FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[jscwittfan]

We are in the 2nd week of conference play and the winner of Woo/Witt is in the drivers seat?  As Lee Corso would say, "not so fast my friend." 

I have to agree with you BashBacker, although I don't think it would be a stretch to say that this weekend's loser will be in trouble when it comes to the conference title.  Yes, it's only one loss, but with the rest of the conference struggling, it really seems that what we all once thought was a wide open conference race is, unless OWU finds a way to turn it around and fast, a 3 team race between Bash, Woo, and Witt.  If we assume these three teams can beat everyone else, then the game between Wabash and the winner this Sunday would be undefeated in conference.  Unless, all three of these teams take one from each other, leaving them all with one loss and a three way tie.  But, we'll deal with that if we get there.

I expect another great game from Murray and an OK performance from Huffman - he won't win Wittenberg the game, but he won't do anything that will lose it, either.  For Wittenberg, it all depends on the defense.  They've shown the ability to tighten things up in the second half, but if Wooster can light it up early, it may be lights out.  If the Tiger defense that played in the 2nd Half against Alma shows up at the opening kickoff, I feel good about Witt's chances.

[wally_wabash]

If Wooster can play a bend but don't break kind of defense, I think the Scots are in good shape.  Murray will get his.  And by the stats, it looks like Huffman likes to run around as well.  If Wooster's defense can be successful on 1st down, they've got the chance to put Witt in passing situations whihc very clearly does not favor the Tigers.  That is precisely where I think this weekend's game will be won or lost.  Wooster's ability to control first down.  And it doesn't have to happen every series.  Wabash did the same thing against Millikin two weeks ago....they won just enough first downs on defense to put Millikin in enough passing situations early in the game to seize control.  Huffman won't beat Wooster with his arm and that's exactly the position the Scots need to put him in.  If Murray runs wild, Wooster is in big trouble.  If not, the Scots are in decent shape.  It's going to be a good game for sure. 

[ScotsFan]

Has the Woo rushing game been that impressive to this point?  You imply that it has.  The verdict is still out on Sheppard too - is he versatile, can he rise to the occasion in big games, etc. 

BB#16, while I agree with you that I wouldn't exactly say that the winner of the Witt/Woo game is in the "driver's seat" for the conference champioinship per se, I do feel that the winner will have taken a big step in that direction.

As for the Woo rushing game to this point, Sheppard saw his first action of the season last weekend and went for over 100 yards on less than 20 attemps.  I think it's fair to say that part of the reason that Woo has not been as effective rushing the football is because of Sheppard's absense.  Not only is he Wooster's best RB, but having him back also adds much needed depth in the backfield for the Scots. 

[wabco]

Much respect to Adi P. for reaching #9 on the Wabash all time tackles list with 213.

Now ... here is a flash ... keep chugging Adi.  You have a ways to go before you pass BB16 ... who falls into place #4 on the Wabash all time tackles list.

Super props to BB16.

Go  Wabash and Go Wabash D!!!

[BashBacker#16]

ScotsFan,

Sheppard got his 100 vs. Case Western.  If he does that vs. Gheny, Witt, or Bash - I will be a believer.  I am just glad I don't have to look back in the Scot backfield and see #7.

Wabco - thanks.

I am really anxious to see the league's results this week.  There should be some very interesting matchups and games.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Case doesnt play defense?  Man the scene has changed in Cleveland then.  That used to be about the only thing they did do well.  I would say Case is a good measuring stick.  Kind of set the bar for the NCAC being a charter member and all, but those days were long before Witt or Bash joined the conference.


Get back to me on that statement after Case has played Carnegie Mellon.  If Case holds CMU under 275 rushing then some light will be shed on this conference given Sheppards eventual rushing stats against the NCACs best defenses.

signed,
Messmer the ManBeast

[lancer98]

I say the winner will be in the driver's seat because I believe the winner's only other test will Wabash.  Wabash would still have to get past Witt and Woo.

Before the season I thought Wabash would steamroll the conference.  There is a ways to go but I have been largely unimpressed with Wabash based on the Defense and the loss to Franklin.  That is not to say they have no shot.  They have a great one and right now all three are very close regardless.

