FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

Usee and Haz,
Thanks for the interesting debate. Although the plays are specific to last week's game, the context is important to tomorrow.

Not taking sides at all. Usee, I'm not a betting man, but I wouldn't think NCC would be favorites against Bethel in a rematch no matter where the game was played.
I had that game on TV#2 last week (next to TV #1 with the Dub). I couldn't entirely focus on your game, but I felt the majority of time Bethel was the aggressor (boxing lingo) and had NCC on their heels. I also think the second half is typically more important than the first half, and Bethel really owned the line of scrimmage in the second.

Anyway, tomorrow's game has a lot of mystery. I think many (or maybe just me and 02) of us UWW fans think about/worry about the 2016 game vs. John Carroll. UWW was undefeated to that point but was soundly beaten by JCU. The UWW offense was mostly helpless, much like it was vs. Mt the year before in Alliance. Those UWW teams didn't have diversity of formation, player movement, player utilization or play design.

The 2018 UWW offense doesn't utilize the motions and shifts that was a trademark of the championship years, but it does use formation, personnel and play design much more effectively than in recent years. I am very excited to see how this 2018 UWW offense will perform against such a quality defense and coaching staff.

For the record, I'm all in on UWW looking more like they did when they last played a MIAC highly regarded team in the playoffs. 

[BoBo]

Kind of surprised Hansen has UWW favorites by 11.3 (with MHB being 10.6 over SJU). I would think the game would be closer than that.

What kind of accuracy does this Hansen computer have? Has any independent source ever attempted to find out or do all you guys just blindly accept what it tells you?

[USee]

Usee and Haz,
Thanks for the interesting debate. Although the plays are specific to last week's game, the context is important to tomorrow.

Not taking sides at all. Usee, I'm not a betting man, but I wouldn't think NCC would be favorites against Bethel in a rematch no matter where the game was played.
I had that game on TV#2 last week (next to TV #1 with the Dub). I couldn't entirely focus on your game, but I felt the majority of time Bethel was the aggressor (boxing lingo) and had NCC on their heels. I also think the second half is typically more important than the first half, and Bethel really owned the line of scrimmage in the second.

I don't disagree, but if you run a massey simulation it has NCC winning 4 out 7 times. And if they did play again, in Bleed's alternative universe, I would bet on Bethel. It didn't surprise me to see Bethel take advantage of some of the same things I saw happen against Wheaton. Keep in mind I hate North Central because I'm a Wheaton guy so I have no problem with Bethel, an institution with similar disposition to Wheaton, winning.

[USee]

Kind of surprised Hansen has UWW favorites by 11.3 (with MHB being 10.6 over SJU). I would think the game would be closer than that.

What kind of accuracy does this Hansen computer have? Has any independent source ever attempted to find out or do all you guys just blindly accept what it tells you?

Well, last week NCC was favored by 5.5 and lost by 3. All predictive models are limited by their nature. That said, when HansenRatings was participating in the pickems last year, he did pretty well in various conferences.

[02 Warhawk]

Kind of surprised Hansen has UWW favorites by 11.3 (with MHB being 10.6 over SJU). I would think the game would be closer than that.

What kind of accuracy does this Hansen computer have? Has any independent source ever attempted to find out or do all you guys just blindly accept what it tells you?

I don't think anyone has accepted this. Every post I've read has disagreed with it.

I really have no idea what goes into his spreads.

[emma17]

Completely different subject and one I should probably raise on the ASC board, but I feel it may be bad timing.

There is a lot of talk about UMHB being a dynasty. I greatly admire the accomplishments of their program and I've heard UWW players talk about how tough they are to play.
They have three appearances in the Stagg w one national championship and two losses. St. Thomas is one appearance behind in recent years.

Doesn't it take more than conference dominance and one national title to earn the dynasty label?

[USee]

Completely different subject and one I should probably raise on the ASC board, but I feel it may be bad timing.

There is a lot of talk about UMHB being a dynasty. I greatly admire the accomplishments of their program and I've heard UWW players talk about how tough they are to play.
They have three appearances in the Stagg w one national championship and two losses. St. Thomas is one appearance behind in recent years.

Doesn't it take more than conference dominance and one national title to earn the dynasty label?

Yes, but it only takes conference domination and one title to earn dynasty arrogance.

[02 Warhawk]

Completely different subject and one I should probably raise on the ASC board, but I feel it may be bad timing.

There is a lot of talk about UMHB being a dynasty. I greatly admire the accomplishments of their program and I've heard UWW players talk about how tough they are to play.
They have three appearances in the Stagg w one national championship and two losses. St. Thomas is one appearance behind in recent years.

Doesn't it take more than conference dominance and one national title to earn the dynasty label?

Funny you said that because I was thinking the same thing after a SJU fan compared MHB to the Mount Union dynasty for the past 20+ years? I was like, really?!?!? One Stagg Bowl win and a few appearances is all it takes?

When I say stuff like that about UWW, I get reminded from Mount fans that 13 > 6.

[hazzben]

@ USee, I'll cool it. I probably read tone into your posts that wasn't there. Inherent limitation of these boards, even with emojicons. Mea Culpa

I don't know what to think regarding Bethel vs. UWW. I'm a ball of nerves.

My gut says, this Bethel team is special and playing really confident, inspired football.

My brain says, this is a purple power deep in the playoffs, temper all optimism.

