If DePauw wants to reclaim the Monon Bell, it must remember four simple words.
Don't. Kick. To. Wes.
Wes Chamblee is the Little Giants' big play threat when he's returning kicks or punts. He has three returns for touchdowns this year, but even when he's not breaking one all the way to the end zone, he can put Wabash in excellent field position. He has 18 punt returns for 393 yards and nine kick returns for 276 yards.
He also is pretty dangerous as a receiver with a team high seven touchdown receptions.
The last few games, teams have made an effort to keep Chamblee from hurting them, but while a kicker can just aim at the other side of the field, it's more difficult to stop him as a receiver. Wabash has made an effort to establish the running game early, which has been effective with the help of dual-threat quarterback Chase Belton and the running back duo of Tyler Holmes and Vann Hunt.
But once a team starts to address the running game of the Little Giants, that leaves fewer players to stop Chamblee. In winning the NCAC title last week over Wittenberg University, the Little Giants went to the ground play after play, until Wittenberg began bringing up more players to stop the rush, at which point Belton found Chamblee in single coverage.
On offense, Wabash will run, run, run.
As soon as DePauw adjusts to it, Belton will find Chamblee or one of his other receivers, Jonathan Horn or James Kraus.
Meanwhile, DePauw's offensive line has to deal with the Wabash defense that has racked up 25 sacks and grabbed 11 interceptions this season. If the line can keep the pressure off, the Tigers passing game can thrive.
DePauw will just have to slow down the Wabash attack, but that won't be easy.
Wabash has had trouble getting the offense going early in games before, and of course DePauw's defense has been stellar in the past two games, so if the Tigers can keep that Little Giants offense in check, they'll be in good shape.
Of course the Wabash defense is tough as well.
I think Wabash stays unbeaten in a low scoring game, with the deciding points coming when DePauw commits the cardinal sin of kicking to Chamblee.
— Eric Ingles is senior sports editor at the Journal Review in Crawfordsville.