FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

I asked this on the OAC board and I will ask it here also. The OAC certainly has a perception of being down this year. Everyone except mt. will finish with at least two losses. Where that matters here is this. What are Wittenberg's chances of making the playoffs now since the OAC is not as attractive as in the past? What DePauwuw  or Denison's chances if they go with only one loss? I guess DePauw and Denison will sort things out between themselves in couple of weeks and who knows what happens when they play Wabash and Witternberg.

I think any one loss team in the North has a decent shot because that team should be first or second in the North region at-large queue depending on what happens with Wheaton's and IWU's remaining games (both of which still need to play North Central who is already in playoff mode).  We'll have some more certainty after we get a few more weeks of results.  Also have to keep an eye on the Olivet/Albion situation in Michigan. 

I do think this week's Witt/DePauw game is an at-large elimination game. 

[Li'l Giant]

I asked this on the OAC board and I will ask it here also. The OAC certainly has a perception of being down this year. Everyone except mt. will finish with at least two losses. Where that matters here is this. What are Wittenberg's chances of making the playoffs now since the OAC is not as attractive as in the past? What DePauwuw  or Denison's chances if they go with only one loss? I guess DePauw and Denison will sort things out between themselves in couple of weeks and who knows what happens when they play Wabash and Witternberg.

A 1 loss team from the NCAC who has lost only to Wabash can certainly get an at large. Lot of football left since those Witt/DePauw/Denison still have to play each other. But if one of those 3 comes out with just a loss to Wabash, then they might have a good selection show experience.

I agree with Wally that the MIAA could also benefit from that.

I do think this week's Witt/DePauw game is an at-large elimination game. 

I think it is for Witt, but not DPU. If the Indiana Tigers lose this week but can find a way to win out, including the Monon Bell, I think they'd still be able to snag an at large spot. Obviously, I would prefer that not be the case but stranger things have happened in Bell Games.

[Li'l Giant]

And I've not drank any coffee. They'd be the champ on the tiebreak wouldn't they? Derp

[Wabash Hokie]

The weekly rankings are out and DePauw as zero (0) votes to date - I am surprised.  They have more than held serve against their competition and I would think that they would be getting some attention - at least one placement from one of the voters. 


Based on watching a couple of Witt's games and looking at the DePauw stats, I think that the New Tigers are going to knock off the Old Tigers on Old Gold Day in Greencastle.  Lynch has his team playing some solid football and I expect the Dannies to exploit the Wittenberg pass defense.  DePauw's defense has not been challenged this year and it may turn into a shoot-out.  In the end, I think the Dannies are going to do their part to set things up for one hell of a Monon Bell game build-up, and another big disappointment for the boys in black and gold.

[bashbrother]

The weekly rankings are out and DePauw as zero (0) votes to date - I am surprised.  They have more than held serve against their competition and I would think that they would be getting some attention - at least one placement from one of the voters. 

Agree.   The only thing I can think is they have just literally not played anyone......that will change on Saturday....  If they pull off a win, which I hope they do,  they will get plenty of votes being a 5-0 team with a win over a ranked opponent.   

I would really like the Bell Game to be for the conference crown this year.   

[wally_wabash]

I believe DPU had a few votes last week and those votes went elsewhere this week.  Not a huge deal, but the reality here is that beating up on Earlham, Wooster, Hiram, and Kenyon isn't going to induce votes from the top 25 voters.  DePauw has a long way to go this season.  They have Wittenberg this week, then games with Denison and OWU (who they lost to last year) before they get Week 11 and the challenge of figuring out how to score against Wabash.  This is worth keeping in mind- DePauw hasn't scored a meaningful touchdown against Wabash since 2009. 

I need to dive into the matchup a bit more this week, but I'll be interested to see how long it takes DePauw to adjust to a higher level of competition this week.  They've been running glorified scrimmages for a month now and Wittenberg 1) has really good players and 2) know they can't lose anymore games.  We'll find out how for real DePauw is very quickly on Saturday. 

[MasterJedi]

Coach Emendorfer at Platteville takes down Whitewater...

What happened?  The scoreboard reflects a Whitewater win?

The D3 scoreboard kept flipping the score. UWW won 17-7 like last year, Kelly got knocked out and on crutches but his backup was good. Lots of defense by both teams today. JUWP is a good team though, played a lot better then they did against NCC.

