FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Ho-hum...WIAC is still #1

[emma17]

bleedpurple

Wait a minute! I didn't say anything about hoping for a Kumerow legacy. One of those guys is enough for a long time. Of course, I'm just kidding. Or am I? Go Warhawks. Go Raiders! Here it comes, Go Everybody! ☠🏈

Sorry MUC57, you are going to have to put up with another one for a few more years. Offensively, the Warhawk plane has been in the shop for the last couple of years. This year, it's balls to the wall!  Go Hawks!

That's a sweet sound Bleed. I have to admit I've already made several long range scheduling adjustments to ensure my attendance.

Welcome aboard, Emma! Looking forward to seeing you! This will be a fun year.   "UW-W is preparing for takeoff!"

What is the basis for yall's optimism? Presuming Patterson is back, right? But Hudson is done. And Wilber has one left, but certainly seems that the QB position would, at the least, be open to challenge. I'm just not high on UWW's offense... unless rumored transfers turn out to be true.

From my viewpoint the biggest difference will be in coaching. I don't believe Smith was the right fit for UWW.
As for players, I'm hoping for a large dose of Alex Peete at RB- imo he's the closest UWW has had to Coppage.
I know Marcus Hudson was a talent and all, but I'll look back at the last three seasons as the Smith-Hudson years. I don't think either were great fits for UWW.
I may be on the minority on Wilbur, I'm a fan of his. I'm sure his lack of production over the last two years has much to do with him. That said, I fully expect to see him used to his strengths this season. I also think he'll feel challenged by other QB's this year, resulting in better play. 
UWW still has the pound the rock players, it's up to the coaching staff to get it all synced up.

[02 Warhawk]

From my viewpoint the biggest difference will be in coaching. I don't believe Smith was the right fit for UWW.
As for players, I'm hoping for a large dose of Alex Peete at RB- imo he's the closest UWW has had to Coppage.
I know Marcus Hudson was a talent and all, but I'll look back at the last three seasons as the Smith-Hudson years. I don't think either were great fits for UWW.
I may be on the minority on Wilbur, I'm a fan of his. I'm sure his lack of production over the last two years has much to do with him. That said, I fully expect to see him used to his strengths this season. I also think he'll feel challenged by other QB's this year, resulting in better play. 
UWW still has the pound the rock players, it's up to the coaching staff to get it all synced up.

Curious to see how much this first-year OC can right the ship on offense. Wilbur was taught for 3 years how to do things one way, I wonder what the learning curve will be for him switching gears his senior year? Hopefully he lives up to his expectations he had coming here from California. I remember talks about him being the next great UWW QB. So far things really haven't gone according to plan. Not sure if that's more on him or the previous OC?

[bleedpurple]

bleedpurple

Wait a minute! I didn't say anything about hoping for a Kumerow legacy. One of those guys is enough for a long time. Of course, I'm just kidding. Or am I? Go Warhawks. Go Raiders! Here it comes, Go Everybody! ☠🏈

Sorry MUC57, you are going to have to put up with another one for a few more years. Offensively, the Warhawk plane has been in the shop for the last couple of years. This year, it's balls to the wall!  Go Hawks!

That's a sweet sound Bleed. I have to admit I've already made several long range scheduling adjustments to ensure my attendance.

Welcome aboard, Emma! Looking forward to seeing you! This will be a fun year.   "UW-W is preparing for takeoff!"

What is the basis for yall's optimism? Presuming Patterson is back, right? But Hudson is done. And Wilber has one left, but certainly seems that the QB position would, at the least, be open to challenge. I'm just not high on UWW's offense... unless rumored transfers turn out to be true.

For me it's about talent.  Both talent that is returning and talent that has been infused. Lots of talent ready to turn it loose.  They know they are capable of so much more than what we accomplished the last couple of years.  I believe at this moment, the vibe of the program has the proper doses of edge, optimism, confidence, determination, and relentless attention to detail. 

But having said all that, WW, I understand why you wouldn't be that high on the UW-W offense.  They have not shown the necessary consistency over the past few seasons.  We have earned the skeptics.  I'm not trying to convince anyone else to have optimism, but merely expressing the reasons for mine.  I know it's about the games.  I'd imagine that an offense that executes consistently and scores a bunch of points will be what turns skeptics into believers.

[02 Warhawk]

For me it's about talent.  Both talent that is returning and talent that has been infused. Lots of talent ready to turn it loose.  They know they are capable of so much more than what we accomplished the last couple of years.  I believe at this moment, the vibe of the program has the proper doses of edge, optimism, confidence, determination, and relentless attention to detail. 

But having said all that, WW, I understand why you wouldn't be that high on the UW-W offense.  They have not shown the necessary consistency over the past few seasons.  We have earned the skeptics.  I'm not trying to convince anyone else to have optimism, but merely expressing the reasons for mine.  I know it's about the games.  I'd imagine that an offense that executes consistently and scores a bunch of points will be what turns skeptics into believers.

Put me down as cautiously optimistic. That offense has been soooooooooooo frustrating the past couple of seasons, and they have many of the pieces returning. I'm very anxious to see how much difference a change in OC can make in one offseason.

[WW]

Dubdub also loses 3 all-conference O linemen to graduation. Plus Gumina.

I'm more outright doubter than skeptic at this point. But we'll see who shows up this weekend -- might be a game changer there.

[emma17]

Dubdub also loses 3 all-conference O linemen to graduation. Plus Gumina.

I'm more outright doubter than skeptic at this point. But we'll see who shows up this weekend -- might be a game changer there.

