FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Was St. Thomas not supposed to beat UW-Eau Claire?

Doesn't matter. It's actually the Empire 8 that had the best weekend, but I had to put some other options out there.

Would ur opinion change if UWEC pulled that game off?

Two upsets of Top 10 teams would always merit more discussion, sure!

[WarhawkDad]

emma, here's in interesting situation - if, when striking the ball on a punt, the Aussie makes a sound like a cannon, would he have to sit up on the hill during home playoff games? I do believe his foot would be considered an artificial noisemaker, thus making him in violation of the rule. Just a thought!

LOL,  leave it to BoBo!!

[couchp54]

Some questions and thoughts after week 1.
-I caught some of the UWEC game on radio but wasn't exactly sure of the game situation when the last interception occurred.  I'm not saying UWEC deserved to win because St. Thomas showed great character.  But my understanding is all UWEC had to do was run out the clock a bit- but passed?? Is that what happened?
-Does it seem this may be one of the most competitive years the WIAC has seen?
-With the high flying offenses of Buffalo State, Pville and Oshkosh, thank God the strength of the team is the defense.
-I'm looking forward to seeing the Aussie punt- I hear it sounds like a cannon when he kicks.

EC gave it up (twice) by throwing it up, stopping the clock on numerous incompletions and throwing the INT. Should've handed the ball to Sweeney for 4-5 yds a pop and the game ends. Plus the defense didn't lay a hand on the last two guys to score - the WR caught a 10 yard pass then outran everyone for another 40 yards and a TD; then the QB runs untouched 32 yards for the winner. Conditioning-wise, EC looked absolutely exhausted the last 1/2 of the 4th quarter. Even the EC announcers were commenting on that.

Sweeney tried to run it the last couple possessions but was only getting a yard or two.  Tommies were all over him. But yes, running the ball would have eaten up precious time and a lot of grumbling in the stands over the play calling.    The last 6 mins of the game were a disaster for EC.  Botched punt that let St Thomas take the ball at around the 30 yard line.  The interception was uncharacteristic for Neu.  He was about to go down and he threw the ball up into a swarm of players.  Bad decision.  That was the game-changer.  EC looked lethargic at the end and Tommies looked fresh.  EC didn't seem to play much of the second string - perhaps they put too much on their starters on a hot sunny day.  But that seems to be the norm for EC last few years - starting out strong and losing at the end.  And starting out the season strong and falling apart at the end. 

[retagent]

Was St. Thomas not supposed to beat UW-Eau Claire?

Doesn't matter. It's actually the Empire 8 that had the best weekend, but I had to put some other options out there.

I didn't include the E-8 in my discussion because my information on them is almost non-existent this year so far. I guess we can discuss if a team that was predicted to lose, actually lost, that this is a victory and points to having a good week. I would guess that any UWEC fan would disagree - as would most people - IMHO.

[AndOne]

On the NBC Chicago 10 PM news tonight, sportscaster and former Bear Mike Adamle reported that his sources with the Bears have indicated that chances are now "very good" that Matt Blanchard will be signed to the Bears practice squad.
I believe he is still able to be claimed by other teams, but apparently the Bears have the desire to sign him.

Its official. Matt Blanchard IS now a member of the Bears practice squad.   
For now, at least, he is effectively the Bears 3rd string QB.

[emma17]

Was St. Thomas not supposed to beat UW-Eau Claire?

Doesn't matter. It's actually the Empire 8 that had the best weekend, but I had to put some other options out there.

E-8 sure had a great weekend- can't argue with their results.
If the measurement is simply wins and losses, E-8 wins hands down.  If you add the component of which conference best demonstrated its overall strength, I'm going WIAC.  I have always believed there is such a thing as a good loss. 

 

[retagent]

Was St. Thomas not supposed to beat UW-Eau Claire?

Doesn't matter. It's actually the Empire 8 that had the best weekend, but I had to put some other options out there.

E-8 sure had a great weekend- can't argue with their results.
If the measurement is simply wins and losses, E-8 wins hands down.  If you add the component of which conference best demonstrated its overall strength, I'm going WIAC.  I have always believed there is such a thing as a good loss. 

 

I'm shocked. We have thrown logic out the window, and gone with our "feelings." Can everyone tell that I'm being sarcastic. Again, I ask for evidence, and get a pile of slop.

[bleedpurple]

emma, here's in interesting situation - if, when striking the ball on a punt, the Aussie makes a sound like a cannon, would he have to sit up on the hill during home playoff games? I do believe his foot would be considered an artificial noisemaker, thus making him in violation of the rule. Just a thought!

It would only be an "artificial noisemaker" if he had an artificial foot/leg. SHEESH! Really?

Also, the Front Page Poll asks which conference had a better weekend, and, I'm guessing here, youse guys voted for the WIAC over the MIAC. How about some evidence. The one possible shred would be that UWL beat a highly ranked team. However, it IS in a PRESEASON Poll, and time will tell if they deserved that ranking. What were the respective Conference records, and add to that  UST beat UWEC, and there's no doubt. Is there?

Exactly, Ret.  The fact that the defending MIAC Champions, a team who has ripped through the MIAC at a 23-1 clip over the last three years, escapes with a 3 point win against a WIAC team that has been 9-12 in the WIAC over the same span clearly makes last weekend better for the MIAC than the WIAC.  Let's play this game again the weekends of December 8 and 15th and we'll see if those weekends turn out the same way. 

[kubiack78]

Oline mom what weekend are you coming to the Perk. The 22nd of Sept is a good weekend as it is Brez's dedication and a lot of us old timers will be there to celebrate.  FYI

[retagent]

7 - 0 vs 4 -3. Oh, if you want to bring in the future and the past to determine the past - go ahead. Even against the E8, the winning percentage is identical, 1.000. If you want teams to win games that are not played, there can be discussion. I rest my case. Your witness Mr Mason.

[pg04]

Remember, There will actually be an E8 vs. Wiac matchup in a few weeks. Not that it will be the best for comparison, but a matchup nonetheless.

[MasterJedi]

I was expecting to get home and see a podcast.

[Pat Coleman]

Ours? It comes out on Mondays.

[MasterJedi]

Ours? It comes out on Mondays.

I could have sworn it always used to be out late Sundays...

[emma17]

7 - 0 vs 4 -3. Oh, if you want to bring in the future and the past to determine the past - go ahead. Even against the E8, the winning percentage is identical, 1.000. If you want teams to win games that are not played, there can be discussion. I rest my case. Your witness Mr Mason.

Ret, the problem with your arguement is that if wins and losses was the only measure for what conference had the best weekend, then only the E-8 and MIAC should have been included in the pole- right?  Why include the WIAC IF the only determining factor was wins and losses?  I didn't get into the details because they are pretty clear it would seem.  Two mid level WIAC teams played the number one teams of their respective onferences, one of them won and the other took the MIAC's best to the final seconds.  In addition, UWO destroyed a perenially strong IIAC team and another took a top NAIA team to the wire.