FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[houdini]

So does a 34-13 victory over Platteville in a constant rain really give us any better indication of what kind of team UWO is? 

Much better indication then before. UWO has finally beaten it's first team with a winning record. I thought UWP would have been better because they have been tested more but oops, I was wrong. UWO is good, they can for sure come into Perkins Stadium and beat UWW but I don't think they will. Their offense has struggled before against good defenses (UWL and UWRF) and UWW's is better then both. Iff UWW plays like they did today they can win.

Whitewater has also only beaten one team with a winning record.  They played a pretty good lineup of tomato cans and they have a loss.  I also think saying Oshkosh struggled against UWL (374 yards) and UWRF (407 yards) is a bit of an overstatement.  I will agree they had a hard time scoring touchdowns.

[WarhawkDad]

Kudos to Mr. Brekke.  He played quite well yesterday. Made some really nice throws. Nice to see Zach Howard back on the field.  That is bound to be a big help to the receiving corps.  I remember a couple of years ago that we were talking about what a great receiver he would be before he got hurt.

And his impact on punt and kick returns has and will continue to have an impact on field position.

Great to have him back.

WHD

WD I know you watch the line play closely. Whenever there was a good camera angle I tried to focus on the blocking. From the plays I saw, I felt this was their best effort to date. How did you see it?
I was also fortunate to key #65 a couple times when the play came his way and there was no doubt he won the battle at the line.

Emma

Thanks for the kind words, my favorite play (watching the line) was the screen to Patterson with both 58 and 65 way downfield getting blocks.  I think the line play was better because the execution was better everywhere.  The passing game was clicking which kept the defense honest.  Ward ran very hard, determined, quicker decisions and feet.   I am looking forward to Saturday.

WarhawkDad

[WarhawkDad]

So does a 34-13 victory over Platteville in a constant rain really give us any better indication of what kind of team UWO is? 

Much better indication then before. UWO has finally beaten it's first team with a winning record. I thought UWP would have been better because they have been tested more but oops, I was wrong. UWO is good, they can for sure come into Perkins Stadium and beat UWW but I don't think they will. Their offense has struggled before against good defenses (UWL and UWRF) and UWW's is better then both. Iff UWW plays like they did today they can win.

Whitewater has also only beaten one team with a winning record.  They played a pretty good lineup of tomato cans and they have a loss.  I also think saying Oshkosh struggled against UWL (374 yards) and UWRF (407 yards) is a bit of an overstatement.  I will agree they had a hard time scoring touchdowns.

I expect this weeks game to be as close as last year.  Differences.....UWW defense is better, last year Arnold was hurt, the D struggled.  UWW offense, not as explosive.  UWO, defense similar to last year, but on offense, not sure Wara has the options he had last year. 

[02 Warhawk]

This week's Inside the Box Scores

A lot of surprises this past weekend, just looking at the box scores alone.

[02 Warhawk]

So was the weather horrible at all the games on Saturday?

[emma17]

This week's Inside the Box Scores

A lot of surprises this past weekend, just looking at the box scores alone.

Nice work 02.  I have to believe you're right with the comment that Brekke just saved his starting job.  I would love to have been a fly on the wall last week with all the conversations that staff must have had regarding the QB position.  I'm happy for Brekke as I'm sure it's been a tough season for him. 

Without knowing the inside story, I have to believe the staff made the decision not to play Behrendt in meaningful action in an effort to build Brekke's confidence- both in the game and for the remainder of the season.  In effect, it seems Brekke won the starting job for the remainder of the season- in the first half. 
I imagine the staff had a big decision to make at the half as to whether Behrendt should see meaningful action- and they went with the plan to build Brekke's confidence. 

[02 Warhawk]

This week's Inside the Box Scores

A lot of surprises this past weekend, just looking at the box scores alone.

Nice work 02.  I have to believe you're right with the comment that Brekke just saved his starting job.  I would love to have been a fly on the wall last week with all the conversations that staff must have had regarding the QB position.  I'm happy for Brekke as I'm sure it's been a tough season for him. 

Without knowing the inside story, I have to believe the staff made the decision not to play Behrendt in meaningful action in an effort to build Brekke's confidence- both in the game and for the remainder of the season.  In effect, it seems Brekke won the starting job for the remainder of the season- in the first half. 
I imagine the staff had a big decision to make at the half as to whether Behrendt should see meaningful action- and they went with the plan to build Brekke's confidence.

