FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Is anybody else feeling upset Saturday is coming?
UWSP over UWW
St Thomas over St John?

Not feeling the Pointers. They've got some talent, especially they're D-front, and I'm really curious to see what kind of damage Corvino can do from the interior against a good O line. He had another very disruptive game vs UWO. They've got a big grader at O tackle, too. But I think they're a tick slow at skill spots, and QB Urmanski is just too inconsistent. That said, a lot of quarterbacks have looked bad in some of the weather conditions Wisconsin has seen on recent Saturdays. But I'm expecting an outcome where you compliment the Pointers on their scrappiness and then complain that Peete et al didn't break enough runs over 20 yards, they didn't run enough slants, etc. Duddub by 17.

I'm leaning St Thomas, however. Not that it would be much of an upset, but you could call it that. I think StT has lots of residual pissed-offness about the Eau Claire game and general MIAC politics, and is gonna take it out on anybody in their path.

Exactly why I'm leaning towards UST on this one. However SJU should win this game I would think.

[hazzben]

Is anybody else feeling upset Saturday is coming?
UWSP over UWW
St Thomas over St John?

Not feeling the Pointers. They've got some talent, especially they're D-front, and I'm really curious to see what kind of damage Corvino can do from the interior against a good O line. He had another very disruptive game vs UWO. They've got a big grader at O tackle, too. But I think they're a tick slow at skill spots, and QB Urmanski is just too inconsistent. That said, a lot of quarterbacks have looked bad in some of the weather conditions Wisconsin has seen on recent Saturdays. But I'm expecting an outcome where you compliment the Pointers on their scrappiness and then complain that Peete et al didn't break enough runs over 20 yards, they didn't run enough slants, etc. Duddub by 17.

I'm leaning St Thomas, however. Not that it would be much of an upset, but you could call it that. I think StT has lots of residual pissed-offness about the Eau Claire game and general MIAC politics, and is gonna take it out on anybody in their path.

Exactly why I'm leaning towards UST on this one. However SJU should win this game I would think.

I could see this game going either way. But it's a huge rivalry game, neither team is going to be lacking for motivation. UST wants to win the last two before they leave. SJU wants to say they won the final 3 for the same reason. Great plot lines. I'll be in attendance and can't wait to watch.

[emma17]

Is anybody else feeling upset Saturday is coming?
UWSP over UWW
St Thomas over St John?

Not feeling the Pointers. They've got some talent, especially they're D-front, and I'm really curious to see what kind of damage Corvino can do from the interior against a good O line. He had another very disruptive game vs UWO. They've got a big grader at O tackle, too. But I think they're a tick slow at skill spots, and QB Urmanski is just too inconsistent. That said, a lot of quarterbacks have looked bad in some of the weather conditions Wisconsin has seen on recent Saturdays. But I'm expecting an outcome where you compliment the Pointers on their scrappiness and then complain that Peete et al didn't break enough runs over 20 yards, they didn't run enough slants, etc. Duddub by 17.

I'm leaning St Thomas, however. Not that it would be much of an upset, but you could call it that. I think StT has lots of residual pissed-offness about the Eau Claire game and general MIAC politics, and is gonna take it out on anybody in their path.

To be fair to me, I don't complain Peete doesn't break runs over 20 yards, I voice my concern as to why it happens so infrequently. Now slant routes (and no motion/shifting), yeah, you got me on that- I complain like a little _ _ _ _ _.

The thing about UWSP is they've found a way to beat UWW twice since the run began. Now they've got this D-front and a QB that, on a good day, can cause some real problems. 

I'm like others leaning St. T for all those reasons, but I'm cheering for the team staying in D3. 

[bleedpurple]

Is anybody else feeling upset Saturday is coming?
UWSP over UWW
St Thomas over St John?

But I'm expecting an outcome where you compliment the Pointers on their scrappiness and then complain that Peete et al didn't break enough runs over 20 yards, they didn't run enough slants, etc. Duddub by 17.

One of my favorite posts of the year so far!!

Awesome job Alpha Dog!

[WW]

Is anybody else feeling upset Saturday is coming?
UWSP over UWW
St Thomas over St John?

