FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

If say, Linfield, Bethel, NCC/Wheaton and the WIAC champ all emerge undefeated I would guess there's some shuffling to balance these two regions at the top of the bracket. This also assumes Mount (or JCU/Heidelberg) emerges unscathed from the OAC and gets moved East.

I think these teams may move East, but they will not get the #1 Seed, Mount is the only team if left unscathed that may get the #1 Seed. NCC may be another candidate, but I don't know the distance from viable East teams.

Agreed. If Mount remains unbeaten I see them as the #1 out East. If they slip up I think Hobart gets the seed, but likely that the OAC champ gets moved out. There's just too much quality and depth in the West and North to leave all those teams there.

Then again, the last few years the committee has done some pleasantly surprising things with the bracket, like moving Hobart West last year.

So it's also possible that if Mount lost (which I'm not predicting  ) it would open the door the #1 seeds to all come from this list: UMHB, Linfield, Bethel, WIAC & CCIW champs. Assuming they're all unbeaten. And if this happens, any of those teams having a #1 seed would be more than justifiable in my book.

[D3MAFAN]

If say, Linfield, Bethel, NCC/Wheaton and the WIAC champ all emerge undefeated I would guess there's some shuffling to balance these two regions at the top of the bracket. This also assumes Mount (or JCU/Heidelberg) emerges unscathed from the OAC and gets moved East.

I think these teams may move East, but they will not get the #1 Seed, Mount is the only team if left unscathed that may get the #1 Seed. NCC may be another candidate, but I don't know the distance from viable East teams.

Agreed. If Mount remains unbeaten I see them as the #1 out East. If they slip up I think Hobart gets the seed, but likely that the OAC champ gets moved out. There's just too much quality and depth in the West and North to leave all those teams there.

Then again, the last few years the committee has done some pleasantly surprising things with the bracket, like moving Hobart West last year.

So it's also possible that if Mount lost (which I'm not predicting  ) it would open the door the #1 seeds to all come from this list: UMHB, Linfield, Bethel, WIAC & CCIW champs. Assuming they're all unbeaten. And if this happens, any of those teams having a #1 seed would be more than justifiable in my book.

I wonder if the committee/NCAA are going to revisit the 500 mile rule, maybe to 620, that may help.

[02 Warhawk]

The East will either be Hobart or Mount. I don't see any teams from around here going out East and becoming the #1.

It'll be interesting to see if a WIAC teams run the table, and if they get a #1 in the North. Assuming Linfield runs the table and gets the #1 in the West.


West: Linfield
North: WIAC team/Bethel/NCC
East: Mount
South: MHB

Assuming Bethel and/or NCC takes care of business in their conference (which I think they will).

[emma17]

If say, Linfield, Bethel, NCC/Wheaton and the WIAC champ all emerge undefeated I would guess there's some shuffling to balance these two regions at the top of the bracket. This also assumes Mount (or JCU/Heidelberg) emerges unscathed from the OAC and gets moved East.

I think these teams may move East, but they will not get the #1 Seed, Mount is the only team if left unscathed that may get the #1 Seed. NCC may be another candidate, but I don't know the distance from viable East teams.

Agreed. If Mount remains unbeaten I see them as the #1 out East. If they slip up I think Hobart gets the seed, but likely that the OAC champ gets moved out. There's just too much quality and depth in the West and North to leave all those teams there.

Then again, the last few years the committee has done some pleasantly surprising things with the bracket, like moving Hobart West last year.

So it's also possible that if Mount lost (which I'm not predicting  ) it would open the door the #1 seeds to all come from this list: UMHB, Linfield, Bethel, WIAC & CCIW champs. Assuming they're all unbeaten. And if this happens, any of those teams having a #1 seed would be more than justifiable in my book.

I wonder if the committee/NCAA are going to revisit the 500 mile rule, maybe to 620, that may help.

I'll go on record now and say IF UWW does go undefeated and doesn't receive a #1 seed, I will not dispute the committee's decision.  I am a firm believer in using prior year performance/data to partially inform current year seeding.
IF UWO runs the table, I'd argue they should get the #1 over MIAC and/or CCIW.
If UWO loses, I'd put undefeated MIAC over undefeated CCIW and over undefeated (non UWO) WIAC.

[02 Warhawk]

If say, Linfield, Bethel, NCC/Wheaton and the WIAC champ all emerge undefeated I would guess there's some shuffling to balance these two regions at the top of the bracket. This also assumes Mount (or JCU/Heidelberg) emerges unscathed from the OAC and gets moved East.

