FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Blugold 89.7FM]

Speaking of tailgating ...a shout out to the LaCrosse set up.  They are trying to make it a truly festive and family event.  Live band outside the stadium.  "Bouncy House" for kids.  Half time festivities of marching band ...and fan inter actives like a t-shirt toss, etc.  It was a beautiful day, at a beautiful stadium, with the best view of almost any stadium in any league.  Grand Dad's Bluff and the coulees.  Be sure to include Veterans Memorial Stadium in your WIAC tour. Nice fans too.
Oh and all made sweeter by a big Blugold win. 

[emma17]

I wonder if a Titan loss to UWW without Nate Wara would make a difference in playoff selections (if both win their remaining games)?

I think it will make absolutely zero difference. Losing a key component to a team - like a starting QB to injury - is not a part of the playoff criteria. They make it or don't make it by virtue of their won-loss record, in-region record, and strength of schedule. I am certain there are no provisions in the playoff criteria to discount or forgive a loss (losses) when playing without a star player.

Your reply makes it seem like the DIII selection is the same as the BCS.  I think there is subjectivity involved and as such, I wonder if it comes down to the committee deciding 9-1 teams vs a potential 8-2 team, with both losses to the #1 and #2 teams in the country, they won't at least consider the fact that one of the best QB's was out.   

[Pat Coleman]

Emma,

I'm also pretty sure they won't.

[02 Warhawk]

I posted this week's Inside the Box Scores on my blog

[OshDude]

There's a bank (I think it's a bank) and another business a block away that have large parking lots they use. There's probably other places in the vicinity too but those are two I know of.

Fans can also park on campus and take the free shuttle from the student union starting at 10:30 a.m. (two hours earlier than normal for homecoming game only). It's not a fit for everyone, but thought I'd throw it out there.

There's not much of a tailgating scene usually, but the alumni have Tent City, with a band, food and whatnot near the softball stadium on homecoming weekend.

[BoBo]

I wonder if a Titan loss to UWW without Nate Wara would make a difference in playoff selections (if both win their remaining games)?

I think it will make absolutely zero difference. Losing a key component to a team - like a starting QB to injury - is not a part of the playoff criteria. They make it or don't make it by virtue of their won-loss record, in-region record, and strength of schedule. I am certain there are no provisions in the playoff criteria to discount or forgive a loss (losses) when playing without a star player.

Your reply makes it seem like the DIII selection is the same as the BCS.  I think there is subjectivity involved and as such, I wonder if it comes down to the committee deciding 9-1 teams vs a potential 8-2 team, with both losses to the #1 and #2 teams in the country, they won't at least consider the fact that one of the best QB's was out.

Emma,

I'm also pretty sure they won't.

e17, the BCS involves 6 computer rankings, 2 human polls, scoring margin etc. I don't see how that is the same as the DIII selection criteria or how my initial reply remotely leaves that impression.  Maybe you can explain in more detail?

[02 Warhawk]

Check out Badgerwarhawks' D3report from Whitewater.

It's at the bottom of the page, you'll probably have to listen to Pat's report first, then scroll over and find the gentleman in the purple hat.

Good job BW!!

[badgerwarhawk]

Thanks '02.  I'll get better I promise. 

Our first mistake was having my friend stand on the level above me.  It made it appear that I never looked up off the piece of paper I was getting information from.  We were in one of the smaller booths and it was the only way for him to be far enough away from me so you could see some background.  Next time I'll use the chancellor or press box booth and we can stand at the same level. 

[Pat Coleman]

You might try outside, too -- anywhere where there's enough light on your face. What I've done at a couple night games is found a spot near the field where the stadium lights hit me but still light up the background.

Appreciate you doing one! Welcome to the club.

[02 Warhawk]

Strength of Schedule has been released

Three WIAC teams are in the top 20

[oshfb]

Never been to Oshkosh, but going Saturday. What is the tailgating situation?  How are the visitor stands?  Any news on Greg Arnold?  I hear he was moving better yesterday.

WarhawkDad,
Home and visitors share the same grandstand as the picture illustrates (unless something has changed). As we learned, they are going to try to set a new stadium attendance record - so get in there early for choices seats!! 

What about parking?  I see a couple of dinky lots, lots of fields and tennis courts, and residential streets on the satellite pic ....

What you see is what you get...mostly there is street parking available. There is the bank lot where most of the tailgaiting occurs. Some UWO alumni from my playing days are trying to get a group together and will be tailgating but not sure on the final #...lot of former teamates appear to be in the coaching ranks now and live outside the state but hope we can get a decent turnout!

