FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Although I'm sure some will think I'm trolling -- you sound fairly pessimistic about the chances of multiple teams getting in and I think the 13-5 mark in D-III non-conference games will help quite a bit. (In fact, considering two of those losses are to St. Thomas, that's a really good number.) Admittedly, the top teams have all played non-Division III teams but it's hard to get teams to line up to play Whitewater, Oshkosh and Platteville. Gotta take what you can get. As long as nobody in that group of three loses to anyone outside the group the rest of the way, there should be no problem getting two teams in. (And possible that UWSP could take the place of someone in the group if it wins enough of those games.)

[ScreamingEagles]

Eagles win 41-7. Looking good. UWRF comes to town next week.

UWL did look good yesterday, although the offense bogged down a bit in the second half.  I like the aggressiveness Coach Schmidt has shown too, with a trick play (wr pass) for a touchdown and also going for an onside kick in the first half that we got.  As others have mentioned, its tough to really judge how good this team is with the competition we've faced - I feel confident against UWRF and UWS, but everything beyond that is a tossup.


UW-L powers past Carroll, pushes mark to 3-0

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/local/uw-l-powers-past-carroll-pushes-mark-to/article_75ee0176-9156-5ee0-b198-c0b5d3344d16.html


UW-L gets defensive against Carroll

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/local/uw-l-gets-defensive-against-carroll/article_87597158-e82d-5535-956c-08642033b5e4.html

[emma17]

Although I'm sure some will think I'm trolling -- you sound fairly pessimistic about the chances of multiple teams getting in and I think the 13-5 mark in D-III non-conference games will help quite a bit. (In fact, considering two of those losses are to St. Thomas, that's a really good number.) Admittedly, the top teams have all played non-Division III teams but it's hard to get teams to line up to play Whitewater, Oshkosh and Platteville. Gotta take what you can get. As long as nobody in that group of three loses to anyone outside the group the rest of the way, there should be no problem getting two teams in. (And possible that UWSP could take the place of someone in the group if it wins enough of those games.)

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

At this point in the season it looks like there are 3 teams definitately worthy of the playoffs and 2 that have a chance to prove their place in the near future.

If the conference results play out as anticipated, UWSP could end up with 3 losses-to 3 teams in the top 10 in the country. Those 3 losses will in all likelihood preclude them from playoff participation, while 9-1 and 8-2 teams will Pez dispenser their way in.

[jamtod]

Although I'm sure some will think I'm trolling -- you sound fairly pessimistic about the chances of multiple teams getting in and I think the 13-5 mark in D-III non-conference games will help quite a bit. (In fact, considering two of those losses are to St. Thomas, that's a really good number.) Admittedly, the top teams have all played non-Division III teams but it's hard to get teams to line up to play Whitewater, Oshkosh and Platteville. Gotta take what you can get. As long as nobody in that group of three loses to anyone outside the group the rest of the way, there should be no problem getting two teams in. (And possible that UWSP could take the place of someone in the group if it wins enough of those games.)

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

At this point in the season it looks like there are 3 teams definitately worthy of the playoffs and 2 that have a chance to prove their place in the near future.

If the conference results play out as anticipated, UWSP could end up with 3 losses-to 3 teams in the top 10 in the country. Those 3 losses will in all likelihood preclude them from playoff participation, while 9-1 and 8-2 teams will Pez dispenser their way in.

I think Pat was misreading the post as implying that the WIAC would not get 2 deserving teams in. I read the OP as a reference to Platteville getting left outside last year and the chance for Oshkosh, WW, and Platteville (maybe even toss SP in there) to all be deserving.
Barring anything crazy, I think the WIAC certainly gets 2 teams in, with a chance for a 3rd.

[02 Warhawk]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

[Pat Coleman]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

I was told there are people on this board who think I am a Mount Union fan and only trying to troll you guys when I post but that really isn't the case. We need a strong Whitewater to balance Mount Union and I am all for it. (And then I'd love to see a strong UMHB and a strong Linfield to provide even more balance.)

[jamtod]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

I was told there are people on this board who think I am a Mount Union fan and only trying to troll you guys when I post but that really isn't the case. We need a strong Whitewater to balance Mount Union and I am all for it. (And then I'd love to see a strong UMHB and a strong Linfield to provide even more balance.)

We know the truth now, Pat - you are a St Thomas and MIAC-hater and you exist solely to troll the Tommies and the Johnnies. I get it now.

[AppletonRocks]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

Says the Whitewater fan....maybe even grad, whose skin I have clearly gotten under.  Not a substantive feat. 

[02 Warhawk]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

Says the Whitewater fan....maybe even grad, whose skin I have clearly gotten under.  Not a substantive feat. 

Not at all. But thanks for coming back to prove my point though. 

[Pat Coleman]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

I was told there are people on this board who think I am a Mount Union fan and only trying to troll you guys when I post but that really isn't the case. We need a strong Whitewater to balance Mount Union and I am all for it. (And then I'd love to see a strong UMHB and a strong Linfield to provide even more balance.)

