FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

OK, how do you look at previous weeks' top 25? What's the secret? I am not locating them.

There's a problem with the previous weeks' polls, picking up updated records. So I pulled them from the site rather than having polls with inaccurate W-L records out there.

[BoBo]

I realize comparing scores is like strolling through a mine field, but for what they're worth:

A. Cumberland (TN) def Campbellsville Univ. 33-21
UWW def Campbellsville Univ. 37-7
Austin Peay def Cumberland 38-6
Austin Peay plays UW in Madison this Saturday

B. Campbellsville Univ. def Union (KY) 47-36
UWW def Campbellsville Univ. 37-7
Wofford def Union (KY) 48-10
Wofford played UW in Madison last year (14-44)

I'm not implying that UWW could beat an Austin Peay or Wofford. But, if Wisconsin can play down to them, I dare say, instead of scheduling NAIA weaklings like Midland Luth., Dakota State, Dickinson State etc., is the day coming when UWW needs to play up, like FCS up, in NC games? Such as geographically close FCS schools like UNI, Eastern or Western Illinois (well maybe not UNI, they're one of the top FCS schools in football)? Or D2's like Northern Michigan (UWW used to play them quite regularly I think back in the day). Just looking at the results above, IMHO, the current Warhawk teams would be competitive with these or similar FCS teams.    Losing to a higher division isn't going to hurt our post-season chances just like beating up on these NAIA schools doesn't help. Why not take a shot?

On a side note:

Since I know all Warhawk fans are wondering, Dakota State did live to see another day. On Saturday NAIA #13 Dickinson State - N.D. (3-0) def. the Trojans (0-3) 31-7.  

Check out these stats from this 4 quarter game - not even OT - from Sat (William Penn (IA) 67 vs Quincy (IL) 58).  Defense people, have you ever heard the word?

[bleedpurple]

BP, BoBo,

Here is one for you, what if Mount Union played in the WIAC instead of UWW, what would be the outcome?

Converseley, move UWW to the OAC, same question? I have an easy answer!

Sorry, this really is an off-season question and I apologize for its timing, but I thought with all the comparison of the WIAC and OAC over the last few years, it is a good hypthetical one.

I think Mount Union would win the WIAC and UW-W would win the OAC this year.  I think there would be a greater chance that Mount would lose a conference game every few years.  From postings I've seen, it seems that some of the OAC programs are downright intimidated by Mount. Even in the lopsided games and series, I don't sense that other WIAC teams are intimidated by UW-W.  I may be wrong, but I think Mount would experience more physicality during the course of a season than they do currently.  This has advantages and disadvantages that are obvious. But it would be hard to convince me that switching conferences would have changed the look of the Stagg Bowl or the results of the Stagg Bowl over the last 5 years.

[bleedpurple]

WIAC INSIDE THE NUMBERS: WEEK 3

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com

[Raider 68]

BP, BoBo,

Here is one for you, what if Mount Union played in the WIAC instead of UWW, what would be the outcome?

Converseley, move UWW to the OAC, same question? I have an easy answer!

Sorry, this really is an off-season question and I apologize for its timing, but I thought with all the comparison of the WIAC and OAC over the last few years, it is a good hypthetical one.

I think Mount Union would win the WIAC and UW-W would win the OAC this year.  I think there would be a greater chance that Mount would lose a conference game every few years.  From postings I've seen, it seems that some of the OAC programs are downright intimidated by Mount. Even in the lopsided games and series, I don't sense that other WIAC teams are intimidated by UW-W.  I may be wrong, but I think Mount would experience more physicality during the course of a season than they do currently.  This has advantages and disadvantages that are obvious. But it would be hard to convince me that switching conferences would have changed the look of the Stagg Bowl or the results of the Stagg Bowl over the last 5 years.

BP, My easy answer was that both Mount and UWW would win either conference and I agree that the WIAC has a greater number of teams with physicality, and agree with your conclusion. This year however the OAC may be a bit stronger overall in past years, but the season is to new to make that comparison at this point.

[Beyond Prime]

RF hung in until midway thru 3rd q. when Trine took 28-14 lead on way to 35-14 final score. Edwards had 34/169 yds rushing, his third 100 plus game. Letourneau got first qb start, went 13/24 w/ td, no ints. Ainsworth, Marich led D w/10, 8 tackles respectively.

Oshkosh at RF next wk for only league contest scheduled.