But I'm expecting an outcome where you compliment the Pointers on their scrappiness and then complain that Peete et al didn't break enough runs over 20 yards, they didn't run enough slants, etc. Duddub by 17.

One of my favorite posts of the year so far!!

Awesome job Alpha Dog!

Woof.

[dachampishere]

As for the topic of WW's erosion of talent. I think a change in coaching staff and philosophy may have something to do with it. When LL got to ww IN 2007. He didn't like the idea of cutting kids at the end of fall camp. So the way they went about recruiting changed as a high school coaching friend of mine said they went after the top 2% of the talent they could get pissing off some high school coaches who were alumni. However as long as the Stagg bowl victories came they like it.
Since LL left one high school coach told me they bring n a lot more kids and the recruiting is back to the way it was when Brez was there prior to LL.
I accredit the fall off in Stagg Bowl performances to poor offensive performance in 2015,2016,and obviously 2017 and a change in offensive philosophy at the top as LL. Was a bit more wide open and KB is a little more Three yards and a cloud of dust.

[tigerFanAlso2]

Traveling to Sheyboygan in a couple of weeks. Can anyone suggest a couple of good restaurants ?

Good luck to all WIAC teams this weekend. Play well and free of injury.

[emma17]

That's interesting insight dachamp, thanks for sharing.
Your post reminded me of LL talking about their recruiting style- something along the lines of making sure the kids they brought in camp received the coaching attention he wanted for them. Too many players dilutes the coaching time per player. This certainly fits w your point about the selection process of the players brought in.

I know rosters have expanded in the WIAC since LL departed, I wonder what his approach would be today.

Do you have something in mind when you say LL was more wide open in comparison to KB?

[BoBo]

As for the topic of WW's erosion of talent. I think a change in coaching staff and philosophy may have something to do with it. When LL got to ww IN 2007. He didn't like the idea of cutting kids at the end of fall camp. So the way they went about recruiting changed as a high school coaching friend of mine said they went after the top 2% of the talent they could get pissing off some high school coaches who were alumni. However as long as the Stagg bowl victories came they like it.
Since LL left one high school coach told me they bring n a lot more kids and the recruiting is back to the way it was when Brez was there prior to LL.
I accredit the fall off in Stagg Bowl performances to poor offensive performance in 2015,2016,and obviously 2017 and a change in offensive philosophy at the top as LL. Was a bit more wide open and KB is a little more Three yards and a cloud of dust.

If the cloud of dust is the result of the ball bouncing off the turf or rolling back to the QB in the pistol position, than I can agree with this.

Those of you who have watched this Warhawk team this year - have you ever seen a team so highly regarded having as many issues getting a clean snap from center as this Whitewater team. It's absolutely mind-blowing the number of bad snaps coming from the UWW center - regardless who it is. The offense is flawed in so many different ways for a highly ranked team.

[BoBo]

Do you have something in mind when you say LL was more wide open in comparison to KB?

Let me take a shot at this. For one thing, LL had tight ends who could run a pass route and occupied a defender or two. That opened things for the WR's.  Now days they pose no threat to catch the ball, they are glorified tackles wearing a TE number.  The WR's as a result get very little separation from coverage. LL also used running backs as targets in the passing game - when was the last time UWW ran a successful screen pass? Dennis Moore in the 14 Stagg Bowl? The play calling during LL was so much more diverse - the use of motion and different formations created a lot of uncertainty with the defense. That had a tendency to open things up much more offensively. Currently, they run, run, run the same 1/2 dozen plays from basically the same formation over and over and over again. Lack of talent is surely an issue with the style KB employs. But there also seems to be a stubbornness on the side of the coach to do any thing creative or earth shattering, like replace his FG kicker who is sometime like 2-13 on the season. KB kind of has the same basic problem Phil Bengtson had - a very low key kind of guy on the field trying to replace a very dynamic one.

[emma17]

My apologies Bobo, I'm using my phone/small keys and accidentally hit the smite icon when trying to give plus K, so I gave you one of each. 

