FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[DoubleO]

Bielema gone to Arkansas?

[couchp54]

That was an incredible game out in Oregon; and I'm very excited that the Toms will be staying at home but am pretty nervous about the matchup.

If I was an odds maker, I'd make UWO a 3 1/2 point favorite on the road, as I think any team who has come through its playoff run is pretty dang good. 

I think the key for St. Thomas is going to be getting UWO into a one-dimensional offensive mind set.  I don't think the Titans will be able to run against St. Thomas, as no one (other than Elmhurst on a very weird/off day, generally) really has this year and the Titans are not a dominant ground team.  But if they are able to run, I think it will be game over.  On the UWO side, I also think the key is going to be forcing St. Thomas to throw.

My gut tells me this won't be as big of a shootout as Linfield/UWO was.  I think first to 20 wins.

Well, UW-Eau Claire ran the ball well on UST, but that was the first game of the season.

Well, UWEC has Sweeney and he's a beast.  I saw EC against both St. Thomas and Oshkosh.  That was St. Thomas's first game and I do believe they were better than the score indicated.  When EC played Oshkosh later in the season, there was no doubt that UWO was dominant.  There was no comparison between Tommies and UWO.  So have the Tommies gained enough over the season to beat UWO?  My guess is no.  Although UWO getting off to a slow start bothers me.  If the Tommies get the momentum, I'm not sure what will happen.  But Wara has shown to be steady and not prone to making mistakes, so that may be the key.

[USTBench]

Has anyone drawn comparison's between the other common opponent in UWEC?

UWO-50
UWEC-13

UST- 27
UWEC- 24

I'm not one to draw on "common opponents" but figured you guys (and girl) can go nuts...

The common opponent argument is pointless. For instance:

UWO 19
UWRF 7

UST 43
UWRF 9

UST squeeked by UWEC with some 4th quarter magic and blew out River Falls.

UWO didn't exactly pound UWRF but killed Eau Claire.

Both teams smoked Bethel.

[couchp54]

Has anyone drawn comparison's between the other common opponent in UWEC?

UWO-50
UWEC-13

UST- 27
UWEC- 24

I'm not one to draw on "common opponents" but figured you guys (and girl) can go nuts...

The common opponent argument is pointless. For instance:

UWO 19
UWRF 7

UST 43
UWRF 9

UST squeeked by UWEC with some 4th quarter magic and blew out River Falls.

UWO didn't exactly pound UWRF but killed Eau Claire.

Both teams smoked Bethel.

I do agree that the common component means very little.  A lot of dynamics go into each game, not the least being who may or may not be 100%.  If a key player is out it is easy to factor in, but the bleachers butts don't always know who is struggling with the common cold or a sore ankle/knee on any given day or how the coaches have had to adjust.  That said - I did post about UWEC against both St Thomas and UWO.  That was more of a gut feeling as to how each team was executing more than about stats or scores.  UWO was just doing everything very well.  And the Tommies, of course, were playing the first game of the year.  One thing that impressed me with the Tommies is that they never gave up and were quick to capitilize on what I think of as a few bad decisions by EC.

[USTBench]

Has anyone drawn comparison's between the other common opponent in UWEC?

UWO-50
UWEC-13

UST- 27
UWEC- 24

I'm not one to draw on "common opponents" but figured you guys (and girl) can go nuts...

The common opponent argument is pointless. For instance:

UWO 19
UWRF 7

UST 43
UWRF 9

UST squeeked by UWEC with some 4th quarter magic and blew out River Falls.

UWO didn't exactly pound UWRF but killed Eau Claire.

Both teams smoked Bethel.

I do agree that the common component means very little.  A lot of dynamics go into each game, not the least being who may or may not be 100%.  If a key player is out it is easy to factor in, but the bleachers butts don't always know who is struggling with the common cold or a sore ankle/knee on any given day or how the coaches have had to adjust.  That said - I did post about UWEC against both St Thomas and UWO.  That was more of a gut feeling as to how each team was executing more than about stats or scores.  UWO was just doing everything very well.  And the Tommies, of course, were playing the first game of the year.  One thing that impressed me with the Tommies is that they never gave up and were quick to capitilize on what I think of as a few bad decisions by EC.

