FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ADL70]

Do you think it would be any different if they'd played 'Bash and Witt?

[herald79]

     CWRU70, Sanchez was without his best wideout vs the spartans. And as far as Admissions, my Father worked at CWRU in that very office. So I can say, Kenyon can compete with anyone in the NCAC with standards,but not in science!Sanchez is not a passer,he is a great runner playing the QB position. Your points are well taken about schedule and repeating last years results. I'm just a fan who remembers the 80s when the Lords could play O with anyone in the OAC or NCAC.  The schedule had to be changed for self preservation, Kenyon had 26 players for that last game vs Wittenberg, and I'm sure if any of you guys have children, you will understand the concern of the parents, and the college. I'm just excited that Kenyon has a chance to build on what was a great season for the Lords.

[ADL70]

Maybe Kenyon will buck the trend, but so far no school has been able to put together two "best of the rest" seasons in a row.  The wins over Wooster and Allegheny were great, but Allegheny's season was a mystery and after their performance against CWRU, I tried to tell the Wooster faithfull that they weren't as good as they thought.  Definitely things are on the upswing.

I didn't and wouldn't demean Kenyon admissions, that was someone else.

It's time the 'Bash Bunch got over '03.  I certainly understand why it was done.  Maybe it could have been handled better with fewer hard feelings.  I don't know.

Hopefully there will be fireworks on the field as well as those in the sky on 9/16 in Cleveland.

[kcreds]

wabco: Wally is right, as much as I hate to say that, the frontrunner or champion has to lose, maybe more than once for OWU to have a chance.

herald79: You do have reasons to be excited about this year. I did see Sanchez play and was somewhat impressed. I was more impressed with OWU's defense and how they contained him. I was especially impressed with OWU's win at Kenyon after Kenyon beat some good teams. Kenyon plays the schedule that is dealt them and if they can get it done without playing the W's then more power to them.

Some of you make critical comments of OWU's offensive scheme. I liked the changes they made to it last year and just maybe there will be some this year.  

[BashBacker#16]

Herald79,

I do appreciate your enthusiasm about the '06 Lords.  But, I have to push back on the "stopping Sanchez in open space" comment.  The Wabash D would be an incredibly stiff challenge.  Adi Pynenberg, Matt Kraft, Brent Banach, and Frank Knez are 4 Bash LBs that would stop him in open space.  Plus, all the D-Backs can run and speed on the Bash D is what it is built on.  They fly to the ball all over the field.

[wally_wabash]

Do you think it would be any different if they'd played 'Bash and Witt?

Absolutely it would be different.  Going 6-1 through an NCAC schedule that included Witt and Wabash would be a much different story. 

And I'm not bitter (anymore) about the '03 thing.  I get that what they did at the time was more or less a necessity.  But the '03 situation plays directly into this conversation with respect to how Kenyon's schedule lays out currently.  My point about this is that Kenyon can and should be proud and optimistic of what's going on, but they also have to understand that the rest of us are well within reason to remain skeptical of how good the Lords really are until they compete against the cream of this crop.  Put me on record...if Kenyon can win 5 or 6 NCAC games again this year, I'll jump on the bandwagon and will be anxious to see if they can be competitive when their schedule beefs up a bit in '08.

[ADL70]

Sorry I wasn't clear.  I meant if the 2005 schedule would have been any different if Kenyon had played 'Bash and Witt in '03.

[Gray Fox]

I follow this board even though  I have never seen a NCAC team play.  I have made my picks because it is something I like to do.  It looks I am in the ballpark for the top and bottom but not for the middle five.   Those are usually the hardest to pick at any level.  So here goes.

Wittenberg
Wabash
Oberlin
Kenyon
OWU
Wooster
Allegheny
Earlham
Denison
Hiram

[scotty]

Wooster ranked behind Oberlin and Kenyon...the sky is falling, i'm melting, gas is $1.29...btw, thanks Gray Fox for the positive post...

[herald79]

     Kcreds, OWU had a great scheme for the Kenyon game, they brought Sanchez"s weakness to the front. He isn't a percentage passer, when he gets out of the pocket he is tough,but in the pocket very average. And as far as OWU amd there "O", football will always be about blocking and tackling, and the Bishops are a very fundamental team. If you can remember back to Augustana in the 80s, they did it with a very old schoolgame plan , I will take a running attack over passing anyday, when it is dominant. Woody Hayes once said three things can happen when you make a living passing the ball. A interception, an incomplete pass or maybe a completion. Teams drive me crazy with there pass happy game plans, the Bishops are good and getting better. I will be the guy in the top row, screaming until my voice gives out in the second half! 