I know there is debate within some of what you listed, but I applaud your detail and honesty.
We likely all have our definition of wide open. I did a quick look back just for the run/pass ratio for 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 to now. For the most part, it seems the run/pass ratio pre KB was closer to 55/45. 2015 and 2018 were 65/35. That's one aspect of opening it up.

[WW]

As for the topic of WW's erosion of talent. I think a change in coaching staff and philosophy may have something to do with it. When LL got to ww IN 2007. He didn't like the idea of cutting kids at the end of fall camp. So the way they went about recruiting changed as a high school coaching friend of mine said they went after the top 2% of the talent they could get pissing off some high school coaches who were alumni. However as long as the Stagg bowl victories came they like it.
Since LL left one high school coach told me they bring n a lot more kids and the recruiting is back to the way it was when Brez was there prior to LL.
I accredit the fall off in Stagg Bowl performances to poor offensive performance in 2015,2016,and obviously 2017 and a change in offensive philosophy at the top as LL. Was a bit more wide open and KB is a little more Three yards and a cloud of dust.

I can't argue the offensive philosophy stuff but the recruiting landscape in D3 is an ever-changing universe. Many UW schools now welcome anybody who's touched a football onto their roster. Football is a significant enrollment initiative, and it is supported as such.

[bleedpurple]

Do you have something in mind when you say LL was more wide open in comparison to KB?

Let me take a shot at this. For one thing, LL had tight ends who could run a pass route and occupied a defender or two. That opened things for the WR's.  Now days they pose no threat to catch the ball, they are glorified tackles wearing a TE number.  The WR's as a result get very little separation from coverage.

My friend, BoBo:
Name one tight end that opened things up for the wide receivers under LL. If anything, his tight ends snuck out there and made catches while the defensive backs were chasing around our stud receivers.  You think a tight end cleared the way for Jake Kumerow and Aaron Rusch?  And I'm guessing you are still watching games online rather than attending them in person. The idea that our receivers don't create separation is ludicrous.  It's interesting you feel like you can even form such an opinion given you complain about the game being covered up by closed caption. It's hard enough to see the full route of a receiver online when you have the full picture. I'm not sure how you are able to with the closed caption blocking most of the screen. Our play calling has rightly been influenced by poor weather conditions the last couple of weeks. And it probably will again tomorrow. The weather has done more to slow down the UW-W passing attack than any secondary.

Dechampishere:

3 Yards and a cloud of dust?  We just gained 376 yards rushing against the 19th ranked team in the nation.  A team that just held La Crosse to 2.8 yards per carry in 35 carries.

To all:
There are a lot of opinions mixed with downright fiction being posted right now. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, no matter how stupid it makes you look.  But when fiction is thrown in or opinions are stated as if they are facts, then you are asking to be called out. I know you'd rather have me do it than Alpha Dog! 

[emma17]

Bleed
As I said to Bobo, there would be debate w some of his examples. I agree w you that LL didn't have a big play tight end/guy that opened the field for others. The LL teams used their tight ends as you said, but w great effect. See 2013 game at UMHB.
On the subject of tight ends, UWW had two big, string outstanding tight ends for 2015 and 2016- and for whatever reason, couldn't figure out how to weaponize them.

DC can defend himself on the cloud of dust comment, but you're pulling one game against a perennially weak defensive team to support your case. Imo three yards and a cloud of dust refers to a run ratio much higher than a pass ratio.

It is interesting how we all view things differently, but for most, we are in agreement the UWW offense is noticeably different than it was under the previous staff. I don't think we saw such differences when UWW moved through three offensive coordinators under LL- and all three OC's won championships their  first year on staff- with only one QB repeating.

[retagent]

Traveling to Sheyboygan in a couple of weeks. Can anyone suggest a couple of good restaurants ?

Good luck to all WIAC teams this weekend. Play well and free of injury.

Since the WIACers are focused on football (on a Football Forum) let me give a couple thoughts on dining in or near Sheboygan. I'm not all that familiar with the area, but I have eaten at Water Street Brewery, a few miles south of Sheboygan  (Grafton) on I-43. Good Pub style food and a plethora off beers to try. If you want to go upscale, there's always The American Club. At least a couple restaurants in that complex.