Thanks!

From looking at the game stats and final score, it looks like Whitewater had its best all around game Saturday on the year. For the first time all season long our passing attack seemed in sync, AND had a solid running attack (while our defense did their thing). We did it all against a decent defensive team in Stout too.

Hopefully that carries over to the homecoming game.

[ncc58]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

[WarhawkDad]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

I think several of us have thought Oshkosh would be above Platteville all year long.

[02 Warhawk]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

I think several of us have thought Oshkosh would be above Platteville all year long.

I always considered Oshkosh the better team, even with everyone healthy on UWP.

[ncc58]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

I think several of us have thought Oshkosh would be above Platteville all year long.

I always considered Oshkosh the better team, even with everyone healthy on UWP.

I'm not disputing placing UWO above UWP (that should always have been the order), but it's jumping 9 spots. You easily see teams move at most 2-3 spots with a quality win.

[voice]

Saturday's UWO at UWW showdown will pit the two top defenses in the WIAC.

The Titans and Warhawks rank one-two in the conference in scoring defense, total defense, rush defense, pass defense, and turnover margin.

The Warhawks ranked third in this week's NCAA Division III statistics giving up just 7.8 points per game. The Hawks are ranked first in rushing defense allowing 28 yards per game. UWW trails only Mount Union and Hobart in total defense, giving up 211 yards per game.

Will Whitewater's D be able to slow down Nate Wara who leads the WIAC in total offense, passing yardage and passing efficiency?

[cubs]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

I think several of us have thought Oshkosh would be above Platteville all year long.

I always considered Oshkosh the better team, even with everyone healthy on UWP.

I'm not disputing placing UWO above UWP (that should always have been the order), but it's jumping 9 spots. You easily see teams move at most 2-3 spots with a quality win.

I think it has A LOT to do with the fact that there were four teams ranked above Oshkosh last week that lost on Saturday.  That in itself would have likely bumped them up to #15.  Add in the fact that they beat a ranked opponent, and that gives you anoother 2-3 spots.  There is also the fact that the WIAC is still considered the toughest conference in the Nation according to this website, so to be undefeated at the halfway mark probably holds a little bit of weight in the voters eyes.  Altogether, and it's not that big of a shock to see UWO in the Top 10.

[WarhawkDad]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

I think several of us have thought Oshkosh would be above Platteville all year long.

I always considered Oshkosh the better team, even with everyone healthy on UWP.

I'm not disputing placing UWO above UWP (that should always have been the order), but it's jumping 9 spots. You easily see teams move at most 2-3 spots with a quality win.

I think it has A LOT to do with the fact that there were four teams ranked above Oshkosh last week that lost on Saturday.  That in itself would have likely bumped them up to #15.  Add in the fact that they beat a ranked opponent, and that gives you anoother 2-3 spots.  There is also the fact that the WIAC is still considered the toughest conference in the Nation according to this website, so to be undefeated at the halfway mark probably holds a little bit of weight in the voters eyes.  Altogether, and it's not that big of a shock to see UWO in the Top 10.

Nice analysis cubs!   Makes total sense now...at least to me.   

[emma17]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.

I was a little surprised to see UWO jump 9 spots. They had a solid win, but so did several other teams who they vaulted. Their point total jumped from 200 to 361, looks like the voters almost swapped UWP with UWO.

I think several of us have thought Oshkosh would be above Platteville all year long.

I always considered Oshkosh the better team, even with everyone healthy on UWP.

I'm not disputing placing UWO above UWP (that should always have been the order), but it's jumping 9 spots. You easily see teams move at most 2-3 spots with a quality win.

I think it has A LOT to do with the fact that there were four teams ranked above Oshkosh last week that lost on Saturday.  That in itself would have likely bumped them up to #15.  Add in the fact that they beat a ranked opponent, and that gives you anoother 2-3 spots.  There is also the fact that the WIAC is still considered the toughest conference in the Nation according to this website, so to be undefeated at the halfway mark probably holds a little bit of weight in the voters eyes.  Altogether, and it's not that big of a shock to see UWO in the Top 10.

Well said.
The team that surprises me in the rankings is Willamette at 22.  It looks to me like they've played some pretty good teams and they are undefeated- I would think that merits a higher ranking.  They have a couple more tough tests coming up in Linfield and Pacific Lutheran.  I guess we will see pretty soon.