FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

I'll be very interested to watch the game @UWW this weekend. Two elite defenses going at it. Except for 2 big plays, Whitewater struggled against UWO, the only other top 25 defense they have faced. UWW's #23 ranked Rushing Defense against Bethels #23 ranked rushing offense and UWW's #15 ranked offense vs Bethels #11 ranked defense.

Should be a great game.

Yes, it'll be tough. Bethel is better than any team outside UWW in the WIAC. It'll be our biggest challenge of the season. I guess that's expected at this stage in the playoffs though.

UWW still wins that UWO game without those two big plays though. Similar scenario could be said about bethel. I watch the highlights of that ncc game. The cardinals had two huge collapses on defense that left bethel's WR uncovered for two easy TDS. If NCC's DBs were more disciplined we would be playing them tomorrow and not Bethel.

[bleedpurple]

Thunderstorms, upper 30s, 100% chance of rain and 20-30 mph winds Saturday at Whitewater. 

Looks like my group will be watching the game at Coyote's Grill this Saturday.

Wimp.

Hope it doesn't get to warm for you in the press box tomorrow. 

If it was just me I would be in the stadium. The people i'm going with suggested watching it indoors. So I caved and said sure.

At least your wife is letting you watch the game.

I haven't been in the box for three years. Sidelines all the way. Rain, shine, or freeze.  My motto is "if our guys can play in it, I can pray in it."  😉

[02 Warhawk]

Thunderstorms, upper 30s, 100% chance of rain and 20-30 mph winds Saturday at Whitewater. 

Looks like my group will be watching the game at Coyote's Grill this Saturday.

Wimp.

Hope it doesn't get to warm for you in the press box tomorrow. 

If it was just me I would be in the stadium. The people i'm going with suggested watching it indoors. So I caved and said sure.

At least your wife is letting you watch the game.

I haven't been in the box for three years. Sidelines all the way. Rain, shine, or freeze.  My motto is "if our guys can play in it, I can pray in it."  😉

Ahh...I stand corrected then. I assumed you were still up there. Stay warm and dry, buddy.

[emma17]

Thunderstorms, upper 30s, 100% chance of rain and 20-30 mph winds Saturday at Whitewater. 

Looks like my group will be watching the game at Coyote's Grill this Saturday.

Wimp.

Hope it doesn't get to warm for you in the press box tomorrow. 

If it was just me I would be in the stadium. The people i'm going with suggested watching it indoors. So I caved and said sure.

At least your wife is letting you watch the game.

I haven't been in the box for three years. Sidelines all the way. Rain, shine, or freeze.  My motto is "if our guys can play in it, I can pray in it."  😉

That's outstanding.
If it happens to snow tomorrow, I'll try to time my snowballs in between your prayer time.

[USee]

I'll be very interested to watch the game @UWW this weekend. Two elite defenses going at it. Except for 2 big plays, Whitewater struggled against UWO, the only other top 25 defense they have faced. UWW's #23 ranked Rushing Defense against Bethels #23 ranked rushing offense and UWW's #15 ranked offense vs Bethels #11 ranked defense.

Should be a great game.

Yes, it'll be tough. Bethel is better than any team outside UWW in the WIAC. It'll be our biggest challenge of the season. I guess that's expected at this stage in the playoffs though.

UWW still wins that UWO game without those two big plays though. Similar scenario could be said about bethel. I watch the highlights of that ncc game. The cardinals had two huge collapses on defense that left bethel's WR uncovered for two easy TDS. If NCC's DBs were more disciplined we would be playing them tomorrow and not Bethel.

Yes, UWW still wins over UWO, primarily because the 180th ranked offense of UWO was not a threat to score against UWW so the Warhawks only needed one TD in that game. Much different story this weekend. Bethel's offense is not a juggernaut (#59 nationally, #23 rushing O), but they can score and they will try to dominate the LOS, which is where this battle will be won or lost. That's why I am excited to watch as it's strength against strength. UWW has a pretty good history in those type of matchups so I am sure your guys are appropriately confident.

[emma17]

I'll be very interested to watch the game @UWW this weekend. Two elite defenses going at it. Except for 2 big plays, Whitewater struggled against UWO, the only other top 25 defense they have faced. UWW's #23 ranked Rushing Defense against Bethels #23 ranked rushing offense and UWW's #15 ranked offense vs Bethels #11 ranked defense.

Should be a great game.

Yes, it'll be tough. Bethel is better than any team outside UWW in the WIAC. It'll be our biggest challenge of the season. I guess that's expected at this stage in the playoffs though.

