FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

Here's how it should go (I hope)... get mad, reality check, work your ass off, win the WAIC, get to the playoffs, win , win, win.

I'm fine with 3 wins in the playoffs for UWW this season.    It's their 5th playoff win that's been ruining my vacation trips to Virginia.

I'm fine with MAKING the playoffs and taking our chances.  Right now I'm fine with beating Stevens Point next week.  They have a rhythm on offense UW-W hasn't had yet, at least not yesterday.  The UW-W defense has a chance to be special.  The offense has some things to work out. 

[hazzben]

We will see tomorrow what happens in the Rankings, but I can't see UWW falling behind anyone else in the West other than Linfield, St Thomas, Bethel and possibly UWP. Worst case scenario might even put Cal Lutheran above them. I think UWW's past performance will weigh heavily in keeping them in Top 15.

I think past performance prevents a free fall. And it should. At this point, 2 games into the season, I'd like a little more evidence before I cast UWW from the upper tier.

[ncc58]

We will see tomorrow what happens in the Rankings, but I can't see UWW falling behind anyone else in the West other than Linfield, St Thomas, Bethel and possibly UWP. Worst case scenario might even put Cal Lutheran above them. I think UWW's past performance will weigh heavily in keeping them in Top 15.

I think past performance prevents a free fall. And it should. At this point, 2 games into the season, Id like a little more evidence before I cast UWW from the upper tier.

A think UWW will fall to 3rd. It's not clear that any of the teams below MHB are better than UWW. For UWW, the sky isn't falling. It's a little rain.

[02 Warhawk]

Number 4 in the country it is. UWW got a little break that MHB and Wesley played each other, or else the hawks will be sitting 5th. Not that it makes that much of a difference.

[retagent]

I agree that UWW is probably one of the 4 best teams in the country, but I'm not sure that is how they will be ranked. I've never been good at these guesses, but it usually seems that the voters use wins and losses, rather than how good they "think" a team is.

[voice]

Number 4 in the country it is. UWW got a little break that MHB and Wesley played each other, or else the hawks will be sitting 5th. Not that it makes that much of a difference.

The last thing Whitewater should worry about is where they are in the D3football.com weekly national rankings.
Win games and everything will work out in the end.  They need to have more consistency on each possession.

It will be a serious "get back to work" week of practice. Look for the Hawks to do some serious refocusing on what needs to be accomplished.

[voice]

This year's UWW football team reminds me of the 2008 squad where the faced replacing a franchise running back in Justin Beaver and had first time starter Jeff Donovan replacing Danny Jones who quarterbacked the Hawks to the 2007 NCAA Divisiion III national title.

Maybe UWW fans now appreciate more the fact that Beaver and Coppage were among the best running backs statistically in D3 history. Lets not forget that their success was a team success, something that has been spoken about over the past seven seasons.

Hawks need to refocus, block better, and finish plays.  Despite the  loss on Saturday Whitewater still has attainable goals within reach and it all starts at Perkins Stadium on Saturday against the high-scoring Stevens Point Pointers.

[02 Warhawk]

Win games and everything will work out in the end.  They need to have more consistency on each possession.

Got that right. I'm still blown away by how inept their offense was yesterday. Something we aren't used to seeing. Saturday can't come soon enough.

[Pat Coleman]

I agree that UWW is probably one of the 4 best teams in the country, but I'm not sure that is how they will be ranked. I've never been good at these guesses, but it usually seems that the voters use wins and losses, rather than how good they "think" a team is.

I really don't think that's the case. I know a lot of other polls operate that way but our voters tend not to.

[emma17]

Some random thoughts:
-The UWW passing game needs significant improvement.  One area of concern in the two games is a lack of completions to multiple receivers.  Only 2 receivers caught passes vs. Wash U and 3 caught passes vs BSU- the third had one catch. 
-Through 2 games we haven't seen a running back stand out.  Ward is fine as a power back, but someone needs to step up and get yards on their own ability.
-UWW lost their other starting corner early in yesterday's game. 
-The pollsters were kind in where they ranked UWW based on the two games they played.  At this point I'd rather see UWW lower and work their way back up.   
-Speaking of the polls, I continued to be surprised that Franklin remains in the top 25.  If Oshkosh or several of the others receiving votes were playing Franklin would pollsters pick Franklin to win the game? 

[Pat Coleman]

Well, some would and some wouldn't, because some voters have Oshkosh ahead.

[voice]

Well, some would and some wouldn't, because some voters have Oshkosh ahead.

In the wake of Buffalo State's shocking upset  of UW-Whitewater, this week's D3football.com podcast with Pat and Keith focuses early on the game. Great sound from Buff State to open the show. Pat was sitting right behind me in the Perkins Stadium press box on Saturday and I think we were both shocked at the way Buff State was able to beat UWW - a 7-6 game - who would have thought!!??
Click on the following link to listen to this week's podcast:  http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2012/09/17/a-view-to-an-upset/

BTW - thanks Pat for coming to WW on Saturday!! I was probably destroying your concentration by talking to you too much during the game but I guess that's just me, a D3 geek!

[footballfan413]

This weeks picks are posted! Last week of NC games.  First game is Thursday night again so get them in early!  Thanks, guys. 

[retagent]

I agree that UWW is probably one of the 4 best teams in the country, but I'm not sure that is how they will be ranked. I've never been good at these guesses, but it usually seems that the voters use wins and losses, rather than how good they "think" a team is.

I really don't think that's the case. I know a lot of other polls operate that way but our voters tend not to.

Thanks for the clarification, Pat. I think that many in the FCS type polls are lazy, and just use records to make their decision. Some times, a #3 will beat a #4 (or similar such thing) at home by 2 points, and the #4 will drop precipitously. To me that doesn't make sense. I hope you're right and that "your" voters try to determine where a team actually fits.

[WarhawkDad]

This year's UWW football team reminds me of the 2008 squad where the faced replacing a franchise running back in Justin Beaver and had first time starter Jeff Donovan replacing Danny Jones who quarterbacked the Hawks to the 2007 NCAA Divisiion III national title.

Maybe UWW fans now appreciate more the fact that Beaver and Coppage were among the best running backs statistically in D3 history. Lets not forget that their success was a team success, something that has been spoken about over the past seven seasons.

Hawks need to refocus, block better, and finish plays.  Despite the  loss on Saturday Whitewater still has attainable goals within reach and it all starts at Perkins Stadium on Saturday against the high-scoring Stevens Point Pointers.

Voice

Post game  talking to many fans and former players, there was overwhelming concensus that the biggest issues were UWW not responding to the constant run blitz and pressure that was brought by Buff State.  Whether this was scheme, play calling, decision making or execution, it is obvious the much work needs to be done this week.   

Albeit bitter sweet, the defense for the most part kept Buff State off the Board.  They too were a high scoring offense.   Looking forward to more consistency against UWSP.

WarhawkDad