FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[HansenRatings]

If I were a UWW fan, I wouldn't be too harsh on Wilbur for the INTs late in the game (that one into triple coverage on the near sideline was probably questionable). The only reason they were in the game in the 4th was because he started taking those chances in the second half. When you're trying to come back, you have to take those shots. If a QB finishes a game like that without any INTs, and you lost, then he wasn't taking the chances he needed to for the team to have a chance. And I agree with UWO Titan and emma17, the UWW OLine looked legit, but I think UWO was doing that thing they do against teams sometimes where they don't really try to pass rush.

[emma17]

Hansen,
I appreciate you wrote not to be "too" harsh.
I agree, we have to cut some slack because of game situation, and who knows, perhaps coaching preference for who Cole should be throwing to.

Pick 1: 2nd quarter at UWO 22 on 2nd and 17. No replay on video. I believe he had a curl route on right side open immediately, but his delay allowed the defender to slide underneath. UWW lost at least a field goal try.
Pick 2: UWW was rolling on O getting to 23-20, but went down 30-20 on a UWO bomb. 8 mins left and 2nd and 5 at UWW 30- he threw the pick. I don't recall detail of play, but no reason to force a throw in this situation.
Pick 3: UWW down 37-20 with 2 mins left. He threw longer ball into triple coverage I believe. I understand the desperation here.

Is the staff staying with players too long? UWW finally moved Trewyn back to center (after moving him to LT due to an injury there) and the shotgun snap problem disappeared. The low and high shotgun snaps is one of the contributors to the offensive problems and the 1-2 start pre Oshkosh.

[merlecanlas]

-UWW defense has not had an interception in four games. 125 passes thrown against the D, not one interception.

sounds like UWW is slow and/or not athletic, or the coaches are calling too safe of defenses.

As an outsider, I'd be more concerned about the UWO defense than anything.  Strip off the Warhawk from UWW's helmet and they look like a decent D3 team right now, and they would not be receiving a single vote in the top 25.   UWW getting 400 yards of offense with nearly 200 on the ground does not bode well for UWO.  Reviewing the preseason rankings, UWO should be #1.  But in 2017, both of those "big wins" look pretty pedestrian right now.

[HansenRatings]

Hansen,
I appreciate you wrote not to be "too" harsh.
I agree, we have to cut some slack because of game situation, and who knows, perhaps coaching preference for who Cole should be throwing to.

Pick 1: 2nd quarter at UWO 22 on 2nd and 17. No replay on video. I believe he had a curl route on right side open immediately, but his delay allowed the defender to slide underneath. UWW lost at least a field goal try.
Pick 2: UWW was rolling on O getting to 23-20, but went down 30-20 on a UWO bomb. 8 mins left and 2nd and 5 at UWW 30- he threw the pick. I don't recall detail of play, but no reason to force a throw in this situation.
Pick 3: UWW down 37-20 with 2 mins left. He threw longer ball into triple coverage I believe. I understand the desperation here.

Is the staff staying with players too long? UWW finally moved Trewyn back to center (after moving him to LT due to an injury there) and the shotgun snap problem disappeared. The low and high shotgun snaps is one of the contributors to the offensive problems and the 1-2 start pre Oshkosh.

Pick #2 he overthrew a fade or wheel route on the far sideline, if I recall correctly. Really late-developing play

[emma17]

Hansen,
I appreciate you wrote not to be "too" harsh.
I agree, we have to cut some slack because of game situation, and who knows, perhaps coaching preference for who Cole should be throwing to.

Pick 1: 2nd quarter at UWO 22 on 2nd and 17. No replay on video. I believe he had a curl route on right side open immediately, but his delay allowed the defender to slide underneath. UWW lost at least a field goal try.
Pick 2: UWW was rolling on O getting to 23-20, but went down 30-20 on a UWO bomb. 8 mins left and 2nd and 5 at UWW 30- he threw the pick. I don't recall detail of play, but no reason to force a throw in this situation.
Pick 3: UWW down 37-20 with 2 mins left. He threw longer ball into triple coverage I believe. I understand the desperation here.

Is the staff staying with players too long? UWW finally moved Trewyn back to center (after moving him to LT due to an injury there) and the shotgun snap problem disappeared. The low and high shotgun snaps is one of the contributors to the offensive problems and the 1-2 start pre Oshkosh.

Pick #2 he overthrew a fade or wheel route on the far sideline, if I recall correctly. Really late-developing play

That's right, thanks. That play too seemed like a late throw by Cole. I get the feeling at times he needs to see the receiver "open".

I don't want to give the impression this is all on Cole because it isn't.
How does the UWW D go four games into the season without a pick?
UWW has fumbled 8 times losing 6 while 4 opponents have fumbled 2 times, losing both. 34-7 points off turnovers in favor of opponents.
Red zone: Opponents are 7-11 scoring TD's, UWW is 6-15.
After four games, UWW gives up 25 points per game and scores 22. Take away Wash U and UWW scoring drops to 16 per game.

These are stats that give credence to Pat's suggestion that this is an end of an era- the poor results aren't limited to one side of the ball like happened in 2012. UWW had a great defense that year, their woes were offensive (and of the offense).   


 

[emma17]

-UWW defense has not had an interception in four games. 125 passes thrown against the D, not one interception.

sounds like UWW is slow and/or not athletic, or the coaches are calling too safe of defenses.

