FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Maybe you guys have already seen this. Pretty cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NfA7Jk5SqE

[BoBo]

Packers can always count on Cutler when the going gets tough.    

[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.

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.

It sounds like maybe Bethel final score was an outlier in terms of being more competitive than the final score among other circumstances.  I agree with you about Wartburg as well. I agree with pretty much everyone who is saying it's close between the conferences right now.  Without the signature non-conference win, combined with UW-SP beating the #5, I believe the slight edge goes to the WIAC (bias? perhaps).  However, I do think the edge is narrow enough that the rest of the season and the post-season for both conferences could put the WIAC #1 ranking in danger.

[bleedpurple]

"State of the Hawks: Defense"

www.warhawkfootball.com

[voice]

For those that think UWSP's win over #5 North Central was a fluke?

* UWSP 330 yards passing. TWO receivers with over 100 yards.
* NCC 9 of 26 passing with FOUR INTS!
* UWSP 77 plays, NCC 55 plays
* Time of possession-----> UWSP 39:15, NCC 20:46

[02 Warhawk]

For those that think UWSP's win over #5 North Central was a fluke?

* UWSP 330 yards passing. TWO receivers with over 100 yards.
* NCC 9 of 26 passing with FOUR INTS!
* UWSP 77 plays, NCC 55 plays
* Time of possession-----> UWSP 39:15, NCC 20:46

I don't think it's a fluke because NCC is completely one dimensional on offense. Their QB play isn't good at all (including that win over UWP), and rely heavily on their run which is excellent.

The CCIW is going to probably stack the line and force NCC to beat them through the air.

[bleedpurple]

Let's just get this over with so the healing can begin! 

[02 Warhawk]

A bit of shocking news... NCC's coach (John Thorne) will be stepping down after this season. His son, the offensive coordinator, will be taking over.

[retagent]

Wasn't that done at another power recently?

[02 Warhawk]

Wasn't that done at another power recently?

Congrats on the big win over the weekend. I, for one, was happy to see it.

[BoBo]

For those that think UWSP's win over #5 North Central was a fluke?

* UWSP 330 yards passing. TWO receivers with over 100 yards.
* NCC 9 of 26 passing with FOUR INTS!
* UWSP 77 plays, NCC 55 plays
* Time of possession-----> UWSP 39:15, NCC 20:46

I don't think it's a fluke because NCC is completely one dimensional on offense. Their QB play isn't good at all (including that win over UWP), and rely heavily on their run which is excellent.

The CCIW is going to probably stack the line and force NCC to beat them through the air.

I watched this game and I can say it was a very hyped-up homecoming crowd of a little over 3,300 in Point. The student announcers on the broadcast made it unbearable to listen to, however. Talk about getting excited over mundane plays; they were going nuts in the second half.  The special black uniforms Point wore with the pink numerals looked pretty good, as a football uniform - though I think pink as a color looks more appropriate on a women's basketball or volleyball uniform. My personal thoughts on NCC is that they didn't play much different than they did at home vs Platteville, but in that game Platteville really looked over matched and under-prepared to play, especially on run defense - I thought they would be stronger. But this game seemed like the perfect storm and once Point got the momentum, it just snowballed on NCC and that was the game. But, they certainly are one dimensional and that won't get them far in the long run to the Stagg Bowl. I think their #5 ranking is a product of their past success not that this team is really the 5th best team in the land. Maybe getting humbled on the road against Point will make them a stronger team once their conference games begin. Things will get much easier there. Time will tell. Unless they find some answers at QB, my best guess is that they'll be lucky to find themselves in the top 20 by seasons end. For what it's worth, though NCC only completed those 9 passes, I think Point can be vulnerable through the air by a decent passing team, as the Cardinals did average over 25 yards per completion and threw 2 TD's.  Point by no means has a balanced offense either. Their running isn't setting the world ablaze, avg a little over 3 yards per attempt and in this game only 1 yd per rushing attempt. And from what I could tell from watching this game and the Coe game, Larson the QB doesn't have an exceptional strong arm, but he is getting the job done when it matters. Their defense gives up a ton of points (26/gm) too. I'm not really sold on them yet; Saturdays game at RF will tell me a lot.

[02 Warhawk]

100% Bobo...I still think UWP is a better team than UWSP. That should be a good game in Platteville in a few weeks.

[emma17]

For those that think UWSP's win over #5 North Central was a fluke?

* UWSP 330 yards passing. TWO receivers with over 100 yards.
* NCC 9 of 26 passing with FOUR INTS!
* UWSP 77 plays, NCC 55 plays
* Time of possession-----> UWSP 39:15, NCC 20:46

I don't think it's a fluke because NCC is completely one dimensional on offense. Their QB play isn't good at all (including that win over UWP), and rely heavily on their run which is excellent.

The CCIW is going to probably stack the line and force NCC to beat them through the air.

I'm conflicted on my NCC thoughts. I too agree that balance is important for championship level success. After all, look at UMHB. IMO their inability to develop a truly effective passing game has prevented them from reaching the Stagg.
That said, NCC continues to befuddle me w their play selection. 29 runs and 26 passes. Great balance - yes, but to what gain?  NCC averaged over 5 yards a carry. UWSP was hot throwing the ball. Why not gain control of the game via the run and keep the Pointers off the field?

I know it seems I'm contradicting myself, but somewhere in there is a proper approach.  Perhaps a 3-1 run pass ratio until game is in hand, then work on developing the passing game
This game reminded me of NCC v Linfield. NCC literally threw the game away.

[oshfb]

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

As long as everyone in the West keeps bashing the East.

[oshfb]

Let's just get this over with so the healing can begin! 

That picture is epic!