FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[smedindy]

I don't think anyone in the NCAC raises a ruckus about Wabash's status.

I guess Denison's program isn't just reliant on a once-in-a-lifetime type of player. Denison has three winnable games coming up, but DPU could be a trap before they play OWU. Who would have guessed the Nov. 9th game between OWU and Denison would be a big one in terms of the conference title for BOTH teams?

It's also conceivable that the leader(s) in the NCAC could have two conference losses. Yikes!

[smedindy]

Riffing on the last post, I think the NCAC is bound for a 7 or 8 seed.

A one-loss Denison or OWU could avoid that, as I think they'll be ranked over the HCAC winner. But a two-loss NCAC team may find itself against Hanover or MSJ with one loss, and a one-loss Hope for seeding. Hope could probably go play North Central or Wheaton (assuming they're both in) leaving a trip to Alliance perhaps for the NCAC.

At 8-2, Wabash may be bound to North Central or Wheaton themselves if they win out.

All in all, the NCAC is going to have to spring a big upset in round one unless other chaos happens during the rest of the year.

[wally_wabash]

That DePauw/Allegheny score is a full 4 quarter score? Wow.

Things looked really moist in the midwest today.  I think rain had a lot to do with that score. 

[firstdown]

Denison was undrafted last year and drew Mount Union.  At 8-2 Wabash may not have a great seed, but they bring playoff experience and will be fine as the NCAC AQ as  opposed  to a team with little playoff experience.

[Li'l Giant]

Denison was undrafted last year and drew Mount Union.  At 8-2 Wabash may not have a great seed, but they bring playoff experience and will be fine as the NCAC AQ as  opposed  to a team with little playoff experience.

Do we? Is there anyone left from the '15 playoff team? Because the freshman on that team should have graduated last year.

[Pat Coleman]

Denison was undrafted last year and drew Mount Union.

Denison was 8-2, 8-1 in the NCAC.

[firstdown]

I am glad to see Denison and OWU playing well.  Having a stronger NCAC is very good and will ultimately help the conference with a Pool C teams in the future.  I was responding to the notion that if Wabash finishes 8 - 2, its regional ranking and playoff seeding wouldn't be very good.  All of that may well be true.  I wasn't picking on Denison by referring to last year with Mount Union, but that is a very hard (impossible) way to start the playoffs.  Wabash has had playoff experience, albeit not with the current group of players as L'il Giant points out, but in the coaching staff.  Hence, while the LG's may not have the best seeding, but games in the playoffs are a different animal, and the pool of experience will help.  The playoffs are take no prisoners time and you can't just ease off.

[HCAlum86]

I think Denison has proven themselves that their success isn't the "flash in pan" sort that we see in the conference from time to time. This is sustained and changing the nature of our conference. Good for the Big Red.

[sigma one]

Week 9:  Still a lot to be decided about the NCAC standings.  Five games this week. Wally posting some big spreads.

DePauw (4-3) at Denison (6-1)  DPU squeaked by Allegheny last week in poor weather.  Denison got on Wittenberg late to post a good win in Springfield.  This game intrigues me, probably more than it should.  Denison should prevail at home, but could the Indiana Tigers make it closer than the 18.5 advantage Wally predicts for the Big Red?
Ohio Wesleyan (6-1) at Wooster (4-3)  The Bishops have had no problems all season--excepting the loss to Wabash they have won by an average of about 28 pts/game.  Wooster has the Wabash win and 2 close losses (by 2 to Witt and 5 to DePauw).  Wally gives the edge to OWU by 3.5.  This could be a one-score game, for sure--and don't count the Scots out.
Kenyon (3-4)  at Wabash (5-2)  The Lords have been shellacked the last two weeks by a combined score of 100-13.  Wabash won a sloppy game at Oberlin, but it wasn't close.  Wally puts the number at Wabash by 36.5.  Given Morel's tendency to pull his starters early in big margin games, that number is in question.  Last week the starters went out with the score 31-3, and the LGs threw no passes in the final quarter.
Hiram (0-7) at Allegheny (1-6)  Honestly, I thought Allegheny would be more competitive this year.  But then I looked more closely and the front end of the schedule did them no favors.  Hiram, too, I thought would take a step forward, but that's not what has happened.   After the Gators, the Terriers finish with Wabash and Wooster.  Wally shows Gheny as a 27.5 favorite at home.  If weather in Meadville is no factor, Hiram will struggle to keep it that close.
Oberlin (1-6) at Wittenberg (4-3)  Witt has lost 2 straight in the conference, a rare happening.  Denison handled them at home last week on their Homecoming.  Oberlin played Wabash tough for a while, but committed crucial turnovers, including a fumble into the end zone for a touchback in the first half on a drive that would have made the game more interesting.  Wally gives the Ohio Tigers a big margin--38.5.  Depending upon Witt's mood (and ability to ramp up what has thus far been a sometimes sputtering offense), can the Yoemen keep it closer than Wally's number? 

