FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Devil Badger Gopher]

I think that we will may have a five way tie for second with many teams at 3 losses and jack up the Pool C one more time.  I did rank them if it does not get tied 2-6 though.
Conference Projection
UWW 7-0
UWS 4-3
UWSP 4-3
UWLC 4-3
UWEC 4-3
UW0 4-3
UWP 1-6
UWRF 0-7

[HScoach]

I don't think there is any argument that the WIAC is better than the OAC from top to bottom.  However I don't think there is much, if any, difference at the top.  I'd put the top 4 or 5 OAC teams against the top 4 or 5 teams from any conference in the nation and like their chances to finish with a 500 record or better.  Even assuming MTU loses to UWW. 

The difference lies in the bottom half.   The bottom of the OAC is horrid (think NCAC or UAA) and wouldn't be within 50 points of the Raiders on their worst day.  If Mount wanted to, they could score a 100 against Wilmington, Muskingum, Marietta and lately John Carroll too.  Those teams would be drilled by the Mount JV squad.   

One other thing that leads to big score differentials is the familiarity between the teams.  LK knows more about some of these opponents than the opponent knows about itself.  And some of these teams (Wilma especially) don't want any part of stepping on the field against Mount.  They play hard for about 5 mintues and then give up because they're already down by 14 and know this game isn't doing to be any different than the previous games. 

The other teams (ONU, Capital, Otterbein and even BW even though they've down lately) play their best against Mount trying to be the ones that finally slay the beast. 

In conference we usually see one of 2 things:  either an opponent that gives up (Muskingum) as soon as the game starts or an opponent that plays over their head (Baldwin Wallace).   

[bleedpurple]

I don't think there is any argument that the WIAC is better than the OAC from top to bottom.  However I don't think there is much, if any, difference at the top.  I'd put the top 4 or 5 OAC teams against the top 4 or 5 teams from any conference in the nation and like their chances to finish with a 500 record or better.  Even assuming MTU loses to UWW. 

The difference lies in the bottom half.   The bottom of the OAC is horrid (think NCAC or UAA) and wouldn't be within 50 points of the Raiders on their worst day.  If Mount wanted to, they could score a 100 against Wilmington, Muskingum, Marietta and lately John Carroll too.  Those teams would be drilled by the Mount JV squad.   

One other thing that leads to big score differentials is the familiarity between the teams.  LK knows more about some of these opponents than the opponent knows about itself.  And some of these teams (Wilma especially) don't want any part of stepping on the field against Mount.  They play hard for about 5 mintues and then give up because they're already down by 14 and know this game isn't doing to be any different than the previous games. 

The other teams (ONU, Capital, Otterbein and even BW even though they've down lately) play their best against Mount trying to be the ones that finally slay the beast. 

In conference we usually see one of 2 things:  either an opponent that gives up (Muskingum) as soon as the game starts or an opponent that plays over their head (Baldwin Wallace).   

Coach,
You are clearly "the man" when it comes to point spreads. What point spreads would you create for the following games (assuming a neutral field)?

UW-Whitewater vs Mount Union
UW-Stevens Point vs Ohio Northern
UW-Stout vs Otterbein
UW-Eau Claire vs Capital
UW-LaCrosse vs John Carroll
UW-Oshkosh vs Heidelberg
UW-Platteville vs Baldwin Wallace
UW-River Falls vs Marietta

Oh, and "Even assuming MTU loses to UWW" ??  Why do I think you  said that just to avoid starting the annual (inevitable?) UWW/Mount Union debate? 

[Raider 68]

I don't think there is any argument that the WIAC is better than the OAC from top to bottom.  However I don't think there is much, if any, difference at the top.  I'd put the top 4 or 5 OAC teams against the top 4 or 5 teams from any conference in the nation and like their chances to finish with a 500 record or better.  Even assuming MTU loses to UWW. 

The difference lies in the bottom half.   The bottom of the OAC is horrid (think NCAC or UAA) and wouldn't be within 50 points of the Raiders on their worst day.  If Mount wanted to, they could score a 100 against Wilmington, Muskingum, Marietta and lately John Carroll too.  Those teams would be drilled by the Mount JV squad.   

One other thing that leads to big score differentials is the familiarity between the teams.  LK knows more about some of these opponents than the opponent knows about itself.  And some of these teams (Wilma especially) don't want any part of stepping on the field against Mount.  They play hard for about 5 mintues and then give up because they're already down by 14 and know this game isn't doing to be any different than the previous games. 

