FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

ROUND 2 PROJECTIONS

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com

bleedpurple, is the UWW projection based on Blanchard at QB or Brekke? Does it really matter anyway you look at it?  

Who do you think starts this week?

The projection is irrespective of who is playing quarterback.  Once again, the status of Blanchard is being closely guarded.  

My projection was based on several factors:

1.  I believe the offensive line will impose it's will on Trine in the run game over the course of the afternoon.  Franklin played them very tough.  I am simply expecting a strong and focused effort up front.

2.  I believe our passing game will have a very good day, regardless of who is the quarterback.  Depauw scored 35 points on the Thunder last week.

3. Trine has a very balanced offense. Franklin was very comfortable throwing 72 times. But that is their game. Trine has run 521 times and thrown 277 over the course of the season. The key to my projection is a belief that UW-W will shut down Trine's run game. Watt is a very efficient QB, but within the confines of a balanced offense. I would expect he will be far less comfortable if Trine doesn't gain their accustomed 5.3 yards per carry running the ball.  If Trine does run with success, my projection will be far off.  

4. I think UW-W will benefit from this being round 2. Maybe it was just me, but I felt I detected a degree of "tightness" in the Warhawks' play last Saturday for the first time in quite a while. I think with the first playoff game under their belt, the Warhawks will play loose and confident. I'm not worried about their precision. They are pretty much always precise.

For the record, I believe Franklin was a good team. I think Trine is a good team. In fact, I think they are probably quite comparable.  My projection does not reflect a lack of respect for Trine, but rather a result that I foresee based on the way I believe the game will unfold.

[usee]

Bleedpurple-  your projection for the wheaton Bethel game is almost impossible. You obviously have not looked at the Bethel kicking game??!!

[criswyly]

Now I know you all are going to think I'm stupid....but I had a dream  
This is going to ruffle some feathers
But in my dream...UMHB is going to the 2010 Stagg Bowl
Just remember you heard it here first

[BoBo]

I watched and recorded the Trine @ River Falls game earlier this season. It was tied at the half and only a 1 score game for over 3 quarters before Trine scored with about 10 and 5 minutes remaining to win 35-14. I watched it a couple more times this week. It was an early season game, but Trine then and the Franklin I watched last week are very similar. They would be successful against many DIII teams. IMO, if they played each other this year, it would be a highly entertaining game for the fans - with the offenses probably in complete control because that's what they both seem to like to do. I would pick Franklin to win a high scoring affair. Trine, like Franklin, appears to have some skilled players, especially at the QB position. However, Trine this week, like Franklin last week, is being asked to make a huge leap forward. They have to do it on both sides of the ball equally well. I just don't see them being able to stop the Warhawk offensive, defensively. Plus, the UWW defense will probably be the strongest Trine as EVER faced. Last week, their offensive bailed them out because their defense could barely stop DePauw. But, they did get it done with it counted at the end. This week for Trine is on a whole different level. They're undefeated and think they are capable of playing with anyone. That's great. However, IMHO the reality of the situation will get the better of them...I think bleedpurple's projection is pretty close.

[BoBo]

Now I know you all are going to think I'm stupid....but I had a dream  
This is going to ruffle some feathers
But in my dream...UMHB is going to the 2010 Stagg Bowl
Just remember you heard it here first

This will be remembered years from now, Dr. Martin Luther criswyly Jr.!! 

[bleedpurple]

Bleedpurple-  your projection for the wheaton Bethel game is almost impossible. You obviously have not looked at the Bethel kicking game??!!

An unlikely hero emerges in Wheaton! 

[bleedpurple]

Now I know you all are going to think I'm stupid....but I had a dream  
This is going to ruffle some feathers
But in my dream...UMHB is going to the 2010 Stagg Bowl
Just remember you heard it here first

I don't think you are stupid criswyly. Not at all.

Delusional? Yes. But not stupid. 