I think these teams may move East, but they will not get the #1 Seed, Mount is the only team if left unscathed that may get the #1 Seed. NCC may be another candidate, but I don't know the distance from viable East teams.

Agreed. If Mount remains unbeaten I see them as the #1 out East. If they slip up I think Hobart gets the seed, but likely that the OAC champ gets moved out. There's just too much quality and depth in the West and North to leave all those teams there.

Then again, the last few years the committee has done some pleasantly surprising things with the bracket, like moving Hobart West last year.

So it's also possible that if Mount lost (which I'm not predicting  ) it would open the door the #1 seeds to all come from this list: UMHB, Linfield, Bethel, WIAC & CCIW champs. Assuming they're all unbeaten. And if this happens, any of those teams having a #1 seed would be more than justifiable in my book.

I wonder if the committee/NCAA are going to revisit the 500 mile rule, maybe to 620, that may help.

I'll go on record now and say IF UWW does go undefeated and doesn't receive a #1 seed, I will not dispute the committee's decision. I am a firm believer in using prior year performance/data to partially inform current year seeding. IF UWO runs the table, I'd argue they should get the #1 over MIAC and/or CCIW.
If UWO loses, I'd put undefeated MIAC over undefeated CCIW and over undefeated (non UWO) WIAC.

Too bad that didn't apply for UWW in 2010. Send the undefeated defending national champs on the road for two games.   As you can see I'm completely over that now. 

Anyway, I too would be ok with an undefeated WIAC team getting a #2 seed behind Bethel or NCC. However....I think that all depends on the SOS at the end of the year, along with their Regional ranking. It'll be interesting to see what an undefeated WIAC team's SOS looks like when the regular season is over. I expect UWW, UWO, UWP (and UWSP) to move drastically up the SOS chart over the next few weeks.

[AO]

IF UWO runs the table, I'd argue they should get the #1 over MIAC and/or CCIW.

It's looking like an undefeated Bethel or North Central will have a better SOS and an equal/greater number of regionally ranked wins.  Would be fun if they actually did seed the whole field 1-32 so the power of the West could be quantified even if we still have to have 3 top 5 teams in the same 8 team region.

[emma17]

Linfield, St. Thomas, Bethel, Wheaton were all in the West bracket in 2010.
UWW, NCC, Trine, Franklin - North.
Wesley, MHB - South
MUC - East

2010 Playoffs

Thanks for the background info here 02.  I definately got the name of the region wrong, but the point I was making was accurate. 
In 2010, the committee did structure the bracket so that the West champ would play the East champ in the semis- and North would play South in the semis.  In the case of 2010 anyway, it was possible for Linfield and UWW to play in the Stagg as opposed to a Semi.   
I know there is a lot of football yet to be played and there are many interesting matchups that can occur in the playoffs- but Linfield vs Mt in the Semis with Linfield vs. UWW in the Stagg would be tremendous fun.  (I know I'm being UWW centric here- It is not my intent to discount other teams or matchups).  Perhaps this can be the start of a wishful thinking bracket thread.       
   

[emma17]

IF UWO runs the table, I'd argue they should get the #1 over MIAC and/or CCIW.

It's looking like an undefeated Bethel or North Central will have a better SOS and an equal/greater number of regionally ranked wins.  Would be fun if they actually did seed the whole field 1-32 so the power of the West could be quantified even if we still have to have 3 top 5 teams in the same 8 team region.

I reckon you're right AO and I guess it's likely the committee would put more weight into the SOS. 
I'd prefer they looked at very recent history to seed.  UWO beat Bethel one year ago and UWO beat the team (Linfield) that beat NCC one year ago.  I know there are many "this year only" purists, but I'm not one of them. 

[ExTartanPlayer]

I'd like to toss a prediction out there:

UWW beats UWO this week by 21+ points.  Just a gut feeling.  Looking at this year's UWW results, I'm starting to think last year's team was more of a one-year hiccup than a sign UWW has truly dropped off the map.  Since the Week 1 game against WashU (underrated 4-2 team, by the way, that has dealt Rhodes and Centre their only losses), they have won every game by 41 points or more, and utterly destroyed their first three WIAC opponents.  They beat LaCrosse 47-3 and Stout 55-13; UWO beat those same teams 30-6 and 28-26, respectively.  I have a hunch that UWW blows out Oshkosh this week and announces they're back (if that wasn't already announced).