[aueagle]

Should be a good game at the Papp...
Saw the series at Selby for 3-4 years; always tough, clean, but OWU always found a way...still remember Bishop back Capone running to the edge and it sounded like thunder as he blew thru the Scot DB. Wally shed light on the grinder the Bishops have left in his Vegas post...I'm concerned that the SOS
The Bishops have had (minus, to a degree, DPU), will hurt them the last leg of the season. Are they the best team in the NCAC? No. Do they have a shot at the crown? Yes. Playoffs? Please..COW, Big Red, Witt..that's the run before any further discussion.

[aueagle]

COW wins 16-14...FG with 42 ticks left wins it.
This hurts the Bishops...Very impressed with the
Scot broadcast...lots of replay, all in slo-motion.

[CollegeGolf18]

Despite the 31-12, Wabash dominated Kenyon today.

Wabash had 431 yards off offense in the game while Kenyon had 234.

Wabash had 26 first downs to Kenyon's 13 (only 3 through the first 3 quarters).

Liam Thompson is going to be a Wabash legend at QB. 16-21 for 244 yards and 3 TD's.

Wabash did have a punt blocked, a missed FG and two fumbles by the QB (one Thompson, one Reid). But when it's 31-0 at the half it does tend to get sloppy.

Looking like they'll be playing in three weeks.

[Li'l Giant]

I don't know enough about Wooster to know what they have returning next year but this has been an interesting season for them. They beat Wabash, had close losses to Witt and DPU, and with Gheny and Hiram left a 7-3 season is within reach.

Like Wooster, I don't know enough about OWU to know what they return next year. OWU is sitting at 6-2 but has a tougher slate left with Denison and Witt. But if they split those two that's 7-3 also.

[sigma one]

Both OWU and Wooster should have their QBs returning in 2020.  Reis and Renteria are both having good years.  OWU loses  the Tcholakian brothers at WR, and a couple of Olinemen.  They also lose their kicker.  Most of the Bishops defense will return, minus the two safeties and a Dlineman.  So, they look poised to be very good on defense  The Scots biggest loss will be Strausbaugh at WR.   They will lose an all-NCAC TE and  three Olinemen, I think.  On defense, Brown will go off the line, also Okoronkwo.  They lose a couple of other defensive players, but should have a reasonably strong group back.  I believe all the productive RBs return on both teams. 
     Yes, Wooster should finish 7-3, although Allegheny could test them this week.  OWU has the much harder finish, but it would not be that big a surprise if they knocked off  Wittenberg.  I don't think they can beat Denison, but even there a win is not totally out of the realm of possibility. 
     As for the others near the top half of the conference, Denison could well win their last two, finish 9-1, and be a very long shot for a Pool C.  I don't think they will be in that conversation; too many really good one-loss teams among the contenders.    DePauw has Oberlin and Wabash, and should win v. the Yoemen this week, then go on to the Bell Game.  Wabash has the inside track for the playoffs and should handle Hiram on Saturday.  As for the Bell Game, Wabash will be the favorite, and they have won 9 of the last 10.  But DPU has played the spoiler role more than once in the long series.  If Wabash finishes with two losses, the LGs won't be among the top seeds. They will have to go on the road v. powerful competition 

[Whitecarrera]

Am I correct that an OWU win over Denison would give Wabash (assuming a win over Hiram) the playoff bid, regardless of the Bell game?