By Eric Sieger
Alma SID

Lay it all on the line.

That's exactly what Wooster and Wittenberg will do when the two top teams in the NCAC meet this Saturday in Wooster. And while these type of games are old hat for Wittenberg, for Wooster it signifies a turning point in the program's history.

You see, the Scots are seeking their first-ever outright NCAC title and first-ever trip to the playoffs. Wittenberg? They've won or shared the NCAC crown four times and are shooting for their 17th undefeated regular season. They also recorded their 600th program win earlier this season, a claim no other Division III school can make.

But some similarities will be found in Saturday's game, and one need look no further than the head coaches. Wooster's Jim Barnes (Augustana '81) and Witt's Joe Fincham (Ohio '88) are perhaps two of the top young coaches in the nation. Barnes has posted a 37-12 mark, which is even more astoundingwhen you consider the Scots hadn't had a winning season since 1987 when he took over five seasons ago.

Fincham has one-upped Barnes, going 38-3 in his fourth season, although he didn't have an easy task when he took over in 1996, replacing Doug Neibuhr. The Tigers have captured five national titles, have the most wins of any Division III program, the fourth-best winning percentage (.642 entering '99) and won 15 OAC titles before jumping to the NCAC. Maybe even more daunting for Fincham is the fact that the school has three coaches -- Ernie Godfrey, Bill Edwards, Dave Maurer -- in the College Football Hall of Fame.

As for the game, figure on it being close -- the last three meetings between the NCAC rivals has been decided by no more than eight points. And while the Tigers have won two of those three meetings, the last time the game was played at Wooster, the Scots triumphed 21-19. So Scot fans needn't worry about their team being intimidated by the sixth-ranked Tigers.

"The confidence level is fine. There's enough evidence in the past that we belong on the field with these people," remarked Barnes.

A couple of keys for the Scots jump out from the statistics. One is a negative 11 turnover margin. "We do have some problems. We need to find a way to secure the ball or it's going to be a frustrating day," said Barnes. Not helping matters is Wittenberg's plus-11 in the same category.

Anther key will most likely be who can run the football. "If we could maintain our balance that would be great," revealed Barnes. That will be a mighty task against a Wittenberg defense that allows just 104 yards rushing per game while racking up 244 yards themselves, mostly behind Casey Donaldson's running, as he has broken the 1,000-yard barrier already this season with 1,060 yards and 13 TD's.

But you can't focus solely on the Tigers' ground game, as quarterback Anthony Crane has been very effective this season, completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,229 yards and nine scores against just four picks, giving him a rating of 147.75 (100 is considered average).

The winner of this game, being dubbed the biggest game in Wooster's history, receives the league's automatic bid to the playoffs, although most prognosticators feel that the Tigers are in even if they lose on a Pool C bid.

Wooster, meanwhile, needs a win to get in the playoffs. But the fact that he's an underdog actually gets Barnes going. "They're coming in undefeated. They've got the tradition. We're still trying to climb the mountain and they're up at the top, but I certainly think we're within striking distance."

But if the Scots could pull out the win Saturday, they would be well on their way to creating a new tradition -- one of winning -- at the College of Wooster.

Jottings
Many in the MIAA are still talking of last week's Albion-Alma game, which ended with an Alma goal-line stand to preserve a 20-17 win and an NCAA berth to the playoffs for the Scots of Alma. The game will certainly go down as one of the most exciting finishes in recent MIAA history, as Albion had the ball first-and-goal from the Alma three-yard line with under a minute remaining, but could not score ... Alma, Mount Union, Hanover and St. Norbert are in the playoffs, clinching their respective conferences' AQ. Ohio Northern is virtually guaranteed a Pool C slot with a win this weekend, while the CCIW and NCAC champ will also get an AQ. Aurora can also get in with a win against Valparaiso, although they might get in anyway, as will Wittenberg no matter the outcome of their game with Wooster. That means eight or nine teams with seven slots, and someone has to go. Pat Coleman has predicted that ONU will travel, and I'd have to agree. The only negative from a fan's perspective would be missing out on an ONU-Mount Union rematch ... Speaking of Mount Union, with all the talk the past couple of weeks surrounding the so-called "bubble" teams and a number of tight conference races, the Purple Raiders have stepped slightly out of the limelight. I did read that ESPN Magazine predicted them at better than 70% to repeat as champs. Not that ESPN has the first clue on Division III sports, but I would have to agree. My guess is that only a handful of teams could challenge the Purple Raiders, including Trinity (Texas), Rowan and Wartburg. From what I've read this year, the Profs aren't at the same level as last season, but I was quite impressed with Wartburg's win against Central, and you don't know how hard that is to say for a Luther alumnus. Within the region, Wittenberg probably is the only team that would stand a chance against Larry Kehres' group. No one has the defense to slow them down and the offense to keep pace. It says here that the Purple Raiders will be hoisting the trophy when all is said and done.