FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

[bleedpurple]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

The MIAC really is wacky right now. With UW-P's disappointing loss against NCC and UW-O being a huge unknown right now, I see why one could say the WIAC is vulnerable. But UW-SP taking out the #5 team in the country adds back some gravitas.  The MIAC doesn't have a comparable win.  Bethel had the opportunity for a somewhat comparable win against Wartburg, but got smoked 31-14.  UW-EC (2-5 WIAC LY) losing to Tommies by only 5 doesn't help MIAC case. Also, having the number one team in country at the top tips the scales to WIAC IMO. The MIAC has a number of good teams. I'm not sure they have any really good/great teams.

[02 Warhawk]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

Good point...I was just going off preseason expectations and the current top 25

[BoBo]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

I've always believed that when you have difficulty telling a truly good team in a conference from everybody else, it's a sure sign of mediocrity throughout.

[AO]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

I've always believed that when you have difficulty telling a truly good team in a conference from everybody else, it's a sure sign of mediocrity throughout.

  The WIAC has had the parity problem resulting in fewer playoff bids many times.  We should agree on how the East is terrible and the West should get more bids.  The top 6 teams in the MIAC are easy to see when they play mediocre teams.  I would say that Whitewater has an easier schedule than any team in the MIAC. 

[02 Warhawk]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

I've always believed that when you have difficulty telling a truly good team in a conference from everybody else, it's a sure sign of mediocrity throughout.

  The WIAC has had the parity problem resulting in fewer playoff bids many times.  We should agree on how the East is terrible and the West should get more bids.  The top 6 teams in the MIAC are easy to see when they play mediocre teams.  I would say that Whitewater has an easier schedule than any team in the MIAC.

that's large impart to UWw's non conference schedule. But all other WIAC school's non-conference games, not named UWW, was absolutely brutal this year. last week alone was killer.

Uww will struggle in a few games...they always get one or two wake-up calls a year.

[bleedpurple]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

I've always believed that when you have difficulty telling a truly good team in a conference from everybody else, it's a sure sign of mediocrity throughout.

  The WIAC has had the parity problem resulting in fewer playoff bids many times.  We should agree on how the East is terrible and the West should get more bids.  The top 6 teams in the MIAC are easy to see when they play mediocre teams.  I would say that Whitewater has an easier schedule than any team in the MIAC.

Not to get back to my old ways, but it don't matter how hard UW-W's schedule be. (poor English intentional). Nuthin to prove. Best in country and WIAC credited with such as conferences are rated.

[hazzben]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

The MIAC really is wacky right now. With UW-P's disappointing loss against NCC and UW-O being a huge unknown right now, I see why one could say the WIAC is vulnerable. But UW-SP taking out the #5 team in the country adds back some gravitas.  The MIAC doesn't have a comparable win.  Bethel had the opportunity for a somewhat comparable win against Wartburg, but got smoked 31-14.  UW-EC (2-5 WIAC LY) losing to Tommies by only 5 doesn't help MIAC case. Also, having the number one team in country at the top tips the scales to WIAC IMO. The MIAC has a number of good teams. I'm not sure they have any really good/great teams.

Very fair points.

I'd push back on Bethel getting smoked. Definitely hurt they were playing game one (and breaking in all new receiving corps) and Wart had a game against Augsburg under their belts. Bethel was up 7-3 in the 3rd and had a wide open pass fall through the hands of their top running back as he was breaking behind the D. If and buts, but Marquardt makes that catch (which he usually does) and its a different game. But Wart's D is legit. And I think they're better than people realize.

I'm not so sure the Toms are even top 3 this year. SJU is definitely better. Cobbers and Bethel both could be as well. GAC gave them all they could handle last year and only looks to be improved. Too early to say how much stock we should put in UST v. UWEC when gaging the conferences.

I think you're last sentence is a very good point. Is this a bunch of good, not great teams duking it out? Are there several really good teams in the mix? Can one emerge as a great team? That's my major question at this point. But there's no question, the MIAC is anyone's race at this point. Cobbers v. Royals next week will give one of the two an early inside track. Especially for a Concordia W, as they'd also have a win over SJU under their belts.

[hazzben]

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

I've always believed that when you have difficulty telling a truly good team in a conference from everybody else, it's a sure sign of mediocrity throughout.

As much as it pains me to say it...ever hear of the SEC??

