FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kcreds]

I am disheartened by the loss to Kenyon because that game put OWU with the bottom feeders. They have lost to teams this year that do not have winning traditions. I'm not so sure OWU can beat Earlham or Denison. Kenyon has a good team and they deserve to be in the top 5 but OWU does not. A tradition I do not want to see get started.

[littlegiant66]

Did anyone else see that Butler (IN) beat Dayton?  Isn't this the same Dayton team that beat Wittenberg, which has been one of the best teams in the ncac.

Butler football has been a laughingstock in the state of indiana, but looks to be turning around.  With them turning around, will this hurt wabash's recruiting efforts???

[smedindy]

I think Marian will hurt more, since they can offer 20 scholarships.

[ski]

WOO'S WOES:  3 crucial mistakes, a penalty, an interception and a fumble. A game Witt squad did the rest to post an upset win over the Scots.  Shafer did a lot of running for his life, which led to his errant throw, which led to Witt's 2nd TD.  The fumble in the 4th gave Witt a last chance, which they took advantage of.  The one that really hurt was the penalty on Witt's 30+ yard field goal attempt in the 2nd qtr. It was not good, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Witt a second chance after Woo's D did a good job of stopping the drive and forcing the field goal attempt. The ball was spotted on the 9 and Witt put it in from there.

With Woo's dreams of a 10 + 0 season dashed, can they rally and win out? If they can win out and get some help from a very competitive NCAC field, they can still have a great season!

[BashBacker#16]

Smeds - nice pick this past week in the Wabash game (did we cover?), and last week too (did we cover?).  Since Marian will now have football, I have placed a call to CC and we are contemplating canceling the program.  

LG66 - let's not forget that this Butler team is still A LONG WAY from "turning it around."  They lost to Albion (2-2), barely beat Hanover (1-3), and I think this year's Dayton squad may be struggling a bit - not as good as they typically are.  Either way, nice win for Butler.

[wabashcpa]

If you're Butler, you take every win you can get right now.

[wooscot]

The NCAC is looking weak this year, with maybe the exception of Bash.  Witt beating Woo on the road is a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you look at how Witt's performed this year.  There was a time about 8 years ago when the best of the NCAC could go toe-to-toe with the best of the OAC (mt. union), but those days look long gone.  With that in mind, what has changed?  Recruiting, admissions, etc....?  I'm perplexed.

[wally_wabash]

If anything, the Butler/Dayton result puts some D3 framework around the Witt/Dayton game and gives us an idea as to how impressive a strong (but losing) performance against them really is.  In short, I think maybe we've given too much credit to these I-AA non-scholarship schools.  

But there are more important issues at hand this week...namely, Wabash vs. Allegheny.  This game will be huge and depending on the result could set up an epic matchup in Springfield on the 14th.  Wabash's defense grew up a little more Saturday, but they will get a stiffer test this weekend from Tarquino and Savage.  Allegheny might also have the best D Wabash has seen so far in 2006.  It's going to be a fun game and with the Homecoming crowd filling the place up Saturday, there should be a great atmosphere.

[formerd3db]

If anything, the Butler/Dayton result puts some D3 framework around the Witt/Dayton game and gives us an idea as to how impressive a strong (but losing) performance against them really is.  In short, I think maybe we've given too much credit to these I-AA non-scholarship schools.  

Perhaps this year Wally in our region, if you are talking about those two particular schools, since Dayton doesn't seem to be as strong as in past years and Butler, well,...we all know they have a long way to go.  However, I don't think we can generalize about the non-scholarship I-AA schools entirely, since San Diego blasted Yale this year.  As you already know, we've all had discussion on DIAA non-scholarship vs. scholarship in the past, so I won't rehash that here, however, IMO, it depends on any specific year with regard to these teams.  I will say, though, that Jim Harbaugh seems to have elevated the San Diego program in his 2 1/3 seasons so far. 

Anyway, good luck to Wabash this weekend and I hope you have an enjoyable Homecoming weekend with your colleagues, former classmates, etc.  Hope the weather is great for the occasion - always nice to have a wonderful fall day at Homecoming as opposed to miserable rain! 

[aueagle]

Recap form Delaware:
* 1st Lord victory over OWU since 1988
* Down to the wire - last 6 seconds
* Bishops score 21 4th QT points
* Kenyon has 63 yd KO return to set-up win
* Lord QB is for real. Has outstanding footwork
  Rushed/112 yds - Passed/142yds
* Lord RB Combs was a load at 6'1/215lbs
  34 carries/142 yds - 4 TD's
* Bishop Nick Rice -another good game
* OWU QB - Rushed 174 yds/2 TDs-Passed 10/15/124yds
* Leading OWU tackler- A DB w/14!!

[evacuee]

Alright, this thing with OWU has gone too far.  They have had some really good years.  However, those years are now happening with less and less frequency.  They have not won in five weeks and their scores indicate nothing having to do with what the coach wants, which are tough defense and a great running game.  With improvements to the facilities in the works and an initiative to improve the program, someone over there has to be thinking that the blame doesn't fall squarely on the players.  They might beat the bottom feeders, but I don't think that they aspire to be the best of the worst.  I really think that despite great intentions, a change in football leadership is in order for a great school. 

[smedindy]

BB16 - The D has improved from where it was. That is all. Plus, remember I did pick C'ville to beat Lebanon Friday, too. Argh!

[roadtrip]

Question for the Wabash tailgaters....

I'll be attending my 1st game at Wabash and I'm a tailgater...should I tailgate right behind the Athletic Center across from Lambda Chi or should I be more over toward the field? I'll be getting into town on Fri night so I'll be there early enough on Sat morn to have a pick....thanks and all welcome at my table

[lancer98]

TU,

Your post reminds me of a speech longtime sportscaster Jimmy Crum(NBC-4) of Columbus gave several years ago calling for John Cooper to be fired after a loss to Illinois.  Very direct and to the point with no nonsense banter

Does anyone on here from C-Bus remember that?  It was a while ago.  Maybe in the early 90's?

Nobody probably does but I thought I would share.

[BashBacker#16]

Roadtrip,

Best spot is certainly between the stadium and the Lambda Chi house.  The RR tracks are a great marker - on either side is ideal.