The other teams (ONU, Capital, Otterbein and even BW even though they've down lately) play their best against Mount trying to be the ones that finally slay the beast. 

In conference we usually see one of 2 things:  either an opponent that gives up (Muskingum) as soon as the game starts or an opponent that plays over their head (Baldwin Wallace).   

Coach,
You are clearly "the man" when it comes to point spreads. What point spreads would you create for the following games (assuming a neutral field)?

UW-Whitewater vs Mount Union
UW-Stevens Point vs Ohio Northern
UW-Stout vs Otterbein
UW-Eau Claire vs Capital
UW-LaCrosse vs John Carroll
UW-Oshkosh vs Heidelberg
UW-Platteville vs Baldwin Wallace
UW-River Falls vs Marietta

Oh, and "Even assuming MTU loses to UWW" ??  Why do I think you  said that just to avoid starting the annual (inevitable?) UWW/Mount Union debate? 

BP,

Probably because UWW has all the starters returning and the Raiders have a slew of new young players and gave up 28 pts in their first game!

[bleedpurple]

68,

Not buying it. I think any UWW/Mount Union matchup is a "pick em" until further notice...

I admire your modesty, but somehow it feels like laying in the weeds.... 

And UWW does not have anywhere near all their starters returning. Not as young as Mount, but definitely a new team!

[bleedpurple]

Bleed's Top 25

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com

[HScoach]

I don't think there is any argument that the WIAC is better than the OAC from top to bottom.  However I don't think there is much, if any, difference at the top.  I'd put the top 4 or 5 OAC teams against the top 4 or 5 teams from any conference in the nation and like their chances to finish with a 500 record or better.  Even assuming MTU loses to UWW.  

The difference lies in the bottom half.   The bottom of the OAC is horrid (think NCAC or UAA) and wouldn't be within 50 points of the Raiders on their worst day.  If Mount wanted to, they could score a 100 against Wilmington, Muskingum, Marietta and lately John Carroll too.  Those teams would be drilled by the Mount JV squad.    

One other thing that leads to big score differentials is the familiarity between the teams.  LK knows more about some of these opponents than the opponent knows about itself.  And some of these teams (Wilma especially) don't want any part of stepping on the field against Mount.  They play hard for about 5 mintues and then give up because they're already down by 14 and know this game isn't doing to be any different than the previous games.  

The other teams (ONU, Capital, Otterbein and even BW even though they've down lately) play their best against Mount trying to be the ones that finally slay the beast.  

In conference we usually see one of 2 things:  either an opponent that gives up (Muskingum) as soon as the game starts or an opponent that plays over their head (Baldwin Wallace).  

Coach,
You are clearly "the man" when it comes to point spreads. What point spreads would you create for the following games (assuming a neutral field)?

UW-Whitewater vs Mount Union
UW-Stevens Point vs Ohio Northern
UW-Stout vs Otterbein
UW-Eau Claire vs Capital
UW-LaCrosse vs John Carroll
UW-Oshkosh vs Heidelberg
UW-Platteville vs Baldwin Wallace
UW-River Falls vs Marietta

Oh, and "Even assuming MTU loses to UWW" ??  Why do I think you  said that just to avoid starting the annual (inevitable?) UWW/Mount Union debate?  

I said the "MTU losing to UWW" thing to make it 100% clear that I believe the OAC could stand on it's own merit even without MTU caring the torch.

Now in terms of spreads, are you thinking a week 1 opener or a late season contest?  Big difference this season with Mount being so young.  Assuming you're wanting a late season game with the teams sorted out, but assuming to be healthy, I'd offer the following:


UW-Whitewater vs Mount Union (+4.5) - if week 1, this would be in the 14 point or more range.  But MTU will get much, MUCH better with some experience.

UW-Stevens Point (+3.5) vs Ohio Northern - ONU is a very good team that could easily be a "pick-em" against Mount in 2 weeks.  Brings back a ton of starters from last year including All-OAC QB and TB.  Strong and fundamentally sound.

UW-Stout (+2.5) vs Otterbein - 'Bein is very talented, but IMHO their resolve is unproven.  This week's game against ONU will tell a lot about Otterbein.  Have the potential to be very good.

UW-Eau Claire (even) vs Capital (even) - Cap lost to BW last week only because their QB got knocked out again and they had 5 turnovers.  Over the last 5 or 6 years, no one has played Mount tougher than Capital.  They just don't have a W to show for it.  Capital typically is the most "Mount-like" of the OAC teams.  Great skill on O and an under-sized, but very fast defense.

