Around the Nation board

[jknezek]

Having seen both teams play, I've already used the analogy of a snowball's chance in the tropics...

[HScoach]

As a MTU guy, the only game in region that scares me is the Regional Final against NCC.  The CCIW teams play a physical brand of football that won't be intimidated by the Mount defense.  Wabash might be really good, but they play no one and therefore I can't imagine them being prepared for a game against Mount.  And besides, LK isn't losing a playoff game to his nephew....... 

[smedindy]

HSCoach:

A) Witt isn't "no one".
B) If they play Mt. Union they definitely will have played a team you call "someone" - North Central.
C) Any playoff team should be considered "someone"
D) The family motivation could work both ways, ya know...

[Mr. Ypsi]

HScoach and smedindy,

NCC has every intention of preventing a family crisis for uncle and nephew!

[bashbrother]

HScoach and smedindy,

NCC has every intention of preventing a family crisis for uncle and nephew!

That is so thoughtful    One of ER's stated goals in moving from Coe to Wabash... was getting to see Family more.   He and his team are pretty motivated. 

[smedindy]

HScoach and smedindy,

NCC has every intention of preventing a family crisis for uncle and nephew!

First things first, but that second round matchup will be a fun one. Unfortunately, I have plans already to drive to Key West that day, so thank goodness for internet phones!

[hazzben]

HSCoach:

A) Witt isn't "no one".
B) If they play Mt. Union they definitely will have played a team you call "someone" - North Central.
C) Any playoff team should be considered "someone"
D) The family motivation could work both ways, ya know...

A) Ehh, they weren't exactly someone either. I wasn't real convinced with their body of work this year. But the real problem is that no one else Wabash played is nearly as good as an unranked Wittenberg team.
B) Can't argue that. Beating NCC would be a major win and I'd have to seriously re-evaluate.
C) Disagree. There are some very average teams in the field by extension of the NCAA playoff policy on equal access for conference champs. I love the policy, but some of these playoff teams wouldn't finish in the top half of the strongest 5-6 conferences in the country. Wabash's first rd opponent would be one such team, IMO.
D) Absolutely true. That would be an intriguing matchup as well.

[smedindy]

It's all dependent on what you define as someone. To me, a conference champ is 'someone' - they won their league and that is an accomplishment.

I bet IC will replace Monmouth as top dog of the MWC and when their QB is a junior and senior won't be an easy out.

[K-Mack]

C) Any playoff team should be considered "someone"

Well yes ... and no. It's fairly standard knowledge around here that the 8-2 teams from tough conferences would top 9-1 and 10-0 teams from less-tough conferences, and St. John Fisher did nothing to dispel that notion on Saturday.

They way you said that was an "in theory" thing.

You might be right about IC and Michael Bates though.

Love that there's conversation on this board.

[K-Mack]

I'm sure I didn't say there were 58 D-III teams in Pennsylvania, but I'm also sure I did say that quote at the end of this story ... and a lot of the other ones. Interesting stuff:

Story from the angle of why all the D-III champions are from Midwest and Northeast (and there's an answer):
http://www.newsregister.com/article?articleTitle=the+great+divide--1321686447--2073--home-news

Will add to What We're Reading if not already there.

This could probably lead to a longer ATN board discussion. Will somebody ever break the geographic stronghold? Doesn't Mount Union sorta skew the results? Am I just making up questions right now to see if you're still reading?

[smedindy]

Keith, 8-2 teams from power conferences are 'someone' but so are playoff teams because they're conference champs. At least that's how I see it.

I also don't think anyone needs to be smug or elitist in D-3 about the company they keep. Look at the MIAA in the 90's compared to today. That can happen to another 'power' conference, too...

(In theory!!!!!  )

[K-Mack]

Keith, 8-2 teams from power conferences are 'someone' but so are playoff teams because they're conference champs. At least that's how I see it.

I also don't think anyone needs to be smug or elitist in D-3 about the company they keep. Look at the MIAA in the 90's compared to today. That can happen to another 'power' conference, too...

(In theory!!!!!  )

I followed what you were saying, hence the "yes ... and no."

In relation to the actual discussion that these comments are in reference to, we were talking about a Mount Union guy saying Wabash had played no one and didn't scare him, and your reply was everyone that makes the playoffs is a somebody.

For Year in Review columns, yes, they are. In a discussion about teams that worry a Mount Union fan, Benedictine, Albion, St. Scholastica, Norwich and WNEC aren't somebody just because they earned their way into the 32.

On one hand we shouldn't down their accomplishments. On the other hand, be realistic.

[smedindy]

10-4. I think we're in agreement for the most part. From a Purple Fan perspective, yeah those first round games don't make them quake in their boots, but for the majority of playoff home teams, you can't look past them.

And just for fun, I looked at the D-3 'least likely results' on Massey. #1 was RPI beating Hobart. #7 was Redlands over North Central, which looks like an upset in the rear-view mirror based on Redland's struggles to win in the SCIAC. But when two playoff teams produce one of the 'least-likely' results, then this year didn't have any *wow* surprises at the end. I think we all thought that Dubuque beating Augie was one of those, but it didn't turn out that way at all.

[K-Mack]

I finally watched the trailer for the Andy Dick D-III movie.

Although it's bound to be filled with lots of jokes at our expense, I actually laughed during the trailer. Maybe it'll be pretty good, as a movie, if not so much as a representation of what it's actually like.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/156eb7f056/division-iii-football-s-finest-official-unofficial-trailer

[K-Mack]

Finally watched this week's D3Reports and highlight packages. Really happy with them, I love getting the takes right from on site and the highlights were well done too.

The North Central guys red-dyed beards were a little much, but the interviews were a nice touch.