[emma17]

BoBo,
In comparing Trine and Franklin, do you feel one is faster than the other?
I watched some video of Trine on their website, and it looks like their receivers and running back are pretty fast. 

[HScoach]

Ypsi, the staff and team are taking Trine very seriously. 

I have no doubt.

But posters aren't, and that is who I was addressing!   Even as level-headed a guy as HScoach was already talking about cheering for ONU or NCC, "whoever has the best chance against UWW" (CCIW board).

No offense, but teams the quality of Whitewater don't lose to teams like Franklin or Trine.

[usee]

Bleedpurple-  your projection for the wheaton Bethel game is almost impossible. You obviously have not looked at the Bethel kicking game??!!

An unlikely hero emerges in Wheaton!  

Very unlikely since they are 1-5 on fg this year and stopped kicking extra pts 4 games ago so 17-14 seems highly improbable.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ypsi, the staff and team are taking Trine very seriously. 

I have no doubt.

But posters aren't, and that is who I was addressing!   Even as level-headed a guy as HScoach was already talking about cheering for ONU or NCC, "whoever has the best chance against UWW" (CCIW board).

No offense, but teams the quality of Whitewater don't lose to teams like Franklin or Trine.

Not to Franklin THIS year.  Let's let them play before we decide on Trine.

I am NOT predicting a Trine win; just saying UWW ain't in that next game yet!

[kubiack78]

Beware of underestimating Trine.  I find it almost inconceivable they would actually win, but I think it may be closer than most UWW supporters imagine.

Just because a team has not beaten any really good teams doesn't necessarily mean they are not good.  My gut hunch is that Trine IS very good - probably not UWW/UMU good, but quite good.

Using your gut to make decisions, Ypsi? My only gut instinct this time of year is to eat more turkey and pumpkin pie!!    As a matter of fact - I'm off to Costco to get another - pumpkin pie - that is!! 

they have Costco in Korea now?  Wow It's been a while since I was over there. 

[BoBo]

Beware of underestimating Trine.  I find it almost inconceivable they would actually win, but I think it may be closer than most UWW supporters imagine.

Just because a team has not beaten any really good teams doesn't necessarily mean they are not good.  My gut hunch is that Trine IS very good - probably not UWW/UMU good, but quite good.

Using your gut to make decisions, Ypsi? My only gut instinct this time of year is to eat more turkey and pumpkin pie!!    As a matter of fact - I'm off to Costco to get another - pumpkin pie - that is!! 

they have Costco in Korea now?  Wow It's been a while since I was over there. 

Not sure how long you've been away, kubiack, but even if it's only been 10 years, you may not recognize the old, familiar places.

BTW, the pumpkin pie was sold out for the day...had to get a Boston Creme pie, instead. Good replacement!!     

[BoBo]

BoBo,
In comparing Trine and Franklin, do you feel one is faster than the other?
I watched some video of Trine on their website, and it looks like their receivers and running back are pretty fast. 

emma, I only watched the two games on video. Comparing Trine and Franklin from games against River Falls and UWW, respectively, is a little like comparing apples with oranges. That being said, Trine seemed to have better team speed - but they had RF to play against while FC had to play against UWW, hence the apples and oranges comparison. FC had great intensity and focus & they really stuck to their game plan of trying to stuff the run. Against nearly anyone else, it might have worked. But, the Warhawks have a lethal passing game, too, even with an untested backup. It'll be interesting if Trine tries the same approach. Either way, I'm rather sure the Warhawks will be the most physical and fastest team on both sides of the ball this Trine team has faced.

[bleedpurple]

Bleedpurple-  your projection for the wheaton Bethel game is almost impossible. You obviously have not looked at the Bethel kicking game??!!

OK, good point... 17 is hard to get to when a team doesn't even kick extra points, much less field goals!

"Futility adjustment made".  (ironically the adjustment to a more likely score actually INCREASES the point total for Bethel. Hmmm.... You're messing with my confidence in this pick!  )

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com