What does this mean? I thought they won against NCC? Looked like they played pretty good that day to me.

I watched both games, they shouldn't have beaten NCC. Defense played better against UWW, rushing attack was worse, but UWP gave everything they had against UWW. It was two very good teams hitting each other. The problem with  UWP (this is all in my opinion of course) is that they don't have a great rushing attack and they throw so much and keep doing the same plays over and over and over. Still a damn good team though.

[wabndy]

A few last thoughts on Wabash - Hiram:

I had put this over/under up on Friday and the rain seemed to really affect the outcomes:
Hiram Rushing Yards (-10) Actual (+39) Hiram actually rushed for more net yards than any other opponent this season.  That has the most to do with the later stat - that they were able to protect the QB and only get sacked 3 times.
Time on the clock that Michael Putko takes his first snap (6:00 in 2Q) Actual  (6:54 in 4Q). Putko only came in for the last offensive series and went 3 and out with only one short pass.  Looks like ER wants to give Rice as many snaps as possible.  I just get nervous seeing high quality starters playing late into garbage time in wet conditions.
Wabash score in first quarter (14.5) Actual 7.  Rice put together a great first drive.  Second drive stalled on a big Hiram sack (their only of the game). The third drive - which bled into the second quarter saw Rice throwing six passes in seven offensive plays. 
Wabash's total offense (523 - the number DePauw put up on them last week) Actual 463.  Blame bad weather and the appearance that some play calls looked more scrimmage like.
Wabash sacks recorded (6.5) Actual 3.  Hiram did a great job protecting the QB and the ball.  No lost fumbles.
Points scored by Hiram (3.5) - Actual 0.  And this is the head scratcher for Hiram.  Its the first quarter, you are only down a touchdown, you have executed over 13 plays a 65 yard drive to the opponent's 4 yard line and its 4th and 1 against the number 1 ranked rushing defense in the country.  Yep - they chose to go for it. 
Attendance (5000) Actual 4841.  Good think they count the gate and not the number of heads sticking around past halftime.

[wally_wabash]

A few thoughts from me on Wabash-Hiram as well...

- The crowd did thin out after halftime, but to be fair it was gross out there.  I think the first cold game of the year usually catches a lot of people off guard.  I saw a lot of folks (and was one) that probably chose the wrong outerwear for 3+ hours out in that mess.  It was nasty.  The crowds will be better prepared for the rest of the season, I'm sure.   

- I thought Hiram actually did some good things despite a 38-0 final score.  wabndy points out the lack of sacks which was a direct result of Hiram calling and making a lot of quick read types of things and their QBs getting rid of the ball in a hurry.  Unless you have a top level offensive line, that's going to be the best way to combat the Wabash pass rush.  Get rid of the thing before they can get in there- because they're getting in there. 

- Can't remember the last time I saw ER call a game that had 36 passes when he didn't have to, but that's what we got on Saturday.  I think you've got to back to Matt Hudson to find that kind of a game plan from Wabash.  Seems clear that ER is going to turn Rice loose a bit over the next few weeks and see what he should and shouldn't be doing with him once the LGs get to November.  I thought Rice had a pretty strong game on a really crummy day for throwing the ball.  Saw a couple of wet balls sail on him in the second half and saw a couple of more wet balls slip through WR's hands or else Rice's stat line could have been a little bit better.  Overall though, nice game. 

- I think I'm good with Hiram going for the TD there in the first quarter.  Hiram had converted a long 3rd down and another 4th down on that drive and Randy Moore is smart enough to know that a field goal isn't going to beat Wabash.  You can kick that field goal (no gimme in that weather, btw) and hang your hat on having scored some points against Wabash, but if you're realistically trying to win the game, I think you go for 6 there.  They didn't pick up that first down and that was really the last scoring threat for the day for the Terriers. 

- Despite throwing 36 passes, Wabash still had enough offensive snaps left over to get both Zurek and Johnson over 100 yards rushing on the day.  Really strong effort by those guys and the OL.  We're going to be sort of laser focused on Rice and what he's doing in his starts over the next few weeks, but Z and Johnson and the OL are going to be the centerpiece of Wabash's November (and hopefully December) football so it's nice to see that group be awesome. 

Wabash is at Oberlin on Saturday.  I'll go ahead and take under 690 yards of offense for Oberlin this week. 

