FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[firstdown]

Frank

The last game I saw at Denison, there were several hundred buzzards circling the field.  They must have been migrating from Hinkley all right.

It is about 120 miles from Hinkley to Granville - a short hop for buzzards.

[frank uible]

The USN&WR 2008 rankings are out. Let the wrangling begin!

[wabco]

A little urge on to our Little Giants as they begin practice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdCrZfTkG1c

[Li'l Giant]

Ugh.

[WAF78]

Wabash moves up to number 3 on the list of D-3 Kickoffs purchased. Good job LGs.

As far as the USN&WR rankings are concerned, congrats to the NCAC schools who received high rankings. As for me, I'll stick with the Forbes list.

Skunk - Yes, I have been to Alliance...so I know what you mean.

Sturdy - I hope to be in Denison in three weeks. I'm also hoping that some other Fort Wayne alums will ride along with me to the game.

I'm glad we have three more weeks to begin to get used to the new system ER has brought with him. The Wabash men will adapt quickly and be ready.

[wally_wabash]

I'm glad we have three more weeks to begin to get used to the new system ER has brought with him. The Wabash men will adapt quickly and be ready.

And really, I think Wabash has more time than that to get things honed in.  I don't believe that Wabash needs to be perfect to win their games against Denison, Chicago, and Kenyon.  Wabash should be able to win those games while learning on the fly.  The following game against Allegheny is a different story.  The Gators always seem to play Wabash very tough.  It'll take a good 60 minutes there...but that isn't until October so Wabash has plenty of practice and some real games to get used to the system before the schedule becomes slightly challenging. 

[LGHistorian]

Wally-
   I would like to add one statement of caution about the first three opponents.  Remember Wabash has a big target on its back with all of the high national rankings plus the Elite 8 appearance last year.  Yes, Wabash does not have to be clicking at high efficiency to win but if you don't put away a lesser team early or make some early mistakes which gives the other team confidence it could become a struggle.

   This is a slightly different story but I remember the '79 team traveled to Centre College and might have been a little too "laid back" to play a lesser opponent.  However, a Centre defender made the mistake of a cheap hit on Daryl Johnson when he was not involved in the play and knocking DJ out of the game until he could no longer hear the bells and seeing stars.  The home side got a thrill from it but it woke up the sleeping "Little Giants" as Wabash went on to win 40-7.

   I firmly believe it would have been a struggle for Wabash that day had it not been for that uncalled for hit.

[lancer98]

Not sure if you guys have see this but OSU took a trip to Kenyon to practice this week.  That it was relevant for this board since its Kenyon.

I believe Coach Tressel had Kenyon swim coach talk to the team briefly.  For you Wabash guys whether you like OSU or not Jt is big on D3 athletics.  His dad was Lee Tressel, longtime coach at BW and Jim was a QB there under him.


http://athletics.kenyon.edu/x27716.xml

[wally_wabash]

Excellent points all, LGH.  I think a couple of things are in play here that will help guard against not taking the first few opponents seriously.  First is that the LGs open with Denison which is a conference game.  Conference games are absolutely must-win games so the LGs will be focused on that one.   Also, I think everybody involved here from the players to the coaches want to be great.  Taking a step backward isn't an option for these guys so there is plenty of motivation to come out strong. 

Not sure if you guys have see this but OSU took a trip to Kenyon to practice this week.  That it was relevant for this board since its Kenyon.

I believe Coach Tressel had Kenyon swim coach talk to the team briefly.  For you Wabash guys whether you like OSU or not Jt is big on D3 athletics.  His dad was Lee Tressel, longtime coach at BW and Jim was a QB there under him.


http://athletics.kenyon.edu/x27716.xml

I believe CC had Tressel visit with the Wabash team on some playoff trips into Ohio and/or during the Ohio stopover on trips to Allegheny.  It's cool that a guy with a crystal football can make time for the little guys once in a while. 

[DagarmanSpartan]

Gang,

Someone above mentioned the US News National Rankings.

The University Athletic Association Remains the "Ivy League" of Division III.  Here are the rankings of the UAA schools:

Chicago #8
Wash U. St. Louis #12
Emory #18
Carnegie Mellon #22
Brandeis #31
NYU #33
Rochester #35
Case #41

[frank uible]

Major: I believe you have overlooked NESCAC. Run their numbers if you like.

[DagarmanSpartan]

Frank,

I haven't overlooked them.

The "Ivy League" consists of comprehensive universities, NOT liberal arts colleges.

By contrast, the NESCAC consists of liberal arts colleges, not comprehensive universities, (Tufts excepted) and as such, cannot logically be the "Ivy League" of Division III.

Now then, having said that, the NESCAC is undoubtedly the most elite conference in terms of "liberal arts" colleges.

[smedindy]

Of course, there are more smaller colleges than comprehensive universities in D-3.

[WAF78]

I found it interesting that the Wabash football team was instructed to help assist freshman students in moving in to their new homes. Wow...it looks like ER may be as community oriented as CC was. Has the football team ever done that before? Just curious...I know it didn't happen when I was playing...back in the ice age.

Does anyone know...when and where is the Wheaton scrimmage?

Kickoff comes out tomorrow. Can't wait.

[wally_wabash]

I've heard that the Wheaton scrimmage is happening at the Hollett on 9/6.  I'm not sure on the time...these things usually start around 1:00 p.m. or so.  I'm sure we can pin down that start time soon enough.