FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[footballfan413]

Speaking of Cecil Shorts, I would like to propose a hypothetical question.   Troney Shumpert covered Shorts in both the 08 and 09 Championship game.   I am guessing that Matt McCullough would draw that assignment if both teams successfully return to Salem.   Any thoughts on that match-up?   Matt seems to play positionally more consistent, takes less risk, and has been matched up with every teams #1 receiver.  Thoughts?

Shorts is in a totally different league than what any UWW db has seen this season (Including UWSP's WRs). It won't be easy if that day comes. Troney had a tough time in both the 08 game and (early on in) the 09 game with Shorts. In the second half Troney did a much better job containing him I thought in 2009.

However, going back to 2007 I thought nobody will be able to keep up with Garcon, but Blaziewske, Schultz, Murray and Farley were able to hold him to just 4 catches for 30 yards and no TDs in that Stagg Bowl. But our DBs then were more experienced and had more depth compared to this team. McCullough definelty has the size to compete with Shorts, but the speed is another thing.

Seems like this game saturday will be a good test for the UWW DBs.

SS beat me to it but the biggest key to holding down Garcon in 07, IMHO, was less about covering him and more about the front 7 finally getting big time pressure on Micheli.  Hard to find any WR, even a NFL caliber one, if you are forced to pull the ball down and run for your life a good share of the game. 
 

[Raider 68]

I know I started this conversation by bringing in C. Shorts's name into to the discussion, HOWEVER, here we are talking about UWW and Mount like it is pre-Stagg Bowl week! WOW! Some things change, while others remain the same as in Purple v. Purple. I for one, just enjoy the discussion with the UWW faithful and I am sure it is likewise with MTU!

Others will say what about the other 30 teams!

[stanbob]

I know I started this conversation by bringing in C. Shorts's name into to the discussion, HOWEVER, here we are talking about UWW and Mount like it is pre-Stagg Bowl week! WOW! Some things change, while others remain the same as in Purple v. Purple. I for one, just enjoy the discussion with the UWW faithful and I am sure it is likewise with MTU!

Others will say what about the other 30 teams!

They be afterthoughts.   

[bleedpurple]

I know I started this conversation by bringing in C. Shorts's name into to the discussion, HOWEVER, here we are talking about UWW and Mount like it is pre-Stagg Bowl week! WOW! Some things change, while others remain the same as in Purple v. Purple. I for one, just enjoy the discussion with the UWW faithful and I am sure it is likewise with MTU!

Others will say what about the other 30 teams!

Let the Selection Committee keep talking about them.  

[BoBo]

Seems like this game saturday will be a good test for the UWW DBs.

The game this week with be the same as all of them, decided by the line play, IMO. Early on this year, the young DB's were definately bailed out by the outstanding play of the DL and linebackers. Initially, they were playing so many guys back there trying to find the right combinations, it was hard to really get a conclusive read by the casual fan. They seemed to have settled on the top guys and with the playoff roster limits, will go with a smaller pool of backs. As the season progressed, they have certainly matured. Against the best WR's we've faced, the UWSP group - big and athletic - they held their own basically (1 long TD pass) because the line got good penetration and pressure on Swank.

These early round playoff games all sort of have a déjà vu feel to them; the opponent might score on one of their first possessions - ala Lakeland last year - then proceed to get their doors blown off. This Franklin QB has been sacked 16 times this year (UWW have 33 sacks) in a rather weak conference; that has to be a concern of the FC coaching staff and occupy a prominent place in the mind of the QB as they watched film of the Warhawks. If the DL can get to him often and early, knock him down a few time, it'll be his longest afternoon of the season. Warhawks have made some solid QB's look somewhat pedestrian over the last few years in the early rounds. We'll have to see how he adapts to constant pressure.  That should take him out of his comfort zone. If he can get outside the ends on sprint outs or bootlegs, he might find some success. However, the Warhawk DL is very good at keeping the QB in containment in the middle of the field. With the run D clogging up holes, look for Olson, Arnold, Max Ford and all the linebackers to have big games. A couple early turnovers could spell disaster for the Grizz. They have fumbled 22 times (losing 11) and have thrown 9 INT's. Warhawks will go for the dagger early in the event of TO's. UWW has only fumbled 8 times (losing 6) with 1 INT (last week). So, don't look for the Warhawks to lose the turnover battle.

FC kicking game is similar to UWW. The punter averages 40 yards (34 net) on 30 punts; they seem to score TD's or nothing at all - only 2-2 on FG's, with a long of 27 yards, on the season for a freshman kicker. They have missed 7 PAT's; UWW has 4 misses, but 3 of them in that first game - which seems like a century ago.

Look for the Warhawks to come out and play their usual game. They take this one 48-14 with a scoreless fourth quarter.

[BDB]

Cool video on Coach O'Grady's final game and victory:

http://www.uwrfsports.com/news/2010/11/18/FB_1118100848.aspx

[Retired Old Rat]

Very nice.  How appropriate that a D3 head coach in Wisconsin wears a camo jacket for his final game.

(Stoutguy, I'm not picking on Wisconsin.  Could be Minnesota or any number of states.  But definitely not California.)

[HScoach]

One last reminder to post your picks in the OAC Pick-Em's if you're up to it.

[BoBo]

^ Ditto for the WIAC pickem's - it's without HScoach's point spreads so it's a few thousand times more easy!!  

[HScoach]

^ Ditto for the WIAC pickem's - it's without HScoach's point spreads so it's a few thousand times more easy!!  

Setting the early rounds of the playoffs are a real crap shoot since I've seen so few of the teams, but so far with 40 contestants posted, many of the games are within a couple picks of being a perfect 50/50 split.  Good luck to all the WIAC guys brave enough to tackle my wild ass guesses........

[bleedpurple]

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS AND ONE-LINERS:

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com

[Sakman 1111]

Good luck to my beloved Warhawks later today.....Can't make it to the Perk today but will be listening in Coppage Land.....Pound the Rock boys today......

[bleedpurple]

For those going to the Perk:

Current Temperature: 29 (feels like 21) Wind 9 MPH

Game Time Temp: 36 (feels like 29) wind 9-12 from the East/Northeast throughout the game.

[MasterJedi]

For those going to the Perk:

Current Temperature: 29 (feels like 21) Wind 9 MPH

Game Time Temp: 36 (feels like 29) wind 9-12 from the East/Northeast throughout the game.

And that's why I've already busted out the long underwear. 

[KitchenSink]

Wimp!  I had you down as one of those bare chested guys!!