FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[HansenRatings]

Just poked around your site, HansenRatings. Awesome stuff! But if somebody's giving me Wartburg at plus 17, I'm putting a dime on it...

Before you spend your money, you probably want to get an informed opinion specifically on the line play of the 2017 Wartburg team.  The IIAC is a good conference, but year in and year out doesn't match the physicality or size of the WIAC.  I'm not saying Wartburg doesn't, but it's possible their opponents haven't.  In 2014, LL told me before the game that he was very concerned about the Wartburg offensive line.  He felt that group was elite (nationally). I don't know about the 2017 version.  If they are also elite, Wartburg might be able to control the ball on the Titans. If not, they will probably be in trouble.  While UW-O is definitely my LEAST favorite Titan, those dudes can put up points!

Sacia's passing numbers even eclipse what Logan Schrader did in 2014. Schrader did run for quite a bit more yardage, though.  Speaking of Schrader, does anyone know if Wartburg's second leading rusher is Logan's younger brother?

I don't think this line is on the same level as the 2014 version (which featured the West Region Offensive Player of the Year, hard to top that), but has an argument as the 2nd or 3rd-best Wartburg's had in a long long time. The 2010 version that went 10-1, losing to Bethel first round, and had several 3-year starters across the board, may have been better, but I would have to ask Coach Toohey for his opinion.

Speaking of the 2014 OL, that UWW semifinal turned when the LT (the previously-mentioned WROPOY) got his ankle rolled up (I saw a picture from the next day, it was gruesome), and then UWW had a low hit on Schrader that took him out of the game. Our backup QB was also our star WR, and the offense didn't move the ball nearly as much, and gave UWW a few short fields, leading to the loss.

Yes, the Schraders are brothers.

[Carin@TheLiquorStore]

Based on what you've seen of both Wartburg & Oshkosh, what are some of the areas of weakness in Oshkosh's team that you think Wartburg has the ability to exploit? I've had the opportunity to watch most of UWO's games this year so I feel like I have an idea but my opinion is admittedly pretty biased, combined with the fact that I haven't seen Wartburg (or any of the teams they've faced this year) play in-person.

[UWO Titan 78]

Based on what you've seen of both Wartburg & Oshkosh, what are some of the areas of weakness in Oshkosh's team that you think Wartburg has the ability to exploit? I've had the opportunity to watch most of UWO's games this year so I feel like I have an idea but my opinion is admittedly pretty biased, combined with the fact that I haven't seen Wartburg (or any of the teams they've faced this year) play in-person.

The Titans defense have been susceptible to an athletic quarterback and a top-flight wide reciever (see the LAX game and RF). We did get a boost last week when Rajon Hall returned and had an interception. We have more depth in the secondary now.

The WIAC has dominated D3 in the trenches for a long time. LAX won national titles with their line play in the 90s. UWW continued that, but added the athletes to the mix (Stanley, Beaver, Coppage, Kumerow, etc), and that took it to another level and allowed the conference to compete with Mount. Oshkosh has countered with the same tradition on the line and now have athletes of their own (Hecker, Mentkowski, Todarello) that make this team so dangerous.

IMO, the Titans will score. I don't care what anybody says, you won't find too many defenses better than UWW. We put 37 on them and if Hecker doesn't fumble at the goalline it is 40+. If the Titan D can make Wartburg one dimensional then we will win. If both offenses light up the scoreboard, then it will come down to who protects the football the best, and maybe the kicking game.

Hail Titans!

[emma17]

Welcome to the board Carin@theliquorstore-Like Pat said, great name.

On page 2857, BleedPurple spelled out his idea of how to beat UWO's defense. Either NCC ignored it, or maybe they didn't have the players, or maybe UWO is just too smart.

Titan 78- A quick shout-out for the Warhawk defense. UWO absolutely destroyed and embarrassed them. But it was after that game that the UWW defense of old reappeared. They should be in tip top shape for 2018.

[emma17]

Titan 78,

IMO, the Titans will score.

I agree with you. If the Titans stay away from self-inflicted mistakes, including missing open receivers, I love their chances against every team in the tourney, except I admit to having uncertainty when it comes to UMHB.
Kasper was remarkable against NCC as was the entire offense.

As for Wartburg, as far as I'm concerned, they have earned the absolute benefit of the doubt. Others from the IIAC may have struggled in the playoffs, especially of late, but Wartburg has the great offensive balance and all important O-line. I hope UWO prepares for 2017 Wartburg believing they are every bit as dangerous as a healthy 2014 Wartburg.   

[HansenRatings]

One of the great things Wartburg does offensively is chuck it deep, the other is consistently running for positive yardage. The staff does a really good job of utilizing unique route combinations to exploit opponents' coverage schemes (if you watched any of the Trine game, you saw a lot of wide open uncovered receivers 20-25 yard downfield; that's not uncommon). Their OL out-classed and manhandled most of the DLs they played all season, which showed up a lot at the end of games, running the 5-min offense. I wouldn't expect that sort of result vs. UWO. They're also athletic enough across the board to run pull schemes that most DIII teams wouldn't have the athletes for, or the time to teach, which could be how they exploit UWO's defense if they go the "rush 2 & stop Sacia/Brockway" route. UWO's DL is always good at crashing OL & erasing gaps with the OL's body, so that's something I'll be watching for. If Wartburg can keep them honest in the box, could open something up in the secondary.