That, and right now, we're guessing because almost none of these teams have played each other yet. If we're still trying to figure it out in week 8 or 9, yep, might be a lot of good, not great teams. Definitely not mediocre though. Those teams are not ranked 75th to 150th in D3 by any sane fan, media outlet or coach.

Of course, if a team wins the Pool A from the MIAC at 8-2 and then makes a run to the semis, that'd be a pretty loud statement as well. EDIT: Assuming they don't make the semis just because they got moved to the East region ;-)

Time will tell.

[retagent]

I think if you look at the top 5 teams in the conferences - WIAC and MIAC, a case could be made that more MIAC teams would be in the Top 40 (or so) It might also hold true that the Top 2 teams are from the WIAC. We just don't know at this point.

What that means about which is the best conference is up for debate, which, I guess is what we're doing right now. It will never be resolved. Even if you had a round robin among all those teams, it could settle the issue, but, I doubt it would be decisive. I think we can be comfortable with the knowledge that we have two of the top conferences right in our own back yard.

Continue......

[02 Warhawk]

I think if you look at the top 5 teams in the conferences - WIAC and MIAC, a case could be made that more MIAC teams would be in the Top 40 (or so) It might also hold true that the Top 2 teams are from the WIAC. We just don't know at this point.

What that means about which is the best conference is up for debate, which, I guess is what we're doing right now. It will never be resolved. Even if you had a round robin among all those teams, it could settle the issue, but, I doubt it would be decisive. I think we can be comfortable with the knowledge that we have two of the top conferences right in our own back yard.

Continue......

I would agree to that. Adding to it, you can make a case the bottom 2 or 3 teams in the WIAC may be a bit stronger than the bottom of the MIAC.

Like you said, we'll never know for certain and it makes for a good debate. Both conference are very strong.

[D3MAFAN]

The WIAC has been #1 for years and years, but if Keith does a mid-season update on conference rankings, I think the WIAC will be passed by the MIAC this year.

I don't know, the top two teams in the MIAC don't appear that strong, both losing to teams they probably should have beaten. While a middle of the road WIAC team knocked off the number five team in the country.

I say middle of the road now...but UWSP could very well finish towards the top of the Wiac when the season is over.

I think the thing that's crazy about the MIAC right now is no one really knows who the top 2 teams are. UST, Bethel, GAC, SJU and Cobbers; pick your two and you'd have a legit argument at this point.

I've always believed that when you have difficulty telling a truly good team in a conference from everybody else, it's a sure sign of mediocrity throughout.

  The WIAC has had the parity problem resulting in fewer playoff bids many times.  We should agree on how the East is terrible and the West should get more bids.  The top 6 teams in the MIAC are easy to see when they play mediocre teams.  I would say that Whitewater has an easier schedule than any team in the MIAC.

Or how a middle of the pack East team can end a streak and say that any team on any given weekend can be beat, just my honest opinion.

[02 Warhawk]

I wonder how long the east will hang their hat on that one game?

[emma17]

I wonder how long the east will hang their hat on that one game?

I could see if UWW went on to win it all that year, but heck, two other teams beat UWW that year too. 

[emma17]

I think if you look at the top 5 teams in the conferences - WIAC and MIAC, a case could be made that more MIAC teams would be in the Top 40 (or so) It might also hold true that the Top 2 teams are from the WIAC. We just don't know at this point.

What that means about which is the best conference is up for debate, which, I guess is what we're doing right now. It will never be resolved. Even if you had a round robin among all those teams, it could settle the issue, but, I doubt it would be decisive. I think we can be comfortable with the knowledge that we have two of the top conferences right in our own back yard.

Continue......

I would agree to that. Adding to it, you can make a case the bottom 2 or 3 teams in the WIAC may be a bit stronger than the bottom of the MIAC.

Like you said, we'll never know for certain and it makes for a good debate. Both conference are very strong.

Ret- you have two WIAC guys agreeing with you in that the top 5 MIAC teams would rank higher in a top 40.  IMO the MIAC has done a great job as a conference improving the overall level of play. 

It would be interesting to see 1 v 1, 2 v 2 etc. 
We'd have to take UWW with a win.
WIAC #2 is... UWSP, UWP or OWO?  Whatever team it is, they likely give the #2 MIAC a very good game-outcome to be debated. 
WIAC #3.  If UWP is the #3, can they  beat St. J or Bethel or St. T? 
WIAC #4.  If UWO is #4.   We have to see who UWO really is.