UW-LaCrosse vs John Carroll (+24.5) - JCU used to be good, but now really SUCKS!   Bad.  Will be fighting Muskingum and Wilmington for the basement in the OAC

UW-Oshkosh vs Heidelberg (+4.5) - this would be an interesting game.  'Berg doesn't have any history behind it, but is making huge strides forward under former Raider Mike Hallett.  And I don't put too much weight on Oshkosh scoring 28 on MTU last week.  The Raider D is as young as any in their history, and they should get much better in a real hurry.   And the Raider O scored 45 with pretty easily with only Cecil Shorts and TE Miller back from last year.

UW-Platteville vs Baldwin Wallace (+6.5) - BW plays very hard, just typically lacks playmakers at the skill positions to be really dangerous.  Probably the most "WIAC-like" of any OAC team over the last decade.  Always plays Mount physically tough at the LOS, but loses by 20 because they can't match Mount's skill.

UW-River Falls vs Marietta (+17.5) - 'Etta is getting better and might finish 500 in the OAC if somethings break their way.  Would get dominated at the LOS by a WIAC team.


My OAC predictions are:
1.  Mount
2.  ONU
3.  Otterbein
4.  Capital
5.  Heidelberg
6.  Baldwin Wallace
7.  Marietta
8.  Muskingum
9.  John Carroll
10.  Wilmington

[Raider 68]

I think HScoach should be coaching a top 10 D3 program somewhere, what do you thinK?

[HScoach]

I think HScoach should be coaching a top 10 D3 program somewhere, what do you thinK?

FYI, sucking up will not get you any extra points in the Pick-Ems.

[bleedpurple]

Thanks for the great insight Coach! +k 

Hopefully, there will be more OAC/WIAC clashes in the future.

[BoBo]

I think HScoach should be coaching a top 10 D3 program somewhere, what do you thinK?

FYI, sucking up will not get you any extra points in the Pick-Ems.

What Raider 68 means, IMO, is if you went off to coach, then we could have some schmuck do the point spreads - maybe we'll all do a lot better!! 

[Raider 68]

I think HScoach should be coaching a top 10 D3 program somewhere, what do you thinK?

FYI, sucking up will not get you any extra points in the Pick-Ems.

What Raider 68 means, IMO, is if you went off to coach, then we could have some schmuck do the point spreads - maybe we'll all do a lot better!! 

BoBO,

Even if he did coach he would find a way to keep us all on the edge with those .5 pt swings through his successor.  He will back on the mike this saturday at the Mount/JCU game.

Thought his insight on the comparative hypothetical  games between the WIAC/OAC  was very good!

[02 Warhawk]

D3football.com team of the week (WIAC players)

WR Darin Blaser, Jr., UW-Platteville
Blaser caught 16 passes for 195 yards and the game-winning touchdown in a 21-17 win against Dubuque. On the final drive, Blaser caught passes of 41, 5 and 17 yards, the last going for a touchdown with 1:12 remaining.


LB Andy Neumann, Jr., UW-Eau Claire
Neumann led the Blugolds in tackles with eight (six solo) in a 23-20 overtime win against St. John's. Neumann also forced a fumble as St. John's was driving in the first quarter. The fumble happened on the Blugolds' 7-yard line and teammate Nate Johnson recovered to stop the Johnnies' 17-play, 73-yard drive.

[HScoach]

My goal is re-join the HS coaching ranks once my kids are grown and out of the house (youngest is 11).  That's assuming I can find a head coach dumb enough to let me in the door............. 

The reason I quit a decade ago was family time as I'm actually a civil engineer that was working some crazy office hours to be able to leave early enough to make practice after school.   Leaving home at 4 AM and not getting home until 7 PM every week night, getting home around 2 AM after the games on Friday night, and then spending Saturday mornings at the JV games got kind of old with the wife and once the kids started to get active.   It was a blast, but not real practical unless you're actually a teacher or single.

Until then the radio gig will have to fulfill my football addiction.  It's not as much fun as coaching, but it's hard to beat the very little time it takes takes outside of the actual game.  Actually it pretty easy to see why the ex-NFL and college coaches like doing the TV broadcasts and pre-game shows.  It keeps them connected to the game without a significant time commitment.  And you don't get fired for some 19 year kid taking a $500 hand-shake from a booster.

[bleedpurple]

WIAC WEEK 3 SCORE PROJECTIONS:

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com