FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

Yup. Happy for the Point people too. That's a statement game.

What statement did 3-5 UWSP make?

Possible statement: "In spite of our struggles this year, our program is headed upward.  We just beat a program 11 months removed from leading Mount Union 35-10 in the third quarter of a national semi-final game."

Bleed, I know you were being careful to say "programs," but these two Oshkosh teams - 11 months ago and today, are very, very different. Point headed upward? You may feel one positive result equates to "headed upward." But taking a closer look at their results going back two weeks prior - blown apart vs La X giving up 63 points on 19/13 and losing narrowly to Stout on 10/20. For the sake of argument, I'd call it a fluke win vs a team in decline. There's the real statement.

I was careful to say "programs" for sure.  Given the question, which was what was the "statement" made by Stevens Point with the win, I was also taking a Stevens "Point" of view. I was talking from their perspective as to how they can frame the win to encourage players and supporters of the program. Also, how they could frame the win to recruits. From a neutral point of view? Of course Oshkosh is not the same and of course it is only one win. But, heck, I picked them to lose by 51 points, so the least I can do is present things from a positive viewpoint for a couple days.  But we play them Saturday, so the love dissolves tomorrow. 

[emma17]

Warhawk fans

Congrats on winning the WIAC title and the AQ into the playoffs. Kinda like the old days. Not sure I feel all that comfortable with you guys in the playoffs. I still have some bad memories from a few years back. Names like Beaver, Coppage, Kumerow and others come to mind. But, good guy that I am, I wish you guys the best. Unless, of course, you have to play the Raiders. See you later?

Ryan Kleppe, DL, UWW - unstoppable.

Developing.....

Soooo, I agree entirely with your opinion of Kleppe. What's the scoop?

[bleedpurple]

Warhawk fans

Congrats on winning the WIAC title and the AQ into the playoffs. Kinda like the old days. Not sure I feel all that comfortable with you guys in the playoffs. I still have some bad memories from a few years back. Names like Beaver, Coppage, Kumerow and others come to mind. But, good guy that I am, I wish you guys the best. Unless, of course, you have to play the Raiders. See you later?

Ryan Kleppe, DL, UWW - unstoppable.

Developing.....

Soooo, I agree entirely with your opinion of Kleppe. What's the scoop?

I'm pretty sure he's just adding to the names of former Warhawks who provide "bad memories" for opponents.

[emma17]

Questions. 
When UWW brings in the backup QB's Oles and Demark, they both end up running the ball quite a bit. Do you feel a pass play was called and protection (back-up O Linemen) is breaking down or are they overly worried about making a mistake and tucking and running too soon?
Maybe a bit of both?
Maybe they are read option plays and they just prefer to run, especially Oles?

[dachampishere]

I know this may be jumping the gun a little bit. However, based on how the UWW defense if performing do uww supporters on this board think that if the right opportunity comes along does coach Erickson take a head job??? Also does the way the offense is performing guarantee that coach Jennings get the interim offensive coordinator tag off and they make it a permanent hire for next year. I know that the season is not over but schools who are looking to make a change might have taken notice of UWW's success especially on defense and may want to tap into UWW's coaching staff. Not saying it's going to happen however it's hard not to notice the success the respective coordinators are having at UWW.

[BoBo]

I know this may be jumping the gun a little bit. However, based on how the UWW defense if performing do uww supporters on this board think that if the right opportunity comes along does coach Erickson take a head job??? Also does the way the offense is performing guarantee that coach Jennings get the interim offensive coordinator tag off and they make it a permanent hire for next year. I know that the season is not over but schools who are looking to make a change might have taken notice of UWW's success especially on defense and may want to tap into UWW's coaching staff. Not saying it's going to happen however it's hard not to notice the success the respective coordinators are having at UWW.

Funny you mention this after a weekend where Erickson's defense gave up the most points in any one game it has all season. Maybe he isn't doing such a great job afterall. I apologize for being Capt. Obvious, but success does tend to create opportunities for career advancement. I'm not in his head, so I wouldn't know what motivates him or what his career goals might be. As for the interim label, are there any such things as a guarantee in the coaching profession? I honestly don't think either question matters a whole hell of a lot - at least on week 9 of the season.

[Pat Coleman]

Funny you mention this after a weekend where Erickson's defense gave up the most points in any one game it has all season. Maybe he isn't doing such a great job afterall. I apologize for being Capt. Obvious, but success does tend to create opportunities for career advancement. I'm not in his head, so I wouldn't know what motivates him or what his career goals might be. As for the interim label, are there any such things as a guarantee in the coaching profession? I honestly don't think either question matters a whole hell of a lot - at least on week 9 of the season.

Because they gave up a garbage time TD? Up 40-3 with under a minute left? No surprise that you are hard to please, but my goodness ...

[bleedpurple]

Funny you mention this after a weekend where Erickson's defense gave up the most points in any one game it has all season. Maybe he isn't doing such a great job afterall. I apologize for being Capt. Obvious, but success does tend to create opportunities for career advancement. I'm not in his head, so I wouldn't know what motivates him or what his career goals might be. As for the interim label, are there any such things as a guarantee in the coaching profession? I honestly don't think either question matters a whole hell of a lot - at least on week 9 of the season.

Because they gave up a garbage time TD? Up 40-3 with under a minute left? No surprise that you are hard to please, but my goodness ...

Right?

