FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

^^
I agree that pounding into oblivion is likely the safest/surest way to victory.
However, what I'm really wondering is if the coaching staff will open up the passing game for Nelson as part of the QB competition-sort of treating last week and this week as preseason games for talent evaluation.
I know they have the whole 2015 season of Nelson, but if this truly is an open competition for the starting QB position, don't both contenders need similar game opportunities? 

[palum]

I was checking the Cincinnati Bengals roster to see if Alex Erickson of UW made the roster (he did), I noticed that Jake Kumerow is on the Bengals Practice Roster. 

[bleedpurple]

^^
I agree that pounding into oblivion is likely the safest/surest way to victory.
However, what I'm really wondering is if the coaching staff will open up the passing game for Nelson as part of the QB competition-sort of treating last week and this week as preseason games for talent evaluation.
I know they have the whole 2015 season of Nelson, but if this truly is an open competition for the starting QB position, don't both contenders need similar game opportunities?

My uneducated answer to your last question is "yes and no". The coaches will have also had 45 practices against one of the best defenses in the country to evaluate the QBs. Granted, games are different and more important. But each QB playing roughly half a game each against TCNJ and Belhaven probably wouldn't be enough to offset whatever they have already learned about both quarterbacks.  In other words, Cole's outstanding performance last week probably didn't surprise the coaches one single bit. And if Chris either lights up Belhaven or isn't given the opportunity to throw much, their opinion of him won't likely change all that much. My hope for more reps for Chris are centered on him to being able to knock off the rust before Morningside, not for the coaches' evaluation.  In the same way, I'd like to see Cole get reps Saturday for the same reason. And Curran too.  The only thing I know for sure is that the coaches have expectations for a very high  level of QB play this season irrespective of who starts.

[badgerwarhawk]

I was checking the Cincinnati Bengals roster to see if Alex Erickson of UW made the roster (he did), I noticed that Jake Kumerow is on the Bengals Practice Roster. 

I always root for a BADGER but I was afraid Erickson might seize a spot that may have been Jake's.  Regardless injuries happen, the minimum practice squad roster member's salary is $8K so he may get yet get an opportunity and if not he's not doing too badly. 

[emma17]

^^
I agree that pounding into oblivion is likely the safest/surest way to victory.
However, what I'm really wondering is if the coaching staff will open up the passing game for Nelson as part of the QB competition-sort of treating last week and this week as preseason games for talent evaluation.
I know they have the whole 2015 season of Nelson, but if this truly is an open competition for the starting QB position, don't both contenders need similar game opportunities?

My uneducated answer to your last question is "yes and no". The coaches will have also had 45 practices against one of the best defenses in the country to evaluate the QBs. Granted, games are different and more important. But each QB playing roughly half a game each against TCNJ and Belhaven probably wouldn't be enough to offset whatever they have already learned about both quarterbacks.  In other words, Cole's outstanding performance last week probably didn't surprise the coaches one single bit. And if Chris either lights up Belhaven or isn't given the opportunity to throw much, their opinion of him won't likely change all that much. My hope for more reps for Chris are centered on him to being able to knock off the rust before Morningside, not for the coaches' evaluation.  In the same way, I'd like to see Cole get reps Saturday for the same reason. And Curran too.  The only thing I know for sure is that the coaches have expectations for a very high  level of QB play this season irrespective of who starts.

That's a mighty fine answer.
Let me ask you (anybody) this. Does the coaching staff have an easier time explaining their decision to all the players by pointing to game performance as opposed to practice performance?

[cubs]

I was checking the Cincinnati Bengals roster to see if Alex Erickson of UW made the roster (he did), I noticed that Jake Kumerow is on the Bengals Practice Roster. 

I always root for a BADGER but I was afraid Erickson might seize a spot that may have been Jake's.  Regardless injuries happen, the minimum practice squad roster member's salary is $8K so he may get yet get an opportunity and if not he's not doing too badly.

Just to clarify, the minimum salary for an NFL practice squad player in 2016 is $6,900 per week, which equals $117,300 for the 17-week season.

[BoBo]

With all the passing Belhaven does, I'm hoping for some picks.  I imagine they will mostly rely on short passes so not too much of a chance for sacks and fumbles.
Last year UWW held back on passing and stayed w ground game. I get that the running game keeps Belhaven's offense off the field, but I'm interested to see if UWW goes to the air more if Nelson plays.
How else will the Dub decide on a QB (if not already decided)?

I hope to see UWW air it out more. I actually think Wilbur has a stronger arm and could get the long routes going. I thought the game plan was good last week with the fast pace. It wore TCNJ out and I think it will have the same effect this week.

It will be interesting to see how UW-W attacks the Belhaven 3-3-5 defense. It is a defense designed to confuse the offense and create negative plays with blitzes coming from nearly anywhere. Last year, the Hawks handled it by simply ramming the ball down their throats ( over 300 yards rushing). If you can do that, it is certainly the safest way to handle it. The 3-3-5 can be gashed with the short pass as well, but throwing against it turns things into a a chess match between coordinators (even more than usual) because you could throw into coverage if you aren't anticipating the blitz correctly.

I'm guessing we pound them with the run and then start taking shots in the passing game. I would think Nelson would get more than the 9 passes he got last year against them given he didn't play last week. But if we are having huge success with the run, it's hard to go away from it, so who knows?

I've done my due diligence: read over stacks and stacks of scouting reports and studied hours and hours of film, and I've concluded Belhaven's confusing 3-3-5 defense will not work as designed vs UWW. In fact, I believe the Warhawks will have BU in checkmate in....4 moves. 

[Brian R. Carroll]

I predict a 48-20 Eagle win over Ripon.

[02 Warhawk]

Nelson...*sigh*

[02 Warhawk]

Where is the dline discipline...what the hell.

[02 Warhawk]

Nelson.. *double sigh*

[BoBo]

Yikes...what an ugly looking TD pass...was that a pass of a pooch punt - straight up, straight down...and the DB was where?

[02 Warhawk]

Keep running....get the ball out of nelson's hands

[02 Warhawk]

3rd and 10...run. hmm....

Coaching staff not trusting nelson?

[BoBo]

Keep running....get the ball out of nelson's hands

Exactly...