FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

In my fan poll, I moved UWO from 18th to 11th and after the way they played my Warhawks, I wanted to move them as high as 7 over Welsey, but tried to resist an overreaction to Saturdays game.     

KABOOM
That would've sure made a loud statement!!

[warhawkguard]

^^ bp, we agree...
...their is no WIAC-bias in the Top 25.
...season record doesn't support a top 25 position for EC.

I also agree that the WIAC middle to upper teams would fare quite well against most Top 25 teams.

Losing to Bethel, TN and then have Bethel lose to NCC by 70 doesn't help the Blugolds case, either.

Yes, we do agree.  I would think that would pretty much settle it then for the rest of the board. 

My thinking is the currrent WIAC line up must suffer like the great SEC does. Top to bottom it will beat most other teams in the land, but the rankings suffer when they beat each other up and suddenly they have losses. Alabama beating LSU shouldn't make LSU drop to 8th in the polls, but it will. Given the chance, LSU would whup up on each team ahead of it in the polls until it would get to see Alabama again.

UWO has held up its part of the bargain. UWP and UWSP lost non-conference games that they shouldn't have lost. (Although UWSP can lose them all in my book)

Those two teams may be capable of defeating some of the playoff teams, but with their records the seedings would ensure they get a strong opponent and would struggle. As BleedPurple pointed out, some teams getting in the playoffs are not even close. Prime example of recent history is Lakeland. Great record gets you in, but as we all saw, not even close. Beating a team by 70 in the playoffs speaks volumes about the varied levels of competition in D3. But, what can you do?

For the record, you never know what the Blugolds are going to do. That is the most unpredictable team in the WIAC. Every year they pull out a stinker with a weaker team. One week they are strong, and then they fall apart. It kills their record and respect. They are so much better than that.

As you and BP have explained, right or wrong, the #1 criteria for the polls are the win/loss record and in the WIAC, to survive the season with 2 or less losses is a rare accomplishment. In my fan poll, I moved UWO from 18th to 11th and after the way they played my Warhawks, I wanted to move them as high as 7 over Welsey, but tried to resist an overreaction to Saturdays game.  But, heck, maybe that would have been totally justified knowing what I know, firsthand, about the strength of our conference!!!  But let's not forget that the WIAC has gotten in a 2nd team recently in 06, 07 and 08 and it's not like they tore up the brackets.  In 06, a (8-1) UWLC did beat Bethel in the first round but then had to face us so that year isn't a good example but in 07, (8-2,) UWEC won their first round but then exited in the second with a loss to, albeit, a very strong Bethel team.  Then (9-1,) UWSTP lost in the first round in 08 to Wartburg.  Just making the point that when we do get a 2nd team into the play-offs, it would help if they could make some serious noise by going past the 1st or 2nd round of the play-offs.   

With the champs from 25 conferences getting automatic bids, the downside is that, many times, a team like Lakeland makes an early exit by an embarrassing number.  Would they get smoked by a 7-3 or a 6-4, (or even lower,) WIAC team?  More often than not, I suppose but I support the idea that all that can be asked of a team is to beat the teams on their schedule.  Be the best in your league, make the play-offs. Period!  Like WD pointed out, the WIAC champ has been seriously prepared.     

I agree with you on that. They can only play the schedule they get. It would be nice though, if the WIAC is indeed the toughest conference in the land, that the 2nd team gets a bid as a result. Usually that team gets the MIAC champs, and loses right away. The WIAC would benefit if they would win those games and go a bit farther into the bracket, and try to avoid putting them in the same bracket as the WIAC champs so its a quick removal of conference bretheren. Kind of like the Big East getting 10 teams into the March Madness. Teams with 10 losses, 9 in conference, still get to dance because of the conference power. (Way too many IMO). But, 2 teams would be nice unless the 2nd team really was a step down. Typically, you take 2 each from the WIAC, MIAC, OAC, and the Pacific coast conference and fill the rest with the various champs.