For instance, last weekend against Hobart Matt O'Connell looked a little off. Sailed some passes, missed some open targets down field, just not his typical self. I kept saying to myself, "Man, it'd be 49 - 0 at halftime if he was on point today" and then Dave Lee (WCCO radio guy) says, "We've been informed O'Connell didn't sleep at all last night and has been battling a stomach virus."

Sheeeez! When I got the 'rhea I'm curled up in the fetal position on the bathroom floor and he's out trying to win a playoff game. Then I made a bunch of jokes about "having guts" and "intestinal fortitude" and "I wonder if that's why Braddock has for TDs?" You know...because he's trying to get away from the smell and all. Then I made some nachos.

[retagent]

Bench - You can also point to SJU's win over the Tommies in 2003, that was, to say the least - controversial. St Thomas was, at best a mid level team that year. SJU went on to the undefeated season, owning Mt U in the Stagg. Also remember that the Mount had beaten their Quarter and Semi Final opponenets by an average of around 55 points. SJU should have won the Stagg by 22, save a bad call on #2's catch for a TD where he kept the toes (yes - both of them) in bounds, but they had to settle for a FG.

[HScoach]

Bench - You can also point to SJU's win over the Tommies in 2003, that was, to say the least - controversial. St Thomas was, at best a mid level team that year. SJU went on to the undefeated season, owning Mt U in the Stagg. Also remember that the Mount had beaten their Quarter and Semi Final opponenets by an average of around 55 points. SJU should have won the Stagg by 22, save a bad call on #2's catch for a TD where he kept the toes (yes - both of them) in bounds, but they had to settle for a FG.

Many of us Mounties still believe the blowouts leading up to that Stagg played a role in the letdown that day.    Which is one of the reasons I'm worried about this Saturday against MHB.   Either this is a pretty good Mount team or we've played nothing but crap thru 13 weeks.

Not saying cakewalk was THE reason, just a part of it.  And some Elliott guy too

[thrunt01]

Has anyone drawn comparison's between the other common opponent in UWEC?

UWO-50
UWEC-13

UST- 27
UWEC- 24

I'm not one to draw on "common opponents" but figured you guys (and girl) can go nuts...

The common opponent argument is pointless. For instance:

UWO 19
UWRF 7

UST 43
UWRF 9

UST squeeked by UWEC with some 4th quarter magic and blew out River Falls.

UWO didn't exactly pound UWRF but killed Eau Claire.

Both teams smoked Bethel.

I do agree that the common component means very little.  A lot of dynamics go into each game, not the least being who may or may not be 100%.  If a key player is out it is easy to factor in, but the bleachers butts don't always know who is struggling with the common cold or a sore ankle/knee on any given day or how the coaches have had to adjust.  That said - I did post about UWEC against both St Thomas and UWO.  That was more of a gut feeling as to how each team was executing more than about stats or scores.  UWO was just doing everything very well.  And the Tommies, of course, were playing the first game of the year.  One thing that impressed me with the Tommies is that they never gave up and were quick to capitilize on what I think of as a few bad decisions by EC.

For instance, last weekend against Hobart Matt O'Connell looked a little off. Sailed some passes, missed some open targets down field, just not his typical self. I kept saying to myself, "Man, it'd be 49 - 0 at halftime if he was on point today" and then Dave Lee (WCCO radio guy) says, "We've been informed O'Connell didn't sleep at all last night and has been battling a stomach virus."

Sheeeez! When I got the 'rhea I'm curled up in the fetal position on the bathroom floor and he's out trying to win a playoff game. Then I made a bunch of jokes about "having guts" and "intestinal fortitude" and "I wonder if that's why Braddock has for TDs?" You know...because he's trying to get away from the smell and all. Then I made some nachos.

