FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kcreds]

MacLeod: You kill me with how hard you work on dazzling us with your use of the english language. I know that is what makes you different than others and thats okay by me.

Obviously you have done some research on Franklin and it appears you wanted to stir things up with Wabash. The problem I have with your analogy is using OWU as an example. Cmon, beating OWU 2 years ago by 1 point at Franklin I'm sure does not scare Wabash, especially when OWU beat Franklin handily 30-14 last year. I don't think you were being really serious about Franklin's chances but I do applaud the implied intentions.

wally: It does get better, in Delaware, OH. Goooooo Bishops!

[wabco]

I just checked the Franklin schedule.  Sept 2 they host OWU at home.  Then Wabash the next weekend. 

While it will be Wabash's first game ... the Grizzlies will have had a NCAC test the week before.  The cute plays will have had to come out then ... or at least Franklin's basic game approach and personnel will be exhibited. 

I doubt they will hold back against OWU ... so even if you grant the second game improvement ... the loss of "summer suprise" will even it out.

Prediction:

After 2 weeks in season in Franklin Land: NCAC has 2 "W"s and Grizzlies are O for the world. 

They have what looks like a nice facility for both home and visitor, although I suspect the visitor side will be too small.

[wally_wabash]

If Frankin can figure out how to slow OWU's offense (which they haven't in each of the last two seasons), I think we've got a good game on Sept. 2.  The onus here, I think, is entirely on the Grizzly defense.  Good teams stop OWU's offense.  That fact has played itself out time and time again over the last five years. 

I think Franklin has an interesting open to their season...two good teams, two vastly different styles on both offense and defense (OWU runs a quirky defense also).  It's a solid test for a team that wants to see how fast their stock is rising. 

[Superfoot Wallace]

MacLeod: You kill me with how hard you work on dazzling us with your use of the english language.

Does remnant really count as a ten cent word?

The problem I have with your analogy is using OWU as an example. Cmon, beating OWU 2 years ago by 1 point at Franklin I'm sure does not scare Wabash, especially when OWU beat Franklin handily 30-14 last year.

That year Franklin beat OWU, OWU beat Witt, and Witt beat Bash, so I do think there is some underselling of Franklin on this board. 

Franklins offense is very very dangerous, but their defensive play is suspect at best.  Feel Franklin plays too much size in the trenches on defense and relies too much on the skill of linebackers to make every stop within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage.

It really wouldnt be as big an upset as everyone believes were Franklin to beat Bash, at least outside of ICAC land. 

As to doing research, wonder how much having a Bash alum on the Franklin sidelines should affect the outcome.  Leonard gave no quarter against his alma mater, probably expects the same from his staff.

Might note that during this period Franklin has beaten every team in their conference, save the one that lines up in I backs and the occassional double tight.  Would suggest not getting into a prolonged, bend dont break struggle without an extended margin.

signed,
Bill, Linda and Seneca

[joelmama]

TU, I am surprised. I do admire your way of thinking. I think possibly you and joelmama missed my point. You are given an opportunity to play with a contender but maybe not the favorite. You do bring up a good point, somewhat indirectly. No matter what kind of sales pitch the coach gives you, or how good the team is, effort is what counts. I just think it would be nice to play for a contender and a coach says to me, you have an excellent chance to help the team sooner than later. I know that means more in DI because they have money invested in you but it still makes a DIII player feel pretty darn good when a coach sings your praises. Some players have a real tough time with standing on the sidelines when they were a star in high school. I believe that is why OWU had about 100 on their roster and the majority were freshman. My guess the numbers will be about the same this year. I have the utmost respect for you and all players who give it their best and if someone is better, standing beside them and supporting the team all the way. Thanks for your insight.


Ok now I see something I missed.  if you are saying the school is a contender (and by that I mean a team that at least you would expect to win more than they lose and if things go very well could win it all (be it the league or nat'l championshuip) then  I would agree with you.
joelmama, those 80% who make up the majority, are the ones I'm talking about. 

Scotty, you are pretty perceptive about in the house thing.

[lancer98]

Wooster preview:

http://athletics.wooster.edu/fb/outlook.php

As always they do a great job.  The best preview I have seen at this level.  Gives a position by position breakdown.

After reading I am a little more optomistic than before.  The experience is there and they have several players at positions which are critical.  Also note that Keith Adams a starter in '04 is back at CB.  That should help the secondary tremendously.  At this point I don't see one glaring weakness other than a big play playmaker on offense, but I think with a healthy schaffer and experienced running back, OL, and a slew of TE's that may not be as big an issue.  I see a ball control offense.  It also looks like a few additions on defense could help as well. 

The talent is there and an extra year for many of the first year starters last year can make a huge difference.