UWW still wins that UWO game without those two big plays though. Similar scenario could be said about bethel. I watch the highlights of that ncc game. The cardinals had two huge collapses on defense that left bethel's WR uncovered for two easy TDS. If NCC's DBs were more disciplined we would be playing them tomorrow and not Bethel.

Yes, UWW still wins over UWO, primarily because the 180th ranked offense of UWO was not a threat to score against UWW so the Warhawks only needed one TD in that game. Much different story this weekend. Bethel's offense is not a juggernaut (#59 nationally, #23 rushing O), but they can score and they will try to dominate the LOS, which is where this battle will be won or lost. That's why I am excited to watch as it's strength against strength. UWW has a pretty good history in those type of matchups so I am sure your guys are appropriately confident.

It sure seems this should be a real humdinger. Statistically this should be neck and neck.
Sometimes these games surprise and you find the post game discussion turns to why one team's statistics perhaps weren't as reliable or comparable. I don't know.

I do know regardless of UWO's record, the rivalry between the two programs has resulted in close games nearly every year for quite a while now. UWW has struggled to run the ball against those pains in the rear for quite a while now.
     

[02 Warhawk]

I'll be very interested to watch the game @UWW this weekend. Two elite defenses going at it. Except for 2 big plays, Whitewater struggled against UWO, the only other top 25 defense they have faced. UWW's #23 ranked Rushing Defense against Bethels #23 ranked rushing offense and UWW's #15 ranked offense vs Bethels #11 ranked defense.

Should be a great game.

Yes, it'll be tough. Bethel is better than any team outside UWW in the WIAC. It'll be our biggest challenge of the season. I guess that's expected at this stage in the playoffs though.

UWW still wins that UWO game without those two big plays though. Similar scenario could be said about bethel. I watch the highlights of that ncc game. The cardinals had two huge collapses on defense that left bethel's WR uncovered for two easy TDS. If NCC's DBs were more disciplined we would be playing them tomorrow and not Bethel.

Yes, UWW still wins over UWO, primarily because the 180th ranked offense of UWO was not a threat to score against UWW so the Warhawks only needed one TD in that game. Much different story this weekend. Bethel's offense is not a juggernaut (#59 nationally, #23 rushing O), but they can score and they will try to dominate the LOS, which is where this battle will be won or lost. That's why I am excited to watch as it's strength against strength. UWW has a pretty good history in those type of matchups so I am sure your guys are appropriately confident.

Cautiously - yet worried - confident, if that makes sense. The weather will make throwing the ball a bear for both teams. I know throwing isn't Bethel's strong suit, even in ideal weather conditions. If UWW can do what they've done all season and clog up their running game we should be ok. As long as UWW's offense doesn't make a habit of turning it over.

[USee]

While stats are not often reliable in most games due to quality of the leagues, in these types of games I find them a bit more predictive because both teams come from the top 2 conferences and the quality of competition seems more equal. Bethel is going to run the ball for 200 yds, that's what they do. And UWW is going to run it and throw opportunistically because that's what they do. This game will be a battle of wills at the LOS on both sides and I think both teams will find success and frustration at times during the game.

Bethel had success on the two big pass plays because NCC was relying on their secondary for run support. That's because Roste is a such a threat running the ball you have to bring an extra guy. Both times they beat NCC on play action the Cards safeties were fooled by run fakes. If UWW can defend the run with their front 6 or 7 without primary secondary support, then they will win this game. Most coaches, when their front 6 or 7 starting getting pushed around, will go to a man scheme, which brings the DB covering the TE or RB into run support, but also exposes the defense for a big play. That's what happened at North Central.

[WW]

Usually the effect of the weather on the passing game gets overplayed, IMO. But heavy rain and raw 20 mph E winds (that's a cross-wind at the Perk) are gonna effectively shut down any aerial show. So it'll be ground and pound, and fwiw, their common opponent, UWRF, grounded and pounded UWW (185 yds not counting sacks) more effectively than they did vs Bethel (89 yds). Of course, UWW beat UWRF 44-7, while Bethel only managed a 32-27 win. Each put up big ground games vs UWRF.

Just sayin... the weather will take UWW's WRs out of the game, and may tilt the field just a bit Bethel's way. But I'm taking DubDub by a tuddy. 20-13.

[02 Warhawk]

Usually the effect of the weather on the passing game gets overplayed, IMO. But heavy rain and raw 20 mph E winds (that's a cross-wind at the Perk) are gonna effectively shut down any aerial show. So it'll be ground and pound, and fwiw, their common opponent, UWRF, grounded and pounded UWW (185 yds not counting sacks) more effectively than they did vs Bethel (89 yds). Of course, UWW beat UWRF 44-7, while Bethel only managed a 32-27 win. Each put up big ground games vs UWRF.