You hit the nail on the head by saying UWW loses Gumina. That's part of my point about Smith-Hudson years and Wilbur not used properly. Think about the potential Gumina had to do serious damage to a defense, and then look at his numbers. It's a huge shame. Sure, there may be insider things I don't know, but I do know he was on the field playing most every game, but hardly used at all. 
But boy oh boy, it sure was fun to watch bombs thrown to Hudson. All that "verticle stretch" accomplished next to nothing in the big picture- because UWW couldn't move the chains.
They had talent. It was misappropriated.

[02 Warhawk]

Dubdub also loses 3 all-conference O linemen to graduation. Plus Gumina.

I'm more outright doubter than skeptic at this point. But we'll see who shows up this weekend -- might be a game changer there.

Not to sound arrogant, but UWW graduates all-conference linemen every year....only to replace them with future all-conference linemen.

Matt Behrendt's "little brother", Bryan, will be a force for the next couple of years for UWW. 6'6" 335lbs 

[UWO Titan 78]

This league is won in the trenches (like most football). When UWW was dominant, they dominated the LOS on both sides. That is the only way to beat Mt. Union/UMHB too. Most often they will have better skill players. Oshkosh has won the LOS against UWW the last few years (especially last year). Oshkosh dominated the LOS against Mount in the playoffs in the first half. The problem with rushing one or two guys against Mount is they have the skill to beat you even if you drop 9 or 10 (and they did in the second half). My guess is the Titan/Warhawk game and this conference come down to who dominates the LOS. Oshkosh does need to settle on a QB too. I actually wish the game was played later in the season to give the Titan QB a little more time to get battle tested. But hopefully the games against the D2 schools will be a decent barometer. Good luck to all this coming season!

[02 Warhawk]

This league is won in the trenches (like most football). When UWW was dominant, they dominated the LOS on both sides. That is the only way to beat Mt. Union/UMHB too. Most often they will have better skill players. Oshkosh has won the LOS against UWW the last few years (especially last year). Oshkosh dominated the LOS against Mount in the playoffs in the first half. The problem with rushing one or two guys against Mount is they have the skill to beat you even if you drop 9 or 10 (and they did in the second half). My guess is the Titan/Warhawk game and this conference come down to who dominates the LOS. Oshkosh does need to settle on a QB too. I actually wish the game was played later in the season to give the Titan QB a little more time to get battle tested. But hopefully the games against the D2 schools will be a decent barometer. Good luck to all this coming season!

Good luck with your "season defining game" against Carthage 

[palum]

Kumerow did WW and the WIAC proud last night. It's still a long shot but I learned yesterday that he is eligible for one more year on the practice squad that may keep him in GB for the season.

[bleedpurple]

Kumerow did WW and the WIAC proud last night. It's still a long shot but I learned yesterday that he is eligible for one more year on the practice squad that may keep him in GB for the season.

I don't know if the Pack will be able to get away with that.  I think if Jake stays healthy, someone will want him on their 53.  Rodgers (who is probably more known for caustic comments than praise regarding young players) has very specifically mentioned Jake several times in a positive light with specifics including "always where he is supposed to be" and "practices like a pro".  My observation is that Rodgers is always intentional when he says something publicly.  It crossed my mind that with those comments, he was trying to help Jake stay in the league. General Managers are human beings, too. Having a QB like Rodgers' approval certainly doesn't hurt.

[bleedpurple]

This league is won in the trenches (like most football). When UWW was dominant, they dominated the LOS on both sides. That is the only way to beat Mt. Union/UMHB too. Most often they will have better skill players. Oshkosh has won the LOS against UWW the last few years (especially last year). Oshkosh dominated the LOS against Mount in the playoffs in the first half. The problem with rushing one or two guys against Mount is they have the skill to beat you even if you drop 9 or 10 (and they did in the second half). My guess is the Titan/Warhawk game and this conference come down to who dominates the LOS. Oshkosh does need to settle on a QB too. I actually wish the game was played later in the season to give the Titan QB a little more time to get battle tested. But hopefully the games against the D2 schools will be a decent barometer. Good luck to all this coming season!

I pretty much agree with you on all counts Titan78. Although, specific to UW-W/UW-O, having Mentkowski, Hecker, and Kasper certainly didn't hurt the Titans any.

[Pat Coleman]

This league is won in the trenches (like most football). When UWW was dominant, they dominated the LOS on both sides. That is the only way to beat Mt. Union/UMHB too. Most often they will have better skill players. Oshkosh has won the LOS against UWW the last few years (especially last year). Oshkosh dominated the LOS against Mount in the playoffs in the first half. The problem with rushing one or two guys against Mount is they have the skill to beat you even if you drop 9 or 10 (and they did in the second half). My guess is the Titan/Warhawk game and this conference come down to who dominates the LOS. Oshkosh does need to settle on a QB too. I actually wish the game was played later in the season to give the Titan QB a little more time to get battle tested. But hopefully the games against the D2 schools will be a decent barometer. Good luck to all this coming season!

Good luck with your "season defining game" against Carthage 

Hah ... here was my thinking on that. Last time the Titans lost a franchise quarterback, it took them a while to develop the next one. Here's the first test for whomever is next, and Carthage isn't exactly a pushover like they were playing some club team.

[emma17]

I think some of the WI residents have a hard time accepting the idea that Carthage is actually pretty good. It seems Carthage is viewed as Carroll, maybe the geographic familiarity or something.
I think Carthage will give UWO an outstanding first game.

I too agree w Titan 78, excellent line play and very good skilled players typically trump good line play and excellent skilled players. That said, coaches have to use them the right way.
Some folks love the "Jimmy's and Joe's over X's and O's", but I believe they are equally important.