FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

hscoach and some other veteran national observers have opined that IWU is the only team in the UWW bracket that can match up well (size, speed, and talent-wise) on both sides of the LOS.  This would sound right to me, as well, but I worry about a likely difference in depth.  My prediction would be a near-deadlock for 2-3 quarters, but I worry that you may be able to wear us down and pull away late.  However the game eventually unfolds, I'll be surprised if you get your usual allotment of 'garbage time' minutes for the 3rd stringers!

Based on hscoach's comments, I expected an OAC pickems line in the mid-to-upper teens, but I guess he knows his 'clientele' - even at IWU +27.5, most early picks are UWW.  As you may have guessed by now, with that spread, I'll be taking the Titans! 8)

One glaring problem for IWU is no kicking game.  Against Wabash, they finally switched kickers and he made all 5 PATs (which the previous guy would not have done), but he still missed his only FG attempt (from only 30 yards ).  I doubt IWU will try any FGs, regardless of the situation (as a team they are 1 for their last 8 attempts).  My early prediction is UWW 27-34, IWU 14-21.

[footballfan413]

hscoach and some other veteran national observers have opined that IWU is the only team in the UWW bracket that can match up well (size, speed, and talent-wise) on both sides of the LOS.  This would sound right to me, as well, but I worry about a likely difference in depth.  My prediction would be a near-deadlock for 2-3 quarters, but I worry that you may be able to wear us down and pull away late.  However the game eventually unfolds, I'll be surprised if you get your usual allotment of 'garbage time' minutes for the 3rd stringers!

Based on hscoach's comments, I expected an OAC pickems line in the mid-to-upper teens, but I guess he knows his 'clientele' - even at IWU +27.5, most early picks are UWW.  As you may have guessed by now, with that spread, I'll be taking the Titans! 8)

One glaring problem for IWU is no kicking game.  Against Wabash, they finally switched kickers and he made all 5 PATs (which the previous guy would not have done), but he still missed his only FG attempt (from only 30 yards ).  I doubt IWU will try any FGs, regardless of the situation (as a team they are 1 for their last 8 attempts).  My early prediction is UWW 27-34, IWU 14-21.

I know that hscoach is notoriously accurate with his spreads but +27.5 seems a little high to me.  But a near deadlock for 2-3 quarters doesn't seem likely to me either. The Hawks will be in control by halftime, I suspect.  Especially if the Titans truly have no kicking game. If their only way to put points on the board is to take it to the house every time, well............this is not the DEFENSE to have to do that against.  

I am curious, Mr. Y.  How does this team compare to the CCIW champ we played in 07, North Central?  

[Mr. Ypsi]

hscoach and some other veteran national observers have opined that IWU is the only team in the UWW bracket that can match up well (size, speed, and talent-wise) on both sides of the LOS.  This would sound right to me, as well, but I worry about a likely difference in depth.  My prediction would be a near-deadlock for 2-3 quarters, but I worry that you may be able to wear us down and pull away late.  However the game eventually unfolds, I'll be surprised if you get your usual allotment of 'garbage time' minutes for the 3rd stringers!

Based on hscoach's comments, I expected an OAC pickems line in the mid-to-upper teens, but I guess he knows his 'clientele' - even at IWU +27.5, most early picks are UWW.  As you may have guessed by now, with that spread, I'll be taking the Titans! 8)

One glaring problem for IWU is no kicking game.  Against Wabash, they finally switched kickers and he made all 5 PATs (which the previous guy would not have done), but he still missed his only FG attempt (from only 30 yards ).  I doubt IWU will try any FGs, regardless of the situation (as a team they are 1 for their last 8 attempts).  My early prediction is UWW 27-34, IWU 14-21.

I know that hscoach is notoriously accurate with his spreads but +27.5 seems a little high to me.  But a near deadlock for 2-3 quarters doesn't seem likely to me either. The Hawks will be in control by halftime, I suspect.  Especially if the Titans truly have no kicking game. If their only way to put points on the board is to take it to the house every time, well............this is not the DEFENSE to have to do that against.  

I am curious, Mr. Y.  How does this team compare to the CCIW champ we played in 07, North Central?  

Alas, I am a distant observer, and didn't get to see either team first-hand.

