FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Seriously, let's liven things up a bit.

You've got UWP and UWL playing in maybe the two most intriguing matchups of the second round. Logan's stats show UWP as a solid favorite, but I wonder if Wartburg's playoff experience comes into a play.

What's the skinny on these two squads. UWL looks like about the best 3 loss team ever, with two close WIAC losses and a loss to D2 power GVSU. But what are the MO's of the two teams? Sounds like UWP has a great D, are they still a pass first O? What makes UWL tick?

This time of year isn't any fun if y'all won't talk a little smack with Duff and Co.!

[DuffMan]

Without Whitewater in the mix, there's far fewer goons over here.

[kubiack78]

Without Whitewater in the mix, there's far fewer goons over here.

Hey, I resemble that remark    

[HansenRatings]

UWL looks like about the best 3 loss team ever, with two close WIAC losses and a loss to D2 power GVSU.

This is something I can look up in my ratings! They're not even the best 3-loss team of the last 2 years but that's only because UW-River Falls last year was 7-3, ranked #7 in the country (same as UW-La Crosse right now), and had a rating of 39.0 (UWL is at 38.7 right now) - the highest rating since 1997 for a 3-loss team.

If I limit myself to just teams with 3 losses in the regular season, here were the best 3+ loss teams each season.

2024: UW-La Crosse (7-3, #7, 38.7)
2023: UW-River Ralls (7-3, #7, 39.0)
2022: UW-Oshkosh (6-4, #6, 38.0)
2021: UW-Oshkosh (6-3, #15, 31.7)
2019: UW-La Crosse (7-3, #15, 30.6)
2018: UW-La Crosse (7-3, #15, 28.7)
2017: John Carroll (6-4, #15, 30.6)
2016: UW-Stevens Point (6-4, #21, 22.5)
2015: North Central (7-3, #15, 29.0)
2014: UW-Oshkosh (6-4, #9, 34.3)
2013: Salisbury (7-4, #22, 23.0)
2012: UW-Whitewater (7-3, #9, 37.3)
2011: UW-Oshkosh (7-3, #8, 35.4)
2010: St. John's (7-3, #11, 33.9)
2009: UW-Stevens Point (7-6, #10, 29.0)
2008: UW-Eau Claire (6-4, #8, 27.9)
2007: UW-La Crosse (5-4, #4, 31.4)
2006: Ohio Northern (6-4, #13, 27.2)
2005: UW-La Crosse (5-4, #8, 31.6)
2004: UW-La Crosse (7-4, #4, 32.8) - There were 5 teams with 3 regular season losses in my model's Top 10 this season: UWL, SJU, UWW, UWSP, and UWEC
2003: UW-Stout (6-4, #8, 30.3)
2002: UW-Stout (7-3, #15, 27.3)
2001: John Carroll (7-3, #12, 27.9)
2000: UW-River Falls (6-4, #7, 28.0)
1999: Willamette (7-4, #8, 27.5) - The #9 team this year was UWRF, who finished 5-5 on the season
1998: UW-River Falls (7-3, #8, 30.6)
1997: UW-Eau Claire (7-3, #4, 33.2)

[jakeMN91]

UWL looks like about the best 3 loss team ever, with two close WIAC losses and a loss to D2 power GVSU.

This is something I can look up in my ratings! They're not even the best 3-loss team of the last 2 years but that's only because UW-River Falls last year was 7-3, ranked #7 in the country (same as UW-La Crosse right now), and had a rating of 39.0 (UWL is at 38.7 right now) - the highest rating since 1997 for a 3-loss team.

If I limit myself to just teams with 3 losses in the regular season, here were the best 3+ loss teams each season.

