FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Saturday is calling for some snow (maybe an inch in Whitewater) with 10-15 mph winds.

I'm hoping a few more inches gets added to the forecast with 20-25 winds. 

[DuffMan]

Saturday is calling for some snow (maybe an inch in Whitewater) with 10-15 mph winds.

I'm hoping a few more inches gets added to the forecast with 20-25 winds. 

Come on, now!  We have warm-weather boys catching the ball.  We need a sliver of a chance!

[USee]

I think UWW has the right makeup to put together a winning gameplan Saturday. Wheaton's second half is what they tried to do most of the game (minus the missed Xtra Points!). Run the ball (Wheaton had 165 yds rushing, 114 in 2nd half), stop the run (-12 yds rushing), get after the QB with 4 and sometimes 5 (3 sacks, really 5, and at least 6-7 pressures/hits), and don't give up big plays....uh, well, that was the intention. The problem was Erdman. We knew that going in and still couldn't stop the kid. I am sure UWW will watch the tape and say "That won't happen to us" and it may not, but many a team have been saying that for a couple years.

That said, the strategy worked for Wheaton and they should have won the game based on that. They didn't win because Erdman did his thing and Wheaton made too many very costly mistakes, especially down the stretch.

I think it will be a great game of two very different styles, as Hazzbeen has said, and I am excited to watch after I take the next couple days to finish my therapy.

[02 Warhawk]

I think UWW has the right makeup to put together a winning gameplan Saturday. Wheaton's second half is what they tried to do most of the game (minus the missed Xtra Points!). Run the ball (Wheaton had 165 yds rushing, 114 in 2nd half), stop the run (-12 yds rushing), get after the QB with 4 and sometimes 5 (3 sacks, really 5, and at least 6-7 pressures/hits), and don't give up big plays....uh, well, that was the intention. The problem was Erdman. We knew that going in and still couldn't stop the kid. I am sure UWW will watch the tape and say "That won't happen to us" and it may not, but many a team have been saying that for a couple years.

That said, the strategy worked for Wheaton and they should have won the game based on that. They didn't win because Erdman did his thing and Wheaton made too many very costly mistakes, especially down the stretch.

I think it will be a great game of two very different styles, as Hazzbeen has said, and I am excited to watch after I take the next couple days to finish my therapy.

Exactly, their QB is on another level than the rest of D3 right now. He's the difference maker. I don't really fear their defense or running game.

It'll all come down to slowly up Erdmann. Not sure if that's possible, we shall see.  That's why I'm hoping for sloppy conditions Saturday.

[DuffMan]

SJU's not going to beat you with their running game--they know that.  It can be quite good, but they know what's got them to this point, and everyone else knows that, too.  They only ran the ball 12 times vs. Wheaton.  You've got to take what the defense gives you, and there aren't too many teams that could sucessfully run against that Wheaton defense.

[DuffMan]

I don't really fear their defense or running game.

Both aspects are adequate, but the passing game is what causes problems (duh!).  It's gonna be fun!

[hazzben]

I don't really fear their defense or running game.

Both aspects are adequate, but the passing game is what causes problems (duh!).  It's gonna be fun!

I'd say their passing game is what's truly elite. If people are shortchanging their D and running game (not saying Duff was, he knows them better than I), they are in for a surprise.

Contrast:

Whitewater's physicality/size/power is elite (see UMHB result). With a very strong run game and very strong D. Weakness (relatively speaking) is their QB play.

SJU's passing game is elite. Very strong D with a lot of speed. Very solid running game. Weakness, though mitigated post-concordia, is obviously their kicking game.

Can UWW shorten the game like they did v. UMHB? Can the SJU D hold up physically for 4 quarters? Can UWW contain Erdmann enough that they can still remain committed to the running game? Should be a great game!

[USee]

I think UWW has the right makeup to put together a winning gameplan Saturday. Wheaton's second half is what they tried to do most of the game (minus the missed Xtra Points!). Run the ball (Wheaton had 165 yds rushing, 114 in 2nd half), stop the run (-12 yds rushing), get after the QB with 4 and sometimes 5 (3 sacks, really 5, and at least 6-7 pressures/hits), and don't give up big plays....uh, well, that was the intention. The problem was Erdman. We knew that going in and still couldn't stop the kid. I am sure UWW will watch the tape and say "That won't happen to us" and it may not, but many a team have been saying that for a couple years.

That said, the strategy worked for Wheaton and they should have won the game based on that. They didn't win because Erdman did his thing and Wheaton made too many very costly mistakes, especially down the stretch.

I think it will be a great game of two very different styles, as Hazzbeen has said, and I am excited to watch after I take the next couple days to finish my therapy.

