FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Black n Gold]

What are the odds that the NCAC gets 2 teams into the playoffs this year? Has it happened before?

[wally_wabash]

Looking forward to a little journey to central Ohio this weekend.  This will be my first look at Kenyon's football team and their campus since Wabash joined the NCAC.  Always exciting to add another stadium to the list of "been to's".   

[wally_wabash]

What are the odds that the NCAC gets 2 teams into the playoffs this year? Has it happened before?

With all of the turmoil in the MIAC, WIAC, and OAC there is a chance that the NCAC could send two teams.  It almost certainly requires a 9-1 runner up.  The NCAC has sent two teams to the playoffs before.  It happened in 2002 when Wabash (AQ) and Witt (at-large) both went to the playoffs.  Each team won their first round games before squaring off in the second round...Wabash eliminated Witt on a windy, cold day in C'ville.  I'll always remember that game for Jake Knott's 30-yard bullet to Josh Bronaugh straight into a 30 mph wind...one of the sickest throws I've ever seen. 

[BashBacker#16]

#54 Blair Hammer was a BEAST that day too!  Didn't we knock out Cornette and then a young Ryan Holmes???

[wally_wabash]

Blair was unfreakingbelievable in that game.  10 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT (which he took to the house).  In a career filled with great games, that may have been Blair's best. 

[WAF78]

Wally,
We played Kenyon in '77 and '78...played at Kenyon in '77...beat them 27-9...one of the 7 teams the '77 team held to 10 points or less during the regular season.  I have no idea if they have upgraded their facility since then...but as I recall...if there is a sizeable Wabash contingent...plan on getting there early, because back then...the visitors stands were equivalent to a small high school visitor's stands.

As far as the NCAC placing two teams...it's possible...the OAC, if everything goes like as it is expected it will go...The Big Gorilla and Capital will be in...but outside of that...who knows. With the NCAC being ranked in the bottom of half of conference rankings, it'll be tough to get two in...but as has already been pointed out...Witt and Wabash made it in 2002.

[wally_wabash]

Kenyon had a major athletic facility upgrade a few years ago...eyewitness accounts have all been positive.  I'm anxious to check it out for myself tomorrow. 

I'm not ready to put Capital in the tournament just yet.  ONU, while probably doneski, is still really good and very capable of beating Capital.  Capital also has tough games left MUC and Otterbein who is playing well and has a tendency to give Capital fits even in seasons when the Cards aren't playing that well.  Not only is Capital not out of the woods, they haven't even entered the woods yet. 

And what it all means is that the door swings wide open for 1-loss teams from conferences that aren't as strong.  Contrary to popular belief, conference reputation is NOT part of the selection criteria.  Short of having wins against regionally ranked opponents, 1-loss teams from the HCAC or the NCAC are going to grade out better per the selection criteria than 2-loss OAC teams will. 

[usee]

The CCIW has a decent chance to send 2 teams since both Wheaton and NCC are top ten right now. if they both finish 9-1 we may see 2. That's a big IF since the CCIW is going to be a tough road this year with IWU, Augie and Carthage all ready to have a say in the conference race.

That would be a serious factor in the region getting 2 conferences with 2 teams each.

[wally_wabash]

That would be a serious factor in the region getting 2 conferences with 2 teams each.

Too many North teams??  Never!  If we get some extra North region teams precedent has been set to shove Mount Union to the East which is 100% fine with me.   

[bashbrother]

BTW Wally...... Corvallis had to be rockin last night.

[the_mayne_event]

Coe alum..
what  does everyone think of Raeburn so far this year??

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Blair was unfreakingbelievable in that game.  10 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT (which he took to the house).  In a career filled with great games, that may have been Blair's best. 

Does sound like a great game.....

I was sorry to hear about Huffman.....tough break for him

Does not change a thing though...Fincham is a great coach

Personal note: this week playing Kenyon has a little extra caveat for Andrew as his friend from high school goes to Kenyon. His name is Brian Yelvington. Brian was on the HS football team with Andrew but his main sport is Basketball. He has done quite well for Kenyon's BB team.

Leaving from Chicago at 3:30 AM for Ohio and we have some family in Ohio that may be there as well.

[wally_wabash]

BTW Wally...... Corvallis had to be rockin last night.

Oh no doubt.  On behalf of Oregonians everywhere I'd like thank the state of Texas for the Rodgers brothers.  I manned up and put the OSU gear on fully expecting to watch the Beavs get smashed by 40...talk about your pleasant surprises!

Coe alum..
what  does everyone think of Raeburn so far this year??

Two big thumbs up...it's only been two games, but almost 500 yards of offense and 45 points per game is hard to quibble with.  The big games are still coming down the road, but so far so good with Coach Raeburn from where I'm sitting.

[usee]

That would be a serious factor in the region getting 2 conferences with 2 teams each.

Too many North teams??  Never!  If we get some extra North region teams precedent has been set to shove Mount Union to the East which is 100% fine with me.   

good point. I'm with you! 

[ScotsFan]

Kenyon had a major athletic facility upgrade a few years ago...eyewitness accounts have all been positive.  I'm anxious to check it out for myself tomorrow. 

I had a chance to go down to Gambier and watch the Scots play Kenyon in hoops 2 seasons ago and I would definitely recommend taking a tour of the Kenyon Athletic Center including the nautatorium.  I didn't make it to the football field, so I can't give any feedback for that facility, but the KAC is top notch to say the least!