FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

For NCC, what's missing here is they are not really a big play offense by design. They certainly have had their share of big plays but those are almost always due to a broken coverage and/or missed tackle. They run a system offense and are used to running 9,10,11 play drives for scores. A big part of that is due to the presence of a strong running game but Rutter doesn't throw the ball deep unless you give him man coverage and his read dictates it. To defend him you have to move him off his launch point and disrupt his read. He wont' push the ball down the field. Against Mt Union they got some big plays (broken coverage, missed tackles) but they also went 9+plays 5 times for scores. Against Del Valley they had 4 TD's with drives of 9+plays. Much more methodical on offense than St Johns. Now I don't think that changes anything for the Warhawks, they still have to win the battle up front on both sides.

Similarly, my sense of UWW's offense as a systematic approach. Correct me if I am wrong but pound the rock, hit you with play action, let the QB scramble some and mix in some slants17. They are more than content to run it for 4-5 yds a play and break your will and have the big play capability. All that points to a war in the trenches that should be epic.

I won't comment after WW because he's a pain in my arse.
That said, I agree with what WW said, it's really freaking hard to define UWW's offensive style anymore. Again, perhaps that's the genius.

Something else you said though USee that worries me. NCC is used to running 9, 10, 11 play drives. Some of us UWW-ers have felt the Dub's defensive strength is forcing long (as in 9, 10, 11+ play) drives- as more often than not the offense will make a mistake or the defense will make a big play.

I'm expecting UWW to greatly limit the damage Greenfield does.
I"m expecting Rutter will get his yards, much like that other Gagliardi winning QB did.
I'm expecting UWW will have success via the air, and enough success via the run to make it all work.
I'm expecting UWW's safeties will come up big.
 

[RoyalsFan]

That's basically UWW's defensive game plan for the past 15 years. We rarely give up big plays. We were the only team to stifle SJU this year in that regard.

Not sure I entirely agree with that. SJU was held to under 20 points in 3 games this year.

Not talking about total points given up, I'm referring to giving up that big play. Even in those games u reference, he had TD throws of 30, 45 and 70 yards.

That's what UWW was able to prevent last week.

In the end, big plays that don't get in the end zone don't matter much, only points matter. UWW still gave up 32 points and close to 350 yards in the air. Don't get me wrong, limiting big plays helps, but keeping them out of the end zone is more important and 3 teams did that better than UWW did this year.

And two of those three teams couldn't do what UWW did....win the game. And for that Concordia game, I hear the word "fluke loss" thrown around a lot on the MIAC boards.

Longer scoring drives do result in points, ur right. But longer drives also opens the door to more QB hits, and boy did uww's front 7 pound Erdmann that night. At one point I thought he might leave the game. We did give up 350 in the air, but it took him 50 throws to do it. Where as against Wheaton, he had 50 more yards through the air in 10 fewer attempts. UWW played exactly as planned. We weren't going to stop him, but limit big plays and be very physical with him.

I'm sure UWW did a great job defensively in limiting the big plays, but I think the weather (wind) also played a large roll. Throwing a deep ball is a lot harder when there is a significant wind, and it was definitely a factor in the game.

[USee]

another thing to watch. NCC scored on the first possession in every game of the season until Del Val 2 weeks ago. That was a 3 and out. Muhlenberg was a 1 play INT. Watch the Cardinal offense on the first drive.

[MUC57]

STAGG BOWL DAY

Good luck and best wishes to both teams.

Hope is for a well officiated game, injury free and played to the best by both teams.

Having said that - it seems these two teams did not read the script. This game was supposed to be between UMHB and UMU. Look at the past few years. Pretty obvious to me. But, there's always next year (in Canton, at the Pro Football Hall Of Fame).

Let's hope for good weather and a great game.
Go Both Teams. 🏈 🏆

[retagent]

Well said 57. Ditto. Good luck to the Warhawks (Oops, I have to rinse my mouth out now).

I saw in the paper this morning that the Westgate sports book in Vegas had NCC as a 10 1/2 point favorite. At the risk of moving that line, I advise you to get money on that.

[MasterJedi]

Impatiently awaiting the staff picks. Toss up game, good luck Hawks, smother them with defense and hit the QB hard (and legally!).

[02 Warhawk]

Impatiently awaiting the staff picks. Toss up game, good luck Hawks, smother them with defense and hit the QB hard (and legally!).

Most will go with NCC, a couple UWW.

[MasterJedi]

Impatiently awaiting the staff picks. Toss up game, good luck Hawks, smother them with defense and hit the QB hard (and legally!).

Most will go with NCC, a couple UWW.

Oh I know, just want to see. Reminds me of all the past Staggs so I'd be nervous if they mostly picked UWW 

[02 Warhawk]

Impatiently awaiting the staff picks. Toss up game, good luck Hawks, smother them with defense and hit the QB hard (and legally!).

Most will go with NCC, a couple UWW.

Oh I know, just want to see. Reminds me of all the past Staggs so I'd be nervous if they mostly picked UWW 

Was thinking the same thing. Most  picked against UWW in our Stagg bowl winning years too.

[MUC57]

Most seem to be picking NCC to win tonite. I know Larry Kehres never minded being the underdog. Said it puts the pressure on the other team. He had a point.
UWW is not just a good one year team. This is a great program (6 nationall championships speaks volumes). Even though this is a new team to the Stagg, as a program - been there, done that.
Since you beat Erdmann, you can beat Rutter!
Good luck. Go Warhawks! 🏈 🏆

[Pat Coleman]

Impatiently awaiting the staff picks. Toss up game, good luck Hawks, smother them with defense and hit the QB hard (and legally!).

Most will go with NCC, a couple UWW.

Oh I know, just want to see. Reminds me of all the past Staggs so I'd be nervous if they mostly picked UWW 

Was thinking the same thing. Most  picked against UWW in our Stagg bowl winning years too.

Actual picks in the years UWW won the Stagg Bowl:

2007: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2007/12/14/triple-take-stagg-bowl-predictions/ (majority picked Mount Union)
2009: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2009/12/18/triple-take-stagg-bowl-xxxvii-predictions/ (majority picked UWW)
2010: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2010/12/17/triple-take-stagg-bowl-predictions-3/ (majority picked UWW)
2011: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2011/12/15/triple-take-stagg-bowl-xxxix/ (3-3 split)
2013: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2013/12/19/triple-take-stagg-bowl-xli/ (3-3 split)
2014: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2014/12/19/triple-take-stagg-bowl-xlii-predictions/ (majority picked UWW)

[02 Warhawk]

Game day!!!! It doesn't get any better than this. I love his videos.

https://youtu.be/hIP7CPIhCbs

[USee]

O2,

Sorry to disappoint you but looks like Pat picked UWW. You can take solace in the fact that the usually 6 member crew was 4-2 in favor of NCC though. So you can keep that chip on your shoulder for another year!

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2019/12/20/quick-hits-predictions-for-stagg-bowl-xlvii/

[02 Warhawk]

O2,

Sorry to disappoint you but looks like Pat picked UWW. You can take solace in the fact that the usually 6 member crew was 4-2 in favor of NCC though. So you can keep that chip on your shoulder for another year!

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2019/12/20/quick-hits-predictions-for-stagg-bowl-xlvii/

It's what I expected.

Frank picking UWW is kind of death wish though for us.

[emma17]

USee,
I know NCC's corner #21 I think (Beasley?) is super fast and seems to be highly regarded. Do you feel he's a great cover guy?