FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Also, I'm looking to start up the West Fan Poll again. As always, I have a few open spots if anyone here is interested. usually I get a preseason poll in, but I think I waited too long for that. So I'll start after the first games are played and post a Week 1 poll. I'm hoping to get 10 West fans to join this year.

Please reply or send me a message if you want in.

Much appreciated

West Fan Poll

[emma17]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

Not going to debate your prediction- just laying out some info. Over a decade puts us at minimum starting point of 2010- the year Matt Blanchard threw only one pick (I think it was the play he hurt his thumb vs LC?). Coppage, Rusch, Brandes and a strong O line. The D was as usual awesome. Lane Olson, Greg Arnold, Timm and other guys- held Mt to miniscule rushing yards in Stagg. And UWW won at NCC and at Wesley and the Stagg w a backup QB.

I'll leave 2013 and 2014 out of conversation for now. Just saying, it's easy to forget just how good the teams in the last decade were.

[bleedpurple]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

I don't think this is that bold, to be honest. They were on the cusp of something in 2019, and I think most folks expected them to be favored in 2020. Bringing everyone back that they do and including everyone who has transferred in should be really fun to watch.

Am I that off in thinking that Bullis is going to let Meylor play for awhile? I mean, he stuck with Cole Wilber for almost the entirety of a season...

But yea, I agree that Lewandowski didn't come here to be a backup. And if he's as good as his sophomore numbers at LAX say he is, I want him on the field ASAP.

I don't think you are off. My response was meant to be funny. Often I am the only one who laughs at my jokes. But laughing is good for me. 

To press the serious button for a moment, the coaches knew bringing a kid with the talent and profile of a Lewandowski could bring playing time "controversy". But Evan passed all the tests in attitude, willingness to compete, not expecting anything handed to him,  coming for the right reasons, etc. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and.he's a great kid.  I don't want to violate a student-athlete's privacy on the board, but through no fault of his own, he has had to miss a bit of practice time. Between that and Max having an outstanding camp, my observation (not from any coaches) is that Max has earned the starting job at this point. Not from 2019, but in fall camp.  My sense also is that Evan has the confidence, the demeanor, and the maturity to say "It is what it is" and work his butt off to be great every day and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season.

Length of leash? I have no idea. But I will say two things:
1. The coaches will always make the decision they think is best for this football team.
2. Max is good. Significantly better than he was in 2019 when he led us to the Stagg Bowl.

[colinsteinke]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

I don't think this is that bold, to be honest. They were on the cusp of something in 2019, and I think most folks expected them to be favored in 2020. Bringing everyone back that they do and including everyone who has transferred in should be really fun to watch.

Am I that off in thinking that Bullis is going to let Meylor play for awhile? I mean, he stuck with Cole Wilber for almost the entirety of a season...

But yea, I agree that Lewandowski didn't come here to be a backup. And if he's as good as his sophomore numbers at LAX say he is, I want him on the field ASAP.

I don't think you are off. My response was meant to be funny. Often I am the only one who laughs at my jokes. But laughing is good for me. 

To press the serious button for a moment, the coaches knew bringing a kid with the talent and profile of a Lewandowski could bring playing time "controversy". But Evan passed all the tests in attitude, willingness to compete, not expecting anything handed to him,  coming for the right reasons, etc. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and.he's a great kid.  I don't want to violate a student-athlete's privacy on the board, but through no fault of his own, he has had to miss a bit of practice time. Between that and Max having an outstanding camp, my observation (not from any coaches) is that Max has earned the starting job at this point. Not from 2019, but in fall camp.  My sense also is that Evan has the confidence, the demeanor, and the maturity to say "It is what it is" and work his butt off to be great every day and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season.

Length of leash? I have no idea. But I will say two things:
1. The coaches will always make the decision they think is best for this football team.
2. Max is good. Significantly better than he was in 2019 when he led us to the Stagg Bowl.

Two years of growth can make all the difference. He played well down the stretch, but it's been a few years since we had a truly great QB. It would be a huge boost if he had a great year.

