FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Bishopleftiesdad]

I think the DePauw results are great. The Bishops continue to have the new Tigers numbers.
And while we are playing for pride, we still have some meaningful games to play from a program perspective.

[cave2bens]

While DePauw losing to OWU (again) is ha-ha funny from the rivalry POV, from the at-large scenario POV it's a terrible, terrible result for Wabash.  8-2 DePauw had a chance to be regionally ranked, something Wabash desperately needs to bolster their at-large profile.  At 7-3 (or 6-4, tbh), there's no chance.  LGs still have three tough games to get through here before any of that matters, but if Wabash does get to the clubhouse at 9-1, today's result in Greencastle is not a helper. 

Excellent analysis, Wally, and hopefully not the final conclusion.  However, sleepwalking through a schedule (LGs looked pretty pedestrian at times today and still making too many errors like false starts and missed/failed tackles  ) doesn't help the Wabash cause either.  As astutely observed a couple of pages back, "sumthin's missin'." While not attuned to the playoff criteria as most, chances are that Denison will be regionally ranked around the first release won't they?  Perhaps don't get upended next weekend looking ahead and take care of business in Delaware to set up a shoot-out in Granville.  Excited to be going to Ohio on family business and able to attend the game at Selby next Saturday, taking a more circuitous route back to Atlanta. It may be a far better match than many predicted during the preseason.

[sigma one]

I can't put my finger on what's missing. Several speculations:  for whatever reason the emotion is not there so far this year.  That's a broad statement and a mysterious one to try to explain.  Maybe it's adjusting to new offensive and defensive coordinators.  Certainly, the offense seems very vanilla.  I point out though that the LGs have lost two of their three best offensive linemen--Sturdivant and Leath.  Johnson is playing with a banged up shoulder.  The defensive backfield has been decimated.  Pettiford and Brown, both all-conference last year, did not play today.  Both are senior leaders. 
     I hope that this is not to make excuses but rather to point out that 6 or 7 starters have been routinely missing.
     It was good to see Connor RIce being allowed to throw more today when the running game wasn't working.  He is a really good QB, and he has good receivers to throw to.  One last point--for whatever reason going into today's game Christian, who has had 2 years when he caught 60 and 70 balls, had caught six passes.  I know the LGs have not thrown that much, but that's a sorry number.
     Now, the next three weeks will tell if there's something there and if they can get some starters back.  Otherwise, I can't see Wabash as a prohibitive favorite in any of those games vs. OWU, Denison, and DePauw.

[wally_wabash]

I can't put my finger on what's missing. Several speculations:  for whatever reason the emotion is not there so far this year.  That's a broad statement and a mysterious one to try to explain.  Maybe it's adjusting to new offensive and defensive coordinators.  Certainly, the offense seems very vanilla.  I point out though that the LGs have lost two of their three best offensive linemen--Sturdivant and Leath.  Johnson is playing with a banged up shoulder.  The defensive backfield has been decimated.  Pettiford and Brown, both all-conference last year, did not play today.  Both are senior leaders. 
     I hope that this is not to make excuses but rather to point out that 6 or 7 starters have been routinely missing.
     It was good to see Connor RIce being allowed to throw more today when the running game wasn't working.  He is a really good QB, and he has good receivers to throw to.  One last point--for whatever reason going into today's game Christian, who has had 2 years when he caught 60 and 70 balls, had caught six passes.  I know the LGs have not thrown that much, but that's a sorry number.
     Now, the next three weeks will tell if there's something there and if they can get some starters back.  Otherwise, I can't see Wabash as a prohibitive favorite in any of those games vs. OWU, Denison, and DePauw.

I've definitely see some really good evolution with the pass game and Connor Rice.  In the last three weeks Connor is 45-60, 668 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT and that's the kind of efficiency I think we were hoping to see out of the gate.  Better late than never though.   The caveat here, obviously, is Oberlin/Kenyon/Wooster defenses, but I think a lot of this newfound pass efficiency is a result of Morel/Knoche getting a better feel of what works for Rice and Rice getting more comfortable.  In the first month it really seemed like Wabash's pass game was screens or deep outside go routes and not a single thing else.  In the last month I'm seeing more intermediate stuff, quicker outs, quicker slants, delayed RB screens...more diversity and involving more levels of the defense.  Wabash will need this kind of efficiency from Rice over these last three weeks for sure, but it's been good in these last few weeks.  The degree of difficulty goes up for sure down the stretch, but I have a good feeling about the progress that's been made in this area. 

