FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wabndy]

The bell game speaks for itself.  Given a choice of any one regular season game - I would least prefer to lose it.

I think one could argue that part of Carlson's downfall had to do with focusing on the obsession of beating the Dannies.  To a lesser extent he had the same feelings toward Albion.  CC has brought a new appreciation to the other 9 games on the schedule and whet the LG Nation's appetite for playoff runs.  I think it would be safe to say that we have long since moved past the days when a losing or .500 season and a bell would be considered a success, and an 9-1 or even 8-2 conference winning season and bell loss would be considered something less.

In the end - this is still just fan talk.  Neither Carlson nor Creighton ever took a team onto a field with an indifferent attitude toward the final outcome of the day's game.  I'm sure that the 200th bell game will still see a very close series record.  You can't be a Wabash man with a pulse and not get fired up for the bell game.  That being said - the trophies handed out in Salem never change hands.

Hypothetically speaking - if Wabash and DePauw ever meet in the playoffs - will it be a bell game?

[aueagle]

Witt & Wabash are on the Top...The Gators, I think will be back. They do have 8 1/2 NCAC Crowns....
OWU the Sleeping Giant?....The ingredients are there....Academics, Alumni, Endowment and a Cleveland power-base with deep pockets (Columbus too). Delaware sits in the middle of the state and is within 30 minutes of some of the best football in Columbus and the Lake Erie rim is filled with OWU contacts. I would stack Selby Stadium with any D3 and most D2 facilities in the country...and yet the Bishops have only 1/2 of a championship in over 20 years. Sleeping? You're a kind man smedindy....

[smedindy]

In my new job, I need to be diplomatic...

[bashbrother]

Does anyone think that with the continued success of Wabash in making it to the playoffs, that over time, the Bell Game will lose some of it's luster?  Still a huge game, just not the absolute #1 focus of the program.

I wasn't around when Depauw & Wabash were in the same conference, I am sure that added an extra spark to the games.

[WallyFS4]

I am very happy to see that Little Giant fans are evolving.  I made these same comments about the Monon Bell game in either 02, or 03, and was attacked.  I still loath the Dannies, but have always said the playoffs are the big picture, not the Bell game.  I would prefer kicking the Dannies butts and going to the playoffs.  If I had only one or the other, give me the playoffs every time.  Glad to see CC has instilled that in most of us.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!

[wabco]

In my grouping of "great competitors and good people" ... I include OWU, Gheny, Woo, Witt.  All have the ingredients ... if they get focused ... to being champions.  In the "good people" category are the rest ... not sure they have the focus or will to focus ... to be champions ... at least in football.

Obe?  Earlham ... read their President's copmments?  Hiram?  Kenyon ... esp[ecially with the graduation of Ben the Gentle Face Planter?  Denison?

Some have great facilities ... but great facilitiesa are simply a part.  They do not appear to have the rest.

What great fun if we can all get it going and have a real dog fight for that elete 8 game each year.  Wabash ... of course will prevail ... but what great fun (just trying to lighten up the board while we await the results of the Bambrey, Toby, Mummert etc. group's efforts and the smoke arises from the chimney of the Allen Center.)

[wabco]

appppooologize for the bad typing / spelling ... in a hurry

Just checked with "sources" at the College.  No smoke arising or even rising from the Allen Center ... other than from the furnace.

[BashBacker#16]

Bashbro - I think it already has, for sure.  But, that is a good thing for Wabash football.  BTW:  the sign still hangs in the locker room that asks "What have you done today to beat DePauw?"  It won't be coming down either.   

WallyFS4 - I remember a certain player making the statement (I believe he wore #4) that the Wittenberg rivalry had become bigger to him then DPU.  Stakes-wise (especially in hindsight) - I can understand why he felt that way.  That reinforces a lot of this discussion.

Wabash Always Fights!

[D3_DPUFan]

Good luck to the LG's in your quest for the ultimate prize.

In all seriousness, that is the attitude all good programs need to have.

I do, however, find it interesting to see all of this talk of the Bell game "losing luster", "not that important", "Witt is a bigger game" ...this whole we have our sights on bigger fish commenatry now that the Bell is in Greencastle. I think more than a few Wabash faithful probably know it may be a while before the Bell makes its way back north on 231.       

[wally_wabash]

Good luck to the LG's in your quest for the ultimate prize.

In all seriousness, that is the attitude all good programs need to have.

I do, however, find it interesting to see all of this talk of the Bell game "losing luster", "not that important", "Witt is a bigger game" ...this whole we have our sights on bigger fish commenatry now that the Bell is in Greencastle. I think more than a few Wabash faithful probably know it may be a while before the Bell makes its way back north on 231.       

Don't flatter yourself.  I expect the Bell to be back on its rightful perch atop the Allen Center entrance next year. 

This line of dialogue isn't something that has cropped up just since November.  This is something that I think a number of fans have been discussing offline for a while (I know I have had similar conversations to this one over the course of the last couple of years).  Beating DePauw and possessing the Monon Bell is still very important, but what's being learned is that it isn't the singular thing that defines a successful season.  15 years ago, it was.  I don't believe it is that way anymore (for Wabash...for DePauw, it seems as though this is the only thing you play for which I attribute almost entirely to DPU's inability to win a conference championship and experience the playoffs). 

Here's the difference between the Witt game and the DePauw game...Wabash can lose to DePauw, and while losing to DePauw stinks, it doesn't derail the ultimate goal.  Losing to Witt on the other hand, does.  In the 8 seasons that Wabash has been in the NCAC, only one time has any NCAC team lost to either Wabash or Witt and still made the tournament (Witt got an at-large in '02 after losing to Wabash in the regular season).  Even if you catch a break and Witt/Wabash drops a game somewhere down the road, you can't expect to make the playoffs if you lose to either of those teams.  That's the game, more than any other on the schedule, that determines Wabash's chances to get into the postseason.  That's why it's huge.  Monon Bell is about the tradition, the trophy, and the spectacle.  Witt week is about getting a chance to play for the title.  Both are big, but they are big for different reasons. 

[WallyFS4]

BB16

That could be true.  I think the deep hatred is equal.  When I talked to him about some coaching openings that were available.  #4 told me there are 2 places that he would never coach at.  Neither school could ever pay him enough.  You covered both of them.  I think the newer players since moving to the NCAC would have these same feelings.  I know #4 respects the history of the Bell rivalry, but also had that drive to make it to the playoffs every year as a player and as a coach.  That meant going through Witt.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!

[WallyFS4]

Sorry Wally,

Responded to BB16 before reading your response.  You are exactly right, and you said it much better than I.  As always,

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!

[wally_wabash]

Watching this Seattle/Green Bay game being played in Wisconsin with the snow falling hard and accumulating on the field is triggering flashbacks and cold sweats. 

[footballfan413]

Watching this Seattle/Green Bay game being played in Wisconsin with the snow falling hard and accumulating on the field is triggering flashbacks and cold sweats. 

That is how we like our football in Wisconsin best, Wally!      My best to you and the rest of the LG's fans.   +karma and hope you and your family have a happy and healthy new year. 

[stealth]

That was a light dusting compared to the UWW vs. Wabash game.  By the 3rd quarter we couldn't even see your 100' land yacht in the parkng lot standing next to it. I'm just glad you all got home safely.

Watching this Seattle/Green Bay game being played in Wisconsin with the snow falling hard and accumulating on the field is triggering flashbacks and cold sweats.