[02 Warhawk]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

I don't think this is that bold, to be honest. They were on the cusp of something in 2019, and I think most folks expected them to be favored in 2020. Bringing everyone back that they do and including everyone who has transferred in should be really fun to watch.

Am I that off in thinking that Bullis is going to let Meylor play for awhile? I mean, he stuck with Cole Wilber for almost the entirety of a season...

But yea, I agree that Lewandowski didn't come here to be a backup. And if he's as good as his sophomore numbers at LAX say he is, I want him on the field ASAP.

I don't think you are off. My response was meant to be funny. Often I am the only one who laughs at my jokes. But laughing is good for me. 

To press the serious button for a moment, the coaches knew bringing a kid with the talent and profile of a Lewandowski could bring playing time "controversy". But Evan passed all the tests in attitude, willingness to compete, not expecting anything handed to him,  coming for the right reasons, etc. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and.he's a great kid.  I don't want to violate a student-athlete's privacy on the board, but through no fault of his own, he has had to miss a bit of practice time. Between that and Max having an outstanding camp, my observation (not from any coaches) is that Max has earned the starting job at this point. Not from 2019, but in fall camp.  My sense also is that Evan has the confidence, the demeanor, and the maturity to say "It is what it is" and work his butt off to be great every day and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season.

Length of leash? I have no idea. But I will say two things:
1. The coaches will always make the decision they think is best for this football team.
2. Max is good. Significantly better than he was in 2019 when he led us to the Stagg Bowl.

Two years of growth can make all the difference. He played well down the stretch, but it's been a few years since we had a truly great QB. It would be a huge boost if he had a great year.

This is just it. Also, emma touched on this as well.

The biggest difference between the Stagg Bowl winning years, and the past 5-6 years, has been the level of QB play. It's a big factor we've been missing for some time. We've had some very solid QB's recently, but nothing compared to Behrendt, Blanchard, Donovan and Jones). Then again, you can make the argument previous offensive coordinator(s) have gotten in the way of guys like Wilber...who I thought had the talent to be great. I won't name names, but we all know which OC I'm talking about.

Judging by who we have in camp now, this little "drought" might come to an end very shortly.

[gbpuckfan]

UWO preview:

https://fox11online.com/sports/packers-and-nfl/after-nearly-two-years-uw-oshkosh-football-ready-to-rock-roll

[colinsteinke]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

I don't think this is that bold, to be honest. They were on the cusp of something in 2019, and I think most folks expected them to be favored in 2020. Bringing everyone back that they do and including everyone who has transferred in should be really fun to watch.

Am I that off in thinking that Bullis is going to let Meylor play for awhile? I mean, he stuck with Cole Wilber for almost the entirety of a season...

But yea, I agree that Lewandowski didn't come here to be a backup. And if he's as good as his sophomore numbers at LAX say he is, I want him on the field ASAP.

I don't think you are off. My response was meant to be funny. Often I am the only one who laughs at my jokes. But laughing is good for me. 

To press the serious button for a moment, the coaches knew bringing a kid with the talent and profile of a Lewandowski could bring playing time "controversy". But Evan passed all the tests in attitude, willingness to compete, not expecting anything handed to him,  coming for the right reasons, etc. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and.he's a great kid.  I don't want to violate a student-athlete's privacy on the board, but through no fault of his own, he has had to miss a bit of practice time. Between that and Max having an outstanding camp, my observation (not from any coaches) is that Max has earned the starting job at this point. Not from 2019, but in fall camp.  My sense also is that Evan has the confidence, the demeanor, and the maturity to say "It is what it is" and work his butt off to be great every day and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season.

Length of leash? I have no idea. But I will say two things:
1. The coaches will always make the decision they think is best for this football team.
2. Max is good. Significantly better than he was in 2019 when he led us to the Stagg Bowl.

Two years of growth can make all the difference. He played well down the stretch, but it's been a few years since we had a truly great QB. It would be a huge boost if he had a great year.