[Caveman # 95]

I can't put my finger on what's missing. Several speculations:  for whatever reason the emotion is not there so far this year.  That's a broad statement and a mysterious one to try to explain.  Maybe it's adjusting to new offensive and defensive coordinators.  Certainly, the offense seems very vanilla.  I point out though that the LGs have lost two of their three best offensive linemen--Sturdivant and Leath.  Johnson is playing with a banged up shoulder.  The defensive backfield has been decimated.  Pettiford and Brown, both all-conference last year, did not play today.  Both are senior leaders. 
     I hope that this is not to make excuses but rather to point out that 6 or 7 starters have been routinely missing.
     It was good to see Connor RIce being allowed to throw more today when the running game wasn't working.  He is a really good QB, and he has good receivers to throw to.  One last point--for whatever reason going into today's game Christian, who has had 2 years when he caught 60 and 70 balls, had caught six passes.  I know the LGs have not thrown that much, but that's a sorry number.
     Now, the next three weeks will tell if there's something there and if they can get some starters back.  Otherwise, I can't see Wabash as a prohibitive favorite in any of those games vs. OWU, Denison, and DePauw.

Are you serious sigma one?  You can't put your finger on what's missing?  Have I just arrived in Crazy Town? How can you dance around the 800-pound gorilla? I'm sick of bringing this up...jeeeeeez!!   I want to rip my hair out when I hear this drival from you guys!! Pleeeeeaaaase stop it! You know EXACTLY what's missing!!!  Cease with the charade! It's embarrassing!!!

[smedindy]

Wally,

If DPU beats Denison and loses to Wabash (like normal) - they're 7-3.

If Dension loses to DPU and Wabash - they're 8-2.

They could still be in the mix to be ranked.

Looking at who could be ranked (depending on what happens):

CCIW (3 to 4) - North Central, Wheaton, IWU. Maybe Carthage with 3 losses.
MIAA (1) - Either Trine, Olivet, Alma or Adrian (I think a 3-loss MIAA team is out)
HCAC (2) - Franklin, Bluffton or RHIT (two of the three)
OAC (2) - Mt. Union, JCU
NACC (0)
NCAC (3 to 4) - Witt, Wabash, Denison (if they lose twice), DPU (if they beat Denison)

The locks are: North Central, Wheaton, HCAC Winner, Mt. Union, JCU, Witt, Wabash

Three spots for: IWU, MIAA Winner, Denison (2-losses), HCAC #2, DPU (3 loss), Carthage

If Denison beats DPU, then Wabash's only chance at a RR win is against the Big Red Right now, the biggest game on the Wabash schedule is Denison, because a loss just shuts down any glimmer of playoff hope. And when have we ever typed that?

[smedindy]

Missing starters and having players at under 100% does hurt the team. Every so often Wabash has a team that lacks the...fire...as it were. The year we lost to Allegheny and Oberlin, the fire wasn't there. When you're dealing with 18-22 year old kids, sometimes it's like that.

It also makes me think that Mt. Union, UW-Whitewater, etc. don't recruit players, they recruit from the Borg...

[wally_wabash]

ER isn't walking through that door.  Have to turn the page on that at some point. 

Wabash can win a conference championship.  Wabash can qualify for the tournament.  Wabash can definitely retain the Monon Bell.  Lots of good things left for the taking here in the next few weeks. 

[wally_wabash]

Wally,

If DPU beats Denison and loses to Wabash (like normal) - they're 7-3.

If Dension loses to DPU and Wabash - they're 8-2.

They could still be in the mix to be ranked.

Looking at who could be ranked (depending on what happens):

CCIW (3 to 4) - North Central, Wheaton, IWU. Maybe Carthage with 3 losses.
MIAA (1) - Either Trine, Olivet, Alma or Adrian (I think a 3-loss MIAA team is out)
HCAC (2) - Franklin, Bluffton or RHIT (two of the three)
OAC (2) - Mt. Union, JCU
NACC (0)
NCAC (3 to 4) - Witt, Wabash, Denison (if they lose twice), DPU (if they beat Denison)

The locks are: North Central, Wheaton, HCAC Winner, Mt. Union, JCU, Witt, Wabash

Three spots for: IWU, MIAA Winner, Denison (2-losses), HCAC #2, DPU (3 loss), Carthage

If Denison beats DPU, then Wabash's only chance at a RR win is against the Big Red Right now, the biggest game on the Wabash schedule is Denison, because a loss just shuts down any glimmer of playoff hope. And when have we ever typed that?

I expect Denison will stay regionally ranked even if they lose twice.  I think that Witt win and no really bad losses is enough for them, particularly in a year when the OAC doesn't have a third rankable team and the NACC doesn't have a 10-0 player.  My note about DePauw had to do with Wabash getting a 2-1 record vs. RROs, which most at-large teams won't have.  That second RRO win would have been a big deal.  Now we just kind of have to wait until we see the first set of rankings and that ought to inform us on how realistic it is that Wabash, if they get to 9-1, can be behind the CCIW runner up in the at-large line from the region. 

In the MIAA, only Olivet is rankable at this point.  It's hard to see a scenario where Trine, even if they win out now, should be in the region's top 10 with an 8-2 record. Their loss to Bluffton is a serious roadblock.   

[Li'l Giant]

ER isn't walking through that door.  Have to turn the page on that at some point. 

