FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

Pat Coleman · September 17, 2007, 11:26:12 AM

I think the issue is that St. John's wins and has won consistently for decades. People support that.

It isn't a surprise that the other teams with high attendance (other than attendance inflators) win consistently as well.

smedindy · September 17, 2007, 11:34:42 AM

The Gophers are building an outdoor stadium but they're still stuck in the Dome for now.

BashBacker#16 · September 17, 2007, 11:51:29 AM

aueagle,

Early week thoughts on OWU/Wabash matchup this weekend? Keys to the game aside from the obvious...turnovers, special teams, etc.

With the exception of the missed FGs this past weekend at Millikin, the Wabash special teams were "lights out" and that was huge in the outcome. The KO and Punt coverage had guys getting after it and selling out - great to see, especially the progress since pre-season (Wheaton scrimmage).

To echo Wally's comments on Augustinovicz's play this past Saturday, I sensed a sigh of relief really - from fans, players, etc. He was calm & collected and threw some nice balls. I think he will get better each game and will gain more and more confidence. Bash is getting healthy too on the O-front which should help matters as well.

Brock Graham is the real deal and only a sophomore. 4.0 GPA to go with his on-the-field success... Great kid.

smedindy · September 17, 2007, 12:21:03 PM

Good article on Xander Jones, three sport athlete.

http://connect2.owu.edu/issues/20070912/athletics/jones.html

smedindy · September 17, 2007, 12:23:22 PM

Randy Kerns of Earlham and Adi Pynenberg of 'Bash are the Players of the Week.

wally_wabash · September 17, 2007, 02:04:38 PM

Quote from: cwru70 on September 15, 2007, 04:13:10 PM
Impressed? No, but some of you seem to be surprised.

How many took Oberlin in the pickem' giving 3.5?

I'm not predicting a sure win in the fish stringer game, but it's CWRU's best shot since 2002.

I typically don't defend my point spreads, but I will offer some explanation for this one...last year Oberlin played CWRU even through regulation on the road. Oberlin returned the very vast majority of their team this year, including their QB, top WR, top RB, as well as some really good defensive players. I know CWRU returned a lot as well, but I figured making Oberlin a slight favorite at home with all of that experience returning was warranted. And I believe most people agreed with me. Most thought that Oberlin would be the best of the bottom half of our league this year and through two games I'm not sure there is a bigger disappointment in the NCAC than Oberlin. It wasn't disappointing that they lost to CWRU, but getting crushed like that was certainly disappointing. And then losing to Heidelberg is just bad no matter how you look at it.

I think the stringer game is going to be interesting. This is a make or break game for Wooster. The Scots really need to win this game in order to have any kind of confidence heading into the Witt game next week.

aueagle · September 17, 2007, 04:07:38 PM

BB#16: Size & depth of LG's has to be a concern ( I haven't looked at my WC media guide in a while/will confirm this)....QB play for Bishops will be huge...Boff is capable but Hymes (injury) runs the "O" ...The Edge for the Bishops is..#1 it's at Selby, pride at home & first NCAC game...it's a new season for the Bishops...we can't go 0-3..and #2 Who is this years Wittenberg for OWU...last year the defense held the Tigers to 10 points..can Wesleyan keep LG's in check...slow them down, keep it close....This is a Key Game for OWU....

aueagle · September 17, 2007, 04:10:04 PM

wally....you don't need to explain...it's cool...we're all with you.

wabco · September 17, 2007, 04:51:28 PM

BB16

Agree with your comments concerning Brock Graham ... in your relating he is a "great kid" ... you missed only one word: he is a great Michigan kid.

Just joking.

I have always respected the heart of OWU players. They play Wabash tough (we seem to get them early in the NCAC schedule). I believe we will prevail ... simply better overall personel playing as a team ... but they will be there playing their hearts out and if we stumble ...

We need to put them away early with a "routine" long drive or two ... and then settle down. We have to win by TDs ... no one seems to know what a FG is.

wally_wabash · September 17, 2007, 04:54:01 PM

Quote from: aueagle on September 17, 2007, 04:10:04 PM
wally....you don't need to explain...it's cool...we're all with you.