(not quite a tweet, but close)

It seems to be that RF's season is a game of halfs. They play good in the first half and then not so good in the second half. Although, my concern this last Saturday was that they seemed to go away from the passing they did in the first half and focused too much on the run. Also, they couldn't seem to adjust to stop out sweeps.

[Devil Badger Gopher]

It looks like the teams have all pulled away in the 2nd half.  That means the other coaches seem to be making the adjustments needed to win the game and/or RF may be getting worn down.  Both things not good to see prior to the conference schedule.  I guess we will get our first look at who will lead the conference after one week when UW0 and River play this weekend.

[Devil Badger Gopher]

A few observations from Stout this past weekend:
-Really small crowd about 40% full
-Team looked fine, but most would against Eureka
-Run game did function well and O-Line seemed to be geling together
-One big long pass
-More excited for their opener at RF than I was and they will win some conference games.

[BDB]

I think the opponent and the 2pm start time held the crowd down.

Everybody knew it would be a monkey stomp, in this case it was a triple monkey stomp.

And the 2pm start was an hour too late or a couple hours too early. I'm sure there was a reason for it but I think it hurt attendance.

Looking forward to running over to River Falls after a bye week as well.

[OC_SID]

Another list via email:

I found two Olivet games in 2002. (All RB's. They ran the Wing-T)

Against Wisconsin Lutheran in a 43-29 win:
Damien Brown 117
Mick Faasen 122
Dwight Houston 128

Against Kalamazoo in a 49-34 win
Damien Brown 103
Travis Sleight 109
Mick Faasen 169

I wonder if the NCAA's option rule didn't affect this. Didn't it used to be that if you ran the option, the QB would get credit for everything prior to the pitch, and now, if a RB receives a pitch on an option, he gets all the yards? Or is it the other way around. I would think for a team running the option, this could make a huge difference

There were never any option plays in these games. We just ran the Wing-T very well with different players carrying the ball. Played nine games in 2002 and finished the year with 2,682 rushing yards and no ball carriers had more than 1,000 yards ... leader had 724 yards.

Two years later in 2004, Olivet set an NCAA Division III record with 670 rushing yards in our 78-21 home-opener win against Ohio Wesleyan, and it was also the first game on our turf field. For the game, we had only 25 passing yards on 1-of-3 passing!

[Just Bill]

WIAC schools have played FCS schools a number of times, so that's nothing new.  Drake and Valparaiso are two that I remember being on schedules in recent history.

[BoBo]

WIAC schools have played FCS schools a number of times, so that's nothing new.  Drake and Valparaiso are two that I remember being on schedules in recent history.

Ahh Bill, Drake and Valparaiso are non-scholarship FSC, in other words, glorified D3's in FSC clothes - that any top D3 would beat on a regular basis. Valpo last played a WIAC in 1995 (UWW (4th in WIAC) 47 Valpo 0; Drake - 5 or so year ago and Platteville was beating them). Playing those two is probably no better than playing the Campbellsville's of the world. The D2's the WIAC has played recently are considerably stronger than Drake and Valparaiso.     

[janesvilleflash]

Wanna try Valpo in hoops?

[BoBo]

Probably would only play a D3 in an exhibition!! 

[oshfb]

I'm not implying that UWW could beat an Austin Peay or Wofford. But, if Wisconsin can play down to them, I dare say, instead of scheduling NAIA weaklings like Midland Luth., Dakota State, Dickinson State etc., is the day coming when UWW needs to play up, like FCS up, in NC games? Such as geographically close FCS schools like UNI, Eastern or Western Illinois (well maybe not UNI, they're one of the top FCS schools in football)? Or D2's like Northern Michigan (UWW used to play them quite regularly I think back in the day). Just looking at the results above, IMHO, the current Warhawk teams would be competitive with these or similar FCS teams.    Losing to a higher division isn't going to hurt our post-season chances just like beating up on these NAIA schools doesn't help. Why not take a shot?

Before jumping to the FSC schools it would be wise to focus on D2. If my memory serves me correctly, UWW lost to St. Cloud State in 2007 (not sure what St Clouds record was that year).

Oshkosh played Upper Iowa in 2004 or 2005...the 1st yr they were considered D2 and Oshkosh won. Oshkosh also played DII Minn St Mankato in 2006 and lost 33-22. I have very sour feelings towards that game in particular.

Point is...should focus on DII before jumping straight to FCS schools.