FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[number1fan]

What are the other examples of conferences like this?

[jknezek]

If you look at the ATN  column that rankes the conferences, found here:

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2012/ranking-the-conferences

You'll get a pretty good feel for conferences that generally have 2 or 3 teams at least that COULD win playoff games in any given year. As expected, the WIAC is at the top of that list, but they are not the only ones with some depth. I would think any of the first 6 conferences in this list would stand a chance at having a runner-up win a game or two at least in the playoffs. The E8 proved it last year with Salisbury and SJF, even if this year the conference looks a little more balanced.

[02 Warhawk]

This week's WIAC Matchups

[emma17]

Believe it or not, the WIAC is not the only conference where this is the case.

There is no doubt there are several conferences that could send their #2 (and even #3) team into the playoffs with success.  IMO the WIAC is a bit unique in that the degree of separation typically seen between #1 and #2 isn't nearly as great as in other conferences. 
#1 team in D3 is Mt Union (OAC)- beat the #2 team in their conference 33-14 (last td by H-berg scored w 10 seconds left in game).
#2 team is MHB (ASC)- beat the #2 team in their conference 30-3.
#3 team is Linfield (NWC)- their #1 and #2 seem to be very close year in and year out.
#4 team is St. Thomas (MIAC)- beat the #2 team in conference 37-0.
In the E-8- #1 Salisbury beat #2 team 63-23.

In the WIAC, #1 Oshkosh was in a tight ball game vs. UWP and UWW through the 4th quarter. 

[retagent]

Keep in mind that three teams in the MIAC have been in the Top 25, and a fourth could also be considered. I know you are WIACcentric, but really!

[cubs]

Keep in mind that three teams in the WIAC have been in the Top 15, a fourth made it as high as #26 and a fifth as high as #35. I know you are MIACcentric, but really!

FIFY....   

[02 Warhawk]

When it comes to why the WIAC is not getting two teams in, and why other conferences are...I wouldn't be comparing the No. 1 and No. 2 teams. Rather, see what the No. 2 teams in each conference are doing against the rest of the conference.

It's been extremely hard for the No. 2 team to run the table in the WIAC after losing to the No. 1 team. The middle and bottom of the WIAC pack typically pull off an upset. The WIAC doesn't have many guaranteed wins like other conferences do.

Over the past three seasons there were cases where the No. 2 WIAC team lost a game they should have won that killed their Pool C hopes:
2012 - UWP losing at home to UWW (now unranked)
2011 - UWO losing to a 3-7 La Crosse team
2010 - UWSP losing to a 4-6 UWEC team

[02 Warhawk]

Keep in mind that three teams in the MIAC have been in the Top 25, and a fourth could also be considered. I know you are WIACcentric, but really!

Which as nothing to do with making the playoffs

[Pat Coleman]

Keep in mind that three teams in the MIAC have been in the Top 25, and a fourth could also be considered. I know you are WIACcentric, but really!

Which as nothing to do with making the playoffs

But they are regionally ranked also -- you guys know that. Nitpick if you like but the MIAC has a legit argument to be in the discussion.

[number1fan]

Keep in mind that three teams in the MIAC have been in the Top 25, and a fourth could also be considered. I know you are WIACcentric, but really!

Keep in mind a 3-3 team in our conference lost by 3 to the number 1 team in MIAC land and lost by a combined total of 123-49 in 3 games to our number 1 and number 2 teams in the WIAC.

[02 Warhawk]

Keep in mind that three teams in the MIAC have been in the Top 25, and a fourth could also be considered. I know you are WIACcentric, but really!

Which as nothing to do with making the playoffs

But they are regionally ranked also -- you guys know that. Nitpick if you like but the MIAC has a legit argument to be in the discussion.

What is the discussion anyways? I thought we were talking about the WIAC not being able to get two teams in the playoffs?

[02 Warhawk]

Not looking good UWP:

WEST
1 Linfield 7-0 8-0
2 Wisconsin-Oshkosh 8-0 9-0
3 St. Thomas (Minn.) 9-0 9-0
4 Cal Lutheran 7-1 7-1
5 Coe 9-0 9-0
6 Pacific Lutheran 6-2 6-2
7 Bethel (Minn.) 7-2 7-2
8 Concordia-Moorhead 6-2 7-2
9 Wisconsin-Platteville 7-2 7-2
10 Lake Forest 8-1 8-1

No way this will hold up as a region in the playoffs though. Three potential No. 1 seeds in the same region 

UWP needs some magic this weekend:
- Huntingdon to lose to Adrian
- Cal Lutheran to beat Chapman
- Pacific Lutheran to lose to Menlo
- Ohio Wesleyan or Wittenberg to lose (However, it would be even better if they both lose).
- Bridgewater to lose to Mass Maritime
- Wheaton* to lose to North Park - not going to happen
- Elmhurst to lose to Ill Wesleyan
- Baldwin-Wallace to beat Heidelberg
- Widener to beat Delware Valley
- Bethel* to lose to St. Johns
- Concordia-Moorhead to lose to Gustavus Adolphus
- Carroll to beat Illinois College
- And, of course, don't let Point win 

[02 Warhawk]

Sounds like there's a good chance the MIAC gets three teams in...that would be something.

[SUADC]

Sounds like there's a good chance the MIAC gets three teams in...that would be something.

With that being said, do each team in the first round avoid a rematch, depends on who gets ship where?

[02 Warhawk]

Sounds like there's a good chance the MIAC gets three teams in...that would be something.

With that being said, do each team in the first round avoid a rematch, depends on who gets ship where?

They most likely will avoid a first-round matchup. But a second-round meeting would be likely.

UWW faced UWL in the second round in 2006...if that's any indicator.