[bleedpurple]

413 makes a GREAT point about the importance of the 2nd WIAC team making some noise once they get to the playoffs.  Winning even one playoff game puts a team into the last 16 teams standing.  Considering the 2nd WIAC team generally has very tough draws (2nd place teams wouldn't normally get an incredibly high seed), just winning one playoff game is actually a very good accomplishment and should vindicate the selection and do the WIAC proud. If UW-O does make the final push and finishes 8-2, hopefully they will be given an opportunity.  If they do, it would be a great year for them to make a statement both for the WIAC and for the viability of 8-2 teams who played a VERY STRONG schedule.  If an 8-2 UW-O doesn't make the playoffs, things won't be any easier for the nation's power teams to schedule non-conference games.

[02 Warhawk]

413 makes a GREAT point about the importance of the 2nd WIAC team making some noise once they get to the playoffs.  Winning even one playoff game puts a team into the last 16 teams standing.  Considering the 2nd WIAC team generally has very tough draws (2nd place teams wouldn't normally get an incredibly high seed), just winning one playoff game is actually a very good accomplishment and should vindicate the selection and do the WIAC proud. If UW-O does make the final push and finishes 8-2, hopefully they will be given an opportunity.  If they do, it would be a great year for them to make a statement both for the WIAC and for the viability of 8-2 teams who played a VERY STRONG schedule. If an 8-2 UW-O doesn't make the playoffs, things won't be any easier for the nation's power teams to schedule non-conference games.

Very true...last year the committee seemed to give the edge to programs that scheduled tough games. Oshkosh should be in good shape.

but you never know.

[Pat Coleman]

As for the piling on and  from the Comish no less.. I can only assume from your defensive responses that you both actually attended MIAC schools for undergrad. 

I attended The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Does this help? You can look that up on the site, you know, rather than speculating foolishly.

[oshfb]

If UW-O does make the final push and finishes 8-2, hopefully they will be given an opportunity.  If they do, it would be a great year for them to make a statement both for the WIAC and for the viability of 8-2 teams who played a VERY STRONG schedule.  If an 8-2 UW-O doesn't make the playoffs, things won't be any easier for the nation's power teams to schedule non-conference games.

Let's see how UWO handles UWLC this week. I'm hoping they won't have a let down after losing to UWW. I'm sure everyone in the organizition is focusing one game at a time  as they must win out to have any post-season chance...let's go Titans!

[bleedpurple]

If UW-O does make the final push and finishes 8-2, hopefully they will be given an opportunity.  If they do, it would be a great year for them to make a statement both for the WIAC and for the viability of 8-2 teams who played a VERY STRONG schedule.  If an 8-2 UW-O doesn't make the playoffs, things won't be any easier for the nation's power teams to schedule non-conference games.

Let's see how UWO handles UWLC this week. I'm hoping they won't have a let down after losing to UWW. I'm sure everyone in the organizition is focusing one game at a time  as they must win out to have any post-season chance...let's go Titans!

I hope they don't let down either.  They played a great and focused game Saturday. I didn't see a ton of extra curricular garbage you sometimes see from "over-hyped" teams. I thought they were emotional and well prepared, but I didn't think they were over the top. If this perception is true, hopefully it will help them to adjust to the slightly lower key atmosphere of a normal game day and bounce back just fine. 

LaCrosse lost to UW-W by 19, UMHB by 7, Platteville by 3, and Eau Claire and Stout by 10. They beat Stevens Point by 3. They beat NAIA Jamestown 42-6.

I'll risk exposing further my WIAC bias and ask the ridiculous (But I am serious. I'm not sure why I am wondering, but I am):  Is UW-LaCrosse the best 1 win (against D3) team in the country?

And for the national guys who happen to peruse this board I ask another question that seems absurd (but again, I am serious): How do you think UW-LaCrosse would fare against #8 Thomas More?

[badgerwarhawk]

LaCrosse is second in the WIAC in run defense but the triple option rush offense is a different animal than what you typically see from a running team.  Oshkosh ran it very effectively against us particularly in the first half.  Adjustments at half time helped us get a better handle on it in the second half.  LaCrosse will have video of our game and should be able to see what we did that worked.  Regardless I think they'll have problems controlling it and I don't see them strong enough offensively to overcome and out score the Titan defense.   