[Joe Wally]

The Yeoman worry me, only because we been bit overlooking these guys on more than one occasion.

[wally_wabash]

The Yeoman worry me, only because we been bit overlooking these guys on more than one occasion.

I mean, really it was once.  I'd also say that this Oberlin isn't that Oberlin.  And I'd also point you to this quote from Senior Captain Tyler McCullen:

"That's one of the things we stressed this week and for the rest of the year, is we have to keep the atmosphere up, because we don't want a repeat of my freshman year, losing to teams we are clearly better than. So we just have to stay up for every game, and treat every game like it's for the conference championship."

There's awareness and personal experience still on the roster from that game.  It (being some kind of epic letdown) isn't going to happen.  From that 2012 game until present, look at Wabash's results against all non-playoff teams (which I'm including in the subset of teams that count as teams Wabash "should" beat).  I'll save you the steps.  Wabash has played 20 games vs. non-playoff teams (I'm counting all four games this year as well) since the Oberlin game that so many people just can't move on from.  Average score: Wabash 45.7, Opponent 7.7.  Do we honestly think that Wabash has any trouble right now with playing down to the competition or overlooking anybody?  They've squashed every single team they've played that they're supposed to squash since that day.  It's high time to let this narrative die I think. 

[wabashcpa]

I agree.  ER will NOT let them forget what happened three years ago.  Best thing going for Oberlin will be the short walk back to their housing units once it's over.

[wabco]

Time to chill a little I think. 

ER is using the next couple of games to dial his QB in with the receivers, keep O line sharp and backs healthy and sharp.  D he is leaving to the master of all D ... who is doing his thing.  All are keeping in mind ... improve, stay sharp and limit injury exposure.

My nickel for Wabash:  Focus long term on the Dannies as the rehearsal for the first round of the playoffs. What you see there is a preview of the Wabash preparation/game for the playoffs.

Dannies?  My belief is that Witt will handle the Dannies ... and handle them in Witt style ... nasty and run the score ... as Witt believes it has to (in addition to it being in their DNA) do this to appeal to the perceived (by them) "red meat" non automatic bid analyst/pickers.  PLUS that is how Witt breaths ... how about an over/under on unsportsmanlike penalties against Witt in the Dannie game? 

My prediction:  Conner Rice and receivers will be surgical within a couple of games to go along with both the muscle and slashing running game.  The D will continue on ... this year pride and Wabash general D reputation requires no less.  They will focus upon a record D year as their goal and will achieve it ... at least through the first round of the playoffs.  After that the children are off the streets and good quality players and football are on both sides.  I like Wabash chances for a long run ... and have no competence related to how long or far that run will be.  JUST ... that it will be a fun ride to watch as a Wabash fan.

[wabco]

My Witt DNA comment calls me to remark on one event which occurred in the Wabash Witt game.  As Witt came out of their dressing room, on their right at tables were a goodly number of HS recruits and parents there at the invitation of Wabash (similar to what I believe most teams do during the season).  The nastiness and vulgarity emitting from Witt [players' mouths aimed ot these folks was (at least should have been) an embarrassment to Witt, to their team, and to their coaches.  Yet their coaches were walking with them and permitted all this.

Two thoughts came to me from this: 1) I sure hope there were some cross over recruits and parents in the group.  It would seal that my son IS NOT going where these low lifes inhabit. and 2) Wabash players would never do this, the coaches would not permit it, it simply would not come to mind.  The difference in quality.  I suspect all the teams in the conference ... save the heathens at Witt ... respect Wabash and its players, coaches and alumni.  I know I have never experienced idiot conduct out of any representatives of another school directed toward Wabash  except at Witt, at DePauw (once in a while but not from players/coaches ... just over served undergrads sometimes), and at Franklin ... again from a few overserved undergrads.  I like the class of our conference ... save the idiots of Witt.

I know this is off subject ... but the antics of Witt players with Witt coaches present really hit me.

[bashbrother]

As has been discussed,  ER knows he needs to be able to throw the ball with success on occasion to reach his / the Team's goals....  Using these next couple of games to get Rice and this offense ready for having success passing the ball, when needed, is smart coaching. 

Did anyone notice that Z started the game on Saturday... a little off?   At first I believed he might have been a little dinged up.   He left the game for awhile and returned with either new cleats or just without all of the tape.   On his first carry after coming back in,  he immediately looked like the Z we all know.