FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

Three members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, Matt Anderson, Jacob Frey, and Matthew Saager were selected to the 2019 Academic All-America® Division III Football First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. No other school had more than two players selected to the 1st team.

"Anderson carries a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale and is majoring in biology. He is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and UW-Whitewater's Dean's List, and is a recipient of the university's Chancellor's Scholarship.
 
Frey ranks fourth on the team with 61 tackles and enters Saturday's game with seven passes defended, one fumble recovery and 0.5 tackles for a loss. He carries a 3.99 GPA majoring in accounting and finance and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.
 
Saager, who garnered second team All-WIAC accolades in 2018, has been a mainstay in the offensive line rotation for the last three seasons. He was named the team's representative on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship this season and is a three-year WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll winner. Saager is majoring in accounting and holds a 3.97 GPA."

Senior linebacker Matt Anderson (Rockford, Ill./Lutheran) is the Academic All-America® of the Year, the first in program history and only the third winner of the award in the history of UW-Whitewater athletics.

Link: https://academicallamerica.com/documents/2019/12/11//2019_d3_aaa_football.pdf?id=3080

That can't be right. I was told public schools don't have smart athletes because their admission standards are so much lower than private schools.

Notwithstanding your tongues being deeply embedded in your cheeks, I'm sure you know that's not how it works. I refer you to a bell curve. Since there are roughly 5 times the number of students at UWW, it stands to reason that there will be more, in absolute numbers, high achievers. That's where the number of students makes a difference, as opposed to on the athletic front. I would also posit that UWW has a higher number of logic impaired students as well.

And given the IQ does not distribute normally but instead on a curve called a Pareto distribution, it's virtually guaranteed that UWW has a significantly higher number of logic impaired students.  Perhaps that's why the playbook is written in crayon.  (Pretty colors, though)

[emma17]

No, UWW has never seen this SJU team before. UWW has seen many, many great passing teams over the years, in critical situations. Other than Linfield's 41 points in 2005, UWW's style of play has historically proven to limit the damage from the gunslingers. I believe UWW defensive backs will demonstrate great discipline. Maybe SJU players just end up making great plays on the ball, and that's ok, but I don't see them getting the ridiculously easy long TD's we've seen recently.   

UWW gave up 411 through the air versus UW-RF and you're not the least bit concerned about Erdmann?

To be clear, I'm not worried in the least bit what UWRF did v UWW. Last game of 2013 UWW needed a last second drive to beat those dirty Falcons- leading to great doubt by many. 5 games later they were Stagg Bowl champs.

[DuffMan]

To be clear, UW-RF is not who you should be worried about...

[emma17]

Three members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, Matt Anderson, Jacob Frey, and Matthew Saager were selected to the 2019 Academic All-America® Division III Football First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. No other school had more than two players selected to the 1st team.

"Anderson carries a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale and is majoring in biology. He is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and UW-Whitewater's Dean's List, and is a recipient of the university's Chancellor's Scholarship.
 
Frey ranks fourth on the team with 61 tackles and enters Saturday's game with seven passes defended, one fumble recovery and 0.5 tackles for a loss. He carries a 3.99 GPA majoring in accounting and finance and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.
 
Saager, who garnered second team All-WIAC accolades in 2018, has been a mainstay in the offensive line rotation for the last three seasons. He was named the team's representative on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship this season and is a three-year WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll winner. Saager is majoring in accounting and holds a 3.97 GPA."

Senior linebacker Matt Anderson (Rockford, Ill./Lutheran) is the Academic All-America® of the Year, the first in program history and only the third winner of the award in the history of UW-Whitewater athletics.

Link: https://academicallamerica.com/documents/2019/12/11//2019_d3_aaa_football.pdf?id=3080

That can't be right. I was told public schools don't have smart athletes because their admission standards are so much lower than private schools.

Notwithstanding your tongues being deeply embedded in your cheeks, I'm sure you know that's not how it works. I refer you to a bell curve. Since there are roughly 5 times the number of students at UWW, it stands to reason that there will be more, in absolute numbers, high achievers. That's where the number of students makes a difference, as opposed to on the athletic front. I would also posit that UWW has a higher number of logic impaired students as well.

I get it, so you're saying there are more higher achievers at UWW than there are at SJU.
Very kind of you to say.

[emma17]

To be clear, UW-RF is not who you should be worried about...

I don't know, historically UWRF has played UWW tighter.

[02 Warhawk]

No, UWW has never seen this SJU team before. UWW has seen many, many great passing teams over the years, in critical situations. Other than Linfield's 41 points in 2005, UWW's style of play has historically proven to limit the damage from the gunslingers. I believe UWW defensive backs will demonstrate great discipline. Maybe SJU players just end up making great plays on the ball, and that's ok, but I don't see them getting the ridiculously easy long TD's we've seen recently.   

UWW gave up 411 through the air versus UW-RF and you're not the least bit concerned about Erdmann?