But the winner of Woo-Witt has one less obstacle to overcome while the loser puts themselves in the hole.  Let's keep in mind we could have the issue they had in '97 with there was a three way tie.  This year that is possible as close as all three teams seem right now.

For some reason, this year I have a good feeling about Woo though.  Lots of Seniors, hungry after last year, very good OL and solid D(thanks to Fe), and an experienced QB are some of the reasons I am optomistic.  When you have those components more often than not you are going to be in great shape.

However, its week 3 and a lot is to be decided and many questions remain for everyone....Scots included.  Its going to be a great conference season this year.  It is wide open.

[wally_wabash]

I think you'd all be remiss if you continue to leave Allegheny out of this discussion.  I don't think that Allegheny will win our conference because their road schedule is brutal, but I do think that they'll pick somebody off and wreck a season.  Allegheny is at or near the top of the NCAC in most team statistical categories.  Don't overlook the Gators...they'll have a say in how this plays out. 

Wooster and Witt also still have to play OWU.  OWU has been unimpressive so far, but to overlook them could lead to disaster.  The Bishops have good players and if they figure out how to stop anybody, there isn't a team in the conference they can't beat. 

[BashBacker#16]

Wabash press release and Earlham preview is out...

http://www.wabash.edu/sports/docs/release092706.pdf

Lancer98 - good post and I agree with your remarks on Wabash.

[bashbrother]

Congrats to Dustin Huff for making the D3Football Team of the Week.  He is a special player that I am sure is going to earn many more honors before he is finished at Wabash.

Lets see, Knott, Russ and now Huff..... Not a bad group.  Oh, and you can't leave Mitch Tanney out of the mix, even though he transferred.  With the last three, I think CC has shown his ability to attract and develop the Qb position.

[BashBacker#16]

How about Huff for a 5th year...yikes.  I'd stay too if I could throw to Russell another year.

How sick are the Wabash WR's yards per catch stat?

Russell - 19.5 yards per rec (16 receptions)
Walker - 15 yards per rec (26 receptions)
Green - 18.4 yards per rec
Guererro - 29 yards per rec
King - 16 yards per rec

[aueagle]

Leaving now for Delaware....I'll be the guy with a video camera & red "W" hat roaming the sidelines....kcreds, The Bishop, etc, if your there - we'll talk. Good Luck to all this week....GO BISHOPS

[wally_wabash]

Here's your "reality imitating video games" stat of the week....

Wabash is #2 in the nation in total offense...behind Mount Union.  Now here's the stat...Mount Union is averaging 9.25 yards per PLAY.  It's ok to shudder at that. 

I'm setting the o/u on time of game in Richmond tomorrow to be about 4 hours, 21 minutes.  Should be a fun game to watch for vertical passing aficionados. 

[WAF78]

First post here...Wabash Always Fights...and what an offense they have. I saw the Millkin game and was both elated and horrified. While the offense is awesome, defense and special teams are wretched. According the new release from Wabash, Wabash's defense ranks 196th out of 222 Div. III teams. Special teams ranks 219th in net punting, and is 184th in punt returns, 124th in kickoff returns. Special teams and the lack of tackling (there is ONE guy on Wabash who CAN tackle and we are all thankful for that) are coaching issues, not talent issues. While this week will probably not be a problem with our lack of defense (but that's what I thought about Franklin), when we face Witt and Woo, I just hope we have found a defense by then. Go Wabash!

[wabashman06]

Well, I am going to have to make my first post as well responding to the D and ST "rankings".  There is NO doubt the defense has struggled BIG time out of the gate.  Coming off of a season where Wabash D was ranked 3rd or 4th in the nation, a ranking of 196 is tough to swallow.  The Wabash D will get better every week and I have no doubts about that.  As for special teams, I am sure the coaches are well aware of the problems.  Coach C emphasizes special teams and turnovers more than anyone I have been under.  Stats are funny because Finley had a punt he miffed and was recorded as a 1 yd. punt....not helping the average.  He has had one blocked as well.  And if you saw the punts OWU was giving, you would understand why we had NO punt returns, therefore LOW punt ret. avg.  Wabash has GREAT punt returners in Walker and King.  I  think stats can be funny at times...especially early in the season.