FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

WooMeister85 · October 08, 2007, 11:17:05 PM

Nike,

Ok now your post makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

I did have the pleasure of watching COW when Sutton was a junior and senior. Those were very good COW. I loved the way they played smash mouth football. No fancy formations or plays. Like the Steelers they lined up and just dared the defense to stop them. Their defense had some nasty-attitude players too. Those kind of teams can make coahes look smart.

My guess is a number of COW players are playing out of position besides Geffert who you mentioned.

nike · October 08, 2007, 11:26:43 PM

Is Scotty ED's dad? And what does ED mean? Is this drama pro Sobecki or disrespecting CP? Doesn't Sobecki cheer for CP and visa versa? That is what a team is all about. And they will both need to contribute Saturday if they plan on staying with Witt, much less win. I saw Witt and they are a well oiled machine. And no nonsense.
Looking to next year, wondering if Wooster can make great strides in one year. Told new president is a sports guy, not just football. But basketball is a winner year in and year out. There were some nice looking high school players at Papp on Saturday. And several impact players if they go d3, from what I was told. Also several juco players---just kidding. It is at least encouraging to see a victory and A LOT of people, more than the 3100 that was reported I think.
What do you folks at OWU think about your coaching? OWU should have won that game. But the red zone problems, just like last year. Hollway must be a really good guy.

wally_wabash · October 08, 2007, 11:32:22 PM

And that's the last I'll have to say on this issue.

ScotLass · October 08, 2007, 11:33:50 PM

COOL.........

ScotLass · October 09, 2007, 12:38:36 AM

Wouldn’t it be great if we could agree to disagree with respect?

Superfoot Wallace · October 09, 2007, 12:56:46 AM

It would be better if they had good scotch in America.

Too bad!!!

We drank it all.

signed,
Star Fleet Engineering

ScotLass · October 09, 2007, 01:04:40 AM

Quote from: MacLeod on October 09, 2007, 12:56:46 AM
It would be better if they had good scotch in America.

Too bad!!!

We drank it all.

signed,
Star Fleet Engineering

Well, I didn't want to have unrealistic expectations.... and I've now limited those to just one thing

seinfeld · October 09, 2007, 09:15:17 AM

Jeff Geffert has been playing out of position for much of the season for Wooster, as he has had to move from corner to safety with an injury to Bryan Albani. Speaks to a lack of depth at the safety position when you have to move your pre-season All-American corner to safety because of one injury. Hopefully Albani is back this weekend, and if he is, he will immediately become the Scots' fastest player on defense.

uknowme22 · October 09, 2007, 09:48:43 AM

Quote from: wally_wabash on October 08, 2007, 01:27:04 PM
Some early Witt/Wabash thoughts...

- Huffman has been playing well lately...he had huge games against Earlham and Wooster the last two weeks. I know that some of that has to be taken with a grain of salt, but he'll be coming in quite confident. My guess is we'll see a much different qb than the one who threw three first half INTs last year. Kennon/Lange/Gangloff are going to have to pressure him and then it's going to be up to Adi and Deig to make sure Huffman doesn't scramble too far away should he break the pocket.

- The Wabash defense is going to have to be better on 3rd down than they have been so far this season. Wabash has done very well to get teams into 3rd and long situations this year. Then the LBs fall back 10 yards, play a soft zone, and end up giving up first downs. Against Gheny, Neathery started bringing the heat on 3rd and long and it paid off. I hope the lesson has been learned...if it's working on first and second down, don't change it up. I'd like to see relentless pressure on the quarterback on Saturday.

- It's time to add a scoop of chocolate to the vanilla offense. I think Wabash is in trouble if they decide to play the game in a 15-yard box. Russell/Guerrero/Banach...somebody is going to have to get some looks deep early in the game to open up some room for Sobecki and Porter and also to open up the middle of the field for shorter, easier touches for Graham and Liska.

- Special teams....how big have special teams been this year? A big kick or punt return can swing the momentum big time in this one.

I'm sure I'll have more as the week goes on...I do think that it is extremely important for Wabash's offense to open things up a little. The LGs have been playing virtually risk-free offense in the last four games. I don't believe that asking the offense to not make a big mistake this week will be good enough...the offense is going to have to make some big plays.

Huffman has been playing well lately. I saw the Wooster game and listened to Earlham. He's cetainly gained a lot of confidence, and that is always a scary thing with a young player, especially the QB. Hopefully that confidence continues. This is obviously the biggest test since week one, and the question is: Can his line keep him on his feet enough to allow him to make some plays?

I imagine that the Wabash D will be bringing a lot of pressure in 3rd and long situations. The best way to keep teams from bringing a lot of pressure in 3rd and long is to stay out of 3rd and long. Now I know that is wishful thinking, but the Tigers have to minimize 3rd and long as much as possible.

Wittenberg's defense has been good so far this year. I'm sure coach Creighton will have a good gameplan, whether it's vanilla or not. I just hope the Tigers can make necessary adjustments as the game progresses. The deep ball has not been a big problem so far for Wittenberg's secondary, and I personally would like to see it stay that way.

