118th Monon Bell Classic

[wally_wabash]

I won't refute anything.  In 315 posts to this forum since it was started, not one single word of any post has been dedicated to any of you actually providing a real take on what DePauw has that can beat Wabash.  Not one single word.  If you're done name calling and recycling the same old stupid b.s. and want to talk about the game, now's probably a good time to start.  Whenever you guys are ready. 

[DPUIrish1]

that was a bit much, debashdad....seriously, unless you're the recruiting coordinator, you might want to spend more time in your job or whatever it is you do with your life.

If you think I'm ashamed to have spent 20 minutes on a post or it's somehow indicative of a life more lamentable than yours: Guess what, dude. You don't know me very well.

That would have been a fun back-and-forth, but if y'all don't want to play along... fine. I'm not sure what the eye-roll is all about.

listen, what i'm learning is that some take things a little more personal than others, and that's okay.  We've never met.  We don't know each other.  I know of you and know you have successful documentaries, etc.  I get it.  I've done stuff too.....I'm not comparing careers, lives, or anything of that nature

This is a frickin' rivalry.  One of the best, in my mind, THE very best.  That, in my opinion, is one thing WE CAN ALL AGREE on.  If someone wants to argue that, I believe we'll on turn on him.  It's DePauw VS DeBash.  We don't like you.  You don't like us.  Things are said.  Insults are made - some stupid, childish, crass, some relevant and right.....and this comes from both sides.  It's part of the fun, the laughs and the love/hate relationship that we have.  It would appear most of us have played in this game in some capacity.  If we want to keep this a pure football thing - it'll eventually get stale, too - just as the 'stupid' arguments that fill up the pages of this board. 

I've learned that DeBash is trending up and DePauw is trending down.  Problem is I knew that prior to ever logging on to this site.  These things - this rivalry, has always balanced out - dating back to 1890.

We're not friends....you don't know me either....I love this game, I love what it represents.  It's the greatest rivalry in 'Merica....if you don't agree with me - i don't care. 

[D3_DPUFan]

I find the indignation at the player ranking to be curious.

Curious? How about clueless. That's weird. What, do you have a separate "list" with the guys "favorite colors" and "person they most admire", too? Come on man...wow..

[Danny Boy]

I agree we are not friends but have no opinion as to list-making.

[Breckenridgebear]

that was a bit much, debashdad....seriously, unless you're the recruiting coordinator, you might want to spend more time in your job or whatever it is you do with your life.

If you think I'm ashamed to have spent 20 minutes on a post or it's somehow indicative of a life more lamentable than yours: Guess what, dude. You don't know me very well.

That would have been a fun back-and-forth, but if y'all don't want to play along... fine. I'm not sure what the eye-roll is all about.

listen, what i'm learning is that some take things a little more personal than others, and that's okay.  We've never met.  We don't know each other.  I know of you and know you have successful documentaries, etc.  I get it.  I've done stuff too.....I'm not comparing careers, lives, or anything of that nature

This is a frickin' rivalry.  One of the best, in my mind, THE very best.  That, in my opinion, is one thing WE CAN ALL AGREE on.  If someone wants to argue that, I believe we'll on turn on him.  It's DePauw VS DeBash.  We don't like you.  You don't like us.  Things are said.  Insults are made - some stupid, childish, crass, some relevant and right.....and this comes from both sides.  It's part of the fun, the laughs and the love/hate relationship that we have.  It would appear most of us have played in this game in some capacity.  If we want to keep this a pure football thing - it'll eventually get stale, too - just as the 'stupid' arguments that fill up the pages of this board. 

I've learned that DeBash is trending up and DePauw is trending down.  Problem is I knew that prior to ever logging on to this site.  These things - this rivalry, has always balanced out - dating back to 1890.

We're not friends....you don't know me either....I love this game, I love what it represents.  It's the greatest rivalry in 'Merica....if you don't agree with me - i don't care.

I too, also, do not like Debash.

I also agree that just talking football would make this rivalry just like every other so called "biggest game of the year" that takes place across the country almost every weekend. Depauw/Dabash have something that goes beyond the game and makes up the fundamental fabric of both Depauw and The Debash School of Knitting and Weaving. To not have the the sometimes "stupid, childish, crass" and sometimes relevant comments, jokes, and arguments would make this just another game for some bronzed something or rather. We hate each other. Always have, and always will.   

I agree we are not friends but have no opinion as to list-making.

This made me laugh out loud Danny Boy. Saying we are not friends might be the understatement of the year.

[wally_wabash]

So...what I'm getting from this is that you guys have absolutely no evidence that there is something football-related that we should watch out for that DePauw can do that Wabash won't be able to stop or do better.  Not one thing?  Come on...surely there is one positive thing about your sorry football team that you can talk about here.  Anything at all.  I'm waiting. 

[sigma one]

I, too, appreciate the banter for the most part. But I cannot resist going back to an earlier post.  Every national study of which I am aware, and they are multiple, records a diffeence in men's and women's SAT/ACT scores, with women having higher scores than men.  This applies to DePauw as well as nationally. So the differences in the scores between Wabash and DePauw is accounted for by the differences in the schools enrollments. (Again, insert a snarky comment, if you will.)  A few men admitted to Wabash were  not admitted to DePauw, and vice versa.  This does not apply to athletes only, and certainly the ethics of both schools does not allow for admissions concessions for football  players, or other athletes, any more that those ethics allow for musicians or prospective thespians.  And admission is not based on scores alone because the two schools employ several criteria for admission, with test scores not being #1 at either institution.   It's not simple, and the lesson is not to get to caught up on the test scores alone, or to use them as evidence that one school is supeiior to another.   To do so, and then to hang your hat on the shallow argument of scores is naive.   