Wabash can win a conference championship.  Wabash can qualify for the tournament.  Wabash can definitely retain the Monon Bell.  Lots of good things left for the taking here in the next few weeks.

QFT

[BashBacker#16]

I miss ER.  I miss him a lot actually.

Why doesn't Penola get 80-90% percent of the carries?  He runs downhill and we need that with this team.  The run he had yesterday in the 2nd half was AWEsome especially on the replay.

SigmaOne - 6 catches for Christen is flat out nuts.  Gross.

Hoping the LG's get some guys back very soon.  I specifically watched the O-line yesterday...focused on the point of attack...we get pushed around.  Maybe missing Leath and Sturdivant plays in to that but man I would think we would have the depth.  I hope we can get back to physical, aggressive, line play ASAP.

WAF

I miss ER.

[formerd3db]

Wally,

If DPU beats Denison and loses to Wabash (like normal) - they're 7-3.

If Dension loses to DPU and Wabash - they're 8-2.

They could still be in the mix to be ranked.

Looking at who could be ranked (depending on what happens):

CCIW (3 to 4) - North Central, Wheaton, IWU. Maybe Carthage with 3 losses.
MIAA (1) - Either Trine, Olivet, Alma or Adrian (I think a 3-loss MIAA team is out)
HCAC (2) - Franklin, Bluffton or RHIT (two of the three)
OAC (2) - Mt. Union, JCU
NACC (0)
NCAC (3 to 4) - Witt, Wabash, Denison (if they lose twice), DPU (if they beat Denison)

The locks are: North Central, Wheaton, HCAC Winner, Mt. Union, JCU, Witt, Wabash

Three spots for: IWU, MIAA Winner, Denison (2-losses), HCAC #2, DPU (3 loss), Carthage

If Denison beats DPU, then Wabash's only chance at a RR win is against the Big Red Right now, the biggest game on the Wabash schedule is Denison, because a loss just shuts down any glimmer of playoff hope. And when have we ever typed that?

I expect Denison will stay regionally ranked even if they lose twice.  I think that Witt win and no really bad losses is enough for them, particularly in a year when the OAC doesn't have a third rankable team and the NACC doesn't have a 10-0 player.  My note about DePauw had to do with Wabash getting a 2-1 record vs. RROs, which most at-large teams won't have.  That second RRO win would have been a big deal.  Now we just kind of have to wait until we see the first set of rankings and that ought to inform us on how realistic it is that Wabash, if they get to 9-1, can be behind the CCIW runner up in the at-large line from the region. 

In the MIAA, only Olivet is rankable at this point.  It's hard to see a scenario where Trine, even if they win out now, should be in the region's top 10 with an 8-2 record. Their loss to Bluffton is a serious roadblock.

Wally, Trine did not look like a top 10 regional team last night at Hope.  They played poorly and were blown off the line by both Hope's O line and D line.  I realize Trine is not like they have been in recent past, but I was surprised at what I saw.  Skilled players fast and have potential, but, they just didn't have it last night.  At the same time, we (Hope) are on fire and both lines are blasting people, better tackling, which we haven't seen consistently for a while.  Although Hope's running game has been good the past few years, it has literally been "a blast" the past few games. Passing game starting to get better.  Anyway, the real test for Hope will be at Albion in 2 weeks, despite Albion not being what they usually are or how they have been playing.  As I have mentioned to others on the boards, we never seem to play well at Albion, so we will need to continue to have our "A game" in gear.     But, I always look forward to that game.

[bashbrother]

I believe that one of the largest responsibilities,  of a football coaching staff is to create a culture of toughness, discipline, respect and a winning attitude...  It's the biggest unknown of any coaching change.. what will their culture be? or more importantly,  how much will the culture change from what the returning players are used to?

Lastly,  if players don't have all of the above instilled in them or they lose respect, in any way, for the new coaching staff,  their overall talent can become secondary.. and a situation can develop where players begin to "go through the motions"

Sure,  injuries to key individuals matter,  but much of winning in the trenches comes down to toughness, discipline and execution.

In week 3, after losing their first two games, Washington State Coach went public and called his football team weak and as tough as a girls volleyball team.., like Coach Leach or not.. it worked and WSU has won 5 straight (4 PAC 12) contests and is now considered to have one of the top o-lines in the Country.  It is the same starting 5 that lost their initial 2 games.. (to lower rated opponents)  Same talent/different mindset.

Food for thought.

WAF!

[formerd3db]

bashborther:

most of what you have said is certainly true (although not always in all situations.   However, that said, please allow me to add that, regardless of what he has done so far at Washington State, I do not like Leach nor have much respect for him.  I will leave it at that.  

[bashbrother]

 

Ok..  then take Jim Harbaugh..as an example. Sure he brought in some significant talent early,  but I believe the culture he brought to Michigan was the most important thing in turning that program around in short order.

Or CC at Eastern Michigan... 

Culture matters.