Special Teams have been a bit of an issue for the Tigers, but they have been improving. But this area could play a huge role in the outcome of the game.

The biggest issue facing the Tigers may be how they handle the environment. Without question Wabash is one of the toughest places to play and some of the starters (actually most) have not played in that environment.

I'm looking forward to a tremendous game on Saturday.

Go Tiger!!!

BashBacker#16 · October 09, 2007, 09:58:34 AM

uknowme22,

Even though you are from Witt, I enjoy reading your posts. Knowledgeable and good insight from the Witt side.

Man, can't believe I just posted this...

Maybe its from our bus ride together the last time Witt won in C-ville.

When I start to get nervous about this game, I think of guys like Deig, Roomes, Pynenberg, Hilts, Russell, etc. and its just tough to bet against them in a game with this much at stake - especially at Little Giant Stadium. No one knows more then them how much last year stung and at the end of the day...that could make a huge difference in the outcome. I expect another classic.

smedindy · October 09, 2007, 10:20:00 AM

I hate to be presumptuous, but I think both teams realize that this game is probably for the Pool A bid, and in Witt's case, the only way they can make the playoffs.

There have been enough shenanigans in other conferences that a Pool C is probably out of the question for the NCAC.

Let's hope that most of the students realize this and stick around. Wish I could be there, but alas...

(Why couldn't Oberlin be fall break week?)

wally_wabash · October 09, 2007, 10:45:26 AM

Quote from: smedindy on October 09, 2007, 10:20:00 AM
I hate to be presumptuous, but I think both teams realize that this game is probably for the Pool A bid, and in Witt's case, the only way they can make the playoffs.

There have been enough shenanigans in other conferences that a Pool C is probably out of the question for the NCAC.

Let's hope that most of the students realize this and stick around. Wish I could be there, but alas...

(Why couldn't Oberlin be fall break week?)

It's way too early to call Wabash's playoff chances dead if they lose on Saturday. I've not been following any Pool C types of discussions closely (way too early in the year for that), but it's looking like the WIAC is going to play itself out of a second team, and the OAC looks like it might beat itself up as well. Teams from the CCIW that typically get a look other than the champ (Augustana, North Central) both have two regional losses already. Also consider that Franklin may very well win the HCAC and make the field, which would be another notch in the LG belt. There is a LOT of football left to be played. I don't think a 9-1 NCAC team is out of it...not by a long shot.

wabco · October 09, 2007, 10:57:14 AM

Ok guys ... Lets work with what we have.

Who ever is at Hollett will be there. We will have enough. Whoever is there ... be they Witt-ers or Little Giants are going to see a great game under (present weather forcasts) ideal football weather. Wabash field is in good condition.

The game is correctly positioned in the middle+ of the schedule to allow for early season tweaking. Both coaches and coaching staffs are of the quality others would "kill" for. Both have good, motivated, smart players (although Wabash players are just a little bit more so) such that ability to change to changing conditions is not a problem (i.e. they understand and can act on compound, complex sentences containing long words).

Wabash would be the clear favorite had not Franklin gooned our QB (as apparently they also did to 2 other teams).

Wabash has a fine QB tandum which has improved each game under quality tutilage. Witt. QB has similarly progressed.

Wabash D is quality ... they rise up as needed (witness the backward march of 'Gheny in the 4th quarter) ... while giving up some yardage. Do not see a weakness against the run. If a weakness at all ... see it passing to the outside. Fix that by putting the QB where he sees only sky. That will be an issue because Witt has a quality line. Interesting match.

Witt D - believe not as good against the run as 'Gheny - but good and will come to play.

Wabash O line ... improving from a time where injury caused substitutions. Hope 'Gheny experience showed the line is coming together for the run aspect of O. If so, just in time. If not, Wabash will need to spread the field with passes of the more vintage Wabash nature. (Will need this in any case unless our RBs have stupendous day ... I am sure Witt. D will have something to say about this.)

Special teams ... a push. With the "X" factor always being a factor.

Difference: I give edge to Wabash on experience, talent, field advantage. However, the ingredients luck and response to luck will be big.

BB16 ... Hope to retire as a coach never having lost a football game to Witt.

Go Wabash.

wabashcpa · October 09, 2007, 10:58:47 AM

BB16

Just for you, I'm going with Wittenberg in the pick-em.

Which of course means I expect Wabash to win by 3.

Wabco - no sideline injuries allowed, either!

nike · October 09, 2007, 11:30:59 AM

Wabash guys: If a last minute decision is made to come to see Witt-Wabash game, would tickets be a problem? Been to several d3 games like this over the years, but always had tickets secured. More and more this game appears to be shaping up as one for the ages, as far as the NCAC is concerned.
Also, thought POTW selections for NCAC were interesting. Not always based on numbers, but your linebacker can't win it every week I guess, although this is Palmer's second in a row. Felt Sheppard was as good a choice as any considering his effort to Wooster's first victory of the year.