FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[David Collinge]

Even then.  I want to beat Ohio State in November more than I want anything else in the football world.  The order of decreasing importance for a True Blue Michigan fan is 1) Beat Ohio State in the UM/OSU game; 2) Win the Big Ten; 3) Win the Rose Bowl; 4) Beat Michigan State; 5) Beat Minnesota; 6) Beat Notre Dame; 7) Win the national title. 

[OldPhart]

Even then.  I want to beat Ohio State in November more than I want anything else in the football world.  The order of decreasing importance for a True Blue Michigan fan is 1) Beat Ohio State in the UM/OSU game;

The only thing that would make me happier is if we could bring back Woody Hayes so that he could witness it: "Blue & Maize make a Purple Hayes."  It is still good to see - but the Bo & Woody show was not to be missed.

Maybe the poll question re Monon Bell should be "Suppose you had the option of selling your immortal soul in exchange for a Bell win?  Would you go through with it?"

[joelmama]

Even then.  I want to beat Ohio State in November more than I want anything else in the football world.  The order of decreasing importance for a True Blue Michigan fan is 1) Beat Ohio State in the UM/OSU game; 2) Win the Big Ten; 3) Win the Rose Bowl; 4) Beat Michigan State; 5) Beat Minnesota; 6) Beat Notre Dame; 7) Win the national title. 

If National title is really number 7 then I guess there are certainly some differences.  I guess you haven't been too happy lately.

[gobash]

Maybe the poll question re Monon Bell should be "Suppose you had the option of selling your immortal soul in exchange for a Bell win?  Would you go through with it?"

Hmm....how bad would we beat `em?

[smedindy]

Joel - it's just different when your school has an honest-to-goodness fear-and-loathing kind of rival, and not one that you just dislike.

[aueagle]

joelmama: The only D3 Championship that pit two teams from the same conference, as far as I know, was the Witt - BW game back in 1977 or '78. If there will be 7-8k at this weeks game, maybe a National Title game of the Tigers & LG's would bring over 10 thousand.

[wally_wabash]

There would be over 10,000 at this game if Depauw would have issued more tickets.  The attendance will be around 8,000 by choice of Depauw's administration and doesn't reflect the demand for tickets. 

[Jammin]

Monon Bell is a money loser for both schools when they host it. Rental stadium seating costs, on average, about $10 per seat. Add in extra security personnel and the bike rack fencing around the field, and in real costs we're talking probably $15-18 per seat. And that doesn't ever come down if you add more seats. With extra bodies, you need extra security, extra concessions stands, porta-potties, etc.

I loved having 11,500 at Wabash last year, but Wabash lost money on the deal. I believe Wabash now budgets for home Bell games, which allows the ticket price to remain flat. But I would not be surprised if in future years Bell tickets climb to $20. In truth, it would be cheaper to rent the RCA Dome than it is to upgrade our stadiums with seats and security. But part of the fun is, of course, that home field, outdoor atmosphere.

[bashbrother]

Regional Rankings are out.  http://ncaasports.com/football/mens/polls/polls/diviii

North
1.   Wabash                        
2.   Mount Union                  
3.   Augustana (Illinois)         
4.   North Central (Illinois)       
5.   Capital                          
6.   Mount St. Joseph            
7.   John Carroll                  
8.   Wheaton (Illinois)          
9.   Ohio Northern                    
10.   Lakeland                  

interesting.

[jdean]

Regional Rankings are out.  http://ncaasports.com/football/mens/polls/polls/diviii

North
1.   Wabash                        
                  
interesting.

Interesting, but based on your responses to Joel, apparently not.

[Li'l Giant]

I don't think the general sentiment is that we don't want to be #1 in the region, or national champions or whatever. It's just not going to be the same unless we also have the Bell. It's like pretzels. I like them. They're tasty. But they're not the same without beer. The Bell is better than beer.

[BashDad]

jdean:

Man, what's your axe--you've been nothing but snide and nasty for the past several weeks?  There are others besides the OAC who do have football programs that warrant recognition.  

[gobash]

I guess I really do not understand.  The Bell is obviously a symbol of something.  But a national championship trophy is something you never have to give back.  If you truly hated Depauw I would think a beat down monkey stomp, with some real humiliation in front of a larger live and tv audience would be more valuable.  I mean a real hurting.  Like 57-0.

You truly do not.  I'd give away us having 10 national champion trophies just to make that series record one win higher in our favor in Bell games. 

Winning the national championship is winning a battle.  We're in this to win the war, and whoever has the record on their side on that day when the asteroid hits, or the seventh seal is broken, wins.  This is epic good versus evil crap we're talking here

[Mr. Ypsi]

Now, gobash, stop pussyfooting around and tell us what you REALLY think of DePauw!

[Well, maybe you better not or Pat would have to ban you! ]

[wally_wabash]

It's like pretzels. I like them. They're tasty. But they're not the same without beer. The Bell is better than beer.

And to go one step further, there is nothing better than Bell Beer.  With or without pretzels.