FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

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.

Carthage reminds me a little of UWL this year. Both had breakout seasons in 2017, but both lost many key players on offense. We'll see if either are able to reload and build off what they accomplished last season.

I just think UWO will roll over Carthage, just like Wheaton and NCC did last year against the Red Men (both winning by 23 points).

[Pat Coleman]

That's absolutely a valid interpretation. I just want to see some evidence of whether we're looking at a reload vs. a rebuild. Also, although I didn't write this, I'm sure Oshkosh just wants to get back on the field given how the final 24 minutes of their season went last year.

[emma17]

I see where you're going with that 02.
I'm banking on the idea that Carthage's defense will be a challenge for the new UWO offense in game 1.
It's good to be talking upcoming games.

[UWO Titan 78]

I expect some growing pains with a new QB. I am not overlooking Carthage. In 2014, I was at the opener where we lost to a good (not great) NAIA Robert Morris team. We then lost to a very good NAIA Marian team the next week. We got hammered by an FCS team (SDSU) the following week. Brett Kasper was inserted as the starting QB in week four, and we finished 6-1 the rest of the way. I have faith in this coaching staff, but it may take a few weeks to work out the kinks (and to see how players actually react to being thrown in the fire). My hope is the QB got an extra month of reps last year during practice in the playoffs, and he had all of spring practice. He's got a good o-line in front of him, a good stable of backs, and Dom Todarello. There are much worse situations to be coming into. 

[emma17]

I expect some growing pains with a new QB. I am not overlooking Carthage. In 2014, I was at the opener where we lost to a good (not great) NAIA Robert Morris team. We then lost to a very good NAIA Marian team the next week. We got hammered by an FCS team (SDSU) the following week. Brett Kasper was inserted as the starting QB in week four, and we finished 6-1 the rest of the way. I have faith in this coaching staff, but it may take a few weeks to work out the kinks (and to see how players actually react to being thrown in the fire). My hope is the QB got an extra month of reps last year during practice in the playoffs, and he had all of spring practice. He's got a good o-line in front of him, a good stable of backs, and Dom Todarello. There are much worse situations to be coming into.

Yeah, like coming into the Perk on October 6.   

[WW]

I expect some growing pains with a new QB. I am not overlooking Carthage. In 2014, I was at the opener where we lost to a good (not great) NAIA Robert Morris team. We then lost to a very good NAIA Marian team the next week. We got hammered by an FCS team (SDSU) the following week. Brett Kasper was inserted as the starting QB in week four, and we finished 6-1 the rest of the way. I have faith in this coaching staff, but it may take a few weeks to work out the kinks (and to see how players actually react to being thrown in the fire). My hope is the QB got an extra month of reps last year during practice in the playoffs, and he had all of spring practice. He's got a good o-line in front of him, a good stable of backs, and Dom Todarello. There are much worse situations to be coming into.

If Duranso's the man, UWO can worry about positions other than QB. I'm frankly surprised he landed in D3. Titans' N-C schedule should be plenty to get him up to speed (they're probably grateful just to have a legit N-C schedule)

[02 Warhawk]

Trying to recruit one or two more members for the West Region Fan poll. Send me a message if you're interested.

Much appreciated!

[WW]

No surprises in coaches poll, which goes...

UWO
UWW
UWP
UWL
UWS
UWRF
UWSP
UWEC

[bleedpurple]

No surprises in coaches poll, which goes...

UWO
UWW
UWP
UWL
UWS
UWRF
UWSP
UWEC

The coaches and SID's went straight down the line from last year's final standings with one exception.  They flipped UW-P over UW-L.  Interesting...

[WW]

No surprises in coaches poll, which goes...

UWO
UWW
UWP
UWL
UWS
UWRF
UWSP
UWEC

The coaches and SID's went straight down the line from last year's final standings with one exception.  They flipped UW-P over UW-L.  Interesting...

Anybody know if Cade Earl is back for UWP? I think the 2-4 race is wide open. Even Stout could be in that mix.

[02 Warhawk]

No surprises in coaches poll, which goes...

UWO
UWW
UWP
UWL
UWS
UWRF
UWSP
UWEC

The coaches and SID's went straight down the line from last year's final standings with one exception.  They flipped UW-P over UW-L.  Interesting...

Anybody know if Cade Earl is back for UWP? I think the 2-4 race is wide open. Even Stout could be in that mix.

I think it's a good bet that UWO, UWW and UWP will finish in the top 3. UWL lost all their big play makers, only returning seven starters on offense and defense combined. Not to mention they have a new offensive coordinator. I'm a little skeptical if they're able to repeat the same success they had last year, given how much they lost from 2017.

[WW]

No surprises in coaches poll, which goes...

UWO
UWW
UWP
UWL
UWS
UWRF
UWSP
UWEC

The coaches and SID's went straight down the line from last year's final standings with one exception.  They flipped UW-P over UW-L.  Interesting...

Anybody know if Cade Earl is back for UWP? I think the 2-4 race is wide open. Even Stout could be in that mix.

I think it's a good bet that UWO, UWW and UWP will finish in the top 3. UWL lost all their big play makers, only returning seven starters on offense and defense combined. Not to mention they have a new offensive coordinator. I'm a little skeptical if they're able to repeat the same success they had last year, given how much they lost from 2017.

I guess I'm a little cooler on UWL than I was when I thought they were returning a quality QB. But I'm gonna keep them in the mix because they sound deeper than any team in the WIAC. In any case, the WIAC opener vs UWW will be huge, and likely a playoff eliminator.

[emma17]

WW- Are you saying the loser of UWW v UWO is likely out of the playoff picture?

[WW]

WW- Are you saying the loser of UWW v UWO is likely out of the playoff picture?

No. I'm saying the loser of UWL v UWW will likely be out of the playoff picture, pending N-C outcomes of course, which could effectively have them already eliminated by that point. I have doubts about the merits of a difficult N-C schedule. Can't win a championship with N-C wins, but you can sure lose one with N-C losses.

That said, I'd sure like to see rosters before making any stone-cold-lock judgements on this season. A few teams have them posted.

[bleedpurple]

WW- Are you saying the loser of UWW v UWO is likely out of the playoff picture?

No. I'm saying the loser of UWL v UWW will likely be out of the playoff picture, pending N-C outcomes of course, which could effectively have them already eliminated by that point. I have doubts about the merits of a difficult N-C schedule. Can't win a championship with N-C wins, but you can sure lose one with N-C losses.

That said, I'd sure like to see rosters before making any stone-cold-lock judgements on this season. A few teams have them posted.

You may want to see a few games played before doing this as well.  Just a thought...