each other slobbering on about all the potential, inevitable, staggering WHAT IFs that would collide in week eleven every year omigod? Remember that?

Instead, scroll up for our Monon Bell 2013 conversation. Shoot me.

Has been quite the let down since the move.

[wally_wabash]

Remember when it was announced that Depauw would be joining the NCAC and we all fell over each other slobbering on about all the potential, inevitable, staggering WHAT IFs that would collide in week eleven every year omigod? Remember that?

Instead, scroll up for our Monon Bell 2013 conversation. Shoot me.

Hampden Sydney and Randolph-Macon are playing their huge rivalry game for all the marbles this weekend.  I want that.  I want that SO bad.  It's up to DePauw to stop being terrible and hold up their end of the deal.  Until then, I'm happy to see Wabash beat them unmercifully year after year after year. 

[WallyFS4]

The Woods incident is unfortunate.  You can't punch people and that's going to get you in trouble, deservedly so.  What we don't know is what Cunningham said that got him popped in the chops.  Maybe it was a reaction to getting bumped at the end of the play, but I doubt that that was all.  That, to me, looks like a reaction to something that was said.  And when you see Cunningham's taunting and celebration after the flag is thrown, I don't think there's any way you can think that Woods hauled off and whacked a guy for no reason.  Not a good reason- you can't punch people in football- but there was a reason.  As we know, it's always the guy who retaliates that gets in trouble in these situations.

Not knowing the current Little Giants.  Not knowing Woods normal demeanor.  Not sure why.  I did notice he seemed very agitated early on in the game, and continue until the incident.  It is only a guess, but have to believe there was a lot trash talking, and more that lead up to the punch.  Not condoning punching another player, but using restraint is easier said, than done at times. 

[wabndy]

Remember when it was announced that Depauw would be joining the NCAC and we all fell over each other slobbering on about all the potential, inevitable, staggering WHAT IFs that would collide in week eleven every year omigod? Remember that?

Instead, scroll up for our Monon Bell 2013 conversation. Shoot me.

1996 <-- That is (i believe) the last time a conference championship was on the line alongside the monon bell.  Anybody want to give an over/under on when the next one will be?

[waf56]

Remember when it was announced that Depauw would be joining the NCAC and we all fell over each other slobbering on about all the potential, inevitable, staggering WHAT IFs that would collide in week eleven every year omigod? Remember that?

Instead, scroll up for our Monon Bell 2013 conversation. Shoot me.

1996 <-- That is (i believe) the last time a conference championship was on the line alongside the monon bell.  Anybody want to give an over/under on when the next one will be?

Witt has a huge senior class this year. Lynch has the very young New Tigers improving each week. Wabash is returning a boat load on O and D. I would not be surprised to see a conference championship on the line next year. 

First things first though, let's have another senior class at Wabash go 4-0.

[smedindy]

The league is intriguing in that spots 3-7 are competitive, and even 8-9 has shown a little life this year. Then there's 'Gheny, but this could just be a anomaly. The NCAC is going to be a slog with good teams that can surprise a great team if they don't watch out.

If Lynch is in it for the long haul, I think that a potential Monon Bell / "A" playoff berth game would be down the road anon.

[bashgiant]

Remember when it was announced that Depauw would be joining the NCAC and we all fell over each other slobbering on about all the potential, inevitable, staggering WHAT IFs that would collide in week eleven every year omigod? Remember that?

Instead, scroll up for our Monon Bell 2013 conversation. Shoot me.

1996 <-- That is (i believe) the last time a conference championship was on the line alongside the monon bell.  Anybody want to give an over/under on when the next one will be?

Witt has a huge senior class this year. Lynch has the very young New Tigers improving each week. Wabash is returning a boat load on O and D. I would not be surprised to see a conference championship on the line next year. 

First things first though, let's have another senior class at Wabash go 4-0.

A good old fashion butt whipping might help with the playoff picture, couldn't hurt anyway.

[smedindy]

Sadly, I think Wabash is rather much locked in to where they will be in the RRs even if they lambaste the New Tigers by a badillion. I can't think of how Wabash would leap frog the OAC runner-up, unless the game resembles a game against Marietta or Wilmington.

We could silently root for Elmhurst to do us a solid...