FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ptc897]

Oh, by the way Darkside, you might be interested to know that the Wabash commentators mentioned the Wooster band this past weekend in their broadcast.  More specifically, they questioned the wisdowm of the band in playing while Woo had the ball

Do you know at what point in the game they made this comment?  We sit directly next to the band (right below the press box) and I can tell you the band does not play when either team has the ball in play.  I'm not sure what they were referring to?

[OldPhart]

The way I understand the D3 poll is that Wabash's 51 points could have (but almost certainly didn't) come from 24 24th place votes at 2 points each and one 23rd place vote at 3 points.   On the surface it seemed counterintuitive to me, but a team with widespread support for a low position in the poll can end up considerably below a team that has spotty support for a higher ranking. 

Wabash's non-ranking could have come more from "misplaced" respect for higher ranked teams (I am certainly NOT going to suggest which teams those might be) rather than lack of respect from a substantial number of poll voters.  On the other hand - maybe there really is a conspiracy to keep Bash out. 

[smedindy]

I'll name them by Wednesday. 

(For some reason, Massey is down and I can't get the rankings done today - plus I have a lot of meetings)

It's simple for Wabash, beat Witt. And if we smack Witt around like Wally has set the spread for the game, then by gum I'LL lead the questioning of the ranking.

[Li'l Giant]

Maybe the ones with the kool-aid are the ones who think the Top 25 comes down the mountain with Moses each Sunday.

If all your points are true then the Top 25 isn't a ranking of individual teams, it's a ranking of the strength of conferences, and a beauty contest. If that's true, then it's not any different from other polls like some would like us to believe. Saying "it will sort itself out" is asking us to give it the benefit of the doubt. Which is more than those of us who think Wabash should be ranked are asking for.

[wabco]

I was way short in predicting 2 TDs win by the Bash against Woo.  I'll take it.

This is Witt Week.  Without checking Wally's spread, Wabash by 2 TDs.  (Not sure that is 2 TDs by the half or 2TDs by the end but either way ... 2 TDs.

BB16 ... 9 AM, wood pile burning, grills started up, first brew ... behind Hollett ... Sat.  Some will start showing up Friday night.  It should rock by game time at Hollett on Sat.

All apear to be essentially healthy (DJ being the [possible exception).  What is the health statuys of Witt?

2 TDs.  Then even Pat will have to recognize the 'Bash.

[ski]

Wabash is flat out good.  Their game plan on both sides of the ball really fit their personnel.  Woo was out played and out coached.  Although the Bash staff couldn't resist being stupid at least once as their late touchdown bomb left Woo with a taste for revenge.  That will come back to haunt Bash at some point in the future, maybe even next year.  GO SCOTS!!!!   

Now for Woo; I continue to look at the offensive scheme, questioning its use.  I just don't see the personnel matching up.  Some diversity in the offensive sets would do more to keep the other team guessing.  I also think that it would reveal that Woo does have the talent for a running game.  As far as the D-side goes, you can't play a soft zone against a team that throws underneath as well as Bash does.  The D-line takes 2 steps and the balls in the air.   My biggest question is why was Shafer left in the game so long?  It was obvious that he was hurting, why risk his future when the game was out of reach?  I know that I am just a Monday morning QB, but I just can't help but wonder.

[smedindy]

LG -

The strength of the conferences is reflective of the strengths of the teams involved in the conferences. So voters will look at a WIAC, a NWC, an OAC, or a MIAC team a lot more strongly than a NCAC team. It's the company they keep.

If you look back, the top 25 means nothing to me, really. I've said that firmly on many occasions.

However, if a voter has team A in their top 25, and they keep winning, why should the voter remove team A? 

Wabco - Pat gives Wabash plenty of run. He's got over 200 teams to give run to.

[littlegiant66]

on the topic of the band--
as i was listening to the game on the radio, i could hear the band playing while the broadcasters were calling the plays late in the game. 

[LGHistorian]

I was also listening to the game and heard the drummer(s) numerous times for several minutes at a time while the game was going on. Maybe it wasn't the full compliment of band members but it was going on during the game.

As for Wabash not being ranked, I don't mind one bit that this team continues to "fly under the radar." Ratings in D3 are over-rated (Sorry to Pat and his pollsters  ) because of the playoffs. Also, the first round and possibly second round matchups are configured with saving money and not solely on seeding.

[Apone]

Congratulations to Wabash on a resounding victory.  The NCAC is clearly in your hands from this point forward.  It's your job not to mess it up now.

As far as Wooster goes, well, they've got a long way to go.  I have to agree with Ski questioning the offensive scheme.  More diversity in formations, plays, routes, options, etc., could go a long way towards improving the Scots chances.  Regardless of the Bash D (which is very, very good), the shotgun wrap offense for Wooster does not lend itself to running the football well.

Wooster's DB's were beat like a drum all day.  Underneath, across, and over the top.  The Wabash receivers made Woo's DBs look like they were standing still.

Even still, Wooster moved the football with some consistency.  Three times inside the red zone (twice inside the 5), with no points.  Another with only a field goal.  That will get you blown out against a team of Wabash's caliber.

As others have expressed on this board, Schafer's performance Saturday was gutsy and impressive. BUT, what was the Wooster staff thinking keeping him in the game as long as they did?!?!?!  WILL SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS!

Lastly, the band played during a number of Wooster's possessions, especially in the 4th quarter when they obviously got bored and became disinterested in the game.  Grow up.

[wally_wabash]

Are we really still talking about the band?  So they beat on the drums now and then to get try and get the crowd into the game.  It's home field advantage for a reason (I can hear the Trinity guy coming to tell me how wrong I am already).

The spread against Witt is where it's at because I'm not drinking the Witt kool-aid.  Rolling it up on Denison, Earlham, and Hiram does not forgive what they did in the first month of the season.  I don't forget...Witt doesn't get the benefit of the doubt with me any more.  Wabash beat Wooster by five TDs.  Wabash beat OWU by just north of three TDs.  I don't think it's unreasonable to figure Witt probably falls somewhere in the middle.  

[WallyFS4]

Anybody that knows football knows that this year Bash team as the potential to be as good, and yes, even better than the 2002 team.  We have a lot of football to play.  Witt this weekend, then the game that really concerns me, Gheny.  When you go to the Swamp, anything can happen.  Should we be in the the top 25, no doubt.  Are we one of the top 25 teams in D3, no doubt.  Ratings mean nothing.  You have guys that never played the game, living in their parents basements making these polls.  Let's play the games.  Make it to the playoffs.  Make some noise in the playoffs.  Then we can toot our own horns.  Until then, let's concentrate on the job ahead of us, WITT.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS![/size][/font]

[witt4ever]

"The spread against Witt is where it's at because I'm not drinking the Witt kool-aid. "

What flavor is the Wabash Kool Aid?

[smedindy]

WallyFS4 - I don't think Pat or K-Mack still live in their parent's basement. I'm sure the coaches involved in the top 25 voting know the game.  Talk like that only antagonizes voters. But not that it matters anyway. Win the games.

[WallyFS4]

Smed,

You are right.  I apologize to the Coach's that are a part of these polls.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS![/size][/font]