FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[seinfeld]

Does anyone know why Wittenberg is starting camp today, when everyone else isn't starting until this weekend?

[wally_wabash]

They need the extra couple of days of practice?

[Li'l Giant]

They finished up the lifesize carboard cutout of Wally quoting the NCAC Media Day poll results earlier than they were supposed to.

[scotty]

the regular players report on Saturday...today and tomorrow is orientation for the JUCO players...tour of the library, study tables and downtown Springfield...

[Pat Coleman]

Does anyone know why Wittenberg is starting camp today, when everyone else isn't starting until this weekend?

The first day of camp is not solely based on the date of the first game, but also on the first day of classes. Therefore two schools with the same opening game might start camp at different times. However, each is limited to the same number of practice opportunities.

[DePauw05]

I'm a bit surprised DePauw-Wabash is not mentioned as a key NCAC non-conference matchup.  There is a lot of talk about the coaching turnover, but DPU  still won 22 games with different coaches in the last three seasons.

[scotty]

DePauw05, welcome aboard...imo since it occurs late in the season, the game takes on a different aura...i am sure the Wabashtonians will elaborate further...

[Li'l Giant]

I'm a bit surprised DePauw-Wabash is not mentioned as a key NCAC non-conference matchup.

My take on that is it's a game that even if Wabash were 9-0 and Depauw were 0-9 (or, god forbid, vice versa) and Depauw won, it wouldn't really surprise people. It's a rivalry game. The outcome will surprise no one, regardless of the records, and means less about the relative strength of Depauw or Wabash to their opponents than other non-con games.

Just my opinion.

[bashbrother]

Li' Giant - I Think your right.  Big rivalry games historically are thought of in a  different way. 

First of all, they are big every year;  especially, the Bell Game. 

Secondly, I think outsiders looking at the NCAC, don't use the outcome of the Bell Game in determining the overall strength of Wabash/the conference.  Because it is one of the top rivalry games in the sport and they know anything can happen in a game with this much emotion around it.

Thridly, CC wins Bell Games, so we just chalk it up in the correct column.

[firstdown]

In 1998, Wabash came into the Bell Game 9-0, but did not win the Bell Game.  There was a little matter of the infamous signal stealing/cheating scandal, but Depew nonetheless had more points on the scoreboard notwithstanding the unsportsmanlike way they achieved them.  Wabash went home 9-1 and lost their invite to the big dance as a result.  The Bell Game does matter!  A game at the end of the season can have a dramatic impact.  Given the chaos at Depew resulting from the recent coaching change, I suspect that they aren't considered a real threat to Trinity in their conference.  They are a key non-conference game for Wabash every year - lest we ever foget 1998, there is no floor to the depths to which Depew, will descend to win the Bell Game.  Those that forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

[wabashcpa]

I'm a bit surprised DePauw-Wabash is not mentioned as a key NCAC non-conference matchup.  There is a lot of talk about the coaching turnover, but DPU  still won 22 games with different coaches in the last three seasons.

It isn't mentioned because it goes without saying.

[wally_wabash]

The Bell Game is kind of it's own beast.  For me, the Wabash football season is 9 games, then the Bell Game, and then playoffs when we are fortunate enough to get there.  And I didn't mention it here because these other NCAC guys get beaten over the head with Bell talk over the first couple of weeks of November...I thought I'd focus on some of the other games. 

scotty makes a good point as well...by the time the Bell Game rolls around, we know where the NCAC stacks up against other conferences. 

But since we're on the subject...my quick take on Depauw '06...I think this is the year the other shoe drops.  Coach Nick's players are all gone now and now is when we're going to really start to see how detrimental a revolving door at the head coach's office is.  I could be way wrong on this and Walker could be the second coming of Jon Gruden for all I know (it's been a couple of months...has he quit yet?), but my gut is telling me that Depauw is headed for a couple of lean years here while they try to stabilize the program. 

[wabco]

Speaking of DePauw ... a good Dannie pounding would be fun ... Hollett Stadium, 11,000+, good November day, no Depew gestapo, good tailgate, ... followed by an old fashioned Depew wippin.  Priceless!

[herald79]

           NCAC Fans, Do you guys know how many days the conf: requires schools to condition, before the pads come on?

[BashBacker#16]

Looks like the Bash preview is posted on this site under season previews, apparently it has been up for awhile now.  They also posted the pre-pre-season roster with the incoming Freshman which is interesting.  Looks like around 120 players total.  The returning guys weights are not updated but I hope  they will be after they report on Sunday.

The O-line might be as big as they've ever been...the 3 returning anchors Hilts (6'6 280), Millikan (6'3 295), and Certain (5'11 280) - to be likely joined by 2 of the following:  Shaver 6'4 316, Pat Long 6'3 282, Jeff Williams 6'2 260, or Nate Powell 6'5 280.  That is some beef up front.

Looks like some good size from the Frosh class.  One's that jumped out...RB Sobecki is listed at 5'11 190 (nice), DE Craig Morrison is 6'2 250, and ILB Bryan Watson 6'1 225 is solid.  It will be interesting to see which Frosh earn PT this year.

Now that he is officially on the roster, can anyone spot the D1 transfer?  The hint: is it was a MAC school...