Defensively, Wartburg is aggressive & fast. They're going to commit to stopping Hecker, which can put people on islands. Against a team like Franklin, that spreads the field and has enough athletes at WR to win one-on-one matchups, the safeties slow down in the run game and that's how Franklin was able to get yards rushing late. Against a team like Trine, where they can match up 1-on-1 in the back end, there's not much for the O to do. They're going to do what they can to prevent UWO from rushing for 4-8 yards consistently. Most of the secondary is experienced, but their 1st team All-IIAC CB JoJo McNair is only a freshman. From the couple of UWO games I've watched this year, Mentkowsi can beat you by making you miss on a short route, or beat you over the top & Kasper can hit him well enough to make teams pay. Mentkowski vs. McNair is probably the matchup that determines how the UWO offense vs Wartburg defense matchup goes.

I hope UWO prepares for 2017 Wartburg believing they are every bit as dangerous as a healthy 2014 Wartburg.

Thanks for that...

[cubs]

While UW-O is definitely my LEAST favorite Titan, those dudes can put up points!

Care to elaborate? 

[Carin@TheLiquorStore]

Really appreciate all of the great/helpful responses! It's not often that I'm able to talk D3 football with people so discovering this board has been a very welcome development.

Having watched UWO's Stagg Bowl run last year, it has been fun seeing the team transition from one leaning primarily on its senior-heavy defense to one centered around its offense this year (not to say that last year's offense or this year's defense were/are sub-par). My biggest fears coming into this game are that:

1) Since the release of the bracket, it seems that a lot of UWO fans have been talking about how their 2nd round opponent was going to be a far more difficult challenge than their 3rd round opponent. Combine that with looking ahead to a prospective match-up against Mount Union in the semi-finals round, I worry about Wartburg being taken just a little too lightly by the UWO faithful.

2) Despite the generally high level of play all year, I worry about UWO's relative inexperience/youth on defense. Based on what i've read and been hearing about Wartburg's offense, they're not to be overlooked. The numbers their QB has put-up this year are particularly eye-popping. Luckily for UWO, Ceroni seems to be one of the better defensive minds in D3 football, so I'm hopeful that my anxiety is all for naught.

Having said that, I am expecting on Oshkosh to come-out on top this weekend against Wartburg. I think UWO's offense is too balanced and has too many weapons to keep contained for long. While the D is admittedly less experienced and not quite the rock-solid unit they were last year, they're still an extremely talented group. Moreover, I feel confident that the defense will be able to get more than enough stops against an offense that has had only a week's worth of preparation against the relatively unique (that's the impression I've been given) defensive scheme that Ceroni has implemented at UWO.

If what HansenRatings says is true about Wartburg selling-out to stop Hecker (& UWO's underrated stable of RBs behind him), I'm looking to see Kasper & Mentkowski have another big day. On defense, I'm excited to watch UWO's starting CB duo of  Rajon Hall and AJ Plewa against a seemingly formidable Wartburg passing offense.

Lastly, I feel obligated to mention that I've received a lot of positive feedback on the username. I regret to admit that it is not nearly as Wisconsin-centric nor original as what people seem to be giving me credit for...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJHOnHhPH6s

[emma17]

A cool name regardless. Never heard of the band but I see they are playing in Chicago in a couple weeks, I'm sure you knew that.
Regarding your point 1- Welcome to being the favorite in the playoffs. That's part of the greatness of Mt and UWW in that they won when they were supposed to win. I remember when UWO lost to UWP the last game of the season. That's a good coaching lesson.
2- UWO will give up some passes and yards, just strap in and have faith.
Mentkowski gets a lot of deserved credit, but I don't think UWO's fortunes rest so much with him. Dom is great, other receivers and TE continue to be reliable and backs can catch.

[bleedpurple]

While UW-O is definitely my LEAST favorite Titan, those dudes can put up points!

Care to elaborate? 

Sure. They have a pretty good offense. 

[Gregory Sager]

Is that the most Wisconsin message board handle ever? Just lacks a reference to cheese or something.

Close, Pat, but I still give the tip of the feed cap to Blaze Orange in that category.

[Pat Coleman]

Is that the most Wisconsin message board handle ever? Just lacks a reference to cheese or something.

Close, Pat, but I still give the tip of the feed cap to Blaze Orange in that category.

Fair.
+1 for that

[emma17]

Interesting first half between UWO and Wartburg. UWO is going to have to clean up their game in the second half if they want to move on.

[gbpuckfan]

Interesting first half between UWO and Wartburg. UWO is going to have to clean up their game in the second half if they want to move on.

And UWO does, outscoring Wartburg 21-10 en route to the 41-27 win.

[emma17]

Congratulations UWO, heck of a victory over a solid football team in Wartburg.

Although I hope the next game is in Oshkosh, no matter where it is, I get the feeling this Tital team is ready for the challenge.

UWO and Mt, all righty then.