[fballfan]

I think it's because they exist in a larger television/media market.  GB TV covers St Norbert more than Oshkosh.  And all the d3 programs live in the shadow of the Packers coverage.  where as LaCrosse , Eau Claire, Stout and Point get regular coverage and radio coverage and Lots of ink on the old-fashioned press and in the web sites.  Oshkosh doesn't get that kind of coverage.  That coverage is like advertising.

Exactly.  And to take it a step further, Oshkosh is over by several private schools (Ripon, Lakeland, Marion, Lawrence, ST Norbs etc) who probably draw some locals/alumni.  The privates are over on the east side, there are not many that I am aware of surrounding LaX, EC, UWSP etc.  And while Marquette and UWMil don't have a football team, they do generate school loyalties and it possible people just don't think of UWO.  It's a shame.  It was also mentioned that UWO televises its games on the campus.  I don't know if other schools do that, but doesn't that discourage student attendance?  I grew up near UWSP and they were always on the local news and in the papers.  But hey...what else is near Stevens Point?  And what else is there to do but go to a local college game?  We didn't have any big city attractions to occupy us either.  The internet video is really nice for those who don't live nearby, but I can see that eroding fan attendance also.  Particularly when the weather isn't the greatest!

[BoBo]

Posted on the WIAC homepage is the first in a series of ALL-TIME WIAC sports teams. All sports classified as "Championship" at some point during the 100 year history of the conference will be released weekly, staggered out over the course of this academic year. Field Hockey started off this week. They have also established a "Legacy" Team of athletes and coaches who competed during times when record keeping was not like today. Something to look forward to each week. 

[Blugold 89.7FM]

As for the piling on and  from the Comish no less.. I can only assume from your defensive responses that you both actually attended MIAC schools for undergrad. 

I attended The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Does this help? You can look that up on the site, you know, rather than speculating foolishly.

I wasn't speculating...just trying to add humor.  Sorry I hit a nerve.  To make up for it may I offer my admiration of DC schools.   My sis is a Gallaudet grad.  I lived in the district for awhile with GW connection.  But yes my heart bleeds Blu and Gold.  And yes they've always been an unpredictable team.  In my day the hardwood was the focus of attention and Zorn arena had more fans rockin' the rafters than fill some of the WIAC Football stadiums( yesterday or today)  Ahhhh but that was a lifetime ago, and the Blu And Gold Hoops of yore are no more...although we're hopeful for the new coach era. . But that would be a comment for another board.

The posts regarding the second team into the playoffs  provide great commentary.  Valid points and perspective all around.

[warhawkguard]

So seeing that UWW had 4 offensive starters go down saturday, does anybody know if it was bad or will they be back this week? Losing 4 guys is very hard on a team.

And sorry, the website link to my avatar went down. Now I'm just Shakira! Hey, she's hot. Don't be a hater. Tell me D3 sports, why are the built in avatar selections only celebrities? LAME....There has to be more options available than that!

[KitchenSink]

Story in USA Today about the WIAC:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2011-10-26/wisconsin-division-3-athletic-conference-very-stable/50947270/1

[02 Warhawk]

As for the piling on and  from the Comish no less.. I can only assume from your defensive responses that you both actually attended MIAC schools for undergrad. 

I attended The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Does this help? You can look that up on the site, you know, rather than speculating foolishly.

I wasn't speculating...just trying to add humor.  Sorry I hit a nerve.  To make up for it may I offer my admiration of DC schools.   My sis is a Gallaudet grad.  I lived in the district for awhile with GW connection.  But yes my heart bleeds Blu and Gold.  And yes they've always been an unpredictable team.  In my day the hardwood was the focus of attention and Zorn arena had more fans rockin' the rafters than fill some of the WIAC Football stadiums( yesterday or today)  Ahhhh but that was a lifetime ago, and the Blu And Gold Hoops of yore are no more...although we're hopeful for the new coach era. . But that would be a comment for another board.

The posts regarding the second team into the playoffs  provide great commentary.  Valid points and perspective all around.

Looks like Pat scared away another one......It appears Blugold 89.7FM closed his d3boards account.

[badgerwarhawk]

Story in USA Today about the WIAC:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2011-10-26/wisconsin-division-3-athletic-conference-very-stable/50947270/1

Great story, thanks for the link.