[BoBo]

Funny you mention this after a weekend where Erickson's defense gave up the most points in any one game it has all season. Maybe he isn't doing such a great job afterall. I apologize for being Capt. Obvious, but success does tend to create opportunities for career advancement. I'm not in his head, so I wouldn't know what motivates him or what his career goals might be. As for the interim label, are there any such things as a guarantee in the coaching profession? I honestly don't think either question matters a whole hell of a lot - at least on week 9 of the season.

Because they gave up a garbage time TD? Up 40-3 with under a minute left? No surprise that you are hard to please, but my goodness ...

Like I was really caring about his ridicules questions. You take everything way to seriously.

[Pat Coleman]

Funny you mention this after a weekend where Erickson's defense gave up the most points in any one game it has all season. Maybe he isn't doing such a great job afterall. I apologize for being Capt. Obvious, but success does tend to create opportunities for career advancement. I'm not in his head, so I wouldn't know what motivates him or what his career goals might be. As for the interim label, are there any such things as a guarantee in the coaching profession? I honestly don't think either question matters a whole hell of a lot - at least on week 9 of the season.

Because they gave up a garbage time TD? Up 40-3 with under a minute left? No surprise that you are hard to please, but my goodness ...

Like I was really caring about his ridicules questions. You take everything way to seriously.

Says the guy who blows up over the WIAC pickem.

[UWO Titan 78]

The Titans deserved to lose on Saturday. When you turn the ball over 4 times, you don't deserve to win the game. If THIS team plays Point 10 times, they probably win 8-9 of the games. UWO missed two short field goals and turned the ball over 4 times. We don't have the firepower to overcome those type of mistakes. Are we a bad team? No. This league is competitive, and if you play poorly you can lose. There was no margin for error after the UWW loss, and we made too many errors in this game. I may have mentioned before that we don't have playmakers on this team. We have to win with a methodical offense approach, and you can't do that if you make mistakes. The biggest problem all season has been or inability to run the ball effectively. With the returning linemen we had, this should have been a strength. This unit just hasn't been good enough. Too much pressure was put on a QB that is a game manager, at this point, to win the game. Hopefully we can win out and regroup for next year. There were times when 6-4 or 7-3 would've been celebrated in Oshkosh. Times have changed, and that is a good thing.

[badgerwarhawk]

I know this may be jumping the gun a little bit. However, based on how the UWW defense if performing do uww supporters on this board think that if the right opportunity comes along does coach Erickson take a head job??? Also does the way the offense is performing guarantee that coach Jennings get the interim offensive coordinator tag off and they make it a permanent hire for next year. I know that the season is not over but schools who are looking to make a change might have taken notice of UWW's success especially on defense and may want to tap into UWW's coaching staff. Not saying it's going to happen however it's hard not to notice the success the respective coordinators are having at UWW.

Erickson is destined to be a head coach.  He's young and his career development makes it inevitable.  After Bullis he was my pick for our head coaching position after the meet and greets.  For our sake I'm hoping it isn't for a little while yet.  I really like what he's doing and if 10 points is his defense's worst performance of the season I don't think any of us WARHAWKS people have much to be upset about.

Barring the unforeseen I'd be very surprised if Jennings did not return next year.   He's doing a great job and he's very popular with the players and fan base.

[stoutguy]

Hey Brad,
I am enjoying your weekly predictions and seeing the reactions or additional insights. It definitely starts a bigger conversation. This board tends to be UWW focused, with a little OWO thanks to 78. I really like the insights about all of the teams in the league and what is really happening in the conference top to bottom. Please, keep it coming! I catch 1 or 2 Warhawk games a year and the media does such a lousy job covering the league that this place is the only real WIAC news I get!

UWW focused?  Really

[emma17]

I would be surprised if Erickson wasn't a target for other programs. I just hope the open jobs aren't more appealing than DC at a possible championship contender.
Jennings has done a nice job with the offense - I especially like the way he has involved the many playmakers UWW has. Cole seems much more confident and I think his running success is contributing to it. I have to assume Jennings is a big part of it.
In the big picture, imo he has to prove himself in the playoffs. The time is going to come when UWW will break the offensive huddle, get to the line of scrimmage and face equal / better athletes at many positions.
The QB performance next year will also be an important indicator of Jennings' OC skills.

[WW]

I know this may be jumping the gun a little bit. However, based on how the UWW defense if performing do uww supporters on this board think that if the right opportunity comes along does coach Erickson take a head job??? Also does the way the offense is performing guarantee that coach Jennings get the interim offensive coordinator tag off and they make it a permanent hire for next year. I know that the season is not over but schools who are looking to make a change might have taken notice of UWW's success especially on defense and may want to tap into UWW's coaching staff. Not saying it's going to happen however it's hard not to notice the success the respective coordinators are having at UWW.

Erickson is destined to be a head coach.  He's young and his career development makes it inevitable.  After Bullis he was my pick for our head coaching position after the meet and greets.  For our sake I'm hoping it isn't for a little while yet.  I really like what he's doing and if 10 points is his defense's worst performance of the season I don't think any of us WARHAWKS people have much to be upset about.

Barring the unforeseen I'd be very surprised if Jennings did not return next year.   He's doing a great job and he's very popular with the players and fan base.

.
I don't know about Erickson specifically but 2 years anywhere is an eternity for a D3 assistant coach. Especially a successful one.