FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

Well, Saturday should be a good day for the Warhawks to get back in sync on offense. River Falls gives up a ton of yards, and points.

But we'll see.

I thought the same going into last week for UWO...yet after dropping 70pts on Alma they only put up 19 against a relatively weak UWRF's team.

So what to make of this?  UWO is not as good as everyone thought?  UWRF is improving, at least defensively?  I guess after UWO/UWEC square off that will give us a better indication.  And to see what kind of fight UWRF puts up against UWW.  I don't think anything's a given in this conference.

Nothing is ever a given in the WIAC.  And if anyone thinks that's not true, they have not tried the Pick-Ems.   

I was surprised by UW-RF's success running the ball.  Their offensive line did a pretty nice job in the basic running plays. Their running game would have been sufficient had they had a dynamic passing game to go with it, which they did not. At least not against Oshkosh.  Kusliek was running for his life too often.  They did make a few plays down the middle and in the seams, where Oshkosh was vulnerable, at least on that day. 

Defensively, I was impressed with how UW-RF  swarmed to the ball. They had good pressure on Wara and did a pretty good job shutting down the inside running game of the Titans until late in the game, when they probably wore down a bit.  Their front 7 is aggressive and pretty good.  I think they may have some issues in the secondary.  The Falcons were VERY weak on the edges, where UW-O seemed like they could do whatever they wanted.  When they got outside in the running game or swung a pass in the flat, it was pretty much off to the races.  And of course Wara scrambles hurt the Falcons.

[bleedpurple]

In today's DIII podcast Pat and Keith had some good thoughts on the WIAC so far this year.

- They both agreed that (at this point) Oshkosh is the best team in the conference. Pat has now been to three of the four UWW games.
- If Kelly didn't get hurt Platteville wins that game.
- Brekke isn't at the same level as previous UWW QBs (Jacobs, Jones, Donovan and Blanchard). Tough time throwing the deep ball and his mobility is very limited.
- Platteville's third string QB was probably the best QB on the field (after Kelly went down of course).
- Front seven of Whitewater is one of the best in the country, but the secondary has given up some yards (bend but don't break, as I like to say).
- Whitewater will have to rely heavily on their rushing attack to make another run at the Stagg Bowl. Ward is good but not exactly the Beaver/Coppage type back. However, Pat was VERY impressed with Nick Patterson. He sees a lot of Justin Beaver in him (and he also wears No. 32).
- WIAC race will come down to Whitewater, Oshkosh, Platteville and La Crosse.
- Mary Harden Baylor is probably the favorite to meet Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl this year. They finally have a passing game to balance our their running attack.

As tough as it is to admit it, I would have to agree with all those. With maybe the exception being to include La Crosse in the conference race, unless the other three teams fall on hard times.

So I guess Whitewater will have to pull of the "upset" on homecoming     

I just remembered. Pat also talked about a possible "missed call" that changed the momentum of the game. I guess Platteville fumbled and gave the ball to Whitewater, but the replay showed that he was clearly down (both knees in fact, not just one).

I'm not quite ready to buy in to any of the comments above that are in bold.  Quick comments on each:

If Pat and Keith had watched Oshkosh against River Falls, they would be very hesitant to make this proclamation. I'm not seeing it. Wara is as dangerous as it gets, but I don't see other playmakers on offense and their defense isn't as good as UW-W's right now. I don't see UW-O having any separation from UW-W or UW-P at this point.

I think it's certainly possible Platteville would have won the game, but it's no certainty.  Kelly would have been under the same pressure that got to Corrigan.  With or without Kelly, things weren't going to come as easy for UW-P as they were the first two drives.

I would take Brekke over Corrigan at this point.  Very different offenses, very different opportunities.

If the Stagg Bowl were held in October, I may agree with this.  But not with this much time remaining in the regular season. There will be teams looking very different in late November and December than they look right now. 

I thought the same thing regarding the fumble when I first saw it and on the initial replay. However, "Upon further review, the play on the field stands." A closer look from the end zone view shows that Corrigan spun when McLin hit him. As he was spinning, the ball seems to move  in his arms while he was turning (the ball looked to be popping upward) and was dislodged entirely after his knees hit the ground.  So actually as his knees hit, he may not have been in full possession of the ball.   At a minimum, it was not the obviously missed call I thought it was and may well have been the right call.   

[voice]

I see on tbe OAC pickem page that Mount Union is a 64 1/2 point favorite over Wilmington on Saturday. BTW Wilmington has won ONE game since 2009.  While no "point spreads" take place on the WIAC pickem page, Whitewater plays winless River Falls on Saturday. RF has only won 3 conference games total beginning in 2009.  My question this morning... what would be the "point spread" if Wilmington played River Falls this year?

[02 Warhawk]

I see on tbe OAC pickem page that Mount Union is a 64 1/2 point favorite over Wilmington on Saturday. BTW Wilmington has won ONE game since 2009.  While no "point spreads" take place on the WIAC pickem page, Whitewater plays winless River Falls on Saturday. RF has only won 3 conference games total beginning in 2009.  My question this morning... what would be the "point spread" if Wilmington played River Falls this year?

Wilmington (+10.5) vs. River Falls

[bleedpurple]

At River Falls: River Falls (-11.5)
At Wilmy: River Falls (-7.5)

[Pat Coleman]

I think River Falls beats Wilmington by at least four scores. River Falls is the best last-place team in Division III. We ranked them in our Top 100 and Wilmington was about 100 spots behind. As good as the OAC is, Wilmington is not good.