My impression, based on posts, stat sheets, etc., is that we beat a very beat up NCC team this year (I believe 4 players who were all-conference, including a couple of AAs, were out).  IMO we would have been a serious underdog to a healthy NCC.  (On the other hand, we had just gotten back our QB after he missed about 2.8 games, including our only loss.  Had we not lost that game, which we totally dominated everywhere except on the scoreboard, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion [this round, at least] as we [at 10-0] would have had better credentials for a #1 than SJU and you could have 'stayed home'! )  I believe a healthy NCC would have been better than 2007, but can't say how the team we actually beat would compare.

Also by impression, our defense is probably among the top ten (perhaps even top 5) in the country, but our offense is very Jeckyl and Hyde - some games they can score on at least almost anyone, others they struggle against 'nobody'.  I'll hope the good one shows up!

[usee]

This IWU team probably compares favorably to the 07 NCC team. I agree with Ypsi that a healthy NCC team would be the best CCIW rep and could compete with UWW and MUC but this IWU team is dangerous. 15 seniors and 5 juniors start and they have a gunslinger at QB in Kraig Ladd. IWU is banged up and may not have the depth to stay with UWW for more than a half.

Wheaton ran the ball for 176 yds against the Titans and I think their OLine wasn't nearly as good as UWW's. The IWU secondary doesn't get beat deep much but Wabash threw the ball underneath for a lot of yards Saturday. I suspect UWW is a strong favorite but IWU is dangerous and can give them a run if they aren't on the top of their game.

[Olinemom]

CONGRATS ON A GREAT WIN YESTERDAY!!  KEEP ON WINNING! LOVE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN IN SALEM.  BROWNIES ARE WAITING!! Love, Olinemom

[D O.C.]

Free tickets and food (deep fried leftovers?) for the 28th! Hmmm....
Darn I already have a plane ticket to McMinnville.

Trying to juggle 4 games in progress Saturday I happened to check the Penn Atlantic broadcast and 3 times the first thing I saw was a WW interception, two live and one replay, I believe. It was odd timing.

[BoBo]

Is there room on the Warhawk Bandwagon for one more?

Only if you stop getting in trouble in the Iowa room!!     
..that, and you must turn in your sju passport.

Notes from the Lakeland game: As has already been said they had a good fanbase and we were almost surrounded by some of them tailgating. They were really loud too and rather obnoxious cheering for getting a few yards and a first down like they won the game.

The loud Lakeland fans were obnoxious? Well, that's just a  'ing shame.  Maybe a few more Whitewater fans, especially students should've been in the stands to drown out the noise...what was the attendance 1,848 - e'nuff said.

My prediction would be a near-deadlock for 2-3 quarters, but I worry that you may be able to wear us down and pull away late.  However the game eventually unfolds, I'll be surprised if you get your usual allotment of 'garbage time' minutes for the 3rd stringers!
My early prediction is UWW 27-34, IWU 14-21.

Mr. Ypsi, with the playoff roster limitations, I don't think too many 3rd stringers will be suited up. Other than at a few key positions (RB, QB, WR, DB), not too many 3 stringers will be on the roster this time of year. Expect to get pounded by the first two lines on the depth chart. That's where UWW's success starts and ends. UWW will be near their yearly average in points when it's all said and done.  BTW, I selected UWW on the OAC pickem, Mr. Y. - I was expecting higher. 

This IWU team probably compares favorably to the 07 NCC team.

UWW ran NCC out of that 07 playoff game (59-28) with 49 rushes for 310 yards. Beaver was 29-241. Warhawks only attempted 19 passes, NCC 47 completing 18 w/two picks returned for TD. If you remember, Warhawks jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first 10 minutes and that was the ball game for all practical purposes. During this 5 year fun, they have done that repeatedly to highly regarded teams (Wabash, Wesley x2, SJU 05, Central). Different year, same story? We'll see.  However, I was  when Lakeland scored...and in the quarter #1.

[retagent]

I'll stop getting in trouble when they pry my keyboard from my cold dead fingers.

There are a couple of D Bags over there, but someone has to put them in their place.

[BoBo]

I'll stop getting in trouble when they pry my keyboard from my cold dead fingers.

There are a couple of D Bags over there, but someone has to put them in their place.

OK, you passed the test...welcome to the bandwagon.  Any thoughts on jumping to the Tommie wagon, too?