To be clear, I'm not worried in the least bit what UWRF did v UWW. Last game of 2013 UWW needed a last second drive to beat those dirty Falcons- leading to great doubt by many. 5 games later they were Stagg Bowl champs.

I remember many Wabash fans (one fan in particular) pointed to that UWRF game in 2013 as to why Wabash was going to upset UWW. As they soon found out, it doesn't work like that.

I have my concerns about UWW facing St. John's this weekend....none of which has to do with what occurred in just that UWRF game.

[DuffMan]

Not saying that the RF result(s) are pertinent this weekend, much like I'd argue that SJU's loss to the Cobber isn't pertinent, either.  I'm just saying that UWW has shown some vulnerabilities, and IF those vulnerabilities show on Saturday, Erdmann is the one that will exploit them.

Personally, I am concerned about the Johnnie's slowing down the Warhawk rock pounding.

[emma17]

I'm much less stressed about this game than I was UMHB. I think I know the reason- there doesn't seem to be many unknowns to wrestle with... Maybe SJU players just end up making great plays on the ball, and that's ok, but I don't see them getting the ridiculously easy long TD's we've seen recently.     

Oddly, I'm also less nervous for this game than I was for Wheaton.  I don't but it down to confidence, but to certainty about the challenge.  It's not like any of us need to wonder.  We know exactly which game each side will play.  We know exactly how good they are at playing their own games.  Now we just wait for the clash.

I bold that last bit just to say they aren't ridiculously easy scores but instead the opposite.  If they were easy then everyone would be dong it.  They are, however, ridiculously consistent.  Will it continue?  That's the question.

Interesting perspective on the deep throws. I'll agree with you partially and say: SJU has been ridiculously consistent in finding DB's that allow ridiculously easy long TD passes.

[DuffMan]

I remember many Wabash fans (one fan in particular) pointed to that UWRF game in 2013 as to why Wabash was going to upset UWW. As they soon found out, it doesn't work like that.

Also, don't patronize me with your, "I remember when XXX thought they could beat us," bullcrap.  I've been around since before Whitewater's heyday.  I know how things work.

[DuffMan]

Interesting perspective on the deep throws. I'll agree with you partially and say: SJU has been ridiculously consistent in finding DB's that allow ridiculously easy long TD passes.

So, you're implying that Bethel, U$T, Aurora, Chapman, and Wheaton all have terrible defensive backs?

[WW]

2014 was a different animal. IIRC UWW already had the WIAC crown in hand heading into the UWRF game. And the 2014  UWW team didn't give up 400 passing yards to anybody, or for that matter, 200+ in a few other league games, like the 2019 team did. Apples. Oranges. This team isn't as good, particularly its pass defense. Doesn't mean they can't win.

[02 Warhawk]

I remember many Wabash fans (one fan in particular) pointed to that UWRF game in 2013 as to why Wabash was going to upset UWW. As they soon found out, it doesn't work like that.

Also, don't patronize me with your, "I remember when XXX thought they could beat us," bullcrap.  I've been around since before Whitewater's heyday.  I know how things work.

Just some old memories resurfacing, that's all.

[DuffMan]

If we're going to reminisce, let's go all the way back to 2002. 

[OzJohnnie]

Personally, I am concerned about the Johnnie's slowing down the Warhawk rock pounding.

Turnovers will make the day. Harris with an interception. Someone else with a fumble recovery. That's where the Johnnie D will make the difference. While our boys are much larger than the last time we met UWW I still don't think it's wise to bang heads in the guts with the WIAC.

If the offense is flying then we won't need a lot of time to get our points, but the defense can only absorb so much punishment before they wear down.  If we can convert in a turnover or stoppage and get some scoreboard pressure on UWW, forcing them to move quickly rather than grind out the clock, then we've got a chance.

[emma17]

2014 was a different animal. IIRC UWW already had the WIAC crown in hand heading into the UWRF game. And the 2014  UWW team didn't give up 400 passing yards to anybody, or for that matter, 200+ in a few other league games, like the 2019 team did. Apples. Oranges. This team isn't as good, particularly its pass defense. Doesn't mean they can't win.

Not really the point Johnny come lately (I'm not implying you're a SJU guy).
The point is this. UWW has played in 9 Stagg Bowls, requiring 36 playoff victories (if my math is right) to get there. In every season there were doubts about this or that. Before every big playoff game there was the same chatter "UWW's not this and not that and look how they didn't win such and such games as convincingly as a true champion would and how can they stop a Gagliardi trophy winner and how can they stop a two-time Gagliardi trophy winner" and on and on.
UWW is different this year for sure, but so is this season in general. No MT and no UMHB.
Here's what I see, SJU barely got by Stout, scored very few points vs Bethel and fell apart v Concordia.
UWW doesn't have to be 2013 or 2014 good, they just have to be UWW good. And one thing that cannot he argued, is UWW proved w 6 national championships that they are really, really good at stopping the teams all the other programs couldn't.