No dog in this fight, really.  Just a hunch.  Surprised that most of the talk here is about playoff seedings rather than the week's game (although I didn't look back past the last two or three pages to see if anyone has already predicted this).  Any thoughts?

[bleedpurple]

I'd like to toss a prediction out there:

UWW beats UWO this week by 21+ points.  Just a gut feeling.  Looking at this year's UWW results, I'm starting to think last year's team was more of a one-year hiccup than a sign UWW has truly dropped off the map.  Since the Week 1 game against WashU (underrated 4-2 team, by the way, that has dealt Rhodes and Centre their only losses), they have won every game by 41 points or more, and utterly destroyed their first three WIAC opponents.  They beat LaCrosse 47-3 and Stout 55-13; UWO beat those same teams 30-6 and 28-26, respectively.  I have a hunch that UWW blows out Oshkosh this week and announces they're back (if that wasn't already announced).

No dog in this fight, really.  Just a hunch.  Surprised that most of the talk here is about playoff seedings rather than the week's game (although I didn't look back past the last two or three pages to see if anyone has already predicted this).  Any thoughts?

I think you are ahead of the curve in your thinking and absolutely correct.  I really thought almost no one would notice what you are noticing until after UW-O and maybe even after the UW-P game. There are some astute observers out there and you are clearly one of them.  +k  Not for picking UW-W, but for your observation and willingness to boldly post a prediction most would be unwilling to post.

[bleedpurple]

If say, Linfield, Bethel, NCC/Wheaton and the WIAC champ all emerge undefeated I would guess there's some shuffling to balance these two regions at the top of the bracket. This also assumes Mount (or JCU/Heidelberg) emerges unscathed from the OAC and gets moved East.

I think these teams may move East, but they will not get the #1 Seed, Mount is the only team if left unscathed that may get the #1 Seed. NCC may be another candidate, but I don't know the distance from viable East teams.

Agreed. If Mount remains unbeaten I see them as the #1 out East. If they slip up I think Hobart gets the seed, but likely that the OAC champ gets moved out. There's just too much quality and depth in the West and North to leave all those teams there.

Then again, the last few years the committee has done some pleasantly surprising things with the bracket, like moving Hobart West last year.

So it's also possible that if Mount lost (which I'm not predicting  ) it would open the door the #1 seeds to all come from this list: UMHB, Linfield, Bethel, WIAC & CCIW champs. Assuming they're all unbeaten. And if this happens, any of those teams having a #1 seed would be more than justifiable in my book.

I wonder if the committee/NCAA are going to revisit the 500 mile rule, maybe to 620, that may help.

I'll go on record now and say IF UWW does go undefeated and doesn't receive a #1 seed, I will not dispute the committee's decision. I am a firm believer in using prior year performance/data to partially inform current year seeding. IF UWO runs the table, I'd argue they should get the #1 over MIAC and/or CCIW.
If UWO loses, I'd put undefeated MIAC over undefeated CCIW and over undefeated (non UWO) WIAC.

Too bad that didn't apply for UWW in 2010. Send the undefeated defending national champs on the road for two games.   As you can see I'm completely over that now. 

Anyway, I too would be ok with an undefeated WIAC team getting a #2 seed behind Bethel or NCC. However....I think that all depends on the SOS at the end of the year, along with their Regional ranking. It'll be interesting to see what an undefeated WIAC team's SOS looks like when the regular season is over. I expect UWW, UWO, UWP (and UWSP) to move drastically up the SOS chart over the next few weeks.

I would have really thought UW-W winning the national championship that year might have helped you get over that 02. I'm actually thankful for the ridiculous seeding now. It led to a needed rule change and the game at North Central was a blast! 

[emma17]

I'd like to toss a prediction out there:

UWW beats UWO this week by 21+ points.  Just a gut feeling.  Looking at this year's UWW results, I'm starting to think last year's team was more of a one-year hiccup than a sign UWW has truly dropped off the map.  Since the Week 1 game against WashU (underrated 4-2 team, by the way, that has dealt Rhodes and Centre their only losses), they have won every game by 41 points or more, and utterly destroyed their first three WIAC opponents.  They beat LaCrosse 47-3 and Stout 55-13; UWO beat those same teams 30-6 and 28-26, respectively.  I have a hunch that UWW blows out Oshkosh this week and announces they're back (if that wasn't already announced).

No dog in this fight, really.  Just a hunch.  Surprised that most of the talk here is about playoff seedings rather than the week's game (although I didn't look back past the last two or three pages to see if anyone has already predicted this).  Any thoughts?

