FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

NCAA playoff games typically start at noon.  Witt/Cap should be over by the time OSU/UM kicks off. 

[WittFan]

I will be interested to see if personal adjustments after the Capital game in Week 1, especially Lance Phillips to DT (from ILB) and Joe Swanson now at ILB, will be any help to the Tiger D. 

I think Swanson's lateral movement is hands down better than Phillips, but Phillips size and strength was dominating throughout NCAC play this year.  Definately a different dynamic for the Tiger D as opposed to Week 1.

Excellent point, SOAP.  This is one of two reasons I think the outcome at Capital could be different this weekend.

Wittenberg has historically struggled against spread offenses.  In my completely uninformed, moronic opinion, the advantage of running the spread is that it creates 1-on-1 matchups on the perimeter.  This favors the offense.  But the disadvantage of the spread is that it can create 1-on-1 matchups in the trenches.  This favors the defense.  In the past Wittenberg's d-line has not been able to consistently win these one-on-one battles.  If Waddle can succeed in consistently isolating Phillips against one of Cap's weaker o-linemen, he has the tools to be the disruptive force Witt has been missing. (Wow.  This sounds pretty unsophisitcated.  Perhaps MacLeod will be kind enough to translate this into football-speak to make me sound cooler.  )

For what it is worth, my other reason for optimism is that, unlike the past 7 quarters against Capital, Wittenberg will NOT be playing a freshman QB with no collegiate game experience and only few collegiate practices under his belt.  The last time Wittenberg played with an experienced QB they moved the ball well against Capital's defense.

In the end though, it will all come down to the Tigers themselves.  It's not often that life gives you a second chance.  They are the ones who will make the choice on Saturday whether to play up to their own expectations or down to everybody else's.

[Li'l Giant]

In my completely uninformed, moronic opinion, the advantage of running the spread is that it creates 1-on-1 matchups on the perimeter.  This favors the offense.  But the disadvantage of the spread is that it can create 1-on-1 matchups in the trenches.  This favors the defense.

MacLeod sighting in 4....3....2....

[woosterbooster]

First a Wooster Booster sighting.

Showing my age here, but the real McCloud, after riding his horse all the way from Taos, New Mexico to Ohio, would gallop out onto the field during the Cap-Witt game, tackle and cuff one of the refs who it would turn out was about to murder one of the Witt coaches that had been messing around with his wife.  McCloud would then turn him over to the local authorities with his tradmark, "There ya go." 

Cut to commercial followed by "McMillan and Wife".

[Superfoot Wallace]

WTF

Havent been able to post in a minute, but have to point to Willie Jordans performance against Cap the first go round.  Lance Phillips will at least guarantee him more one on ones.

Like the call to switch g mug after all?

Wittenbergbackersbackbonecrackers.

If you play in a real Witt defensive front then all the linemen were linebackers and at least half the linebackers were safeties.

Be damned if Witt hasnt stockpiled safeties this year though.

Think the real turn of the worm on this game will be the play of Hausler.  He is a one man difference on an already very good overall team.

Think this game will require more than calling your own number every down on a will cat blitz to contain Pentello.  Thats not to say that he shouldnt be hit early and often, but would prefer to see the pressure come from four, and use the blitz to stop the run.

Dont have any football speak to yack, as the thoughts Im having might betray.

[uknowme2]

The game depends on how well Witt can run the ball and the amount of pressure they can get on Pentello.  We all know that Murray and company can put up some yards rushing...it's more a matter of how much.  In the same breath we can't be one dimensional.  We need to be able to move the sticks with the passing game and be able to set up favorable 2nd down situations throwing as well.  I'd like to see the Tigers get their TE involved in the game early.  Make the boys in purple defend more than Murray.

As far as pressure on Pentello.  I've watched the progression of the D all season long.  As they've grown, the package has expanded and they've increased their blitz package.  I don't know if you can confuse a guy like Pentello, but that would be something they need to do.  Bringing blitzers from different places, showing blitz and dropping into coverage, zone blitzing, etc.  The bad part about this is that Pentello has seen them all and can handle this.  If they (Witt) can hurry his throws and mess with his reads they'll stay in it.  This will become even more difficult considering Capital can run the ball too.  If they can't pressure him, he'll pick us apart and we're in for a long afternoon.

I know it's easy to sit on here and say what needs to be done, getting it done on the field will be a much harder chore. 

That's why they play the games.

GO TIGERS!!!!and GOOD LUCK!!!

[BashBacker#16]

Officially going on record here...good luck to the Tigers tomorrow!

Saw this photo from the Monon Bell game, do you think the students were in to the game???  This is classic Wabash... http://www.wabash.edu/photo_album/home.cfm?photo_id=1150&photo_album_id=1099

[kcreds]

Witt will have alot to overcome but I do see a silver lining. Coach Fincham knows what Capital utilized to beat them the last time and can make adjustments. Do they have the players to make those adjustments? We will see. The coach for Capital has some tough decisions. Does he do what he did last time because it worked or does he try something different that may not work to confuse Witt? Possibly a little of both. I am curious of what game plan each of the coaches will use and will it be effective enough? Good luck to Witt from a guy who believed in you when others wishfully didn't.

Go Bucks!

[kcreds]

In case anyone does not know, Bo Schembechler(?) has passed away. I have respect for the man who gave Woody fits. I pray they are once again on the same team. Football has lost another great contributor.