[kcreds]

herald79: Looking forward to a good game against kenyon. Just like everyone else, I am very optimistic about this year. Thanks for the comments.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Woody Hayes once said three things can happen when you make a living passing the ball. A interception, an incomplete pass or maybe a completion.

Think your giving old Woody too much credit Herald.  There are only three kinds of people in this world: players, haters and hater-haters.  These three roughly correspond to composers, critics and apologists.  Old Woodrow was probably more a critic than anything: think the line should read, 'and two of them arent good.'  Just hated to pass the ball.

Right now my predicted order to finish has OWU and Allegheny at the top of the standings.  The caveat being this, should Wabash or Wittenberg win the conference this year, have this creepy feeling the NCAC might just sneak into Salem.

Really cant see Oberlin cracking the top five this year, but Kenyon has the favorbale schedule.  Think Wooster will upset somebody this year, and they shouldnt struggle to break the top three barring a monumental collapse.  Just think the round robin at the top will benefit the Scots.  Would not want to be Kenyon if Wooster decides to make a statement.

Denisons damn near the adjusted median, and Hiram?  do we really need to discuss Hiram at this point.  Earlham?  Think theyre final standing will be traditional, but expect them to post an upset against maybe even the conference champ.

signed,
Funk Wagnall and Mike Websters

[Li'l Giant]

I'll give it a stab:

1. Wabash
2. Witt
3. Gheny
4. OWU
5. Wooster
6. Earlham
7. Denison
8. Kenyon
9. Oberlin
10. Hiram

[seinfeld]

Professional football coming to Wooster, Ohio.

http://www.the-daily-record.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/07142006/news/&file=_news3.txt&article=1&tD=07142006

[seinfeld]

Here are my picks, which I think are going to be different than most:

1st (three way tie)
Wabash, Wittenberg, Wooster

I think we are overdue for a tie at the top of the standings, where the ridiculous NCAC tie-breakers will be breaking some people's hearts.

With the large number of seniors lost for both Wabash and Wittenberg, it will take them some games to get going at full strength. This will help Wooster, who plays Witt in the first NCAC game of the year. I think with the game being at home, and Witt breaking in a new QB and an entire new starting defensive line, Wooster can squeak out that game. I think Wooster will then lose at Wabash, but manage to pull out two tight games against Allegheny and OWU. Wabash will probably ease through the conference, except for their date at Witt, when I finally think Witt will get the job done against Wabash. Witt will probably be able to beat Allegheny and OWU, forcing the three-way tie.

4th - Ohio Wesleyan
The Bishops are solid, but I think the combination of their predictable offense, along with a new QB and trying to replace a couple of key defensive players (Clervoix) will keep them here. The biggest problem with OWU's offense is that if they get behind, they really aren't prepared to come back

5th - Allegheny
One the one hand you can say because the number of close games they lost last year, they are due to bounce back. I'm looking at all the players they lost, especially on defense, and their schedule, and see at least three conference losses. Their defense wasn't very good last year, and they lose some of their top tacklers. They also have to travel to Wooster, Wittenberg & Wabash. Throw in a road game at an improving Denison squad, and I see no better than 5th.

6th - Kenyon

We all know Kenyon's story. Yes, they are improved, and yes, they looked good against Wooster and Allegheny last year, but this is a different year. Don't forget they barely beat Hiram and Denison at the end of last year (I know Coombs was hurt, but to give up 38 points against Hiram is a little alarming). Wooster and Allegheny have their dates with Kenyon circled. Toss in a loss to Ohio Wesleyan, and you have at least three losses. Their game with Denison will likely decide the middle of the conference standinds.

7th - Denison
A schedule without Wittenberg and a win over Kenyon and possibly Allegheny could have them surging into the top four, but I'll stick them here.

8th - Earlham
A healthy Rummel should mean two wins in the NCAC.

9th - Oberlin
Beats Hiram

10th - Hiram
No wins, but not as ugly as the last couple of years.