The breaking of the attendence record referenced the 2006 season, not 2011...I'll guess that attendance will be ~4500.

Nick Olla looks to have completed 7-of-12 passes for 100 yards and rushed for 24 yards and a TD on 10 carries after replacing Wara. UWO scored 14 pts with Wara at QB and 10 pts with Olla at QB.

I'm optimistic that both Wara and the UWW injured player will be ready for Saturday...that way there is no excuse by any parties after the outcome of the game 

[02 Warhawk]

Never been to Oshkosh, but going Saturday. What is the tailgating situation?  How are the visitor stands?  Any news on Greg Arnold?  I hear he was moving better yesterday.

WarhawkDad,
Home and visitors share the same grandstand as the picture illustrates (unless something has changed). As we learned, they are going to try to set a new stadium attendance record - so get in there early for choices seats!! 

What about parking?  I see a couple of dinky lots, lots of fields and tennis courts, and residential streets on the satellite pic ....

What you see is what you get...mostly there is street parking available. There is the bank lot where most of the tailgaiting occurs. Some UWO alumni from my playing days are trying to get a group together and will be tailgating but not sure on the final #...lot of former teamates appear to be in the coaching ranks now and live outside the state but hope we can get a decent turnout!

The breaking of the attendence record referenced the 2006 season, not 2011...I'll guess that attendance will be ~4500.

Nick Olla looks to have completed 7-of-12 passes for 100 yards and rushed for 24 yards and a TD on 10 carries after replacing Wara. UWO scored 14 pts with Wara at QB and 10 pts with Olla at QB.

I'm optimistic that both Wara and the UWW injured player will be ready for Saturday...that way there is no excuse by any parties after the outcome of the game 

Bank parking lot....got it 

[emma17]

I wonder if a Titan loss to UWW without Nate Wara would make a difference in playoff selections (if both win their remaining games)?

I think it will make absolutely zero difference. Losing a key component to a team - like a starting QB to injury - is not a part of the playoff criteria. They make it or don't make it by virtue of their won-loss record, in-region record, and strength of schedule. I am certain there are no provisions in the playoff criteria to discount or forgive a loss (losses) when playing without a star player.

Your reply makes it seem like the DIII selection is the same as the BCS.  I think there is subjectivity involved and as such, I wonder if it comes down to the committee deciding 9-1 teams vs a potential 8-2 team, with both losses to the #1 and #2 teams in the country, they won't at least consider the fact that one of the best QB's was out.

Emma,

I'm also pretty sure they won't.

e17, the BCS involves 6 computer rankings, 2 human polls, scoring margin etc. I don't see how that is the same as the DIII selection criteria or how my initial reply remotely leaves that impression.  Maybe you can explain in more detail?

Always the educator Bobo. 
Your bolded text mentions all objective criteria, which is what I compare to the BCS rankings- that's all I meant by the comparison. WI is ranked #4 in BCS by human polls and #11 by the all objective computer poll. 
 
This may surprise you, but not one time did I ever actually believe there might be a "provision in the D3 playoff criteria to discount or forgive a loss when playing without a star player".  But thanks for making sure I didn't think that.

My point is really, really simple.  Human beings make up the selection committee.  Human beings may possess bits and pieces of information that may be classified as subjective and these bits and pieces of information may actually play a role in informing decisions human beings make.  Of course, first and foremost the humans on the selection committee will look at all of the facts that you mentioned above.  At some point, however, these human beings will have to utilize some degree of Subjectivity to make their decisions.  Because I can relate to being a human being, I simply wonder if, when these humans are trying to make a difficult decision in comparing the merits of one team vs another for entry into the playoff field, a fellow human being that may be part of the committee won't consider the fact that a team was missing a key player in a particular loss.   

I'm sure many of you believe there is no chance a committee member would allow such information to enter into their thought process when they are making a decision.  I am not so convinced.

[emma17]

oshfb-
I'm relying on you to provide the inside scoop on Wara. 

[bleedpurple]

I'm optimistic that both Wara and the UWW injured player will be ready for Saturday...that way there is no excuse by any parties after the outcome of the game 

I hope they both play.  But I will go on record right now as saying that losing Baldwin is absolutely no excuse for losing to UW-O.  I'm not saying the loss wouldn't hurt UW-W (Baldwin is a great player) and I'm not saying UW-O is not a good team.  But UW-W wins as a team and if and when they lose, they will lose as a team.  I believe UW-O will get UW-W's best effort Saturday.  If the Titans are good enough to win.  Hats off to them and move on to next week.  No excuses.