[wally_wabash]

Let's keep in mind here that it isn't as if Witt lost by one or two touchdowns.  It was 54-0.  Saying that Witt can make a few adjustments and be in the game is like saying Hiram can make a few adjustments and have a chance to knock off Wooster or Allegheny or Wabash or Witt.  What we're talking about here is toeing the edge of absurdity. 

[WittFan]

Let's keep in mind here that it isn't as if Witt lost by one or two touchdowns.  It was 54-0.  Saying that Witt can make a few adjustments and be in the game is like saying Hiram can make a few adjustments and have a chance to knock off Wooster or Allegheny or Wabash or Witt.  What we're talking about here is toeing the edge of absurdity. 

I'm curious.  If Wabash had lost to Cap by 50+ to open the season and then got another shot at them in the playoffs, would you still be singing from the same sheet of music?

[kcreds]

wally, do you actually feel that Witt has the same chances of beating Capital as Hiram does any of the top NCACers? No matter the first game's score, I still give Witt more of a chance than that.

[wally_wabash]

Let's keep in mind here that it isn't as if Witt lost by one or two touchdowns.  It was 54-0.  Saying that Witt can make a few adjustments and be in the game is like saying Hiram can make a few adjustments and have a chance to knock off Wooster or Allegheny or Wabash or Witt.  What we're talking about here is toeing the edge of absurdity. 

I'm curious.  If Wabash had lost to Cap by 50+ to open the season and then got another shot at them in the playoffs, would you still be singing from the same sheet of music?

That's a loaded question because even if I answer truthfully (which I will), you'd not believe me.  You already have your mind made up about this. 

The answer is yes, I would be saying the same things.  I'd be using phrases like "miracle" and "divine intervention" with frequency were my team in your shoes...but I can't remember the last time Wabash lost to anybody by 50 points, so this is pretty moot (BTW, the last time such a thing happened was in 1973 when Wabash lost 57-0 to Indiana Central, now known as U of Indianapolis). 

Editor's note:  I had the Cap/Witt score wrong in my earlier post.  It was 57-7 this year.  54-0 was last year.  That's my bad. 

[crusader26]

The game depends on how well Witt can run the ball and the amount of pressure they can get on Pentello.  We all know that Murray and company can put up some yards rushing...it's more a matter of how much.  In the same breath we can't be one dimensional.  We need to be able to move the sticks with the passing game and be able to set up favorable 2nd down situations throwing as well.  I'd like to see the Tigers get their TE involved in the game early.  Make the boys in purple defend more than Murray.

As far as pressure on Pentello.  I've watched the progression of the D all season long.  As they've grown, the package has expanded and they've increased their blitz package.  I don't know if you can confuse a guy like Pentello, but that would be something they need to do.  Bringing blitzers from different places, showing blitz and dropping into coverage, zone blitzing, etc.  The bad part about this is that Pentello has seen them all and can handle this.  If they (Witt) can hurry his throws and mess with his reads they'll stay in it.  This will become even more difficult considering Capital can run the ball too.  If they can't pressure him, he'll pick us apart and we're in for a long afternoon.

I know it's easy to sit on here and say what needs to be done, getting it done on the field will be a much harder chore. 

That's why they play the games.

GO TIGERS!!!!and GOOD LUCK!!!

A few things to keep in mind:

1.) You can blitz all you want, that won't effect Pentello.  What will effect Pentello will be his receivers.  Is Witt's Secondary able to play physical with Cap's WR's??  From watching these two play each other, my answer is no!!  Cap's WR's have a tendancy of not picking up hot reads, getting jammed at the line, and dropping balls across the middle.  Onc good thing for Witt this time around is, Alexander has been playing hurt since the MUC game.  You should be able to keep him in front, as he is not 100%...he may not even play??
2.)  Can Witt's Offense keep Caps Offense off the field??  If Murray runs the ball effective, and puts Witt in good 2nd down territory, Witt will have a chance to keep this close; however, Witt's O-Line will have to control Caps D-Line.  Physically, I don't think they are good enough, but Cap does not stunt or blitz, so there should be no confusion from Witt's O-Line.
3.)  Huffman.  Can the Freshman lead this team, and not turn the ball over with INT's??  He will tell the story of this game...if he can convert some 2nd & 3rd downs for 1st downs, then we will have a game.

Bottom line on this game is Witt's Offense...can they control the line of scrimmage and keep Cap's O off the field.  Two of Cap's worse games, MUC & JC, both teams ran the ball right down Caps throat & controlled the clocks.  They kept Pentello off the field, and it hurt Cap.  Less than 24 hours away...it should be a good one in Bexley tomorrow!!

[Ryder16]

maybe wabash should enertain the idea of playing a non-conference schedule with an OAC team, someone who might beat them, but will give them a measuring stick for where they need to go to be on the national level.. witt set the standard by playing cap, wooster picked up JCU ( although that game was a bit of a disappointment this year. it seems a logical choice is mount... I hear they have trouble finding non-conference games.

DOnt get me wrong, im not sayin the bash non con is SOFT by any stretch, but before you knock witt for trying to play top teams in their non-con and getting drilled... try it sometime.  I relize franklin was pretty good, (1 loss) and milliken was supposed to be good, but turned to be not quite good enough.

and then you have the bell game... enough said

But I feel bash should pick up someone who is a perennial top 25 team.... B-W, is around.. CAP, mount, are posibilities.. or maybe even a DII indiana team ( i can't think of any offhand)


back to the point of the post, dont knock witt for trying to get there guys ready for the conference schedule with one of the best teams around. I think it shows fincham's guts are non-disputable, as well as his expectation from his team year in and year out