[ncc58]

This is Family Weekend at UWW, so the stands will be packed. It will be SRO, albeit a quiet crowd.

[WarhawkDad]

This is Family Weekend at UWW, so the stands will be packed. It will be SRO, albeit a quiet crowd.

I know one section of the Perk will not be quiet.  It is the one that my family and friends will be in. 

[02 Warhawk]

bleedpurple: Thanks for the info on P-ville. As to La Crosse, I feel that the O-line has been a bit disappointing this season. I thought they would be a real team strength, but have been disappointed at both the run and pass blocking. In fairness, they have faced tough defenses in most of their games. It sounds as if they ran into a beast or two in the D-lines they have played. Also, two OL starters missed the game at Point but will be ready Saturday. The QB's are adequate and Jared Stan and co. will have to step up their game going forward. The FG unit needs work as well, as I wouldn't have been comfortable relying on them to win the game last weekend. I have faith in the coaching staff and expect we'll see steady improvement if the injuries don't wear us down.

The most surprising thing about the OL is the run blocking. Pass blocking last year was horrible with many sacks given up, but the running game was pretty strong.  Hertrampf was first team all conference and put up almost 1000 yards while really only playing in six or so games.  The running game has been very weak this year, and with all five starters back I'm at a loss as to why.  Against SP they were down a few regulars, but were at full strength for the other games and the results weren't much different.  Now Hertrampf is hurt and out for a while so it only gets tougher going into the heart of the conference schedule.

Just read that he's done for the season. That's too bad.

[emma17]

This is Family Weekend at UWW, so the stands will be packed. It will be SRO, albeit a quiet crowd.

Can't the parents and kids talk about schoolwork after the game?

[emma17]

Well, Saturday should be a good day for the Warhawks to get back in sync on offense. River Falls gives up a ton of yards, and points.

But we'll see.

I thought the same going into last week for UWO...yet after dropping 70pts on Alma they only put up 19 against a relatively weak UWRF's team.

So what to make of this?  UWO is not as good as everyone thought?  UWRF is improving, at least defensively?  I guess after UWO/UWEC square off that will give us a better indication.  And to see what kind of fight UWRF puts up against UWW.  I don't think anything's a given in this conference.

Matchups and mental approach is my guess. Take nothing away from UWO due to a close game.

[MasterJedi]

This is Family Weekend at UWW, so the stands will be packed. It will be SRO, albeit a quiet crowd.

Can't the parents and kids talk about schoolwork after the game?

They look at you strange when you cheer loudly at good plays or scores. Which in turn quiets the rest of the people cheering down as they're being stared at but 10,000+ queit parents. It is a little creepy.  ..... 

[voice]

Saturday's Family Day football game at Perkins will also include a fundraiser for me (Tom Pattison).  I apologize for promoting the event but a lot of people on campus have put a tremendous effort into organizing the Team Tom Cancer Fundraising event.  Former UWW head coach Bob Berezowitz, UWW athletic director, and KOOL 106.5 are the ones that have organized this fundraiser and UW-Whitewater basketball, baseball and gymnasts will be wearing yellow Team Tom Cancer Fund T-shirts on Saturday assisting in the fundraiser.

Expected to be raffled off are the following helmets: Green Bay Packers, autographed by Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers; the Wisconsin Badgers, signed by Barry Alvarez and Bret Bielema; the Denver Broncos, autographed by John Elway and Peyton Manning; the Dallas Cowboys, signed by Tony Romo and Mark Whitten; and a Warhawks helmet autographed by the programs three legendary coaches, Berezowitz, Lance Leipold and Forrest Perkins.

Daily Jefferson County Union sports editor Jeff Seisser has the following story in today's Daily Union...
http://dailyunion.com/main.asp?SectionID=37&SubSectionID=119&ArticleID=12771

[emma17]

Saturday's Family Day football game at Perkins will also include a fundraiser for me (Tom Pattison).  I apologize for promoting the event but a lot of people on campus have put a tremendous effort into organizing the Team Tom Cancer Fundraising event.  Former UWW head coach Bob Berezowitz, UWW athletic director, and KOOL 106.5 are the ones that have organized this fundraiser and UW-Whitewater basketball, baseball and gymnasts will be wearing yellow Team Tom Cancer Fund T-shirts on Saturday assisting in the fundraiser.

Expected to be raffled off are the following helmets: Green Bay Packers, autographed by Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers; the Wisconsin Badgers, signed by Barry Alvarez and Bret Bielema; the Denver Broncos, autographed by John Elway and Peyton Manning; the Dallas Cowboys, signed by Tony Romo and Mark Whitten; and a Warhawks helmet autographed by the programs three legendary coaches, Berezowitz, Lance Leipold and Forrest Perkins.

Daily Jefferson County Union sports editor Jeff Seisser has the following story in today's Daily Union...
http://dailyunion.com/main.asp?SectionID=37&SubSectionID=119&ArticleID=12771

Nothing for us FIB's?  I think a big hit for Packer Backers might be a signed Jamarcus Webb helmet- Think of how much he's done for your Clay Matthews. 

[02 Warhawk]

WIAC Weekly Preview (followed by last week's Wrap Up Report from John and Randy)

Sorry, I can't make it to this week's game voice...I hope it's a success (both the game and the fundraiser)!