This is just it. Also, emma touched on this as well.

The biggest difference between the Stagg Bowl winning years, and the past 5-6 years, has been the level of QB play. It's a big factor we've been missing for some time. We've had some very solid QB's recently, but nothing compared to Behrendt, Blanchard, Donovan and Jones). Then again, you can make the argument previous offensive coordinator(s) have gotten in the way of guys like Wilber...who I thought had the talent to be great. I won't name names, but we all know which OC I'm talking about.

Judging by who we have in camp now, this little "drought" might come to an end very shortly.

That's a fair point. Wilber showed flashes...

And you're right. Solid QB play can win you a lot of games, but it's not enough to bring back the Stagg Bowl trophy as other teams continue to improve. It does look like we're in line to have some excellent years at QB here given who is in the room now.

[02 Warhawk]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

I don't think this is that bold, to be honest. They were on the cusp of something in 2019, and I think most folks expected them to be favored in 2020. Bringing everyone back that they do and including everyone who has transferred in should be really fun to watch.

Am I that off in thinking that Bullis is going to let Meylor play for awhile? I mean, he stuck with Cole Wilber for almost the entirety of a season...

But yea, I agree that Lewandowski didn't come here to be a backup. And if he's as good as his sophomore numbers at LAX say he is, I want him on the field ASAP.

I don't think you are off. My response was meant to be funny. Often I am the only one who laughs at my jokes. But laughing is good for me. 

To press the serious button for a moment, the coaches knew bringing a kid with the talent and profile of a Lewandowski could bring playing time "controversy". But Evan passed all the tests in attitude, willingness to compete, not expecting anything handed to him,  coming for the right reasons, etc. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and.he's a great kid.  I don't want to violate a student-athlete's privacy on the board, but through no fault of his own, he has had to miss a bit of practice time. Between that and Max having an outstanding camp, my observation (not from any coaches) is that Max has earned the starting job at this point. Not from 2019, but in fall camp.  My sense also is that Evan has the confidence, the demeanor, and the maturity to say "It is what it is" and work his butt off to be great every day and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season.

Length of leash? I have no idea. But I will say two things:
1. The coaches will always make the decision they think is best for this football team.
2. Max is good. Significantly better than he was in 2019 when he led us to the Stagg Bowl.

Two years of growth can make all the difference. He played well down the stretch, but it's been a few years since we had a truly great QB. It would be a huge boost if he had a great year.

This is just it. Also, emma touched on this as well.

The biggest difference between the Stagg Bowl winning years, and the past 5-6 years, has been the level of QB play. It's a big factor we've been missing for some time. We've had some very solid QB's recently, but nothing compared to Behrendt, Blanchard, Donovan and Jones). Then again, you can make the argument previous offensive coordinator(s) have gotten in the way of guys like Wilber...who I thought had the talent to be great. I won't name names, but we all know which OC I'm talking about.

Judging by who we have in camp now, this little "drought" might come to an end very shortly.

That's a fair point. Wilber showed flashes...

And you're right. Solid QB play can win you a lot of games, but it's not enough to bring back the Stagg Bowl trophy as other teams continue to improve. It does look like we're in line to have some excellent years at QB here given who is in the room now.

Yup, absolutely. I guess my point was that I think we were damn close to having Stagg Bowl trophy teams over the past few seasons, but we just didn't have that QB that put the team over the top.

Oline has always been extremely good
Defense has always been very good (with the exception of the 2019 Stagg Bowl...ran into a buzz saw there)
RB's and WR's have been consistently solid

[colinsteinke]

Yea. As much as I don't want to admit it, that 2019 NCC team was loaded.

[bleedpurple]

I am going to make a bold prediction, but this will be the best Whitewater team we have seen in over a decade. 5 classes, with a loaded transfer group, I think a fair line would be 21.5 and I would still think Whitewater gets that one. I am interested to see if they get back to pounding the ball and put a fullback back in the game. I just do not think anyone will push the Warhawks. We will see but I just see them coming out of the year and a half break with their hair on fire

I don't think this is that bold, to be honest. They were on the cusp of something in 2019, and I think most folks expected them to be favored in 2020. Bringing everyone back that they do and including everyone who has transferred in should be really fun to watch.