Exactly, their QB is on another level than the rest of D3 right now. He's the difference maker. I don't really fear their defense or running game.

It'll all come down to slowly up Erdmann. Not sure if that's possible, we shall see.  That's why I'm hoping for sloppy conditions Saturday.

There is a QB in Naperville that has something to say about this. I think those two are on a different level from rest of D3, not so sure they are on a different level from each other.

[02 Warhawk]

I think UWW has the right makeup to put together a winning gameplan Saturday. Wheaton's second half is what they tried to do most of the game (minus the missed Xtra Points!). Run the ball (Wheaton had 165 yds rushing, 114 in 2nd half), stop the run (-12 yds rushing), get after the QB with 4 and sometimes 5 (3 sacks, really 5, and at least 6-7 pressures/hits), and don't give up big plays....uh, well, that was the intention. The problem was Erdman. We knew that going in and still couldn't stop the kid. I am sure UWW will watch the tape and say "That won't happen to us" and it may not, but many a team have been saying that for a couple years.

That said, the strategy worked for Wheaton and they should have won the game based on that. They didn't win because Erdman did his thing and Wheaton made too many very costly mistakes, especially down the stretch.

I think it will be a great game of two very different styles, as Hazzbeen has said, and I am excited to watch after I take the next couple days to finish my therapy.

Exactly, their QB is on another level than the rest of D3 right now. He's the difference maker. I don't really fear their defense or running game.

It'll all come down to slowly up Erdmann. Not sure if that's possible, we shall see.  That's why I'm hoping for sloppy conditions Saturday.

There is a QB in Naperville that has something to say about this. I think those two are on a different level from rest of D3, not so sure they are on a different level from each other.

Very true. If he threw as much as Erdmann does, I suppose he would be right up there in yards with Erdmann....with more TDs too.

[USee]

North Central has a much better run game than St John's, and they are committed to running it 60% and throwing it 40%. That works for them so not sure I would change it.

[DuffMan]

North Central has a much better run game than St John's, and they are committed to running it 60% and throwing it 40%.

I won't argue that point.  Scary to think what SJU could do with NCC's ground game.  Then again, why change something that's obviously working?  As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat. 

I'm curious--if the 2019 Wheaton and NCC teams were to play 10 more times, what would you predict as an outcome?

[formerd3db]

Slight tangent here...

I commented on another board the other day where I saw that one of the college's had 18 total football coaches listed on their official staff, which is the most I've ever seen as I can recall. I see where UW-Lacrosse had 16 coaches listed (that included now former HC Schmidt.) I'm assuming that most of those guys were not getting paid (i.e. other than about 4 as is typical at most schools) but are volunteer assistants? For sure, that is a lot of coaches! Do any of you know the arrangement there?

[New Tradition]

North Central has a much better run game than St John's, and they are committed to running it 60% and throwing it 40%.

I won't argue that point.  Scary to think what SJU could do with NCC's ground game.  Then again, why change something that's obviously working?  As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat. 

I'm curious--if the 2019 Wheaton and NCC teams were to play 10 more times, what would you predict as an outcome?

5-5 Even split.  Ridiculous playmakers on both sides would step up at different times and do something crazy to give the edge for that particular contest. 

[WW]

I don't really fear their defense or running game.

Both aspects are adequate, but the passing game is what causes problems (duh!).  It's gonna be fun!

I'd say their passing game is what's truly elite. If people are shortchanging their D and running game (not saying Duff was, he knows them better than I), they are in for a surprise.

Contrast:

Whitewater's physicality/size/power is elite (see UMHB result). With a very strong run game and very strong D. Weakness (relatively speaking) is their QB play.

SJU's passing game is elite. Very strong D with a lot of speed. Very solid running game. Weakness, though mitigated post-concordia, is obviously their kicking game.

Can UWW shorten the game like they did v. UMHB? Can the SJU D hold up physically for 4 quarters? Can UWW contain Erdmann enough that they can still remain committed to the running game? Should be a great game!

UWW's pass defense has been suspect. 400 yards given up to UWRF, for example, and on the road, which means that those weren't 3rd, 4th and 5th stringers in the game.

But that O line, if it can maul SJU like they did UMHB, should control the pace and limit the opportunities for the SJU air game.

In either case, I think the scoreboard operator gonna get a workout.

[DuffMan]

This game pits 2 awesome teams that have shown vulnerabilities at times throughout the year.  It doesn't get much better.

How is UWW looking inury-wise?  SJU lost a linebacker and center during the Wheaton game, but I haven't heard the extent of their injuries.