We know the truth now, Pat - you are a St Thomas and MIAC-hater and you exist solely to troll the Tommies and the Johnnies. I get it now.

I think the Johnnies think I'm a Tommie fan. The Tommies might think I'm a Linfield fan? Not sure. If everyone feels that way, perhaps I'm playing the neutral card well, then.

[badgerwarhawk]

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

See AppletonRocks as an example.

Says the Whitewater fan....maybe even grad, whose skin I have clearly gotten under.  Not a substantive feat. 

Not at all. But thanks for coming back to prove my point though. 

I just think you're pathetic. 

[warhawkguard]

Well guys, we attended the Morningside game. Talk about a nail biter! I didn't see it mentioned much in the official reports, but our secondary got torched for almost 500 yards in the air, and still managed to win. That QB was simply OUTSTANDING, throwing laser darts all day. Late in the 4th, we remarked about their coaches decision to run the ball while deep in their territory when down by two scores. That was dumbfounding, with a passing attack like that. We just laughed as the clock kept ticking away...LOL.

We had our moments and certainly made some plays. I doubt we will see that many talented athletes on the same team again until Mount Union. And they were not really that big, just super good. Morningside had some beef and our DL's had all they could handle. Tamsett was fun to watch battle on every play. No quitting in that kid, love talking with his Daddy every time we go to a game. Proud papa.

Our two QB's made some great passes, and some not so great throws too. The two RB's are a great duo as you stated. Elusive, tough to catch and kept changing direction to slice through really tough territory. Some plays the UW line got owned, and then they would open one up. Nobody quit. Great game all the way.

Now, for conference play, UWW has been thoroughly tested after that game. It is very wise to schedule a tough team like that. What do you get when you win by 75 points? The next few weeks are going to be fun to watch. SP and LX are both good teams again. 5 strong teams means a great race and nothing is a given.

[wally_wabash]

Although I'm sure some will think I'm trolling -- you sound fairly pessimistic about the chances of multiple teams getting in and I think the 13-5 mark in D-III non-conference games will help quite a bit. (In fact, considering two of those losses are to St. Thomas, that's a really good number.) Admittedly, the top teams have all played non-Division III teams but it's hard to get teams to line up to play Whitewater, Oshkosh and Platteville. Gotta take what you can get. As long as nobody in that group of three loses to anyone outside the group the rest of the way, there should be no problem getting two teams in. (And possible that UWSP could take the place of someone in the group if it wins enough of those games.)

I really don't understand the definition of trolling. I assumed it was dropping in on a board and making a statement (that you may or may not believe and may not have any intention to support) designed to rile up the regulars.
Nothing in this post seems to do that.

At this point in the season it looks like there are 3 teams definitately worthy of the playoffs and 2 that have a chance to prove their place in the near future.

If the conference results play out as anticipated, UWSP could end up with 3 losses-to 3 teams in the top 10 in the country. Those 3 losses will in all likelihood preclude them from playoff participation, while 9-1 and 8-2 teams will Pez dispenser their way in.

It's probably still too early to say with any certainty which teams are "worthy of the playoffs" and which teams aren't.  Most teams are only 1/3 of the way through their schedules.  I think it's fair to see a few more weeks, particularly the next few weeks in the WIAC, before we decide who is worthy.   

RE: UW-SP losing three games and being de facto disqualified- yes, that's how that works.  And it's fine to be all "aww shucks, that's a tough break for the Pointers", but the reality is that if you've had three chances to beat tournament teams and lost all three, there's not really any good reason why you should be invited to the tournament.  Reference 2015 North Central...not invited, and that was perfectly fine.  There just isn't enough elective space in the field to seriously consider teams that carry three losses. 

We thought 8-2 Platteville should have gone in last year.  The West region committee disagreed and planted them behind Whitworth for reasons that remain unclear to me.  Good 8-2 vs. sort of unknown 9-1 is always the hardest call to make in these at-large selections, or really in the regional rankings prior to selections.  The rankings are really where the rubber meets the road, tbh. 

[HansenRatings]

We thought 8-2 Platteville should have gone in last year.  The West region committee disagreed and planted them behind Whitworth for reasons that remain unclear to me.

I think it should be understood that Regional Rankings are suggestions for the Selection Committee. They reserve the right to disagree with how the regional committee ranks their teams, and select a lower ranked team before a higher ranked team for Pool C consideration. I think this gets lost a lot in the discussion.

From the official NCAA Pre-Championship Manual (emphasis mine):

All teams shall be selected by the Division III Football Committee, assisted by regional advisory committees that serve in an advisory capacity only.

So last season, it's not as if the National Committee was looking at the Regional Rankings, and thinking to themselves, "Oh shucks, we have Whitworth and Platteville here. We really wish we could put UWP in, but those regional rankings won't let us do that... Oh well, Whitworth it is!"

[Pat Coleman]

That part kind of depends on the year -- some years they do say "what the regional committee says, goes" and other years they are more active in changing those rankings as a national committee.