2024: UW-La Crosse (7-3, #7, 38.7)
2023: UW-River Ralls (7-3, #7, 39.0)
2022: UW-Oshkosh (6-4, #6, 38.0)
2021: UW-Oshkosh (6-3, #15, 31.7)
2019: UW-La Crosse (7-3, #15, 30.6)
2018: UW-La Crosse (7-3, #15, 28.7)
2017: John Carroll (6-4, #15, 30.6)
2016: UW-Stevens Point (6-4, #21, 22.5)
2015: North Central (7-3, #15, 29.0)
2014: UW-Oshkosh (6-4, #9, 34.3)
2013: Salisbury (7-4, #22, 23.0)
2012: UW-Whitewater (7-3, #9, 37.3)
2011: UW-Oshkosh (7-3, #8, 35.4)
2010: St. John's (7-3, #11, 33.9)
2009: UW-Stevens Point (7-6, #10, 29.0)
2008: UW-Eau Claire (6-4, #8, 27.9)
2007: UW-La Crosse (5-4, #4, 31.4)
2006: Ohio Northern (6-4, #13, 27.2)
2005: UW-La Crosse (5-4, #8, 31.6)
2004: UW-La Crosse (7-4, #4, 32.8) - There were 5 teams with 3 regular season losses in my model's Top 10 this season: UWL, SJU, UWW, UWSP, and UWEC
2003: UW-Stout (6-4, #8, 30.3)
2002: UW-Stout (7-3, #15, 27.3)
2001: John Carroll (7-3, #12, 27.9)
2000: UW-River Falls (6-4, #7, 28.0)
1999: Willamette (7-4, #8, 27.5) - The #9 team this year was UWRF, who finished 5-5 on the season
1998: UW-River Falls (7-3, #8, 30.6)
1997: UW-Eau Claire (7-3, #4, 33.2)

38.7 and 39.0 are pretty similar. Is that difference within the margin of error of your model so to speak, or can you say with certainty that 2023 UW-RF was better than 2024 UW-L?

[HansenRatings]

38.7 and 39.0 are pretty similar. Is that difference within the margin of error of your model so to speak, or can you say with certainty that 2023 UW-RF was better than 2024 UW-L?

It's close enough that the difference could be attributable to one or two missed/made field goals throughout the season. I was trying to be a little cheeky saying they aren't the best 3-loss team of the last two years. It's basically a tie.

[emma17]

I admit I struggle w UWP, despite what I've seen as I think of the old style. They play a more physical style and when I've watched, they weren't the bubble- screen heavy team of the past. Priami is playing great. Defense is really good.

I thought UWL was the real deal- not sure they can be when they struggle so much to hold a lead.

Good thing they didn't let the Warhawk play- it would be all over for the Johnnie bracket.

[hazzben]

38.7 and 39.0 are pretty similar. Is that difference within the margin of error of your model so to speak, or can you say with certainty that 2023 UW-RF was better than 2024 UW-L?

It's close enough that the difference could be attributable to one or two missed/made field goals throughout the season. I was trying to be a little cheeky saying they aren't the best 3-loss team of the last two years. It's basically a tie.

My eye test figured they had to be in contention.

[Retired Old Rat]

I admit I struggle w UWP, despite what I've seen as I think of the old style. They play a more physical style and when I've watched, they weren't the bubble- screen heavy team of the past. Priami is playing great. Defense is really good.

I thought UWL was the real deal- not sure they can be when they struggle so much to hold a lead.

Good thing they didn't let the Warhawk play- it would be all over for the Johnnie bracket.

That hurts. Can't argue with that  

I don't ever want to attend another playoff game at Whitewater. We just missed in 2019. 

[DuffMan]

I don't ever want to attend another playoff game at Whitewater.

x2!

Without oldpa/JF, The Perk lost all appeal.

Seriously, are there no UW-LAX or UW-P fans?

[palum]

Platteville at Wartburg on Saturday.  They have one common opponent the University of Dubuque. Platteville beat Dubuque 38-7 while Wartburg beat Dubuque 24-14.

[Mitch Hall]

Eagle fan here, expecting the upset.

[emma17]

Watching UWL, so hard to figure them out. First quarter stat was 81 of 90 yards for Eagles were on the ground- yet they get near red zone and go to the pass. Why do OC's get away from what works?

[emma17]

Man, UWL looking Bear like on decision making. Either run the clock out before half or get the next pass play off quicker.

[emma17]

Wartburg looks really good. Impressive speed.