FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[smedindy]

It's a vetting process, which is probably smart. They don't solicit them, just make sure they're on the up and up.

[TigerKing]

Not to throw stones, but really wish the Cavemen would've gotten it done against Denison this year.  Every year (recently) it seems like this rivalry could be a week 11 battle of undefeateds for conference, playoffs, etc.  Even so, this is probably set to be the biggest Bell game to date in terms of stakes, with the winner getting the automatic bid in addition to bragging rights.  I know the Wabash faithful miss E.R., but the rivalry is as good as it's ever been right now, and I can't wait for  11/11!

[sigma one]

Saturday in the NCAC-----

WABASH (6-2) at HIRAM (1-8)  The LGs go on the road for the final time in 2023 to visit the TERRIERS.  This should be a good tune up for WAB before DPU at C'ville.  Coming off a decisive win v. WIT it would appear that WAB can use a lot of players, but it will be interesting to see the team's mood after the big win last Saturday.  With one exception, a close loss to OWU, 19-18, the TERRIERS have struggled all season.   This is their final game; how much fight will they put up?
OBERLIN (1-7) at WOOSTER (3-5)  OBE is one of three teams in the conference to have posted a single win thus far;  that
won't change this week.  The FIGHTING SCOTS have dropped their last three--to WABASH, DEPAUW, and DENISON.  They gave the BIG RED a scare last time out, losing 35-31.  The game won't be in doubt as WOO tunes up for WIT in the final game of the year.
WITTENBERG (5-3) at OHIO WESLEYAN (5-3) The OLD TIGERS have lost to Alma, a ranked team, DEPAUW (in OT), and
WABASH.  OWU has gone down to UW River Falls, also ranked--and in the DIII Top 10--DPU, and WABASH.  This is by far the most intriguing game of the weekend in the NCAC.  Questions abound, including will WIT rebound from last week's big loss, can OWU keep it close enough and perhaps win late?  Or will WIT come out jacked up and seeking its own dominant win?  The OWU defense has been consistently strong; they gave up only 28 pts to DPU and 31 to WAB.  WIT's offense was disappointing last week, the bulk of their yds. coming in the 4th quarter.  This game might be a toss up on paper, with the teams having identical records, but I don't think it will end up that way.
DENISON (5-3) at KENYON (1-7)  Denison has played well in its three losses:  a ranked Linfield team, 28-14, WIT (OT) 27-21, and DPU, 17-6.  Fabrocini leads the NCAC in rushing by a wide margin, and KENYON can't stop the run.   No doubt about the outcome here as the BIG RED prepare for WOO next week.
DEPAUW (9-0)  The NEW TIGERS sit down this week before going to WAB for the Monon Bell Classic.  As I noted previously--as if they need the bye a week before the biggest game of the year, one for the NCAC title and a playoff slot.
     

[Crawford]

I know this is a football forum, was looking at Hiram's web site to see if they had any write-up about the Wabash game. Was pleasantly surprised to see Hiram has a Women's Wrestling team, the only one in the NCAC.  HATS off to the Terriers!

[wabashcpa]

Turned on the game just in time to see Derek Allen get smoked on a pass up the middle.  Hope he's OK - we cannot afford to lose him for Bell game.

Edit:  looks like he's back in on the next series.  Good to see!

[Crawford]

Can Derek Larimer of Wilmington be QB of the week after throwing 9 TD's, but be on the loosing team 63 - 64 to Muskingum?   Liam Thompson was impressive with 354 yard and only playing the first half.  Wabash looked sharp, hope that continues next week.

[Dr. Acula]

Yes.  He tied the all-time OAC record for TD passes in a game in a conference that's been around 120 yrs.

[wabashcpa]

Looking forward to a much more competitive Bell game year.  Offense is firing on all cylinders, and defense (defense?) is significantly improved.  Wooster the only D3 team to hang 30+ on us to this point, and we need that stat to hold true.  This one is for all the prizes, time to bring it home.

[Crawford]

In the their last three games Wabash has scored 171 points while mostly trying to run out the clock for the entire 2nd half. Depauw has scored 152 points. Wabash's 1st team D has only given up 12 points in those 3 games (6 both to Kenyon and Wittenberg) and Depauw's 1st team D gave up 35 to Wittenberg and 0 against both Kenyon and Wooster.  Wow, this will be interesting.

