FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[HCAlum86]

HCalum86,

I'm very interested in Wabash/Hiram this week.  Wabash is rolling and I think will be jacked on Saturday.  I don't think Hiram will be able to hang - Bash just has way too many weapons.  I love the fact that Putco and Rice are getting reps.  They are a great 1-2 with very different styles which makes it harder to defend.  BashBro - spot on that Rice's PT has elevated Putco's.

Coach Raeburn is now 63-10 at Wabash!  Strong.

WAF

Yeah, you won't get any argument out of me on who is realistically favored in this one. But it also wouldn't surprise me if Wabash overlooks Hiram. The Terriers have proven to themselves that they are not the same team as they were in the past, but the stigma still hangs around the conference a little in my opinion.

I would be foolish to take anything away from Wabash, especially offensively. But I would not be surprised to at least see a contentious first half of football, maybe with the Little Giants "waking up" at half-time.

My prediction is 38-13 Bash.

[wabashcpa]

Wabash won't be overlooking Hiram.  Learned that lesson 2 years ago vs. Oberlin.  I will go 45-21.

My question is when will Rice's PT SURPASS Putko.  That TD run and pass rolling right (for a lefty) were special plays.  Great move by Hodges to turn that into a TD pass.  28 pt first quarter was impressive regardless of opponent.

[bashgiant]

Wabash was a well oiled machine Saturday!!!! The receivers blocked very well for each other on the little swing passes, Putco and Rice were both spot on running and passing, Holmes for 99yds (Do you let him get the 100yds?), kick off coverage team was making some serious hits on people, and the defense well, you know, was everywhere. Very fast and athletic. That was probably the best all around performance this year. Wabash plays like that every game they will be tough to beat. I believe Wabash did have 2 fumbles but I am not 100% for sure on that. Other than that, a great game!

GO BASH!!!!

[bashgiant]

Wabash won't be overlooking Hiram.  Learned that lesson 2 years ago vs. Oberlin.  I will go 45-21.

My question is when will Rice's PT SURPASS Putko.  That TD run and pass rolling right (for a lefty) were special plays.  Great move by Hodges to turn that into a TD pass.  28 pt first quarter was impressive regardless of opponent.

At this point why would it?

[wabashcpa]

There was one bubble screen early where Dickerson took out 2 defenders (immediate block after catch, and another one downfield).  Not sure how they earn their helmet decals, but that was decal-worthy.

[wabashcpa]

Wabash won't be overlooking Hiram.  Learned that lesson 2 years ago vs. Oberlin.  I will go 45-21.

My question is when will Rice's PT SURPASS Putko.  That TD run and pass rolling right (for a lefty) were special plays.  Great move by Hodges to turn that into a TD pass.  28 pt first quarter was impressive regardless of opponent.

At this point why would it?

Because he is a game changer.  The coaches are working him in more - just a matter of time.

[wabashcpa]

And let me add that this is a great problem to have - two quality QB's.  I thought Putko played well yesterday also.  Good running and more accurate with his passing.  Not sure there is a wrong answer here.

[bashgiant]

Wabash won't be overlooking Hiram.  Learned that lesson 2 years ago vs. Oberlin.  I will go 45-21.

My question is when will Rice's PT SURPASS Putko.  That TD run and pass rolling right (for a lefty) were special plays.  Great move by Hodges to turn that into a TD pass.  28 pt first quarter was impressive regardless of opponent.

At this point why would it?

Because he is a game changer.  The coaches are working him in more - just a matter of time.

If it's not broken don't fix it. I think Putko is playing really good right now and he doesn't turn the ball over. This team seems to have a good chemistry right now and I wouldn't mess with it. Just my humble opinion,

GO BASH!

[sigma one]

Putko is 15-1 last year and this, with the only loss being to Wittenberg.  He did not play v. Allegheny in 2013, so 8 wins last fall and 7 this year as the lead dog. 
     I really like the way Wabash is using both QBs.  No knock on Putko, but he's not as "pretty" a QB as Rice.  Both are being effective.  I also really like grooming Rice to be ready in case Putko gets dinged.  He's getting better game by game.  And it seems that so is Putko, whether because of maturity or being pressed by Rice, or both.  He appears very comfortable in the current scheme that has recently been emphasizing play action and moving him out of the pocket.  He's thrown 17 TD passes this year (on 130 throws and 86 completions, with 2 INTs).  That's a TD every 5 completions and about every 7 and a half throws.  Better than just good.
     Another consideration I can think of is that by using Rice about a third of the time (more Saturday as Putko sat out the second half), the offense gets used to him being in the game and also more confident about his ability to lead them.
     With Wabash's continuing success, I can't see Rice taking over the lead role unless curious circumstances arise.  It is nice to know that if one QB, either one, is struggling there's a strong chance the other can produce.
     

[wabashcpa]

What I like is the team is good enough to win with either one.  Love Holmes and Zurek pounding the rock, Hodges, Christen & Dickerson are a talented receiving trio, and a relentless defense that gets after it.  And of course the hogs up front which make it all possible.  Fun to watch, ready to see how they perform when tested.

[bashgiant]

What I like is the team is good enough to win with either one.  Love Holmes and Zurek pounding the rock, Hodges, Christen & Dickerson are a talented receiving trio, and a relentless defense that gets after it.  And of course the hogs up front which make it all possible.  Fun to watch, ready to see how they perform when tested.

They performed pretty well against HSC and HSC seems to be dismantling the ODAC. I don't know much about the ODAC but I would imagine there is 2 or 3 good teams in that conference.

GO BASH!

[smedindy]

The ODAC has depth - always several good teams. No great teams, but several good teams. They tend to beat up on each other all the time so it's hard for them to get a high seed.

Our friend Ryan Tipps has a lot of insight on it, I bet (as does Keith..)

[wabashcpa]

Granted HSC was a test - didn't mean to imply otherwise.  I meant tested in conference - should have stated it better.

[wally_wabash]

I was curious to see if the Rice ratio would increase again this week- he worked in about every fourth series vs. OWU, every third series last week- but it didn't.  Worked the same every third series rotation this week, which leads me to believe this is more a matter of getting Rice work with the 1s in live action on Saturdays so that he can be ready if pressed into full time action in November.  Always a possibility with the amount of designed rushes there are for quarterbacks in this offense. 

I don't think there is a Putko/Rice competition happening, but if there were, I think Putko is still clearly the guy because in the last two games, Rice, as good as he has looked, has lost the ball three times (in 1/3 of the snaps compared to Putko) and giving the ball away is the thing you just can't do.  I'd expect the same 2:1 rotation this Saturday up at Hiram. 

[bashbrother]

  It is nice to know that if one QB, either one, is struggling there's a strong chance the other can produce.

At the end of the day... we are so fortunate for this.

Our future at that position is very bright. 

WAF!