FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Li'l Giant]

The weather forecast is getting interesting

Saturday
Cloudy. Snow likely in the morning...then sleet... snow and rain likely in the afternoon. Some snow accumulations. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

Turnovers might be even more of a deciding factor in this game.

[wally_wabash]

gogetit9 -

Comparative scores are always dangerous, but you definintely need to throw out your comparative score when Wabash and DePauw are involved.  Wabash and DePauw is an animal that can't reasonably be compared to other games even if everybody was healthy.  Marks, who was a stud (thank your deity of choice that he's out of eligibility), played but wasn't healthy in that Trintiy game.

[gogetit9]

UWLC Defeated Hardin Simmons 47-21

UWW Defeated UWLC 35-28

UMHB Defeated Hardin Simmons 47-14

b/c i've been told the bell game cannot be used as a benchmark i cannot compare UWW/Wabash based on common opponents and margin of victory.  But these scores lead me to believe that a UWW/UMHB game IF it happens would be a close one.

I could have just used the Wabash (w/Huff)/ Franklin / North Central / UWW chain of events but I knew I would have started a fight.

[smedindy]

I never like comparing scores anyway. Too many variables to deal with regarding where the game was played, injuries, matchups, when in the season it was, etc. etc.

By comparing scores, you'd think Wyoming could hold its own with West Virginia, since Wyoming beat Virginia who beat UConn who beat South Florida who beat West Virginia.

[Li'l Giant]

And maybe you could play that game since Wyoming isn't playing West Virginia. But Wabash and UW-W will actually play on Saturday. And the outcome won't be dependent on previous scores.

[ScheckDiesel]

1st series against NCC

First play - Beaver rushed for 1 yard
3 - running plays - for 2 yards
2 - Passing first downs (20 yards)
2 - QB sacks
Punt

Actually, the first series against NCC went like this...
10+ yard loss on a fumbled snap
2nd play.. Beaver 70 yard touchdown run...

I'm getting excited... 50% chance of precip...

[bashbrother]

scheckelkn14 -

I stand corrected.   The series I outlined was the 2nd drive.  Thus, I hope Saturday does not start off in that fashion 

I hope the weather doesn't play a major role.

[usee]

I could have just used the Wabash (w/Huff)/ Franklin / North Central / UWW chain of events but I knew I would have started a fight.

I made the point on the WIAC board that i thought wabash and NCC were very similar (with some key micro differences). I think the franklin game tells me that assessment is pretty accurate. In addition I have seen NCC and wabash this year (preseason scrimmage for Bash--so limited) and I watched UWW in 2 playoff games last year at the Perk (vs St Johns and Wesley).

I would not be surprised to see a very similar game from wabash vs UWW as NCC. In other words, wabash has the ability to play UWW very close in this game but if it makes mistakes it will get out of control quickly. The key differences between wabash and NCC in my opinion--wabash is a better passing team than NCC. part of that is because of the way their offenses have developed (NCC has an absolute stud as an RB, when healthy and a young qb--who turned out to be the OPOY) and therefore relied more on the run much of the season. NCC's run defense is better than wabash, which should be a big concern for the Little Giants. I think Bash has a good front 7 but I wonder what will happen when UWW lines up and runs it right at them the whole game. If the Little Giants can control the LOS and limit Beaver, this game will be very close. I think the wabash offense has the ability to frustrate the physical UWW defense, similar to how NCC did last week, and score.

It will be a good game to watch (from the pressbox if you have access!!)

[aueagle]

wally: I don't think of Wabash as quirky...rather a very competitive academic school that has a cool nickname and solid athletics. Their spirit & allegiance is outstanding and hard to match. We're lucky to have such an institution in the NCAC. Good Luck on Saturday...I'll be watching.

[BashBacker#16]

I have been biting my tongue all week with regards to some of -.U'.-.'W.-.W'.-'s comments and thank God we leave tomorrow so its almost here.  Seriously, are they the '85 Bears or what?  I love the guys that say, "I don't know a thing about Wabash but..." or all the shots on Adi Pynenberg - his numbers are only incredible because our conference blows and we played Earlham 9 times this season.  Raebel will be the best LB on the field...no, any of their 3 will be better then the greatest LB to ever play at Wabash College since 1892.  Is it normal to have over 70 tackles for loss in your career as a Middle Linebacker?  Yes, he'll blitz some, but we all know that a ton of those TFL's were from him making incredible reads and shooting gaps at the optimum time.  Tough to compare Raebel (6'5 240) with Adi (5'11 213) because I would ensure you that they have entirely different styles.  I guarantee Raebel doesn't cover the field like our #40 and I guarantee Adi has better instincts.

How many times have we heard AFTER ball games how special Adi Pynenberg is and how impressive he is to see play in person?  I have to admit I can't recall ever playing a team that said their guy(s) was better then Pynenberg.

I haven't kept track but here are some comments that stick out from the U)--/W--w guys:
- this is the best U/-W-(W D in 40 years (Dude - let's say in the history of collegiate football!)
- this u=W/w D hits harder then any D in the past 40 years ("I want my mommy!!!")
- I bet Raebel will be the best LB on the field  (even if Urlacher was playing, he's THAT good, likely Dolphins 1st draft pick in 2008!)
- Beaver will go for 250-300 (hell, he could go for 600+, Bash's D may bow down instead of tackling him)
- I bet our 3 LBs are the best in the country (how are they chasing 5 wide or a 190 lb J back?)
- Bash would finish 3rd in the WIAC (I am not sure we are good enough to play in this conference, could we really?)

I just hope the Wabash team decides to make the trip and I really hope they decide to play on Saturday.  But, if its snowy and sleeting...tough decision to make.

[BayernFan]

Most of the Purple Birds are on crack.  42-7 ?!?!?  Good Lord.  I guarantee that their team and fans won't quite know what to make of us, before during and after the game.  I, too, am leaving tomorrow for Wisconsin.  The plan for Saturday.....

We Meet at Dawn.

Hoo Wee!!!  WABASH!!

Little Giants 34 Yoo Dub Dub 24

[Li'l Giant]

To all the Wallies heading up to the game have safe travels, wear red, stay warm and be loud.

Remember, there's free beer in the end zone. Wabash Always Fights!

[bashbrother]

16 - very strong.

This is the time to just bring it. 

Plane leaves at 11:00 am ...have a cold one waiting for me.

[wally_wabash]

Looking forward to finally putting a face with a name tomorrow bashbro...we'll see you in Janesville.   

[ScheckDiesel]

I hope you Wabash fans aren't getting the idea that all of us UWW supporters don't respect you.  I for one know that I am going to see a good game on Saturday.  You don't need me to tell you this, but you have to have a good team to make it this far.  No predictions from this warhawk fan, other than a good game between two good teams.  Safe travels to all this weekend.