Am I that off in thinking that Bullis is going to let Meylor play for awhile? I mean, he stuck with Cole Wilber for almost the entirety of a season...

But yea, I agree that Lewandowski didn't come here to be a backup. And if he's as good as his sophomore numbers at LAX say he is, I want him on the field ASAP.

I don't think you are off. My response was meant to be funny. Often I am the only one who laughs at my jokes. But laughing is good for me. 

To press the serious button for a moment, the coaches knew bringing a kid with the talent and profile of a Lewandowski could bring playing time "controversy". But Evan passed all the tests in attitude, willingness to compete, not expecting anything handed to him,  coming for the right reasons, etc. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and.he's a great kid.  I don't want to violate a student-athlete's privacy on the board, but through no fault of his own, he has had to miss a bit of practice time. Between that and Max having an outstanding camp, my observation (not from any coaches) is that Max has earned the starting job at this point. Not from 2019, but in fall camp.  My sense also is that Evan has the confidence, the demeanor, and the maturity to say "It is what it is" and work his butt off to be great every day and let the chips fall where they may. It's a long season.

Length of leash? I have no idea. But I will say two things:
1. The coaches will always make the decision they think is best for this football team.
2. Max is good. Significantly better than he was in 2019 when he led us to the Stagg Bowl.

Two years of growth can make all the difference. He played well down the stretch, but it's been a few years since we had a truly great QB. It would be a huge boost if he had a great year.

This is just it. Also, emma touched on this as well.

The biggest difference between the Stagg Bowl winning years, and the past 5-6 years, has been the level of QB play. It's a big factor we've been missing for some time. We've had some very solid QB's recently, but nothing compared to Behrendt, Blanchard, Donovan and Jones). Then again, you can make the argument previous offensive coordinator(s) have gotten in the way of guys like Wilber...who I thought had the talent to be great. I won't name names, but we all know which OC I'm talking about.

Judging by who we have in camp now, this little "drought" might come to an end very shortly.

That's a fair point. Wilber showed flashes...

And you're right. Solid QB play can win you a lot of games, but it's not enough to bring back the Stagg Bowl trophy as other teams continue to improve. It does look like we're in line to have some excellent years at QB here given who is in the room now.

I shouldn't attempt to speak for 02, but I think part of his point was that we often DO have the other pieces in place (especially defense and running game) that a great QB (or great QB/OC combo) could have put us over the top. It got us to the brink in 2019.

I think the other area we will be significantly stronger this year is wide receiver. This group is special.

[colinsteinke]

Any insight into why Wisniewski isn't listed on the roster or two-deep just released?

[02 Warhawk]

Any insight into why Wisniewski isn't listed on the roster or two-deep just released?

Get on it, Bleed

[bleedpurple]

Any insight into why Wisniewski isn't listed on the roster or two-deep just released?

Get on it, Bleed

And you guys didn't believe me when I said we were deep at wide receiver. We just couldn't keep everybody! 

[colinsteinke]

Any insight into why Wisniewski isn't listed on the roster or two-deep just released?

Get on it, Bleed

And you guys didn't believe me when I said we were deep at wide receiver. We just couldn't keep everybody! 

There's no way he got cut...so...

I'm assuming that means you don't have any info?

[bleedpurple]

Any insight into why Wisniewski isn't listed on the roster or two-deep just released?

Get on it, Bleed

And you guys didn't believe me when I said we were deep at wide receiver. We just couldn't keep everybody! 

There's no way he got cut...so...

I'm assuming that means you don't have any info?

You are catching on to my humor! Yes. I can confirm Wiz did not get cut. 

And you can assume whatever you want regarding me having info.  You have as much right to be wrong on this board as anyone else. Most people would assume I know but am not at liberty to say at the moment.  But again, everyone has a right to their own assumptions.