FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[SaintsFAN]

Yeah -- but strong defenses against what Wabash has faced this season ... how does that translate in the quarterfinals or in Purpleville?

For Wabash's sake and my thoughts to be right, it better translate to 17-21 points on the opponent's side of the scoreboard and their offense doing enough with Zurek getting 4.5 ypc to keep the defense fresh. 

[Dr. Acula]

To me Wabash this year comes down to one thing: when push comes to shove deeper in the playoffs can Rice put points on the board through the air?  We know they can run it, but after a couple rounds chances are you're going to run into someone who's going to stop (or at least contain) the run.  Or Wabash is down and has to throw it in the 4th qtr. This was one of my gripes about Mount compared to UWW.  UWW was always balanced while Burke era Mount was an aerial attack and it bit them.  From the few games I've seen to date Rice gives Wabash a better chance to win passing than Putko ever did.

[sigma one]

OK. let's settle down.  Wabash has three games to play in the regular season.  While the defense is terrific (as everyone points out), the offense, despite its productivity,  often benefits from field position--provided by that defense--and still has not itself faced a quality defense.  I, too, think Wabash is really good, efficient and workmanlike offensively and wicked defensively.  But the regular season still has to play out.  Wabash is good enough to go 10-0 and make a substantial playoff run. but most of us also thought that DPU and Wabash would both be undefeated when the Monon Bell game happens.  Then, oops, the new tigers stub their toe big time.  Or, alternatively, some believe that DPU was finally exposed, even after their win over Witt began to validate them after the early wins over cupcakes. 
 
      It's Wabash and OWU this Saturday.  Will Wabash smell blood in the water and go into that game thinking that they have to keep proving their worth by taking the team that upset DPU to the woodshed, will the Bishops come in really believing that they did it once, and they can do it again?  My guess is Both. (although a counter argument is that they might come in with an emotional hangover.)  Should make this week interesting as we watch how the game goes. 

[wabndy]

Wow. I really don't think any voter is disrespecting Wabash. I mean, we just beat Wittenberg for the first time in several years. The fact that we have the SOS currently ranked at 187th in the country and are still in the top 10 is a huge vote of confidence. Look at this week's top 25 pool. Then look at those ranked above Wabash and see who has recorded a win against a currently ranked top 25 team. Other than the top two (mt Union, linfield) all of the other teams ranked ahead of Wabash have a win against another top 25 team. Sure, we beat a couple of "ranked at the time" teams - but we still have yet to face the toughest competition D3 has to offer. Heck- I'm not convinced that Wittenberg or DePauw or Hampden Sydney (or 2 out of 3) will be regionally ranked at the end of the season, each with (I hope) holding 2 losses. That low SOS could really call into question whether we will get a second or third "seed" and thus be in position to host a potential second round playoff game.

We are a very very good team. Are we a national quarterfinal team? That is where our current top 25 ranking puts us on the bubble for. We just don't have the proven resume to be projected any higher than that.

[SaintsFAN]

I didn't say disrespect and didn't imply it, either.   I simply stated its my feeling they'll prove it on the field in the tournament.  For this reason, they are in my top 5 on my ballot.

I apologize for stirring it up, but I thought these boards were for discussion and the back/forth like Pat and I had on the subject today?

[wally_wabash]

Wow. I really don't think any voter is disrespecting Wabash. I mean, we just beat Wittenberg for the first time in several years.

It was two seasons.  Just two- 2013 and 2014.  Several seasons would be something like, just to pick a number out of thin air, six.  Six seasons would count as several.   

I didn't say disrespect and didn't imply it, either.   I simply stated its my feeling they'll prove it on the field in the tournament.  For this reason, they are in my top 5 on my ballot.

I apologize for stirring it up, but I thought these boards were for discussion and the back/forth like Pat and I had on the subject today?

Tough crowd, isn't SaintsFAN? You come in and say "dudes, I think Wabash is really awesome" and you get blowback.  That doesn't seem right.  You know, a Thomas More/Wabash game could be one of those juicy second rounders that Pat talked about.  FWIW, I also think Wabash has the chops to improve on their ranking through the tournament. 

[SaintsFAN]

Wally -

HA.  Very tough crowd, my shirt is stained from the tomatoes that hit me. 

I'd love to see a TMC/Wabash game for two reasons: 

1.  Thomas More took care of business making the tournament and winning a first round game.
2.  Test for our offense against one of the best defenses in the Division. 

I would be ok with whatever happens there.

[wabndy]

Sorry saintsfan. Mistook your "I believe" to mean "I would vote." Thanks for the support.

In other news- the Wabash website was quietly updated to formally announce the the 2016 schedule:  http://sports.wabash.edu/schedule.aspx?schedule=73&path=football

The Albion rivalry is officially renewed. Wabash also continues the recent scheduling change stemming from the gentlemens classic and playing a game week 1 and taking a bye week 2.

[wally_wabash]

This gives us the opportunity to say "Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium" which is never not fun. 

Also see that Wabash has a 4/6 home/road split next year.  C'est la vie. 

[bashbrother]

In other news- the Wabash website was quietly updated to formally announce the the 2016 schedule:  http://sports.wabash.edu/schedule.aspx?schedule=73&path=football

Witt early again next year  (9/24)....  I like it.

SaintsFAN -  First of all,  I appreciate your comments on the Bash D.   I believe it is all about our offense getting healthy and "finding it" over the next 3 regular season games.   Rice and this group of receivers are close,  just need to clean up some timing and focus issues.  Zurek,  well he, personally, is one of the best I have had the pleasure to watch at this level.

[Li'l Giant]

Also see that Wabash has a 4/6 home/road split next year.  C'est la vie.

Boo.

[wabashcpa]

Well, at least the travel for the rest of this year will hopefully be minimal for the next 4-5 weeks.  Hosting a playoff game (or 2) would be awesome.  Gotta earn the right first, but I think we have the goods to do just that.

[sigma one]

Some time ago, I said that Wabash would open 2016 with a Michigan team.  They will.  Albion's president is Mauri Ditzler, a Wabash alumnus, former president at Monmouth (Illinois), and former Dean of the College at Wabash.   

[wally_wabash]

Also see that Wabash has a 4/6 home/road split next year.  C'est la vie.

Boo.

The flip side is six home games in 2017, so it comes back around. 

Witt early again next year  (9/24)....  I like it.

Wabash/Witt goes back to Week 9 (game 8) in 2017/18, FYI.  Witt goes to DePauw and to Wabash in consecutive weeks in 2017.  Not shedding any tears for those guys, but that's pretty rough. 

[SaintsFAN]

Sorry saintsfan. Mistook your "I believe" to mean "I would vote." Thanks for the support.

Well, I do have a vote and I have Wabash in the Top 5 on my ballot - for all the reasons I've stated.  I'm quite sure there is some disagreement with my opinion, given where Wabash currently sits in the poll.