I think it's a valid discussion to have. I just wanted to point out to the resident Spartan fans that making Oberlin a favorite in that week 1 game had more to do with raised (and apparently misguided) expectations of Oberlin than it did with slighting CWRU in any way.

aueagle · September 17, 2007, 06:02:30 PM

Maybe I shouldn't defend you until I see the line at Selby....the action will be.......Generous, to say the least. Eh? GO BISHOPS

aueagle · September 17, 2007, 06:46:47 PM

Looking at stats....1st half is a problem..."D" has given-up 40 pts....again, gotta slow down LG's...also 2006, Bash scores 42! Yikes...Does CC run behind Tokar & Morris at 6'6 & 302/310...I hope so..Bishop DB's have experience and good size..I say NO long balls at Selby...LB's are like LG's (5'10-5'11 2-something)...again OWU must slow down LG "O"...Monday Night Keys: Time Management is huge for Bishops...get a lead and control the ball...and QB play. Can Boff have a big game (Hymes plays?) and get the ball to Zach Dennis. Men of Wabash....Be Afraid of Frosh sensation Mike Fisher...he will break a KO return for major yardage & grab a INT...Be Very Afraid. There you go BB#16...Read 'em & weep....GO BISHOPS

wally_wabash · September 17, 2007, 07:38:38 PM

How about a little point/counterpoint?

Quote from: aueagle on September 17, 2007, 06:46:47 PM
Looking at stats....1st half is a problem..."D" has given-up 40 pts....again, gotta slow down LG's

That's a problem...OWU isn't built to come from behind and it would be big trouble for the Bishops to get down early.

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Does CC run behind Tokar & Morris at 6'6 & 302/310...I hope so..

Wabash hasn't been running anywhere with any effectiveness so far (63 rushes, 121 yards). That's something that will have to improve as the season goes along.

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Bishop DB's have experience and good size..I say NO long balls at Selby

If they're the same DBs that got lit up for 416 yards and 5 TDs last year, I hope they've gotten a lot better. And I hope they can run...Wabash has lots and lots of speed at every receiver position.

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...LB's are like LG's (5'10-5'11 2-something)...

Just like the Wabash LBs...if you ignore All-American awards and an NCAC Defensive Player of the Year award.

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again OWU must slow down LG "O"...Monday Night Keys: Time Management is huge for Bishops...get a lead and control the ball...

Goes without saying...Wabash can't score if they don't have the ball. Interesting note particularly given the contrasting styles of offense...T.O.P. was pretty even in the '06 game, and Wabash held a pretty heavy T.O.P. advantage in '05 and '04. Go figure.

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Men of Wabash....Be Afraid of Frosh sensation Mike Fisher...he will break a KO return for major yardage & grab a INT...Be Very Afraid.

It really hasn't been Wabash's style to kick away from anybody. CC had no problem kicking to Jamarcus Shepard at Depauw (who led all divisions in kick return avg one year). Kick coverage has actually been a strong suit for Wabash this year. The LGs only gave up 8.0 yards per kick return last week and Millikin's average starting field position off of Little Giant kickoffs was just inside the 25 yard line which is exceptional.

All of that having been said, the Bishops have always played Wabash tough since Wabash joined the conference. The Bishop D is always stout (I'll give them a mulligan for last year) and consistently holds Wabash under their scoring average. In Wabash's 2005 playoff season, the LGs needed a fake field goal and a halfback pass to get into the endzone against OWU. I'd expect more of the same tough Bishop D this time around.

ADL70 · September 17, 2007, 07:50:55 PM

Wally I think you probably needed to give CWRU a couple more points, based on the selections.

No quarrell with the spread. You guaged the audience pretty well.

Heidelberg's showing v JCU may lessen the impact of their win over Oberlin on the Yeomen's cred. The Berg's showing may show further slippage for Woo. They may have improved by week two, but much of their O v Waynesburg came on three early long pass plays.

CWRU v Woo may indicate what's the best preparation, two tough opponents and a week off or three straight cupcakes. With the spread maybe it will be the Scot's fans who should feel slighted.

Any word from Woo on Jeff Geffert?

aueagle · September 17, 2007, 08:10:28 PM

Nice jab wally...I even said ouch once! Bishops were down 27-0 vs Franklin and closed the gap to 6 before the Griz put it away...Are we going to hash-out the OWU offensive philosophy again? Your giants on the line are BIG...that's my point...wear 'em down....The DB's are more seasoned....they will step-up...So you throw your All-American/All-LB Awards at me and I say they will have a poor game and our LB's are just as big, so there. Sure, the LG/BB game is - what it should be....tough, hard-hitting and "Give No Quarter-Take No Quarter" football. But, close, tough, what-ever doesn't mean crap if you don't win. I could look it up, but, I don't think OWU has ever beaten Wabash. To me, that's unexceptable. One loss in the conference might get you a share of the crown...two losses and your done. That's why this game has so much pressure for the Bishops. Going in at 0 & 2 has put us behind the 8-ball. Coming out at 0-3 would be ....I can't think about it. GO BISHOPS