[roadtrip]

wabco, BashBacker#16, wally_wabash - Thanks for the welcome and the iniformation. My son was recruited as a QB (6'3 215) but he wouldn't be adverse to changing positions if he could get on the field quicker. He's on the young side as he's been 18 for less than a month but he was a starter in the toughest (probably) division (CCL Blue) of football in Illinois so I have confidence that he can handle the mental part of the game. He may be even taller now and he is going to fill out eventually. He played varsity basketball and that kept him from gaining weight. As far as making the games, I will be hoping to make all the home games and I'll do the roadtrips if/when he makes the traveling squad. We're both excited about his future at Wabash and becoming part of the Wabash family.

[kcreds]

joelmama: Thanks for the insight.

lancer98: I find the preview very interesting, especially the schedule comments. It mentions OWU as a top tier team which is nice. It also mentions Witt as their arch rival. How many arch rivals does Witt have and is Wooster the biggest? Not trying to stir anything, just curious. 

[BashBacker#16]

Roadtrip (Mr. K) - it took me awhile to figure out but very excited about the additions of Rich & Rich.  I would take 2 players from that league every year!

Lancer98 - I completely agree, Wooster's site rocks.  Thanks for the preview.

Has anyone found any online D3 pre-season rankings? 

BB16

[wabco]

Roadtrip ... is your son a St. Rita grad?  We get some good ones from there. QB is good.  It takes a little time to learn the systems and gain the personal and team confidence.  Huff will provide that time.  We produce good QBs so your son will be in some good company.  Our quality receivers make QB's passing work.  Our line should provide the time.  And the offense is about split evenly between run and pass.  PLUS ... absolutely count on the D.

There are some good teams with good coaches in our league.  The games are enjoyable to experience with generally good strategy and quality of play on both teams.  The players in the conference are there for generally the same purpose:  get a good education and experience a high quality of football.

Your son will find that the team ... seniors on down ... are waiting for him and the other frosh and will make them welcome as the newest members of a proud tradition and a long line of success scholastically and athletically, which is Wabash College.

Look forward to putting a face with the name.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Roadtrip (Mr. K) - it took me awhile to figure out but very excited about the additions of Rich & Rich.  I would take 2 players from that league every year!

Lancer98 - I completely agree, Wooster's site rocks.  Thanks for the preview.

Has anyone found any online D3 pre-season rankings? 

BB16

'kid has some posted on his site:
http://bridgewaterfootball.com/d3rankings.html

[Superfoot Wallace]

How many arch rivals does Witt have and is Wooster the biggest? Not trying to stir anything, just curious. 

Witts archrival is actually in another conference.  Witt and Baldwin Wallace loathe each other, though they only get the opportunity to play once a decade anymore.

Most recently Witt had the largest bone to pick with Allegheny, as the Gators were on top for a very long period, but with the added parity might as well throw in every NCAC team at this point.  The last six years have seen more parity than the rest of the NCAC history in the aggregate combined.

signed,
T Raymonds nemesis

[roadtrip]

BashBacker#16 - You got it...

wabco - De La Salle Institute (St Rita, Mt Carmel hated rivals on the field) and his Head Coach was Scott Baum, a Wabash guy but not sure of the year.

[kcreds]

kirasdad: Thanks for the site, very interesting.

Looks like Wabash is the favorite in the NCAC. Will we see 3 NCAC teams in the top 25 in the near future or am I dreaming? 

[wally_wabash]

kcreds-

Doubtful.  The two most recognizable names in our conference (Witt and Gheny) tanked big time last year.  5-5 and 3-7 from the two schools people know about from the NCAC won't endear voters to our conference.  If recent form holds, Wabash will get some top 25 love to start the year as our conference champ typically does.  Everybody else is going to have to prove it before they get in. 

OWU's first chance to prove it will be at Wabash.  Come out of that game 4-0 and OWU should probably be close to the top 25. 

I think Wooster would need to go 5-0 to get into the top 25 which requires wins over John Carroll, Witt, and OWU. 

Allegheny would also probably need a 5-0 start with wins over W&J and Wabash (both on the road) to crack the top 25. 

Note that each of those three teams would need wins over Wabash to get top 25 consideration which pretty much eliminates the chance that we'd get three teams in the top 25 all at once...we'd be knocking one another out. 

The best shot for an NCAC team to get into the top 25 along with Wabash early in the season is going to be Witt.  Wins over Capital and Alma, and a win or a really really good game vs. Dayton would give Witt instant top 25 cred.

Also keep in mind that D-III has twice as many teams as D-IA.  Their top 25 would be equivalent to a D-III top 50.  In the D-III world, the top 25 is a hard nut to crack.  There are a lot of good teams that go unranked every week.