[Breckenridgebear]

So...what I'm getting from this is that you guys have absolutely no evidence that there is something football-related that we should watch out for that DePauw can do that Wabash won't be able to stop or do better.  Not one thing?  Come on...surely there is one positive thing about your sorry football team that you can talk about here.  Anything at all.  I'm waiting.

We are beating Dabash in PAT Attempt percentage. BOOM DaWally!!!

[DPUIrish1]

So...what I'm getting from this is that you guys have absolutely no evidence that there is something football-related that we should watch out for that DePauw can do that Wabash won't be able to stop or do better.  Not one thing?  Come on...surely there is one positive thing about your sorry football team that you can talk about here.  Anything at all.  I'm waiting. 

wally -
if it's football talk you want - then, here you go.  While we've had our issues on the offensive side of the football all season, our strong point is defense....we're allowing about 25 yards more per game than you are, but we're good against the pass and run.  I know your numbers, too, so if you want to bring them up - fine.  In a year where we've struggled to find an offensive identity, the one constant has been defense.  Hopefully that translate next Saturday.

I know Chamblee is a stud on special teams, but that's another place where DePauw has been dangerous.  Taylor Wagner has punt and kick returns for touchdowns, and is always a threat when the ball is in his hands.  I've seen him play...he's tough and gritty and is talented.  I like our defense.  I like our special teams.....i'm not sure if you just break down raw numbers, you see anything that will make you feel DePauw will do something better than debash, but you asked for a breakdown, and i'm telling you that we're not a pushover in every phase - like many of you imply.  Throw in the fact that we're playing just our 2nd home game of the year on Saturday. I do think the travel has played a role - but no excuse. 

[wally_wabash]

So...what I'm getting from this is that you guys have absolutely no evidence that there is something football-related that we should watch out for that DePauw can do that Wabash won't be able to stop or do better.  Not one thing?  Come on...surely there is one positive thing about your sorry football team that you can talk about here.  Anything at all.  I'm waiting. 

wally -
if it's football talk you want - then, here you go.  While we've had our issues on the offensive side of the football all season, our strong point is defense....we're allowing about 25 yards more per game than you are, but we're good against the pass and run.  I know your numbers, too, so if you want to bring them up - fine.  In a year where we've struggled to find an offensive identity, the one constant has been defense.  Hopefully that translate next Saturday.

I know Chamblee is a stud on special teams, but that's another place where DePauw has been dangerous.  Taylor Wagner has punt and kick returns for touchdowns, and is always a threat when the ball is in his hands.  I've seen him play...he's tough and gritty and is talented.  I like our defense.  I like our special teams.....i'm not sure if you just break down raw numbers, you see anything that will make you feel DePauw will do something better than debash, but you asked for a breakdown, and i'm telling you that we're not a pushover in every phase - like many of you imply.  Throw in the fact that we're playing just our 2nd home game of the year on Saturday. I do think the travel has played a role - but no excuse.

How hard was that?  Thanks for the insight.  FWIW, I don't think DePauw is as bad as many will let on.  You're bad, just not THAT bad.  You did manage to beat OWU after all.  I do think Wabash has superior players at most positions which should win the day, but the biggest advantage Wabash has are the guys wearing the headsets.  ER and his crew absolutely undressed Coach Long (who is also the DC if I'm not mistaken) and his crew last year.  The one guy that you all universally loved, the OC what's-his-name, is gone and the new guy hasn't exactly instilled confidence.  That's where I think there is a gap that DePauw can't make up, especially with younger, less experienced players. 

[DPUIrish1]

the biggest advantage Wabash has are the guys wearing the headsets.  ER and his crew absolutely undressed Coach Long (who is also the DC if I'm not mistaken) and his crew last year.  The one guy that you all universally loved, the OC what's-his-name, is gone and the new guy hasn't exactly instilled confidence.  That's where I think there is a gap that DePauw can't make up, especially with younger, less experienced players. 

there's a reason i didn't include our coaching in my synopsis.

[bashbrother]

Very cool

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2333806262204

[DPUIrish1]

Very cool

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2333806262204

nice!!  though, at the end the voiceover guy butchers Monon with "the 118th battle for the Monin Bell" - c'mon man

[DPU3619]

Here's the game plan for me, and it's fairly straightforward.  DePauw has to play it just about perfect, I think.  Much easier to say you're going to do this than actually do it, though.

1. Don't kick it Chamblee.  Don't think you can tackle him.  Don't act like you're good enough.  Just don't do it.  Do NOT give a special teams score on a return or a block.

2. Don't turn it over.

3. Make Wabash one-dimensional.  Take your pick here, I guess.  I'd much rather try to contain Chamblee & Horn and then try to make Vann Hunt and Belton's feet beat me.  Could just as easily go the other way and try to make Belton throw for 350 and 3 TDs to win.  DePauw's defense is good.  The numbers would be even better if the offense A) wouldn't turn it over in their own end and B) could get it out of the shadow of its own goalpost.

This thing has to be 2004 for DePauw to win.  Wabash gets to 17 and DePauw's probably in trouble.  They've got to get a big turnover somewhere along the line and maybe get a little help from some Monon magic, too.  It's happened before.  No reason it can't happen again.

[smedindy]

The issue with #1 is that you are ceding the field position battle to Wabash. And if it's crappy weather, that's going to be a huge give to Wabash. Either take a chance Chamblee is going to break a return, or spend your day inside your own 20.

#2 is a given.

#3 is a problem. Wabash has other receivers that are emerging. And Belton can beat you either way as he has shown. Of course, doing that against Kenyon or Denison isn't the same as DPU, but he stepped up when he needed to.