Ex- I'm surprised as well that there isn't more talk of the biggest WIAC game of the weekend.
I can't speak for others, but my feelings are this. As indicated by the results you posted, UWW is having great success in all phases of their game. That said, I remain cautiously optimistic until they prove they can beat a good team like UWO.  Their dominance has been so great that you're left with thinking one of two options. Either UWW is REALLY good or their opponents play REALLY poorly against them (save Wash U). Warhawk nation, IMO, needs to see UWW continue it's great play against a team like UWO before we return in full spirit.
The experience of 2012 still lingers.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I'd like to toss a prediction out there:

UWW beats UWO this week by 21+ points.  Just a gut feeling.  Looking at this year's UWW results, I'm starting to think last year's team was more of a one-year hiccup than a sign UWW has truly dropped off the map.  Since the Week 1 game against WashU (underrated 4-2 team, by the way, that has dealt Rhodes and Centre their only losses), they have won every game by 41 points or more, and utterly destroyed their first three WIAC opponents.  They beat LaCrosse 47-3 and Stout 55-13; UWO beat those same teams 30-6 and 28-26, respectively.  I have a hunch that UWW blows out Oshkosh this week and announces they're back (if that wasn't already announced).

No dog in this fight, really.  Just a hunch.  Surprised that most of the talk here is about playoff seedings rather than the week's game (although I didn't look back past the last two or three pages to see if anyone has already predicted this).  Any thoughts?

I think you are ahead of the curve in your thinking and absolutely correct.  I really thought almost no one would notice what you are noticing until after UW-O and maybe even after the UW-P game. There are some astute observers out there and you are clearly one of them.  +k  Not for picking UW-W, but for your observation and willingness to boldly post a prediction most would be unwilling to post.

Well, anyone can post a prediction, it's actually making the RIGHT predictions

I actually noticed this almost by accident this morning.  I was taking a closer look at the UWW-UWO matchup and noticed "Holy crap, UWW has absolutely murdered everyone since they played WashU!" (which also makes me wonder if WashU isn't a little underrated right now, being a UAA homer, seeing as how they're 4-2 with losses to UWW, 2012 playoff team Coe, and have dealt a pair of 5-1 teams their only losses).

But I digress.  I look forward to seeing if my astuteness is right.  UWW is a little undervalued right now, and UWO seems a hair overvalued to me (still living off last year's run, methinks; they are 6-0, but it's not nearly as impressive as UWW's 6-0 if we divorce all prior knowledge from the situation and just look at this year's games).

[bleedpurple]

I'd like to toss a prediction out there:

UWW beats UWO this week by 21+ points.  Just a gut feeling.  Looking at this year's UWW results, I'm starting to think last year's team was more of a one-year hiccup than a sign UWW has truly dropped off the map.  Since the Week 1 game against WashU (underrated 4-2 team, by the way, that has dealt Rhodes and Centre their only losses), they have won every game by 41 points or more, and utterly destroyed their first three WIAC opponents.  They beat LaCrosse 47-3 and Stout 55-13; UWO beat those same teams 30-6 and 28-26, respectively.  I have a hunch that UWW blows out Oshkosh this week and announces they're back (if that wasn't already announced).

No dog in this fight, really.  Just a hunch.  Surprised that most of the talk here is about playoff seedings rather than the week's game (although I didn't look back past the last two or three pages to see if anyone has already predicted this).  Any thoughts?

Ex- I'm surprised as well that there isn't more talk of the biggest WIAC game of the weekend.
I can't speak for others, but my feelings are this. As indicated by the results you posted, UWW is having great success in all phases of their game. That said, I remain cautiously optimistic until they prove they can beat a good team like UWO.  Their dominance has been so great that you're left with thinking one of two options. Either UWW is REALLY good or their opponents play REALLY poorly against them (save Wash U). Warhawk nation, IMO, needs to see UWW continue it's great play against a team like UWO before we return in full spirit.
The experience of 2012 still lingers.

That's because you are still experiencing post traumatic stress.  Ex is free of that because what happened last year. You (and many) are still in recovery mode.Understandable. It's like the kid who fell out of a 15 foot tree and broke his arm (heart?).  He's a little leery climbing back up because he doesn't want to feel the pain of the fall again.  Take your time climbing back up to the top of the tree Emma. I'll be waiting when you get here!

[bleedpurple]

"Showdown Saturday"

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