I think Bethel is a really complete team, but I wish Roste had a few more years experience under his belt. And while I think Bethel is really athletic and physical. I also know UWW is definitely going to be the most athletic & physical team we've faced all year. Interested/nervous to see how our combo of the two stacks up against yours.

[02 Warhawk]

@ USee, I'll cool it. I probably read tone into your posts that wasn't there. Inherent limitation of these boards, even with emojicons. Mea Culpa

I don't know what to think regarding Bethel vs. UWW. I'm a ball of nerves.

My gut says, this Bethel team is special and playing really confident, inspired football.

My brain says, this is a purple power deep in the playoffs, temper all optimism.

I think Bethel is a really complete team, but I wish Roste had a few more years experience under his belt. And while I think Bethel is really athletic and physical. I also know UWW is definitely going to be the most athletic & physical team we've faced all year. Interested/nervous to see how our combo of the two stacks up against yours.

OzJohnnie with a sarcastic meme in 3...2...1....

[USee]

Hazz,

No worries. I probably injected tone into my posts that wasn't there. Wouldn't be the first time.....I started all this by saying I am really intrigued by this game as Bethel is playing at a high level and UWW is, well....as you mention a purple power in the quarters. I think having a great defense and being able to run the ball is a formula for success, now the Royals have to show they can beat an elite team that does the same thing.

[02 Warhawk]

I don't know what to think regarding Bethel vs. UWW. I'm a ball of nerves.

My gut says, this Bethel team is special and playing really confident, inspired football.

My brain says, this is a purple power deep in the playoffs, temper all optimism.

I think Bethel is a really complete team, but I wish Roste had a few more years experience under his belt. And while I think Bethel is really athletic and physical. I also know UWW is definitely going to be the most athletic & physical team we've faced all year. Interested/nervous to see how our combo of the two stacks up against yours.

You and me both. A lot of nervous tension and a slow week at work is a bad combo. Hence me posting here at a rate of once every 13 seconds, seemingly.

My take on Whitewater is a lot of uncertainty. I'm not exactly sure how good this team is. They plowed through their schedule with ease this year. Closest game was a 18 point win (Concordia-Moorhead) early in the season. Normally that's a good sign, but I know the top of the WIAC wasn't that great this year. UWP and UWO were relatively bad for their standards. So I ask myself, was UWW taking advantage of a down conference? Or is UWW really this good to be killing everyone so far? I'm guessing it's somewhere in between.

Ever since Lance left, this team has had some disappointing ends to the season each year so far. Losing to Mount in the semis in 2015, then getting embarrassed at home in the quarters to JCU in 2016, then missing the playoffs entirely last year. Then this year comes along and I've been cautiously optimistic all season. Is this fouls gold or are the Hawks returning to glory? Tomorrow will be a good indication of that.

[art76]

@ USee, I'll cool it. I probably read tone into your posts that wasn't there. Inherent limitation of these boards, even with emojicons. Mea Culpa

I don't know what to think regarding Bethel vs. UWW. I'm a ball of nerves.

My gut says, this Bethel team is special and playing really confident, inspired football.

My brain says, this is a purple power deep in the playoffs, temper all optimism.

I think Bethel is a really complete team, but I wish Roste had a few more years experience under his belt. And while I think Bethel is really athletic and physical. I also know UWW is definitely going to be the most athletic & physical team we've faced all year. Interested/nervous to see how our combo of the two stacks up against yours.

What Hazz said.

Honestly, I have not slept well the last couple of nights because of this game. I cannot wait for this game to get going. And it's not because of confidence, not at all - but to just get after it. This waiting for the games to be played is hard on one's constitution.

This is going to be a cliche game - a slug fest. Good luck to the Warhawks. Go Royals!

[hazzben]

@ USee, I'll cool it. I probably read tone into your posts that wasn't there. Inherent limitation of these boards, even with emojicons. Mea Culpa

I don't know what to think regarding Bethel vs. UWW. I'm a ball of nerves.

My gut says, this Bethel team is special and playing really confident, inspired football.

My brain says, this is a purple power deep in the playoffs, temper all optimism.

I think Bethel is a really complete team, but I wish Roste had a few more years experience under his belt. And while I think Bethel is really athletic and physical. I also know UWW is definitely going to be the most athletic & physical team we've faced all year. Interested/nervous to see how our combo of the two stacks up against yours.

OzJohnnie with a sarcastic meme in 3...2...1....

Yeah I mean it as a combo. SJU is maybe more athletic (my gut), but I'm guessing UWW is the most complete combo of the two.

[02 Warhawk]

@ USee, I'll cool it. I probably read tone into your posts that wasn't there. Inherent limitation of these boards, even with emojicons. Mea Culpa

I don't know what to think regarding Bethel vs. UWW. I'm a ball of nerves.

My gut says, this Bethel team is special and playing really confident, inspired football.

My brain says, this is a purple power deep in the playoffs, temper all optimism.

I think Bethel is a really complete team, but I wish Roste had a few more years experience under his belt. And while I think Bethel is really athletic and physical. I also know UWW is definitely going to be the most athletic & physical team we've faced all year. Interested/nervous to see how our combo of the two stacks up against yours.

OzJohnnie with a sarcastic meme in 3...2...1....

Yeah I mean it as a combo. SJU is maybe more athletic (my gut), but I'm guessing UWW is the most complete combo of the two.

Way to be quick on your feet and clarify before SJU fans got a hold of you.