Stuff like this happens all the time and often times no one knows about it (kudos to Mr. Lee for having that insight). That's why armchair quarterbacking is so easy, we are generally unaware of these types of things. A player being ill but able to play, if a player has or just had a huge exam, if an athlete's boyfriend or girlfriend broke up with her or him the night before. All this stuff are things players and coaches have to deal with that we don't know about. Always a good thing to keep in perspective.

[emma17]

I'm half surprised not one UWW linebacker made the All Region team. With the way this season has gone, it seems fitting.

However, UWO is well represented (as they should be).

Congrats to Jake, Jimmy and Ryan.  It's a great way for these three seniors to end their careers.
Congrats also to all other WIAC players and especially the UWO guys- keep it up. 

[emma17]

Well this blows!!

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman
#Bears announce signing of FB Harvey Unga to practice squad and terminate contract of QB Matt Blanchard.

With all the injuries the Bears have they probably needed roster space.  Anyway, here is one story on it http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-bears-huddle/2012/12/bears-make-roster-moves-7/

[badgerwarhawk]

Well this blows!!

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman
#Bears announce signing of FB Harvey Unga to practice squad and terminate contract of QB Matt Blanchard.

It's a tough business.  Good luck to him.  It would be neat if some other organization would look to sign him.   

[02 Warhawk]

Well this blows!!

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman
#Bears announce signing of FB Harvey Unga to practice squad and terminate contract of QB Matt Blanchard.

It's a tough business.  Good luck to him.  It would be neat if some other organization would look to sign him.   

Yea, it is. Unfortunately I was afraid that it'll be only a matter of time before this happened. Like you said that's how the business works. Hopefully some other organization can pick him up. Arizona is in desperate need a QB

[02 Warhawk]

That was an incredible game out in Oregon; and I'm very excited that the Toms will be staying at home but am pretty nervous about the matchup.

If I was an odds maker, I'd make UWO a 3 1/2 point favorite on the road, as I think any team who has come through its playoff run is pretty dang good. 

I think the key for St. Thomas is going to be getting UWO into a one-dimensional offensive mind set.  I don't think the Titans will be able to run against St. Thomas, as no one (other than Elmhurst on a very weird/off day, generally) really has this year and the Titans are not a dominant ground team.  But if they are able to run, I think it will be game over.  On the UWO side, I also think the key is going to be forcing St. Thomas to throw.

My gut tells me this won't be as big of a shootout as Linfield/UWO was.  I think first to 20 wins.

Well, UW-Eau Claire ran the ball well on UST, but that was the first game of the season.

Well, UWEC has Sweeney and he's a beast.  I saw EC against both St. Thomas and Oshkosh.  That was St. Thomas's first game and I do believe they were better than the score indicated.  When EC played Oshkosh later in the season, there was no doubt that UWO was dominant.  There was no comparison between Tommies and UWO.  So have the Tommies gained enough over the season to beat UWO?  My guess is no.  Although UWO getting off to a slow start bothers me.  If the Tommies get the momentum, I'm not sure what will happen.  But Wara has shown to be steady and not prone to making mistakes, so that may be the key.

Sweeney became the work horse for Eau Claire, epescially as the season progressed. He was getting something like 25-20+ carries per game towards the end of their schedule.

If they would have stuck to that strategy earlier in the year, they would have won a few more games

<cough>UST<cough> 

[2115 Summit]

Well this blows!!

Zach Zaidman ‏@ZachZaidman
#Bears announce signing of FB Harvey Unga to practice squad and terminate contract of QB Matt Blanchard.

It's a tough business.  Good luck to him.  It would be neat if some other organization would look to sign him.   

The Vikes could use his talents!! Pretty sure he can do better than average 60 yards passing/game and 2 Ints in the redzone -

[02 Warhawk]

Introducing the St. Thomas Tommies

While doing my research for this I was surprised at the rate in which UST turns the ball over. On the other hand, UWO excels in creating turnovers as well as protecting the ball.

It'll be interesting to see if that plays a roll in Saturday's outcome.