[Crawford]

Looking forward to a much more competitive Bell game year.  Offense is firing on all cylinders, and defense (defense?) is significantly improved.  Wooster the only D3 team to hang 30+ on us to this point, and we need that stat to hold true.  This one is for all the prizes, time to bring it home.

Wabashcpa you are probably well aware of these stats.  Could be a game for the ages!

Depauw has only two games were opponents scored over 21 points !  Rose-Hulman (21) in the first game of the season and Wittenberg scored 35.  I suspect Depauw's 1st team D didn't give up points to Anderson, Hiram, Dennison, Wooster and Kenyon as all those points were given up in the 4th quarter or after the game was soundly in Depauw's control. 

Wabash's D has looked greatly improved the last three weeks.  Hope that continues !

[wabashcpa]

Holding Wooster and Denison to single digits definitely gives me pause.  That Witt score is an outlier, but also gives some encouragement that points can be had.  And we can put up points.  Weather currently looks favorable (sunny and mid 50s).
Plus home game.  Plus Bell on the line. 

Best case scenario - we force a turnover early, jump them with a couple scores and make them one dimensional. McCahill is good, and they spread the wealth among three guys pretty evenly.  Plus two horses that run, a lot of guys to account for.  Need to eliminate as many of those options as possible.

[Whitecarrera]

I know we're two weeks out, but here's my prediction for the Bell game (lock it in):

If the weather is nice, Wabash wins. If it's rainy or snowy, then Gus Baumgartner turns into Billy Kaiser (Google it if you need to), and it's a long day for the Little Giants.  On a clean, dry field, above 40 degrees, Wabash wins.

Looks like Saturday's forecast is for sunshine and temps in the 50s!

[TigerKing]

Turnovers are always big in this game, but to me the next biggest marker is going to be Thompson's rushing stats.  In wins this year (excluding the big blowouts) vs. HSC, OWU, COW, and Witt he rushed for 65, 87, 201, and 78.  In losses against Butler, Witt, and DPU '22 he netted 9, 41, and 30.  There aren't any great stats to account for his completions off of scrambles, but the net rushing takes sacks into account.

If #2 rushes/scrambles for 70+ on Saturday the Tigers are in trouble.  If he's held below 40, and the Cavemen have a hard time moving the ball.  Anything in the 50s-60s could mean a toss up.

[Whitecarrera]

TigerKing - I'm not being nit-picky because I think you're making a good observation, but your inclusion of OWU and Witt, while excluding the big blowouts, made me chuckle.  After 3 quarters Wabash led OWU 31-0 (maybe it's just your definition of "big"), and the Witt game was 52-6 after three.  The Hiram game was closer at that point (by a single point - lol).

[sigma one]

The final games in the NCAC on Saturday

OHIO WESLEYAN (5-4) at DENISON (6-3)  Every week I mention the word Fabrocini, and this week is no different.  He is the engine that runs the BIG RED's O.  The BBs are dangerous in the passing game, but DEN D-backs are some of the best in the
conference.  Is there a chance for OWU?  Yes, sure.  DENISON has too much rushing advantage (though the OWU D has been good), and this will propel them to 7-3.
OBERLIN (1-8) at KENYON (1-8)  The OWLS close at home v a YEOMAN team that has just too few weapons, even in a game that features two one-win teams.  This is the game that allows one of them to climb out of the NCAC basement.  KENYON 
will control the game on the ground and emerge with a comfortable win.
WOOSTER (4-5) at WITTENBERG (6-3)  WIT has too much for the FIGHTING SCOTS to overcome--though last year WOO shocked the OLD TIGERS with a late win.  WIT has been up and down (check out their results v. DPU and WABASH).  I will
be surprised if the game is close with a final game win for WIT.
DEPAUW (9-0) at WABASH (7-2)   The NEW TIGERS' D has generally been special again this year.  The LGs'
offensive can be explosive.  Important questions:  can WAB establish any kind of running game to keep the DPU D off balance?  Can the LGs step up on D enough to make the game close?  I give WABASH a puncher's chance;  DPU is clearly favorite to finish undefeated and go to the playoffs for a 3rd straight year.  Weird things are common in the rivalry, and the underdog has won enough times for both teams to pay attention.
HIRAM (1-9) has completed their season.  Personally, I thought that they would win more than one game, but  . . .