[MasterJedi]

Notes from the Lakeland game: As has already been said they had a good fanbase and we were almost surrounded by some of them tailgating. They were really loud too and rather obnoxious cheering for getting a few yards and a first down like they won the game.

The loud Lakeland fans were obnoxious? Well, that's just a  'ing shame.  Maybe a few more Whitewater fans, especially students should've been in the stands to drown out the noise...what was the attendance 1,848 - e'nuff said.

With the score 70-7 I can probably guess why people didn't want to come, at least for fans that aren't students. It's just sad that after homecoming students don't care about the games anymore. The colder it gets the less fans there will be, and if the turnout was that bad for this game I can only imagine what it'll be like next week with Thanksgiving.

But in the good news section I will be one of those people who will make the treck back to WW with my parents to see the game against IWU. I've only missed one game this year because of an appointment and I made up for that by taking the fan bus up to see the UWLAX game. So here's one student (and his friends) who don't miss the games if we can help it. 

[BoBo]

Notes from the Lakeland game: As has already been said they had a good fanbase and we were almost surrounded by some of them tailgating. They were really loud too and rather obnoxious cheering for getting a few yards and a first down like they won the game.

The loud Lakeland fans were obnoxious? Well, that's just a  'ing shame.  Maybe a few more Whitewater fans, especially students should've been in the stands to drown out the noise...what was the attendance 1,848 - e'nuff said.

With the score 70-7 I can probably guess why people didn't want to come, at least for fans that aren't students. It's just sad that after homecoming students don't care about the games anymore. The colder it gets the less fans there will be, and if the turnout was that bad for this game I can only imagine what it'll be like next week with Thanksgiving.

But in the good news section I will be one of those people who will make the treck back to WW with my parents to see the game against IWU. I've only missed one game this year because of an appointment and I made up for that by taking the fan bus up to see the UWLAX game. So here's one student (and his friends) who don't miss the games if we can help it. 

Good for you guys/gals...I would be  for IWU to out draw the home crowd.   

[FalconsFootball]

Congrats to WW on another dominating win.  Keep rolling!

[footballfan413]

Opening hunting weekend plus a first found walk-in-the-park was going to insure a low turnout.  Thanksgiving will also hurt the attendence this weekend, I suspect.  Does every year but it will pick up in round 3 and 4 IF we get there.   

Retagent, never too late to jump on our bandwagon.  I, myself, am considering jumping on the Kohawks wagon. 

[retagent]

I'm old enough to be removed in time and emotion, so my "dislike" for the Tommies has mellowed, and I will, at least for now, remain neutral. If they get to the semis, I will back them (somewhat unenthusiastically) against any other "Purple" team. I may get tired and have to take a nap after all my bandwagon jumping

[bleedpurple]

Notes from the Lakeland game: As has already been said they had a good fanbase and we were almost surrounded by some of them tailgating. They were really loud too and rather obnoxious cheering for getting a few yards and a first down like they won the game.

The loud Lakeland fans were obnoxious? Well, that's just a  'ing shame.  Maybe a few more Whitewater fans, especially students should've been in the stands to drown out the noise...what was the attendance 1,848 - e'nuff said.

With the score 70-7 I can probably guess why people didn't want to come, at least for fans that aren't students. It's just sad that after homecoming students don't care about the games anymore. The colder it gets the less fans there will be, and if the turnout was that bad for this game I can only imagine what it'll be like next week with Thanksgiving.

But in the good news section I will be one of those people who will make the treck back to WW with my parents to see the game against IWU. I've only missed one game this year because of an appointment and I made up for that by taking the fan bus up to see the UWLAX game. So here's one student (and his friends) who don't miss the games if we can help it. 

JM,

Good for you! Drag more students with you! Was discussing reasons for spotty student turnout with a couple of people at the Oshkosh game. We theorized that two of the biggest factors (other than weather) were:

1. The game won't be close anyway, so why go.
2. Local television.

Later that afternoon a parent of a former player (living in the area) said he came to only one game a year now. He said "the games are so lopsided".  I also talked with a student who did not go to the game. And he said, "I figured they'd kill them anyway."  

UWW: Too good to draw more people?

However, out of respect for Illinois Wesleyan, I have to say, I expect Saturday's game to be a good one. From some of the posts I've seen, it sounds like they are really good, and exceptional defensively.

TNFG students!!!
Take Nothing For Granted!