As an outsider, I'd be more concerned about the UWO defense than anything.  Strip off the Warhawk from UWW's helmet and they look like a decent D3 team right now, and they would not be receiving a single vote in the top 25.   UWW getting 400 yards of offense with nearly 200 on the ground does not bode well for UWO.  Reviewing the preseason rankings, UWO should be #1.  But in 2017, both of those "big wins" look pretty pedestrian right now.

I agree we need more time to see how good the UWO D can be. I don't judge them from the perspective of UWW being a "decent D3 team". Decent teams don't have the offensive line and stable of running backs UWW has. And they don't have the benefit of recruiting that comes with winning 6 of the last 10 national championships.
UWW is a dangerous team for any opponent no matter their ranking. The problem is, they're even more dangerous to themselves.

[UWO Titan 78]

I can't see how the Oshkosh defense doesn't continue to improve for a couple of reasons. 1) They are young and inexperienced. The Warhawk offense is loaded with talent. The UWW oline is well above average. They held that offense to 13 first downs. Yes, there were defensive breakdowns that allowed big plays, but communication will improve with reps and experience. 2) Coach Cerroni and his staff know defense. They consistently come up with game plans that keep some of the best offenses in check and make them one dimensional. The UMHB offense that they faced last year was prolific. They held that team to 332 yards and 10 points in the Stagg Bowl. Now, that defense was loaded with talent and experience. I don't expect this defense to get to that level, but it will still be very good.

[jamtod]

It was good to  see Eddy back at QB for Platteville today, he was a difference maker.  If Platteville deserves their #12 ranking then Stout should stay in the top 25 this was one hell of a game. It's going to be a wild WIAC season this year.

Was Eddy the expected starter from the beginning of the year?

[emma17]

This board is quiet without all those cocky U Dub Dub fans.

Despite my Warhawk grief, I am quite enjoying this WIAC season. Stout, Lax and even River Falls are making each week intriguing. UWW vs Stout used to be ho-hum, now it's the WIAC game of the week.
Who knows, Falls may give UWP a challenge.

I look forward to seeing how Lax does after this weekend as they have a heck of a WIAC schedule coming up: UWW, UWO, UWP, UWS and finally UWRF.
I can see them winning four of their last five, or one of their last five.   

[HansenRatings]

It was good to  see Eddy back at QB for Platteville today, he was a difference maker.  If Platteville deserves their #12 ranking then Stout should stay in the top 25 this was one hell of a game. It's going to be a wild WIAC season this year.

Was Eddy the expected starter from the beginning of the year?

He's been #2 on the depth chart since I left UWP his freshman year, and he had some significant playing time last year. I was really surprised he wasn't the game 1 starter. I haven't talked to anyone on the staff, but I suspect he was injured the first couple games.

[HScoach]

This board is quiet without all those cocky U Dub Dub fans.

Despite my Warhawk grief, I am quite enjoying this WIAC season. Stout, Lax and even River Falls are making each week intriguing. UWW vs Stout used to be ho-hum, now it's the WIAC game of the week.
Who knows, Falls may give UWP a challenge.

I look forward to seeing how Lax does after this weekend as they have a heck of a WIAC schedule coming up: UWW, UWO, UWP, UWS and finally UWRF.
I can see them winning four of their last five, or one of their last five.

That's exactly what I was thinking......

[jamtod]

It was good to  see Eddy back at QB for Platteville today, he was a difference maker.  If Platteville deserves their #12 ranking then Stout should stay in the top 25 this was one hell of a game. It's going to be a wild WIAC season this year.

Was Eddy the expected starter from the beginning of the year?

He's been #2 on the depth chart since I left UWP his freshman year, and he had some significant playing time last year. I was really surprised he wasn't the game 1 starter. I haven't talked to anyone on the staff, but I suspect he was injured the first couple games.

I did some more digging on the UW-P website (and d3fb kickoff) and concluded that Eddy was injured to start the season. As well as Earl did the first few weeks (before he got injured), I was surprised to see him listed as a FR.

[Pat Coleman]

It was good to  see Eddy back at QB for Platteville today, he was a difference maker.  If Platteville deserves their #12 ranking then Stout should stay in the top 25 this was one hell of a game. It's going to be a wild WIAC season this year.

Was Eddy the expected starter from the beginning of the year?

Yes -- everything I've read (including Kickoff) indicated it was his position.

[WRMUalum13]

-UWW defense has not had an interception in four games. 125 passes thrown against the D, not one interception.

sounds like UWW is slow and/or not athletic, or the coaches are calling too safe of defenses.

As an outsider, I'd be more concerned about the UWO defense than anything.  Strip off the Warhawk from UWW's helmet and they look like a decent D3 team right now, and they would not be receiving a single vote in the top 25.   UWW getting 400 yards of offense with nearly 200 on the ground does not bode well for UWO.  Reviewing the preseason rankings, UWO should be #1.  But in 2017, both of those "big wins" look pretty pedestrian right now.

I agree we need more time to see how good the UWO D can be. I don't judge them from the perspective of UWW being a "decent D3 team". Decent teams don't have the offensive line and stable of running backs UWW has. And they don't have the benefit of recruiting that comes with winning 6 of the last 10 national championships.
UWW is a dangerous team for any opponent no matter their ranking. The problem is, they're even more dangerous to themselves.

To be honest though "decent d3 teams" usually have a better record than 1-3 

[Pat Coleman]

Go find the decent teams who played four games in a row on the road to open the season, three vs. Top 25 teams. We'll wait.