Just sayin... the weather will take UWW's WRs out of the game, and may tilt the field just a bit Bethel's way. But I'm taking DubDub by a tuddy. 20-13.

I'll beat Bethel fans to it. I believe the Concordia game was a blowout for Bethel, but it was the closest game of the season so far for UWW. So I wouldn't look too much into that UWRF game when comparing scores.

[bluestreak66]

Usually the effect of the weather on the passing game gets overplayed, IMO. But heavy rain and raw 20 mph E winds (that's a cross-wind at the Perk) are gonna effectively shut down any aerial show. So it'll be ground and pound, and fwiw, their common opponent, UWRF, grounded and pounded UWW (185 yds not counting sacks) more effectively than they did vs Bethel (89 yds). Of course, UWW beat UWRF 44-7, while Bethel only managed a 32-27 win. Each put up big ground games vs UWRF.

Just sayin... the weather will take UWW's WRs out of the game, and may tilt the field just a bit Bethel's way. But I'm taking DubDub by a tuddy. 20-13.

I'll beat Bethel fans to it. I believe the Concordia game was a blowout for Bethel, but it was the closest game of the season so far for UWW. So I wouldn't look too much into that UWRF game when comparing scores.

For some reason, I just have a weird feeling Bethel is going to pull something off tomorrow. I don't know if I'm over valuing the St. Thomas and North Central games, but those two wins are the best by either team this year. I think this is definitely going to be the best game tomorrow

[USee]

Bethel has been a program that recruits and develops guys on the OL and DL. Their philsophy, from my seat, has been to dominate the LOS. When you can run the ball (they are 70/30 run v pass) and stop the run, you are going to win many games. Their recent fall off was because, in my view, they didn't have the guys to do that. Now they have a more typical Bethel style team.

In past years their style has worked will until they get to this level of the playoffs against teams with personnel to match up on the OL/DL.  NCC had some great players on the OLine and DLine, but had 1 or 2 weak links in my opinion. At this point in the playoffs, teams have no weak links up front. Its at that point you have to have a scheme and/or a skill position advantage in my view.

[HScoach]

Planning to dominate the line of scrimmage against UWW has not historically been a recipe for success.  Not saying it's possible for Bethel to win, just really REALLY doubting their ability to do so by relying on a strong ground game.  Their defense better play lights out if they hope to win with a run based offense.

[BoBo]

Thunderstorms, upper 30s, 100% chance of rain and 20-30 mph winds Saturday at Whitewater. 

Looks like my group will be watching the game at Coyote's Grill this Saturday.

Wimp.

Hope it doesn't get to warm for you in the press box tomorrow. 

If it was just me I would be in the stadium. The people i'm going with suggested watching it indoors. So I caved and said sure.

At least your wife is letting you watch the game.

I haven't been in the box for three years. Sidelines all the way. Rain, shine, or freeze.  My motto is "if our guys can play in it, I can pray in it."  😉

Forecast calls for 81° and partly cloudy here in Central Florida. Hope to finish my golf in time to catch the beginning of the game. Misjudged last weekend and missed the 1st half. Will watch from my pool deck, outdoors, with steaks grilling on the BBQ!! 

[hazzben]

I watch the highlights of that ncc game. The cardinals had two huge collapses on defense that left bethel's WR uncovered for two easy TDS. If NCC's DBs were more disciplined we would be playing them tomorrow and not Bethel.

There's a context to those collapses. NCC knew they could only stop the run by committing safeties into the box. They contained Bethel's running game in the first half, but at the expense of a long TD. In the second half, they could no longer hold up against the run, which made the PAP game all the more lethal. It wasn't just a lack of discipline for NCC's DB's, they were throwing themselves at the line to stop the bleeding up front.

Ironically, some CCIW posters suggested the easy solution to stopping Bethel was just putting 8 in the box. I cautioned against that before the game last week. Yes, Bethel will line up with two TE's and two RB's, but they also love to run the ball out of an empty set with Roste and with 3 WR sets as well. That puts stress on you to cover in space, stay sound in your pass coverage, and still stop the run without being able to bring in extra hats.

My assumption is UWW will hold up better with their typical 7 man front than NCC did. I also don't think UWW is as explosive throwing as NCC, but they should have a better running game. That in turn, might actually lead to bigger pass plays. NCC's issue was that we made them one dimensional and then Kilgroe & Co just pinned their ears back and came after Rutter.

No rocket science to this game. The LOS and turnovers decide it. If both teams are a match up front and play mistake free football, we should be in for a brutally hard fought football game.